It is remarkable that in a few months after this event, in the same year, namely, October 30th, the first "BOOK COMPANY" in Connecticut, or what is supposed to be the first, was formed. From that time to about 1800, and perhaps later, libraries were established in the different towns. The ministers and intelligent men reasoned in this way: If large libraries are useful in large cities in Europe and elsewhere, small libraries may be useful in the small towns in Connecticut, where all enjoy the advantages of common school education, which prepares them to derive pleasure and profit from books. And many of the people reasoned in this way: I have learned to read, why shall not I make a profitable use of what I have learned, and extend my knowledge by reading books? They thought much like STONE, the celebrated self-made mathematician, who, when asked how he had been able to acquire such a great amount of knowledge, replied, "Why, I first learned the twenty-four letters of the alphabet, and then I found that, by means of these, I could learn anything else that I wished to learn." Moreover, members of the Colonial Legislature, which met twice in the year, often had conversations with each other about the establishment of libraries as the means of elevating the tastes and intelligence of the people in the several towns. And after they had been established in some towns, the members from those towns were consulted by those from other towns, as to the results, and as to the mode of proceeding in forming and conducting them, and as to the choice and character of the books to be purchased. And afterwards, when "book companies" had become common in the Colony, the members frequently, in their social intercourse, conversed with one another about the books which belonged to the libraries in their respective towns. This statement I had from those who received it from one who was as influential as any other in the establishment of such libraries, and who was a member of the legislature, at least seventy-four sessions. These book companies were voluntary associations of persons in the several towns who were desirous of establishing a library. A number of the intelligent men of the town would meet together, appoint a committee of four or five persons, and a clerk, who was often the library-keeper. These officers were afterwards appointed annually. Each member contributed a certain sum, say twenty shillings, as an entrance fee, and an annual tax, say one shilling. The books were drawn out by the members, or by some of their families, to be returned in a fortnight, or at some longer time, perhaps, in some places. A record of the books drawn was kept by the clerk, a fine being charged for want of punctuality in returning them. Sometimes, through neglect, the taxes and fines would amount to so much that the committee would declare the rights forfeited. The moneys collected were applied by the committee to the purchase of books from time to time. The question what books should be purchased, was considered to be a very important one, and was often discussed by the committee. In one case the clerk and library-keeper held his place forty-nine years. It was, I believe, not uncommon that the clergyman was the clerk. At least I was acquainted with one who acted as such something like thirty years, meeting the members of the book company statedly for drawing the books; when he would describe to them their character, with remarks adapted to lead them to their perusal, he himself having carefully read them. He wished to imbue the minds of the readers in his parish with scholarly tastes, to make them understand that though the bodies of the great ones in mind's empire lie in the "caves of death," their minds still live and breathe in their works as if immortal; lifting, as with an angel's wing, the souls of their readers above earth's vanities. He wished to take off their attention from the petty questions and the party disputes of the day, which divide or weaken congregations, and to fix it upon the great truths and great duties in which all could agree to unite. And he was successful. He left what continues to be, at the distance of forty-four years, one of the largest and best congregations in the country towns in the State. We know men from the friends whom they choose; he knew many of his people from the books which they read, those silent friends who teach without offending, and admonish without wounding, and who form the character. The annual meetings for the choice of officers, and for hearing the report on the condition of the library, was a sort of literary festival, when there was "the feast of reason and the flow of soul," when the members eulogized their favorite authors, quoting them as if they were old friends, and ready to say with Bacon, "libraries are the shrines where all the relics of saints, full of true virtue, and without imposture, are preserved and reposed." The following preamble to the by-laws adopted in one town, is given as a specimen, which may help one to form a correct idea of a "Book Company" in those times. "Forasmuch as the subscribers hereof, being desirous to improve our leisure hours in enriching our minds in useful and profitable knowledge by reading, do find ourselves unable to do so, for the want of suitable and proper books: Therefore, that