In this class we first reach the libraries that deal directly with the "people"; that is, adults of moderate means. These collections have been well styled the "colleges of the poor," and in them all persons who are industrious enough to be able to spare a dollar or two yearly may obtain useful knowledge or innocent amusement. Classes for study of languages, literature, and the arts, and lectures by prominent persons are frequently added to the library system, the whole forming one of the most potent of modern social forces. It seems quite natural that this democratic system of intellectual improvement should owe its origin to the people's philosopher, Poor Richard. Benjamin Franklin founded the first proprietary library in Philadelphia, in 1731, and his plan included not merely coöperation for the sake of pecuniary strength, but also discussion and mutual improvement. _Free_ public libraries are in character much like the last class, but are maintained usually by State or town grants, or by private gifts. It is probably in connection with these institutions that the dream of some enthusiasts for uniting art museums to the collections of books will be realized. Only twelve States have a quarter of a million volumes in their public libraries, taken together. They are: _Libraries._ _Volumes._ Massachusetts 454 2,208,304 New York 615 2,131,377 Pennsylvania 364 1,291,665 District of Columbia 63 761,133 Ohio 237 634,939 Illinois 177 463,826 Connecticut 121 414,396 Maryland 79 382,250 California 85 306,978 New Jersey 91 280,931 Missouri 85 260,102 Virginia 65 248,156 This order will, no doubt, rapidly and constantly change. It will be observed that in respect to number of libraries the succession is not the same as for the number of volumes. It can hardly be doubted that such States as Ohio, Illinois, California, and Missouri will advance up the line, while others that now do not possess a quarter of a million volumes, as Indiana, with 137 public libraries, Michigan, with 94, Iowa, with 80, Tennessee, with 74, and Kentucky, with 71, will soon be in the list. As a matter of State "rivalry," such summaries are valueless, even if any rivalry of the kind could be proved. But they do have some interest and value as social statistics. More significant, perhaps, are the libraries of ten principal cities, in which one-quarter of all the books in the country within public reach are gathered: _Libraries._ _Volumes._ _Pop'tion 1870._