Famous Library

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 231, 30 September 1936, Page 9

Famous Library

STORIES or ADVENTURES LONDON, Sept. 5. A famous London public library, m which Louis de Rougeinont wrote his wonder tales of travel in the South Seas and north-west of West Australia, is being pulled down. Here it was that the notorious adventurer worked on those romances which hoaxed the world until he was exposed in .1908; but: which, in point of fact, have since been revealed to bo possible in many particulars. It. is at West Hill, between. Wandsworth and Putney, the second oldest public library in London. Tito first was at Westminster. The West Hill building a late lStii century residence, was bought by Wandsworth Borough Council soon after the passing of the Public Library Act in 1885. Its previous owner was Mr. Sismondi liucher, a wealthy tradesman and a collector of orchids, of which four types were called after him. The West Hill library has interesting and important literary associations. The first librarian, Mr. Cotgreave, invented the Cotgreave indicator, which was used in libraries all over Britain in the days of the “closed system.” A frequent reader in early days was Miss Kosa N. Carey, whose sentimental stories wero popular with young women of the nineties. The late Sir Owen Seaman, editor of “Punch,” was at one time on tho Board of Commissioners.