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LUNCHTIME TALKS
Chaired by Geoffrey Catchpole unless stated

 

The Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution’s (BRLSI) Book Collection

Dr Evelyn L. Lewis & Robert Randall,

Trustees & BRLSI Members.

11 September 2003.

History and aims of the Institution and its Library 1.

The BRLSI library was formed in 1824 when the Institution was established by Victorian intellectuals to house their expanding collections and to promote social and cultural dialogue. The aristocratic and royal patronage and nature of Bath itself as a residence for wealthy professional people played an important part in the quality of the collections with particular reference to geology and natural history in an age of scientific discovery, increasing intellectual stimulation and religious ambiguity (Creationists' theory v Geology; Darwinism). Accordingly, the library collections spanned works reflecting the philosophical and cultural studies of the Arts (including literature), ‘natural philosophy’ (later called Science) and the humanities, eventually amounting to ca 36,000 volumes. When the Institution relocated across Bath from Terrace Walk to its present site in Queen Square during 1932, many books were sold resulting in a library comprised of ca 17,000 volumes. Due to the requisitioning of the building by the Admiralty, the library and museum collections were held in storage from 1940 until 1959 when they, and the building, came under the Trusteeship of the Local Authority. Some of the Museum collections were then loaned to other museums and schools, or alternatively, given away or sold, including another 10,000 books. Following interested individuals’ concern for the state of the collections, BRLSI was revived. The Trusteeship of the premises and collections was transferred in 1993 to a new body of trustees who, with the aid of dedicated volunteers, are now engaged in recovering and conserving the collections to ‘provide education, source material for research and enjoyment’.

The BRLSI Book Collections

The original BRLSI library, now regarded as the Historic Library, is housed on roller-racking in the grade 1 listed 18th century building in Queen Square, Bath, and overseen by Robert Randall (Trustee and Chairman of the Collections sub-Committee) and John Lewis (Member), assisted by Dr Evelyn Lewis, Tim Gulliford, Judy Partridge, Peggy Freeman and Rosemarie Davies. The revived Institution has acquired more books (usually by donation), which complement, but are mostly categorised separately from the Historic Library and relate mainly to local history and the Institution’s programme of lectures. An online catalogue has almost been completed with priority given to the important special collections, which constitute over half the present library, namely, the scientific libraries of the Reverend Leonard Jenyns (1800-1893), and Christopher Edmund Broome (1812-1886), plus the remarkable Parliamentary Collections spanning the 17-19th century. The two former scientific libraries and their herbaria were bequeathed to the BRLSI in 1869/93 and 1886, respectively. These special collections include 3000 books and bound volumes of journals comprising the Rev. Leonard Jenyns’ library and 220 books comprising the C.E. Broome’s library which are chiefly works of most of the important writers of the 17th – 19th century in the fields of science, technology and natural history, i.e. English works by natural theologists John Gerard (Herbal 1636), John Evelyn (Memoirs 1641-1705/6; Sylva- a discourse on forest trees etc. 1664), John Ray (most of his works), Thomas Martyn (Flora Rustica, 1792-1794, etc.), Erasmus Darwin (Charles Darwin's Grandfather), Robert Chambers (Vestiges of the natural history of the Creation, 6th edn. 1847, Explanations, 2nd edn. 1846), and important European authors such as Joannes Jonstonus (Historiae Naturalis 1657-1665), Charles Bonnet (Oeuvres d’Histoire naturelle et de Philosophie, 1779-1783), Georges Cuvier (Recherches sur les Ossemens fossiles, 1821, Histoire des progres des sciences naturelles, 1821), Elias Fries (Systema mycologicum 1821-1829 etc.), Louis Agassiz (Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles 1833-1845), Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis 1824-1873), Lamarck, (zoologist: alternative view of evolution) and Linnaeus, (definitive works on taxonomy). It also includes the foremost geological journals of the period. The Parliamentary Collection (ca 370 volumes) includes runs of the House of Commons’ and House of Lords’ Journals, reprints of the Domesday Book, Rotuli Hundredorum, Valor Ecclesiasticus and other ancient documents; Commisioners' reports of the Poor Law and Health of Towns, Woodfall’s and Hansard’s ‘Parliamentary Debates’; William Cobett’s State Trials etc.

