_1._ What are the principal aids to book selection in the following subjects:--drama; American literature; English poetry; and Spanish literature? _2._ Name six dictionaries of quotations, and two of similes. _3._ Where several translations of a standard foreign work are available, how would you be guided in making your choice of one? LANGUAGE:-- Systematic selection essential if the stock is to prove valuable and useful. The standard modern works on all languages should be represented and attention paid to the historical side. Naturally, works on our own language will have preference over all others, followed by a good selection of works on the French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian languages. Other nationalities should be represented according to the demands made by the public. Students should read the article “Language” in the Encyclopædia Britannica, and as aids to selection consult the following works:--Nelson’s “Standard books,” Vol. _3_; Sonnenschein’s “Best books,” Vol. _3_; Breule’s “Handy bibliographical guide to the study of German language and literature”; Braunholtz’s “Books of reference and teachers of French”; Robertson’s “Courses of study”; and Williams’s “Manual of book selection,” _pp 26-27_. QUESTIONS. _1._ Give your opinion as to the best dictionary of the English language when the purchase is limited to one. _2._ Name dictionaries for the following subjects:-- synonyms; slang; rhymes. _3._ Name the best dictionaries for the following languages: Anglo-Saxon; French; German; Italian and Spanish. _Lesson 8._ FINE AND RECREATIVE ARTS. HISTORY. BIOGRAPHY. GEOGRAPHY. TRAVEL. Fine and Recreative Arts.--Another class where principles must be carefully followed, otherwise a lot of money may be wasted. The general histories, text-books and outlines should present no difficulty. It is when we come to books where the illustrations form the predominating feature that difficulties arise. Many splendid guides are available, including Nelson’s “Standard books,” compiled by the staff of the National Art Library, South Kensington; Sturgis and Krehbiel’s “Annotated bibliography of Fine Art,” compiled by experts; and the British Museum Subject Index. For reference:--the “Universal catalogue of books on art,” _1870-77_; and Macfall’s “History of painting” are also useful. Bibliographical articles in the encyclopædias should not be overlooked. Note the bibliographies and guides mentioned in Mudge’s “Reference books,” _pp. 114-120_. Guides to special subjects are too numerous to mention here, and the student is referred to the lists published by the South Kensington Museum. READING LIST. Batsford--Some suggestions on the formation of a small library of reference books on ornament and the decorative arts. _L. Vol. 9, 1897, pp. 251-269._ Books valuable in the study of art. _P.L. Vol. 13, 1908, pp. 253-4._ Hitchcock--Books on fine and decorative arts suggested for small public libraries. _P.L. Vol. 7, 1902, pp. 25-27._