CITY OF BOSTON.

IN COMMON COUNCIL, March 16, 1871.

THE Joint Standing Committee on the Public Library, to whom was referred the communication from His Honor the Mayor, transmitting to the City Council a letter from the executors of the will of George Ticknor, relating to the bequest of books, manuscripts, and money to the Public Library of the city of Boston, having considered the subject of said communication, would respectfully submit the following

REPORT.

By the ninth article of his will, Mr. Ticknor gives to the city of Boston, on the death of his wife, all. his books and manuscripts in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, and also the sum of four thousand dollars. After the receipt of said sum the city is required to expend not less than one thousand dollars in every five years, during the twenty-five years next succeeding (i.e. the income of the four thousand dollars, at the rate of five per centum per annum), in the purchase of books in the Spanish and Portuguese languages and literatures. At the end of twentyfive years the income of the said sum is to be expended annually in the purchase of books of permanent value, either in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, or in such other languages as may be deemed expedient by those having charge of the library.

The books bequeathed or purchased are always to be freely accessible for reference or study, but are not to be loaned for use outside of the library building. If these bequests are not accepted by the city, and the trusts and conditions faithfully executed, the books, manuscripts, and money are to be given to the President and Fellows of Harvard College.

These are the substantial provisions of the will concerning the bequests of the city. A copy of the ninth article in full is appended hereto.

In order that the city may receive the immediate benefit of this unequalled contribution to the rare literature of the library, Mrs. Anna Ticknor, widow of the donor, has offered to relinquish her right to retain, during her life, the books and manuscripts, and is ready to place them under the control of the city at the present time.

This gift fitly crowns Mr. Ticknor's long-continued personal services and numerous benefactions towards the establishment of the Public Library on a lasting foundation. His earnest efforts in organizing the institution, and commending it to the favor of the leading bibliographers in this country and Europe, contributed largely to the unexampled success which has attended its development.

The books presented by his will consist of abou tfour thousand volumes in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. The collection was begun at Madrid in the year 1817, and was substantially completed between that time and the year 1838. Since then, only such books have been added as he was unable to secure previously. From the inability of book-collectors to supply his wants while making his original purchases, he resorted to the employment of priests, professors, and persons in private life to obtain rare works. For many years, Professor Gayangos acted as his agent in Spain; but his efforts to procure what he wanted were not confined to that country, he purchased Spanish books in all the great book markets of the world. So assiduous was his pursuit that the complaint was made, several years ago, that he had raised the prices of Spanish books in all the principal marts. Of the value of the collection thus made, without reference to cost, it is perhaps enough to say, that no single library in Spain possesses all the books it contains. The only collections of equal value are the great Span

ish Library in the British Museum, and the private collection of Lord Holland.

For the purpose of providing proper accommodations in the library for these books, and preparing and printing a catalogue, —similar to the catalogue of the Prince Library, the trustees will require a small appropriation, estimated at three thousand dollars.

The committee would respectfully recommend the passage of the accompanying resolution and orders.

For the Committee,

AVERY PLUMER,

Chairman.

Resolved, That the thanks of the City Government be presented to Mrs. Anna Ticknor, for her generous offer to relinquish her right to retain, during her life, the very valuable collection of Spanish and Portuguese books and manuscripts bequeathed to the city of Boston by the late George Ticknor.

Ordered, That the bequests to the city of Boston, named in the ninth article of George Ticknor of Boston, proved February 20, 1871, be, and the same are hereby accepted, in accordance with the terms and conditions of said will; and the Trustees of the Public Library are authorized and directed to receive said bequests in behalf of the city, and make suitable arrangements for the care and custody of the books and manuscripts given in trust to the city by the said George Ticknor, and also to invest the money received in trust as aforesaid in bonds of the city, and expend the income in the manner designated in the trust.

Ordered, That the Committee on Finance be requested to report an order providing for a special appropriation of three thousand dollars to furnish accommodations in the Public Library for the books and manuscripts given in trust to the city by George Ticknor; and also for preparing and printing a catalogue of the same.