Due to the historical events outlined above, the BRLSI Book Collection presently consists of 9,000 items, ca 7,000 books covering a wide range of subjects, (fig. 2) of which 11% are Antiquarian Books (30% dated prior to 1750; 70% dated 1750-1799). It is typical of the 19th century ‘Lit. & Phil.’ libraries but is a distinctive research resource of extraordinary depth and variety because it is enhanced by unique archival material, interesting museum collections and an online catalogue.

Special Collections

Of the scientific libraries in the special collection, The Rev. Leonard Jenyns’ (later Blomefield) 2,3,4, a noted amateur naturalist, is the most important in terms of size, personal annotation and range of content (most aspects of science and natural history). The rarity value of annotated and inscribed books in our library benefited from his long contact with family and friends who were eminent career scientists of the era. Nicholson’s Encyclopedia (1809), was the beginning of his library (fig.1)

 

and given to him at the age of 10 by his Godfather, Rev. Leonard Chappelow, a distinguished natural historian who later bequeathed his library containing important 18th century scientific works to Jenyns. The four volumes of Jenyns’ lifelong and voluminous correspondence with Charles Darwin, Sir William Jackson Hooker and Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew), Prof. John Stephens Henslow (Botanist, later known as Darwin’s mentor), Charles Moore (geologist, eminent palaeontologist), Charles Daubeny (distinguished geologist and expert on volcanoes), Christopher Broome (mycologist), and most notable ‘men of science’ are registered with the National Register of Archives. Jenyns’ donation of books which he wrote on a wide variety of subjects was reciprocated by the above recipients resulting in many inscribed first editions in our library, including Darwin's Origin of Species (1860); Daubeny's, A description of active and extinct volcanoes (1826). Jenyns and Henslow, having sequentially declined the invitation to join the Beagle as naturalists to the voyage in 1831 recommended Charles Darwin, who on his return, persuaded Jenyns to edit the monograph on fishes for the zoology section of his Voyage of the Beagle. Since Jenyns had to learn about fish for this purpose, our library contains a very comprehensive section on all aspects of the subject! Jenyns was instrumental in setting up the natural history section and a Meteorology Station in the BRLSI, of which he characteristically kept (and bound) meticulous records. His herbarium of ca 3,000 British plants comprises 42 folio volumes in quarter-bound leather. Our local history section contains runs of the proceedings of the Bath Natural History & Antiquarian Field Club, which he formed in 1855 with Christopher Broome.

Broome was a botanist who published a series of important papers on mycology in collaboration with the Rev. M.J. Berkeley. The Broome botanical library is an important asset to the BRLSI as it is remarkably rich in mycological literature, an area of study not generally well represented in other 19th century 'Lit. & Phil'. libraries. His books on lower plants, fungi and algae continue to be of scientific interest to the present day and are beautifully illustrated tomes. Broome’s herbarium contains ca 6,600 specimens of British and European plants, including exsiccatae of cryptogamic plants, and has been classified as ‘regionally important’. This, complemented by the Jenyns’ herbarium and a volume entitled Plantae Bathonienses (probably the Bath Field Club herbarium) plus three others, is a formidable historical research resource. The library contains many books referred to by the eminent collectors of specimens (Profs. of Botany; Cambridge & Edinburgh) relatively early in the history of botanical study. The descriptive taxonomic works of Linnaeus and De Candolle complement the beautifully illustrated works by Dillenius (mosses, lichens and algae -Historia Muscorum, 1768)), Martyn (Flora Rustica, 1792), Dillwyn (British Confervae, 1809), and Gerard’s Herbal, (1636).

The Parliamentary Papers are rather overlooked by historians despite being a very valuable source of information about every aspect of life in Britain, especially those from 1830 onwards when the Statistical Movement became prominent. The massive amount of information is reflected by the fact that the microfiche edition of 19th century House of Commons papers amounts to 4,700 fiches and five large volumes of printed index. We have been urged by researchers visiting BRLSI (Exeter University) to conserve our hard-back bound volumes of original printed documents since they are relatively rare and more complete than their microfiche source. This is probably because comparatively small numbers were printed and most copies were purchased by libraries where they remain in fragile condition as many were flimsy paperback editions.

