[LETTER LXIV.]
Paris, February 8, 1803.
Having complied with your desire in regard to the Bibliothèque Nationale, I shall confine myself to a hasty sketch of the other principal public libraries, beginning with the
BIBLIOTHÈQUE MAZARINE.
By his will, dated the 6th of March 1662, Cardinal MAZARIN bequeathed this library for the convenience of the literati. It was formed by GABRIEL NAUDÉ of every thing that could be found most rare and curious, as well in France as in foreign countries. It occupies one of the pavilions and other apartments of the ci-devant Collège Mazarin ou des Quatre Nations, at present called Palais des Beaux Arts.
No valuable additions have been made to this library since the revolution; but it is kept in excellent order. The Conservators, LE BLOND, COQUILLE, and PALISSOT, whose complaisance is never tired, are well known in the Republic of Letters. It is open to the public every day, from ten o'clock to two, Sundays, Thursdays, and the days of national fêtes excepted.
BIBLIOTHÈQUE DU PANTHÉON.
Next to the Bibliothèque Nationale, this library is said to contain the most printed books and manuscripts, which are valuable on account of their antiquity, scarceness, and preservation. It formerly bore the title of Bibliothèque de St. Geneviève, and belonged to the Canons of that order, who had enriched it in a particular manner. The acquisitions it has made since the revolution are not sufficiently important to deserve to be mentioned. With the exception of the Bibliothèque Nationale, not one of the public libraries in Paris has enjoyed the advantage of making improvements and additions. The library of the Pantheon is open to the public on the same days as the Bibliothèque Mazarine.
The present Conservators are DAUNOU, VENTENAT, and VIALLON. The first two are members of the National Institute.
BIBLIOTHÈQUE DE L'ARSENAL.