From the Academy

Private Libraries

In his novel Self Condemned, the late Wyndham Lewis sketches a lingering freeman of the old republic of letters, a critic named Rotter; and describes Rotter’s handsome library. In the days that are approaching—indeed, that are upon us—there will be no such cozy studies and noble private libraries, Lewis suggests: the egalitarians will see to that, employing the powers of the state to enforce uniformity of intellect and taste.