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necessary. Here is "The Dialogue of Comfort," printed in 1573, in 8vo, and in whole sheets, yet it is signed on the four first rectos. The Aldus family do not seem to have printed smaller than 8vo, but the Elzevirs and Plantins used 8vo and 12mo abundantly, still keeping the old fashion of signing. We may here notice another peculiarity of signature, often seen, and that is, signing the first five leaves of a quire and leaving the last three unsigned. That is, the central sheet was signed on both rectos, and this told the binder that it was the central sheet, and that he need not examine further. As, then, folio, 4to, 8vo, and even smaller books were signed and collated in sections of eight leaves each, it is quite evident that, however satisfactory to the binder, it cannot serve in any way as a guide to the size of the book. The tendency to print small books developed another practice which ought to be recognised and understood. We will say that it is decided to print a volume in 24mo-well, there is no reason why the whole side of the sheet should not be printed at once, so we will fold this sheet of foolscap into folio, first of all, then into three, making a 6to, then into two, and two again, making a 24mo. Now here the back is evidently too cumbersome for so small a size, and, as the paper cannot be cut in half, we must cut it into three, and then folding each third into eight we get three small quires, each of eight leaves, and each signed on the first four rectos,a favourite form in the 17th century.

[The remainder of this paper and the discussion thereon will appear in our next number.]

LIBRARY NOTES.

CORPORATION LIBRARY, GUILDHALL.-During the year 1879 this library was open on 250 days from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on 51 days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Total, 301 days. The number of readers up to 5 p.m. was 108,495; from 5 to 9 p.m., 32,415; total, 140,910.

ORTELIUS' CORRESPONDENCE.-Among the manuscripts belonging to the Library of the Dutch Church, now deposited in the Corporation Library, Guildhall, is a collection of the unpublished correspondence of Abraham Ortelius, the famous geographer, comprising more than 300 letters written by Ortelius himself and many eminent contemporaries. The Consistory of the Church have determined to print these letters, and have made arrangements to have them transcribed for the press.

LONDON INSTITUTION.-Mr. Parr's ingenious card ledger, exhibited at the Manchester meeting, was put in use on the 1st of December, and has fully realized all expectations. Even in point of rapidity it is found to be distinctly superior to the written ledger, and its superiority is particularly manifest at those times of pressure when its break-down seemed possible.

PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN.-A new catalogue of the library of this society (including the catalogue of the North British Branch Library) has been prepared by Mr. J. W. Knapman,

the librarian, and is now passing through the press. It is on the dictionary system, author and subject entries and cross references under one alphabet. The library contains about 7,000 volumes and pamphlets, principally on materia medica and the accessory sciences, as botany, chemistry, &c.

SOCIETY OF TELEGRAPH ENGINEERS.-The valuable and unique library belonging to this society, and formed by the late Sir Francis Ronalds, F.R.S., is now in course of binding, and when finished will be opened for reference.

It will be remembered that at the meeting in September, 1878, Mr. Frost, the librarian of the society, read an interesting paper giving an account of this library and its catalogue, which not only describes the books in the library, but forms a complete bibliography of electricity and magnetism. After due consideration, it has been decided to bind the works in half-morocco and cloth, with raised bands, lettered with the author's name, title, and the words "Ronalds Library." The pamphlets will be bound in volumes, in chronological order, as far as their size will allow. The use of buckram was duly considered; but, though some catalogues are to be bound in that material as an experiment, Mr. Frost was not disposed to recommend its adoption for all books in the library. The printing of the catalogue has proceeded as far as the letter M (about 400 pages), and before distributing the type, a small edition on large paper, on one side only, will be printed for the use of librarians. The work has been much delayed, owing to the difficulty of referring to the books and pamphlets in their present condition.

HORNCASTLE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.-The "Combined" Charging System by Cards of Mr. J. Schwartz, New York Apprentices' Library (Lib. Jour. v. 4, pp. 275-7), has been introduced in this library, and works very satisfactorily. The bequest of the late H. Fielding, Esq., consisting of £100, has been the means of considerably augmenting the standard reference works in the library. LINCOLN LIBRARY.-This library, which has a very good collection of local pamphlets, &c., is suffering from the usual complaint so often heard of in old-fashioned towns, viz., inaptness on the part of the Managing Committee to keep up with the times, and relying upon rules which are singularly inappropriate to the present age. A select Committee has been formed to consider the position of the library, and the best mode of increasing its popu larity and usefulness.

WORCESTER.-Mr. Samuel Smith, of Leeds, has been appointed Librarian to the newly-established Free Library. The Corporation has purchased the building, collections, books, and pictures belonging to the Natural History Society for £2,820. These collections, with the 11,000 volumes already purchased from the old City Library, will afford the new Librarian an unusual amount of good material upon which to begin work, and the people of Worcester may be congratulated on the success attending the adoption of the Acts.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

At the end of the Journal published by the Royal Microscopical Society is now given a classified index to the current papers on microscopical science, contained in upwards of three hundred British and Foreign Scientific Journals and Transactions, with abstracts of some of the more important ones.

The Editor of the Journal of Science (monthly, formerly the Quarterly Journal of Science) announces that he has determined to incorporate with it a Subject-Index to the leading English and Foreign Scientific Journals, with a separate paging; and invites practical suggestions from those experienced in making such indexes.

The third part (E-L) of the Subject-Index to the "Catalogue général de la Librairie Française, depuis 1840, par O. Lorenz," has just been issued.

