the historian, writing in 1745, said that "it was the only useful library in the Kingdom, being open to all strangers, and at all reasonable hours" Old theology, medicine, oriental languages and general history form its chief subject-matter. There is a fair proportion of incunabula, about a dozen Sarum and York liturgical books, and many choice examples of bindings: also an edition of Clarendon's "History of the Civil Wars in England" with MS. notes by Swift. Of MSS. there are several volumes dealing with Irish history, the larger portion of the Irish Bible by Bishop Bedell and the Liber Niger of Archbishop Alan. It possesses many uncommon autographs too, for example, those of Camden, Udall, Sir Kenelm Digby, Sir Thomas Wentworth, Archbishop Laud, etc. Chains for the books were at one time introduced, of which, however, very limited use seems to have been made the rods to which they were attached still remain. It comprises about 22,000 printed volumes and more than 200 of MSS. This estimate does not include separate pamphlets bound together, which are extremely numerous. In 1905 the English Bibliographical Society issued a Catalogue of its English books printed before 1641, compiled by the present librarian, Rev. Newport J. D. White, D.D. The King's Inns Library began in 1788, the nucleus being supplied by Mr. Justice Robinson's collection, purchased in 1787. The copyright privilege was granted it in 1801, but was afterwards exchanged for an annuity from Government. Its contents number about 60,000 printed books, together with some MSS. There is an amount of dramatic literature, presented by Mr. Justice Berwick, an Irish Bankruptcy Judge, and also very many tracts and pamphlets: for its custodians properly appreciated the value to posterity of these ephemeral and "nervous productions." Mr. Michael Haverty drew up while librarian a catalogue of those relating to Ireland, which is still in use. Although principally a legal library it is rather a common mistake to suppose it to be entirely so, as there is a general catalogue of pasted slips extending to several volumes, besides the juridical one, which latter only is in print. The National Library of Ireland, now numbering about 150,000 volumes, is contained in a handsome building in Kildare Street, whither it was removed in 1890, from the premises of the Royal Dublin Society, where it had existed for thirteen years previously. It has a fine reading room, capable of accommodating 200 persons, and is nearly fifty feet high under the dome in the centre, and there are two additional ones for ladies. An extensive collection of reference books which may be taken directly from the shelves is ranged round the walls. Though modern works constitute its main feature the library has many early ones too, which are being gradually increased. The newspaper department is steadily developing, both by the accession of volumes published in former years and by a regular supply from numerous modern journals. Some book donations have been received from time to time, of which the "Joly Collection," comprising a vast amount of tracts and pamphlets relating to Ireland and many musical works, is the most important. Being thoroughly up-to-date, it is much frequented by professional and other students, and a suggestion-book is kept to further increase its usefulness. The efficiency and popularity of the institution are largely due to the untiring exertions of its Librarian, Mr. T. W. Lyster, whose zeal far exceeds the technical part of his profession, for his extreme courtesy and ready assistance demonstrate how much he has even the minor interests of readers at heart, also; and he is warmly supported by his whole staff, pusilli cum majoribus. The striking feature of the Royal Irish Academy Library is its splendid collection of Irish MSS., some of which have been reproduced by photography and other processes. Its printed volumes total about 73,000, many of which formerly belonged to John Windele, the Cork historian and antiquary, and the library of Thomas Moore, the poet, generously presented by his widow, is also included. One of the most famous donations it has received is that of Charles Halliday, an immense collection of pamphlets, comprised in over 2,000 bound volumes, ranging from twenty in some to two or three in others. The library has also a number of loose pamphlets in 500 boxes, partly acquired from Mr. Halliday, and partly otherwise. Many of these boxes contain not less than sixty tracts, from which an idea of their extent may be gained. In subject matter they are heterogeneous, but there are numerous examples of early Dublin and provincial printing. Unfortunately, the catalogue is chronological, and hence until one arranged according to subjects or authors is forthcoming, this embarrassment of riches cannot be adequately enjoyed. The objects of the Academy are to "promote the study of science, polite literature and antiquities," and its transactions and proceedings are exchanged with learned societies all over the world.

