Chapter 52 three bookstores

three bookstores The shops selling second-hand books in London are concentrated on Charing Cross Road; it is a lively place and it is easy to find.The road is neither wide nor long, just a curved section; there are not short books on both sides, neatly arranged in the glass windows, and chaotic books on the stalls at the door.Coupled with the people lingering in front of the window, around the stalls, and reading books, it seems crowded everywhere, and the road becomes narrower when you look at it.It's the most enjoyable to read at the stalls, you can flip through them as you like, you don't need to "excuse me" or "thank you";When you go in, you can look at it casually, flip through it casually, but there are also times when you need to "excuse me" and "thank you"; but if you like to buy or not, you will never be blindsided.It is said that they are old books, but there are also new books; they are just old books that come mostly.The largest one is Foyle, which is on the west side of the road; the old building and the new building face each other across a side street, occupying house number seven, both have four floors, and the old building has a basement—but it’s not a cellar. .The store is divided into twenty-five volumes according to the nature of the books; the basement is full of old literature books.Twenty-eight years ago, this store was a small shop with only one clerk; now it has almost 200 clerks and a collection of 2 million books. The London Morning Post called it "the world's largest new and used bookstore".There are also book stalls at the door of the store on both sides, but they are bigger than other stores.I got a copy of my Pocket Guide to Europe right here at half price from the clerk in the book-dusted smock.When flipping through books at the stall, the clerk is often not seen; when he has selected a book and looks around for him, he comes out from nowhere.But the most worthwhile lingering is the basement; there are many rows of bookshelves, and there are piles here and there on the floor.Going in at first, it seems to have fallen into a sea of ​​books; only slowly did you find the way.The room is not bright enough, and there is a lot of dirt, and the lights must be turned on during the day at places farther from the windows.But you can watch them freely; they are from seven in the morning to nine in the evening, you don't care what time you stay, and you don't care how many times a day you go.There is only one thing, don't worry.You have to be like visiting a temple fair or a small market, half playing, half serious, flipping through, looking through; maybe you can't come across a book you like a few times, maybe you get more than one in a short time.

Business skills are indispensable for opening a shop, but Foyer's is quite elegant.They set aside an art gallery on the fourth floor of the old building, displaying some paintings from time to time.It doesn’t cost you to go to see it, and the exhibition catalog is also given away; there are a few lines printed on the back of the catalog, telling you that if you want to buy art books, you can go to the art department next to the museum.The paintings on display are not bad either, some are for sale and some are not.They often hold lectures in the museum, and there are many well-known speakers and chairpersons.It doesn't cost money to attend the lectures; just under the quarterly lecture program, "Your attention is drawn to the Foyer bookstore that organizes the lectures."There is also the so-called literary luncheon, I remember that it is also in the museum.They invited one or two small celebrities to be the protagonists, and whoever they wanted could join in for a meal fee; lunch in England was simple and not expensive.If you have spare time, it would be worthwhile to appreciate that Jun's conversation, but there are not many of them.

Oxford Street is the east-west thoroughfare of London, extremely prosperous, with the most cloth shops on the street; but there is also a big bookstore called Bumpus.This shop was opened around 1790, originally elsewhere; a branch was opened on Oxford Street in 1850, and it was moved there at the end of the 19th century. In the Victorian era, the owner Thomas Pembers was very knowledgeable There were Dickens, Lamb, Macaulay, Widgwith and others coming and going; the shop became famous at this time.The back of the store was originally connected to the old court, with a detention center, guard room, etc., which have been bought by the store for more than ten years.This historic site increases people's interest in bookstores.The courthouse's meeting rotunda is now used exclusively for book fairs; the guardroom displays illustrated books, and the jailhouse becomes a warehouse for new books.But the scene of that day can also be seen from some paintings: for example, the interior of the guard room painted by Rowlandson in the 18th century shows that the guards lit up their lamps at night and prepared to inspect the prison, and they looked very busy.There is another picture, which shows a guard in 1729, with a fierce look.There is also a painting in the detention center. There is a large brick archway, a stone-paved floor, and the thick wooden door of the guard room is tightly locked, leaving only a small square window, which is bounded by cross-shaped iron bars; It can't fly out even with its wings inserted.

This shop is a five-story building, but it is not as big as Foyer's house.The lower floor sells new books, the third floor sells children's books, foreign books, the fourth and fifth floors sell cheap books; the second floor sells out-of-print books, rare books, hardcover new books, as well as "Bibles", prayer books, book shadows, etc. This is where the essence lies.They have catalogs such as first printed editions, fine printed editions, author's self-printed editions, and author's signed editions.The new book is bound with calfskin or morocco leather (goatskin—sheepskin can also be imitated), hot-on gold or cubist patterns of other colors; a few sparse flat lines or arcs, and "dots", intertwined The configuration is clean, neat, calm, open-minded, and clear-eyed.The number of bound books is exquisite here, which is rare in other bookstores.The shadow of the book is a leaf of a manuscript imitating the Middle Ages, probably a prayer or something.Medieval manuscripts use black cursive characters, the first letter of the letter and the space around the leaves, and often use various floral decorations painted in blue and gold. As long as it is a little antique.

