Some of the 
 Advantages of Easily Accessible 
 
 Reading and 
 Recreation Rooms and 
 Free Libraries 
 
 WITH REMARKS ON^ ST A R TING AND MAINTAINING 
 THEM, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 
 SELECTION OF BOOKS 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON 
 
 AND ALL BOOKSELLERS 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2015 
 
 https://archive.org/details/someofadvantagesOOrutl 
 
The person charging this material is re- 
 sponsible for its return to the library from 
 which it was withdrawn on or before the 
 Latest Date stamped below. 
 
 Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons 
 for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from 
 the University. 
 
 To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 SEP 2 
 
 HAY 02 20 
 
 FEB 24 
 
 FEB I3i 
 
 31980 
 
 2 Y>94 
 00 
 
 !004 
 
 L161— O-1096 
 
READING AND RECREATION ROOMS 
 AND FREE LIBRARIES 
 
" Eecommander une bonne ceuvre c'est se faire 
 pardonner d'avance de n'avoir pas sn ecrire un 
 bon livre." 
 
 — A. DE PONTMARTIN 
 
Beotcateo Ijjj Special Permission to 
 f&er JUajestg tije ©ueen 
 
 SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES 
 
 OF EASILY ACCESSIBLE 
 
 READING AND RECREATION ROOMS 
 AND FREE LIBRARIES 
 
 WITH REMARKS ON STARTING AND MAINTAINING 
 THEM, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 
 SELECTION OF BOOKS 
 
 BY 
 
 LADY JOHN MANNEKS 
 
 REPRINTED FROM 'THE QUEEN' 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS 
 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON 
 
 And all Bookseller* 
 
 Second Edition 
 
OZ LI 
 
 TO 
 
 MADAM, 
 
 Encouraged by the gracious interest 
 your Majesty continually takes in Libraries for 
 your people, I have collected a few facts on 
 the advantages of Beading and Recreation Rooms, 
 and Free Libraries. The benefits derived by your 
 Majesty's soldiers from the Reading - rooms estab- 
 lished for their use have been so great, that there is 
 reason to believe, if similar unpretending inexpen- 
 sive establishments could be maintained in every 
 district in your Majesty's empire, the happiness and, 
 usefulness of your subjects woidd be increased. 
 
 L am, 
 
 MADAM, 
 
 Your Majesty's grateful and humble Servant, 
 
 March 1885, 
 
 JAN ETTA MANNERS. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 I. NECESSITY FOR INCREASED NUMBER OF READ- 
 ING-ROOMS — SOME ALREADY IN EXISTENCE 
 
 DESCRIBED, 
 
 II. COMMENCEMENT OF UNPRETENDING READING- 
 ROOM — SUGGESTIONS FOR BOOKS, 
 
 III. GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF TASTE IN FRE- 
 
 QUENTERS OF READING-ROOMS HINTS FOR 
 
 HIGHER CLASS OF BOOKS, .... 
 
 IV. MORE ADVANCED BOOKS FOR LARGER LIBRA- 
 
 RIES, 
 
 V. FREE LIBRARIES IN VILLAGES AND SMALL 
 TOWNS, . . . 
 
 VI. FREE LIBRARIES IN AUSTRALIA THE 1 BOOK- 
 
 lover's ENCHIRIDION,' . 
 
viii Contents. 
 
 VII. PRELIMINARY STEPS BEFORE COMPLETION OF 
 
 THE BIRNAM INSTITUTE DETAILS OF OTHER 
 
 READING-ROOMS — ENEMIES OF BOOKS, . . 65 
 
 VIII. SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF EASILY AC- 
 CESSIBLE READING AND RECREATION ROOMS, 80 
 
BEADING AND BECBEATION BOOMS, 
 AND FBEE LIBBABIES. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 NECESSITY FOE INCREASED NUMBER OF READ- 
 ING - ROOMS — SOME ALREADY IN EXISTENCE 
 DESCRIBED. 
 
 A T one of the conferences, held with a view 
 
 of ascertaining how to cope with the vast 
 amount of ignorance existing even in these days, 
 it was suggested that every town and village in 
 these realms should be provided with free reading- 
 rooms in proportion to the population. Public 
 liberality and private munificence have already 
 done much towards establishing suitable build- 
 ings for libraries in many places. The reading- 
 room at the British Museum is a source of bless- 
 ing to thousands. The splendid free libraries in 
 our great manufacturing cities excite the envy 
 of foreign visitors to our country. Our public 
 schools have spacious halls filled with volumes 
 
 A 
 
2 
 
 Choice of Books. 
 
 specially chosen with reference to the boys and 
 the young men for whom they are intended. 
 The heads of many great retail houses provide 
 libraries for the people they employ. Already 
 a certain number of small towns and villages 
 possess public reading-rooms — and where there 
 is a suitable room filled with books, there are 
 certain to be eager interested readers. Much of 
 the good to be derived from a library depends 
 on the choice of the books. Some people seem 
 to think anything will do to send to a read- 
 ing-room, but the utmost care should be ex- 
 ercised in selecting those works which will 
 interest and improve their readers. It would 
 enhance the attractions of libraries to thought- 
 ful, if uneducated people, could lectures be 
 given from time to time, suggesting a systematic 
 course of reading. To read the newspapers in- 
 telligently is in itself a most improving study 
 — and no one who frequents reading-rooms can 
 ignore the great interest taken in the journals. 
 Maps and dictionaries should be consulted by 
 all who wish to understand them; historical 
 books of reference should also be at hand. 
 
 The most valuable religious teaching may, at 
 special seasons, be gathered from the newspapers, 
 for they usually give summaries of the best ser- 
 mons of our most eloquent men. The telegraph 
 flashes intelligence to us of what happens in 
 
Importance of Reading- Rooms, 3 
 
 distant lands ; no political discussions that take 
 place in both Houses of Parliament are kept 
 secret from the person who has a penny to spend 
 for a daily paper. The rise and progress of 
 philanthropic movements are chronicled, and 
 abstruse discussions held in scientific congresses 
 may be read by the many, if only understood by 
 the few. 
 
 I have mentioned the advantages of a daily 
 careful study of one or two newspapers ; be- 
 cause in these days almost every person who 
 can read is anxious to see " a paper." It is 
 hardly possible to overrate the advantages of 
 reading and recreation rooms easily accessible 
 to all. It is not necessary that they should be 
 of an expensive character ; indeed, experience 
 shows that people, as a rule, prefer comfortable, 
 simply furnished reading-rooms to those that 
 are decorated in a more costly manner. There 
 should, however, be warmth and light in these 
 rooms, and, if possible, brightness of colouring. 
 When it is recollected that in every city and 
 town there are vast numbers of men and women 
 who live in lodgings, and have no place where 
 they can sit, when not engaged in business, 
 except in a bedroom, often shared with one or 
 more fellow - lodgers, it will be acknowledged 
 that a reading-room must be an invaluable boon 
 to such persons. 
 
4 
 
 A Model Library 
 
 Through the kindness of Mr Langton, private 
 secretary to the Postmaster - General, I have 
 been allowed to study the arrangements of the 
 East London Postal and Telegraph Employes 
 Town and Suburban Circulating Library and 
 Literary Institute, Eastern District Office, Com- 
 mercial Eoad, E. Thirty branch offices carry 
 on this useful work. 
 
 The organisation of this admirable institute is 
 so excellent, that I will quote passages from 
 some of the rules, beginning with the first, 
 which runs as follows : — 
 
 "The object of the institution is to maintain a 
 library and a reading-room at the district office; to 
 allot a sufficient number of books to each branch and 
 suburban office ; to renew periodically the supply ; 
 and to promote mental, moral, and social improve- 
 ment amongst the different classes, especially the 
 junior, by good literature, free classes, prizes, lectures, 
 debates, periodical gatherings, and other agencies, such 
 as an educational and literary institute would be able 
 to employ." 
 
 In the second rule I find — 
 
 " That this institution be established for the use of 
 all officers in the eastern district on the payment of 
 one halfpenny per week, by telegraph messengers and 
 all officers at outlying offices ; and one penny per week, 
 or sixpence monthly, by all other officers; that all 
 members be entitled to vote ; that three weeks' pay- 
 ment do constitute membership." 
 
and Reading- Room. 
 
 5 
 
 Passing on to the constitution of the insti- 
 tution, there is a president, a vice-president, a 
 general secretary, a treasurer for the postal staff, 
 and one for the telegraph staff ; two general libra- 
 rians for the district office, two for outlying 
 offices, six district office committee-men, and all 
 local librarians ; that three auditors be elected 
 annually. 
 
 There are eighteen rules, framed with the 
 greatest care and foresight, as to the manage- 
 ment of the institution. The rules for the 
 library and reading-room are very practical. I 
 observe with pleasure that the library presses 
 being closed on Sundays, books and periodicals 
 of suitable character are to be left out for the 
 use of the telegraph staff — -clerks and messengers 
 — on duty. Eule 22 provides that the reading- 
 room and institute are to be supplied with every 
 accessory for promoting the comfort and pleas- 
 ure of members — suitable seats, reading-desks, 
 writing-tables, framed pictures, scrap-books, 
 games, draughts, chess - boards, for the use of 
 those who wish for recreation as well as quiet 
 reading. There is also a wise regulation pro- 
 viding that a committee shall approve of the 
 books admitted into the library. 
 
 One of the chief advantages connected with 
 the establishment of reading-rooms and insti- 
 tutes is that, where there is a centre of any good 
 
6 
 
 Work of Literary Institute. 
 
 work, many kind clever people gather round it 
 and help it in various ways. The institute to 
 which I now refer has for its object to provide 
 healthful, intellectual, and physical recreation. 
 The institute or society has its separate code of 
 rules ; it is conducted by the committee and 
 officers of the library. The winter session for 
 classes, lectures, debates, periodical gatherings 
 begins in October and ends in April. The sum- 
 mer session begins in May and ends in October. 
 The session includes, besides classes, at least one 
 conversazione, two lectures, two debates, and 
 one or two musical and elocutionary entertain- 
 ments. All members have the right of attend- 
 ing free. The entertainments are suitable for 
 boys as well as adults. This clause about the 
 boys is most wise and kind. Boys value much 
 the privilege of being admitted to reading- 
 rooms. Occasionally men object to their pres- 
 ence, as they are rather noisy ; but if it could 
 be managed to give boys the chance of improv- 
 ing their minds in all reading-rooms, much good 
 would result. I have often heard with sorrow 
 that the difficulty of keeping boys quiet has 
 been solved by their exclusion. Athletic sports 
 are encouraged by the institute, and there are 
 classes held for instruction. 
 
 There is a south-western district post-office 
 library, which contains about five hundred 
 
Mr Fazvcetfs Addresses. J 
 
 volumes ; a west - central district institute for 
 boy sorters and telegraph messengers, with a 
 reading and recreation room, open every even- 
 ing except Sunday from 6.30 to 9.30, and a 
 north-western district institute, on similar prin- 
 ciples. There is also the General Post-office 
 Sorters', Letter- Carriers', &c, Library and Lit- 
 erary Institution, by which a reading-room 
 is provided at the General Post-office ftself. 
 Temperance societies are established in connec- 
 tion with some of the branches, swimming and 
 cricket clubs, and there are several libraries for 
 the boy messengers in different branches. 
 
 When Lord John Manners was Postmaster- 
 General, he had the pleasure of assisting in giv- 
 ing an impetus to the movement for providing 
 books and papers for the employes. Mr Steven- 
 son Blackwood has been unwearied in his suc- 
 cessful efforts to encourage the officials to avail 
 themselves of the opportunities offered. The 
 late deeply -lamented Postmaster -General, Mr 
 Fawcett, took the keenest personal interest in 
 the undertaking. The reports of the short ad- 
 dresses Jie gave from time to time to the Post- 
 office officials were read all over the country, 
 and his counsels, expressed in terse, vigorous 
 language, must have gone to the hearts of many. 
 The earnest manner in which he w T arned his 
 hearers against betting and gambling, no doubt 
 
8 Reading- Rooms for Domestic Servants. 
 
 helped many exposed to those temptations. It 
 is touching to recall that beautiful wreaths were 
 sent to lay on his coffin as a tribute of gratitude 
 from those for whom he had shown such care. 
 
 I thought, in writing on reading and recrea- 
 tion rooms, it would be best to refer to some 
 great public institution, where every one can see 
 for himself the excellent results that follow 
 thei? use. I have earnestly wished for many 
 years that some organisation could establish 
 circulating libraries and reading or recreation 
 rooms for servants. There are clubs for men- 
 servants, but I am not aware if these include 
 well-stocked reading-rooms. When we reflect 
 how many of those living in domestic service, 
 even in what are called the best houses, pass 
 the greater part of their lives in dull under- 
 ground rooms, we must feel that it would be a 
 very great boon to them if there were cheerful 
 reading-rooms, where they could from time to 
 time spend an hour. I feel sure that heads of 
 families would be only too glad to subscribe to 
 a circulating library for their servants, if they 
 believed the books chosen would be interest- 
 ing, profitable, and amusing for them. I have 
 stayed in one large country house, where a read- 
 ing-room was provided for the servants, and a 
 lending library. Connected with the reading- 
 room was a cricket club. The great statesman 
 
Establishment of Village Reading- Rooms. 9 
 
 — Lord Derby, now, alas ! no more — who made 
 this arrangement for the comfort of his house- 
 hold, took a deep personal interest in it, and 
 used to watch his servants playing cricket, 
 applauding the good players with hearty enthu- 
 siasm. 
 
 A reading-room for the servants in a private 
 family implies that the house is large, and some 
 person must be told off to give out the books, 
 and to see the papers are properly put in 
 order. I believe, however, that in every house- 
 hold a few well - stored book - shelves in the 
 rooms where our servants pass their time would 
 be found to be much appreciated if the volumes 
 were changed from time to time, and if care 
 were taken to supply books or magazines bear- 
 ing on the topics of the day. 
 
 Lady Zetland has a reading-room for the men 
 of Lord Zetland's hunting establishment, and 
 for the indoor servants at Aske. Games and 
 newspapers are provided. The object is to make 
 the men feel at home. Mrs John Welby has 
 also established a reading-room at Allington, a 
 village near Grantham, which has proved a great 
 blessing to the people. There are, of course, 
 many instances of similar thoughtful kindness. 
 I have thought it best to mention only a few 
 of those that have come under my own per- 
 sonal observation. 
 
IO 
 
 Birnam Institute. 
 
 It is comparatively easy to establish a library 
 and reading-room for the poorer classes ; a room 
 can often be hired in a small house or a cottage 
 at a low rate. Subscriptions usually flow in to 
 a sufficient amount to keep a modest enterprise 
 of the sort going. I have known a reading- 
 room connected with a working-men's club kept 
 on foot for a succession of years by the proceeds 
 of concerts conducted and managed entirely by 
 one lady. Gradually a very keen interest was 
 taken in this little reading-room by the inhabi- 
 tants. It was in a back row in the village of 
 Birnam in Perthshire. A leading man, himself 
 engaged in a very arduous occupation (Mr Kin- 
 naird, the stationmaster), from the first devoted 
 himself to promoting this object. A bazaar was 
 held at Birnam, to which contributions were 
 sent by the inhabitants of Birnam, Dunkeld, 
 and the neighbourhood, while visitors contri- 
 buted largely. Over £1000 was raised by this 
 bazaar, and the reading-room has now devel- 
 oped into an institute, which has its quarters 
 in a commodious building at Birnam. The 
 poor people themselves brought numerous con- 
 tributions towards the fund ; one man made a 
 table, another boots, and some very poor old 
 women knitted socks. 
 
