Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/260

 248 The Library. to be congenial. He had often thought that of all occupations that of a librarian should have the greatest fascination. To be able to range about a library like that, keeping records of the literature in hand, con- sidering what a limited amount would produce in books every year, and the claims of the different works upon public attention, was the pleasantest of occupations. He was not sure that they knew enough yet of the history and development of those institutions. How interesting it would be to them five years hence to know to what extent the advan- tages offered had been utilised ! Would it be the novel of to-day, the modern novel, that would be most taken up ? What part would the old classics of our literature, the Walter Scotts and others of that class, take in supplying the taste of the new generation ? Would the young read the same books they read when he and his hearers were young? What would be the attitude of the working-classes towards the great authors of the day ? He thought the ratepayers would be deeply interested to see to what extent the expenditure had been justified by looking to the degree of amusement on the one hand, or of learning on the other, which had been supplied. It was stated that of the funds only ,400 a year would be available for books ; but it was astonishing in these days how far a ^5 note would go in the purchase of books. (Hear, hear.) To some ad- advanced student he would like to put this question : " Here is $ to spend on books, what books will you buy for it, and how many books can you buy for it ?" He understood that a great many of the library books were secondhand, not from the lending libraries where fashionable fingers had played too much havoc with the pages, but from the second-hand dealers. On looking through booksellers' catalogues he was astonished at the low prices. A book issued in all the glory of 305. came down to 45. 6d. " uncut and perfectly fresh." He was afraid, however, that the student of literature must have the spirit of independence, and not form judgments according to those whose business it was to excite a " boom." (Hear, hear.) There were many of those ill-fated works ticketed 45. 6d. in the secondhand shops which were worth attention, and it had been ever so in the history of literature. Many of the greatest works in the English and other languages had not been "boomed" on their appear- ance, but their worth had nevertheless been great. (Hear, hear.) Many a cheap book, therefore, was also a useful book. And now he had only to express the hope that their Library would be so supported that it would be a credit to the parish of St. George, Hanover Square ; that it would ever have a purifying and ennobling influence on those who entered its walls ; that it would, in short, prove a benefit to all classes of the community. (Applause.) With feelings of the greatest pleasure he declared the Library open. (Loud applause.) Sir William Flower, Director of the Natural History Museum, in an address dealing more particularly with the Natural History Collection presented by Mr. Newcombe, said in that direction he would not echo a wish expressed by Mr. Goschen with regard to the books that many would be induced to contribute to the Library, or he was afraid in course of time the attention of visitors to the Natural History Room would be directed to a notice : " Rubbish may be shot here," but with proper acquisitions and arrangements, the museum would be one of which the parish might well be proud. He asked them to accord a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Goschen for the most eloquent speech he had made on the subject of that Library. The resolution having been seconded by the Rev. J. H. Ellison, and supported by Lord Walsingham, was put and carried unanimously. Mr. Goschen replied, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Commissioners the proceedings terminated, and the visitors present were conducted over the Library.