n this building had been lying for lack of any interest at
all. The library had a limited and dwindling clientage. The Athenaeum
was deserted. The Historical Society, with no funds and few friends, was
exhibiting a collection of animal, vegetable, and mineral curiosities,
while its real treasures of history and truth were by lock and key shut
off from the very public for whom they were collected and preserved.
Look at that picture, then look at this which greets us here to day.

In these elegant and spacious buildings the whole public of Hartford is
welcome, without money and without price. The circulating library will
furnish every home with books, and Miss Hewins, who has devoted her life
to this town, is always ready to help the younger readers. The Library
of Reference, monument alike to Mr. Watkinson's liberality and Dr.
Trumbull's rare judgment and life-long devoted service as a librarian,
offers free to all students the authorities on every branch of
knowledge. The Historical Society, with improved facilities, has been
able to adopt a more liberal policy, and is widening its claim upon
public interest, and so increasing its usefulness, and, thanks largely
to the women of Hartford, the Art Gallery and Art School are ready to
spread their refining and wholesome influence all through this
community.

LIBRARIES AS LEAVEN

This address was delivered at the inauguration of the Free
Public Library, Madison, Wis., by Prof. James D. Butler.

James Davie Butler was born in Rutland, Vt., March 15, 1815,
and was graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1836. He
entered the Congregational ministry, and held the chairs of
ancient languages in Wabash College, 1854-58 and the
University of Wisconsin, 1858-67, after which he devoted
himself to lecturing and writing until his death in Madison
in 1905.

My subject is "Libraries as Leaven," or the relation of libraries to the
increased diffusion of knowledge.

What is a Library? It is the knowledge of all brought within the reach
of each one. It is an expanded encyclopaedia, or the books which are, or
ought to be, consulted in compiling a perfect encyclopaedia.

Human knowledge--and hence the books in which it is treasured up--is
divided by some authors into forty departments. I have their names here
all written down--but I dare not read them. You would give no more
quarter to such a catalogue than the lover gave to the mercantile