General Collections in the Historic Library

(ca. 2,300 vols. plus ca. 700 vols. local collection)

The remaining volumes in the library, some rare works, deal with a multitude of subjects (fig. 2) including magazines reflecting 19th century Social History, some novels (mostly classics), atlases, scrapbooks, photograph albums and journals, and a good selection of material covering European, British and, in particular, local history. These varied collections were acquired by the Institution itself and embodies a large number of works and periodicals (Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy (rare); Royal Institution; Geological Society of London; Statistical Society; Bath and West of England Agricultural Society; Nicholson’s Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and the Arts) that complement the libraries of Jenyns and Broome.

i) Local Collection

The local collection, ca 700 volumes, includes the libraries of the Bath Natural History & Antiquarian Field Club and the Bath District of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society which were predominantly working reference libraries containing a great deal of information on local history and antiquities. A few of these veritable tomes full of statistics and local data useful for research are Warner’s History of Bath (1801), The Bath Directories (Silverthorne 1833; & Robinson 1856); Scarth's Aquae Solis (annotated by the author); Bath Penitentiary and Lock Hospital Reports 1816-1820 (Rothchild, 1821); Mainwaring's Annals of Bath (1838); Haygarth’s Explanation of the Principles and Proceedings of the Provident Institution for Savings, Bath (1810); William Lewis’s Original Bath Guide (1876); John Britton’s History and Antiquities of Bath Abbey Church (1825), and an Ancient Scrapbook (1801) compiled by the most eloquent Preacher of his time, Rev. Robert Hall, and donated in 1850 by Rev. Richard Warner, a local historian. Two volumes of Feltham's Guide to all (including Bath & Bristol) the watering and seabathing places (1823), describes tourism a la mode in detail with the aid of beautiful miniature engravings. This compendium along with Lister’s scientific work on the mineral waters and spas, Fontibus medicatis Angliae (1684); Barlow's Essays on the efficacy of the Bath Waters, (1822); The improved, (1825), and The Express, (1870), Bath Guides make compulsive reading for social historians researching Victorian Bath. Significant works on the histories of neighbouring counties includes Seyer’s Memoirs of Bristol (1821); Cuttings and Extracts by the celebrated Robert Hall, Bristol (1850); Visitations of Somerset (1565, 1623); Collinson’s History of Somerset (1791); Publications of the Somerset Record Society (1887-1944), and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society (1849-1949), including the Bath branch (1904-1948); Richard Colt Hoare’s History of Wiltshire, both Ancient (1812, 1819), and Modern (1822-1843); Rudder’s History of Gloucestershire (1779); A General View of Agriculture in the County of Gloucestershire (1807), and several tomes on the derivation of place names or descriptions of local ancient monuments.

Richly illustrated works in our library relating to different aspects of Bath’s history are Rutter’s Delineations of Fonthill and its Abbey (1823), - the home of William Beckford’s father who commissioned many Casali paintings, four of which were later acquired by the BRLSI 5, and two volumes of Andrea Palladio’s, Architecture de Palladio (1726), ‘avec des notes d'Inigo Jones’, a major influence on the architecture of Georgian Bath. The Bath Bible (1785), also known as ‘Bishop Wilson's Bible’, containing the Old and New Testaments and the Apocrypha, with notes by Bishop Wilson (The Bishop of Bath & Wells) and various readings collected from other translations by the editor, Rev. Clement Cruttwell, deserves special mention. It took two years (9hrs/day) to add the 66,983 marginal references to parallel passages, was printed ‘with great beauty and correctness’ by Cruttwell’s brother (printer of the Bath Chronicle) and was adjudged to be ‘the standard edition superior to any other... it has done lasting honour to our City’. The industrious editor added an interesting bibliographical and biographical ‘Preface’ and the third book of Maccabees, which had not appeared in any English Bible since 1551. This useful and important variorum edition of the King James version of the Bible with its comparisons to other English translations (including those of Coverdale, Cranmer, Tyndal, Becke, Purver and many others; also Bishops’ Genevan, Dowey and Rheimish versions) consists of three substantial tomes!

