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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;EWC3, post: 3512328, member: 93416&quot;]I suppose I am being a bit of a spoil sport here – but I always preferred reading ancient texts themselves, and that seems to be dying out, to some extent.</p><p><br /></p><p>For instance, I recall reading of a Chinese book on political economics reputedly from 2,000 BC (!) called “The Great Plan”, so I went to look for it (in translation) in the SOAS library in London. I could not find it, so asked the librarian - and was led up to a sort of little used garret I had not found. The guy pulled the book of the shelf for me - and started to complain, he got dust all over his work suit…..</p><p><br /></p><p>Or the historical account of Wang An Shih – (who was the World’s most prolific coiner up till about 1950, overseeing the casting of 5 billion coins a year). I discovered York Uni had a copy and went to consult it, but again could not find it. Asked the librarian. They had a rule that if a book was not consulted for 10 years it was locked in a cupboard for disposal. I offered to buy it or consult it, so at least I maybe saved it in the collection for 10 years…….</p><p><br /></p><p>The great works of translation was chiefly done by a handful of 19th century amateurs. The much bigger body of modern academics seem to have almost stopped the work of translation since about 1950.</p><p><br /></p><p>And I find when I go to an academic library to consult loanable books, they are almost never out on loan.</p><p><br /></p><p>Rob T[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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