The Public Libraries of Dublin are four in number, Capel Street, Thomas Street, Charleville Mall, and Kevin Street, which are well availed of by those for whom they are intended. The Dublin Municipality, with commendable patriotism, purchased in its entirety the valuable library of the late Sir J. T. Gilbert, which is at present partly stored in the Muniment Room, City Hall, but the greater portion is in a special department at

Charleville Mall Library. A catalogue has been prepared by Dr. Douglas Hyde and Mr. D. J. O'Donoghoe, and is at present going through the press. There is a library in Clontarf, which township has been lately added to the City, also in Blackrock, Rathmines, and other suburbs, while the rural districts show themselves quite eager to take advantage of the Library Acts. The Royal Dublin Society was established in 1731 for the promotion of science and art, agriculture and general industry, and is the oldest of the kind in the Kingdom. Its library was detached in 1877 to form the beginning of the present National Library. The Society, who had retained some of their scientific periodicals and other publications, then proceeded to build up a new collection. The general catalogue printed in 1896, comprises 5,000 volumes, portion of which is known as the "Tighe Bequest," chiefly consisting of old Greek and Latin authors, including some incunabula, Elzevirs, Etiennes, etc. There is a large section devoted to science, and the library is keeping abreast of the times by continual augmentations to its modern department. The library of the Royal College of Science was founded in 1867, and contains about 20,000 volumes on physical science. Its department of scientific periodicals is especially valuable, and the latest text-books are being constantly added to its shelves. The College of Surgeons has a library of about 30,000 books, one of the largest and most valuable in its special kind in the United Kingdom. This library commenced about 1784, and shortly afterwards received a large augmentation by the absorption of that of the Physico-Chirurgical Society, Mercer Street, which came to an end in 1790. It was much enlarged and further adapted to its purpose between the years 1876-78. The library of the Royal College of Physicians dates back to 1711, and contains 6,000 volumes, including the library of Sir Patrick Dun, Physician-General to the Forces in the time of James II, and also President of the College. The library of the Franciscan Convent, Merchants' Quay, is remarkable for its collection of MSS., most of which were formerly in the College of St. Isidore at Rome, and were removed here in 1872. They "include materials brought together in the first half of the seventeenth-century, as well as compilations prepared by the most erudite native antiquarians of Ireland for the publications undertaken by Colgan and others on the early history of Christianity in this island and its propagation on the Continent by missionaries from the West." A report of the Historical Manuscrips Commission on part of them, including the above, was issued in 1876, followed by one in 1906, on another portion. This latter includes a series of documents, ranging from 1607-1648, dealing with ecclesiastical affairs, and to a very large extent with the political affairs of Ireland, in that anxious time. This library also possesses many beautiful liturgical works; one of its curiosities being a MS. psalter for the choir, in four volumes, measuring almost four feet in height. The Chief Secretary's Library, Dublin Castle, contains about 20,000 volumes, mostly dealing with economic and political affairs. The ancient library known as the "Worth" is located in the Boardroom of Dr. Steeven's Hospital, and principally represents the gathering of Dr. Worth, a Dublin physician at the end of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century. As may be expected, it is chiefly medical, but also includes some classics. The Law Library-that of the Irish Bar-now contains 20,000 volumes, and is maintained by the subscriptions of members. In 1897 the accommodation having become totally inadequate to meet the growing needs of the library, it was removed into the present spacious building. The Incorporated Law Society have a library of legal and reference books for the use of members. There is an edition of Bellarmin, with MS. notes by Swift, in the Chapter Library attached to Christ Church Cathedral. The library of the Mechanics' Institute is a small one of about 6,000 volumes and was founded in 1825, This enumeration, though not quite exhaustive, shows that the Dublin libraries, both in number and value, are very respectably proportioned to its population. I must acknowledge my obligations to Mr. E. R. McC. Dix, of Dublin, for much of the information contained in this article. M. J. R.

