Library Books in Store
But now that the New Building is about to begin, a large proportion of our Library has had to go into Store. We have been packing away books and pamphlets into cardboard boxes, which will go off-site in January. To return, once the new Library is ready to receive them, which we still devoutly hope will be in this coming year of grace 2012. Obviously we have selected the books less likely to be needed, though inevitably we shall find a pressing need to consult one or other just when they are most inaccessible. But this is something we have to endure until all is revealed. Actually, for a long time quite a lot of our books have been difficult to get at - it will be marvellous to have them all accessible, and organised.
For instance, the Corpus of Byzantine History, a possibly unique set of vellum-bound folio volumes containing the works of historians of the Eastern Empire, mostly in Greek but with a handy Latin translation on facing pages; some volumes have lovely engravings of Constantinople and maps of the Empire as they fought the long defeat. We have never had easy access to this, as the volumes need to be opened on large desks, and are most unsuitable for reading in bed. The New Library will provide safe, humidity-controlled storage in the Rare Books Room, but the books can be read in comfort and without risk to the bindings on the superb new desks. But till then, we can only dream of Byzantium.
Since the Oxford Oratory was founded in 1990, we have acquired well over 10,000 books and pamphlets. Some were found in a heap when we arrived, including books from the former library of the Jesuit Fathers, who had served the mission since 1793. Others we brought with us. Others have been given to us, and others we have had to buy. The Library also incorporates a significant collection of prints and drawings, many engravings depicting the life of our founder St Philip Neri, and views of Oxford in Newman's time. there is also one of the world's largest collections of brass-rubbings. There are also a number of manuscripts, including some from the seventeenth century.
Of the printed books, a great many are on Theology, Scripture, Church History, and Philosophy, which are necessary for those preparing for the priesthood. Not only our own novices, but students from other Oratories have consulted these works for their weekly essays at Blackfriars, as well as their general background studies. A great many more are books of Spiritual Reading, essential for every member of the Oratorian community. Although most of these works are also available in other Oxford libraries, it is not usually possible to borrow them, and of course books directly relating to the weekly essay topic are in demand from all students at once, so that if we do not house them, our students may not be able to get access to them just when they need them.
Special collections include a very large range of Oratorian writings, beginning with the lives of St Philip Neri, and concentrating on the works of our own Cardinal Newman, lives and studies of him. Many of the books on the Oratory were printed in Italy or other countries, and cannot be found in any other library in Britain. A particular prize is the Venice edition of the Annales of Cardinal Baronio, revised by him (1601-7). It is the finest copy yet seen, in excellent condition, and was found for us in a Fulham bookshop at a very low price. Baronio was one of St Philip Neri's first followers, encouraged by him to write the Annales as an authoritative History of the Church.Another area which has been carefully built up is the local history and topography of the Oxford region, including the first edition of Anthony Wood's History of one of our two Universities (1674). (It was prepared for press by the famous Dr Fell, who tampered with Wood's text. As a result Wood never lost an opportunity to tell everyone just why he did not like Dr Fell.)
The Gaisford Library of Patristics and Church History
Then we were blessed to be entrusted with the theological books from the library of Thomas Gaisford. The elder Thomas was Dean of Christ Church, and collected a massive library, mostly of books plundered from the libraries of religious houses in Germany and the Low Countries during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. His son, the younger Thomas, became a Catholic, and was a friend of Newman; he was influential in the attempts in the 1860s to found an Oratory in Oxford. After various vicissitudes, the Gaisford family entrusted us with over three hundred books from the library in 1996. These include all the great Benedictine editions of the Church Fathers, including a copy of the works of St John Chrysostom presented by the editor, the famous Dom de Montfaucon. There are many 16th and 17th-century volumes of more obscure writers, some of which do not seem to be found in other British libraries, and there are four massive series on Church History, including one edited by an Oratorian in Venice in the dying days of the Most Serene Republic. Then there is a 16th-century manuscript of the Commentary on the Psalms by St Theodoret of Cyr, including what seems to be the only text of his commentary on the Old Testament Canticles.
Manuscripts and Autographs of the Saints
In addition there are a number of other manuscripts which have been acquired or given to us, including some superb liturgical texts. The Archives include the parish records from the late 18th century, with many letters and notes from interesting 19th-century characters, ranging from Gerard Manley Hopkins to Napoleon III. (The actual parish records have been copied on microfiche and can be consulted in the Oxfordshire Record Office, and the Archives of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and of the English Province of the Society of Jesus.) Then there is a remarkable collection of autographs of saints, acquired by the colourful Hartwell de la Garde Grissell, and bequeathed to the Parish in 1910. He was particularly interested in the Oratory, and somehow collected St Philip's own autograph, as well as those of other early Oratorians.
Where are the Books and Manuscripts now?
At present these books and papers are scattered all over the house, some in the main library in the cellar, others in different rooms, along corridors, on landings. Many are in store over the parish centre, and others have had to be stored off-site. This is very unsatisfactory, as some important books are difficult to get at, and it is impossible to keep them perfectly free from dust and moths. That is why, in the proposed development plans, the upper hall of the former school will be converted into a large library bringing everything together. For the rare books and manuscripts there will be a safe, environmentally controlled storage area.
Once we have a proper library, it will be possible to welcome other users, researchers and students (with proper recommendation and supervision). Although there are many other libraries in Oxford already, most are only accessible to members of individual colleges or universities: our library could help people without these privileges.
G.K.'s Weekly and Other Frivolities
We have been promised more: another major collection which is on its way to us is the Chesterton Library, comprising all G.K. Chesterton's own copies of his published works, his journal, G.K.'s Weekly, and much more. There are also many manuscripts and paintings, including the scenery and characters for his famous toy theatre. This has been secured by a special Trust with the intention that the collection can be kept together, and housed in the Oxford Oratory to ensure that it remains in England and is accessible.The New Building and its Fitting-Out
Shelves have been detailed by Tim Newbery, under the direction of our Architect, Anthony Delarue. They are to be elegant and long-lasting - there is no point in scrimping by installing sub-standard materials which will need to be replaced in twenty years!
And so of course, it will cost a fair amount. According to the latest figures (autumn 2012) the overall cost should be about £564,444, and we have been advised that much of this will be exempt from V.A.T. Some people spend that much on a wedding: our Library should last not just for a lifetime but for generations to come!
