that every householder should possess certain books for himself, and learn how to use them. The best reference books for a Household Library are those which will give the most frequently wanted information in the most accessible manner. Leaving out purely professional books, which every householder must procure to meet his own requirements, the following is a brief list of absolutely indispensable books, which should be found in every British home, both for the adult and scholar members of the family:—
A Minimum Household Reference Library.
- A good Dictionary of the English Language.
- A good general Gazetteer.
- A good Geographical Atlas.
- A Biographical Dictionary (general).
- A good Arithmetic.
- A Medical Dictionary (Domestic medicine).
- A Nursing Manual.
- A good Cookery Book.
- A Manual of Domestic Economy.
- A Manual of Natural History.
This minimum list comprises most of the books which will answer nearly all everyday questions, and the works contained in it should be found in every British home, from the lowest to the highest. The total cost of such a collection will vary with the editions or special books chosen, and as there are hundreds of different books on each one of the subjects, the difficulty of selection is great. To a librarian this difficulty is magnified by the danger of appearing unfair or invidious by selecting one special book for mention out of so many.
