And this is necessary if the various objects enumerated on p. [8] are to be attained quickly. But inasmuch as the extent and therefore the cost of the catalogue increases in direct proportion with the multiplication of entries, it becomes worth while to inquire whether some of these can not be dispensed with by devices which will suit the inquirer as well or nearly as well. Such economies are mentioned in §§ [93]–97, [113], [114].
109. Enter a polytopical book under each distinct subject.
Ex. “An art journey in Italy and Greece;” “The history of France and England compared;” “Handbook of drawing and engraving.”
But some of the subjects may be omitted if their treatment is so slight that it is not worth while to take any notice of them, which is occasionally the case even when they are mentioned on the title-page. Sometimes an analytical can take the place of a full entry for the less important topics. The points to be considered are; (1) Would this book be of any use to one who is looking up this subject? (2) Is the entry or reference necessary as a subject-word entry or reference (that is, to one who is looking for this book)?
Some books are polytopical which do not appear to be so at first sight. A collection of portraits of Germans, for example, has the subject Germans, and so far as it has any artistic value might be quoted as one of the illustrative works under the subject Portrait painting or Portrait engraving. [45] If the biographical interest were all, the general collections would be put under Portraits and the national collections (as “American portrait gallery,” “Zwei Hundert Bildnisse deutscher Männer”) under countries, with references from the general heading to the various countries, as directed in § [97]. If the artistic interest were alone considered, the general titles would be put under Portraits, and collections by painters or engravers of particular schools would be put under the names of the schools; which would amount to nearly the same arrangement as the previous.
So in regard to Hymns; there are three sources of interest, the devotional, the literary (which would lead to national subdivision), and the denominational; a similar treatment would place general collections under Hymns, collections in any language under the national heading, with either double entry under the name of the denomination or a reference from that to the national heading, specifying which of the collections there enumerated belong to the denomination. But the devotional interest so decidedly preponderates that it has been customary to collect everything under the form-heading Hymns.
In Full, almanacs will have form-entry under Almanacs and subject-entry under the district about which they give information.
Sometimes if an ordinary reference be made from one subject to another the title referred to can not easily be found. A reference from Architecture to Spain. Architecture, is convenient, but a reference to the same heading from Gothic architecture is not, because it obliges the inquirer to look through the whole list of Spanish architecture to find perhaps one title on the Gothic. In like manner there would be few entries of works on vases under most countries, so that no division Vases would be made, and the inquirer must search for his book among a number of titles on Art. And if the reference were made the other way—from the country to Vases—the inquirer would be in the same plight. There is no need, however, of double entry. If merely the name of the particular author or authors referred to under any subject be inserted in the reference, the whole difficulty vanishes.
Ex. Gothic architecture. [Various titles.] See also Spain; Architecture (STREET).
It is to be noted that herein Short has a great advantage; it does not lose so much {56} by double entry and can afford to make it in many cases where Medium must for economy put the reader to some trouble. The notes, too, in such catalogues as the Quincy or the Boston Public history-list afford a convenient way of briefly inserting considerable double entry where it is thought expedient without any apparent inconsistency.