New-York tribune., 1909-07-11
ITALY AND SOUTH OF FRANCE
GENOA. PRiVATE p HhAF PAsk
u "EDEh PALACE. 7"

fool and doesn't know what he is talking about
In this library books upon sociology suffer most
AZ the hands Of annOtatOrs. HISTORICAL Wcrks par
ticularIy those dealing with events against Ens-
land also meet with interested commentators mofs
than willing to air their views upon the margins
os s,,rh nag ages as excite their admiration or Dis
favor Political publications. too. find vast NUM-
Der OF readers who seem 70 perusa rneIn for ms
exnress purpose OF dssenting-and sonaeunss Vio-
IentIv-vith the views there expressed Not only
do readers comment upon sociological qusslonss
but they solve then-tO their own satisfacnor-on
the margins of books relating to this I've topic
Nearly every marginal commentator VINO disssress
With the authors views writes a sweeping con-
den,nation Of them, and then goes on 70 ten tha
80, IN v-bicl, the wrongs discussed may be r1ghted-
Books on politics and sociology appear 70 toueh
the mass OF the people very nearly. and they must
say something OF what they feel What they say
never enrlches the world nor the @ppsAE~nO7 %
the book abused
We had certain book OF German jokes. Illus
tratad and So bound that two blank pages faced
eacb other between every two pages Of text This
hook seemed 10 inspire every German who took it
m with the desire TO inscribe verses, W1trcisfnS
ana comments OF all kinds upon these blank pages
as well as upon the margins The book soon De-
came a curious example OF closely written and d.
arse pepmanship and were obliged TO take it
out OF circulation. We rarely have marginal notes
in works Of fiction. although we have a good many
persons VINO come here solely TO read novels-never
rad ANYTHING else, and almost 30 20 sleep over
those
This indifference to the possibilities or fiction as
sonhAthinz worthy Of marginal comment Is cot
shown in the Mereantile Library. where readers
often complain that the enjoyment Of q book -
snoisd for them because some previous reader has
,is,or,lsd the way in which The heroiue's golden
locks tossed in the wind-just though they had
hss, bought ready 10 toss-and the manner N
which the hero set about his wooing- While books
on sAio1s subiscts are marked In this library more
than are others the marginal notes are invariably
nada nv peoptc Of education and culture rms
oninIon IS expressed that the marking IS done oJ
literary persons who in the habit OF comment
ing on passages in their own books and uncon-
sciotisy continue the practice when they hanols
the books OF others
The Lenox Library Is probably more free tnan
any from the pencil prints OF the maker OF margin
al notes The law relating TO the deracins OF
hooks is prominently exhibited here, and there are
them and enforce the law Persons have been
sent 10 prison for injuring. in this manner. books
IN the Lenox Library. and Librarians say. when
marginal notes are made 1t is usually done BY
some one who has formed the habit. as il were.
and cannot help II. When see them undermining
passaRes and penciling remarks upon them We go
To them and tell them quietly about 10 and the
same person is not likely to offend again. our
nrincioal trouble was with of some prOmt-
nsnca an Asatic who seemed to be collecting
urints and plates from our books for Souvenirs
We hnallv had him run down and arrested, but
because of influence brought 20 bear upon ms
case allowed the matter 90 drop there As De-
tuasn peorle who leave samples Of their psnrau-
spIp ana those who take samples OF our oookA
xe psstsg the former