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expedients of the indigent, and have exercised a most demoralising influence, causing petty lawyers and scholars, with no arms of their own, to appropriate those of their betters. M. Bouchot, though acquainted with Herr Warnecke's book, does not follow him in his antiquarian researches, but is content to start with the first dated bookplates, in Germany that of Bilibaldus Pirckheimer (1511) attributed to Albert Durer, in France that of Charles d'Alboise, in England that of Sir Nicholas Bacon, both dated 1574. Starting from these he gives a brief history of the variations of taste during each of the four centuries to the present day, and winds up his volume with some notes on the best arrangement of a collection of bookplates (if they must be collected !) and some advice to book-owners who have set their hearts on having a bookplate of their own. The whole volume is pleasantly and chattily written, and possesses one virtue, rare in French works, a considerable acquaintance with the standard authorities on the subject not only in Germany but in England.

Catalogue of the Books, Pamphlets, and Manuscripts belonging to the Huguenot Society of America, deposited in the Library of Columbia College, with an Introduction by the Library Committee of the Society. Compiled by Elizabeth G. Baldwin. Published by the Society, New York, 1890. Roy. Svo, pp. x., 107.

This volume (an excellent specimen of American typography) represents, as the introduction informs us, the “first catalogue" of the Library of the Society whose name it bears, and we sincerely trust that it may be followed by many future editions of increasing bulk and equally attractive appearance. The Library Committee of the Society have entered on their labours in that true spirit of progress which should animate all Librarians, but we fear it will be long indeed before they are able to realize their hope and expectation that the collection under their charge will "become, in course of years, the best and most complete Library of its kind in the civilized world." Both time and a combination of many other requisites are needed to enable any such special collection to be brought together as may rival (to surpass is perhaps impossible) the splendid Library of MSS. and printed books originally formed by Baron Fernand de Schickler, presented by him to the Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français, and constantly receiving accessions under the care of its indefatigable Bibliothecaire, M. Weiss. At present the Library of the Huguenot Society of America consists of 494 volumes (including 43 MSS. and autograph letters) arranged in 15 classes lettered A-O, in addition to which there is a separate pamphlet class containing 163 articles. In the catalogue the books are first entered under the subjects to which the above class-lettering refers, and afterwards appear in one general alphabetical "Author-Index," the Library press-mark being printed opposite each entry in both cases. It is always difficult to say where the division and sub-division of a Library into subjects should end, but in a small collection like that to which this catalogue applies it seems needlessly minute to adopt three such classes as "Description and Travel," "Literature," and "Miscellaneous," when they contain together only 27 volumes, many of which might, with equal propriety, have been made to fall under other headings. Thus it is not

We must not rob a discoverer of his priority of publication, but we may mention that a recent lucky find of Mr. Weale's in the Bodleian takes the first dated English book plate more than half a century further back.

very apparent why the Médailles sur les principaux événements du regne de Louis le Grand; avec des explications historiques, printed by the Académie Royale des Médailles et des Inscriptions, should be entered under "Miscellaneous" instead of under "French History" or "Societies"; or why Annals of the Cakchiquels (in curious proximity to which are Lucan's Pharsalia and a translation of the Heautontimorumenos of Terence) should be considered as belonging to "Literature" more properly than to "American History." But, doubtless, as the Library grows the need of such refinements will become more obvious. At the end of the catalogue is an appendix of "fifteen ancient and priceless volumes from La Rochelle," and we can imagine the delight of the fair compiler on receiving them just in time for insertion. It is a pity, however, that her haste and enthusiasm have so carried her away that “the gift are (sic) entered" with so many errors in the preliminary announcement. Only one of these "La Rochelle books" was printed at that place, and of the 15 “ancient " volumes three were published within the last 25 years, whilst the epithet "priceless" cannot, except in some wild flight of imagination, be applied to any of the number. We consequently feel somewhat disappointed in these concluding pages which bade so fair to treat us to an account of treasures hitherto nearly, if not quite, unknown. Such treasures, however, will no doubt find their way into the Library before the next issue of the generally admirable catalogue, and for so happy an increase of the collection we venture to express not only our hearty good wishes, but our confidence in their realization. Meanwhile we are curious to learn whether the present edition is correct as regards the entry in the appendix of a polyglott New Testament, Nouveau Testament, texte grec, Vulgate et traduction latine. . . . . Londres, Losclerius Villerius, 1574. Was this actually printed by Villerius, and not rather by Vautrollier, who in that and the few following years was printing Testaments to which De Loyseleur Villerius furnished the dedications?

Catalogo di Manoscritti Italiani esistenti nel Museo Britannico di Londra. [By] Alessandro Palma di Cesnola, F.S.A., Torino: Tipografia L. Roux e C., 1890. Svo, pp. 2c8.

