DESCRIBES SACKED LOUVAIN

In view of the recent engagement of two of the Louvain professors by the University, the following article has been secured concerning the destruction of the Louvain institution, and of its artistic and literary treasures:

At the time of the German onslaught, little accurate information could be obtained as to the amount of damage done to the valuable collection of rare old books and manuscripts kept there since the early part of the seventeenth century. Now, however, the details of this destruction are known, and the following article by the Bishop of Salford, which appeared a short time ago in the Manchester Guardian, gives an idea of the treasures which have been lost.

Bishop of Salford's Account.

The Bishop writes as follows: "I have been repeatedly asked during the past few months to give some details concerning the famous library of the University of Louvain, now entirely destroyed by the German invaders, and of the treasures it contained. Unfortunately, no printed catalogue of the library was ever published, like the one so admirably compiled for the Bibliotheque Royale of Brussells by my late friend, the learned Pere Vanden Gheyn. I have, however, lately obtained some first-hand information concerning the library and its pitiful fate which may be of interest."

Rare Collections Destroyed."

"In my time the library was estimated to contain over 120,000 volumes, besides 360 manuscripts, several belonging to the twelfth century, and a splendid collection of over 350 incunabula. During the existence of the modern university, not very much attention had been devoted to these ancient collections, but during the past dozen years very much has been done to augment the modern part of the library by the addition of scientific and literary works for practical use in university education, in the development of special collections, and in providing reading-rooms. Several years ago the new librarian, Professor Delannoy, however, devoted himself to a complete examination and cataloguing of the more ancient treasures, and had already spent over $10,000 in furnishing a book-room for the purpose. Unfortunately the catalogue was not ready for press, and has perished, together with all the librarian's other documents. Professor Delanney's researches brought to light a great quantity of manuscripts of unsuspected value, which had no doubt been used by the great humanists of the sixteenth century, including what was believed to be the finest known manuscripts of Cornelius Nepos. He considered that the collection of incunabula was the second finest in Europe. Moreover, large collections of archives of various kinds were found, including some of unusual importance for French history, of which copies do not exist in the Bibliotheque Nationale of Paris. Of all these valuable collections absolutely nothing remains.

No Traces of Treasures.

"Efforts have been made since the sack of Louvain to try and discover some remnants underneath the library and in the cellars, but not even a single leaf has been found amid the black and charred debris. Indeed, considering the difficulty of burning large masses of paper, it is concluded that the contents of the library must have been deliberately destroyed by the use of explosive grenades, while the building itself, as is known, has been absolutely shattered to fragments by the bombardment. It appear that, contrary to certain reports, none of the treasures were carried away to Germany. I may add that the great central vestibule contained also a large collection of paintings, some of considerable value, but chiefly of portraits of worthless of the university. These, of course, have all likewise perished."