THE BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE.
The humorous article under the above title in your issue of December 29th must have amused many readers who have struggled with similar difficulties. In pre-War years I had been duly provided with a reader's ticket, but in those stren- uous times it had _disappeared, and when passing, through Paris in November last I had occasion to go and hunt for some pamphlets which I believed to be in the Library. I knew there was not time to go to the Embassy and put the matter through in the ordinary manner, so I presented myself in the office of Monsieur le Secretaire, at 9 a.m., and on my request for a . temporary reading ticket he asked, naturally enough, if I had any _ papiers .d'identith "—I had not even my passport (which is a War-time issue, and too large to carry about), but had in my purse my reading tickets for the- British -Museum Library arid the Add.' M.SS. room. On scrutinizing these he pronounced them to be " excellents," and then and there gave me the necessary permit ! - Would- the British Museum „authorities_ have. been as „kind or as, prompt ? " Honour where honour is due."--Hp.anFrrA, TAYLER, 181 Queen's Gate, S.W.
Your account of the Bibliotheque Nationale has interested me very much, as it is almost word for *Ord my own experi- ence, which hitherto I have attributed to some exceptional' stupidity on my part. At least I did so attribute it till I went to the Archives Nationales where civility and helpfulness are to be found. Though our own Record Office Staff are kind and helpful I have found the Archives an easier place to work at.—M. A. Muritiax (Aisistant Professor), University of London, University College, Gower Street, London, W.C.1.
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