adopted. The article as amended reads: "There shall be regular meetings of the club on the second Thursday of each October, November, January, March, and May," the February meeting being omitted and the first meeting occurring in October instead of November. The following new members were then admitted: J. T. Gerald, General Theological Seminary; Miss Jessie Hume, Long Island City; Miss Irma Blake, W. 91st street, New York; Miss Gertrude A. Brewster, Lenox Library.

and others, Guerber's "Legends of the Madonna and Christ," and "Church unity," by Shields and others, might be omitted; while additions might include Argyle's "Philosophy of belief," the author's masterpiece; Fisher's "History of Christian doctrine," of first importance; Speer's "Study of the man Christ Jesus," Byington's "Puritan in England and New England," Strong's "Christian ethics," and Scott's " Origin and development of the Nicene theology.'

Natural science and Useful arts were reviewed by T. L. Montgomery, who, as at Cleveland, gave rather short shrift to the "popular" scientific books represented by Trowbridge's "What is electricity?" and Chambers's "Story of the solar system.' Among those commended were Mrs. Dana's "Plants and their children," Martin's "Story of a piece of coal," and Mathews's "Familiar trees and their leaves," while the list should certainly include Smith's "Economic entomology," one of the best scientific books of the year.

Mr. Cutter prefaced his talk on books in Fine arts by a few words on the principles to be observed in buying art-books for public libraries. He thought that books that teach technique are not the first books to be desired, but that it is quite as necessary to have works not of information but of inspiration on art themes. Of the books listed he mentioned as of special value Gardner's "Handbook of Greek sculpture," Muther's " History of modern painting," Sturgis's "European architecture," and Tarbell's "History of Greek art"; while the selection should also include Berenson's "Flor

The meeting then entered upon the discussion and criticism of the best books of 1896, to which the rest of the afternoon was devoted. This exercise was modelled upon the A. L. A. catalog supplement session at Cleveland, and like that, proved to be of the greatest interest and usefulness. There can be little doubt that these critical "book talks," so happily planned by Miss Cutler, have found permanent place in library meetings, and that they can in a measure solve some of the difficulties of library reviewing, touched upon in the morning's discussion of what librarians should read. A classed list of 489 of the leading books of 1896 had been prepared at the New York State Library, and was distributed to those in attendance at the meeting, while the books in the various divisions were presented and commented upon by various speakers, whose choice, however, was not limited to the list, which was simply a tentative selection, subject to revision. The speaker for each subject or group of subjects was allowed 10 minutes, except in the case of fiction and juvenile books, where 20 minutes each were given. After a few words of introduction by Mr. Eastman, Mr. Peoples pre-entine painters of the Renaissance," Vernon sented his selection of the reference-books of 1896, adding to the five titles given in the printed list over 30 books of reference published during the year. Among the titles added were "American book-prices current," and its English congener, "Book-prices current," the "American and English cyclopædia of law." Bowerman's "Bibliography of religious denominations in the U. S.," the "Commercial year-book," and the "Cumulative index," the second catalog of Peabody Institute, Pirrie's "Dictionary of sea terms," Scott's "Book sales of 1895," Taylor's "Names and their histories," and the recent "Catalogue of government documents," issued by Supt. F. A. Crandall.

E. C. Richardson, of Princeton University, was assigned the books on Philosophy and ethics and Religion. In the first division, if any titles were to be omitted, he suggested that Bigelow's "Mystery of sleep," Horton's "On the art of living together," and Mrs. Whitney's "Friendly letters to girl friends," might be dispensed with, and in their place recommended Butler's works, edited by Gladstone; Titchenor's "Outline of psychology," and Weber's "History of philos ophy," which was said to be the first choice of all books in that class for the year. In religion commendation was given to Abbott's "Christianity and social progress," Abraham's "Jewish life in the middle ages," David's "Buddhism," and Vincent's Age of Hildebrand"; "The Bible and the child," by Dean Farrar

Lee's "Renaissance fancies and studies," Goodyear's "History of art," 5th edition, and Evans's "Animal symbolism in ecclesiastical architecture."

