Gallery of Art Committee, 1880-81. Swansea, November, 1881, 8vo, pp. 25 and cover.

The issues for the year in the Lending Department were at the Central Library and the Morriston Branch 41,241; the decrease on the previous year being attributed to the fact, that no new books have been added for two years, and that there are but 5,456 volumes altogether in the Lending Department. The issues in the Reference Department were 45, 106, and the number of volumes in stock 14,524. The rate produced £963 15s. The Committee urge the need of new buildings. York Subscription Library. Appendix to the General Alphabetical Catalogue for the year 1881, with a List of the Officers, etc. York, 1882. 8vo, pp. 20.

The number of volumes circulated was 26,000, and of magazines and reviews over 2,000. The proportion of fiction circulated during one week was as nearly as possible 615 per cent. The number of volumes added was 282. The income for the year was £468 5s. 5d.

The Chairman of the Leamington Free Public Library Committee, in presenting his Annual Report stated that 1,336 volumes had been added to the Library, of which 957 were presented. The receipts for the year were £508 17s. 10d., and were just balanced by the expenditure. The total number of volumes in the Reference Library was 3,232, in the Lending Department 8,452. The issues were in the former 6,542, in the latter 46,074.

NOTICES OF BIBLIOGRAPHIES.

Vegetable Technology: a contribution towards a bibliography of Economic Botany, with a comprehensive Subject Index. By Benjamin Daydon Jackson, Secretary of the Linnean Society, founded upon the collections of George James Symons. London : Index Society, 1882. 4to, pp. xii.-355.

A companion volume to Mr. Jackson's equally laborious and valuable "Guide to the Literature of Botany." But however useful these works may be to specialists, it is questionable whether the Index Society fulfils its proper object in devoting over 1,000 pages within the course of two years to the subject of botany. The book is unfortunately disfigured with many misprints, and the titles are not always transcribed with bibliographical accuracy.

An Index to Norfolk Topography. By Walter Rye. London: Index Society, 1881. 4to, pp. xxx.-416.

This is undoubtedly of more general interest than the previous volume, and reflects great credit upon the industry of the compiler, who admits the weakness of the bibliographical part.

Gutenberg was he the Inventor of Printing? An Historical Investigation embodying a Criticism on Dr. Van der Linde's "Gutenberg." By J. H. Hessels. London: B. Quaritch, 1882. (Only 200 copies printed for sale.) 8vo, pp. xxvii.-201. Price £1 1s.

Dr. Hessels is still unable to answer the question. Of the three principle documents upon which it rests, one no longer exists, and the other two are only extant in transcripts. Many of the other Gutenberg documents are here shown to be forgeries; the theory of a continuance of his press far into the 16th century is no longer tenable; the remarkable discovery of the fraud in the Darmstadt Prognostication removes seven works from the Gutenberg list; and the 42-line Bible, and other books in the same type, must in future be ascribed to

66

Schoeffer. As early as November 15th, 1454, two printers were at work at Mentz; one may have been Johann Gutenberg, the other was probably Peter Schoeffer, but there is evidence to show that the latter did not claim to be the first Mentz printer, as in his Justinianus of 24th May, 1468, he speaks of two Johannes "librorum insignes prothocaragmatici.' One of these must have been Fust, who was the other? He may have been Gutenberg, but there is not sufficient evidence to prove the fact. It will thus be seen that the result of Dr. Hessel's inquiry is somewhat of a negative and disappointing character. But he has produced a scholarly and able book, which, for its critical examination of documentary evidence, and deductions from comparative study of founts of type, is an admirable specimen of exact bibliography as opposed to the feeble gossip which usually passes under the name. The book is dedicated to our president, Mr. Henry Bradshaw, in "testimony. of his singularly profound, exact and original knowledge of bibliography and kindred subjects.'

A Manual of Historical Literature: comprising brief descriptions of the most Important Histories, in English, French, and German; together with practical suggestions as to methods and courses of Historical Study, for the use of Students, General Readers, and Collectors of Books. By C. Kendall Adams. York: Harper, 1882. Sm. 8vo, pp. xl.-665. Price 12s. 6d.

New

A useful and laborious work, consisting of fourteen chapters, the first being a general introduction, the latest being devoted to the United States. In each chapter the most important works on the subject to which it relates are briefly criticised, and at the end of each chapter are a few suggestions to readers and students. The index is good.

