THE NATIONAL HOME-READING UNION.
[To TRH EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."
Sin,—We desire to make known through your columns, at the commencement of a new winter session, the work which the National Home-Reading Union is doing during the war, and to appeal for continued public sympathy and support.
The last twelve months have been for the Union a time of increased difficulties, but also of new opportunities. Its aim is, now as before, to guide, help, and stimulate all who have been taught to read in using this power for good, so as to make reading a joy in the home and a formative element of social life. During the present crisis welcome testimony has been received from members of the steadying, refreshing, and heightening influence of the courses of reading pursued by them at the suggestion, and with the help, of the Union. The value of systematic reading has been freshly realized as an aid to usefulness in the national service, and as a powerful antidote to the spirit of unrest, the twin dangers of idling and meddling, and the alternation of excessive optimism with unreasoning depression.
The course of reading arranged on "Modern European History and the Causes of the Present War," which will be continued this session, has been specially welcomed. Other courses deal with English literature (poets and prose writers), natural science, biography, travel, and art. Choice is thus offered to readers of all ages and tastes. The Home-Reading Magazine has been widely circulated in camps and military hospitals ; and the book lists drawn up by the Union have been, and will be still more under new arrangements being made, of great service towarda selection of books sent out to soldiers at the front. The main work of the Union, however, continues to be among the nation at home, and particularly among the young. It claims to be helping in no small measure to maintain in the present, and secure for the future, a standard of high thought, enlightened interest, and true patriotism. All who wish to become members of the Union, or to give it their support, are earnestly invited to write for particulars to the Secretary, 12 York Buildings, Adelphi, London, W.C. The Secretary will also gratefully receive donations, large or small, towards the ordinary expenses of the Union, or towards an Emergency Fund which is being raised to meet the increased cost brought about by the war, and some loss of income through inevitable shrinkage of membership under the stress of war
conditions.—We are, Sir, &is., J. HEREFORD, Chairman of Council. J. W. MA,CNAIL, Chairman of Executive Committee.
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