The list of books in Social science included 35 titles, and the presentation of this division was the most valuable feature of the session, occupying about half an hour instead of the 10 minutes assigned. It was reviewed by Prof. Franklin H. Giddings, of Columbia University, who submitted each book to a brief, authoritative, and masterful analysis, and added to the list a number of important works that should be included in any selection on the subject. It is impossible to give within necessary limits an adequate idea of the value and importance of Prof. Giddings's summary; only a few of the books mentioned may be briefly noted. Among those specially commended were "The speaker of the House of Representatives," by M. P. Follett, "the best book of the year"; "Problems of modern democracy," by E. L. Godkin; Hobson's Problem of the unemployed"; Keasebey's "Nicaragua canal and the Monroe doctrine"; Le Bon's "The crowd"; Lowell's "Government and parties in continental Europe,' ," "a great book"; Nicholson's "Strikes and social problems"; and "America and Europe," by D. A. Wells and others. Those considered unnecessary were Flint's "Socialism," "not worth the paper it is printed on"; and McKechnie's "The state

and the individual." Spahr's Essay on the present distribution of wealth in the United States," while in a measure commended, was said to be not wholly fair in the use of statistics. Necessary additions to the list should include Gannett's "Building of a nation," Stimson's Handbook to the labor laws of the United States," and Chance's "Better administration of the poor laws."

Miss Mary W. Plummer reviewed the year's production in travel, classifying the books by countries, beginning with Japan and ending with France. She gave special praise to Hearn's "Kokoro," Jaccaci's "On the trail of Don Quixote," and Theurict's "Rustic life in France," and named among additions to the list Skinner's "Myths and legends of our own land," the new editions of Horner's "Walks in Florence," Dennie's "Rome," Arnold's "Persia revisited," and Withers's "English and Dutch in South Africa."

Biography had been assigned to Miss M. S. Cutler, who divided the books into two lists: first, those of the most valuable, and second, those of a more popular nature. Among the best biographies of the year she named Barrie's " Margaret Ogilvy," Morse's "Life and letters of Oliver Wendell Holmes," Dr. Hosmer's "Life of Thomas Hutchinson," Lowell's "Joan of Arc," "which gives Mrs. Oliphant's Jeanne d'Arc" no reason for existence"; Sloane's "Napoleon," Rossetti's "Family letters," Ford's and Wilson's biographies of Washington, and John Burroughs's "Whitman.' Also notable in this class were Shorter's "Charlotte Brontë," Mrs. Fields's "Authors and friends"; Mrs. Clarke's "My long life "Dolly Madison," by Mrs. M. W. Goodwin' Lodge's "Richelieu"; Romanes's "Life and letters "; and Rae's "Sheridan."

Fiction was presented by Miss Helen E. Haines, who confessed to having read 43 of the 81 novels recorded in the printed list, besides a number not there included. She had selected 24 books as representing the best fiction of 1896, and had divided them into two groups first best and second best. The first list included Barrie's "Sentimental Tommy"; "King Noanett," by F. J. Stimson; "Sir George Tressady," by Mrs. Humphry Ward; "Weir of Hermiston," Stevenson's great fragment; | "The well at the world's end," William Morris's last work; Frederic's "Damnation of Theron Ware"; "The seats of the mighty," by Gilbert Parker; "The Reds of the Midi," by Felix Gras," and four books not given on the printed list but that should certainly be included: "Nephelé," by F. W. Bourdillon; "A king and a few dukes," by Robert Chambers; "Earth's enigmas," by C. G. D. Roberts, and “The cat and the cherub,” by Chester Bailey Fernald. Among the books in the second division were Mrs. Wiggin's "Marm Lisa"; "The exploits of Brigadier Gerard," by A. Conan Doyle; "Silk of the kine," by L. McManus; Crawford's "Taquisara"; Kate Carnegie," and three additions to the printed list, "Quo vadis," by H. Sienkiewicz; "Green"that is, no book worthy to be put into the A. fire," by Fiona Macleod, and Alice Brown's short stories, Meadowgrass." Four books were added in a separate group, as having received praise and popularity, but as not belonging, in the speaker's opinion, to the best fiction of 1896. These were Mark Twain's " Joan of Arc," characterized as out of touch with the spirit of the time and people it represented and lacking historical perspective; "Madelon," by Mary E. Wilkins; " Adam Johnstone's son," by F. Marion Crawford; and "Tom Grogan," by F. Hopkinson Smith. In the brief discussion that followed, "Gaston Latour," Walter Pater's last novel, was added to the list by Mr. Richardson, and "Tom Grogan" found several adherents, who dismissed the charge of sensationalism by proving that the story was founded almost wholly upon fact.

