Free Town Libraries. By Edward Edwards. (Tritbner.)—Mr. Edwards tells us,
in his preface, that he intends this volume to serve "as a handbook for promoters and managers of free town libraries." For this purpose, he has collected a great mass of information, both from foreign and American sources—all the information, we should say, that was to be collected. A thorough acquaintance with his subject enables him to give some suggestions of the greatest practical value.. There is, for instance, an account of the state of the law on the subject,. and advice as to the course to be followed by those who are anxious to set it in operation. It may not be generally known that a simple majority of ratepayers (not a majority of two-thirds, as was previously required) is sufficient to impose a library-rate not exceeding a penny in the pound. Considering that our sewers cost us here in London some- thing more than a shilling, the amount is not extravagantly large. Besides this, we have hints as to the best methods of proceeding when the rate has been obtained ; the internal arrangements and regulations. to be made for the libraries ; the form of cataloguing, &c. The volunns is of the very highest value as a work of reference ; but we should be very glad to see the distinctively practical part put in a more accessible shape. A large octavo of more than 600 pages has a formidable appear- ance, which might deter some persons who are really interested in the subject, but whose literary digestion may not be of the strongest. They would probably feel but little interest in the copious and learned catalogue of book-collectors which Mr. Edwards appends to his treatise, —a catalogue which all bibliographists will value very highly, but which the general reader will probably regard as very dreary, and which really does not properly belong to the subject. A thoroughly practical hand-book, which an easy process of abridgment might make. out of the volume, ought to be, and, we believe, really would be, a great BUMS&
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