inch in
thickness. The edges are colored red, whatever the color of the sides.
The printed page is relatively wide, and the whole effect of the book is
that of a tiny quarto, though in reality the dimensions are those of a
rather small sixteenmo of normal proportions. Thus the volume produces
upon the eye the charm of daintiness, while the page contains a
sufficient amount of matter to make the volume profitable to the
purchaser.

This series naturally suggests comparison with the Tauchnitz editions,
which consist of volumes only slightly larger. But really no comparison
is possible. The Tauchnitz editions are merely convenient carriers of
letterpress. The Little Classics are a genuine art product. That the
latter book size has not been more widely used than it has, by its own
and by other publishers, is perhaps due to commercial reasons. But there
can be no question of the esthetic appeal which it makes upon the reader
who is looking for compactness and beauty rather than for the greatest
bulk for his money. With the modern demand for the saving of space in
private libraries we may reasonably look for a revival of this condensed
and charming book size.

The adoption of a few standard sizes for all books was urged some years
ago at a meeting of American librarians. Commenting on this proposal, a
New York publisher remarked that he should be glad to have such standard
sizes adopted by others, but he should take pains to avoid them in his
own publications in order to gain the distinction of difference. The
discussion stopped suddenly under the impact of this unexpected assault.
But a second thought shows that the publisher's comment leaves the
question still open. It is obvious that if we were to adopt standard
sizes based upon nothing more fundamental than the librarian's desire
for uniformity or the printer's mechanical convenience, without regard
to the tastes and preferences of the reader, who is the final judge, the
publisher might well find his gain in disregarding them. But if the
standards adopted all represented sizes long tested and approved by
popular favor, the publisher who should avoid them would display a
confidence in the Spirit of the Perverse as sublime as it would be
hazardous. Fortunately no formal standardization of book sizes is likely
to be attempted. But, keenly as a publisher would resent any limitation
upon his freedom in book design, he is just as keenly desirous that his
books shall be favor