Signor Palma di Cesnola's hand-list-for it is little more—of the manuscripts relating to Italy in the British Museum, is good as far as it goes, but might so casily have been made better that we can only praise it rather grudgingly. He has divided his entries under the eight heads of Illuminated MSS., History, Poetry, Music, Design, War, Diplomacy and Miscellanca, but in only one of these (Music), are the entries arranged in any systematic order. In the rest the Muscum press marks determine the arrangement. When we have added that there is no index either of authors or of subjects, it will be seen that though this catalogue may serve as a starting point for future labourers it cannot be considered very satisfactory in itself. In eight appendices, occupying nearly half his volume, Signor Palma di Cesnola gives a series of interesting extracts from manuscripts relating to Michel Angelo, Savonarola, Beatrice Cenci and other notable Italians, and these will doubtless serve to whet the appetite of his countrymen, and encourage further work on the Museum MSS.

Library Notes and Rews.

The Editor earnestly requests that librarians and others will send to him early and accurate information as to all local Library doings. The briefest record of facts and dates is all that is required.

In course of time "Library Notes and News" will become of the utmost value to the historian of the Free Library movement, and it is therefore of the highest importance that every paragraph should be vouched for by local knowledge.

Contributors should send a memorandum of their contributions to the Editor at the end of each quarter, and a remittance will be promptly forwarded.

ALTRINCHAM.-At the monthly meeting of the Altrincham Local Board on December 5th, a recommendation of the Public Libraries' Committee, that the board accept the offer of the directors of the Literary Institution to hand it over to the local board on condition of providing additional books and adapting the present building to the proposed purpose, was confirmed. It was understood that the amount required, about £1,700, would be defrayed by public subscription.

BLACKBURN.-The late Mr. Thomas Atkinson, solicitor, Blackburn, has left his large and valuable library and costly collection of paintings to the Public Library of this town.

BRADFORD.-On Tuesday, the 9th December, the Bradford Town Council discussed the desirability of applying for Parliamentary power to levy a rate of an additional penny in the pound for Library and Museum purposes. Mr. Councillor Maddocks, Chairman of the Free Library and Museum Committee, introduced the subject in a very able speech, in which he drew attention to the almost starving condition of the institution. The matter was adjourned for further consideration in order to allow the public an opportunity of expressing their views on the subject. The sum of £500 was voted from the gas profits to meet the immediate necessities of the Committee.

CARDIFF.-The Library Committee have adopted a plan for their new Library Buildings, the estimated cost of which will be £15,000, or £5,000 more than the borrowing powers asked for. As £400 a year will be saved by the separation of the Art Schools from the Library, the Committee have decided to apply for power to borrow an additional £5,000.

COLCHESTER.-The late Mr. Richard Catchpool, of Reading, has bequeathed one thousand pounds towards the establishment of a Public Library in Colchester, his native town.

EDINBURGH.-The Building News of December 12th gives sketches of some of the principal features of the new library buildings. In a city of beautiful buildings, the newest of its public buildings need not hide its head, for the architect, Mr. G. Washington Browne, has succeeded in happily combining an artistic exterior with a useful interior-by no means a common achievement so far as library buildings are concerned.

GLASGOW.-The annual report of the Baillie's Institution Free Library shows that 40,479 vols. were issued, being 40,479 vols. more than during the preceding year. The attendance of readers is reported as 29,420-7,807 more than last reported. Income £687. Mr. E. A. Holme Kay is librarian.

GUERNSEY.-The Gentlewoman says:-"There are two Free Libraries .at St. Peter Port. The newest, which was opened but a couple of years

ago, is in the ground floor of a neat little house standing in its own grounds. The Librarian inhabits the upper floor. No more peaceful and charming reading rooms could be desired than these, which the munificence of Mr. Priaulx has given to the town. One gazes out of the windows over green lawns and trees on to the twinkling Channel, and the sunlight creeps in to fall on oak and leather, vellum and morocco. Strangely enough, the inhabitants of the place rarely patronise the retreat, preferring, if they use a library at all, to go to the fine one near the Town Church, built and endowed by two Guernsey gentlemen who made their fortunes in America."

HANLEY.-A draper's assistant, a Polish Jew, rejoicing in the name of Baron Rosenberg, was charged before the magistrates and fined 40s. and costs for wantonly damaging books he had borrowed from the public library. He seems to have been a diligent reader, or, at any rate, borrower of books, but for some unaccountable reason always returned them in a dilapidated condition.

HULL.-In connection with the James Reckitt Free Public Library in East Hull, Mr. F. B. Grotrian, M.P., opened in November the new Reference Library, presented by Mr. Francis Reckitt.

HUNTINGDON.-A new library for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon was opened at Huntingdon in November by the Bishop of Ely. The books are chiefly theological and were formerly in the old Episcopal Library at Buckden; to these, however, some modern books have been added.