 Sir Douglas Stewart of Murthly and Grand- 
 tully granted a site on favourable terms, and 
 
Furnishing of Institute. 1 1 
 
 in many ways liberally assisted ; while Lady 
 Stewart's encouragement was of great value. 
 
 The Birnam Institute contains a large read- 
 ing-room, and a fine upper hall, which is found 
 most useful for concerts, lectures, meetings, and 
 tea-parties. There is a billiard-room, and a bar 
 where non-alcoholic refreshments can be pro- 
 cured. The bar was provided at my earnest 
 desire, as I believed that a coffee-room would 
 be most useful, not only to the inhabitants, 
 but to the excursionists who visit Birnam in 
 great numbers in summer and autumn. The 
 coffee department has been much appreciated. 
 The walls of the reading-room, staircases, &c, 
 are panelled with polished pine, of which the 
 furniture is made. Over the mantelpiece is a 
 print of her Majesty reviewing the volunteers 
 in Edinburgh. One day some volunteers came 
 in, and were at once attracted by the picture. 
 Their delight in pointing out to each other her 
 Majesty's figure was great; and they expressed 
 much pleasure in seeing a variety of news- 
 papers arranged on the tables. When they 
 found they could have a cup of hot coffee at 
 a few minutes' notice, they said they should 
 come again, and bring their companions. A 
 respectable man and wife act as librarian and 
 manageress. The large room is found ex- 
 tremely useful, and the concerts are very much 
 
12 Sailors Reading- Rooms. 
 
 enjoyed by the inhabitants ; many of them take 
 part in singing ; some play the violin. Funds 
 are raised by entertainments to meet a part of 
 the expenses, as the subscriptions to the insti- 
 tute would not meet them all. 
 
 The hall, which seats 160 persons, has been 
 of the greatest possible advantage, as it afforded 
 accommodation for the holding of entertain- 
 ments, or musical and other meetings. 
 
 The sailors' reading-rooms, established by 
 Miss Weston, have done, and are doing, incal- 
 culable good : and Miss Eobinson has rendered 
 inestimable service to our soldiers and sailors. 
 She also continues her noble and successful 
 labours, and has just opened a reading-room 
 at Alexandria for them. I personally think 
 that, where it is practicable, it is advantage- 
 ous to provide coffee, tea, or cocoa, and bread 
 and butter, in reading or recreation rooms. 
 Some of those whose experience entitles them 
 to be listened to with respect, say they see 
 no particular object in these refreshments being 
 at hand. No doubt, in many cases, the great 
 object must be to combine economy with prac- 
 tical good sense, and to avoid complicated 
 arrangements. I know that in some successful 
 reading-rooms no coffee or tea is provided, but 
 the possibility of obtaining them adds to the 
 attractions. It costs a very small sum to sup- 
 
Free Libraries. 
 
 [ 3 
 
 ply magazines and newspapers for a village 
 reading-room, as so many excellent publica- 
 tions appear at a low price. Cheap editions 
 are now produced of many of the best books 
 in our language. A start could be made for 
 about £3, but the selection must be carefully 
 considered, the stock would have to be kept 
 up, and some person must look after the library 
 regularly. 
 
 When the consent of the ratepayers has been 
 obtained, free libraries may be established out 
 of the rates. It may reasonably be thought 
 that money is in the end saved to the ratepayers 
 by encouraging institutions that tend to the 
 prevention of errors resulting from ignorance 
 and idleness ; but, alas ! opposition is some- 
 times met when endeavouring to place these 
 advantages before those on whom the trifling 
 expense would fall. 
 
 The late Miss Holland almost entirely sup- 
 ported a free library in St Pancras. Eecently 
 it occurred to me that the park-keepers in the 
 Kegent's Park might like to avail themselves 
 of its privileges. The consent of the inspector 
 having been obtained, many of the men were 
 glad to do so, and were . particularly pleased to 
 find they could take home books to their fami- 
 lies. It is to be wished that kind persons 
 knowing of free libraries in the neighbourhood 
 
14 Success of Reading- Rooms. 
 
 of public parks would take steps to make their 
 existence known to park-keepers. As a rule, 
 these men are intelligent, and much enjoy the 
 loan of books. 
 
 I believe it would be found that in every 
 parish large numbers would flock to reading- 
 rooms were they easily accessible, and that 
 much pleasure and profit would be the reward 
 of intelligent readers. I would gladly have 
 dwelt on the value of a steady course of reading 
 the best authors, and I would have mentioned 
 some publications, new and old, that seem suit- 
 able for reading-rooms in villages ; but I have 
 already, I fear, exceeded the limits allotted to 
 the subject in this paper. 
 
*5 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF UNPRETENDING READING- 
 ROOM — SUGGESTIONS FOR BOOKS. 
 
 I WILL assume that premises have been 
 secured suitable for reading or news 
 rooms, easily accessible. Such rooms are often 
 established in connection with working-men's 
 clubs ; but as the arrangements are in those 
 cases rather more complicated, I will now con- 
 sider the details of reading-rooms free to all, 
 and in which lending libraries may be set on 
 foot. It must be understood that the few sug- 
 gestions offered are intended for those institu- 
 tions where economy must be studied, and 
 where the readers will chiefly belong to classes 
 who cannot afford to buy books or to subscribe 
 to expensive libraries. I am a great believer 
 in the day of small things : when we reflect 
 from what a simple plan Mr Raikes started the 
 vast organisation of the Sunday-schools, we 
 
1 6 Birmingham Free Libraries. 
 
 must feel encouraged to persevere in the hum* 
 blest efforts. 
 
 The promoters of useful undertakings must 
 not be cast down if they do not perceive the 
 fruit of their labour soon, for often much good 
 work is accomplished silently and slowly. In- 
 stead of dilating vaguely on the blessing that 
 these rooms are to thousands, I will quote some 
 passages from ' Free Libraries and News-rooms/ 
 by Mr Mullins, chief librarian of the Birming- 
 ham Free Libraries : — 
 
 " Provide your free news-room in a good thorough- 
 fare; keep it open till ten at night; it will do more 
 to close objectionable places and break vicious habits 
 than any number of police." 
 
 The account given in this book of the mag- 
 nificent free libraries in Birmingham is most 
 interesting : — 
 
 " The news-rooms are open at nine in the morning ; 
 even at that hour a crowd of persons are waiting to 
 see the advertisements. Later, tradesmen arrive, who 
 take the two or three shillings a -year they pay in 
 rates out in reading for themselves and their families. 
 At mid-day working men crowd in again, giving half 
 their dinner-hour to improve their minds. At night 
 the rooms are crowded." 
 
 Mr Mullins tells us that— 
 
 " The room in view is used by more than two thou- 
 sand men daily ; multiply these rooms, and the result 
 
Si Pancras Free Library. 
 
 17 
 
 is incalculable. The charm of the place is its absolute 
 freedom. While it is used most largely by the poorer 
 classes, yet many of the prosperous go there as well. 
 Though used chiefly by the comparatively unedu- 
 cated, the order and quietness of the place cannot be 
 surpassed." 
 
 In the same news-room is carried on the lend- 
 ing library. From ten in the morning till nine 
 at night persons are frequenting it. The issue 
 of books reaches a thousand volumes daily ; but 
 I must refer the reader for further particulars to 
 Mr Mullins's book, published by Messrs Sothe- 
 ran ; it may be had for one shilling. The Bir- 
 mingham Corporation spent nearly £30,000 in 
 building and furnishing, and expends £5000 a- 
 year in keeping up the libraries and news-rooms. 
 
 In many places ratepayers have not yet seen 
 the importance of such institutions, and private 
 persons have endeavoured to provide places 
 where books, quiet, warmth, and light may be 
 enjoyed by their poorer neighbours. 
 
 The St Pancras Free Library is an example 
 of what may be accomplished by private effort. 
 It was founded and almost entirely maintained 
 by the late Miss Holland. The reading-room 
 is small, but it has been much appreciated by 
 people of different classes. In the past year 
 8411 volumes have been borrowed — an average 
 of about 700 each month. Canon Spence is 
 
 B 
 
1 8 Books for* Reading-Rooms. 
 
 president, Miss Ellen M'Kee treasurer, and there 
 is an attentive and kind librarian. It is now 
 supported by a few friends, and the persons fre- 
 quenting it often contribute towards it as a vol- 
 untary acknowledgment. Two ratepayers sign 
 a recommendation, which is the only form neces- 
 sary for a person to obtain admission. Miss 
 Anne Swanwick subscribes for this little library 
 to Mudie's, an excellent plan for securing really 
 good new books. This unpretending but prac- 
 tically useful work is carried on at Camden Hall, 
 29 Camden Street, N.W. 
 
 In starting a reading-room and lending lib- 
 rary, on however small a scale, much thought 
 should be given as to the books likely to in- 
 terest the readers who may be expected to 
 attend. 
 
 We most of us wish to have the best of every- 
 thing ; with one exception, many do not care to 
 read the best books. At all events, w T e might 
 endeavour to read those which have stood the 
 test of time before we devote the most precious 
 of our possessions, our time, to reading publica- 
 tions simply because they are new. 
 
 In the previous chapter I said that a great deal 
 might be done towards stocking the shelves of a 
 reading-room by spending £3. Mr Buckland, 
 manager at Messrs Sotheran s, Piccadilly — a gen- 
 tleman of immense experience in books, from the 
 
Illustrated Periodicals. 1 9 
 
 rarest editions to the very cheapest — has given 
 me the benefit of his advice on the subject. Mr 
 Buckland told me that Colonel Smith, Grenadier 
 Guards, came to him, wishing to buy books of a 
 really interesting character for the soldiers going 
 to Egypt in the Camel Corps, to read on board 
 ship. For £3 Mr Buckland supplied Colonel 
 Smith with 120 books and pamphlets — biogra- 
 phies, novels, and works calculated to interest 
 soldiers. Among those books were sixpenny 
 editions of some of the best novels in our lan- 
 guage — Scott, Dickens, Fenimore Cooper, Mar- 
 ryat's, and many others. Mr Buckland advises 
 books with paper covers being bound in canvas, 
 which protects them if much read. 
 
 It would be well in establishing a reading- 
 room where the working classes resort, to buy 
 several volumes of the excellent illustrated 
 periodicals, such as the ' Illustrated London 
 News ' and ' Graphic.' Back volumes may be 
 bought of the ' British Workman ' (Partridge), 
 of the 6 Cottager and Artisan ' (Religious Tract 
 Society), of the ' Band of Hope/ and the ' Parish 
 Magazine/ The 'British Workman' and the 
 ' Cottager ' are warmly welcomed by work- 
 ing people. They appear monthly, as do the 
 others mentioned. If they do not care to read 
 themselves, they always like to have them for 
 their children. Some of the pictures in the 
 
20 Religious Books. 
 
 ' British Workman ' are so good that Mr Mil- 
 lais, to whom I showed them, praised them 
 warmly. As we do not wish the reading-room 
 to be looked on solely, as a place for amusement, 
 or as one in which to kill time, some religious 
 books should be included. A man of great 
 literary power once said to me that the respon- 
 sibility of recommending works on religion was 
 very great, as there are so many different 
 grades of thought in these days, assuming that 
 the reading-room is to be frequented by persons 
 of different schools. It is believed that Bishop 
 Oxenden's books would be warmly welcomed by 
 a large proportion of them ; two millions of his 
 works have been sold. His ' Labouring Man's 
 Book ' has proved a treasure in many a cottage, 
 and the ' Pathway of Safety ' is prized in count- 
 less homes. 'The Words of Peace/ and 'The 
 Home Beyond,' are particularly adapted for the 
 sick and the aged poor. The Bishop of Koches- 
 ter's books, 6 The Yoke of Christ,' containing 
 precepts which would make life much smoother 
 if they could be faithfully followed, and ' The 
 Gospel of Christ,' a most consolatory book, 
 might be included, as the better educated 
 persons would profit by them. A copy of 
 ' Cassell's Illustrated Bible ' would be sure to 
 be appreciated, if it could be afforded. The 
 Bishop of Truro's writings are published in a 
 
Popular Works. 
 
 cheap form, and their value is almost univer- 
 sally known. I am much indebted to Mr Hum- 
 phreys, of Messrs Hatchards, Piccadilly, for the 
 information he has given me on several points 
 connected with the books most in demand. 
 It would be advisable to have a few works on 
 health and the conditions essential to healthy 
 houses. Some of the publications of the Council 
 of the Health Exhibition would be read with 
 interest. Her Majesty's ' Journal of our Life in 
 the Highlands/ of which there is a cheap edi- 
 tion, is always eagerly asked for. The Prince 
 Consort's life, published in sixpenny parts, is 
 very popular. If Lord Lome's c Pen and 
 Pencil Pictures of Canada' could be had in a 
 cheaper form, it would be a boon to multitudes 
 at present interested in emigration. Park's 
 ' Manual of Personal Care of Health ' is very 
 useful. The papers issued by the Ladies' Sani- 
 tary Society on the worth of fresh air, nursing 
 the sick, and other subjects, might be added. 
 6 Cassell's Popular Educator ' might be taken 
 in, and as many newspapers as possible ; they 
 must not be all on one side of politics. I have 
 before me Messrs Cassell's catalogue, with its 
 wonderful list of serial publications, issued 
 in monthly parts at sevenpence each. I also 
 have Messrs Eoutledge's list, embracing several 
 pages, with the titles of excellent works at six- 
 
22 
 
 Popular Works. 
 
 pence each. After a list of 233 novels, I find I 
 can buy Johnson's Dictionary, in cloth, for six- 
 pence, and many other useful books ; while I 
 see there are thirty song-books at sixpence, 
 each containing 144 pages ; and lovers of 
 sacred poetry may buy the ' Christian Year ' 
 for sixpence. In Ward & Lock's Educational 
 Series useful volumes are to be had for a shil- 
 ling ; and their penny books for the people 
 contain stores of necessary information. The 
 Sunbeam Series, published by Messrs Longmans, 
 is most popular, including delightful works. 
 Lady Brassey's ' Voyage in the Sunbeam/ which 
 gave the name to the series, has been adopted 
 as a standard reading-book in French schools, 
 and in many of our board - schools. Frede- 
 rick Warne's cheap publication on household 
 matters cannot be too highly praised. The 
 popular ' Tales from Blackwood ' are always in 
 demand. For a penny each a series of books 
 on cookery, health, and dress may be had at 
 Allmans. The Pure Literature, the Christian 
 Knowledge, the Eeligious Tract, and the Church 
 of England Temperance Societies, all contribute 
 to the great object of placing the means of self- 
 improvement within the reach of those who 
 cannot afford expensive books. If free reading- 
 rooms could be universally established, the vast 
 influence for good exercised by these powerful 
 
Popular Works. 
 
