POISONOUS LITERATURE.
[TO THE EDITOR 01 THE "SPECTATOR.']
SIR, —I shall be glad if you can find space in your columns for the enclosed letter, which has been addressed to the principal London publishers by the Circulating Libraries Association.—I am, Sir, &c., E. WINTERTON, Secretary. Regent House, Regent Street, W.
"DEAR Snl„—A meeting of the managers of the principal London circulating libraries has been held to discuss a matter which for some time past has been causing annoyance to their subscribers
and inconvenience to themselves. - -
We refer to the circulation by the libraries of books which are regarded as transgressing the dictates of good taste in subject or treatment. Much undeserved adverse criticism has fallen upon the libraries, who in their endeavours to avoid giving offence, have repeatedly called in such books from circulation, and in con- sequence have suffered considerable loss. In order to protect our interests, and also, as far as possible, to satisfy the wishes of our clients, we have determined in future that we will not place in circulation any book which by reason of the personally scandalous, libellous, immoral, or otherwise disagreeable nature of its contents is, in our opinion, likely to prove offensive to any considerable section of our subscribers. We have, therefore, decided to request that in future you will submit to us copies of all novels and any books about the character of which there can possibly be any question at least one clear week before the date of publication. Unless time is given to us to read the books before they are pub- lished, it is impossible for us to avoid that annoyance to our sub- scribers for which we, and not the publishers, are generally held responsible.
We trust that you will not consider that the action we are taking in this matter is in any sense an attempt on our part to become censors, and we hope that you will co-operate with us by informing us that you consent to our request. . .
Will you kindly address your reply to Mr. E. Winterton, Hon. Secretary, Regent House, Regent Street, W. ?—Yours faithfully,
MIDDLE'S SELECT LIBRARY, LIMITED. W. H. Spurn AND Sox's LIBRARY. Boor's Boom,ovEse LIBRARY. "THE TIMES" Boox CLUB.
DAY'S LD3RARY, LIMITED.
CAWTHORN AND HUTT, LIMITED."
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