LEICESTER.-People who never heard of the Library Association are enjoying pleasure and information_resulting from the Reading Meeting. Last month we noticed Mr. Butler Woods' excellent article in a Sheffield paper describing his visit to Eversley, and we now find that the same excursion has inspired another member of the Association to deliver a highly interesting lecture, entitled "At Kingsley's Grave.” The lecturer was Mr. F. S. Herne, Librarian of the Permanent Library, who on November 15th "chained the attention of a large and appreciative audience" while he discoursed on Kingsley's life and work. This is as it should be.

A resolution in favour of Sunday opening has been carried by the Library Committee.

LIVERPOOL.-At the instance of the Sunday Society the Library Committee recently resolved by seven votes to four to recommend the opening of the library on Sunday afternoons. The city council at a subsequent meeting refused to adopt the recommendation.

LONDON.-The Dr. Williams' Library has just been opened again for the use of readers after removal of the books from their former quarters in Grafton Street, into University Hall, Gordon Square.

LONDON.-Sunday School Union Library. The report of the year's work (1889) states that the number of members is 1,327. The volumes issued for home reading reached a total of 17,227. According to the new catalogue the library contains 1,486 volumes for reference and 7,226 for circulation.

LONDON: ALLAN LIBRARY.-The Methodist Recorder announces that the library, consisting of 30,000 books and pamphlets, is now transferred to a large, lofty, and handsome room, close to City Road Chapel. Mr. Hayes, the sub-librarian, has been working for years at the classification and cataloguing of Mr. Allan's splendid gift. To his care has also been

transferred the libraries of the late Dr. Rule and the Rev. W. M. Bunting, together with valuable books presented by Mrs. Jobson, Mr. W. Foster Newton, and other friends. The Fernley trustees have made a grant of £200 for the purchase of modern books. The library in its completeness will rank among the best libraries of the kind in the country. The Rev. George Kenyon has offered his services as Honorary Librarian. The library will be opened at the Methodist Centenary this year.

LONDON: BERMONDSEY.-On the 29th ult. Mr. Lafone, M.P., laid the foundation-stone of the Public Library, which is to cost about £7,000. The idea of establishing a Public Library in the parish was first mooted in 1887, and subsequently a requisition was served on the overseers of the poor, with the result that the Acts were adopted by a majority of over 1,900 votes at the poll. Commissioners were soon afterwards appointed, and they intend to make the new library one of the most complete in London. The space to be allotted for books in the new building is said to be sufficient for 80,000 volumes.

LONDON: CHELSEA.-The new Central Library will be opened by Lord Privy Seal, the Earl Cadogan, on Wednesday, January 21st.

LONDON HIGHGATE.-On November 19th Sir James Clarke Lawrence presided at a public meeting held for the purpose of opening the Highgate Hill, Dartmouth Park Hill, and Upper Holloway Free Reading Room and Free Library, adjoining the Highgate Hill Unitarian Church and the Whittington Board School. The movement of which this library is the outcome was initiated by the Rev. R. Spears, minister of the Unitarian Church, and was warmly taken up by the members of his congregation; but the library is to be open to all, and no religious or political character will be given to the institution, which is situated in a thicklypopulated district. Several hundred books have already been presented to the library, and on the tables of the reading room over 150 daily, weekly, and monthly papers, magazines, and reviews will be provided. Sir J. C. Lawrence, who had contributed a large number of books to the library, and who was accompanied by Lady Lawrence, in declaring the Library open, remarked that the opening of a Free Library was at any time worthy of record, for the opening of every new Public Library gave fresh light, fresh knowledge, and fresh power to the people. No one could tell where the influence of good books began or where it ended. In the study of good books was to be found, in a great measure, the formation of the life and character of the young. The other speakers included the Rev. R. Spears, the Rev. E. H. Roberts (Church of England minister and chaplain of the Islington Workhouse and Infirmary), and Mr. Withall ; and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

LONDON: LEWISHAM.-The Public Libraries Commissioners and the ratepayers have received from Mr. J. Harding, an offer to transfer to them the freehold of the Perry Hill Lecture Hall and Library on payment of two bills of costs, not exceeding £150; he will also make them a free gift of the library, containing four thousand volumes, and of the fixtures, &c. Steps will be taken almost immediately with a view to opening this library at an early date, and it will be followed, as soon as possible, by the establishment of libraries in other parts of the parish.

LONDON: POPLAR.-The result of the poll in the parish of All Saints, Poplar, on the question of the adoption of the Public Libraries Act was declared on Wednesday night, December 17th, as follows:-For the adoption of the Act, 3,301; against, 314; majority for, 2,987.

LONDON: WANDSWORTH.-The Builder, December 12th, publishes drawings of the new Reading Room and a description of the building.