ASTRONOMY.-The prospectus has been issued of a "Bibliographie générale de l'Astronomie, ou Catalogue méthodique des Ouvrages, des Mémoires, et des Observations Astronomiques, publiés depuis l'origine de l'imprimerie jusqu'en 1880, par J. C. Houzeau, directeur, et A. Lancaster, bibliothécaire de l'Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles." The work will be published by subscription, and will consist of three volumes, devoted respectively to books, memoirs, and observations. To judge from the specimen, the books appear to be carefully described and the classification seems minute and easily followed. An idea of the extent of the undertaking may be gathered from the fact that the "Catalogue of Scientific Papers " contributes no less than 16,000 articles, and the "Repertorium Commentationum" of Reuss as many as 4,000.

CRAY-FISH.-Professor Huxley's recent work on the Cray-fish contains a classified bibliography of the books and memoirs treating the subject.

SERVETUS.-M. Ch. Dardier contributes a bibliography of the works by and connected with Servetus, in a recent translation of "Michel Servet: Portrait-caractère, par Henri Tollin, pasteur à Magdebourg." Herr Tollin has himself written altogether no less than 34 books, pamphlets, and separate articles relating to Servetus. PSEUDONYMS. In a letter to the Times of January 5th, Mr. J. Pinchbeck, C.E., explains that "Sir Eward Seaward's narrative" was only looked through by Miss Jane Porter, the reputed editor, the work having been written by her brother, Dr. Porter, of Bristol, in conjunction with a lady of their acquaintance, the widow of Colonel Booth. In the same number of the Times, the author of "The Little Pilgrim" is stated to be Mary Metford Thomas, who wrote the work in, or about, 1843. The Mrs. Helen Petrie, whose name is mentioned on the title of the book, has only edited and revised the work.

QUERIES.

LIBRARY LADDERS.—All library ladders I have yet seen are either dangerous or clumsy. Can any ingenious reader devise a ladder that shall be at once safe and handy?

H. R. T. SIZE NOTATION.-The word "size" to indicate the dimensions of a book also serves in English for the "format." Would not some of the misunderstandings of size notation be done away with if we adopted the word "form" in technically describing the size or arrangement of the sheets and signatures, while restricting "size" to indicate actual outside height, breadth, and thickness?

H. R. T. BOOK TAG.-What is the best form of book tag that will answer the following conditions? 1. Adhere closely, especially under the action of friction and heat. 2. Thin in material, and yet durable in wear and tear.

J. C. H.

PAROCHIAL LIBRARIES.-What has become of the Parochial Lending Library established by the Rev. H. B. Wilson, D.D., in the parishes of St. Mary Aldermary, and St. Thomas the Apostle? A catalogue was issued in 1851. SUPER OMNEs.

BOOK WANTED. Can any of your correspondents inform me if the "History and Antiquities of the Parish and Church of St. Michael, Crooked Lane, London," has ever been completed? I have three parts ending p. 240; no author nor date of publication given. SUPER OMNEs. AUTHORS WANTED.-Who was the author of "A Present for an Apprentice by a late Lord Mayor of London," 8vo, London. (?) The fifth edition was published in 1747, and an earlier one, probably the first, in Nov. 1739. C. C. Is the Christian name of Miss Marsh, authoress of the "Life of Captain Hedley Vicars," Catherine or Caroline? authorities differ on this point.

CORRESPONDENCE.

LIBRARIANS AND THE PURCHASE OF BOOKS.

Catalogue
C. C.

Sir,-In his Inaugural Address at the London Conference in 1877, Mr. J. Winter Jones, then principal librarian of the British Museum, strongly urged the propriety of library committees giving to their librarians a vote in the purchase of books. Might I suggest that the Association as a body should take some means of recommending this course to committees,

January, 1880.

I am, &c.,

A LIBRARIAN.

London: TRÜBNER & CO., Ludgate Hill. Single Numbers, Threepence each. Annual Subscription, post free, 38. 6d.

MONTHLY NOTES

OF THE

Library Association

of the United Kingdom.

THE Committee on Indicators will be glad to receive from librarians information on the following points respecting their use of indicators-1. The system adopted by them. 2. Opinion as to its working. 3. General remarks.-Communications to be addressed to Mr. J. D. MULLINS, Birmingham Free Library.

At the meeting on March 5, a paper will be read, on Librarians and ancient Parish Registers," by Mr. T. W. SHORE, of the Hartley Institution, Southampton.

JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING.

[Continued from page 5.]

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THE real test for size of all books before 1800 (except a very few in the last years of the 18th century) is the water-mark and the chain wires. Observe this paper-mould-an original foolscap mould with the cap and bells. You will see that the fine wires, or laid lines," are held in place by the stout wires, called chain wires," because they are chained down on the mould. In the centre of one half other stout wires are arranged to make the water-mark. Where these lines stand above the surrounding laid wires the paper pulp is thinner, and this thinness by its transparency makes the lines we see in all laid papers. This mould is a sample of all moulds for laid papers. Now, here notice the important fact that all paper-moulds produce a sheet which, when held with the water-mark in its natural position, has a certain number of perpendicular chain lines across the narrow part of the sheet. Fold the sheet in half, and we see at once the water-mark in the centre of one half and the chain wires running down that is folio. Fold again, and we have the water-mark in the back, and the chain wires across the page-that is 4to. In a similar manner, 8vo gives us the water-mark at the top, and the chain wires running down. Smaller sizes are more intricate, but with a little attention can be as easily recognised. Now, for all this large class of books here is a real and true test. It is easy of application, because we have only to mark a few down lines on a sheet of common note-paper, and by folding it to any size, we see at once where the chain wires for that size must come, as well as where the water-mark will fall. The objection to this plan is the apparent

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