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reason for confidence appeared now, in the evidence that most people resorting to the Library desired very much to obtain some book, but were not so anxious to get one particular book that they would complain of missing it, if they got something to read.
This was unlooked for and reassuring.
Although after 1855 Mr. C. C. Jewett, an accomplished bibliographer and librarian, was much employed in the practical labors of the new Library, yet, until the office of superintendent was created and Mr. Jewett established in it, in 1858, Mr. Ticknor continued very constantly and often absorbingly occupied with its duties.
Mr. Everett was unable to give much time to the interests of the Library, and repeatedly wished to resign, calling himself only ‘a parade officer’; but at Mr. Ticknor's constant urgency he remained, and, faithfully giving his name and influence to the institution, he enabled Mr. Ticknor to go on with the work, which he often told his friend he should be obliged to abandon if he resigned, for the annoyances and difficulties he encountered were certainly not less than are usual in such cases.
When the city set about fulfilling the condition Mr. Bates had annexed to his gift, by erecting a suitable building, Mr. Ticknor was placed on the Commission of seven, appointed for that purpose, but it was expressly against his wish that this was done.
He found himself always in a minority, more and more dissatisfied with all that was doing, and at last withdrew from the board entirely, feeling that the building was costing too much, and was much less well adapted to its purpose than it should be.1
It was, perhaps, fortunate that he could withdraw from those unpleasant duties, leaving his vacant seat to be filled by Mr. Everett; and yet, instead of doing less, be actually employed in doing more and better work for the institution, which had by this time become a cherished favorite with him.
When once the work of preparing a proper building had been taken in hand, Mr. Bates began to give cautious intimations of
1 He always approved of the site for the building in Boylston Street, which was the subject of much discussion, another piece of land having once been actually purchased by the city.
Boston, J. R. Osgood and company, 1876.
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