In the _Report_ of the royal commissioners on the British Museum, printed
in 1850, we read--
"We are of opinion that, with reference to such a measure as the one
now suggested [giving information to persons at a distance as to the
existence of works in the library], and to other measures and
regulations generally affecting the use of the library, it is desirable
to prepare and publish a compendious _Guide to the reading-room_, as
described and _suggested_ by lord Seymour at Q. 9521."
The reference is erroneous. At Q. 9521. there is not a word on the subject!
At Q. 9522. we read--
"(_Lord Seymour_--to Antonio Panizzi, Esq.) You have heard also _some
witnesses_ state that it would be a great advantage to those who
frequent the reading-room if they had put into their hands some short
printed guide to the reading-room, to tell them what books of reference
there were, and to tell them how they were to proceed to get books, and
other information, from the want of which they state they have been at
a great loss? (_Mr. Panizzi._) I do not believe that it is often the
case that persons are at a loss for want of such a guide, but _it might
be done_," etc.
Now, the suggestion of a _short printed guide to the reading-room_ was
evidently considered as of some importance. The principle of SUUM CUIQUE is
also of some importance. We observe that lord Seymour the examiner ascribes
the suggestion to _some witnesses_--but lord Seymour the reporter claims
the credit of it for himself! It is the after-thought of his lordship of
which I have to complain.
If we turn to the evidence, it will appear that Mr. Peter Cunningham
suggested a printed "catalogue of the books in the reading-room," Q.
4800.--I must now speak of myself. When summoned before the commissioners
as a witness, I took with me the printed _Directions respecting the
reading-room_ for the express purpose of pointing out their inconsistency
and insufficiency, and of advocating the preparation of a guide-book.
I cannot repeat my arguments. It would occupy too much space. I can only
refer to the questions 6106-6116. The substance is this:--I contended that
every person admitted to the reading-room should be furnished with
instructions _how to proceed_--instructions as to the _catalogues which he
should consult_--and instructions for _asking for the books_. On that
evidence rests my claim to the credit of having suggested a _Guide to the
reading-room_. Its validity shall be left to the decision of those who
venerate the motto of Tom Hearne--SUUM CUIQUE.
The trustees of the British Museum seem to have paid no attention to the
recommendation of the royal commissioners. They issue the same _Directions_
as before. _After_ you have obtained admission to the reading-room, you are
furnished with instructions as to the mode of obtaining it!--but you have
no guide to the numerous catalogues.
What Mr. Antonio Panizzi, the keeper of the department of printed books,
says _might be done_, Mr. Richard Sims, of the department of manuscripts,
says _shall be done_. His _Handbook to the library of the British Museum_
is a very comprehensive and instructive volume. It is a triumphant
refutation of the opinions of those who, to the vast injury of literature,
and serious inconvenience of men of letters, slight common sense and real
utility in favour of visionary schemes and pedantic elaboration.
There is no want of precedents for a work of this class, either abroad or
at home. As to the public library at Paris--I observe, in my own small
collection, an _Essai historique sur la bibliothèque du roi_, par M. le
Prince; a _Histoire du cabinet des médailles_, par M. Marion du Mersan; a
_Notice des estampes_, par M. Duchesne, &c.
For a precedent at home, I shall refer to the _Synopsis of the contents of
the British Museum_. The _first_ edition of that interesting work, with the
{512} valued autograph of _G. Shaw_, is now before me. It is dated in 1808.
I have also the _sixtieth_ edition, printed in this year. I cannot expect
to see a sixtieth edition of the _Handbook_, but it deserves to be placed
by the side of the _Synopsis_, and I venture to predict for it a wide
circulation.