Literary Society.

He discussed the various religious tenets that had turned poets against Christianity—belief in personal immortality, in the Divinity of Christ, in a personal diety—"God made man after his own image, and man has returned the compliment"—and voiced his belief that the great anti-religious poetry would be of the future.

A lively discussion followed, in which Mr. Reardon took the stand that great poetry was impossible without great spiritual feeling, but we give the laurel wreath to Reg. Larkin for his bland enquiry: "What's wrong with a bit of evil now and again ?"

The next activity of the Society fulfilled a long-felt need—to break away from classrooms and lectures to an atmosphere more conducive to the flow of soul. The Turnbull Library was the scene, and, judging by the frenzied efforts of the Chairman, the select party of twenty-five was loth to break up and go home even at 11 o'clock or later. Mr. Johannes Anderson as a charming host, lecturer and showman, and the glowing fire, beautiful room and cases of leather-bound books and folios proved an endless delight.

Mr. Anderson chatted to us about these treasures, and even our acquisitive instincts were aroused when he held in his hand a few small volumes of Milton, worth more than ten times their weight in gold. After the lecture we had opportunity to look at some of those first editions which were rare and precious by reason page 7 of their associations, for their authors had probably handled them. There was a Browning with an inscription in his own hand-writing, a first edition of "Pauline," a copy of "The Battle of Marathon," a poem written by Elizabeth Barrett at the age of twelve and published by her stern but proud papa, and a slim green first edition of her "Sonnets from the Portuguese." There were many others, but a book which particularly tickled our fancy (and our nostrils) was an edition of Oscar Wilde which contained a letter from him still, after forty years, redolent of the strong perfume he affected.

Having answered all our questions patiently— even those on Leigh Hunt—Mr. Anderson finally shepherded us from the building with an invitation to come again. On that occasion we hope that those who were turned away (as theatre managers say) will be able to attend.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 5th, when Mr. R. J. Larkin will read a paper on "Satire and Satirists."