we may be the better able to furnish ourselves with a suitable and proper collection of books, for the above said end, we do, each of us, unite together, and agree to be coparceners in company together by the name of the Book COMPANY of Durham, united to buy books; and we do agree and covenant with each other, and it is hereby covenanted and agreed upon, by each of us, the subscribers hereof, that we ourselves and successors will be in future a society or company of coparceners united for that end, viz: to buy books; and we will each of us, so often as we shall agree by our major vote, bear our equal part in advancing any sum or sums of money at any time as a common stock to be laid out for such books as shall be agreed upon by the major vote of the company, to enlarge our library; and in pursuance of said design, we have each of us put into one stock the sum of twenty shillings, which is already laid out according to our direction, in purchasing books, which books shall be kept as a common stock library for the use of said company, by some honest person, whom we will choose, each member having an equal right in said library, and the use of the same, under such regulations as we shall agree upon." In addition to this, there were sixty by-laws carefully and judiciously drawn up. In my early years I was conversant with several of those libraries, frequented as they were by members of the company, who drew books and read them and talked about them. The binding was generally in strong sheep or calf, sometimes in double bindings after the first was injured by use. That they were used the volumes themselves bore witness as well as the records. It should be remembered, that during the era which we are considering, the people of the Commonwealth were agricultural, living on farms cultivated by themselves as owners, and in homes often separated by broad acres; that in those homes the several families spent the long winters mostly together, and the rainy days and their evenings, and thus had leisure for reading. It should also be remembered, that with them often dwelt the four cardinal virtues, prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude, and also the sweet household charities; and what is more, daily prayers were offered in those homes even by many who had never taken the sacramental oath in the sanctuary, and thus they were in a mood of mind to enjoy solid reading. Their public amusements were few; there were training days with the wrestling matches; there were election days with their raised cake; there were thanksgiving days with their table luxuries and family loves; there were occasional balls conducted with all the formality and decorum of the olden time. Still, as a whole, there was very little outside to draw them from their homes. In such homes and from such hearts books met a ready welcome as supplying a felt want, whether adapted to the memory, the imagination, or the reason. "The Universal History," Josephus' "History of the fews," Watts' works, some of the poetical works of Milton, Pope, Thompson, Goldsmith, the sermons of some of the ablest English Divines, some of the works of President Edwards, The "Spectator," some of Locke's works, Montesquieu's "Spirit of Laws," "The Vicar of Wakefield," and many others, became familiarly known to more or less readers in many towns. And when thus read and appreciated, they of course produced a beneficial effect. This was especially true of the Spectator," composed by Addison and the wits of Queen Anne's time. If it be true that it contributed to elevate and refine the conversation and conduct of the people of England in their social intercourse, it did the same for the people of Connecticut, inasmuch as, in proportion to the population, it was more read. In the excellent Constitution of Massachusetts, under the head of encouraging literature, it is made the duty of legislators and magistrates to countenance "sincerity, good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people." What was aimed at by this provision, was, to a large extent, accomplished by the extensive perusal of books like these; while they planted a root of bitterness nowhere, whether in churches or towns. It is true there were many books in these libraries of not so high a character. I have seen "Arabian Nights Entertainment," and the "Fool of Quality," and the "Pilgrim's Progress," and the "Holy War," in one library, and it is very likely that "Sir Charles Grandison," and "Pamela," and "Robinson Crusoe," were found in others. At any rate, there was enough in them to extend the opening mind of the young boy beyond the horizon of his native town to other forms of social life, thus nourishing manly thought; and to expand the budding affections of the young girl into the consummate blossom of maiden loveliness. A studious youth in a secluded house, would, on some winter's evening, sit down, with his tallow candle, to peruse a book of travels from one of these libraries, perhaps reading portions of it to the listening family. In imagination he would range through various climes, and among various nations, until, in his delight, he could enjoy them as if his own. In the language of Goldsmith, he could say: "Ye glitt❜ring towers with wealth and splendor crowned, Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale, |