40 



OUR COLUMNS. 



October, 1891. 



funds is as much parish relief as money or provisions. Among the better ordered persons 

 of the industrious classes, a preference is given to obtaining literary amusement or instruc- 

 tion at their own expense, as in such cases they have the uncontrolled management of the 

 affair, whether in the selection of periodicals, or standard works, or in the general 

 management ; but in the Free Library, as it is called, they are limited to such works as 

 are provided for them, without any choice in what are provided, which may be influenced 

 by the religious, political, or other prejudices of the managers. 



In the present advanced state of society books of all kinds can be purchased at very 

 accessible prices, so that if scientific or other books for instruction are required they may 

 be obtained for a mere trifle, and a few pence may secure months of reading, and the works 

 be retained for reference. From the small charge for newspapers, they are generally pur- 

 chased by such of the operative classes who are of an inquiring disposition, and who 

 thereby keep themselves posted up on political topics and passing events. 



Where Free Libraries are established, the number of regular attendants are few in 

 comparison with the population ; then is it fair to tax the whole community for the benefit 

 of a few anxious readers, who, from their quiet and steady habits, would find no difficulty 

 in obtaining anj^ books they may require for themselves or families, or easily contribute 

 the trifle for membership in a subscription or lending library ? 



This is an age of progress, and with it the chargeability for various public uses goes on 

 with equal rapidity. Even our supposed improvements often cost more than their absolute 

 value, and the constant increase of taxation causes the burden of the rates to be intolerably 

 oppressive to needy people, who are reasonably dissatisfied at being required to pay towards 

 objects from which they receive no benefit. Among the poorer classes many deem it a 

 hardship to pay for Free Libraries, which they do not visit, and think it quite sufficient to 

 provide for their own requirements without being compelled to pay for the enjoyment of 

 others. Public expenditure ought to be economized, so that our pecuniary inconveniences 

 may not go on increasing. 



Criolet0 in a iLifararp* 



I observe with chagrin 



She has got the Fortnightly 

 She hath spectacled een, 

 (I observe with chagrin) 

 She is grim, too, of mien 



And will stick to it tightly ! 

 I observe with chagrin 



She has got the Fortnightly. 



She will read it through, clean, 

 Ere she drops that Fortnightly, 



My pet Magazine, 



She will read it through, clean ! 



Had it been (say) The Queen, 

 I had spared it her lightly ! 



She will read it through, clean, 

 Ere she drops that Fortnightly. 



It was certainly here 



That I left my umbrella. 



My remembrance is clear ; 



It was certainly here. 



" Some mistake " ? No, I fear 

 That's a tale for Apella. 



It waa certainly here 



That I left my umbrella. 



