New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-18
THE APPETITE FOR FICTION.

THE DEMAND AT THE CIRCULATING LIBRARIES FOR
CURRENT LIGHT LITERATURE.
Eighty per cent of the books drawn from the
circulating libraries OF NewSork City works Of nc
ton It asserted that Americans great boobuy
ers estimate OF the books that chiefly in de-
mand based the records OF circulating Libraries, IL
not always correct Books sold over the counter are
more particularly of intrinsic worth, almost nds
pensabe the reader such books Of reference his
tory and standard works. But this is not the ps5uum
with which the public appetite is saied. II is the lighter
material that easily dgested and few collectors
wish I'll their shelves with the ephemeral publications
OF the day "0f the making OF books there 10
end" is far than in the days Of Solo
mon and thus the value OF public library TO the
average reader is simply incalculabe. This city
has seven large circulating libraries, numerous dis
trict collections and It is estimated that they furnish
daily reading OF at least 5000 families The Mer-
camille has the largest list OF subscribers and although
II distributes many 1900 volumes day, tho
average is only 700. Mr. Peoples, the librarian, iii
swer 20 question, "What do people read" replied,
"Chefy novels nowadays You would be surprised
TO know the number OF books young girls manage to
get through with, and from Mrs Fleming's Mad Mar
riage' to Daniel Deronda and Helen's Babies
have unceasing call for works OF fiction Some Of
these young average aud three books day
and love the better they to like them.
But then standard novels always in great de-
mand. Dickens perhaps surpasses the rest and Of his
writings David Copperfeld' and Donbey and Som
stand nrst In popular favor Thaekeray best known
By his Vanity FAIR and Pendennis,' Bulwer by The
Last OF the Barous and Ny Novel; while all the weeks
OF Dumas, Scott, and Hugo much sought after
There sel ms be sudden falling of in demand tor
works on European travel Eugene schnylers 'Turks-
tan Primes Travels IN the East Dotting Around
circle by Benjamin Curtis and the writings of Bayard
Taylor w. d. HoWells. and Du Chaillu continually
asked for. As To histories, Bancrot5 United states,
Guizots History OF France, and Aacauay,s, Hume's,
and Froude's works are the most popuar The demand
for biographies Of late has been small but john Quincy
Adamss Memoirs and the Memoirs OF the Earl OF Abe
MARIE the Rev Dr Finney and George sand, are quito
popular. For chltren's reading Oliver Opuc stll rgns
supreme, but Jacob Abbott s great fyol1te as OF
old, and Mayne Reid Elijah Kellogg and Horato Alger,
r. stu continue 10 be the delight or the snail boy. Jules
Verne should be popular with young folks but there are
calls from grown people for his Books than nom
Buffers Eclectic Library Unonsquare, has largo
nnmbr of subscribers among the fashionable peo,e u
what particular books in tac most demand. "Our
young readers said he, generally begin with Mrs.
week it would be eagerly devoured. Then there arc
Mrs. Fleming 0uda' Mary Cecil Hay MIRA. Alexander.
Annie Edwards, Katherine Macquoid, Miss Br;ddon,
Mrs. Wood, Mrs Rutledge, Marian Harland and Mrs
sOuthworth. The works of all these IN great de-
he said that Miss Muoehs books esteemed as they
all quiet, natural stories then come George Eliot
Mrs olphant Augusta Evans, Florence haTry A.
Forester Rhoda Broughton, and George Aacoonaiu-
Masculine readers sought more for sucn Nri1sis 40
I1ackeray, Lever Trollope, Reade, hawtAofnc 'ohs'
The book thar had the largest sale this season, with
the exception OF Daniel Deronda was hsdshs pa
have been disposed OF It's sale, however, has been
largely increased by judieous advertising and by ms
Which ia Mercy Phlbrieks Choice" promises to have
large circulation Marian HarlsD's Ny Little love
saIe Wilke Collins s always Welcomed and his Two
Destlnies" sells we'll During the shpaIner, blAcks
Princess Of Thule had the largest run, and oEs
summer" was found in many tourists satcaels Ihe
series and books OF miscellany seenco
particularly Interesting TO travellers