Page:The Library, volume 5, series 3.djvu/341

 THE PANIZZI CLUB. 327 alternative schemes for the reform of the Poor Law and the Divorce Laws. When the new trees have been planted, when the General Workhouse has been abolished, when Women and Men get equal treatment in respect to marriage, then a Royal Commission on British Libraries may be regarded as a quick and pleasant method of getting all our ideals realized. Meanwhile the Panizzi Club may almost be said to have justified its existence by making the appointment of such a Commission somewhat less probable. Anyone who looks down our list of members will surely be inclined to say that our Club is equipped not only for existing, but for existing beautifully, by the adhesion of so many distinguished librarians. It has been urged that these distinguished men would have done better to approach the Council of the Library Association, and ask for a certificate entitling them to form themselves into a Branch. Following the example of the Library Assistants, we have preferred to form an organization of our own, while encouraging our members, as long as it is permitted them to do so, to become Fellows of the Library Association. Out of the string of good reasons which might be given for the course thus taken there is one, quite free from any controversial aspeft, which it seems worth while to emphasize at this our first business meeting. The Library Association, by virtue of its constitution and royal charter, is essentially a Public Body. The Panizzi Club, it may be hoped, will be regarded as essentially a Private one. Our membership, as has been said, certainly does not lack distinction ; but almost all