The gift of four public-spirited citizens of St. Louis, who have jointly contributed $400,000 to lift an incumbrance on the block to be used for the new Carnegie library in that city, is a noble example of public spirit, and one of which the friends of that city may justly feel proud. The collection of Oriental literature of Yale University has been enriched by the gift of 842 Arabic manuscripts, many of which are extremely rare. The collection covers the whole range of Arabic history and literature, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. This collection, formed by Count Landberg, was purchased by Mr. Morris K. Jesup, of New York, at a cost of $20,000, and was presented by him to the university library. This library has also received, as a bequest, the private library of the late Prof. Othniel C. Marsh, consisting of about 5000 volumes and 10,000 pamphlets, dealing mainly with palæontological subjects. The New York Public Library--Astor, Lenox, and Tilden foundations--through the generosity of Mr. Charles Stewart Smith, has come into possession of a large and valuable collection of Japanese engravings and chromo-xylographs, formed by Captain Brinkley, of the _Japanese Mail_. I regret that I do not have the pleasure to record any addition, during the year, to the Publication Fund of the American Library Association. The Publishing Board is much hampered by lack of funds from carrying on its important work. If some philanthropically inclined person would present a fund, say $100,000, upon condition that all publications issued from its income should bear the name of the fund, it would not only be of inestimable benefit to the cause of libraries, but would also be a most enduring monument to its donor. An examination of the following list will disclose other gifts worthy of special mention if space permitted. The main list has been arranged alphabetically by states, as being the most convenient for reference. A tabulated summary, arranged by the geographical sections of the country, will show how widely scattered have been the benefactions of the year, extending from Alabama in the south to Montreal in the north, and from Bangor in the east to "where rolls the Oregon" in the far west. ALABAMA. _Montgomery._ Public Library. Gift of $50,000, for a public library building, from Andrew Carnegie. -- Gift of books forming its library, from the Montgomery Library Association. _Tuskegee._ Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Gift of $20,000, for a library building, from Andrew Carnegie. The building will be erected entirely by student labor. CALIFORNIA. _Alameda._ Public Library. Gift of $35,000, for a public library building, from Andrew Carnegie. _Berkeley._ University of California. Gift of $10,000, as a fund for the purchase of books for the law library, from Mrs. Jane Krom Sather, of Oakland, Cal.