i8 5 Correspondence, LITERARY PROPERTY. SIR, An article appears in the "Library Journal: the official organ of the American Library Association " for April, 1894, entitled " How to Catalogue Books ; J. Taylor Kay in the Nineteenth Century" This has been appropriated from the Nineteenth Century without consent, the review in question having on its cover the words " All rights reserved." Why literary property or goods should be placed on a different footing to other property is surely a soluble moral as well as political problem. Singularly enough the following words are left out of the text in convey- ing the article, " Under the Copyright Act the proprietor of every pub- lished work is required to register his claim, for his own protection, in the books of the Stationers' Company before legal proceedings can be taken." This of course refers to this country only. J. TAYLOR KAY, Librarian. The Owens College, Manchester, May 10, 1894. A LIBRARY ASSOCIATION EXCURSION. SIR, At the invitation of Sir Edmund and Lady Verney some mem- bers of the Library Association, on Whit Monday, visited Claydon Park, the ancient Buckinghamshire seat of the family. They were very cordially received by their hosts at the railway station and escorted to the house. After a rest Sir Edmund took them for a drive of some twelve miles through the picturesque lanes and villages of this charming district. A visit to the Claydon Village Library was of special interest, as this is the first distinctly rural parish that has adopted the Act. The library of some five hundred volumes of good general literature is kept in a room in the village school ; Miss Verney acts as librarian, but the amount produced by the rate (nine pounds) is so small that donations would be highly appreciated. On the return of the party to Claydon House they were most kindly entertained to luncheon, and after a visit to the church in the park (which contains numerous monuments of the Verney and allied families as well as several brasses) they were driven to Hillesden, escorted by Lady and Miss Verney. Here is a fine I4th century church which was described by the vicar, an ardent local antiquary to whom the party were much indebted. It should be mentioned that there is a sunk sun- dial of unusual form in the south wall of this church, dated 1601. Again returning to Claydon House the party were conducted over the mansion by Sir Edmund and Lady Verney. The rooms are of noble proportions, and many have exceptionally fine ceilings and much carved work, while objects of interest abound. Notably a fine series of family portraits, and in the museum the dresses of some members who held official positions in the 17th century are of special interest, as such articles have been but very rarely preserved. Special mention must be made of the library, a noble apartment well-suited for its purpose, containing about five thousand volumes. The books are being carefully examined and catalogued, and possibly some works of exceptional interest may be