Literature was reviewed by Miss Mary L. Davis, of the Pratt Institute Free Library, who gave most attention to the poetry of the year. She divided the books into two classes "those we must have," and those we can do without. Among those specially named were Johanna Ambrosius's poems, "W. V.: her book," Kipling's "Seven seas," Watson's "Purple east," and Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poems. Suggested additions included Suderman's "Magda," Christina Rossetti's poems, "Egbert's Introduction to the study of Latin inscriptions," and Sharp's "Lyra Celtica."

History was to have been reviewed by Mr. Larned, in whose absence it was passed over, and Miss Hewins gave a delightful talk on the children's books of 1896. The year, she said, had produced no very good book for children, L. A. selected list." Mrs. Moulton's "In childhood's country" she thought unsuitable for children; Wesselhoeft's "Jerry the blunderer" was not in all respects desirable, while Crockett's "Sweetheart travellers" would not appeal particularly to juvenile readers. Among the books given qualified approval were James Barnes's "For king and country"; Henty's three books of the year; and Kirk Munroe's 'Rick Dale." Eliza Orne White's "A little girl of long ago" and Lang's "Animal storybook" ranked as the best books of the year in that division.

This closed the day's program. After a few words the meeting was declared adjourned, and the audience dispersed, most of them making their way to the Clarendon Hotel, where all met again at the usual "library dinner," with which the joint meeting usually gives a social finish to its day of work. This year the dinner, though enjoyable, was a less important affair, being quite subordinated to the evening meeting in the Academy of Music arranged by the Brooklyn Public Library Association. There were no post-prandial exercises, and most of the diners left the last items of the menu undiscussed, in order to reach the academy by eight o'clock. The academy meeting, which is reported elsewhere in this issue, was wholly successful and brought to an end what must rank as one of the best library field-days New York state has known.

Secretary: Miss E. C. Doren, Public Library, Dayton,

Treasurer: C. B. Galbreath, State Library, Columbus.

PEINSYLVANIA LIBRARY CLUB.

President: Jos. G. Rosengarten, Free Library, Philadelphia. Secretary C. S. Kates, Free Library, Philadelphia.

Treasurer: Mrs. M. A. Resag, Institute Free Library, Wilmington, Del.

THE December meeting of the Pennsylvania Library Club was held at the Drexel Institute on Monday evening, Dec. 14, 98 members being present.

readers in telling them that if they did not know Latin, the best plan was to look in a note for the translation, and if no such note was given, then to pass on to the next paragraph. Her paper was received with applause, and the club then proceeded to discuss other business.

With reference to the continuation of the Ames catalog, it was explained on behalf of the committee who had charge of this matter that the club did not desire to express any opinion as to who should be the person selected to make the desired continuation, and that an interview had been requested with Mr. Harmer at Washington in order that the committee might lay before him the reasons that weighed with librarians in urgently asking for the continuance of the catalog. An early interview has been promised, and the action of the committee was unanimously approved.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA LIBRARY CLUB.

President: W: M. Stevenson, Carnegie Li

After an examination of some of the rare books in the Drexel Institute Library which were exhibited by Miss Kroeger, the meeting|brary, Allegheny. was called to order by the vice-president, Mr. T. L. Montgomery, in the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. J. G. Rosengarten.

