s Mr. Ticknor his belief in
making a library "popular," the writer denies that his
belief justifies the inclusion of fiction. His position
seems to be that, praiseworthy as much of it is, fiction
should not be supplied to the public from the public funds.
The present attitude, that this is a matter to be settled by
the public itself, is repudiated in set terms and with
somewhat picturesque illustrations, by Mr. Quincy. His
stalwart advocacy of the library as a supplement to the
school is what justifies the inclusion of his paper in this
collection. Those who desire to follow Mr. Quincy a little
farther may read the next paper in the above-named
collection entitled "The Abuse of Reading."

Josiah Phillips Quincy was born in Boston, Nov. 28, 1829
and graduated at Harvard in 1850, the son of the statesman
Josiah Quincy who was also president of Harvard. He was
admitted to the bar in 1854, but afterward engaged in
business and in farming, also writing freely on civic and
economic subjects.

This is a one-sided paper. Something might be said on the other side;
but, as that is the popular side, it is likely to receive full justice.
In behalf of an unconverted minority, who should be represented through
the press, if nowhere else, I desire to register a dissent from the
prevailing opinion concerning the function of libraries sustained by the
taxation of towns and small municipalities. The importance of
stimulating thought upon subjects bearing ever so remotely upon our
fiscal requirements, I conceive to be far greater than may superficially
appear. For when the mass of our people clearly comprehend what
government should not be called upon to do for them, they will insist
upon its performing duties which are manifestly within its sphere of
action. Laboring men and women are to-day suffering from the
adulteration of their food and drink, and from a system of taxation
which oppresses them with weighty and unjust burdens. Their deliverance
can only come by dismissing legislators who are disciples of what may be
called the Todgers school of economy; that remarkable matron, as Dickens
tells us, caring little for the solid sustenance of her boarders,
provided "the gravy" was abundant and satisfactory.

Upon what principle can the citizen, who thinks before he casts his
ballot, justify himself in voting increased taxes upon his neighbors for
the purpose of e