 2 3 
 
 organisations would be brought to bear on the 
 people far more powerfully than is the case at 
 present. In cases where sufficient funds are 
 available for their purchase, there are hosts of 
 valuable but inexpensive books to be obtained 
 containing records of the lives of excellent men 
 and women, specially adapted for those who 
 have not access to long biographies. Works by 
 Smiles, such as ' Self-Help/ ■ The Life of George 
 Stephenson/ 6 Duty,' ' Thrift ; ' ' Plain Living 
 and High Thinking/ by J. Davenport Adams ; 
 ' Classics for the Million/ by Henry Grey ; 
 Green's ' Short Account of the English People ; ' 
 6 The Life of the Duke of Wellington ; ' ' Living 
 in Earnest/ by Joseph Johnston ; ' Faithful 
 Soldiers and Servants/ by Mary Lewis ; ' English 
 Hearts and Hands;' ' The Life of Captain Hedley 
 Vicars,' by Miss Marsh ; and ' Active Service,' by 
 Miss Eobinson, are very suitable. These books 
 vary in price, but all have the same high aim 
 in view. Though undoubtedly works of fiction 
 are most in demand by average frequenters of 
 libraries, yet, when the taste for reading is once 
 acquired, it frequently happens that after a while 
 biographies and travels are sought in preference. 
 For instance, Smiles's books, published by J ohn 
 Murray, are eagerly asked for ; and many of the 
 books published by Nelson are great favourites. 
 ' Engine-driving Life,' by Eeynolds, a most stir- 
 
2 4 
 
 Books foj' Women, 
 
 ring book, would rivet the attention of those in- 
 terested in the wonders of steam ; and nearly all 
 very young men would delight in Ballantyne 
 and Kingston's books of adventure, though they 
 are written for boys, the descriptions of deeds of 
 daring and sport are so graphic. Some of the little 
 papers published by the Young Men's Friendly 
 Society should find a corner, as many young 
 persons do not know how to find the classes and 
 lectures now given unless they are directed. 
 
 In free libraries women can share the advan- 
 tages of the books ; and it has been found 
 desirable to have some works specially in- 
 tended for women who wish to be really help- 
 mates to their husbands or their families. I 
 name a few : Mrs Valentine's ' Domestic Econ- 
 omy;' 6 Enquire Within upon Everything ; ' Miss 
 Nightingale's ' Notes on Nursing ; ' Miss Octavia 
 Hill's ' Homes of the London Poor ;' Lady Hope's 
 ' Our CofFee-Eoom ; ' Miss Weston's ' Our Blue- 
 Jackets ; ' ' The Early Choice/ a book for daugh- 
 ters ; ' Friendly Words for Our Girls,' by Lady 
 Baker ; ' Thoughts for Young Women in Busi- 
 ness/ by Mrs W. H. Wigley. I must strongly 
 recommend this most useful little book to the 
 attention of shop-assistants ; it is published by 
 Nisbet. ' Letters to Young Women in Mills and 
 Factories/ Parker, published by Messrs Hatch- 
 ards, contain advice applicable to all young 
 
Scientific Manuals. 
 
 women ; so do ' Letters to Young Women/ by J. 
 M. Carr. ' Common-Sense for Housemaids/ by 
 Jane Tytler, is a really diverting and practical 
 book (mistresses and maids ought to read it). 
 ' An Old Mother s Letter to Young Women/ by 
 Mrs Bayly, is valuable ; and so is her ' Letter on 
 Temperance Work/ addressed to our serving 
 friends. 6 Lectures on Health/ by Caroline 
 Hallett, may be bought for a shilling, and will 
 save the purchaser many pounds, if understood. 
 The Girls' Friendly Society papers should be 
 placed in the room ; Warne's ' Cookery Book for 
 the Million ' contains two hundred useful recipes, 
 and its cost is twopence ; ' Cookery Eecipes for 
 the Million/ published by the Ladies' Sanitary 
 Society, are very good. The ' Life of Princess 
 Alice/ if it comes into a cheap edition, would be 
 most suitable ; for it would show many busy, 
 harassed women that their Queen's daughter 
 worked for her children, nursed them devotedly, 
 and found time to care for the sick and needy, 
 while managing her household and cultivating 
 her mind. 
 
 Some manuals on astronomy, chemistry, bot- 
 any, and physiology may now be had at small 
 cost, and would interest the more intelligent 
 frequenters. 
 
 A printed catalogue is an essential in every 
 reading-room and circulating library. If facil- 
 
26 Variety in Reading. 
 
 ities for writing letters can be given, they 
 greatly add to the comfort of the people. A few 
 books for boys and girls, even some for young 
 children, would be prized by the parents, if they 
 could take them home to show to their families. 
 When money can be afforded to buy books in 
 good-sized type, it certainly is an advantage, 
 especially to persons who are not in the habit of 
 reading much. An occasional musical entertain- 
 ment may be given, if there are two rooms, but 
 care must be taken not to disturb the readers 
 often. 
 
 In starting a library* — as, indeed, in every 
 other undertaking — it is good to remember the 
 proverb, " Festina lente " (make haste slowly). 
 " Petit a petit Toiseau fait son nid." Would 
 that every county in England would follow the 
 example of Lancashire, where free libraries exist 
 in many villages ! Would that in every district 
 of this vast metropolis such rooms existed ! We 
 can hardly exaggerate the blessing they would 
 be to multitudes of young people in business, 
 and to our servants, who so often are separated 
 from their families — those servants who do so 
 much for our comfort, and for whose happiness 
 and improvement we might, by taking thought, 
 do more. In some places schoolrooms are used 
 as libraries at night. 
 
 Variety gives zest to reading ; and in study- 
 
Aims in Reading. 
 
 27 
 
 ing the papers, which tell us of the precious 
 books that may be obtained for almost nominal 
 prices, I have observed that works on serious 
 subjects, practical knowledge, travels, biogra- 
 phies, and works of fiction, are mentioned. If 
 we ask our friends to an entertainment, we take 
 care that fare should be provided to suit differ- 
 ent tastes ; and in choosing food for the mind, 
 we should act on the principle that change of 
 ideas refreshes as much as change of scene. 
 After a long hard day s work, many prefer fic- 
 tion; and some imaginative works soften the 
 heart and raise the tone of the mind. Those 
 who can study the biographies of men and wo- 
 men who have lived nobly may find the best of 
 companions in solitude. I conclude this chapter 
 with a passage from an American writer : — 
 
 " We live by admiration, hope, and love. You can 
 hardly take a better guide in your reading. What 
 things to delight in with reverence, what things to 
 hope for, what things to love deeply and purely — this 
 is what you want from books and in books, just as from 
 and in living persons. To pass through the simple 
 experiences of human nature — the responsibilities, the 
 hopes, the griefs, as well as the gladnesses that attach 
 to our common lot ; to taste them in their pureness, to 
 bear them with quietness and courage, to do our work 
 with all our heart — this is a great thing. To gain help 
 for this is the great purpose in our reading, as in every 
 friendship and all endeavour." 
 
28 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF TASTE IN FREQUENT- 
 ERS OF READING-ROOMS — HINTS FOR HIGHER 
 CLASS OF BOOKS. 
 
 TN the previous chapters I endeavoured to 
 J- describe the rise and progress of reading- 
 rooms, in the management of which economy 
 had to be considered. I will now suppose that 
 the library has been some time in existence, 
 and that it has prospered. In order, however, 
 that it should be successful, certain conditions 
 must be observed in its management. I am 
 very grateful to Mr Erie, of Millhall, Cuckfield, 
 Sussex, who has had great experience in start- 
 ing free libraries, for his kindness in allowing 
 me to mention some of the results of his inves- 
 tigations as to the causes of success or failure. 
 I quote his own words : — 
 
 " The first indispensable necessity for success in the 
 management of a reading-room is to treat people as 
 
Visitors to Reading- Rooms welcomed. 29 
 
 friends, and to avoid, not only in form, but in the 
 whole spirit of conduct, anything like drilling or pa- 
 tronage. According to my experience, which is very 
 large indeed, readers will come gladly to any reading- 
 room if it is made reasonably attractive (some are 
 most dismal, bare, and forbidding), if they are hand- 
 somely treated, so far as the resources, however small 
 they may be, permit, and if they are honestly wel- 
 comed, as guests in one's own house would be received. 
 Eules must exist, but these should be simple and few, 
 and there is no occasion to put them forth in what 
 may be termed an aggressive form. I was much at- 
 tacked for admitting, and, indeed, especially inviting, 
 women and girls to my reading-room. My answer 
 was, that it was for mothers to look after their chil- 
 dren, but that to refuse opportunities of pleasure and 
 improvement to girls which were given to men would 
 be nothing less than outrageous." 
 
 It is impossible in writing on free libraries 
 not to make frequent reference to the book by 
 the chief librarian of the Birmingham libraries ; 
 and I observe that Mr Erie and he agree that 
 there should be " perfect equality, no favour, 
 and no jealousy." It is remarked that in these 
 libraries " the men in corduroy are treated as 
 gentlemen, and they behave as such." At the 
 end of Mr Mullins's work is a catalogue of books 
 suitable for a free lending library, ranging in 
 price from Is. to 7s. 6d. a volume. "This list," 
 he tells us, " is not made upon any theory of 
 what books people ought to read, but from 
 
30 Development of Taste in Reading. 
 
 experience of what they will read." Selections 
 might be made from the works he names, and 
 several catalogues exist specially compiled of 
 works suitable for lending libraries. 
 
 The gradual development of taste in many 
 who steadily frequent free libraries is very 
 remarkable. I hear that in soldiers' reading- 
 rooms it often happens that the best histories 
 are eagerly read. Mr Erie told me that in one 
 of the reading-rooms he established he placed 
 ten or twelve histories. He was sincerely 
 anxious to find out what the people really 
 liked to read, and occasionally went in during 
 the dinner-hour to see what books were in use. 
 He observed marks gradually travelling through 
 two of the most solid — we will not say heavy — 
 histories, and found one was being studied by 
 the village plumber, the other by the carpenter. 
 
 A good many years ago, the late Mr Thomas 
 Sopwith, manager of the lead mines, St John, 
 started a free library for the miners. They paid 
 an almost nominal subscription, and they were 
 allowed to name what books they liked. At 
 first many wrote down the titles of very trashy 
 productions ; but by degrees their taste im- 
 proved, and in the course of a few years they 
 grew to prefer standard works and writers such 
 as Macaulay, so that the library gradually be- 
 came a valuable one. 
 
American Free Lib7'aries. 
 
 31 
 
 Sometimes those who provide books for work- 
 ing men do not recognise the great difference 
 that exists between simplicity and childishness 
 in the narratives they offer them. An honest, 
 straightforward tale, whether of real life or of 
 fiction, if told in clear, simple language, has 
 fascinations for many. For instance, a gentle- 
 man kept a number of men and boys deeply 
 interested for a considerable period by reading 
 to them Dr Rlssell's ' Letters from the Crimea.' 
 I am told that in America the taste for reading 
 is far more widely developed than is the case 
 in England. Free libraries are far more num- 
 erous. A small, cheap book, published in Put- 
 nam's handy book series, ' Hints for Home Bead- 
 ing/ contains a great many valuable suggestions 
 embodied in twelve articles by different Ameri- 
 can writers, all of which are interesting to those 
 who are pondering over the best means of culti- 
 vating a taste for literature among the people. 
 The titles are suggestive ; I take some at ran- 
 dom. 6 Plans of Reading/ by Hamlin ; ' The 
 Choice of Books/ Hale ; 6 How to Make Dull 
 Boys Read/ and 6 How to Preserve the Results 
 of Reading/ by Cook ; ' Hints for People that 
 do not Read/ Abbott. At the end of this col- 
 lection of short essays come suggestions for 
 household libraries, by George Palmer Putnam, 
 with priced lists (American money) of suggested 
 
3 2 i A Course of Reading. 
 
 selections of 500, 1000, and 2000 volumes of 
 the most important and desirable books. ' The 
 Best Beading/ edited by Frederic Beecher Per- 
 kins, appears a most useful book. It is extra- 
 ordinarily comprehensive — a sort of dictionary 
 of excellent American and English works. It 
 carries information down to 1881, — a smaller 
 volume published later brings one down to the 
 year 1882. These two American books were 
 found for me by Messrs Stanford, Sharing Cross. 
 They contain lists of foreign works, and I am 
 glad to see a catalogue of juvenile books. In 
 Part II. of this remarkable work are Eeadings 
 on reading, suggestions for courses of reading, 
 a chapter on owning books, and hints on book 
 clubs. I do not know whether many readers 
 in our country would be courageous enough to 
 undertake the course of reading indicated by 
 Mr Perkins. Indeed, I think he himself enter- 
 tains doubts as to people being heroic enough 
 to do so ; but I arn sure few would read these 
 articles without pleasure and profit. Among 
 the books recommended in this work as indis- 
 pensable are : (1) the Bible ; (2) Webster s Dic- 
 tionary ; (3) Shakespeare ; (4) Cruden s Con- 
 cordance ; (5) a History of the United States — 
 Hildreth's, or, if too expensive, Willard's ; (6) 
 P. Smith's ' Student's Hume/ or Lossings' 6 His- 
 tory of England ; ' (7) Taylor's ' Manual of His- 
 
Reading in order to Write. 33 
 
 tory ; ' (8) Dana's 6 Household Book of Poetry.' 
 ' The Book-Lover's Enchiridion, Thoughts on the 
 Solace and Companionship of Books/ would be 
 a treasure to every real lover of literature. 
 After mentioning such a beautiful book, I feel* 
 I am very prosaic in referring to the fact that 
 it is just appearing in a cheaper form. Those 
 seeking to form an attractive library should cer- 
 tainly study the annual illustrated number of 
 the 6 Publisher's Circular/ Sotheran. The illus- 
 trations alone make it a wonderful shilling s 
 worth, while every imaginable information about 
 books may be gathered from it. 
 
 Some of those who frequent the library may 
 wish to read in order to write. Let us hear 
 what advice John Ruskin gives us : — 
 
 " No man is worth reading to form your style who 
 does not mean what he says, nor was any great style 
 ever invented but by some man who meant what he 
 said. Find out the beginning of a great manner of 
 writing, and you have also found the declarer of some 
 true facts or sincere passions ; and your whole method 
 of reading will thus be quickened, for, being sure that 
 your author really meant what he said, you will be 
 'much more careful to ascertain what it is that he 
 means." 
 
 There are so many passages that I fain would 
 quote in the 6 Lectures on Art/ whence I have 
 taken these words, that I must beg those of my 
 
 c 
 
34 The Art of Letter-zuriting. 
 
 readers who can to refer to the orginal. The three 
 first lectures more particularly I would suggest 
 to those who love literature. 
 
 To readers who wish to gain some insight in- 
 to various styles of English literature, I would 
 strongly recommend Dr William Smith's 6 Art 
 of English Composition/ and his English Gram- 
 mar. The delightful, but almost extinct, art 
 of letter- writing, if more cultivated, would give 
 great pleasure both to the writers and to the 
 receivers of letters. The hints given by the 
 Bishop of Eochester, in his book ' The Yoke of 
 Christ/ on letter- writing, are eminently practical. 
 He supplicates writers not to inflict too long 
 letters on their correspondents, and to think 
 what will interest them. I cannot resist say- 
 ing that if persons writing to those with whom 
 they are not acquainted would sign their names 
 clearly, much confusion would be avoided. 
 
 If people, in writing letters, would try to 
 bring themselves in mind face to face with 
 those to whom they write, how charming their 
 letters would often be. The thousand nothings 
 of daily life are interesting to those correspond- 
 ents who really care for each other. By reading 
 Addison, Washington Irving, or Scott, over and 
 over again, most people would acquire facility 
 of expression. It was said by a French author 
 that in writing a love letter one should begin 
 
Books of Travel. 
 