The principal business of the evening was a discussion upon the life and works of Robert Burton. Dr. McAlister, president of the Drexel Institute, opened the discussion by relating some reminiscences of his enjoyment of the Anatomy of melancholy" when a young student. Mr. Thomson, of the Free Library, followed with an account of the life of the author, and explained that but little was known of Burton's life, owing to the fact that he was a quiet country parson who proved his title to be called a bookworm by having for 20 years devoted himself to secluded studies in the Bodleian Library, in which building, with the aid of the then librarian of that celebrated centre of books, he amassed a large part of the material forming his extraordinary work on melancholy. The speaker gave several illustrations of Burton's characteristics collected from Hearne, Disraeli, Anthony and Wood, Notes and Queries, and such other sources of anecdotes. It was pointed out that Burton did not write the "Anatomy," but that we owe this work to Bacon, who so generously gave us his own books, the Shakespeare plays, this "Anatomy," together with a few other hundred series of works which have passed hitherto under the names of other writers. The 19th century "higher criticism" is undoubtedly monotonous, and it is rather disappointing to find that nobody wrote the works hitherto credited to him and that everything is the work of some other fellow.

Miss Mary Farr, now librarian of the Girls' Normal School in Philadelphia, and formerly first assistant at the West Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library, followed with a clever paper dealing with the merits both bibliographical and literary of Burton's work. The criticisms advanced lacked melancholy in every sense, and her troubles in dealing with the Latin portions were described with a tinge of real humor. She gave advice to other

Secretary-Treasurer: W: R. Watson, Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh.

VERMONT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

President: Miss S. C. Hagar, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington.

Secretary: Miss M. L. Titcomb, Free Library, Rutland.

Treasurer: E. F. Holbrook, Proctor.

WISCONSIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. President: F. A. Hutchins, Baraboo. Secretary and Treasurer: Miss L. E. Stearns, Public Library, Milwaukee.

THE meeting of the Wisconsin Library Association, originally scheduled for Jan. 28 and 29, 1897, has been deferred until February 22 and 23, 1897.

Programs may be obtained after February 1 by addressing L. E. STEARNS, Secretary.

LIBRARY SECTION OF THE WISCONSIN
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

THE meeting of the Wisconsin Teachers' Association, at Milwaukee, on Dec. 29, 30, and 31, will be memorable for the prominence given to library matters. At the December meeting, in 1895, the teachers' association voted to give a "library section" a permanent place on its program.

At the general session of the association, held on the morning of Dec. 30, Melvil Dewey, state librarian of New York, spoke on "The mission of the modern library.' Mr. Dewey's address was discussed by Miss L. E. Stearns, secretary of the Wisconsin Library Commission.

The questions, "How can the public library be made an aid to the schools?" and "How can interest in literature be stimulated in communities which have no public library?" were then thrown open for a general discussion, in which Miss Mae E. Schreiber, C. E. Patzer, H. B. Hubbell, R. B. Dudgeon, and J. C. Freeman took part.

The discussion was followed by a report on "Needed library legislation," presented by President Albert Salisbury, of the Whitewater Normal School.

start a system for the use of the schools, under the supervision of the county superintendent, Miss Elvira Brickley, of Downsville, Wis.

After voting to hold another institute in March, 1897, the meeting adjourned.

Senator Stout tendered the visiting delegates The afternoon session was conducted by F. a dinner, after which Miss Maude A. Earley, A. Hutchins, chairman of the Wisconsin Li- of Chippewa Falls, Wis., spoke on the travelbrary Commission. While the morning meet-ling library movement in Chippewa county. ing of the association was mainly given to showing the need and value of libraries and their relations to schools, the afternoon session was devoted to showing Wisconsin people how to get libraries for their communities. Mr. Dewey opened the discussion by citing many ways of arousing interest and educating public sentiment. Dr. G. W. Peckham, of the Milwaukee Library, explained the peculiarities of the Wisconsin library laws.

Miss Mary Edgar, of Madison, then read a paper on her plan of awakening interest in the best literature. Miss Mae Schreiber, of the Milwaukee Normal School, then gave methods used by her in training student-teachers to read good literature with pleasure.

