It would need small pains to parallel, in The case of many French Municipalities, those instances of gross Libraries of breach of trust, by The neglect and dilapidation of France. Libraries, which, in a preceding chapter, I have brought home, (as I think,) to certain English Corporations. The salient difference between The Town Councils of Britain and those of France, in relation to The Theme of this book, does not consist in The absence, from The one group, of The abuses which have disgraced some conspicuous members of The other. It lies in The fact, so honourable for France, that There have long existed shining examples among her Municipalities of reverence for those literary, glories which have so largely helped to make her great amongst nations. The contrast is not that all The Corporations of The one country have been illiterate and narrow-minded; and all those of The other cultivated and far-seeing; but simply that in some eminent instances French Municipal Councils have consistently displayed, during a series of years, an enlightened appreciation of The value of The store-houses of learning. They have shewn an honest sense of The responsibility entailed on those who have become, even if it be by mere routine or chance, no less The official administrators of The trusts of The dead, than The guardians of The rights of The living.