when I heard that the same effects were had between Santa Clara and St. Ignatius College, San Francisco, a distance of fifty miles overland, which is equivalent to over four hundred on sea, I thought it more advisable to leave his well merited fame to the near future when it is sure to place California before the scientific world as it already is before the literary world as a progressive and original state.) Leaving the scientific building and crossing the College campus to the senior Library, the visitor finds a spacious hall equipped with all the facilities imaginable for indoor recreation; billiard tables three in number, and a variety of parlor games which engage the students during rainy or otherinclement weather. Separated from this room there is a reference wise library Hall and a wealth of current magazines. Like the Gymnasium and Social this reading room is under the supervision of the students, who impose for any thoughtless breach of rule and when necessary even suspend members who fail to comply with the rules. The College auditorium which adjoins this building has a seating capacity of two thousand. The stage fines touch setting is elegant, though the visitor's attention is chiefly drawn to the Passion Play Scenery, rich in oriental colors and designs and of an artistic Tarely met with even in the larger threatres. The light system, too, arranged by the College electrician, Dr. George Montgomery, is for variable peculiarly unique and effective. Beneath this auditorium is a spaclormitory, which like the three other sleeping departments is under the supervision of members of the faculty. But this dormitory, together the gymnasium and social hall, are of the ordinary. The next attractive feature is found in the "Congressional Building" attractive inasmuch as effects cious with it is the old "California Hotel" built some eighty years ago, and also because for the last thirty or more years it has been used as the assembly hall for the Literary Congress of Santa Clara College. The inauguration "Rep of this debating society and its methods have already been mentioned. What remains here is to examine its present standing. Each of the two branches has its own hall decorated with the pictures of former "Senators" and "I resentatives." The president's desk is on an elevated platform, and on either sicle are the desks of the principal officials. All in all it is a pretty good miniature imitation of the Congress at Washington; but the resemblance is greater in the conduct of business. At the weekly meetings there is always some important question discussed, and the method of procedure is that of approved parliamentary law. The Memorial Chapel, so called to perpetuate the generosity of the alumni, who in response to an appeal from the Rev. Robert E. Kenna sent donations lavishly and willingly, is the last but not the least feature which the visitor admires. It is a building of moderate proportions, crude and incomplete exteriorly, but with the exception of a few columns beautifully finished within. The altar-piece, a work of artistic beauty, the stained-glass windows and the statues, reprsenting some particulars of Catholic dogma or Catholic history, all unite to impress the students with a sense of devotion and religious fervor as well as with the importance of moral education in this age of material tendencies. Such would be and such were, in the case of the present writer, the impressions left by a hasty visit to the college as it is to-day. The peculiar contrast of outward poverty and inner worth is very striking, but it was thus from the beginning and from the beginning success crowned the efforts of the devoted professors. There is some talk of a new Santa Clara College of larger and more modern buildings. When they are erected, as they will be in the near future, the name of Santa Clara will attract students, who are now deterred by the absence of exterior accommodations; and in numbers, as even now it is in successful training, the College will stand among the first of our educational institutions, not as a rival, but as a worthy co-worker in the cause of intellectual and moral culture. many CHAPTER XXI. LIBRARIES OF CALIFORNIA. the rural areas, libraries abound. One of the marked features of social life in California is seen in the public libraries of the state. Not in the cities alone, but throughout In striking contrast to many prevailing conceptions of it is a fact that California is not a country of Indians and untutored pioneers, for every school has a library, almost every village contains an organization of book-lovers. school Close in the wake of the Argonauts came the founders of the public system, and this was the original stimulus that started men to building libraries. John G. Marvin, the pioneer superintendent of public schools, an early stand for libraries, and in 1863 Professor John Swett reëchoed the high recommendations of Superintendent Marvin. From these persons the high school and district school libraries were the nucleus of the sentiment led to the starting of village libraries. took that in the The generous interest, thus outlined, which California has ever shown widest education of her young people by culture through books, has extended to her cities and towns. In 1878 a general library law was passed, supplemented by the more complete statute of 1880, providing