City of London School

Milk Street

Cheapside, E.C.

30 Nov. 1881

Dear Mr. Vice Chancellor

Assuming that it is part of a librarian's duty not only to have a profound knowledge of books but also to be a clear, kindly, and helpful oracle for investigators seeking knowledge from books in many different departments of study, I venture, at Mr. Garnett's request, to testify to the promptness, exactness, and very great value of the aid I have repeatedly received from him, while attempting various literary researches. In all the different subjects with which I had to do, he seemed completely at home; and of the readiness with which he placed his knowledge at the disposal of others I can say no less than that it was a proverb among readers at the British Museum.

Edwin A. Abbott