Much interest was evinced in these meetings; and the following sentiment, which appeared on the back of the programs issued by the commission, is in a fair way to be adopted as the

BADGER SLOGAN.

"Let every Wisconsin community celebrate the semi-centennial year by improving or founding a free public library.'

L. E. STEARNS, Secretary Lib. Section. WISCONSIN LIBRARIANS' INSTITUTE. THE officers and librarians of the Stout Free Travelling Libraries, of Dunn County, Wisconsin, held an institute at the Tainter Memorial Library at Menomonie, Wis, on Nov. 27, 1896. Mr. Hutchins, chairman of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, presided. The meeting was informal. Such problems as the following were discussed: How can we advertise the travelling library?" "How can we get the boys to read?" 'How can we secure careful treatment of the books?" "Can small permanent libraries be built up at the travelling library stations?" "Can magazines taken by patrons be circulated through the libraries?" Reports from the various libraries were presented. II of the 25 libraries of 30 volumes each show a total circulation of 1823 volumes in six months-a remarkable showing considering the sparsely-settled districts in which the volumes circulate.

The meeting is the more worthy of notice as it was undoubtedly the first of the kind ever held. L. E. STEARNS, Secretary Wisconsin Library Commission.

NORTH WISCONSIN TRAVELLING LIBRARY

ASSOCIATION.

President: Mrs. E. E. Vaughn, Ashland. Librarian and Treasurer: Miss Janet Green, Vaughn Library, Ashland.

A LARGELY attended and enthusiastic meeting of the North Wisconsin Travelling Library Association was held in the Vaughn Library, Ashland, on Monday, Dec. 28, 1896.

Three committees of five members each were appointed by the president. Ist, a committee on soliciting and selecting books; 2d, a committee on soliciting money; and 3d, a committee on soliciting members. Any one interested sociation by signing the constitution and payin the work may become a member of the asing during the year $1, or its equivalent in books.

It was decided to try to send out ro libraries before the first of February, and to confine the work to the following counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, and Iron.

The secretary reported that since the first meeting of the association between 60 and 70 books and a quantity of magazines had been contributed by the people of Ashland. A circular asking for books and periodicals has just been issued and distributed to the local papers, which it is hoped will bring a generous response. JANET M. GREEN, Secretary.

Library Clubs.

CHICAGO LIBRARY CLUB.

President: Anderson H. Hopkins, John Crerar Library.

Secretary: Miss May L. Bennett, 1888 Sheridan Road, Evanston.

Treasurer: W. W. Bishop, Garrett Biblical Institute.

After some discussion upon ways of making the libraries of greater value to communities, the members adjourned to the High School THE 32d regular meeting of the Chicago Libuilding, to meet with the Dunn County Teach-brary Club was held in the rooms of the Library ers' Institute, where papers were read by Miss Bureau, 215 Madison st., Chicago, Thursday L. E. Stearns, of Milwaukee, on "Children's evening, November 5, at eight o'clock. The reading," and by Miss Louise Sutermeister, of program was devoted to the discussion of the Eau Claire, on "The travelling library move- proposed union list of periodicals in the librament in America." Miss Waterston, a teacher ries of Chicago and immediate vicinity, to be at Knapp, Wis., read an interesting paper on compiled by the club. After a short paper by the "Influence of the travelling library in Mr. Anderson, which was strongly in favor of Pleasant Valley." The subject of travelling the work being undertaken by the club, the pictures was discussed, and it was decided to subject was thrown open for general discus

sion. The following resolutions were finally adopted:

"Resolved-"I. That the club deem it desirable to undertake the compilation and publication of a union list of the periodicals in the libraries of Chicago and the immediate vicinity.

"II. That there be appointed by the president a committee of two on finance, whose duty it shall be to secure the means necessary for the work.

"III. That there be also appointed by the president a committee of three on compiling and editing. This committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees and agents. It shall, with the advice and consent of the executive committee of the club, have entire charge of the work of preparing the union list of periodicals. "IV. The executive committee shall make monthly reports to the club of the progress of the work of these committees." MAY BENNETT, Secretary.

