Aldis, M.A.
Cambridge: at the University Press 1916
receives is the method of opening a new book. If a book is to
open comfortably and the leaves turn over freely, the back,
which is rounded while the book is closed, must assume a
concave shape when the book is in use. But the back of a
new book is stiffened with glue, and if it be opened violently
in anyone place, with the leaves gripped fast between finger
and thumb, the back will probably crack at that point, making
an awkward angle; and, since the back cannot afterwards
take the supple curve which is its natural form, the book will
always evince a desire to open at that particular place. To
prevent this, a new book should be carefully opened
throughout. It may be done in the following manner: 'Hold
the book with its back on a smooth or covered table; let the
front board down, then the other, holding the leaves in one
front, gently pressing open the sections tm you reach the centre of the volume. Do this two or three times, and you
will obtain the best results. A book having been carefully cut and properly opened is entitled to yet further
consideration. In reading, it should not be held near the fire or the boards will warp; nor should it be left lying in the
sun, for the same reason. There are various ways of keeping the place when reading a book. It can be laid face
downwards; or it can be dog's-eared, by turning down the corner of the leaf; or, following the habit of a certain school-
boy when absorbed in Henty, the corner of the leaf may be pinched off as it is turned over. A slip of paper is a simple
and inexpensive alternative to any of these barbarous practices. In closing a large book the end leaves are liable to
crumple up if the book should happen to be open near either end; to avoid this, take the advice of an eminent librarian
and open the book about the middle of the volume before shutting it up.
Books Part 3
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