of "Alice in Wonderland" which its author had presented, with his inscription, to Mrs. G. L. Craik, the author of "John Halifax, Gentleman." Lewis Carroll's own uncut copy of the book, containing ten of the original drawings made for the volume by Sir John Tenniel, also came into Dr. Rosenbach's possession, as well as a half-dozen autograph letters from Lewis Carroll to Mrs. Hargreaves regarding the publication of a facsimile of the original manuscript of their book.

Not long after these treasures were brought to the United States they were purchased by Mr. Eldridge R. Johnson of Moorestown, New Jersey. But before placing "Alice" among the other choice volumes of his library, Mr. Johnson very generously offered to let her visit her thousands of friends throughout the country. This public-spirited action on the part of Mr. Johnson will be appreciated by all who now have the opportunity of seeing the collection.

And so it came about that The New York Public Library was privileged to show this most famous of modern manuscripts from November 12, 1928, to January 31, 1929, beginning most appropriately, on the Monday of Children's Book Week. During the first week of the exhibition over 23,000 men, women and children stood patiently in line waiting their turn to see the "Alice in Wonderland" manuscript and its accompanying letters and first editions, as they were shown in the two cases in the Fifth Avenue entrance hall of the Library. Through this generous act Mr. Johnson has won the gratitude of many thousands of those who love "Alice." They cannot all thank him in person but we who have watched them stand, sometimes with dimmed eyes, before the simple little book, know how great is their appreciation of the opportunity of meeting "Alice" face to face and so, for them and for us, we give Mr. Johnson and Dr. Rosenbach his "aider and abettor," our sincere thanks.

R. W. G. VAIL.

NOTE: As proof that this is the original manuscript of "Alice in Wonderland" we quote the following from the author's diary: "March 1st [1885]. Sent off two letters of literary importance, one to Mrs. Hargreaves, to ask her consent to my publishing the original MS. of 'Alice' in facsimile..." (From: "The life and letters of Lewis Carroll." By Stuart Dodgson Collingwood. New York: Century, 1898.

p. 236.)

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

JOHN BUNYAN, HIS LIFE AND TIMES

1628-1928

O mark the three-hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan -recorded by the following baptismal entry in the Elstow parish register: "1628. John the sonne of Thomas Bonnionn, Junr. the 30th of Novemb." - the Library opened an exhibition of books, prints, and photographs in the Main Exhibition Room, on the fifteenth of November.

The exhibition also honors the name of James Lenox, the founder of the Lenox Library, who, early in his career as a collector, began the formation of the notable Bunyan collection now in The New York Public Library. Lenox was a great admirer of "The Pilgrim's Progress," and by his knowledge and vigilance succeeded in bringing together the unrivaled group of early editions which naturally forms the center of the present exhibition. The exhibition furthermore serves to call attention to the wealth of material in the Library dealing with the political and religious history of seventeenth-century England, especially to the rich collection of contemporary pamphlets and sermons covering the period of the Civil Wars and the Restoration. It was possible, obviously, to show only a few of these interesting items.

Another section presents a further selection from the religious and theological literature of the century. Most of the works shown here are of literary rather than political interest. Three of Bunyan's contemporaries were singled out for special commemoration: Richard Baxter, Jeremy Taylor, and John Milton, the noblest figure of Puritan England. The fine Milton collection owned by the Library - also formed by James Lenox - was drawn upon for the books and the autograph letter displayed in Case 11.

The suggestion that the Library arrange an exhibition as its contribution to the celebration of the tercentenary was first made by the American Tract Society. Thanks are due to the officers of the Society for their kindness in lending some sixty excellent photographs of places, chiefly in or near Elstow and Bedford, associated with the events of Bunyan's life, of relics, and of various documents connected with his career. From the Society came also a gift of a series of twelve beautiful reproductions in color of paintings by the English artist, Harold Copping, illustrating "The Pilgrim's Progress." These were originally made for the Royal Tract Society of Lon

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don. In the opinion of the present writer they are worthy to rank with the best of the modern illustrations, and portray with sincerity an artist's conception of some of the familiar incidents in Christian's memorable journey to the Celestial City. They are moreover good examples of modern color reproduction.

At the head of the room opposite the entrance is hung a contemporary portrait of Bunyan (dated 1673), by an unknown artist, lent by George A. Plimpton, Esq. It is not mentioned among the portraits listed by Brown in his biography, and, although its authenticity has not been definitely proved, it seems reasonably safe to assume that it is a portrait of Bunyan painted during his lifetime. At one time it belonged to the father of Robert Louis Stevenson, being taken later to Samoa in a sailing vessel by the younger Stevenson when he settled at Vailima, an association which adds considerably to its interest. The painting was bought by Mr. Plimpton at the sale of Stevenson's library in New York after his death.

The Pierpont Morgan Library generously lent its copy of the first edition. of "The Pilgrim's Progress" in order that the title-page might be shown. In the Lenox copy of the first issue of the first edition the title-page and the two following leaves are in facsimile. Otherwise it is in perfect condition. This copy is opened at the first page of the text. The Pierpont Morgan Library also lent a copy of the rare eleventh edition which is lacking from the series of early editions in the Lenox collection. To the Pierpont Morgan Library we are also indebted for the privilege of showing two unique Bunyan items of extraordinary interest - one being the original warrant for Bunyan's arrest in 1675 (1674 Old Style); and the other, volume one of Bunyan's own copy of the 1641 folio edition of Foxe's "Book of Martyrs" bearing Bunyan's name, written in large capitals, at the bottom of the titlepage. Both are displayed in Case 5. All the other objects shown in the exhibition belong to The New York Public Library.

The exhibition consists of two parts. The first part deals with Bunyan's life and times. It is an attempt to "set the scene," to present the chief events of his life, and to indicate the historical background — political and religious — essential to any real understanding of "The Pilgrim's Progress" and the place it occupies in English literature. The second part is devoted to "The Pilgrim's Progress," with brief reference to Bunyan's other writings. Twice the number of cases could have been filled easily. The aim, however, was to suggest and not to exhaust the available material, to select the items which would most vividly present the scenes and events of Bunyan's life, and which would contribute most to illuminate the historical setting.