Page:The Duties and Qualifications of a Librarian (1780).djvu/47

Rh received, he will not fail to thank him for his visit, and to assure him that the institution will always feel honoured by the presence of a man whose labours cannot but contribute to its renown. The custodian of a literary deposit should especially guard himself against that unfortunate disposition which would render him, like the dragon in the fable, jealous of the treasures entrusted to his keeping, and lead him to conceal from the inspection of the public riches which had been brought together solely with the view of being placed at its disposition. What, moreover, would be the object of these precious collections, gathered at so great expense by