MILWAUKEE LIBRARY ROUND TABLE.

"A little work, a little play

To keep us going-and so good-day!"

A MEETING of the Milwaukee Library Round Table was held on Dec. 3, 1896. "The Vatican Library" the third of a series of papers on the great libraries of the world-was described by Miss Florence Olcott, and followed with a talk by Dr. Peckham on "Classification of animals."

The president was authorized to appoint a committee to be charged with the duty of preparing a handbook of the society, to contain a list of members and such other matter as the committee deemed appropriate.

The subscription for the LIBRARY JOURNAL was ordered renewed.

The following persons were elected as officers for the ensuing year: President, W. P. Cutter; librarian Department of Agriculture; Vicepresidents, Miss A. R. Hasse, office of the Superintendent of Public Documents; T. L. Cole, of the Statute Law Book Co.; Secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. H. Parsons (re-elected); Executive committee, Mr. Howard L. Prince, librarian U. S. Patent Office; Miss J. A. Clarke, librarian of the Department of Agriculture; Miss M. A. Gilkey, librarian Free Public Library.

F. H. PARSONS, Secretary and Treasurer.

Library Schools and Training Classes.

ARMOUR INSTITUTE LIBRARY CLASS.

AMONG recent speakers before the library class were Dr. John Watson ("Ian Maclaren "), who told of the work of the school with which he is connected in Liverpool; Mr. Thorvald Solberg, of the Boston Book Co., who gave an interesting talk on his experiences in foreign

At the meeting held on Dec. 17 Miss Agnes Van Valkenburgh made a talk on "Modern methods of book illustration." The talk was illustrated with samples of the different processes and proved exceedingly interesting. Miss L. E. Stearns gave a report on the Trav-book-stores; and Mr. Melvil Dewey, who visited elling library librarians' institute recently held at Menomonie, Wis., and also read a paper written by Miss Della Waterston, a teacher of Knapp, on "What the travelling library has done for Pleasant Valley."

NEW YORK LIBRARY CLUB. President: Miss M. W. Plummer, Pratt Institute Library, Brooklyn.

Secretary: Miss J. A. Rathbone, Pratt Institute Library, Brooklyn.

Treasurer: Miss Elizabeth Tuttle, Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn.

FOR report of joint meeting with N. Y. Library Association, see p. 33.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON

CITY.

President: W. P. Cutter, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Secretary and Treasurer: F. H. Parsons, U. S. Naval Observatory.

He

the Institute Dec. 31, and in the evening was
tendered a reception by the library class.
spoke informally upon the national library of

America.

The course of lectures on bookbinding, by Mr. Irving Way, of Way & Williams, began Jan. 5. It includes an introductory view of the subject, and separate discussions of preparation of ms. by author, selection of type and page form, machine vs. hand composition, preparation of proofs in galley and page form, selection of paper, ink and presswork, illustration, decoration, sending of press copies and putting books on the market.

Recent notes of work done by graduates are as follows:

Miss Mary J. Calkins, of the class of '96, is librarian of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago. Miss Maude R. Henderson, of the class of '96, has a position in the New York Public Library. Miss Charlotte H. Foye, who was in the library class from '95-6, has a position as assistant in the John Crerar Library, Chicago. Miss Eleanor Roper, of the class of '96, has been appointed assistant in the

THE annual meeting of the Library Association of Washington City was held at the Co-library of Armour Institute. lumbian University Building on Dec. 30, 1896. The reports of the retiring officers were listened to with pleasure, as they showed that the past year was one of profit and gain. Eight meetings have been held during that time, at which 13 papers upon subjects connected with the librarian's profession were read. The finances of the association were reported in good condition, 71 members being on the roll.

DREXEL INSTITUTE LIBRARY CLASS.

A COURSE of six lectures on "The history of books and libraries, including the rise and development of printing" will be delivered by Dr. James MacAlister, president of the Institute, in the auditorium of the Institute, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, beginning March 16. The lectures will be illustrated by