 35 
 
 without knowing what one was going to say, 
 and not remember at the conclusion what one 
 has said. To be perfectly natural is the great 
 secret of giving pleasure in writing to real friends. 
 Accuracy of expression, conciseness, and graphic 
 descriptive touches, constitute the qualities that 
 are most sought for in letters to newspapers. 
 
 Books of travel are welcome in free libraries. 
 Those who dwell in towns love to read of beau- 
 tiful countries, and many look forward to the 
 possibility of some day visiting fresh scenes. I 
 know that I shall be considered too practical, 
 but I think few works give more graphic ac- 
 counts of our own counties and of foreign coun- 
 tries than Murray's handbooks. It must be 
 remembered I am still thinking of what will in- 
 terest readers belonging to the less well-to-do 
 classes. If boxes of photographs illustrating 
 the places mentioned could be placed near the 
 books, I feel sure they would give real delight. 
 Narratives like Mr Augustus Hare's ' Tour in 
 Holland/ published in 6 Good Words/ and his 
 t Italian Cities/ would charm the more cultivated. 
 I was present at a Literary Fund dinner at 
 which one of the guests mentioned that, having 
 been prevented from taking a foreign trip, he 
 recreated his mind by reading a succession of 
 travels. Books like Mrs Comyns Can's ' North 
 Italian Folk Lore/ giving an account of the lives 
 
36 Poetry — Novels. 
 
 of the peasants, are very delightful. I wish 
 there were more writers on the lives of the 
 country people of foreign lands. 
 
 An edition of Shakespeare in good print, 
 Aikin's ' British Poets/ should be included in 
 the library, and also many modern poets. Num- 
 bers of people belonging to the less educated 
 classes love poetry — really good ballads, stirring 
 verses, like Macaulay's * Lays of Rome/ Long- 
 fellow's poems, and the Laureate's writings, are 
 always appreciated. Pope, of course, must be 
 earnestly studied. Ruskin says— - 
 
 " You will find, as you study Pope, that he has ex- 
 pressed for you, in the strictest language, and within 
 the briefest limits, every law of art, of criticism, of 
 economy, of policy, and, finally, of a benevolence hum- 
 ble, rational, and resigned, contented with its allotted 
 share of life, and trusting the problem of its salvation 
 to Him in whose hand lies that of the universe." 
 
 As many persons, I have been assured, make 
 a point of reading every new novel, it is con- 
 solatory to find that Sir John Herschel writes : 
 " The novel, in its best form, I regard as one of 
 the most powerful engines of civilisation ever 
 invented." It is well known that statesmen, 
 lawyers, and men who have to think hard all 
 day, find relaxation in light novels, and hun- 
 dreds of young men must have profited by the 
 experiences of Thackeray's heroes. 
 
37 
 
 CHAPTEE IV, 
 
 MORE ADVANCED BOOKS FOR LARGER LIBRARIES. 
 
 IT used to be said that there was no royal 
 road to learning, but in the present day 
 there are many facilities afforded to students 
 who have not much time at their disposal for 
 acquiring the maximum of information with the 
 minimum of trouble. I have already referred 
 to Dr Smith's invaluable book, ' The Student's 
 Hume.' ' The Student's Manual of English 
 Literature/ by Shaw, edited by Dr Smith, who 
 added notes and illustrations, would be a trea- 
 sure to any one anxious to become familiar with 
 our best authors. I think that 6 Plain Living 
 and High Thinking,' by Davenport Adams, is 
 full of most useful suggestions — not only for 
 a course of reading, but also for daily life. 
 ' Living in Earnest,' by Johnson, is another ex- 
 cellent little work of the same character, but 
 shorter. Messrs Cassell are publishing, in their 
 magazine, ' Our Model Eeading Club,' — hints 
 
38 
 
 Works on Biography. 
 
 which, to judge from the character of their 
 works, will probably be valuable. 
 
 ' Foreign Classics for English Headers/ edited 
 by Mrs Oliphant, written by the best authors, 
 and published by Messrs Blackwood, contain 
 the lives of Dante, Voltaire, Pascal, Petrarch, 
 Goethe, Moliere, Montaigne, Eabelais, Calderon, 
 Saint Simon, Cervantes, Corneille and Eacine, 
 and Madame de Sevigne. Who that can be 
 introduced to such a company of the wise, the 
 witty, the imaginative, the good, and the ten- 
 der, can ever feel dull ? The volumes are short, 
 but delightfully written, and are full of infor- 
 mation. ' Ancient Classics for English Readers/ 
 edited by Rev. W. Lucas Collins, give, as the 
 ' Saturday Review 9 remarked, " an insight, exact 
 as far as it goes, into those olden times, which 
 are so remote, and yet to many of us so close." 
 
 Among Christian biographies, by Sidney Lear, 
 is ' The Life of St Francis de Sales/ in an ab- 
 breviated form ; and there are beautiful collec- 
 tions of extracts from various French writers, 
 compiled by the same author. 
 
 In referring to these works, I have had some 
 regard to their moderate price. Larger histori- 
 cal books may by degrees be included in the 
 library, and fuller biographies. 
 
 As an Englishwoman, I felt proud when a 
 German gentleman of great literary attainments 
 
Works on Missions. 
 
 39 
 
 told me that Lewes's ' Life of Goethe ' was far 
 the best in existence ; and I believe Boswell's 
 ' Life of Dr Johnson ' is said to be one of the 
 most complete of biographies. Lockhart's 6 Life 
 of Scott ' is deeply interesting, and Trevelyan s 
 'Life of Macaulay' almost painfully so. The 
 lives of Nelson and Wesley, by Southey, and 
 ' The Life of Washington/ by Irving, should be 
 carefully studied. Some autobiographies have 
 great fascination ; for instance, I have seen men 
 quite absorbed in Trollope's account of his early 
 trials, and his gradual rise to prosperity. 
 
 In a large library it is to be hoped that 
 books by the great bishops and divines of our 
 Church, and other good men of various schools 
 of thought, will be included. So much light is 
 being thrown upon Christian work year by year, 
 that it would be very desirable to buy from 
 time to time some of the writings of living 
 lights of the Church. 
 
 Among the middle classes great interest is 
 felt in missionary work. Many young women 
 go. from Scotland to teach the Indian ladies, and 
 all relating to that sphere of labour is eagerly 
 read. Accounts of America and Australia would 
 also be much enjoyed. It is the dream of thou- 
 sands to visit those great countries, as so many 
 families now send out members to settle in 
 some far colony. Practical books entering into 
 
4-0 Books on Natural History. 
 
 details as to the mode and the cost of life in 
 lands to which emigration is directed,' would be 
 read with absorbing interest. 
 
 There should also be records of what is being 
 accomplished among the very poor, and histories 
 of self-denying men and women who worked for 
 the wretched, like John Howard, Elizabeth Fry, 
 Wilberforce, Sister Dora, Miss Florence Night- 
 ingale, Harriett Monsell, Sarah Martin, Charles 
 Lowder, Frederick Denison, — so many names 
 crowd on the memory that I pause. They 
 entertained widely different opinions, but they 
 all obeyed the same great law, " Love one 
 another." 
 
 In Chapter II. I mentioned various small 
 treatises on cookery ; but I have been told by 
 experienced persons that prejudice exists among 
 the less well-to-do against trying new ways of 
 preparing food, and that time is too valuable to 
 many a hurried mother to enable her to make 
 experiments. Still there must be a beginning, 
 and I cannot give up hoping that a few books 
 on simple creature-comforts might do good. 
 
 Country people whose occupations take them 
 much into the open air are often keen observers 
 of nature, and books on natural history, orni- 
 thology, and botany are eagerly read by them. 
 Some fine collections have been made by natur- 
 alists engaged in work that some might suppose 
 
Courses of Lectures. 
 
 4i 
 
 would take up all their time ; but of several 
 instances I recall, I will only refer to Mr Mack- 
 intosh, letter-carrier, of Inver, near Dunkeld, 
 whose collection is said to be most interesting 
 and complete. He and his brother are profi- 
 cients in music, and train a choir. Descriptions 
 of animal life, such as are given in ' The Animal 
 World/ possess great attraction for many per- 
 sons. Mrs Burton's untiring efforts to protect 
 dumb creatures from suffering should be ex- 
 tensively known. I believe that kindness to 
 animals is much more general than formerly ; 
 the mutual affection between Scotch shepherds 
 and their collie dogs is proverbial; and the 
 Baroness Burdett-Coutts's persevering labours in 
 England have produced an excellent understand- 
 ing between many owners of donkeys and their 
 animals. 
 
 The value of the libraries would in small 
 towns and villages be greatly enhanced if 
 courses of lectures were held. In order to 
 render this possible, however, there must be a 
 spacious room available. Miss Weston has a 
 large hall in connection with her institute at 
 Devonport, where religious meetings are held 
 without interfering with the secular branch. 
 Mr Ingram, of the Gardens, Belvoir, who has 
 delivered many interesting lectures to large 
 audiences, and has a great knowledge of the 
 
42 
 
 Outdoor Amusements. 
 
 needs of the rural population, writes that he has 
 felt it would be most useful if there could be a 
 hall in every village, where meetings, concerts, 
 lectures, and entertainments could be given. I 
 have seen almost the whole population on fete 
 days sitting to hear the fine military bands in 
 Germany ; and there are still dancing-greens in 
 many foreign places where young people waltz, 
 with the full approval of their parents. But in 
 the vast majority of small towns and villages in 
 our country the public-house is still the only 
 place where a little festivity can be held ; even 
 if our climate allowed of outdoor gatherings, 
 open spaces are not available for such recreative 
 purposes. I fear some will say, What have 
 music and dancing to do with reading and rec- 
 reation rooms ? Only this, that we must avail 
 ourselves, as far as possible, of every means to 
 draw people from places where temptations 
 beset them. In many public - houses music is 
 found to draw greatly. The same old tunes 
 are played night after night, and are applauded 
 rapturously at exactly the same places. Those 
 who have assisted at concerts for the poor 
 can testify to the delight shown when songs 
 are given with feeling, or instrumental music 
 played with spirit. 
 
 The secretary of the National Thrift Society, 
 Mr Bowden Green, in ' Eastward Ho ! ' refers 
 
Increased Need for Reading-Rooms. 4 3 
 
 to the fact that the meetings of benefit clubs 
 are generally held at public-houses, and if the 
 investment of sixpence or a shilling is accom- 
 panied by the expenditure of twopence or 
 threepence, there is not much thrift about 
 the transaction. If, by arrangement, the club 
 meetings could be held at a village hall or read- 
 ing-room, there would be no necessity for any 
 expenditure for the good of the house. 
 
 The reading-room must be made cheerful and 
 attractive. I have seen much accomplished by 
 having pink instead of white wash, a small 
 looking-glass framed in crimson cloth, a few 
 cushions of the same warm colouring, and some 
 plants, cut flowers, or even berries in winter. 
 Occasionally a little exhibition of pictures might 
 be held, either in the reading-room or the vil- 
 lage hall, or an industrial exhibition of work 
 done by local men, women, and children. The 
 love of the poorer classes for pictures and illus- 
 trations is well known. 
 
 The necessity for a great increase in the num- 
 ber of reading and recreation rooms becomes 
 daily more urgent. The school boards are edu- 
 cating the young highly, and inculcating a taste 
 for reading. Is it not of the utmost importance 
 that, on entering life, those who have been edu- 
 cated up to a high standard should find facilities 
 for keeping up the knowledge acquired so pain- 
 
44 Reading- Rooms open on Sunday, 
 
 fully, sometimes with great risk to health ? In 
 France free libraries are almost universal ; in 
 Switzerland the greatest pains are taken to 
 render them efficient ; and I hear that the 
 public library at Geneva has issued a catalogue 
 intended to serve as a guide in the formation of 
 similar institutions. 
 
 In some places it has been proved to be of 
 great advantage to the community to have read- 
 ing-rooms open on Sunday. Multitudes of young 
 men and women, away from their homes engaged 
 in business, have no place in which to spend 
 many hours of the Day of Eest, except in the 
 streets. Mr Sutherst gives a graphic picture of 
 the discomforts of Sunday to the larger propor- 
 tion of shop assistants in his book ' Disease and 
 Death behind the Counter.' In a paper I wrote 
 in the 6 National Eeview ' of August, " A Plea 
 for the Emancipation of certain English Bond- 
 men and Women/ 7 I have given extracts from 
 various writers, hoping to bring this subject to 
 the notice of those who can provide places where 
 rest on the seventh day may be enjoyed by 
 those at a distance from their homes. Mr Erie 
 opened his reading-room in the country on Sun- 
 day. He found that some of his Dissenting 
 neighbours objected to this course being taken, 
 on the ground that the people would read the 
 newspapers or secular books. Mr Erie pointed 
 
Reading- Room a Common Centre. 45 
 
 out the advantages of inducing those who would 
 not attend evening church or chapel to spend 
 their time quietly, where, at all events, they 
 would be kept out of mischief ; still opposition 
 was offered by the Nonconformist body. He 
 then offered, in deference to the views of right 
 and wrong entertained by a large section of 
 his neighbours, to meet them half-way, and to 
 arrange a large shutter, by means of which all 
 the " secular " books could be kept out of reach 
 on a Sunday, and he also proposed to add to the 
 religious books very largely. The compromise 
 was accepted. From that moment the library 
 became the only ground on which the clergy of 
 all denominations in that neighbourhood would 
 meet or communicate. To quote Mr Erie's 
 words : — 
 
 " A reading-room means a great deal, far more than 
 the mere words indicate. The existence of such a place 
 supplies both a spot where meetings can be held for 
 all sorts of pleasant and worthy purposes, and it is a 
 sort of standing incitement towards enterprises of the 
 kind. . . . The reading - room here became a sort of 
 source of life and light to the whole district." 
 
 It is most important to have careful cus- 
 todians ; and it should not be difficult to find 
 respectable persons who will take the office in 
 turn for a small sum, and from a wish to do 
 good. 
 
46 Companionship of Books. 
 
 The new year would indeed be a happy new 
 year if it inaugurated the commencement of a 
 period when every man, woman, and child might 
 be welcome to share in the pure and profitable 
 pleasures of well-chosen books. Then, in the 
 words of Talfourd — 
 
 " The solitary leisure of the clerk, of the shopman, 
 of the apprentice, of the overseer, of every worker in 
 all departments of labour, from the highest to the low- 
 est, shall be gladdened at will by those companions to 
 whom the serene creators of immortal things in verse 
 and prose have given him perpetual introduction, and 
 who will never weary, betray, or forsake him." 
 
47 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FREE LIBRARIES IN VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS. 
 
 EVERY one recognises the practical utility of 
 a magnificent free library like the one at 
 Birmingham. In reality the humblest village 
 reading-room is, in its sphere, accomplishing a 
 work of equal value. It is difficult for educated, 
 well-to-do persons to imagine the monotony of 
 the existence led by agricultural labourers in 
 villages and small hamlets. In summer they 
 usually begin work about half-past six, and they 
 leave off towards half-past five ; in winter they 
 cease at dusk. If the only place of recreation 
 open to them in the village is the public-house, 
 thither, of course, must those men repair who 
 desire a little companionship from time to time. 
 If the men are single, and live in lodgings, they 
 feel the need of a change more than the married 
 men, who, however, often find an hour or two 
 out desirable. 
 
