Henry Stevens

Recollections of Mr. James Lenox of New York and the Formation of His Library, Henry Stevens

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886. Excerpt: ... XXIII The Stevens' Catalogue agreed upon and commenced. Correspondence on the subjetl N the course of the autumn of 1869 Mr Lenox's health and strength were such that he resolved to shift his burden by seeking an Act of Incorporation of' The Lenox Library,' and transferring all his collections to the public. Early in 1870 this Act was passed, and the next time I saw him he exclaimed,' Well, you now see what your doings have brought about! I was obliged on account of my health to wash my hands of the whole concern. Now, about our our catalogue?' We had much correspondence and many interviews, until finally, on the 31st of May, I handed him duplicates of a letter I had drawn up, setting forth the plan of the proposed catalogue as far as we could settle it, including estimates of the cost in every particular. To this the same day he replied in duplicate; the two letters thus forming an agreement between Mr Lenox and me for a complete and elaborate printed catalogue of the Lenox Library. This agreement, together with a selection of the correspondence preceding it, is printed in small type below. Clarendon Hotel, New York, Nov. 18 1868. To James Lenox, Esq. 53 Fifth Avenue.--Dear Sir,--You wish a catalogue of your library. I am willing to undertake it at once, and bring to bear upon it the results of my study and experience for the last 25 years. As I am now more free than I have been for a long time, or expett to be for the future, it will suit my convenience better to discuss the the matter with you now than to defer it. If therefore you are disposed to treat with me I think we can settle matters one way or the other very speedily. No doubt we should readily agree upon the main points of a good common-sense alphabetical catalogue made with the highest degree...