(NOTE BY EDITOR)

It affords great pleasure to acknowledge indebtedness to Mr. E. R. McC. Dix for an introduction to the writer of the above article, and for the keen interest and personal trouble which he has taken in the matter. The suggestions for the illustrations also came from Mr. Dix, and the photographs were selected by him. Mr. Dix's chief hobbies are Irish Provincial and Early Dublin printing, and he has contributed much to the literature of this subject, both by magazine articles and by annotated lists of Dublin and Provincial work. It was he also who first pointed out the Latin book mentioned in the article as being the earliest produced in the country. His work has naturally helped to revive interest in Irish printing and bibliography.

F. K.

It is of course understood that the reason B.A.R. as an entire volume cannot be issued till August 30th is that the invaluable alphabetical arrangement prevents Part 4 going to press till the date of the last sale of the season, and that the Index also has to be prepared during the ensuing month. The time is in fact exceedingly short for the execution of the work involved. If it were merely a case of reprinting the salecatalogues, and preparing the Index pari passu, B.A.R. could be issued within a week of the last sale.

Subscribers in the United States and elsewhere abroad are increasing so rapidly that I wish them to understand that the whole of the past volumes of B.A.R. may still be obtained. It is often the case that new subscribers begin with Vol. 3, or Vol. because they already possess some similar publication containing records for previous years. They do not realize that B.A.R. not only contains the records in question, but also thousands of others not obtainable from any other source, and that amongst those thousands may be some which would repay the cost of the volumes many times. The only sensible plan is to buy a complete set of B.A.R. and to 'scrap' the less perfect publications of the past. There has never yet been a publication of its kind so systematically and thoroughly done as B.A.R. I have no hesitation in saying this, because it is a fact. Nothing is allowed to escape that is worth recording. A notable instance to the contrary came to my notice a few months ago. A country subscriber drew my attention to the fact that two folio tracts by one of the great English writers of the eighteenth century came into his possession. He hunted for any records of them without success, and then consulted B.A.R. and found a record of each, one of £9, the other at 16. He made further investigations and discovered that not one lot in the whole of that particular sale had been reported, except in B.A.R., and that the only thing to account for this was that from the cover the sale appeared to be an insignificant one, and one could only suppose that it had been passed without examination. Now this could never happen with B.A.R., for every catalogue, however insignificant it may seem, is as systematically read as those of the most important sales. The system embraces even the catalogues of "remainders" at Hodgson's, so that nothing is allowed to escape the sweep of the net. In addition also to the records there are many items of interest in past volumes of B.A.R., and, further, the commercial value of complete sets of a series, as compared with that of incomplete sets, should be remembered.

An American subscriber has taken the trouble to work out the number of records given in various publications of book-sale records. B.A.R. comes out easily a winner, with twenty-six records for a cent (d.). He states that one publication has only twelve records to the cent.

Advertisements. Those who desire priority of choice as to position should write. The covers of B.A.R. are now engaged for a year ahead. The next applicants will get places in pages numbered so that they MUST be bound up in the volumes.

To Auction Cataloguers. When a book is issued in parts it is extremely confusing to give the dates which appear on the wrappers during publication. Thus Martin Chuzzlewit" was issued in 1843-1844, but, the title bears the date 1844, and as the title of a book is the official record of date of publication no preliminary date should be made use of. Also please note that the editions of Maxwell's "Fortunes of Hector O'Halloran " issued in 1846, 1849, and 1853 have each this season been described as the first. The first edition was dated 1845. The following corrections of catalogue-errors have also reached me. Cooke's "Greenes Tu Quoque " (p. 364) was the third edition, circa 1630. The first edition is said to be 1614, and the second 1622. Lowndes erroneously gives 1599 as the date of an edition, but it was printed after that of 1622. Kyd's "Solimon and Perseda" (p. 412) was not the first edition, as described, but a modern reprint. If it had been the first its value would have been £150 instead of 5s. 'Welth and Helth " (p. 494). This has been reprinted.

One of the principal literary journals has been telling somebody whom you all know very well that he is "an educated gentleman." This is unkind. For of course no gentleman, except a gentleman's gentleman, ever does tell a gentleman that he is a gentleman.

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