Page:The small library. A guide to the collection and care of books (IA smalllibraryguid00browiala).pdf/42

 man who will not expend a little money to provide a few necessary books. Cases are on record of persons who have starved themselves in order to 'save up' for a sideboard, in which to store a few wedding presents and half a dozen bottles of soda-water; their ignorance, the while, of every vital fact of live being such, through neglect of the information contained in books, that they were incompetent to take part in a discussion on any subject. It is extraordinary to what an extent shrewd and naturally intelligent business men will speak about literature as frivolous and not worth consideration in the struggle for life. By literature they seem to recognize only novels and poetry; never, as a rule, the books in which are recorded the world's history; the facts of life as seen by successive observers; the technique, history and special advantages of every trade, process or profession; the wisdom of the world's best men; in short, the only permanent records of what has already been accomplished by human beings in every department of life. They will make the cheap, inaccurate, and ephemeral information dispensed by the newspaper serve their turn, and from it they will take their politics, religion, and tips for financial speculations. Now, this is not as it should be, in a country which is threatened on every side by serious competition, in spite of the educational facilities provided by the State. It is not enough to have books on view at Public Libraries. In a critical time like the present, when intelligence and knowledge are at a premium, it is just as important