-filled
shelf neat and tidy. An alternative to this is the old plan of inserting
dummies, whereby no blanks are seen. As I have so strongly advocated
shelves the tops of which are within reach of the hand, I need not say
much about steps, but where steps are really needed, they should be
_very_ light, and capable of being easily lifted with one hand. They
should have an upright rod support rising about four feet above the top
step; this for the purpose of safety when using the steps. Cabinets of
drawers for prints and very large books should also be secured if
required, and cushioned desks for books with metal bosses or metal
mountings of any description. Last, but by no means least, let there be
good ink, and plenty of it; good pens, and a variety of them; and good
blotting-paper, frequently renewed; and paper-knives of various sizes.

FOOTNOTE:

[50] _The Story of my House._

_The Library Annexe._

What in many ways is an ideal library is a library housed in a building
specially constructed as an annexe to a residence. I feel sure that,
within the next ten years, there will be many moderately wealthy men who
will be anxious to form libraries and special collections of books,
housing them in this way. The idea is only new as applied to large
country mansions. Hitherto students of moderate means have managed to
construct buildings specially adapted for study and free from
interruption. The only instance of a library annexe attached to a
country mansion with which I am acquainted is the recent and very
notable instance at Hawarden, of which more later. The late Vicar of
Middleton Cheney, in Oxfordshire, and, I think, Dr. Jessopp, of
Scarning, have both found that their work has been assisted by library
annexes. Horace Walpole said of Topham Beauclerk that he had built a
library in Great Russell Street, that reached 'half-way to Highgate.'
Lord Bacon spent ten thousand pounds in building himself a retreat in
his grounds at Gorhambury.

Mr. Gladstone's scheme at Hawarden is likely to be followed by many
others. Of course the Hawarden library has been endowed, and made
practically open and free. It is the idea of a private library as a
temple of peace for the owner and his visitors which we would like to
see extended. One fancies that books might be on a better footing in
country houses if they had the honour of a separate building. Then they
would, at any rate, be on as good a footing as the stables or as the