Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Subject-Index of the London Library, Vol. 2: St. James's Square, London; (Additions, 1909-22)
Fourteen years of daily work have been given to the preparation and printing of this second volume of the subject-index. With its publication the ideal catalogue described by the Library's late vice-president Mr Frederic Harrison, is still unattained. An ideal Subject Index, he said, should have a range not exceeding volumes, and these Should be the result of systematic expert selection. Sir Leslie Stephen's criticism of the Library was similar. According to him, the London Library contained everything that a man ought to wish to read. To extend its capacity was, he thought, a doubtful blessing, But the popularity of the Library and the demands made on it have inevitably increased its books, while the range of subjects has largely widened with the growth of modern scientific, economic and historical problems and the rise Of many small nationalities. At the same time, the new generation has also become more exacting and the modern scholar more impatient in his hunt for information. The result is, that it has been necessary to exceed the limitations recommended by its former President and by its late', vice - President.
This second volume of the subject-index not only contains 2696 new headings, but also Shows how far the lacunae disclosed in the volume issued in 1909 have been filled up. The whole is evidence of the developments in literature, history and science during the last fourteen years, and of the consequent difficulty in keeping a subject-index within a confined limit.
The utility of a subject-index has not yet been fully appreciated. The individual is. Generally speaking, inclined to seek information from any source other than that provided for him. Unskilled in the handling of indexes and dictionaries, he would rather turn to the Librarian or his assistant, who, by the constant use of books of reference, have acquired a ?air in finding out items Of knowledge. While it is impossible to eliminate personal application altogether, the subject-indexes are designed to be a real assistance to the reader. The choice of headings and sub-headings has been carefully made; words and expressions in ordinary use always receiving a preference over the more scientific. With the minimum of trouble the whole plan Of the subject-index can easilv be grasped, and its study should repay the user a hundredfold.
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