15 JULY 1922, Page 3

On Friday, July 7th, Lord Balfour presided at the annual

meeting of the London Library. He was able to endorse a most satisfactory report, as also was Mr. Gosse, who, we are glad to note, was elected as Vice-President. That is a most appropriate appointment in every way. We confess ourselves in a condition amounting to perennial preferential prejudice in respect of the London Library. It must have faults, but we cannot discover them. To be particular, there is nothing in the world to match the benevolent courtesy, ready intelligence, and a helpfulness amounting to divination which mark the whole staff of the Library, from Mr. Hagberg Wright to the youngest official. If Satan lost the Registers of Hell and strayed into the London Library in hopes of getting information as to the authorship of books, &o., he would get it in five minutes and return comforted to his spiritual home. Bucking- ham Palace cannot show more politeness and well-bred con.; sideration than the corner house in. St. James's Square. The " aura " of the building is one of distinction, quietness, ease, and insight. Long may the Library flourish. It is a standing proof of the virtues of the Voluntary System.