Evening star., 1928-06-07
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES 4. TRACEWELL.

work as a matter Of fact. helps each
participant to form a more just estimate
OF 1t. The enthusiasm of one Is toned
down by the more sensible admiration
of another AT the end of the discus
sion the book takes its proper place
in the bookshelf of the mind.
Behind the mystery of why friends
won't return borrowed books lies the
| following basic reason, we are con-
| vinced:
That human beings are so constituted
that they normally buck against recon-
mendationS. Evidently this Is natures
provisions tor saving the world from the
results Of super enthusiasm, from the
optimists who allow their fair for
praise to run away with their Judgment.
The happy thing, however, is that a
good book always wins its way. No mat
ter how much friend may think YOU
arc mistaken in your opinion, when he
begins to read, the work starts to
exercise the same influence on him
that 1t did on you.
This is why it is so necessary for a
good book to Have a certain appeal.
whether it be an atmosphere of reality
or some other striking quality WHICH
| makes it stand out from the ruck.
Whatever quality it is, the diScrim-
| mating reader who answers to the call
discovers it slowly winding around the
heart of his mind. It's eliminating force
usually gets" him.
The odd chance that the book fails
is what makes the loaning OF priHed
works to friends 50 interesting. No
matter how great a story may be, there
will always be some one. of Intelligence
! r i1
left cold by it..
| Even If a friend likes your book, ne
| stil resents the idea that you. of all
| persons. should have got ahead of him
in this particular instance.
So he takes it out on you" by
keeping your book!
If any one can suggest better rea-
son for the universal falling to return
borrowed books We would like to near
it The thing has puzzled us Tor
many years.
We have at least SO books kicking
around the world books we loved and
respected, which in unlucky moments
we loaned to friends.
Each volume was received with
thanks (as well 1t mightD and hearty
protestations that the borrower would
bring it back next week. There Is
sincerity in his voice, always. Truly
actually. he means to return 1t.
1t never comes back. however The
good book is gone. The owner has
q pleasant memory. and nothing more.
Every now and then, 1t Is true, he
gets a surprise when lost sheep re-
turns. wagging It's cover behind II.
These lucky returns are what Keep
| the booklover buoyed up, Despite his
so lost books. he still wants to lend
them. The old hope burns bright in
his breast that some time he is going
to find some one who will love and
cherish his books as himself. and. after
reading them. will carefully return
them TO their rightful owner.
May not such a borrower exist?
| There would seem TO be nothing in
/ the constitution of man to make him
/ impossible, or 10 render his existence
| strange or NEUROLOGICAL.
! The perfect book borrower. the man
| or woman who brings back the book,
| is possible. hope tells the booklover:
| but improbable, experience whispers
/ Not long ago We read of a book owner
who ostentatiously jotted down, in the
sight OF the borrower. the name Of
| the book date and name OF borrower.
This might help, but we don't know