Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 11.djvu/30

 NOTES AND QUERIES. [11 s. xi. JAN. 2,

University of Michigan, contributes articles on the Bodleian. He tells his American readers they catalogue of the books in the Bodleian, with a union catalogue of the books in all the other libraries of Oxford, nor a shelf-list made on your own approved plans, nor any system of classifica- tion which you mastered in your library school days." Among other articles in the October issue are ' Library Planning,' by Mr. James I. Wyer, Jun., Director of the New York State Library ; and ' Relation of the Library to the Boy Scout and Camp Fire Girl Movement,' by Miss Elizabeth Manchester.
 * ' must not expect to find here a complete card

In the number for November Mr. Joseph L. Wheeler describes the new quarters of the Los Angeles Public Library, opened on the 1st of June. Few public libraries play such a large, vital, and intimate part in the workaday life of the people as this does : it circulates 1,600,000 volumes a year, and all the books which the average reader wishes to see are on open shelves. Miss Morrow describes the adven- tures of the Librarians' party in Northern Europe ; Mr. E. L. Antrim reports on library development beyond the Mississippi ; and particulars are given of Library Schools.

The illustrations in the October number include the Bodleian and the New Administrative Build- ing of the University of Utah, with plan. In the November number the new headquarters of the Los Angeles Library and the interior of the main Library at Cleveland are represented.

MB. HUGH SPOTTISWOODE has again let loose his merry band of " Pie men," most of whom have already given us many a delectable dish. As the ' Pie,' which may be had for a shilling, was baked before the War broke out, we are happy in having it minus any war flavouring. We would, however, put in a plea that in future ' Pies ' we should have a few pretty faces to look at while enjoying the delicacy. Mr. Spottiswoode asks us to suggest to our readers that, after they have had their fill, the ' Pie ' should be sent on to those who are suffering and fighting for us.

The Cornhill starts the New Year with a good number. The two articles directly dealing with the war are of particular interest. Sir Desmond O'Callaghan in 'Guns and Explosives in the Great War ' gives in a form easily to be understood by the uninitiated, and in handy compass, information which is absolutely necessary for any one who wishes to follow 'the course of the war with intelligence. No doubt many readers will preserve the paper for reference. Mr. S. P. B. Mais in ' Public Schools in War-Time ' also contributes a paper which should be interesting beyond the moment of reading it, and which must prove peculiarly reassuring to the increasing number of thoughtful people who have come to regard with anxiety some of the aspects of Public School life and education. Sir Edward Thackerary offers a few reminiscences slight indeed, out having the attractiveness of what is first-hand of W. M. Thackeray between 1850 and 1862 ; and Sir Henry Lucy, out of his store of recollections, draws sundry pleasant par- ticulars about literary characters of his acquaint- ance. Tributes to Lord Roberts's memory are two poems by Katharine Tynan and Maud Diver, and a

sketch, with anecdotes illustrating chiefly his kindli- ness and courtesy, also from the pen of the latter. Sir Edward Clarke, out of his 'Leaves from a Lawyer's Casebook,' retells the striking story of Esther Pay. The " tips " concerning the effect on the jury of the ways of counsel are worth noting. In the * Gentlemen Glassmakers ' Sir James Yoxall has a fascinating subject which might with advan- tage have been treated more thoroughly, especially from the point of view of its interesting history on French soil. Col. McMunn provides a handful of exceedingly grim war-stories in 'At a Border Loophole.' The number begins with the first instalment of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's * Western Wanderings 'appreciations of the United States. The expectations with which the reader will embark on the article are not destined to disap- pointment. Particularly interesting we found the pages devoted to Mr. William Burns and to the American prison system. The short stories, too, are more worth while than usual. Mr. Erskine's ' A Crimean Episode ' to which an editorial note attaches the poignancy of truth has a theme deserving a master's treatment ; and we greatly enjoyed Prof. Jacks's racy and humorous 'Poor Man's Pig.'

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WE have lately received several communica- tions lacking either name for authentication or address, or both. We do not tiresomely make a point of these in the case of old correspondents, whose identity and names and addresses are already well known to us, though these, for the most part, are admirably careful in adhering to our rule. We would, however, remind new correspondents whom we cordially welcome that on all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

EDITORIAL communications should be addressed to "The Editor of ' Notes and Queries '"Adver- tisements and Business Letters to "The Pub- lishers " at the Office, Bream's Buildings. Chancery Lane, E.C.

B. C. S. (' Crooked Usage'). The origin of this name was discussed in 1902 (9 S. x. 147, 253, 417, 474) without a satisfactory conclusion. Our regretted correspondent COL. PBIDEAUX quoted from The Academy, and another contributor from The London County Council Staff Gazette of April, 1902, an explanation of " usage " as the strip of unturned grass between two allotments of plough- land. It was then presumed that where the passage called Crooked Usage was afterwards made such a strip ran crookedly. No authority, however, was brought forward for this explana- tion. The name has also been explained as ' crooked," because including a continuation which went off at an angle and has been separ- ately named, and " usage " = right of way.

MESSRS. C. & H. Forwarded.

MR. J. A. PAYN. We have forwarded your communication to the address of our correspondent E. L. F. of whom, however, we have not heard for some time.