Kentucky Gazette

EDUCATION

We last week made some general remarks on this interesting subject, intended to exhibit the necessity of diffusing letters and science throughout the commonwealth, by the exercise of legislative munificence. It would be extremely ill-judged policy, to rely entirely upon the legislature. Individuals, neighborhoods, and towns, should not suffer themselves, under any possible prosperity of literature, to totter into carelessness or indifference, lest the political guardians of our state concerns might follow the example. Let us then for a moment enquire if all our public institutions, at home, are properly provided for.

The house now appropriated for the Lexington Library, is held by sufferance only, from the county court. It is uncertain how soon the company may be requested to leave the tenement. In such an event, a house will have to be taken on rent; and a difficulty would in all probability occur, in selecting a suitable one. The present apartment is much too small; for it will be recollected that there is a recent acquisition of near a thousand dollars worth of additional books, of the newest and most valuable description; and there is no place to store them.

The present funds of the company are not competent to build a house of sufficient magnitude and taste to receive so splendid a collection of books as our library displays. The patriotic citizens of Lexington, and Fayette county, would, therefore, only be doing justice to themselves, and to their high character for literary acquirement, if they would step forward and make donations to the company, in order to complete an object so desirable.

It is not for us to suggest a plan to be pursued in arranging a building. But it does appear that there should be two rooms employed; one for the library itself—another for those who may wish, for a moment, to consult authors, without taking away books upon their shares.

Another reason: the Transylvania University, it is true, has a library. But it is presumed that all the new works of importance that issue from the press, are not obtained by that institution. How easy would it be, then, under some regulation of the directors of our library, for the students to repair to this contiguous room, and have the benefit of our books.

The union of the Atheneum with the Library, is a subject that has been spoken of. Under judicious management, we have no doubt of the success and importance of such a scheme. We hope, at all events, that some of our more active and enterprising citizens will take up the business, and by the exercise of their influence, afford a facility for the acquisition of adequate funds.