The Reporters arranged and characterised, with incidental remarks. By John William Wallace. Fourth edition, revised and enlarged. Published under the superintendence of Franklin Fiske Heard. Boston: Soule and Bugbee, 1882. 8vo, pp. vi.-654. We should have noticed this book before, but that we hoped to find room for more than a brief note of it. Originally contributed to an American law magazine, this work, which in its 2nd edition, issued in 1845, filled less than a hundred and fifty pages, has now grown to a portly volume. Its notices of the earlier reporters are not only of interest, but of practical service to the lawyer; and its veteran author has reason to feel that he at least is no longer, in Coke's phrase, "a debtor to his profession." His editor, Mr. Heard, who has come to the aid of the author's failing eyesight, has already done much for legal bibliography. A Complete Catalogue of Modern Law Books, British, American, and Colonial; with a Selection of such Old Works as are still of value, and Appendices containing Chronological Tables of all the Reports, Statutes, Digests, &c., of the various Countries. Compiled by Herbert G. Sweet; the very full Index of Subjects by John Nicholson, Librarian of the Hon. Society of Lincoln's Inn. London: Henry Sweet, 1882. 8vo, pp. vii.-472.

The Catalogue part of this book is better done, indeed, than the Index, but still leaves much to be desired. As if, nevertheless, his subject was not enough for him, the compiler includes many books that in no way belong to law, such as works on shorthand and politics. Thus he includes two works on political economy. If two, why not more? We observe, indeed, that they are both recent, and both American, so that there may be some occult bookselling reason for including them. The list of abbreviations is altogether too foolish. We hope to return to the "very full Index of Subjects," and for the present will merely say that only great pains and great incompetence could have produced so elaborate and so poor a piece of work. Its compiler has still to learn the very rudiments of classification.

Catalogue of Periodical Literature, Journals, and Transactions of Learned Societies, Issues from Government and Private Presses, Collections; to which are added a Botanical Library, a Scientific Library, and Miscellaneous Books. Offered by B. Quaritch. London: B. Quaritch, 1882. 8vo, pp. iv.-445-807.

Lettered outside "General Catalogue, Pt. III." The index is in treble columns, Some idea of the occupies 42 pages, and is compiled in a very slovenly manner. practical value of the elaborate classification may be obtained from the fact that Freeman's Historical Geography is entered under Historical Collections, and Watt's Bibliotheca under Works on Natural History.

The Two Worlds: Addressed to the Students of the Royal Academy. By J. E. Hodgson, R.A. London: A. Seale [1882]. Sm. 8vo,

16

pp.

An eloquent appeal by the new Librarian of the Royal Academy, in favour of books and literature, and pointing out to students the advantages they enjoy in the well-chosen library of that institution.

Annuaire Bulletin de la Société de la l'Histoire de France.

Année

1881. Paris: Librairie Renouard, 1881. 8vo, pp. 320. Price, 58. Contains the usual valuable bibliography of works connected with French history. Among the documents reproduced in the "Séconde partie" are "Documents relatifs à la Bibliothèque du Roi et au Trésor des Chartes (1736-8). Bibliographie Raisonnée et Pratique. Guide du Libraire-antiquaire et du Bibliophile. Vade Mecum à l'usage de tous ceux qui achètent ou vendent des livres. Par J. de Beauchamps et Ed. Rouveyre. Première livraison. Paris: E. Rouveyre et G. Blond, 1882. 8vo, pp. 16, and Album of 7 plates. Subscription (two monthly parts) 15 frs.

The first part of this periodical, announced in MONTHLY NOTES for May, has now come to hand and very disappointing it is. The literary part merely consists of a list of miscellaneous books likely to tempt the French collector, with notes evidently intended to sell the copies described. The Album comprises facsimiles of a volume with the Pompadour arms, the title page of an Heures of 1498, besides representations of the bindings of Capé, Allo and Derome. These are certainly very well reproduced, but are really only illustrated specimens of the books previously mentioned. Altogether, there is an unpleasant flavour of bookselling under false pretences in the new bibliographical journal.

V Annuario delle Biblioteche populari d'Italia dal 1879, in poi. Di Antonio Bruni, con cronica estera. Roma: Ettore Berni, 1882. Sm. 8vo.