 In many rural places attempts are being 
 
48 Utilising the Schoolrooms. 
 
 made to provide reading-rooms. There is al- 
 ways some risk in attempting combinations, but 
 one good work generally helps another, and I 
 think if coffee-houses could be provided with 
 books and newspapers, their success would be 
 much extended. In the part of Leicestershire 
 where I am writing are many villages. Bead- 
 ing -rooms and coffee-rooms have been started 
 in several of them, usually by their clergymen. 
 Mr Ebsworth, formerly rector of Croxton, opened 
 the schoolroom as a reading-room in the even- 
 ing, with the happiest results. This plan is 
 frequently adopted in America, and is advised 
 by Mr Mullins, in his book on " Free Libraries/' 
 when other arrangements are not found so easy 
 to carry out. It certainly offers many advan- 
 tages. I must, however, express a hope that 
 great care will be taken to have the school- 
 rooms thoroughly well ventilated before they 
 are occupied as reading-rooms. It would be a 
 wise precaution to leave the windows open dur- 
 ing the night. There is now a coffee-room at 
 Croxton, where the present rector, Mr Booker, 
 and Mrs Booker, give free concerts once a fort- 
 night. This is indeed a most admirable and 
 kind undertaking. Canon Norman and Lady 
 Adeliza are establishing a library in the coffee- 
 house they set up at Bottesford. They have 
 suggested to friends who are interested that 
 
Village Recreation- Rooms. 49 
 
 each should send a book, and I think they will 
 soon find the shelves overflow. At Woolsthorpe 
 a reading-room has been opened by the rector, 
 Mr Gillet, which, it is hoped, may be useful not 
 only to the inhabitants of that prettily situated 
 secluded village, but also to the men who are 
 now engaged in its neighbourhood in excavat- 
 ing the iron-stone. These men leave off work 
 when their shift is done. As they sometimes 
 "get through" by half-past three, they have 
 many hours on their hands ; and it is pleasant 
 to think that there is a room where they can 
 rest and enjoy a book or paper. At Branston — 
 another pretty neighbouring village — encour- 
 aged by the rector, Mr Stanley, a respectable 
 woman is starting a recreation -room for the 
 labourers. Several persons in the vicinity are 
 sending her books for a small library. She 
 intends selling coffee, and hopes to make the 
 men feel quite at home. Mrs John Welby's 
 room, at Allington, to which I referred before, 
 was almost the first established in this neigh- 
 bourhood. Probably its success encouraged 
 others to provide these rooms, which must 
 give great pleasure to the people. I think it 
 best to mention only a few instances of village 
 rooms that have come under my observation. 
 
 About half an hour by rail from Belvoir 
 Castle, where 1 write, at Newark, is the remark - 
 
 D 
 
5o 
 
 Soldiers Libraries. 
 
 able coffee - house founded by Lady Ossing- 
 ton in memory of her husband, who was many 
 years Speaker of the House of Commons. It 
 comprises very fine reading-rooms and every 
 imaginable arrangement for the comfort of the 
 public. Mr Gilstrap, with great munificence, 
 presented a library to this fortunate town. 
 
 I have often thought that village reading- 
 rooms might be modelled on soldiers' libraries. 
 I am indebted to Mr Charles Manners for the 
 following particulars concerning them : — 
 
 " The furniture is simple. There are barrack-tables, 
 with Windsor chairs; but there are many pictures 
 and prints, given by officers on leaving. The men 
 play games — bagatelle, billiards, dominoes, draughts, 
 &c. ; and the whole affair is managed by a committee 
 o£ officers and non-commissioned officers. A sergeant 
 is appointed as librarian, and is put in charge. No 
 alcoholic stimulants are allowed." 
 
 I am told that the soldiers' libraries are ex- 
 tremely appreciated by the men, and are never 
 empty. If large farmers could provide some- 
 thing of the kind for their labourers, it is be- 
 lieved great advantages would result to masters 
 and men. 
 
 I cannot help wishing that books might be 
 provided in every workhouse. Lady Brabazon's 
 truly wise and benevolent scheme for supplying 
 the women with working materials, must have 
 
Winter Evenings in W est Highlands, 5 1 
 
 proved a blessing to many a poor lonely crea- 
 ture. The men in the wards who cannot employ 
 their fingers might beguile the weary hours in 
 reading, if suitable books were provided ; and 
 probably much quarelling — the great curse of 
 workhouse life — would be avoided if the inmates' 
 minds could be occupied. 
 
 Some years ago we took a tour in the West 
 Highlands : in that wild, beautiful country the 
 people dwell in shielings far apart. A few huts 
 on the shores of the Sound of Mull still exist, 
 the same in appearance as those described in 
 Dr Johnson s ' Tour to the Hebrides.' In this 
 romantic region the late Lord Howard built 
 capital cottages on his estate, Dorlin. He went 
 constantly among the people, taking the greatest 
 interest in them, giving them employment, and 
 helping them in every way. He told me that 
 in winter it was their custom to assemble alter- 
 nately at each other s houses, where, crowding 
 round the fire, without light except that afforded 
 by the flickering flames, they took it in turn to 
 tell each other stories, which were listened to 
 with rapt attention. I do not know if our 
 English peasantry would find amusement in 
 listening to tales told by one of their number, 
 but they certainly should be given opportuni- 
 ties of knowing something of life beyond their 
 villages. 
 
5 2 Starting a Reading- Room. 
 
 Among mining and colliery populations read- 
 ing and recreation rooms are of the utmost 
 value. The men usually earn good wages, and 
 unless opportunities are given them for profit- 
 able amusement, they are tempted to waste 
 their hard-earned money. 
 
 Sir Arthur Helps writes in his essay, ' Im- 
 provement of the Condition of Eural Poor/ 
 — " Often all that a man wants in order to 
 accomplish something that it is good for him 
 to do, is the encouragement of another man's 
 sympathy." I would beg any one who may 
 be thinking of establishing a reading-room, 
 lending library, or recreation - room, to enlist 
 as many workers of different classes as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 Lord Beaconsfield once said to me, in speaking 
 of the discouragement felt by many at the dul- 
 ness attending the details of the beginnings of 
 official life, — " All details are dry ; the first 
 steps in every profession must be monotonous." 
 Nothing, however, can be accomplished without 
 attention to details. Letters — often almost 
 innumerable letters — must be written, circulars 
 printed, explanations given over and over again, 
 committee meetings held, hours and hours passed, 
 very likely in stuffy rooms, discussing points on 
 which every one differs, before the first step of 
 such an undertaking can be taken. Objections 
 
The "Circulating" System. 53 
 
 are sure to be raised to any scheme. These will 
 appear ridiculous to the promoters, but no sign 
 of impatience must be shown. By tact and 
 courtesy, objective persons may be converted 
 into most zealous supporters. When at last 
 the long-cherished idea is carried out — when the 
 reading or recreation room is actually opened — 
 we must redouble our efforts instead of relaxing 
 them, in order to make it successful. Its exist- 
 ence must be made known, as far as possible, 
 to every one whom it may concern. Handbills 
 must be sent round, or as many as the room 
 can hold might be invited to a free entertain- 
 ment ; it must be advertised as widely as pos- 
 sible. We must bear in mind that in the lives 
 of hard-working men the expenditure of even a 
 few pence is a matter of importance, and many 
 believe that free libraries are the most desirable. 
 I must once more quote from Mr Mullins's book, 
 6 Free Libraries ' : — 
 
 " By the provisions of the Free Libraries Act of 1866, 
 it is possible for small towns or villages, whose re- 
 sources would not enable them to organise and sustain 
 a free library for themselves, to join, by arrangement 
 and payment of some small sum, the nearest town 
 possessing a free library, and have books from the 
 same, either by sending for them to the central depot 
 or by having cases of books sent at certain times to 
 some person appointed to receive and issue them at 
 the place where they are required." 
 
54 The Object in Prospect. 
 
 It would therefore seem that, were it possible 
 to establish Free Libraries in all towns, they 
 would become centres of intellectual light to 
 the surrounding villages ; and the blessings 
 that we might reasonably expect to result from 
 the diffusion of pure literature all over the 
 country cannot be over-estimated. 
 
 Until the dawning of that bright, and I trust 
 not distant day, let us eagerly seize what oppor- 
 tunities we can for hastening it, by encourag- 
 ing every existing institution. In many places 
 there are parochial libraries to which we can 
 subscribe for our dependants. The Christian 
 Knowledge Society, the National Society, the 
 Pure Literature, the Eeligious Tract, and other 
 societies, publish countless interesting works, 
 which are sold to subscribers on very moderate 
 terms. Almost every personal gift or acquire- 
 ment may be turned to account for this great 
 cause — the emancipation of thousands from 
 the bondage of ignorance and idleness. Not by 
 fitful outbursts of enthusiasm will that great 
 object be accomplished, but by steady, sympa- 
 thetic, and continuous effort, sustained by the 
 belief that for the struggling masses and our- 
 selves wisdom is better than gold. The pres- 
 ence of those who devote themselves to such a 
 cause would, in the words of a Scotch divine, 
 be like sunrise. 
 
55 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 free libraries in australia — the ' book- 
 lover's enchiridion/ 
 
 IN Australia, and in many of our colonies, the 
 necessity for providing food for the mind 
 of the people is fully recognised. Through the 
 kindness of Sir Samuel Wilson, who procured 
 the information for me, I am able to mention 
 some facts that may interest those who share 
 the belief of a great statesman, that the future 
 of the world lies in those magnificent coun- 
 tries at the antipodes. The Melbourne Public 
 Library is the finest in Victoria, and, indeed, in 
 all the Australian colonies. Government de- 
 frayed the cost of the building, which amounted 
 to £111,604, and supplied further sums for 
 books, &c, amounting to £344,089. It has 
 received private contributions of books and 
 pamphlets valued at £15,000. This library is 
 entirely free, and open to the public from 10 
 a.m. to 10 p.m. on week-days. Over a quarter 
 
56 Free Libraries in Australia, &c. 
 
 of a million of all classes of people avail them- 
 selves of its privileges during the year. There 
 are free libraries, athenseums, scientific, literary, 
 or mechanics' institutes in most of the towns 
 of Victoria, and the Melbourne Public Library 
 supplies books on loan to many of these. They 
 receive some support from Government. £7682 
 were distributed amongst them in 1882, and pri- 
 vate contributions amounted to about £290,000 ; 
 and they have about three millions of visitors 
 during the year — that is to say, three millions 
 of people have the opportunity of educating 
 themselves, free of expense, in this enlightened 
 country. Besides the noble public library, there 
 is a free library connected with the Patent Office 
 in Melbourne ; and there is also a valuable 
 library in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, with 
 branches in each assize town of Victoria, which 
 are free to members of the legal profession. 
 
 In America, libraries and reading-rooms seem 
 essential parts of the social system. It is fitting 
 that the countrymen of Washington, of Emer- 
 son, of Washington Irving, and of Longfellow, 
 should value books. 
 
 Almost everywhere in Germany there are free 
 libraries, and it is astonishing how many of the 
 poorer classes read English in places where 
 tourists penetrate — and where do they not ? 
 But standard literature in the country of Goethe, 
 
Ruskin on National Libraries. 57 
 
 Schiller, and Humboldt is not yet published ex- 
 tensively in forms at once good and inexpen- 
 sive. Though at Florence there is a fine national 
 library, and at Venice a marvellous collection 
 of archives, yet in Italy free reading-rooms do 
 not seem to be frequently established. In that 
 lovely country, perhaps, the book of nature is 
 so attractive that the inhabitants find their 
 chief pleasure in its study. In Switzerland, 
 Government gives great encouragement to libra- 
 ries, and in France they are universal. 
 
 Perhaps some of us may live to see the day 
 when the dwellers in the mother country may 
 enjoy the privileges of those in her colonies ; 
 for it is believed that many hearts have thrilled 
 in response to this aspiration of Euskin, which I 
 cannot help quoting : — 
 
 " I hope it will not be long before royal or national 
 libraries will be founded in every considerable city, 
 with a royal series of books in them ; the same series 
 in every one of them, chosen books, the best in every 
 kind, prepared for that national series in the most 
 perfect way possible, their text printed all on leaves of 
 equal size, broad of margin, and divided into pleasant 
 volumes, light in the hand, beautiful and strong, and 
 thorough as examples of the binder's work ; and that 
 these great libraries will be accessible to all clean 
 and orderly persons at all times of the day and even- 
 ing, strict law being enforced for this cleanliness and 
 quietness." 
 
58 
 
 Extracts from the 
 
 One of the chief difficulties of the founders 
 of libraries has been the choice of books. A 
 national plan of reading would indeed be a boon 
 to the people. While we are placed in widely 
 differing circumstances, yet certain laws rule us 
 all, one event must happen to us all, and there 
 are certain facts which we should all endeavour 
 to learn. And so there are some books that 
 should, if possible, be read by all, whatever their 
 position in life ; for we should read with the 
 object of fitting ourselves to act wisely, and to 
 bear with fortitude the trials that sooner or 
 later must come to every one of us. It is to be 
 feared that many people take up a book as they 
 would a cigarette, regarding both as soothing 
 means of enabling them to - doze away an idle 
 half hour. Some, too, avowedly read that they 
 may have something to talk about. 
 
 As many of those who may glance at these 
 pages may not have leisure to dive for them- 
 selves among the treasures to be found in the 
 e Book-Lover's Enchiridion/ I will quote a few 
 of the passages that its compiler has gathered 
 with such care, beginning with one from Sir 
 Matthew Hale (1609-1676):— 
 
 " Eead the Bible reverently and attentively, set your 
 heart upon it, and lay it up in your memory and make 
 it the direction of your life ; it will make you a wise 
 and good man. I have been acquainted somewhat 
 
'Book-Lover s Enchiridion! 59 
 
 with men and books, and have had long experience in 
 learning and in the world. There is no book like the 
 Bible for excellent learning, wisdom, and use, and it is 
 want of understanding in them that think or speak 
 otherwise." 
 
 Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) :— 
 
 " If thou wilt receive profit, read with humility, sim- 
 plicity, and faith, and seek not at any time the fame 
 of being learned." 
 
 Isaac Barrow (1630-1677) :— 
 
 "The reading of books, what is it but conversing 
 with the wisest men of all ages and all countries, who 
 thereby communicate to us their most deliberate 
 thoughts, choicest notions, and best inventions, couched 
 in good expression, and digested in exact method ? . . . 
 Now doth it supply the room of experience, and furnish 
 us with prudence at the expense of others." 
 
 Sir Richard Steele (1671-1729) :— 
 
 "Beading is to the mind what exercise is to the 
 body." 
 
 Addison in the ' Spectator ' : — 
 
 " Knowledge of books in a man of business is a torch 
 in the hands of one who is willing and able to show 
 those who are bewildered the way which leads to pros- 
 perity and welfare." 
 
 Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) :— 
 
 " Throw away none of your time upon those trivial 
 futile books, published by idle and necessitous authors 
 
6o 
 
 Extracts from the 
 
 for the amusement of idle and ignorant readers ; such 
 sort of books swarm and buzz about one every day ; 
 flop them away, they have no sting. . . . Eise early, 
 and at the same hour every morning, how late soever 
 you may have sat up the night before; this secures 
 you an hour or two at least of reading or reflection be- 
 fore the common interruptions of the morning begin." 
 
