Evening star., 1936-12-03

onhand. When the number runs into
two or three thousand. 1t requires many
bookcases, closed and open-and the attic.
1t is impossible to forget that top story,
because in 1t the real booklover will find
place for many an old volume, as newer
acquisitions (and thee often enough are
old books, to0 crowd out those pur-
chased long ago.
Every home library worth the name is
built solidly around somebody's likes and
dislikes. These likes and dislikes, for
all their notifications, remain as solid
as that famous rock. The books which
embody them stay downstairs. Usually
they have the places Of honor behind
glass. There Is little doubt that the glass
inclosed case Is the best for the books.
Modern heating makes life difhcu1t for
book. Often books exposed to the
weather on book stalls last longer and
remain in better shape than volumes ex-
posed to the ruinous effects of too much
heat and too little moisture.
Open cases have . place all their own
in the booklover's fancy. They are
"booky." That means much. But dust
settles on the tops, even in dustless
homes, and the aforementioned effects
Of central heating get in their work. So
1t may be stated that, with many book
friend, the very best books are put in the
closed cases, there to remain for a life
time, while the next best" 60 in the open
cases, with the mistakes finding their
way to the attic at last.
In calling for catalog Of the home
books one makes no demand for library
science.
A simple listing Is enough. but it ought
to be done in such way that all books
on similar topics are together, with plenty
Of room for future additions.
Some lists will be closed once and for
all, but one can never be sure.
There is gentleman in this town who,
years ago, became immensely interested
in chess. He purchased all the books
available in the local stores. He went into
secondhand book shops, and had the
proprietors rummage up volumes they
scarcely knew they had. (They, too.
needed a catalogue)
Then this phase Of his life ended. Not
that he gave up chess entirely. but the
desire to know more and more about 1t
came to an end, but leaving behind 1t an
affectionate memory Of great game.
Years went by. Then one day, he hap
pened to see chess book about his old
hero. Paul Morphy Of New Orleans. He
purchased 1t. He added it to his long
list, but in doing SO found his array of
chess books in rather sad disarray.
~
He knew he needed hst-a catalog II
one chooses-but at least some sort of
table of books, authors and publishers,
so that when he wanted to know about
some subject or liking, in particular, he
first of all could find out exactly what
he had himself.
Then if he needed more books he
could buy them, or 60 to the libraries
especially to the speciality collections.
Knowing what one had was the begin
ning-and often the end. Sometimes the
booklover surprised himself by his own
scope.
1t was a satisfaction. and a real one,
to realize that he had many more books,
on some subjects, than he himself gave
himself credit for possessing.
Out of sight, out of mind"
The books in the attic must not be for
gotten. but probably woulo be, despite a
retentive memory. if not put down in
black and white. 1t promised pleasant
task for several Winter evenings.