Professor Antonio Bruni has been an active worker in the cause of popular education. In 1861 he founded, at Prato, a lending library, for the use of artisans; and, during the last five years, has brought out, annually, this useful little publication, which includes appeals in favour of popular libraries besides The 8,300 communes of a quantity of statistical information respecting them. the Italian peninsula, at present, contain 5,000 of these institutions: France, however, which, in 1867, had only 4,823, now possesses 20,000.

We

We regret to learn that the proposed scheme for an International Exhibition of the Graphic Arts and Book Manufacture spoken of in the May Number of MONTHLY NOTES has been abandoned. owe this information to the courtesy of our member, Mr. Grevel, who has just returned from Leipzig.

The April Number of The Cape Quarterly Review contains the first of a series of "Notes on Books relating to South Africa," by Mr. George M. Theal.

The June Number of the Antiquarian Magazine and Bibliographer contains an account of the bibliography of the "Historia Trojana."

In the supplement issued with Part IV. of the Western Antiquary, edited by Mr. W. H. K. Wright, bearing date March, 1882, appears a specimen article of a "Devonshire Bibliography" contributed by the Rev. J. Ingle Dredge, dealing with the works of Theophilus Gale.

The June Number of the Bibliographer contains an interesting list by Mr. Edward Smith, of books of travel written by "Foreigners in England," which is disfigured, however, by some ugly misprints. As we have had occasion to observe before, bibliographical lists to be valuable must be thorough, and must above all be accurate. In the last number of the Bibliographer, the editor undertook to "arrange in chronological order a list of some of the chief books on Siberia. The titles were very meagre and inaccurate, and the value of the chronology may be gauged by the fact that the "Jeune Sibérienne" of Xavier de Maistre was assigned to 1878. As many school-girls are aware, de Maistre died in 1852, so that any book issuing from him in 1878 must have been a communication from the spirit-world-and bibliography may begin to rank, not as a "physical," but as a "psychical" science.

CORRESPONDENCE.

TRAINING OF LIBRARY ASSISTANTS.

SIR,-Although the system of apprenticing librarians has been adopted at Newcastle, Worcester, and other places, and was mentioned at the Edinburgh meeting in 1880 when the question was introduced, I am glad to tell "Paterfamilias" that the Association has thus far never recommended that young librarians should be bound over like so many Oliver Twists. I may add, that a report laid before the Gray's Inn Meeting in September last (see MONTHLY NOTES, II., 62-4) indicates the line which a thorough professional training should take. However, the report was "received" on that occasion but not "adopted," whatever the distinction may have been intended to mean, and the whole subject was afterwards referred (see MONTHLY NOTES, II., 74) to a committee, consisting of Messrs. Bradshaw, Mullins, Cowell, and Overall, so that we may now expect to see the matter dealt with in a liberal and comprehensive spirit. I am, &c.,

LIBRARIAN.

London: TRÜBNER & CO., Ludgate Hill. Single Numbers, Threepence each. Annual Subscription, post free, 3s. 6d.

MONTHLY NOTES

OF THE

Library Association

Contents

of the United Kingdom.

Official Notices-July Monthly Meeting-"A German Librarian on "List of Selected Books on Political Economy,"

our Cataloguing Rules

by W. Stanley Jevons-Library Notes-Library Catalogues and ReportsNotices of Bibliographies-Correspondence.

THE next Monthly Meeting of the Association will be held at the London Institution, Finsbury Circus, on Friday, August 4th, 1882, at 8 p.m., for the transaction of business.

After the Monthly Meeting will be held a Meeting of the Committee (of the whole Association) appointed to prepare illustrations to the Cataloguing Rules.

A Meeting of the Committee to prepare illustrations to the Cataloguing Rules will also be held at the Library Chambers, 2, Gray's Inn Square, Gray's Inn, on Friday, 21st July, at 7 p.m.

The Council have decided that the Cambridge Meeting shall be arranged to extend over four days. It has also been decided to devote special attention to the subjects of binding and classification. Offers of papers on these and other subjects must reach the Secretaries not later than the 4th of August.

Mr. Tedder and the Secretaries have been appointed to examine the answers received in answer to the Binding Circular, issued last year, and to prepare a report upon them.

The Council have acceded to the request formally made by the Editor of the Library Journal, to be allowed to drop from its title the words in which it purports to be the official organ of our