 Countess de Genlis (1746-1830) :— 
 
 " Books are a guide in youth, and an entertainment 
 for age. They support us under solitude, and keep us 
 from becoming a burden to ourselves. They help us 
 to forget the crossness of men and things, compose our 
 cares and our passions, and lay our disappointments 
 asleep. When we are weary of the living we may re- 
 pair to the dead, who have nothing of peevishness, 
 pride, or design in their conversation." 
 
 William Cobbett (1762-1835) :— 
 
 " Books never annoy, they cost little, and they are 
 always at hand and ready at your call. ... A journal 
 should be kept by every young man. Put down some- 
 thing every day, if it be merely a description of the 
 weather. You will not have done this for a year with- 
 out finding the benefit of it. It demands not more 
 than a minute in the twenty-four hours, and that min- 
 ute is most agreeably and advantageously employed." 
 
 Jean Paul F. Eichter (1763-1825) :— 
 
 " A scholar has no ennui" 
 
 Isaac Disraeli (1767-1848) :— 
 
 " Those authors who appear sometimes to forget they 
 
' Book- Lover s Enchiridion. 7 6 1 
 
 are writers, and remember they are men, will be our 
 favourites. He who writes from the heart will write 
 to the heart." 
 
 Lord Mahon, Philip Henry Stanhope (1791- 
 1872) :— 
 
 " See how little the man who can rely on the pleas- 
 ures of reading is dependent on the caprice or the will 
 of his fellow-men. ... Of the pleasures of reading, I 
 will say that there is no man so high as to be enabled 
 to dispense with them, and no man so humble who 
 should be compelled to forego them.' 5 
 
 Sir John Herschel (1792-1871) :— 
 
 " Now, of all the amusements which can possibly be 
 imagined for a hard-working man, after his daily toil, 
 or in its intervals, supposing him to have a taste for it, 
 and supposing him to have the book to read. ... It 
 relieves his home of its dulness and sameness, which, 
 in nine cases out of ten, is what drives him out to the 
 alehouse, to his own ruin and his family's. I recollect 
 an anecdote told me by a late highly-respected inhabi- 
 tant of Windsor, as a fact to which he could person- 
 ally testify, having occurred in a village where he re- 
 sided several years, and where he actually was at the 
 time it took place. The blacksmith of the village had 
 got hold of Eichardson's novel of ' Pamela ; or Virtue 
 Eewarded,' and used to read it aloud in the long sum- 
 mer evenings, seated on his anvil, and never failed to 
 have a large and attentive audience. It is a pretty 
 long-winded book ; but then patience was fully a match 
 for the author's prolixity, and they fairly listened to it 
 all, At length, when the happy turn of fortune arrived, 
 
62 
 
 Extracts from the 
 
 which brings the hero and heroine together, and sets 
 them living long and happily, according to the most 
 approved rules, the congregation were so delighted as 
 to raise a great shout, and procuring the church keys, 
 actually set the parish bells ringing." 
 
 Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) :— 
 
 " No book, I believe, except the Bible, has been so 
 universally read and loved by Christians of all tongues 
 and sects as Thomas a Kempis's 'De Imitatione 
 Christi.' The writer of a book, is not he a preacher, 
 preaching not to this parish or that, on this day or 
 that, but to all men, in all times and places ? I many 
 a time say the writers of newspapers, pamphlets, 
 poems, books, these are the real working, effective 
 Church of a modern country." 
 
 Lord Lytton (1803-1873) :— 
 
 " Light reading does not do when the heart is really 
 heavy. I am told that Goethe, when he lost his son, 
 took to study a science that was new to him. Ah! 
 Goethe was a physician who knew what he was about. 
 In a great grief like that you cannot tickle and divert 
 the mind, you must wrench it away, abstract, absorb — 
 bury it in an abyss, hurry it into an labyrinth. There- 
 fore, for the irremediable sorrows of middle life and 
 old ase, I recommend a strict chronic course of science 
 and hard reasoning. Counter irritation brings the 
 brain to act upon the heart ! " 
 
 Ealph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) :— 
 
 " Many times the reading of a book has made the 
 fortune of the man, has decided his way of life; it 
 
'Book-Lover s Enchiridion! 63 
 
 makes friends ; 'tis the tie between men to have been 
 delighted with the same book. . . . Whenever I 
 have to do with young men and women/' he said, " I 
 always wish to know what their books are. I wish to 
 defend them from bad ; I wish to introduce them to 
 good." 
 
 William Ewart Gladstone (born 1809) — 
 Speech at the Eoyal Academy dinner, 1877 : — 
 
 " It was said of Socrates that he called down philo- 
 sophy from heaven. But the enterprise of certain 
 enlightened publishers has taught them to work for the 
 million, and that is a very important fact. When I 
 was a boy I used to be fond of looking into a book- 
 seller's shop, but there was nothing to be seen there 
 that was accessible to the working men of that day. 
 Take a Shakespeare, for example. I remember very 
 well that 1 gave £2, 16s. for my first copy, but you 
 can get an admirable copy for 3s. These books are 
 accessible now which formerly were quite inacces- 
 sible." 
 
 Lord Lytton, Owen Meredith (born 1831) : — 
 
 " It is, however, not to the museum, or the lecture- 
 room, or to the drawing-school, but to the library, that 
 we must go for the completion of our humanity." 
 
 Lord Beaconsfield (1805-1881) :— 
 
 " It is knowledge that equalises the social condition 
 of man — that gives to all, however different their 
 political position, passions which are in common, and 
 enjoyments which are universal." 
 
64 George Eliot on Ignorance. 
 
 Anonymous author : — 
 
 " It is really an appalling thing to think of the 
 people who have no books. . . . Yet there are 
 thousands and tens of thousands of homes where these 
 influences never reach." 
 
 In quoting these passages, I have felt tempted 
 to extract whole pages, but I must not exceed 
 my limits. In the next chapter I propose en- 
 tering into some further details of a practical 
 character on the establishment and maintenance 
 of reading, recreation rooms, and free libraries. 
 At this moment, when many are reading with 
 deep interest the life of George Eliot, it may 
 not be amiss to recall the passage in which she 
 writes : — 
 
 "No political institution will alter the nature of 
 ignorance, or hinder it from producing vice and misery. 
 Let ignorance start how it will, it must run the same 
 round of low appetites, poverty, slavery, and super- 
 stition." 1 
 
 1 ' Essays by George Eliot/ p. 343. 
 
65 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 PRELIMINARY STEPS BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE 
 BIRNAM INSTITUTE DETAILS OF OTHER READ- 
 ING-ROOMS — ENEMIES OF BOOKS. 
 
 IN Miss Octavia Hill's interesting book, 'Homes 
 of the London Poor/ nothing is more im- 
 pressive than the manner in which, step by 
 step, she leads those she visits to wish to help 
 themselves. The labour she underwent must have 
 been enormous, her courage undaunted. From 
 every page we might learn lessons of patience 
 and perseverance. Such lessons must be taken 
 to heart by those who would establish and 
 maintain either of the institutions that I am 
 advocating. 
 
 Though in the first chapter I referred to the 
 Birnam Institute, so many questions have been 
 put as to the preliminary steps leading to its 
 gradual development, that I will endeavour to 
 explain how the undertaking began and con- 
 tinued. 
 
 E 
 
66 Birnam Working Metis Club. 
 
 Many visitors from distant parts of the world 
 go to Birnam, which is an hour's journey from 
 Perth, at the foot of Birnam Hill, on the banks 
 of the Tay, and within half a mile of the beau- 
 tiful Dunkeld grounds. It is, in fact, the en- 
 trance to the Highlands. 
 
 A working men's club was started in 1876. 
 The member s subscription was 3s. a-year. In 
 winter Birnam is not much more populous than 
 one of those lovely Swiss villages which in 
 summer become cosmopolitan, and in the cold 
 months are deserted ; and after a time the 
 funds languished. When the visitors were en- 
 joying the autumn, a happy thought occurred * 
 to some of the committee. "Let us have a 
 concert for the benefit of the club." This idea 
 was carried out, under the management of a 
 lady (Mrs Dickie), who, during seven years, 
 directed all the musical entertainments in aid 
 of the club. To every one's surprise and de- 
 light, the sum of £40 was realised by the 
 first concert. By the year 1883 the number 
 of members had increased so largely that the 
 premises were far too small. During the 
 seven years of the club's existence, however, 
 the sympathies of many had been enlisted 
 in maintaining its prosperity. The clergy 
 of the several denominations were most kind, 
 and all the proprietors in the neighbourhood 
 
Entertainments at the Club. 67 
 
 and visitors showed much interest in the 
 movement. 
 
 Mr Kinnaird, the stationmaster at Birnam, 
 who was its chief promoter, from the first took 
 an infinite amount of trouble ; so did the hard- 
 worked schoolmaster, Mr Wallace, and Mr 
 Stewart, a young tradesman ; while Mr Mur- 
 ray, a painter, gave much of his time and skill ; 
 and Mr Ellis, a retired business man, also 
 helped the undertaking greatly. The son of 
 the postmaster, Mr Low, for a long time proved 
 a most efficient custodian of the small collection 
 of books ; indeed, active help was given by all. 
 Mr Pople, the proprietor of the Birnam hotel, 
 assisted very generously in every way. If con- 
 certs were to be given, ladies and gentlemen, 
 and the lads and lasses of the country-side, 
 gave help in the kindest manner ; and the sup- 
 port accorded by the inhabitants of Dunkeld 
 and Birnam must have satisfied the greediest 
 manager of amateur performances. I really 
 hope these concerts, which took place fre- 
 quently, gave pleasure to the audiences, as I 
 know they did to some of the performers. 
 Especially when first started, simple music was 
 chosen, but great trouble was taken that there 
 should be no pauses. The performers were ex- 
 pected to " come up to time." There is a pretty 
 and lofty hall in Dunkeld, and thither did we of 
 
68 Building of the Institute. 
 
 Birnam trudge to the concerts on many a star- 
 light night, crossing the bridge over the beau- 
 tiful Tay. The audience was invariably kind; 
 but when their own Scotch ballads were sung 
 they became enthusiastic, while songs like 
 " Eocked in the Cradle of the Deep " always 
 brought down the house. The glee and chorus 
 singing, conducted by Mr Mackintosh, the let- 
 ter-carrier, was much enjoyed. Though the 
 prices charged were sometimes exceedingly low, 
 yet from first to last a considerable sum was 
 raised by these entertainments. 
 
 When Sir Douglas Stewart of Grandtully and 
 Murthly granted a site in an excellent situation 
 on the road leading to the station, on favourable 
 terms, universal pleasure was felt. It was then 
 determined to build the Birnam Institute, con- 
 sisting — 1. Of a reading-room, library, and 
 other suitable accommodation for the Birnam 
 "Working Men's Club ; 2. A hall of moderate 
 dimensions for local meetings, entertainments, 
 and other public purposes ; 3. A public coffee- 
 room, for the sale of refreshments and non- 
 intoxicating beverages. The cost, about £1000, 
 to be defrayed by subscription, and a bazaar. 
 A small committee was appointed to act with 
 Mr Kinnaird to carry out the scheme. I enter 
 into these details, as they may guide others. 
 At the bazaar the exertions made by the ladies 
 
Its early Successes. 
 
 6 9 
 
 were very great. Lady Stewart came daily ; 
 and Mrs Keid, who lived in the neighbourhood 
 for the shooting season, actually left her own 
 house, and went to an hotel, where she remained 
 in the town while the bazaar lasted. Myriads 
 of roses were sent by Mr Gray. It went on 
 day and night, that is, till long after ten, as 
 the poor people, mostly hard-working men and 
 women, could only come in the evening. 
 
 The Institute was opened at the end of Sep- 
 tember 1883, but much had to be accomplished 
 before it was in working order. The account 
 I have given does not enter into the many diffi- 
 culties that had to be met, or into the differences 
 of opinion that existed on many points, especi- 
 ally as to whether a hall would answer. I con- 
 fess that I could not. believe that sufficient 
 money would be forthcoming for a hall. Now, 
 I think every one agrees that the hall has been 
 the most important element in the success 
 that, the promoters are thankful to say, has 
 hitherto attended the Birnam Institute. Dur- 
 ing the winter of 1883-84 the concerts were 
 continued, and during the summer the Institute 
 was visited by a large number, and teas were 
 provided for hundreds. The coffee-room, or 
 rather bar, is too small ; but when large parties 
 arrive from Dundee or Perth, arrangements are 
 made by which they are supplied in one of the 
 
yo The Institute on Excursion Days. 
 
 larger rooms. In this department valuable help 
 was given by the proprietor of the Eailway 
 Hotel, Inverness, Signor Cesari, who more than 
 once came himself to give advice, besides send- 
 ing assistants. He also sent all sorts of requi- 
 sites to start the commissariat department, and 
 gave the proper scale of charges. Ladies often 
 find it agreeable to spend any spare time 
 they may have in waiting for the trains in 
 the reading-room, to which strangers not be- 
 longing to the club are admitted on paying 
 twopence. The respectable couple who have 
 charge of the Institute know exactly how five 
 o'clock tea should be sent up, and this is found 
 an advantage. When teas have been given on 
 any special occasion to the poor, the farmers 
 send in literally buckets of delicious milk. 
 Cows that feed on the moorlands are said to 
 give sweeter milk than those fed in the ordinary 
 way. 
 
 On certain days in the year — for instance, on 
 that when the Birnam games take place — many 
 thousands arrive by excursion trains ; then the 
 Institute is thronged by hungry and thirsty 
 sightseers, and much tact and firmness are neces- 
 sary, as it is not uncommon for some to come 
 in who have been taking something stronger 
 than tea. When we arrived at Birnam in 
 August, I was overjoyed to see a pretty lawn 
 
Pitlochry Recreation-Ground, 71 
 
 surrounding the Institute, and some very com- 
 fortable seats under the trees, given by Mrs 
 Howard, a resident lady. The interest the 
 people themselves took, and I trust still take, 
 in the Institute, accounts for its success. Kind 
 ladies and gentlemen also lent their personal 
 help in giving attractive entertainments. The 
 Episcopalian clergyman, the Eev. J. W. Hunter, 
 and Mrs Hunter (a lady of great musical gifts), 
 the Eev. Thomas Eutherford (minister of the 
 Established Church) and Mrs Eutherford, the 
 Eev. David Macpherson and Mrs Macpherson, 
 besides many other ministers, gave up much of 
 their valuable time to encourage the musical 
 meetings, or popular evenings, that gave pleas- 
 ure to crowded audiences. 
 
 In Dunkeld a cosy little reading-room was 
 established by Bailie Jack. 
 
 Pitlochry, some miles further north on the 
 Highland line, is fortunate in having a coffee- 
 room and a recreation-ground. It may seem to 
 many that Scotland is one vast recreation-ground, 
 with its beautiful hills and valleys ; but in real- 
 ity the benefit of a place set apart for games in 
 its villages is incalculable. If I had my wish 
 there should, where it is possible, be a recrea- 
 tion-ground in connection with every reading- 
 room. But I well remember that people who 
 want too much don't get anything. Seven years 
 
72 A Village School Reading- Room. 
 
 seems a long time for the maturing of plans con- 
 nected with such an Institute as the first I have 
 been describing ; but, to borrow an American 
 expression, it was rather a "big thing" for a 
 small place. 
 
