ner.

readers much larger. Mr. Barrett, the librarian, showed with just pride the workings of the institution and the great reading-room, where hundreds are constantly reading books and magazines. Then to Stirling's and Glas gow Public Library, in charge of Mr. Patterson, to Baillie's Institution Free Library in charge of Mr. Simpson, and then to the cathedral, which was shown by Mr. Chalmers, architect, who pointed out its monuments, beauties, and peculiar construction in a clear and able manFrom the cathedral to the grand City Chambers, thence through the beautiful West End Park to the magnificent buildings of the university, where the University Library, with more than 100,000 volumes, and the most interesting parts of the buildings were inspected, and the famous Hunterian Museum was visited, in charge of Dr. Young. An hour only was devoted to glimpses of the riches contained in these collections, and then the line of march was taken to the Windsor Hotel, where a substantial lunch was waiting. The Lord Provost presided. The usual toasts and kind remarks followed. As this was to be the last formal reception of the American party, an added note of heartiness was expressed by the speakers in their farewell remarks, and a warm appreciation voiced by the Americans of all the wealth of kindness and courtesy shown them by their English and Scotch cousins.

At 1.30 the Americans were driven to the station, ar then came the breaking up and dispersion of the party, which had journeyed together so pleasantly for nearly seven weeks. Some were to remain still longer and revel in the beauties of Scotland, England, and the Continent, and only 24 turned their faces homeward. At Liverpool a number, with the travelling habit still strong upon them, went to Chester and delighted their eyes with a sight of its quaint rows, walls, and cathedral. Others found time for the Art Gallery and Library in Liverpool, and Mr. Cowell, of the Liverpool Library, was the last to wave farewell as the Scythia left the wharf.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

Of the voyage home little need be said, but that little emphatic in dispraise of the Cunard Co. for retaining such a steamer in the passenger service, and taking good money for the tortures suffered on board. All state-rooms are in the stern, immediately over the machinery, and when, as happened in this case, the weather is rough, the screw is out of the water about one-fourth of the time, and sleep is impossible. A fellow-sufferer sends this characterization from Kipling, which is perfect:

"A ram-you-damn-you liner With a pair of bucking screws."

On the morning of August 23 the party landed in Boston, coming safely through the perils of the Custom House, and each one took his or her way home, happy in the memory of a most rich and delightful experience and glad once more to be on native soil.

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE fine new building of the Chicago Public Library was formally opened on the evening of Oct. 9, or "Chicago day," the 26th anniversary of the great fire, when a largely-attended reception, with appropriate exercises, was held in the beautiful delivery-room. Addresses were made by Charles Thornton, corporation counsel of Chicago, by A. F. Hirsch, president of the board of trustees, and by Rev. Dr. E. G. Hirsch, and the building was inspected by throngs of admiring citizens, visitors being guided by the library staff, who explained the various departments and their fittings. On Monday, Oct. 11, the library opened for business, and since then the regular routine has been carried on, although the final fittings and arrangements of the building are still to be completed.

The building, which has been in process of erection for about five years past, has cost nearly $2,000,000, and must rank as one of the finest library structures in the United States. Its cost was met by legislation permitting a special library tax, from which a gross annual appropriation of $500,000 was made available for a period of six years, a sum, however, that sustained considerable shrinkage on account of uncollected taxes. Now that the building is completed, a one-mill tax is authorized, which will result in an annual income of about $240,000. The site was chosen by the aldermen on April 2, 1890, and the foundations were laid in 1893. The building is located on Dearborn Park, formerly occupied by the Fort Dearborn Military Post, and it gives house-room to the local G. A. R. which occupies a fine separate series of rooms, on a 50-year lease-as well as to the library.

The ground-plan is rectangular, the eastern side fronting on Michigan avenue, and the northern and southern bounded respectively by Randolph and Washington streets. In style the building is massive, severe, and imposing, of gray Bedford stone, smooth finished, but the interior has been decorated with lavish richness, and elaborate care has been given to all details. The accompanying plans and view make clear the arrangement of the building.

The main entrance is at Washington street, where a great arch with magnificent bronze grille work and decorations leads into a 20-foot vestibule, on either side of which are two elevators, while in front is the grand stairway, 15 feet broad, leading to the delivery-room on the second floor. A second entrance is given on the Randolph street side, which is a simple portico with doric columns. The first floor is chiefly given up to the administrative work of the library. It contains the two delivery station rooms, where books are received from and given out to the delivery wagons; a telephone-room; the staff bicycle-room; the repair-room; a large room, now given up to public documents, but in which a bindery may some day be installed; a room in which the department for the blind will be placed, and the bound newspaper room. A mezzanine floor gives accommodation to the two well-lighted cataloging rooms, which are directly under the librarian's office and over the