“The school library naturally points the way to the public library; its relation to that institution is that of the preparatory school to the university. “In supplying reference-books, and in correlating a certain amount of recreative reading with the school course, the library has another important field, but one which should be subordinated to the larger and broader function.” [54] This involves a careful consideration of a juvenile reference library. [55] Heinrich Wolgast, the German authority, has written: “Vom Kinderbuch,” Leipzig, Teubner, 1906. [56] _Vide_ London _Library Association Record_, Feb. 15, 1907. [57] This last statement, however, may be refuted by the répertoire of a Yiddish theatre. I have witnessed the theme of “King Lear” applied to Jewish life, and followed with bated breath by the boy in the gallery. [58] Stevenson’s father once stood outside the door and recorded one of these impromptu poems. The Rev. Charles Kingsley, when a boy, is said to have done the same thing. [59] _Vide_ W. M. Rossetti’s Memoirs of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Chap. VI, Childish Book Reading and Scribbling. VI. APPENDIX I. BOOK-LISTS PUBLISHED BY LIBRARIES. What principle of selection shall one adopt in making a book-list? No hard and fast rules can be framed, for what I may consider best may be rejected as second best by you. There is not a book-list issued that does not differ from the others in many essentials; in classification, in titles, and in purpose. Most of these lists are marked by a sincere effort on the part of librarians to direct a child’s reading along the best lines. But even though they may be suggestive and helpful, at the most they are passive and need to be supplemented by a personal knowledge of the books recommended. For, in the lists of history and biography, a compiler finds it necessary to adopt many volumes that are far from literary in the style of writing or in the manner of treatment. To-morrow these books may give place to others far superior and far more permanent in value. The agreement between the lists, however, does show that there are numberless stories, legends, and the like, which are generally acceded to be desirable, as much because of their inherent freshness as because of the fact that they have stood the test of time. Rarely do the lists fail to mention them. Notwithstanding, the recommendations issued by the libraries usually are sent forth, hedged around by exceptions and by indirect warnings. This is a healthful sign; it indicates that, however intent the maker of book-lists may be to offer the best, human nature is not all of the same calibre, and excellence is of an illusive character.