 I will now touch on a smaller undertaking 
 that seems likely to prosper. Mrs Wodehouse, 
 Gotham Eectory, Kegworth, Derby, a short time 
 ago opened the village school in the evening as 
 a reading-room. For two years she had ear- 
 nestly wished to do this. The greatest ex- 
 pense in starting was to have a partition in 
 the school in order to enable the upper part to 
 be used for meetings without disturbing the 
 readers. The population is 1060. In the 
 course of about a week it was found there 
 were sixty -eight members, and in addition 
 twelve or fourteen came every evening, who 
 paid a halfpenny for coming. I think it is a 
 very good plan to allow visitors to spend the 
 evening in the reading-room for that small sum. 
 They see what is offered them, and often join 
 after satisfying themselves that they will find 
 comfort. Mrs Wodehouse collected enough 
 money for the first start — including two good 
 hanging lamps and four cheaper ones, a second- 
 hand bagatelle board (which cost two guineas), 
 and about £2 worth of other games, dominoes, 
 draughts, with tables specially provided for the 
 
Recreation- Rooms for Girls. 73 
 
 men to play on. Five penny papers a-clay are 
 taken in. The papers are afterwards sold. There 
 are little expenses for cleaning and lighting and 
 warming. The former costs about 4s. , and the 
 latter about 2s. each weekly. This is supposed 
 to be a temporary arrangement till it appears 
 prudent to start a special room. 
 
 The Girls' Friendly Societies have recreation- 
 rooms in many places. I give an account of one 
 of them in the words of a member : " Oh, my 
 lady, the room is so comfortable and pleasant ! 
 They have nice books and papers. It is so nice 
 for me when I can go there. Father and mother 
 live too far off for me to go home often. The 
 ladies do talk to us so kindly, and we had such 
 a nice tea the other evening. It costs so little, 
 too, — only a halfpenny a- week." Then the girl 
 tripped off with such a beaming face, I quite 
 longed for the ladies, whose names I do not know, 
 to have seen her. 
 
 In providing books for a reading - room or 
 lending library, it is most desirable to have a 
 few, at all events, in good print. At certain 
 times of the year the great London circulating 
 libraries sell second-hand copies of their books 
 at marvellously low prices. Those readers who 
 find the print of the very cheap editions too try- 
 ing would appreciate the larger type. The other 
 day, in a paper " On the Influence of Civili- 
 
74 The Enemies of Books. 
 
 sation upon Eyesight," Mr JR. Brudenell Carter, 
 F.B.C.S., stated that many of the school-books 
 now in use should be abandoned, and new editions 
 prepared in type of at least twice the size and of 
 greater legibility — this latter point depending 
 upon the shape and design of the letters. I have 
 lately seen some standard reading-books for the 
 young, published by Blackwood, printed in very 
 clear type, and the more advanced contain selec- 
 tions made with great taste. 
 
 Having obtained a certain number of books, 
 how to place them in safety, yet where they 
 will be easily accessible, is the next question. 
 I have studied a very interesting work, ' The 
 Enemies of Books, 7 by Blades, with the view of 
 learning all I can on this subject. The cheap 
 edition is, unfortunately, out of print. It con- 
 tains ten chapters, each devoted to one of the 
 chief enemies of books. Though the latter chap- 
 ters apply chiefly to old and rare tomes, the 
 earlier ones show us how to guard against dan- 
 gers common to all books. I think all who 
 have books in their keeping should study this 
 quaint and useful publication. I learn from 
 it that fire, water, gas and heat, dust and 
 neglect, ignorance, the bookworm, other ver- 
 min, bookbinders and collectors, are their prin- 
 cipal foes. The author bids us remember that 
 " the surest way to preserve your books in 
 
Care of Libraries. 
 
 75 
 
 health is to treat them as you should your own 
 children, who are sure to sicken if confined in 
 an atmosphere which is impure, too hot, too 
 cold, too damp, or too dry. It is just the same 
 with the progeny of literature/' Sometimes 
 water-pipes leak in the most unaccountable 
 manner. I saw only the other day a little 
 stream suddenly gurgle down some beautiful 
 satin hangings on the walls of a drawing-room. 
 Great attention should be paid to pipes near a 
 library. Occasionally a window is left open in a 
 storm, and driving rain damages the books. But 
 damp is the most insidious foe the librarian has 
 to encounter. As Mr Blades tells us, " water in 
 the form of vapour is a great enemy of books, 
 the damp attacking both outside and inside." 
 He considers glass doors to bookcases are not so 
 good as ornamental brass wire-work ; the latter 
 allow of ventilation. 
 
 I will not dwell on the injury done to books 
 by gas and heat, as in small reading-rooms, I 
 fear, to a certain extent, they must be con- 
 sidered necessary evils. The author tells us 
 that the library illumination of the future pro- 
 mises to be the electric light. I fear that in 
 many private libraries the periodical spring and 
 autumn dustings are seasons of sore trial to the 
 book lover, and that often the dust is only super- 
 ficially removed; while there are painful instances 
 
j6 Ventilation of Reading- Rooms. 
 
 of books being replaced topsy-turvy and sets 
 scattered. Bookworms, I find, object to feed on 
 modern volumes, as the paper is adulterated; 
 they prefer rare old books. Several varieties 
 exist of the so-called bookworm. One, called 
 the Anobium, eats the wooden boards of old 
 books, and so passes into the paper ; one is said 
 to have so pierced twenty-seven volumes in a 
 straight line. Eats sometimes gnaw books when 
 hard pressed by hunger. 
 
 The bookbinder would hardly be included 
 among the list of enemies to modern books ; yet 
 much care should be exercised in rebinding even 
 common ones. Nor need the collector be dreaded 
 in the ordinary library ; but, on the other hand, 
 the borrowers of books must be frequently and 
 carefully admonished to be particular in hand- 
 ling and in returning any books committed to 
 their keeping, whether single volumes or parts 
 of sets. Books in a lending library are intended 
 for the good of the community, and each mem- 
 ber of it ought to take an interest in their pre- 
 servation. However small the collection of 
 books, they should be classified. 
 
 Ventilation ought to be attended to in all 
 reading and recreation rooms. There may be 
 opposition at first to the admission of fresh air, 
 but if draughts are carefully avoided, and if a 
 
Custodian of Reading- Rooms. 77 
 
 good fire is kept up, the frequenters will soon 
 grow to prefer a fresh warm atmosphere to 
 a stuffy cold one. 
 
 The choice of a person or persons to take 
 charge of the reading-room is all-important. In 
 small village reading or recreation rooms it 
 might be found well to employ a nice motherly 
 woman, who would welcome the readers. The 
 experience of the ladies who superintended the 
 Parochial Mission women proves that often a 
 matronly kindly woman of the lower middle 
 class is able to render great help, because she 
 understands what is needed by working people. 
 It is just as well, however, to have a man 
 within call, as sometimes the spirits of the 
 hobbledehoys become rather uproarious. 
 
 I am sorry to say that some poor persons 
 find great difficulty in writing letters. I do 
 not mean so much in forming the characters as 
 in thinking what to say. In Italy there are 
 professional letter-writers, who are much em- 
 ployed by the peasants. If occasionally a kind 
 person, after becoming friendly with the fre- 
 quenters of a reading-room, were to offer to 
 write "home" at their dictation, I think the 
 offer would be accepted gratefully. In the 
 refreshment and recreation tents established by 
 Miss Robinson at Dartmoor and Cannock Chase 
 
73 
 
 Choosing of Books. 
 
 during the autumn manoeuvres in 1873, about 
 5600 letters were written by the soldiers and 
 240 post-office orders sent. 
 
 I have been asked how I find books for 
 reading-rooms. When I am in London, I poke 
 about at the best booksellers belonging to the 
 various schools of thought. I have, however, 
 found it an easier plan to pore over the volume 
 of the ' Annual Publishers' Circular/ and then 
 to write to Mr Pratt, stationer, 98 Albany 
 Street, Kegent's Park, London, who has spared 
 me all the trouble of procuring books, maga- 
 zines, and papers from the different publishers, 
 and of despatching them to the various reading- 
 rooms and persons for whom I am in the habit 
 of ordering them. Now and then in choosing 
 books I make mistakes, but, on the other hand, 
 I sometimes find publications exactly suitable 
 for those they are intended to interest. My 
 only excuse for having entered into these details 
 is that for a long time past I have been receiv- 
 ing many inquiries on these points. I earnestly 
 trust that some writers more competent to treat 
 of these subjects will now take them up, for I 
 feel how much is left unsaid. I have not worked 
 myself, but I have watched the labours of others. 
 Most of those efforts have succeeded beyond the 
 expectation of their promoters. Here and there 
 success has seemed doubtful. To those who 
 
Choosing of Books. 
 
 79 
 
 have not yet seen the results hoped for, I would 
 repeat these words of Mr Euskin in addressing 
 the Guild of St George : — ■ 
 
 " Their apparent success might seem slow to them, 
 but it was contrary to the laws of nature that any 
 good work done with good intention should fail ; but 
 the time when it should bear fruit was appointed by 
 their Father in heaven." 
 
8o 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF EASILY ACCESSIBLE 
 READING AND RECREATION ROOMS. 
 
 IT is written — " In the multitude of counsel- 
 lors there is safety ; " and as since I wrote 
 the paper that I intended to be my last on 
 the subjects named above I have received 
 much advice from experienced friends, I will 
 bring their observations to the notice of my 
 readers. 
 
 It is important that a reading-room intended 
 for the good and the enjoyment of the whole 
 community should not be identified by its name 
 with any particular section of that community. 
 The object is to attract all ; but if, for instance, 
 the room is called the " Temperance Reading- 
 room," then it is probable that those in the 
 district who do not yet see their way to joining 
 a temperance society may hesitate to enter it ; 
 or if the room is called " The Church of England 
 Reading-room," it is likely that Roman Catholics 
 
Gambling in Reading- Rooms. 8 1 
 
 and Dissenters would feel it was not intended 
 for their use. 
 
 One lady told me to beware lest reading-rooms 
 should be used for gambling purposes. This 
 danger may be averted by enforcing a regula- 
 tion that gamblers must be excluded. In the 
 volume of the ' Quiver' for 1884, at page 287, 
 there is an interesting paper, " Our Young Men's 
 Club." The writer tells us that "two lower 
 rooms were provided with forms, stools, tables, 
 and gas, in the most simple and inexpensive 
 manner possible, — a strong feature, however, 
 being made of the walls, on which large col- • 
 oured prints from the illustrated papers (each 
 picture being fastened with stars of scarlet 
 flannel and elaborate-headed brass nails) were 
 hung, forming a cheap and simple adornment 
 which marvellously brightened the scene. In 
 the front room daily papers, supplied each 
 evening by various friends, as well as illus- 
 trated periodicals and magazines, were provided 
 for the use of members, whilst in the other 
 games of chess, draughts, and dominoes were 
 placed." The second rule of this club enacts 
 that cards and gambling are strictly prohibited, 
 under penalty of immediate expulsion. One of 
 six lads on the committee undertakes the super- 
 intendence of the rooms on six days in the 
 week. 
 
 F 
 
82 Miss MarsJis Labours, 
 
 It would increase the usefulness of reading- 
 rooms if it were possible to make their frequent- 
 ers practically acquainted with the benefits of 
 the Post-office Savings Banks. Miss Marsh, in 
 her book, ' English Hearts and English Hands/ 
 gives an interesting account of her labours to 
 promote thrift among the railway excavators 
 quartered at Beckenham, while they were work- 
 ing in the grounds of the Crystal Palace. Miss 
 Marsh began her labour of love among them in 
 1853, and afterwards she continued it among 
 the members of the Army Work Corps, which 
 was formed at the suggestion of Sir Joseph 
 Paxton in 1855. The corps, Miss Marsh tells 
 us, consisted of nearly 4000 men, chosen as 
 likely to be useful in the Crimea, in all works 
 connected with the army. The first detachment 
 consisted of railway labourers, but afterwards 
 artisans, smiths, stone-dressers, and labourers 
 were sent out. 
 
 Miss Marsh gradually made acquaintance with 
 many of these men. She showed interest in 
 them, and led them to listefl to the message of 
 the Gospel. She held readings for them, she 
 gave them books, and in the hour of need she 
 helped them. She made them welcome to her 
 fathers beautifully- situated house, and when 
 they sailed for the Crimea she went on the vessel 
 and addressed parting words of counsel to them. 
 
The Crimean Army Work Corps. 83 
 
 She gave them books to read on the voyage, 
 and not only books, but games ; she, however, 
 asked and received a promise from the men that 
 they would not gamble. This promise was faith- 
 fully kept. Lord Shaftesbury has observed how 
 willing people are to assist in good works if 
 they are given the opportunity, and it is worth 
 mentioning that more than one firm gladly pre- 
 sented Miss Marsh with games and puzzles for 
 the use of the men. Miss Marsh offered to take 
 charge of some of the men's savings, if they chose 
 to send them to her during their engagement in 
 the Crimea, to place them in the savings bank 
 in the form of a friendly club, and to keep a 
 private account for each. She also agreed to 
 forward a portion of the money saved to the 
 poor relations of the men. The sums sent 
 varied from 10s. to 20s. a- week. After a time 
 the receipts averaged about £500 a-month, and 
 about fifty letters a-week reached Miss Marsh 
 from the men in the Crimea. Two kind ladies 
 at this time assisted her in her arduous under- 
 taking. 
 
 I should much like to quote many passages 
 from the grateful letters Miss Marsh received ; 
 but the graphic pages in which she relates the 
 story of her work should be also read, and I 
 would beg those who have time to refer to her 
 narrative. Many of the men seemed anxious 
 
84 Objections to Reading- Rooms. 
 
 that their comrades should also possess the 
 books they had found so useful, and they would 
 beg to be allowed to buy some. Several pleaded 
 earnestly to be allowed to give Miss Marsh a 
 present in money for her trouble, and many 
 brought little offerings from foreign lands to 
 her. Her great reward, however, must have 
 been in the letters some wrote from sick and 
 some from dying beds, expressing their grati- 
 tude to her for having directed their thoughts 
 to that better country where there shall be no 
 more pain. 
 
 I have observed that there exists a consider- 
 able amount of book-hunger among the people, 
 and I have wondered if it would not extend the 
 usefulness of reading-rooms if inexpensive books 
 could be bought from them by the poor, and 
 whether colporteurs might not be more gener- 
 ally employed. I am aware that these ideas 
 would require much developing before they 
 could be carried out; but so much time and 
 thought are bestowed now on schemes for the 
 diffusion of knowledge, that I throw out the 
 suggestion. 
 
 It has been urged that the existence of read- 
 ing-rooms might draw men from their homes. 
 To this objection I reply that, in very many 
 places where reading-rooms have been estab- 
 lished, the wives of the working men frequent- 
 
Reading- Rooms a safe Refuge. 85 
 
 ing them have expressed their great satisfaction 
 that they should have such resorts. When it is 
 remembered that in a poor man's cottage one or 
 two rooms serve for cooking, sleeping, washing, 
 eating, and nursing the children, it will be con- 
 ceded that a quiet hour for reading cannot very 
 often be secured at home ; and for the unmarried 
 men who have no home, how doubly useful the 
 reading-room must be. 
 