ii) General Collection

Theology (most religions) and Church history are also well represented in our General collection of ca 2,300 volumes. Many books on eastern religions were presented by Major Charles Stewart, Professor of Oriental Literature at the East India Company’s College. The Sacred Books of the East (1879-94; 44 volumes) edited by Max Muller, Secretary of State for India in Council, are English translations of nearly all the major Eastern religions - Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Janeism, Hinduism, Sikhism ... Among rare works in our comprehensive collection on theology are an old, illuminated annotated copy of the Holy Koran; the kaleidoscopic tome of The History and Doctrine of Buddhism (Upham, 1829); The Catholic Layman (1852-55 & 1856-58, 1862), - a ‘weekly paper’ edited by Arthur Gayer (bound as oversized books), and a history of the Greek Orthodox Church. Dr Edward Pocock’s Theological Works (1740) are notable not only for its contents in Latin/ Hebrew, but the pencilled notes and insert pinned into the text with, as yet, a non-rusty metal pin! Pocock was Professor of Hebrew & Arabic Tongues, Oxford University. The Lutheran branch features prominently in Scott’s History of the Church of Christ (1740), whereas religion in the 4th - 6th century is recounted in I'Abbe Fleury's volumes on Ecclesiastical History (1728-1730). The societal aspects of ancient civilisations are represented by Heinrich Brugsch’s work on the Rosetta Stone Inscriptio Rosettana Hieroglyphia (1815); Pettigrew’s, History of Egyptian Mummies (1834), and Ancient India as described by Megasthenes and Arrian (Mc Crindle, 1877).

Aspects of French antiquities and lifestyle are covered in our valuable and rare 18th century works by Bernard de Montfaucon, a Benedictine Monk of the Congregation of St Maur, whose erudite and richly illustrated study of the classical world L'antiquiteExpliquee, et representee en figures (1722-24, 15 vols.) was an early attempt to explain ancient pagan iconography by reference works of art. It was a fundamental source of classical motifs for artists and architects of the 18th century and later. Robert Adam (architect of Georgian Bath) derived his ‘Etruscan’ motifs and many of his decorative themes from this work. The French and Latin text is illustrated with 1,388 engraved plates, some 236 of which are double page pastedowns. The unfinished Les Monumens de la Monarchie Françoise (1829-33, 5 vols.) surveyed the social and artistic aspects of early French history including the Monarchy and Revolution. The Asiatic Journal and monthly registers for British India and Its Dependencies, (1816-1826; 22 vols.), afford a rare and fascinating glimpse into all aspects of life in the days of Empire. Memoirs, literary and philosophical reviews of home (United Kingdom) affairs and Intelligence, debates at East India House, Proceedings of the Civil & Military Intelligence (appointments, promotions, deaths, births etc), State of the market in London and India, the times appointed for East India’s shipping are all recounted in addition to poetry, history, antiquities, natural history and geography. In the same vane, the eighteen volumes of the Annual Biography & Obituary (1817-1836) record a rare insight to society at that time and were established for the ‘express purpose of perpetuating the reputation of our illustrious Countrymen’. These biographical volumes are a valuable research source because a ‘list of works’ by celebrated Philosophers, Statesmen, Warriors, Scientists, Medics, Artists, Writers, and Poets etc. is incorporated. Four runs of journals surveying the social history of the 19th century are the Gentleman's Magazine (1840/6, 1861/8), which were early volumes preceding Science & Historical Journals and therefore, rare works, Blackwood's Magazines (1873 onwards) full of current issues of the day and interesting advertisements; The Contemporary Review (1874-80; 15 vols.), and The Nineteenth Century (1877-84), - a monthly review of social history edited by J. Knowles. Punch (1841-91, vols. 1-100 bound into 25 volumes) provides a satirical record of the period. Equally absorbing is a rare volume of Alexis Soyer's historical reminiscences of the late war (Crimean War) wherein he describes the ‘plain art of cookery for Military & Civil Institutions, The Army, Navy, Public etc.’- Soyer’s Culinary Campaign (1857). He was the cookery writer of the day sent to Crimea to teach brave fellows how to make the best of their rations in Scutari Hospital.

Notable Encyclopaedias - e.g. Diderot's Encyclopaedia (1751-80), Glossaries and Dictionaries - e.g. Samuel Johnson's, (Harrison’s 1786 edition, with his life of the author), in most ancient (Norman French, Greek, Latin, Gothic-Latin, Anglo-Saxon, Arabic) and modern languages are among the reference works in our library. A notable and rare French work Le Monde Primitif (1775, 9 vols.), examines and compares the origins of many languages, scripts, calendars etc. before English was integrated into them! Richardson’s Illustrations of English Philology (1815), is a critique of Dr Johnson's Dictionary among others. The Soorah (1812-1815, 2 vols.),- a dictionary of Arabic words explained in Persian, the Boorhani Quatiu (1818), - a Dictionary of the Persian Language, comprise part of our distinctive Persian and Arabic book collection which requires restoration and informed research. The Literature section also includes some fiction (mostly classics) and works on a wide range of topics – e.g. The History of the English Railways (1851); Miscellaneous British, French and American papers on cables and machinery collected by Col. J. Heywood (1868, 1869); Winston Churchill’s books on English history (1925, 3 vols.); satirical cartoons (1855); poetry: verse and prose, [e.g. Rev Francis Kilvert, Remains in Verse and Prose (1866); Lady Anne Miller (ed.), Poetical amusements at a villa near Bath; (1776-81); Oppian's Classical poetry on the forum entertainments and on fishing, De venatione et De piscatione, (1776)]; Oxford University Essays, (1855-1858); Sadee: The Persian and Arabic Works [Risalehs, Goolistan, Bostan, Pundnameh], (1791).

