The value of the MSS. (45,000 _Min._) in the Vatican Library at Rome raises it to the first rank, though its printed volumes are only reckoned to be 400,000 (_Min._). The size of the great libraries in the United States is undoubted, but, as has been remarked, the absence of large and valuable collections of MSS. reduces their importance. In the Library of Congress at Washington, where the printed volumes (“books and pamphlets”) are estimated in the Annual Report for 1915 at 2,364,000, the mileage of occupied shelves is believed to be eighty or more, which is not far from double that of the British Museum. The New York Public Library is estimated to contain about 1,920,000 volumes (_Fort._) or 2,090,000 (_Min._). The Boston Public Library is believed to possess 1,050,000 volumes (_Min._). A statistical survey of the Bodleian Library was made in 1915, with the following results:— _About_ Printed volumes 1,050,000 Of which folios 175,000 quartos 350,000 octavos 525,000 Separate pieces 2,060,000 Separate items (including fly-sheets etc.) 3,000,000 Manuscript volumes 40,000 (Not counting characters, rolls, etc.) 20,000 (Full details are printed in No. 9, Vol. I, of the _Bodleian Quarterly Record_, April, 1916. The total number of printed books in the world, i.e. separate works, has been estimated at about 12,000,000.) The Bodleian may fairly claim to rank in size about ninth, and in size and importance (together) about eighth. It is the largest and most important University library in the world, and the largest (at any rate in the Old World) which is not aided out of State funds. It claims also to be one of the earliest public libraries of Europe, in the sense that it has always been open to those who bring a sufficient recommendation, practically without distinction of class or nationality. In early days a small charge was made on first admission. CHAPTER II SIR THOMAS BODLEY AND HIS FOUNDATION, 1598-1613 [Sidenote: The old University Libraries.]