In 1931, this shop held two exhibitions, one for the Cambridge Books Exhibition and one for the Modern Illustrated Books Exhibition, both in the "meeting hall".The important thing is naturally the first time.Oxford and Cambridge are the most famous universities in the United Kingdom; each has a printing house, and they are all famous.Oxford books have been exhibited here in the past, and now Cambridge's books are exhibited again. It can be said that there is no regret.This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Pitt Press in Cambridge, and the exhibition will celebrate this.The exhibition was opened by the famous General Smuts, and there were scientists JamesJeans, ArthurEddington, and others.The exhibition is divided into two parts, one is about 4,000 volumes of books published now; the other is the historical part.Cambridge's books have clear fonts, well-proportioned ink colors, well-styled lines, and the best workmanship on the titles and jackets; they are especially good at arithmetic books, specialized science books.These two books require the most delicate technique, the most careful proofreading; Cambridge is the first.But these things, as well as those obscure foreign language books they printed, were sold too little and couldn't make any money.Except for the University Printing House, few others are willing to print.Cambridge also undertook the printing of the "Bible"; the only printers in the UK who were allowed to print the "Bible" were Cambridge, Oxford and Royal Printers.Smeets said Cambridge made money from Bibles and textbooks.However, the "Times" editorial said that the responsibility of printing the "Bible" is now very heavy, and if we seriously study the Bible, we can only do it. ——

In 1588, the earliest British "Bible" was printed by Cambridge.The first book printed in England was written by William Caxton in London in 1477.In 1521, John Siberch came to Cambridge and printed eight books within one year, and the Cambridge printing business was initiated.Eight years later, because there was a bookstore colluding with heretical new sects, the university petitioned the government for the king's approval, fearing that they would use books to publicize. Inspector Approved Book.At that time the King of England was Henry the Eighth; an imperial edict was issued to them in 1534, authorizing them to choose three bookstores and printers, or bookstores, "to print all kinds of books approved by the president of the university or his agent, etc. books".This is the legal basis for the Cambridge book.But it was not until 1583 that they actually printed books.At that time, various bookstores in London had the patent right to print books and raised prices arbitrarily.They are jealous of the books printed by Cambridge, and what they hate more is that they are sold cheaply.It happened that in 1620 Cambridge reprinted a grammar book of theirs, and they sued in court.Cambridge teachers and students have long been displeased with them raising the price, and this made them even more aggrieved; the vice-principal of the university went to the new market on the first King James in the second year, and handed over a letter on the way, with a Compare price lists.It's a bit nerdy to make a fuss like this.Wang discussed with the ministers and said, we have too many things to do now, and we don't have time to discuss the rights and interests of the university and the bookstores; but the printers of the quasi-university sell those grammar books to save his expenses.This can be regarded as a soft nail, but it can also be regarded as a victory.The presentation, the batch, and the "Bible" mentioned above are all in this exhibition.There are also two kinds of the eight books printed by Xi Boqi here.In addition, there is also the final version of the "Bible" printed in early 1629, with intricate carvings and exquisite workmanship.Also on display is the first edition of Milton's Lycidas, which he had corrected himself.

The Modern Illustrated Book Exhibition, shortly before Christmas, presumably tells parents to buy some extra gift for their children.But in a foreigner, it is also worth seeing.The exhibits are works from the past 70 years. Although there is no system, you can find all kinds of beauty and trends here.Illustrations are different from decorative paintings, you have to recite the text of the original book and reveal your own edge.The heart needs to be sharp, and the hands need to be familiar. The two are indispensable.Whether it is written or imagined, it depends on the situation of the original book and the nature of the painter. ——The illustrations of fairy tales have to be written out of thin air, and the imagination is more free; in the eyes of unfree adults, it may have a different taste.Anyone who has seen John Tenniel's illustrations in Zhao's translation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland will feel the same way. ——The exhibits are humorous, beautiful, bold, dignified, and each excels in their field. Some people call it "visual music", which is quite close.The most interesting thing is that the illustrations by the same author are very different.For example, Omar Khayyam and Shakespeare almost look the same in one person's hands; there are many books in the exhibition, which are more convenient to read and can broaden your horizons.The illustrations are "black and white" and some are in color; there are many "black and white" illustrations to save time and money.As far as black-and-white paintings are concerned, they used to be engravings, and later they were photographed. Although the photographs are fine, they have lost that vigor, which can be felt when you compare them with the originals.The original manuscripts are also exhibited here, whether it is gray strokes or watercolors; not only can we "look at each other", but also make those artists closer to us. The "Observator" reporter recalled this exhibition, saying that books with illustrations are often printed in very large fonts, intended to be harmonious; but it is really inconvenient to read.He advocated that the books and pictures should be separated, and the characters should be printed in the usual size.He naturally refers to the big book.But that kind of "harmony" is actually cute; if it's inconvenient, this kind of book is for you to enjoy slowly, so can you count the lines like reading a newspaper?Besides, taking apart the paired pair will not only make them different in size, but also cost more money.

