ul woodcuts that bring before us the actual appearance of
our forebears under the King-maker, Richard Crouchback, and Harry
Richmond? Or would you like to gather to yourself as many examples as you
may, in the finest possible condition, of the exquisite art of Aldo
Manuccio the elder? But perhaps the following, from a recent catalogue,
represents a class (20) more to your palate.

L'Histoire du tres fameux et tres redoute Palmerin d'Olive . . . .
traduite de Castillan en Francoys reueue et derechef mise en
son entier, selon nostre vulgaire moderne et usite, par Jean
Maugin, dit l'Angeuin. _With_ 45 _large spirited woodcuts (some
being nearly full-page) representing duels, battles, etc., and_
132 _large ornamental initial letters_. Folio, Paris, 1553.

Is your purse a light one? Then fifteenth-century books are denied you,
as are all other esteemed works of the Middle Ages such as romances and
classics. But there is hardly another heading in our list, save perhaps
the first editions of the great authors, which you may not make your own.
Almost every subject has its bibliography, and many fresh volumes are
added yearly to the ever-increasing list of 'books about books.' You will
find what bibliographies have appeared upon your particular subject, up
to 1912, by referring to Mr. W. P. Courtney's 'Register of National
Bibliography,' which should be (if indeed it is not) in every public
library throughout the kingdom.

Some day an enterprising public body will purchase a building with
fifty-five rooms (or thereabouts), each of which will contain a small and
carefully selected collection of books on each one of these subjects.
Each room will have its own catalogue and its own librarian, who will be
an expert in the subject over which he presides. The rooms, of course,
will vary in size according to the magnitude of the subject and the
number of sub-headings which it comprises. Readers will have access to
the shelves in almost every case, books of great value alone being kept
under lock and key.

How invaluable such a library would be, and what a vast amount of time
would all readers be saved! We should know instantly to whom to turn for
expert advice upon any subject--for the sub-librarians would naturally be
acquainted with more than the mere outsides of the volumes in their
charge. We should be able to handle the latest works upon our subject
immediately; and we should have, ready to our han