Belgium.
Brussels. The Belgian government were induced by Herr Gevaert, director of the Brussels Conservatoire, to purchase in 1872 the library of M. Fétis for 152,000 francs. A catalogue has since been drawn up by the chief conservator, Alvin, and published (7525 nos.; Paris, Firmin Didot, 1877). This, as a whole, is one of the most complete collections on the Continent, and is full of rarities, as a glance at the catalogue will convince the connoisseur. (The copy of Hadrianus' 'Pratum Musicum' is only the edition of 1600.)
[App. p.724 "Ghent. The University Library contains an extremely valuable collection of MS. Treatises on Music, besides many liturgical MSS."]
Portugal.
Lisbon. The library founded by King John IV, described by J. de Vasconcellos (Oporto, 1873).
France.
[App. p.724 "Cambrai. The Public Library contains a precious collection of MS. church music by early Flemish and Burgundian musicians, besides songs for two, three, and four parts, dating from the 14th century. The collection was described in M. de Coussemaker's 'Notice sur les Collections Musicales de la Bibliothèque de Cambrai.' (1843.)
Douai, Dunkerque, Lille, Valenciennes. The few books and MSS. of interest in these libraries are described in an appendix to Coussemaker's work on the Cambrai collection."]
Paris. a. We have already given an account of the library of the Conservatoire, situated 2 Rue du Conservatoire, vol. i. p. 393. Since the publication of that article it has acquired more than 200 full scores of Italian operas, none of which have ever been engraved. Even in Italy it would be difficult to find a larger or more important collection. The MS. department of this library, the collections of autographs and of portraits of musicians, are daily increasing, and have long ago made this library the favourite resort of artists and of writers on musical literature. There is no printed catalogue, but access to the MS. catalogues is readily granted. [App. p.724 "An excellent catalogue of the rare musical works in the Conservatoire library, with illustrations and facsimiles, was published by the librarian, Mr. J. B. Weckerlin, in 1885."]
b. The Bibliothèque Nationale, in the Rue Richelieu, is very rich in French music, both printed and engraved. It is also more complete than any other in Paris in respect of musical literature, periodicals, almanacs, dictionaries, and similar works of reference. It is rich in valuable MSS. of Dom Caffiaux, Parfait, Baini, Adrien de La Fage, and other distinguished writers,—and many fresh discoveries may yet be made in the MS. department of the library. No printed catalogue of the musical works in this library exists.
c. The library of the New Opera House contains full scores, autograph and copied, of the works produced at the Opera, as well as books on music and on the history of the musical theatres; and documents, both printed and MS. referring to the history of the Academy of Music. These works are admirably catalogued in the publication of M. Lajarte, which we have noticed under his name.
d. The library of the Arsenal contains very interesting MSS., such as the 'Mazarinades'—songs sung under the Fronde, with their airs; collections of airs by Michael Lambert, and other little-known compositions of the 17th and 18th centuries, etc. No printed catalogue.
e. The library of St. Genevieve contains a large number of rare works on music, a fine collection of chansons and dramatic works, with the music, and many curious MSS.
f. The Bibliothèque de la Ville de Paris (City library), Hotel Carnavalet, contains all the books, and many MSS., referring to the history of the theatres of Paris and the instrument makers of the city.
g. The library of the Bibliothèque des Arts et Métiers contains few musical works, but is rich in materials for the history of the music trade, such as patents, trade registers, etc.
Versailles. This library is rich in sacred music, dramatic works, and books on music; and contains also several interesting MSS. of the 17th century.
Montpellier. Amongst other very rare MSS. is a celebrated Antiphonaire, as well as compositions of the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, of which M. Coussemaker has availed himself for his learned works on the music of the middle ages.
Rouen. This library has a superb illuminated missal and many works in plain-chant; also some autographs of modern writers.
[App. p.726
Sweden.
Upsala. The Royal library of the Academy contains 191 printed musical works of the 16th century, 198 of the 17th, and 120 of the 18th century. Among the earlier books are many of great rarity."]
United States of America.
a. The Harvard Musical Association, a society of amateurs, graduates of the university, organised about 40 years ago for the purpose of promoting the cause of good music in the community in such ways as may be most practicable, has collected about 2000 volumes, which number is constantly increasing.
b. The Boston public library (the largest in the United States) has about 2000 volumes in its alcove devoted to music, but very little attention is given to increasing this department.
c. The library of Harvard University has about 2000 volumes of music, which number is constantly and rapidly increasing.
d. The library of Congress has little but what comes to it under the copyright law, which is considerable in quantity, but of little value.
e. The new College of Music in Cincinnati has begun the formation of a library adapted to its object as a conservatory, and meanwhile enjoys the use of Mr. Theodore Thomas's collection of several thousand volumes of orchestral works, scores, etc.
f. The Lowell Mason library of music, belonging to the theological department of Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut, was the gift of the widow of Dr. Lowell Mason. The nucleus of this collection is the library formed by Dr. C. H. Rinck, of Darmstadt, which was bought by Dr. Mason in 1852. It now contains 8460 distinct publications, and 630 MSS. More than one half belongs to the department of sacred music, and is particularly rich in hymnology (700 volumes). Roman Catholic and early French Protestant church music are also well represented, and there is much valuable material here for the history of music in America. The vocal secular music comprises some 1200 works of every description, and there is also a valuable collection of educational and theoretical works, including some 16th and 17th century treatises. In general literature there are about 850 volumes, one half being in the English language. Amongst the rare works in this library the following may be mentioned:—Riccio's Introitus (Venice, 1589); Andreas Spaeth's