The collection includes a number of historic world atlases drawn from data collected during the early voyages and expeditions of discovery (some of which are outlined below) and English County atlases. One of the earliest English atlases, John Cary's New English Atlas (1787), commissioned by Lord Weymouth of Longleat, was restored at cost by Period Bookbinders as part of the BRLSI’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, June 2002. Rare works describing early exploration include the voyages and expeditions of Anson (world voyage, 1740-1744), Cook (1772-1175), Pallas (1789: St Petersburg, 1793: North to Siberia then Southward to Mongolia), and Ross (1847), who explored the Arctic & Antarctic regions; and Darwin’s Journal of the Voyage of the Beagle (1832-1836). The Second Norwegian Arctic Expedition in the ‘Fram’ (1898-1902), was conducted rather like Darwin's expedition on the Beagle. The comprehensive reports are in different languages according to the author of the information collected. Details of Cook’s voyage can be found in Johann Forster’s, Observations made during a voyage around the world (1778). Other tours of interest recorded in our collection are Conder and Kitchener’s Survey of Western Palestine (1881-1886, 6 vols.- vols.1-3: ‘Memoirs’, 4: ‘Jerusalem’, 5: ‘Special Papers’ and 6: ‘Name Lists’), which was funded by the Palestine Exploration Fund; Martin Lister’s, Journey to Paris in 1698 (1699, 3rd Edn.); Osbeck’s voyage (1771; 2 vols.) to China and the East Indies, and a very rare book, Scheuchzer's Itinera Helvetiae Alpinas Regiones, (1723).

The majority of our oversize books are atlases (Senex, 1713, d’Anville, 1786, Edinburgh Atlas, 1820s, James Wyld, 1824, Times 1922, 2003, Atlas de la Franc, 1796) and illustrated works on antiquities, architecture, art and natural history, probably the most impressive of the latter being Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology (1825, 70 x 57 x 7 cm). Dictionaries, encyclopaedias and the Parliamentary collection make up the remainder.

BRLSI Modern Library

Consists mainly of donated books (by members, researchers acquainted with our library or speakers at our Lecture Programme), which meet the criteria of the BRLSI’s Acquisition policy 6 (i.e. material which complements the existing library or supplements the interests of the Institution). Recent acquisitions to the modern library includes fourteen early Chemistry reference books donated by Prof. Geoffrey Coates, (Member), a Philosophy book donated by Geoffrey Catchpole (Convener) and the Saul & David Book (with a set of original prints ) produced and donated by the Bath Artist Printmakers as their Millenium project. The Saul and David Millennium book and prints were launched at the BRLSI in 2002, and have subsequently been exhibited in Newcastle and Alkmaar, The Netherlands, under the auspices of BRLSI in conjunction with Bath Artist Printmakers.

Conservation

The Conservation strategy uses minimal intervention for strengthening the book whilst conserving the fine sewing technique on the spines. Repair materials are ‘like for like’ as far as possible. Stains are kept as evidence of the book’s history, therefore, unless breaking down the paper fibre, they are not removed. The physical state of the book and every treatment/repair is recorded.

Cleaning, minor repairs and cataloguing of the books is undertaken by the In-House team of volunteers whilst professional conservators (Period Bookbinders, Bathampton, Cedric Chivers Ltd., Pucklechurch, Cottage Bindery,Corston, Bath) are employed for major conservation projects on the listed books. We launched an ‘Adopt-a-Book’ Appeal in 20017,8 whereby a sponsor contributes all or part of the cost of professional restoration work on a book they have chosen. Books are photographed before and after restoration and the sponsor attends a bookplate signing publicity event at BRLSI to sign bookplates affixed to the record and restored book for posterity; (see leaflets/list of books awaiting adoption and display cabinet at the BRLSI). We are grateful to Jessops Photography, Bath, for sponsoring the high quality printing of the photographs on archival paper. So far, 67 volumes have been repaired at a cost of £4,500 under the scheme and 20 volumes by the In-house bindery team. A National Preservation Office (NPO) survey has been completed in order to support applications for national funding.

