A small library requires the same care as a large one. By this I mean that the small collection of books forming the private library of any rural resident, should be kept in as nice order, and the classification and arrangement of the volumes as much in accordance with correct rules, as a larger private, or even a public library. Detached volumes from a set should never be found in a straggling position; works upon general history should not occupy a place by the side of works upon stock breeding; and every volume, or set of works, should have its assigned place upon the shelves, so that, if necessary, they could be procured without a light. There should be the same harmony and arrangement to the different classes of works, or those on different subjects, in a small case as in larger ones, and the former, like a small building, can have the same lines of beauty, and the same attractiveness as those which belong to a more spacious and expensive edifice. It should also be remembered, that if the books are in a room especially devoted to them, light and air must be afforded them in abundance; but in rooms occupied as a library and sitting-room together, this precaution is not so necessary.

It has been found that books kept in dark and un-ventilated apartments, are very liable to mould, and in a few years become very much soiled. Light and air are as assential to books as to plants, and the library and green-house require very much the same treatment. Books also, like tools, are kept in better condition if in daily use.

I must turn back a leaf here, and say another word about cases. In some private libraries, and in nearly all public ones where books are used considerably, the shelves of the cases are covered with leather, to prevent the wearing of the volumes. This is a good plan; and I would suggest, that where it is to be followed in a private library, the leather used should be Russia calf, such as is employed in binding those heavy works that require a durable outside. It can be procured of any dealer in bookbinder's stock, at prices varying from two to five dollars per side, of the size of a large calf skin. Besides preventing the wearing of the volumes, it is also a sure preventive of moths or worms, on account of its peculiar smell, which is offensive to the moths, but causes a room to have quite an agreeable odor. If library shelves are not covered with this material, half a dozen volumes bound in the leather and placed through the library, would be almost as effectual, and better, I am told by bookbinders, than shelves made of the wood of White Cedar, before recommended.

Now that I have gone back to cases, perhaps I might as well say a few words more in regard to the interior fixtures and furniture of the library room. Downing, in his "Country Houses," (p. 404,) says: "The library should be quiet and comparatively grave in color; some shade of fawn or neutral tint for the walls, the furniture of dark oak, or wood like the book cases, and the carpet selected so as to accord with the severe and quiet tone of the walls and furniture. Leather or morocco makes the best and most appropriate covers for the seats of chairs and other furniture for a library." The forms and styles of furniture for the library arc, as we said in our previous article, of every variety of finish, and can be obtained at greater or less cost, according to the fancy or means of the purchaser. Library tables, to have a distinctive character corresponding with the design of the room, should be heavy and massive, inlaid at the top with morocco or cloth, for the purpose of affording a smooth surface for writing. Tables provided with drawers are more expensive, but are quite desirable.

A secretary, such as is figured in Downing's "Country Houses," would not only be a very useful piece of library furniture, but likewise ornamental; and besides making a writing-table with all the necessary drawers and fixtures, the shelves above could be appropriated to choice volumes often read, or works more frequently referred to in writing. Library chairs, to correspond with the other furniture, should be heavy and solid, leather covered, well stuffed, and with an easy curve to the back; in describing the library furniture for Gothic villas, Downing speaks of separate cases to contain each department in the library, which may extend all around the room, or as many as are required to contain the collection. He says : "The spaces below afford excellent closets for pamphlets and manuscripts, and the busts of distinguished men in different departments of letters may be so placed along the top, as to designate to what particular class of books the case directly below is allotted." The plan is similar to that spoken of in our previous article, although no mention was made of the very elegant and appropriate method of designating the different classes or divisions of worksin the library by placing. above each case a bust or portrait of a representative man in that particular department.

It is certainly a very chaste and ornamental design.

Arthur Young, in his "Survey of Lincolnshire," as quoted by Loudon, (Enc. of Ag., p. 1155, London ed., 1835,) in speaking of the management of the estate of Sir Joseph Banks, gives an account of the library rooms in his mansion, which possess many advantages and conveniences over rooms of a similar character that have been described in our own country. In one small room there were 156 drawers, containing papers and documents of every kind, relating to the affairs of the estate. If an inquiry was made concerning a man, an inclosure, a separate farm, drainage, or any operation, in a moment a mass of information was on hand, as a list of the contents of each drawer was kept in the desk, so that every article could be had when wanted. He also describes a small wooden case, which, when opened, formed a little library for agricultural hand books, and when closed could be carried in a carriage to any part of the estate. It also had apartments for stationery, small blank books, etc., and formed a convenient writing-desk. If our country houses had a room appropriated for the purpose of a library, and also as a sort of cabinet for specimens in natural history, such as could be collected upon any farm, what an interesting feature it would be in the lives of our country residents.

How much happier, more contented, and more useful would be the lives of those living with such influences and associations around them, than if no attention were bestowed upon books, study, and the cultivation of the mind and heart.

I had hoped, in this number, to reach that part of my subject treating of books themselves, their arrangement and classification; but it must be deferred to my next article.

[There are comparatively few persons now who are not willing to concede the value that justly attaches to a collection of good books. Farmers and gardeners, as a general thing, have failed to realize the importance of such books, not only as aids to their business in life, but as instrumentalities in developing and educating the minds of their children, and fitting them for usefulness in the world. The subject is one which has often occupied our thoughts; but our correspondent is abundantly able to handle it, and for the present we leave it to him. We wish to say, however, in regard to the furniture and appointments of the library, that while they should be subdued in tone, they should not be dark, heavy, and somber, an error often committed; above all, avoid placing the library room in some dark corner of the house, where the sun never shines. Where it could be done, we would place it so as to receive the early morning sun, and so catch the inspiration of the day from its rising rays. - Ed].