Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/158

134 single collection of books. Superb, it was in no way utilitarian; space was lavished for effect in a manner to horrify a modern librarian anxious before all things to make the most of every inch of ground. But for the happy invention of the sliding press it would ere this have been necessary to adapt it to the reception of more books, even to the ruin of its architectural effect. Ere the movable press had dawned upon him the editor of this series had proposed to introduce the Grenville and Cracherode Libraries into it by carrying out presses from the wall, a step which if on architectural grounds at best a sad necessity, would at all events have displayed the noblest assemblage of books given to the nation that the world ever saw. It may now be hoped that no such step will ever be necessary.

The King's Library, though claiming so large a portion of the available Museum space, provided only for the additional books which it was especially constructed to receive. The need of provision for the annual accessions remained as great as ever; but years elapsed before it could be met. At length, besides the handsome manuscript rooms at the south end of the King's Library, the North Library was constructed, comprising the really magnificent Great or Large room, the Banksian and Cracherode Libraries, the two supplementary rooms, and the two new reading-rooms. In such of these rooms as were sufficiently spacious, the readingrooms of course excepted, great additional space was gained by carrying out presses at right angles with the wall, otherwise they did not materially