Animadversions on the library and catalogues of the British Museum. A reply to Mr. Panizzi's statement; and a correspondence with that officer and the Trustees.
- Nicholas Harris Nicolas
- Date:
- 1846
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Animadversions on the library and catalogues of the British Museum. A reply to Mr. Panizzi's statement; and a correspondence with that officer and the Trustees. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![To enter into a personal discussion with a gentleman who is HO perfectly Hatisfied of the propriety of lug own measures, as to invite it, only that he may prove any ob- jections to them “ groundless,” and who when complained to of a flagrant act of neglect in his department, thought proper to justify it, would manifestly be an utter waste of time. There must he an appeal to a higher authority, and which is the more necessary, because you may not be answerable for all, though you certainly are for most, of what seems to me improper in your department. V^ou are mistaken in supposing that my unfavourable opinion on those points is of a “ recent ” date. My senti- ments respecting “ Press-marks,” &c., have long been enter- tained and expressed, I have also long thought that the delay in completing the Catalogue was unjustifiable, but not having carefully examined its plan until a few week ago, or been ac<piaiuted w’ith your last Reports, I was not aware of its imperfections until lately. It is candid to acquaint you that the opinions which I entertain about ]*res8-marks,” and the delay in obtaining printed l>ooks, arc shared by every literary man to whom J have spoken, that no one can account for the delay in completing the Catalogxic, and that none ajjprove of its plan. The general feeling appears to be similar to my own, namely, that the effect of the system you have introduced, is to keep all the tvorking j>art of literary men out of the library, until they are actually compelled to refer to it. You must admit that this »|uestion is one of deep interest to literature ; and as 1 do not imagine that you desire or 'intend to produce such results, 1 may, without any per- sonal offence, j)resume to think that you have made some serious mistakes. Believe me. My dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, N. Harris Nicolas. By this letter (however unsatisfactory he may now consider it*) he partially succeeded in his ob- * lie says, “ He deiiietl this {i.c. that my unfavoumblc opinions were of recent date), carefully avoidjng entcrinp into any particulars, but went](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28038988_0078.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
