Page:A Brief Outline of the Histories of Libraries.djvu/101

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CHAPTER IX

The Decoration of Libraries with Ivory and with Glass. Bookcases and Shelves, Tables and Seats.

I HAVE now gone rapidly over the early history of libraries and have mentioned those of which time has not destroyed all records. As to what I have written, I must confess that it is but a trivial mention of a great subject,—as the old saying goes, "a drop of water out of a full bucket." Yet I have said enough, perhaps, to act as an incentive or to serve as an example.

I shall add a few words on the decoration of libraries and the arrangement of their books.

From Isidore I learn that the