 Under Italian skies much enjoyment may be 
 had in the open air in the evening, but are there 
 many weeks in our year when we should like to 
 lounge about, after a hard day's work, in the 
 misty, rainy, or blustery evening ? The public- 
 house is often the only one to which the men 
 are welcome. Even the most affectionate fathers 
 and brothers in well-appointed "rich mens 
 dwellings," occasionally find the pattering of 
 little feet and the ceaseless babbling of children, 
 varied by occasional shrieks, roars, or wail, rather 
 jarring to the nerves. How thankful the mother 
 of, say, three or four great boys, two girls of 
 ten or twelve, and two or three small children, 
 living in two rooms, must be if the boys can 
 leave it for a comfortable reading-room, where 
 they will not find temptations to drink. Colonel 
 Fane, of Fulbeck, Grantham, has a night-school 
 for the village lads, and occasionally social even- 
 ings for them. The lads are only too eager to 
 
86 
 
 Newspaper-reading. 
 
 avail themselves of opportunities given them to 
 learn. 
 
 The writer of one letter on the subject depre- 
 cated encouraging a taste for reading, lest bad 
 books should be chosen. This reminds one of 
 the apprehension expressed by the historian, 
 who contended that it was undesirable people 
 should be taught to write lest they should forge. 
 In a well -managed reading-room the utmost 
 care would, as a matter of course, be taken to 
 choose the best books. A fear was expressed 
 from the same correspondent that village read- 
 ing-rooms might degenerate into village news- 
 paper-rooms. This objection has been met by 
 Mr Erie, who writes : — 
 
 "Supposing that newspapers were to be largely read, 
 what better thing could be wished? The periodical 
 press of the present day teems with valuable informa- 
 tion. Whoever does not read the ' Times ' is without 
 the best source of continuous education; and when a 
 man has done his work for the day, is he better for 
 wasting his time, his money, and his health sitting 
 among degraded sots at a public-house, or reading in a 
 wholesome, respectable place, say, the contemporary 
 history of England at this moment, following it by 
 means of maps within his reach ? ?J 
 
 In considering the subject of reading-rooms 
 from various points of view, I think we ought 
 not to forget that there are multitudes of per- 
 
Books for Army when Abroad. 87 
 
 sons in every rank of life who are earnestly 
 trying to make the most of opportunities for 
 improving themselves and for helping others. 
 
 The organisation of Sunday-school teachers, 
 the members of the Church of England and 
 other temperance societies, members of Guilds, 
 of the Young Men's Christian Association, and 
 a vast multitude of steady, hard-working men 
 and women, form 
 
 " A noble army, men and boys, 
 The matron and the maid." 
 
 They all need opportunities for rest and rec- 
 reation. The faithful discharge of daily duties, 
 even if those duties are of a humble and mon- 
 otonous character, seems to train the mind, and 
 to develop in many cases a taste for the pleasures 
 of reading. 
 
 Allusion was made in a former chapter to the 
 kindness of Colonel Smith in providing the men 
 of the Camel Corps with books to read on their 
 voyage to Egypt. Since that several officers 
 have carried out the same thoughtful plan. A 
 revised list of one hundred and twenty standard 
 books and pamphlets, to be had for £3, will 
 shortly be prepared by Mr Buckland, and we 
 wish to have them placed in a box suitable for 
 transport, which will be, I hope, on view at 
 Messrs Sotheran's, 36 Piccadilly. 
 
88 Soldiers Reading- Rooms and Temperance. 
 
 The heart of many a mother is full of thoughts 
 of her soldier-son now. I have found at the 
 Christian Knowledge Society some small books 
 specially adapted for the army. The miniature 
 manual of devotion for soldiers, by Gleig, late 
 chaplain of the forces, could easily be slipped 
 into a knapsack, while ' Plain Words for Sol- 
 diers ' give much practical advice. Parke's 
 Manual, ' Personal Care of Health,' would be 
 very useful. In addressing the Guards, to 
 whom he was bidding farewell, the Duke of 
 Cambridge said : " First discipline, then endur- 
 ance were essential for a soldier." In gallan- 
 try, the Duke said he felt sure none would be 
 wanting. 
 
 Temperance renders it easier to obey discip- 
 line and to bear hardships— so say many of the 
 most distinguished officers and men. The read- 
 ing-rooms now attached to all barracks have 
 proved the greatest encouragement to steadiness 
 among the soldiers, and are seldom empty. 
 
 In an address by Lord Lyttelton to young 
 men, an old legend is related of the times in 
 which people were believed to make contracts 
 with the devil, by which they were more or less 
 bound to act, at least at times, at his bidding. 
 The fable tells us that one wretched man was 
 once forced to choose which of three sins he 
 would commit : one of these sins was, to drink 
 
Miss Weston s "Blue Backs.' 1 89 
 
 till he became intoxicated ; each of the two 
 other sins were worse offences than drunkenness. 
 So the man chose to become intoxicated, and, 
 while in that condition, he committed both the 
 other sins he had hoped to escape. 
 
 If the great railway companies saw their way 
 to establishing lending libraries at stations for 
 their men, the boon would be great. If in 
 every porters' room a few interesting publica- 
 tions could be placed, they would be eagerly 
 read % Few can read ' Engine-Driving Life/ by 
 Eeynolds, without desiring to place opportuni- 
 ties of recreation and improvement within the 
 reach of the enormous multitude of hard-work- 
 ing and courageous men employed on the rail- 
 ways. The women who have charge of the 
 waiting-rooms must lead dreary lives, and a few 
 suitable books would brighten them. The young 
 ladies at the railway refreshment bars are gene- 
 rally well educated, and would value books and 
 papers. 
 
 Miss Weston's efforts for our sailors reach 
 them at sea as well as on land. She sends 
 21,000 printed monthly letters to the ships in 
 the royal navy. These letters are called " Blue 
 Backs " ; they are eagerly read ; they are sent 
 to the Eoyal Naval Hospitals at Haslar, Ply- 
 mouth, and Chatham, to the coastguard sta- 
 tions, and to the lighthouses. She also sends 
 
90 Lending Libraries for Public Officials. 
 
 2000 copies a-month of letters, specially written 
 for boys, to the lads in the training-ships. I 
 have often thought how grateful the crews of 
 yachts would be for books. Miss Weston writes 
 that she was encouraged by Miss Bobinson's 
 wonderful success in her labours to combine 
 temperance work with that in which she had 
 exerted herself. Miss Kobinson's papers show 
 how much soldiers appreciate the kindness of 
 those who lend them books, and in other ways 
 seek to interest them. 
 
 Several persons of experience tell me that 
 about £5 a -year is sufficient to maintain an 
 unpretending reading-room in a village of mod- 
 erate size. For £4 a good stock of books 
 (cheap editions) may be provided. I cannot 
 too strongly recommend that on certain fixed 
 evenings members should be allowed to intro- 
 duce friends, in order that they may be 
 attracted to join. 
 
 It is usually found that one good work helps 
 on another, and there seems no reason to appre- 
 hend that reading-rooms should interfere with 
 the usefulness of parochial lending libraries, 
 which exist in many localities. I have recently 
 heard of books being given out from one of 
 these libraries after church on Sundays, a plan 
 that gave much satisfaction to the recipients. 
 
 If lending libraries could be established for 
 
Lending Libraries for I J ttblic Officials. 91 
 
 the use of the officials in great public buildings, 
 such as the Houses of Parliament, they would 
 be greatly appreciated, most of the officials be- 
 ing very intelligent, well - educated persons. 
 Though at times these officials are almost inces- 
 santly occupied, at other periods they have 
 intervals of leisure, in which it is believed they 
 would gladly devote themselves to increasing 
 their store of knowledge. 
 
 The more we enter into these considerations, 
 the wider the field for useful exertion appears 
 to extend; but I must now leave the subject, 
 believing that the nation which is bestowing so 
 much education on children will not suffer the 
 time and labour given to study to be thrown 
 away for want of opportunities afforded to 
 those young boys and girls, who are blooming 
 into youths and maidens, or becoming toil-worn 
 men and women, of keeping up the knowledge 
 in many cases painfully acquired, but which 
 may prove of inestimable value to them if care- 
 fully cultivated when the days of compulsory 
 learning are past. 
 
LIST OF BOOKS, 
 
 Which may be obtained for about £4, 10$. 
 
 COMPILED BY LADY JOHN MANNERS AND MR BUCKLAND, OP 
 
 MESSRS SOTHERAN'S, PICCADILLY, AS SOME GUIDE TO 
 
 THOSE WHO INTEND STARTING SMALL READING-ROOMS OR 
 LENDING LIBRARIES. 
 
 Most of the Books are Cheap or People's Editions. 
 
 Alfred the Great. 
 
 Beaconsfield. 
 
 Beckett. 
 
 Bunyan. 
 
 Burns. 
 
 Calvin. 
 
 Carlyle. 
 
 Chatham. 
 
 Columbus. 
 
 Cromwell. 
 
 Dickens. 
 
 BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Frederick the Great. 
 
 Garibaldi. 
 
 Gladstone. 
 
 Goldsmith. 
 
 Gordon. 
 
 Homer. 
 
 Johnson. 
 
 Luther. 
 
 Nelson. 
 
 Peter the Great. 
 Prince Consort. 
 Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 Queen Victoria. 
 
 Raleigh. 
 
 Scott. 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 
 Socrates. 
 
 Spurgeon. 
 
 Stephenson. 
 
 Wallace. 
 
 Washington. 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 Wesley. 
 
 YOYAGES, Etc. 
 
 Brassey's 1 Sunbeam. ' I Hartings' The Arctic Regions. 
 
 Cook's Voyages. | Waterton's Wanderings. 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 Bible in large type. 
 Bishop Wilson's Sacra Privata. 
 Bishop of Truro's (Mr Wilkinson) 
 Works. 
 
 Faithful Soldiers and Servants. 
 Lewis. 
 
 Friendly Words for Our Girls. 
 
 Lady Baker. 
 Oxenden's Words of Peace. 
 
 The Labouring Man's Book. 
 
 Pilgrim's Progress. 
 
 Plain Words. Bishop of Bedford. 
 
 Prayer-Book in large type. 
 Prayers and Maxims. Published 
 
 by Masters. 
 Soldiers' Manual of Devotion. 
 
 Gleig. 
 
 Steps to Christian Manhood. 
 
 Florence Marryat. 
 The Yoke of Christ. Bishop of 
 
 Rochester. 
 Why am I a Christian ? Heygate. 
 Why am I a Churchman ? 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 Maunder's Treasury of History. | The Victoria History of England. 
 
List of Books. 
 
 93 
 
 FICTION. 
 
 Ainswortli — 
 Old St Paul's. 
 Tower of London. 
 Windsor Castle. 
 
 Cooper — 
 Deerslayer. 
 The Two Admirals. 
 The Spy. 
 
 The Last of the Mohicans. 
 
 Dickens — 
 
 Pickwick Papers. 
 Nicholas Nickleby. 
 Old Curiosity Shop. 
 Sketches by Boz. 
 
 Irving — 
 
 Bracebridge Hall. 
 Old Christmas. 
 
 Lytton — 
 Pelham. 
 Eugene Aram. 
 
 Marryat — 
 Peter Simple. 
 
 The Pirate and Three Cutters. 
 
 The King's Own. 
 
 Jacob Faithful. 
 
 Mr Midshipman Easy. 
 Scott— 
 
 The Monastery. 
 
 Guy Mannering. 
 
 Ivanhoe. 
 
 Waverley. 
 
 The Pirate. 
 iEsop's Fables. 
 Gulliver's Travels. 
 Lamb's Tales. 
 Paul and Virginia. 
 Robinson Crusoe. 
 Sandford and Merton. 
 
 New History of. 
 
 Swiss Family Robinson. 
 Tom Brown's School Days. 
 Uncle Tom's Cabin. 
 Vicar of Wakefield. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 Adams's Plain Living and High 
 
 Thinking. 
 Animal World. (Yearly vols. ) 
 Beeton's Book of Anecdote. 
 British Workman. (Yearly vols. ) 
 Cottager and Artisan. 
 English Hearts and English 
 
 Hands. Miss Marsh. 
 Enquire Within upon Everything. 
 Hallet's Lectures on Health. 
 Hand and Heart. (Yearly vols. ) 
 Johnston's Living in Earnest. 
 Kirton's Temperance Tales. 
 Macaulay — 
 
 Lays of Ancient Rome. 
 
 Lord Clive. 
 
 Warren Hastings. 
 
 Lord Bacon. 
 
 Ranke and Gladstone. 
 
 William Pitt. 
 
 Peter the Great. 
 
 Addison and Walpole. 
 Miss Robinson's Active Service. 
 
 Miss Nightingale's Notes on 
 
 Nursing. 
 Our Blue Jackets. Miss Weston. 
 Parke's Manual of Health. 
 Queen's Journal : Our Life in the 
 
 Highlands. 
 Selections from the Publications 
 
 of the Ladies' Sanitary Society. 
 Shaw's Home Series. 
 Shakespeare's Plays. 
 The People's Editions of the Best 
 
 Poets. 
 
 Three Wonderful Travellers. 
 Trench's Realities of Irish Life. 
 Victoria Cross — In the Crimea. 
 
 In India. 
 
 In the Colonies. 
 
 In Afghanistan, 
 
 In Zululand. 
 
 Warne's Cookery Book for the 
 
 Million. 
 Wood's Strange Dwellings. 
 Cheap Science Manuals. 
 
 Messrs S other an tvoitld undertake to bind the Books at 
 Sixpence a Volume. 
 
PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AMD SON?. 
 
BY LADY JOHN MANNERS, 
 
 GEMS OF GERMAN POETRY. Translations. Small 
 
 4to, cloth boards. Price 3s. 6d. 
 
 gebiraf*b bg $$tcml ^trmxssion to Utr pajestg fyt <$nw«. 
 Some Personal Recollections of 
 THE LATER YEARS OF THE EARL OF BEACONS- 
 
 FIELD, K.G. Reprinted, with Additions, from the 'Times/ 
 Fifth Edition. Price 6d. 
 
 EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC 
 
 SERVICE. Reprinted from the 'Quarterly Review/ Price 6d. 
 
 gtbiwitb bg Sptrial $Jerirasston tor %tx Imperial anb glogal 
 gptejtsig t\t <&m$tm of (Strmattg fymtn of $?rrtsaia. 
 
 IMPRESSIONS OF A VISIT TO BAD-HOMBURG, 
 
 Comprising a Short Account of the Women's Associa- 
 tions of Germany under the Red Cross. Crown 8vo. 
 Price is. 6d. 
 
 HOW THE HEIR'S COMING OF AGE WAS KEPT 
 
 AT LAMINGTON. Sketched in Pen and Ink for the Duke of 
 Rutland, K.G. (At first written for private circulation only.) 
 Price 3d. 
 
 IN THE PRESS. 
 
 A PLEA FDR THE EMANCIPATION OF CERTAIN 
 BRITISH BONDSMEN AND BONDSWOMEN. Reprinted from 
 the ' National Review.' 
 
 WOMEN OF BUSINESS. Reprinted from the * London 
 
 Figaro.' 
 
 A WIDOW'S SACRIFICE. A Glance at the Work of 
 Harriett Monsell, Foundress of Clewer. Reprinted from the 'Queen.' 
 
 A SEQUEL TO "RICH MEN'S DWELLINGS." Reprinted 
 
 from the ' National Review.' 
 
 ASSOCIATIONS WITH AIX-LES-BAINS. Reprinted from 
 the ' Queen.' 
 
 LETTERS FROM AN IDLE WOMAN'S POST-BAG. Re- 
 
 printed from the ' National Review. ' 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, Edinburgh and London. 
 
 And all Booksellers.