Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/84

 72 The Library. The word " Inscriptions " occupies twenty pages, four columns, and the larger part of it is closely set in small type. After a page and a half relating to inscriptions generally, the entries are arranged under the specific language in which the inscriptions recorded appear in alphabetical order : Anglo-Saxon, Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, and so on. Cunei- form inscriptions occupy three columns, Greek nine columns, Latin ten columns, Phoenician two columns, Sanskrit two columns. It may be doubted if the student of inscriptions will find in any other catalogue existing, so full and satisfactory a guide to the literature of his subject. The word " Drama " occupies seventy-six pages, and includes a systematic arrangement of works and of articles on each branch of dramatic literature and art. The writings of all authors in this line of literature are duly entered or referred. The most remarkable feature of the article, however, is a list of plays of all periods, and in many languages, arranged in alphabetical order of the title. The list extends to more than 100 columns of small type, and contains a good many thousand titles ; and the necessary references are provided to show the reader where each edition of each play may be found. It seems something in the nature of an anti-climax to say that the typography of the work is excellent. By the judicious use of various kinds of type the eye is greatly assisted, and after a little use of the volumes picks out the required item almost without effort. It is hardly necessary to state that the catalogue is extremely accurately printed, and that errors of the press are " conspicuous by their absence." It remains to make some reference to those by whom this work has been accomplished. The first Provost of the Peabody Institute, Dr. Nathaniel H. Morison, was responsible for preparing the plan of the catalogue, and for its general control and supervision. Its execution was under the immediate charge of Dr. Philip R. Uhler, to whose suggestion many of its most characteristic and valuable features are due. Other members of the staff who are honourably mentioned are Mr. Troeger, and Mr. Parker. Dr. Morison signed the prefatory notes to the first four volumes, but did not live to witness the completion of the fifth. He was succeeded in his office of Provost by Dr. Uhler, who, in the preface to the fifth volume, after fitting reference to his pre- decessor's death, states briefly the course and object of the work,