New-York tribune., 1903-02-27
LONDON NOTES.
Uses of Booklorers Lii
6r0y-Cariyie Romance.
London. Fehr,,arv II

inherent Of
truth IN his illustrations for a second series of
Froissart's Modern Chronicles. ,,,b,;s,aa h,
M Fisher Cnwin, his weakness in drawing is
not oisciosed, since he is initiating snt;o,,a do
signs, ano his humor is unrestrair7g.d excent b,,
sense OF justice and fair play There are no
pictorial libels in this comic annual of British
PUBIC me- There are poisoned shafts Of
parlsanship; there is no acerbity in the treat
meht OF current politics. and men of all parties
can unite IN laughing at the procession of quaint
heures with familiar faces as il passes through
these pages. The satire is playful and the edge
is never broken by defamation. Sir CawrnelI
de Zimmerman and the Earl of Durdans are
senlaily depicted within and without the taber-
hacie ana the man of Law, Augustine de Bir-
rel' Is hurnoroUsly portrayed discoursing on
the use OF metaphors and other harmful wea-
pons- Sir Blundeil de Maple is enabled TO make
triumphant demonstration that towel horses
would have been more useful in South Africa
man the horses purchased in Hungary. Sir
Joseph de Birmingham is exhibited in round
oi political adventures. breathing out defiance
of the Lord Bulow Of AImaine riding in
stately pride 10 the GuildhaI kneeling in hu-
mllity when the King orderetfs that an end NAV
ne made Of the war in Africa, arguing with Sir
Dickon Seldom respecting the virtues of New
zealand mutton, departing by torchlight from
Highbury, recognizing himself with huge mono
Cle in the Sphinx and receiving from Father
Neptune net containing a long spoon an
hourglass, squeezed sponge and a packet of
old age pensions. Mr.. Chamberlain is Mr.
Gould favorite figure as Lord Beaconsheld was
Sir John Tenniels, and one artist is as free
from malice the other in the knack of catch
ing the humor and philosophy of a political
situation.
Royalty cannot he limned with free hand
outside republican country like France, and
Mr.. Could is forced keep his humor under
rigorous restraint in illustrating the corona
tion and the hunting expeditions OF the Ger
man Emperor and the King OF Portugal at
ssndrnghau and Windsor. The peace negoti-
ations in South Africa and the European pill
grinlage Of the Boer generals allow full scope
Tor i grotesque fancy. especially in ludicrous
drawing Of De Vets escape with the cattle
through z wire fence between two medieval
towers guarded by British archers; and the
various phases of the educa ton debate are pre-
sented with grim humor, the illustration of the
bishops in rags and tatters presenting a petition
- Lord Salisbury being full Of comic spirit and
the portrait Of Lord Hughligan de Cecil one Of
the best in these racy chronicles. The most
amusing Of the drawings represents the huge,
dreadful monster that came from the West
across the seas to England, bristling with spears
in head and neck. swallowing up ships on the
away the Abbey. the Tower the Kings castle
his crowns. sceptres and orb and all the treas
ures Of the country. This was the great Spear
point DTorgan, spouting out streams Of gold
and puissant on land as on sea; yet when
il would have dug a hole underneath London the
citizens would in wise agree, saying that it
beloved them TO draw line somewhere" Mr..
Could is not philosopher like MI Dooley,
whose books are now read almost as generally
t,,r n -oTie ic
inspired by current events as he reads his
newspaper day by day. and it ministers TO the
thoughtful pleasures Of a serious world.
Nudes and Smiths libraries have a
vigorous transatlantic rival, which is compet-
inC with them on their own ground. The Book
lovers Library. after a successful career in the
United States and Canada, commissioned Dr.
F. w Speirs year ago 10 make a systematic
survey Of the English field. and to estimate the
chances for an effective introduction Of an i'm
proved system Of lending books on the sub
scription plan. The English branch began op-
erations in London four months ago with a rec
ord Of 10000 members of the Booklovers Ii
brary and the Tabard Inn in the United States
and the Dominion. Mr.. Seymour Eaton, the
founder Of the library, is Canadian by birth,
but has become identified with American jour
ralisrn as the conductor Of the Home Study
Circle: and Mr. J. E Bryant, another Canadian,
has been closely associated with him in both Of
these undera kings. DR.. Speirs, after success
fully organizing the English business. returned
70 Philadelphia TO assume the editorial direc-
non of The Booklovers Magazine" and was
succeeded by Mr.. F. A. Acland, who was for a
long period on the staff Of The Toronto Globe"
The Booklovers Library. with the Tabard Inn
annex, has been esta blished in England as an
Anerican-Canadiani institution, and it has com
led at Gl,hS
most influential patronage. Its central office, in
Hanover-sr. has been most tastefully furnished,
and there is touch of quaintness in the fit
tings and equipment that appeals strongly TO
lovers Of good literature. 1t has quickly become
q favorte haunt of the wealthy and fashion 4 bic
class in Mayfair Nudes and Smiths are
soidly established British institutions under old
fashioned and mossgrown conservative man
agernent. Their transatlantic rival meets them
on their own ground not only with superior
methods Of organization and efficiency. but also
with an air Of distinction, refinement and ele-
gance.
The Booklovers Library is not anxious
make q reputation here for cheapness. Its an
nual subscription is a little higher than that
asked by rival circulating libraries. and the
Offsets are cleaner books and prompter deliv-
cries. Il differs radically from Nudes and
smiths in the character and outward condi-
+.on OF the books distributed. Books are with
drawn from stock as soon as there are any
signs OF wear or Of careless handling, whereas
the bulk Of the volumes kept in circulation by
the old fashioned and unimproved libraries
ought 10 be consigned TO street stalls or the
Gust heap. The Booklovers Library has intro
duced, howe1 er, the method OF paying the
charges by post or express to and from any
town in the United Kingdom, and London men,
bers can have their books delivered wherever
T-hf