It is not, perhaps, generally known in Shanghai that the local branch of the Royal Asiatic Society han one of the most valuable, libraries of volumes written by Westerners concerning China, Tt is modestly housed in the building of the Society, 5 Masenm Road. The foundation of the Library was the collection of books of the Into Mr. Alexander Wylie, who stills remains the foreniost sinologue. Many additions were soon made by the gift of local residents. A catalogue was first prepared by Mr. Henri Cordier and this served as the basts of his great work Bibliotheca Sinica.' This eatalogue was revised and rearranged by Mr. von Hass and published by the ud Society 1894. Since that time many new volarness have been added and it has long been felt that the cataloguing, should be rearranged according to the modern card system fo as to make it easy to find what is wanted.
During the past winter the Society's building has been a scene of daily activity. The Library has been completely overhauled by the present Hon. Librarian, Mrs. F. Ayscough, and her assistants, Mrs. Komowdki and Mr. Wong. Every book has been carefully examined, placed under its correct heading according to the Dewey aystem, re-numbered and, where necessary, rebound. A series of cross-references in given in the case of books that treat of more than one subject, 6o that the book an be found under the heading of each subject ax well as under the general heading to which its title assigns it. Asan example Richard's " Comprehensive Geography" can be found under Geography," also if one is examining "China, Government and Administration," or " Chinese Empire, Rise and Progress of," he will find references to Richard's Geography, since these topics fare also treated in that book. The method adopted ix that which is in vogue in modern libraries in the home lands it makes the books much more available for reference.
The Library is open every day from 9 a.m. till 12.30 and from 2 to 7.30 p.m. including Sundays, These who have not visited it would be surprised to find such sri up-to-date Library of invaluable books.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.