From the Bottom Shelf of the Library

It's often easy to neglect things that are hard but unnecessary to do. One thing in particular is looking at the bottom shelf in the library or bookstore. Sure there are books there, but it's much easier to scan the shelves at eye-level (and those a bit above and below). It's easier that way, though I wonder perhaps if we're not missing something in the process. 

With that in mind, I decided to make a greater effort to give the bottom shelf its due, testing the waters last night at the library of my old college.

Some initial impressions: scanning the bottom shelves is hard on the back and neck, particularly if one is tall compared to the shelf. The easiest method I found was to crawl along on hands and knees, though of course one must be considerate of others if the area is crowded. Another thing I found (at least at this library) is that the bottom shelves don't contain as many books as their higher kin. On the one hand it felt good to know I hadn't been missing nearly as many books as I thought all those years, but on the other it meant I had to move frequently from one cluster to another. It's a lot of work, but the "views" are interesting and different from the usual scenes at eye-level.

Among other works, I found a few dusty tomes that caught my attention. "Among my Books" (1912) is a ponderous read by 19th century English historian Frederic Harrison, who basically goes through his library and writes lovingly about each book. In particular, I enjoyed his eloquent waxing on ancient authors like Marcus Aurelius, Tacitus, and Montaigne. 

Another curious work I found included "The English Mediaeval House" (1965), by Margaret E. Wood. I could find no information about the author, but the book seems like a brilliant bit of detailed history, discussing the structure and evolution of various bits of medieval architecture in the English house from the 12th-16th centuries. The language seemed a bit specialized from what little I read, but given some time I think it could be a fascinating read, particularly if I ever decided to write a novel set in a medieval English society. 

Finally, a little dusty red volume caught my eye entitled, "Learning to Write: Suggestions and Counsel from Robert Louis Stevenson" (1920), compiled by John William Rogers jr. For those who don't know (or remember), Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) wrote both Treasure Island (1883) and the "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1886). As it turns out, he also had a fair bit to say on the subject of writing, and our friend Mr. John William Rogers jr. had a mind to compile these essays and bits of letters for our enjoyment. Stevenson is a lucid writer, and sounds like he was a thoughtful man too. The link above is actually to the book if you'd like to sample it. Two quotes I found particularly interesting, and include them below: 

"Such are the best teachers; a dogma learned is only a new error - the old one was perhaps as good; but a spirit communicated is a perpetual possession. These best teachers climb beyond teaching to the plane of art; it is themselves, and what is best in themselves, that they communicate" (p. 39).

"But of works of art little can be said; their influence is profound and silent, like the influence of nature; they mould by contact; we drink them up like water, and are bettered, yet know not how" (p. 34).

So my first pass through the bottom shelves of the library proved interesting, challenging, and fruitful all at once, and it is my hope to repeat the exercise often. Even if little of interest is found, I think it can be good sometimes to look more closely at things than at first seems necessary. Hard to say what one will find until one looks.