152 LIBRARY QUESTIONS.
such a way that all books on a given on a librarian's work in the Atlantic for
subject have a common number. If November, 1876. There was also a con-
this was in general use shelf catalogues ference at London, during October of
would become classified lists, and any the last year, and it seems that # such
person could locate a book as easily as a meetings will become common. At
letter in a word, or having given the this meeting seven countries were repre-
numberof a book, know the subject treat- sented, and the American delegation
��ed by it.
To settle such, and many other ques- tions, to forfeit by the results of expe- rience, to secure uniformity and econo- my in administration, and to give the
��took a leading part in all the discus- sions.
If a librarian seeks for discoveries and wants his Africa, he will find it in bibli- ography. No one man can ever fully ex-
��profession a better and more useful posi- plore the subject, and hence he must al- tion with the public, is the aim of the re- ways feel that he has not perfectly mas- cently formed library association. As tered his profession. Not only that, he far back as 1853 there was a meeting may expect to be approached from every looking toward such a result. Since department of learning and must not be then there have been from time to time surprised if specialists deem him ignor- volumes of library sketches or statistics, ant. More than this, there is a field discussions by the Social Science Associa- which stretches from the present back tion, articles in the reviews, and notes into the past as far as pen and ink have by the press on improvements made or left a record. It is filled with titles, au- needed. But the interest for several -triors, printers, prices, histories of edi- years increasing, found expression during tions, and literary notes. It has its the centennial year. There was first the scholars and writers, going, back from government report on libraries, which Allibone through Lowndes and Brunet, contained the results of the best work and among these are the specialists. and thought in the country, and took the There are the men who, as have some of place of a cyclopseedia. Then was the French, consider the bibliography as formed the Library Association which the science of all sciences, dividing it held its first annual meeting at Philadel- into material and intellectual, and intro- phia in October. During the summer ap- ducing a special science for manuscripts, peared the first number of the American Some of these have written volumes Library Journal. The first volume of which are 1 marvels of usefulness, and this monthly comprises 450 quarto pag- have made of books, divisions and sub- es, in its appearance has few equals, and divisions so learned and minute that it contains probably the best index ever is less labor to do without than to master printed with an American periodical. It them. Others have made classifications numbers among its contributors repre- purely fanciful, like that of Denis who sentatives of nearly all the large libra- had a division into seven classes, based ries, treats of no literary subjects and upon the words of Solomon: '-Wisdom working with commiteees, discusses all hath builded a house, she hath hewn out questions relating to libraries from cap- her seven pillars ;" or like that of another ital letters to catalogues. Of course writer who proposed to group all books some recommendations are not binding, under morals, sciences, and devotion, but as they come from a comparison of Then there are the men who are misers the best methods, and there is a strong of books, whose happiness is bound up desire to get at uniformity, they are pret- in large paper copies and rare editions— ty sure to recommend themselves and Aldines and Elzivers. They are the col- come into generai use. The work done lectors divided by Burton in his Book has awakened much biblic interest and Hunter into " private prowlers " and there have been frequent comments and " auction haunters." '"Book madmen," discussions in the daily press. Among they are called by Dibdin, who was the longer articles the most noticable is one much honored historian and admirer of
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