It will be seen by the appended catalogue of accessions that the usual exchanges with the various states and territories of the United States have been continued with gratifying results, every state, Florida and Kentucky only excepted, and most of the territories being represented in its pages by laws, reports or other public documents. Besides the regular state exchanges, many volumes and pamphlets are yearly added to the library by a systematic exchange of duplicates with other libraries. Among works received through this source during the year may be mentioned as most noteworthy, the volume of "Cartas de Indias," published in 1877 by the Spanish government at Madrid. This volume contains, in addition to letters of Columbus and Vespucius hitherto unpublished, a large number of valuable documents relating to the discovery and early history of America, and forms a most acceptable addition to the historical department of the library. Among foreign laws received during the year, the most extensive collection is that of the statutes of Austria, twentyseven volumes of which have already been published. These comprise, besides the civil, commercial, penal and other codes, collections of laws on various subjects of legislation, as mining, forestry, crown lands, immigration, taxation, etc., together with the constitutions of the governments, general and provincial. Statutes and laws have also been received in continuation of those already in the library from the Hawaiian Islands, from St. Pierre and Miquelon and from the British colonies of Bahama, Barbadoes, British Guiana, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope, Leeward Islands, Prince Edward Island, Queensland, South and Western Australia, Straits Settlements and Victoria. While the laws of these countries are now forwarded, through the courtesy of their respective governments, with considerable regularity, experience proves that those of many of the foreign states can be obtained only through persistent and unremitting effort. By the additions made during the year, the series of Irish law reports is now nearly complete. Important accessions have been made to the collection of Canadian statutes, which is now nearly complete for all practical purposes, including the statutes of the Dominion of Canada and of the several Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. The series of the law reports and law periodicals of Nova Scotia and Ontario, and of the Dominion, has been completed, and early provision should be made for perfecting the sets of the reports of all the other Canadian Provinces. The library acknowledges with thanks the receipt of many valuable gifts from institutions and from individuals. Among the private donations especially worthy of mention is that of a volume of costly engravings from the Rev. Photius Fisk of Boston, containing over seventy plates showing specimens of the work of the most celebrated engravers, with descriptions of the plates and biographical sketches of the engravers. The library is also indebted to Hon. George F. Hoar, Hon. Henry L. Dawes, and Hon. P. A. Collins for the publications of the U. S. Government. The collection of town and family histories has also been greatly enriched through the courtesy and generosity of their authors. NEWSPAPERS. The library is indebted to the Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D., for the gift of a complete file of the Cambridge Press from 1866 to 1885, and the library has also previously received from him a file of the Barre Gazette from 1872 to 1885. These contributions will prove of much value to the future historian. The State should endeavor to preserve all of the local papers issued within its limits. The following papers are now received as a gift from the publishers, and bound for reference : Boston Daily Journal. Boston Daily Herald. Lynn City Item. Woburn Journal. Turner's Public Spirit, Ayer. Somerville Journal. Those who are entrusted with the care of the library desire to express their appreciation of the generous manner in which the Legislature has responded to all suggestions for its improvement. With a continuance of this kindly favor the library can now easily be made at least the peer of any other in all the essential features which should make a State Library valuable, useful and easy for consultation. J. W. DICKINSON, Librarian ex officio. C. B. TILLINGHAST, Acting Librarian. |