Contents of mo. 61. PAGE OUR NOTE-BOOK... SMALL BOOKS LONDON BOOKSELLERS THE FRIENDSHIP OF BOOKS BIBLIOINCINERATION THE WORKS OF SIR WILLIAM JONES. W. A. CLOUSTON OF MY BOOKS. CHARLES WASHINGTON COLEMAN TENNYSONIANA MISCELLANEA. Price 6d. Monthly. THE LIBRARY REVIEW And Record of Current Literature, EDITED BY KINETON PARKES. I 5 7 9 13 19 23 27 30 31 The Review presents, month by month, a clear account of New Books, New Editions, Reissues and Reprints.. It deals with all matters pertaining to the Library and to Books. It is essentially Literary and Bibliographical. The June Number contained: Four full-page illustrations of Bookbindings in the Borghese Library, with an article on the Library. The July Number contains: Four full-page illustrations of Manuscripts and early Venetian Books, which accompany an article on "The Venetian Printing Press," &c., &c. SOME PRESS OPINIONS. Record -"Useful to booklovers;... bibliography and similar contents should be useful." Speaker."A very useful' Calendar' for all readers is appended to The Library Review." Sheffield Independent.-" Undoubtedly of the greatest service not only to librarians, but also to private bookbuyers." Newcastle Daily Chronicle.-"It is devoted purely to literature, and will be interesting to book. lovers.' LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO., 25, PATERNOSTER SQUARE. HANDSOME CLOTH CASES FOR BINDING THE NUMBERS OF THE BOOKWORM Are Now Ready, PRICE ONE SHILLING EACH. ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E. C. GEORGE M. PALMER, Miscellaneous Bookseller, &c., RICHMOND, SURREY. Pamphlets, Old Play Bills, Magazines, Guide Books, &c. Catalogues free. Collectors' Names solicited. Books searched for. Commissions executed. SANDELL AND SMITH, CHEAP BOOK WAREHOUSE, 136, CITY ROAD, LONDON, E.c. 90,000 Volumes, Theological and Miscellaneous, in various Departments of Literature, at very Low Prices. ESTABLISHED 1830 PATRICK TRAYNOR, "OLD" BOOKSELLER, 29 & 30, Essex Quay, Dublin, Will send copies of his Catalogues on receipt of address. Curious, interesting, and useful Old Books always in stock. William Wesley & Son, SCIENTIFIC BOOKSELLERS & PUBLISHERS 28, Essex Street, Strand, London. LTHOUGH it is not so stated on the title-page, it is nevertheless a fact that Mr. James Baldwin's "The Book-Lover : A Guide to the Best Reading," which G. P. Putnam's Sons have just issued, is a new and cheaper edition of a book which has had a very considerable popularity in a more expensive form. We are not at all surprised that it has sold well, for it is exceedingly entertaining as well as useful. Personally, we dislike Courses of Reading and Schemes for Practical Study to which Mr. Baldwin refers, but when such things have been decided upon it is at all events very desirable to have a competent guide, and Mr. Baldwin may certainly claim to be this. The elder Pliny declared that no book was so bad but that some part of it might be read with profit, but amid the high pressure at which every phase of life is now carried on we cannot afford to read every book we come across upon the plea that it may contain something of profit for us. This was possible at a period when half a dozen books were considered a fairly extensive library even for a man of means and culture. Now, it is necessary to obtain the greatest amount of knowledge with the least possible waste of time. After a chapter of wise hints as to the choice of books, Mr. Baldwin gives some equally solid advice as to the best manner of reading, and then on the value and use of libraries. We might traverse a good many of the hints he lays down in his chapter on "Books for every Scholar," but our disagreements would perhaps be more matters of opinion than of fact. After several practical chapters, Mr. Baldwin comes to the almost inevitable question as to "The Best Hundred Books," and into this extremely debatable matter we do not now propose to enter. We can thoroughly com mend Mr. Baldwin's little book, which is daintily got up and deserves an extensive sale. The annual volume of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.'s English Illustrated Magazine is not nearly so interesting from a purely literary point of view as some of its predecessors. The articles which will attract the reader of literary or artistic tastes are few indeed as compared with previous years. Archdeacon Farrar's paper on three portraits of Milton is good, and that on Messrs. W. H. Smith & Sons is graphic and exceedingly interesting. But even this article does not give a full idea of the wonderful order and magnitude of W. H. Smith & Sons' business. The astonishment is that there should be so few mistakes, and that every blunder is so readily traced to its immediate source. To every one interested in athletic sports, in natural history, and in railways, this volume will be especially welcome; whilst for any one, old or young, it would be difficult to name a handsomer presentation book. It has become an annual pleasure both to read and to praise Mr. Joseph Jacob's charming books of fairy tales. This year he has gone to Indian sources for his inspiration, and it is almost needless to say that the field is peculiarly rich. Most authorities, including our friend Mr. Clouston, argue that India is the home of the Fairy Tale, and we think that, on the whole, their arguments have a great deal of force in them. The examples which Mr. Jacobs has selected for his book are not unfamiliar to students of the science of FolkLore, but they will not on that account be less welcome to readers who do not consider themselves as coming within that category. A few years ago the fairy story was regarded as peculiarly the property of young people, but this can no longer be said to be true. The subject has now become almost an exact science, and the origin of many of the stories a matter of study and inquiry as keen as the most important branches of historic doubt. So long as men like Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Andrew Lang take up the subject there will be no want of grown-up readers, and their books will continue to receive their proper position on the bookshelves of both old and young. Mr. Jacobs has been again fortunate in having the co-operation of Mr. J. D. Batten in giving, by his beautiful pictures, a vivid reality to these stories; and Mr. David Nutt, the publisher, is doubly fortunate in having two such harmonious collaborators. |