by local taxafor the establishment and support of free libraries and reading rooms in all incorporated cities and towns, the maximum rate allowed being one mill tion on the dollar. have Under this statute nearly all of the existing free libraries of California been founded. The exceptions are a few libraries operated under mu nicipal charters. and Mr. W. P. Kimball, of San Francisco, has given the situation in northern central California considerable attention. He thus sets forth the condi tion as it exists in many towns adjacent to the Bay of San Francisco: ALAMEDA. Upon the eastern shore of the bay is located one of Cali fornia's most interesting cities, Alameda, a favored place of residence for business men. Its library was organized in 1877, and was soon placed under the general law. Later years have been marked with constantly growing prosperity, especially since 1893, when direct access to the shelves was begun. During 1894 the circulation increased from 58,000 to 101,000 with a loss of but 39 v., and with no additional library force. With 24,000 v., a population of 16,000, its circulation the last year has been 138,000, and is rapidly increasing. The library occupies excellent quarters in the city hall building, and has an income of $7,400. A valuable lot belonging to the city, and centrally located, is designed for the future home of the library. OAKLAND. The geographical position of Oakland to San Francisco is similar to that of Brooklyn to New York. Oakland is a city of churches, an important manufacturing center, the terminus of the transcontinental railway (with the expected entrance of another in a few months), and has thousands of beautiful homes. Its population is estimated at 75,000. The library was founded by membership plan in 1868, adopted by the city 1878, has now 28,000 v., sustains five branches, reports an income of $16,000, and a circulation of 160,000. sadly needs a new building in place of Oakland's taxable wealth is assessed at the frail structure now occupied. $50,000,000. It BERKELEY. There is but one Berkeley, and from the windows of its public library one may look out upon that "road of passage and union between two hemispheres"-the Golden Gate. Here is located the State University, whose future never seemed more promising than at present. With these inspiring surroundings there is no room for surprise to find in this place of 8,000 people a library of 6,500 v., with a circulation of 43,000, income of $5,000, and steadily increasing public appreciation. SAN RAFAEL. At a point a few miles distance from the bay, lying at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, is the little city of San Rafael, having 3,500 inhabitants, splendid drives, and an outlook on interesting scenery. Its library was adopted by the city in 1890, has an appropriation of $1,500, about 3,500 v., with a circulation of 17,000 v., and will soon occupy a room in the high school building now being erected. SANTA ROSA. In the prosperous inland city of Santa Rosa, 50 miles north of San Francisco, possessing 9,000 inhabitants, is a library of 8,500 V.. which is doing a good work, especially with the schools. Unfortunately a heavy load of city indebtedness seems to prevent anything beyond a narincome at present. row SACRAMENTO. After an early beginning in 1852, the Sacramento library passed through its initial life of prolonged combat for existence, and was adopted by the city in 1879. It now owns 28,000 v., has a circulation of 80,000 v., and an income of $8,000, and is doing a service capable of great extension with ampler means. Residents of Sacramento are allowed. for reference, to the State library, with its wealth of 104,000 v. The city has 30,000 inhabitants. access. from STOCKTON. In the city of Stockton the library enjoys the distinction of occupying a beautiful home of its own. The timely legacy of $70,000 the late Dr. W. P. Hazleton erected a tasteful marble structure, and provided $15,000 for books. Established in 1880, it now has an income of $7,500, an aggregate of 30,000 v., and circulation of 106,000, and its With the schools, women's clubs, and the community, is rapidly, expanding. A classified catalogue for school use has been published by the work board Napa, José. of education. ther creditable free libraries exist at Haywards, Livermore, Petaluma, Saint Helena, Vallejo, Woodland, Marysville, Eurelia, and San No report of the smaller libraries of the state would be adequate without explicit mention of the library organization of the employes of the great Wells-Fargo Express Company. The association was founded in 1890. In 1893 its privileges were opened to express agents of all the coast states, in 1894 employes of the Southern Pacific Railway were admitted to membership. There are almost 5,000 v., and they circulate as far north as Portland, as far east as Ogden, and to the towns of New Mexico on the anci South. are There are now nearly 700 members. It is regrettable to say that two of the greatest libraries in California inaccessible to the public-the Sutro collection of some 200,000 quaint volumes, and the inestimable private shelves of the great Bancroft library. latter collection contains many valuable original historical documents. The Sutro collection is said still to rank fourth among great Amerilibraries. Almost 220,000 books and manuscripts are to be found The can |