The Poetry Bookshop (The Poetry Bookshop) is really small, on a small street in a big place. "Named" Street is really a small alley.There are not many carriages and horses in front of the gate, let alone; even pedestrians, there are only a few a day.That street is diagonally across from the well-known British Museum; there is a small wooden signboard nailed to the street entrance.When I went there for the first time, my tutor looked for it near the museum.Ask the guard at the gate of the courtyard, he didn’t know there was such a shop, and asked the old man wearing a bowler hat on the road, he thought there was no such a shop; he found the small wooden sign with great difficulty, and it was really “far away in the sky, but close in front of us”.This shop used to be in another place, so it was remote, it didn't even have a name on Pei Zike's map, it was said that it was an old house, it was really poetic, it would be a pity to move it to such an ordinary place now.At that time, American tourists often went there. One reason may be that such old houses were not seen in the United States.

The poet Harold Monro founded this poetry shop in 1912.The intention is to make poetry and society have a real relationship.Munro was an important character in London's literary career for more than twenty years.He has been famous since 1911 when he ran Poetry Review for poetry clubs.In the first issue, he said, "The relationship between poetry and life needs to be seriously discussed, and the standards used for other arts should also be used for poetry." , so that he can continue to do it; ordinary people should also read poems and benefit from poems.For the former, he wanted to run his own magazine, and for the latter, he wanted to hold poetry readings; for the two, he set up a poetry book shop.This shop has published "Georgian Poetry" (Georgian Poetry). George is the name of the current King of England, which means contemporary poetry anthology, and all the collections are representative writers.When the first volume was published, it became popular for a while, and more people bought and recited poems; the society was indeed greatly affected.There are five volumes of poetry anthology; when the fifth volume was published in 1922, the poetic popularity of George Poet was gradually declining.From 1919 to 25, the monthly magazine "The Chapbook" (The Chapbook) was published in the shop, which contained poems, commentaries, woodcuts, etc., and there were many new writers.

The poetry reading is also in the shop; from exactly six o'clock on Thursday nights, in a small building.There are also certain times of the year that are fixed or not.It has been almost uninterrupted since its inception.Almost all famous poets, successively, have read poetry here: their own poems, or poems they like.The entrance ticket is sixpence, which is considered cheap in the UK, which is four or five cents.When I was in London, I went there twice.At that time, Meng Luo was ill and was unable to ask questions, so the shop was quite gloomy.Both were read by his wife, Alida Klementaski, who said they couldn't find anyone else.The small building can accommodate forty or fifty seats, and there were quite a few people in the two visits; the second visit was full, and almost all of them were women—and some stood against the wall to listen.In the room, a table lamp with a blue cover is on on the small table of the person who only reads poetry, dimly.She reads the poems of Keez and others very well, her articulation is both clear and frustrating, and she can express the emotion of the original poems in an expert way.There are two ways of reading English poetry, biting each accent clearly, and emphasizing the staccato, which is different from the tone of speech. John Drinkwater (JohnDrinkwater) advocated this one.He said that if you read poetry in the tone of speech, it is too casual, and the poem will run away.But with a little reference, like Ms. Klemandsky, it seems to be fluent and unique.I am afraid that what kind of poems to read and what kind of poets to read cannot be generalized.But when reading poetry in the UK, apart from chanting instead of chanting, there is another fundamental difference from China: they pause according to the style, not according to the line, and not necessarily according to the rhyme.This is because their poems are based on the rhythm of severity, and the organization of sentences is different. Often a sentence spans two or three lines, but they have to be read as one sentence, and the rhyme has to slide over gently.Reading poetry is a talent, but it also needs training; they pay attention to this and have many opportunities for training, so even poets can have a hand.

There is only one shop downstairs, but it is separated from the poetry reading building by a corridor.The room is a bit dark, with bookshelves lining the walls, and some poetry sheets and woodcuts on the middle table.There are two types of chapters, wide and long, printed with poetry, plus some sporadic color paintings, for adults and children to play.On a tent table in the corner sat an amiable, round-faced middle-aged woman wearing myopia glasses.There was a stove in front of the table, and squatting beside the stove was a big white lion cat, as fat as a woman.Sometimes I met Ms. Klemandarski, who came and went in a hurry.Munro died on March 15, 1932.When I went to the shop the next night, I saw two young men talking to the woman accountant; when it came to poetry and life, they all mourned Munro.The voice is very sad, but it flows like a clear spring, almost like a poem; the female accountant can't say anything, just nothing.Meng Luo devoted himself most to the combination of poets and literati in Japan, and he always brought all kinds of talents together.He is also hospitable, and there are often many people talking by the fireside at home (when the fire is used in England all the year round), and they don't go until late at night.The sadness of these two young people is not accidental.His shop couldn't make any money; after his death, his wife took it over, and with a little effort, it's still open now. Made on October 27, 1934. (Originally published in "Middle School Students" No. 51 on January 1, 1935)