Summary

Our comparatively small (ca 9,000 items, ca 7,000 books), but very important 19th century ‘Lit.& Phil.’ library with its nationally recognised, outstanding, Special Collections is a reference library of great quality. It is valued as much by social and cultural historians and commentators, as it is by natural scientists. The collections document the emerging natural sciences paradigm inextricably linked to changes in the Victorians’ philosophy, culture, antiquities and therefore, destiny. It has one of the finest collections of natural history letters and papers in England centred on the activities of Rev. Leonard Jenyns (Blomefield) and his connections with ‘men of science’, including Darwin; The Broome botanical library is remarkably rich in mycological literature, an area of study not generally well represented in other 19th century ‘Lit. & Phil.’ libraries, and his botanical collections have been classified as ‘Regionally important’. Our hardback bound volumes of original documents of Parliamentary papers are an intellectual asset and rare in this form. The General Collections (ca 3000 vols.) cover a wide spectrum of subjects, (Table 1), also incorporating a comprehensive local collection (ca 700 vols.). Rare works (including obituaries and periodicals) covering social history, theology (most religions), early expeditions, Antiquities, Literature, Cultural, World and European history, [ref. De Montfaucon, (1655-1741), works] are supplemented by our important Persian & Arabic Collection, which awaits conservation. Part sponsors (Valerie & Ghazi Sabir Ali) of the Adventures of Aboo Zyde of Surooj (1809), -Arabic Folk Tales- inscribed the Adopt a Book Appeal record book with the following Arabic proverb; ‘He who teaches me a letter enslaves me forever’. The BRLSI Book Collection is a distinctive research resource of extraordinary depth and variety. An online catalogue and ongoing restoration project to improve its accessibility fulfils the Institution's aim to provide resources for education and enjoyment. - use and enjoy it! With books in the library like Hale's Eden, or a compleat Body of Gardening (1757), and Soyer's Culinary Campaign, (1857), to teach brave fellows injured in the Crimean War how to make the best of their rations in Scutari Hospital, there is something for everyone! Volunteers and sponsors are also welcome.

References

1. Coates, J., et al, BRLSI, A Chronology of the Institution (and refs. therein). (2002).

2. Jenyns, L. Chapters in my life. (1889).

3. Vaughan, R.. Proc. of the BRLSI, (2002):3-4.

4. Vaughan, R., Relaunch of the BRLSI(1993).

5. Brushfield, J. ‘The Casali Paintings’, BRLSI Pamphlet (2003)..

6. Governance of the BRLSI.

7. Suchar, E. The Wiltshire Chronicle (24 October 2001):18

8. Rees-Mogg, W. The Times (12 November 2001). comment@thetimes.co.uk

 

fig.1 Explanatory note by Leonard Blomefield (formerly Jenyns) in volume 1 of Nicholson’s British Encyclopaedia, or Dictionary of Arts & Sciences (1809).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fig 2: THE BRLSI BOOK COLLECTION.

%

Breakdown of the library by subject.

6.3

General interest (Encyclopaedias, Gen. Bibliographies, Library & Museum Catalogues etc.).

0.9

Philosophy and Psychology.

1.8

Religion (most major religions, including various Christian Churches & Church Histories).

5.5

Social Sciences (General works: Social histories are catalogued under Geography & History).

5.0

Language (Dictionaries, Grammars, Etymologies).

48.8

Natural/Theoretical Science & Mathematics (including 1,740 vols. periodicals & journals).

1.6

Applied Science / Technology (excluding Architecture, i.e. catalogued under the Arts).

1.3

The Arts (mostly sculpture and architecture).

4.2

Literature (some fiction but mostly poetry, drama and the classics).

26.6

Geography & History (including 630 vols. of periodicals and journals).

%

BREAKDOWN OF THE ANTIQUARIAN WORKS which represents

ca 11% of the BRLSI Library.

16.5

British, prior to 1750 (many in Latin)

44.0

British, 1750-1799

13.5

Foreign, prior to 1750 (mostly in Latin)

26.0

Foreign, 1750-1799