buildings were built in which those who de
sired could pursue and advance their studies.
0£ these buildings none are better known than
the Alexandrian library, which was built near
the great harbor. The exact date of its found
ing is not known, but it was during the reign
of Ptolemy I. and it was extended by both
Ptolemy 11. and 111. Ptolemy I. did all in
his power to enlarge the library. All manu
scripts of the ancient writers that could be
obtained were procured: the Alexandria sea
men were instructed to purchase all the old
manuscripts they could find, and where money
would not avail to use force. So eager were
they to have correct copies of the original
manuscripts that often, on having the privilege
of copying an original, they would retain the
original and give back the copies. At the
time of Ptolemy’s death this library contained
fifty thousand volumes, which had increased
to seven hundred thousand volumes by the
time of Csesar. These volumes consisted of
manuscripts written on papyrus or parchment
each end of which was fastened to a roller.
That those who attended the library should
have all the advantages and instruction, re
quired professors and teachers were kept at
the public expense. It is said that at one
time fourteen thousand were in attendance.
Probably no other school of learning ever
exerted so wide an influence, most of the dis
tinguished men at that time were educated
in this school, which many of the ancients
loved to call “the divine school of Alexan
dria.”
If these buildings had been allowed to stand
we would know a gread deal more in regard
to the literary institutions and of the Greek
and Latin and more ancient literatures of
which we now have but fragments.
The statements in regard to the destruction
of this great library, vary so as to leave us
undecided as to which is truth. Whether it
was during Csesar’s Alexandrian war or
whether it was at the time of the surrender
THE FREE LANCE.
of Alexandria to Omar in A. D, 640, we are
not certain. Critics, however, give the pre
ference to the latter.
After the surrender of Alexandria a certain
grammarian, who had listened to the philo
sophical discourses of Amru, said to Amru,
“ Thou hast examined all the storehouses in
Alexandria and hast sealed the contents of
the same, As to these things, since they can
be of no benefit to me, I will say nothing;
but that of which thou canst make no use,”
Amru asked, “ What is that of which thou hast
need ?” To which the grammarian replied,
" Of the” philosophical works in the royal lib
rary.” Amru said, “ I have not the disposal
of these things until I have obtained permis
sion of Omar.” Omar sent the following re
ply to Amru’s request: “If these writings
agree with the Koran, they are useless and
need not be preserved, if they disagree they
are pernicious and should be destroyed.”
This sentence was executed by Amru, who
ordered the manuscripts distributed for heat
ing the baths and it is stated that they supplied
the heat in the four thousand baths of the
city for six months. Thus perished the most
valuable library in the world, and one that
would be of inestimable value to us in deter
mining many points in ancient history, philo
sophy and literature, that are now, and will
ever have to remain uncertain. M.
THERE is at present much agitation in the
collegiate world in regard to having
college work on Saturday, and none on Mon
day, thus changing the present system. Sev
eral colleges and universities have already
made this change, and many are considering
the advisability of an alteration. In all col
leges, where it has been adopted, it has proven
more satisfactory than the prevailing arrange
ment.
That a change is needed, or at least some
thing to insure better recitations on Mondays,
SATURDAY n. MONDAY,