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Preface
25
friendship of long standing with Mr. James is slightly tried when the regular bulletins of the library's welfare, lists of donations, and work on the catalogue are delayed or imperfect; or when Mr. James hints that an increase of his stipend (something over five pounds quarterly at first) would be acceptable, or shows a desire to become "encumbred with marriage," a state which Sir Thomas deems inexpedient to the welfare of the library. But in general the letters are marked by confidence and kindly consideration.
There are some clauses of the statutes which time has proved to be unwise; Mr. Birrell calls
