| Description | Acknowledges Hartog's letter of the 24th and after careful investigation Harrison cannot find that the volume of Pringle's 'Discourses' can be traced to any hands but Hartog's. The copy has a peculiar value as the work of a past President. In the event of its not being found the statue will come into force which enacts that the value of any books not returned shall be paid by the person who has so detained them. Hartog did return a book to the library in August, but this was Jean Ray's 'Essai', and in a letter referring to that, Hartog makes mention of 'books' still in his possession.
Mr White's recollection differs entirely from Hartog's regarding the state of the volume of Chemical Tracts returned. The loose cover sent back with the book apparently does not belong to it. These matters certainly require greater explanation and Harrison will be glad to hear any further explanation before the Committee, when Harrison will bring the matter under their consideration. Harrison will be surprised if the Committee consider the occasion for borrowing books for writing lives for the 'Dictionary of National Biography', as the primary function of the library is to assist workers in science directly. |