Athenaeum's Lady

Polite conversation in Boston has buzzed for some time over who would be Harvard's next president and who would be the Athenaeum's next librarian. The first question is still open: for the presidency, which may not be filled until next autumn, Dean Kenneth Ballard Murdock is still in the lead, with Headmaster Francis Parkman of St. Mark's School increasingly mentioned. The second question was answered last week, and surprisingly: the "First Gentleman's Library in the World'' has a lady librarian for the first time in its 126 years.

The Boston Athenaeum with its 300,000 volumes is the world's largest library whose stacks are open to its readers. Founded by Boston merchants, its ownership is vested in 1,049 shares, currently priced at $400 and quoted every Thursday among unlisted securities. By buying a share you become a "Proprietor" and may roam at will through the dingy-faced, bronze-doored building at No. 10 1/2 Beacon Street, across from the Bellevue Hotel and in front of old Granary burying ground. The Athenaeum's interior was remodeled in 1913 but it is still mellow, musty. Its most famed room is the Scruple Room, so-called because the large collection of pornographic books it contains is catalogued with a pharmacist's "scruple mark." To draw books from these shelves one must go to the librarian and boldly name the book. The Athenaeum has a creaky elevator, manned by kindly old Thomas, who wears black gloves in summer, drinks his tea daily in the elevator at half-past four.

For 20 years after its founding no woman dared enter the Athenaeum. Only during the past 75 years have the Proprietors' wives been freely admitted. There are other comparatively recent changes. Gone are the "spit-boxes" (as Boston called them) which used to be filled with clean sand twice a week. Signs no longer warn Proprietors and visitors to keep their feet off the tables.

Last week, with Librarian Charles Knowles Bolton, 65, retiring after 35 years at the Athenaeum, every one thought it perfectly suitable that Miss Elinor Gregory should get the job. An erudite, quick-smiling, pleasant-voiced spinster, she had been Librarian Bolton's chief assistant for a decade, had lately been practically running the place. Said she: "Of course, the Athenaeum will remain exactly as it is." Also last week. Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams was re-elected president of the Athenaeum, having served for a year.

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