The Editor Visits The Brander
Matthews Dramatic Museum
 

Pnr^HE Reference Room of the Brander Matthews Dra-
I      niatic Museum is in Philosophy, and the Exhibiticm Room

Ji is in Low Library, but the Museum isn't part of the
Library, it's part of the English Department!" This compli¬
cated description of the whereabouts of the object of our visit
did not deter us, however; we enjoy the small adventures
to which wanderings around the campus give rise. Hesitating
before a tall brick structure we asked a bright-looking student
if this were Philosophy Hall. He pointed with a grin at a statue
of Rodin's "Thinker" which stands before it. "There's your
answer!" So, up to Room 602, where we found a lady briskly
putting the place, obviously just painted, to rights. It was the
librarian. Miss Else Pinthus, of whose enthusiasm for the Brander
Matthews collection we had already been told. It was no exag¬
geration: as soon as she learned our mission, her delight in Brander
Matthews and all his works positively shone forth. The chairs
were left standing on the table, the duster was dropped, and
Miss Pinthus moved happily around showing us the latest for¬
eign theatre magazines, the collection of theatrical photographs
and lantern slides, the playbills, and the books on the stage-
ancient and modern, foreign and domestic,—all of which add up
to a very outstanding collection in the field of the theatre arts.

Brander Matthews, the founder of the collection, is the sub¬
ject of another article in this issue. He was Columbia's first Pro¬
fessor of Dramatic Literature, and gave to the University many
of the books and other objects in the Museum. Other notable be¬
quests, including those of G. C. Odell, \\'oodman Thompson and
Joseph Urban, have since been added.

Professor Odell was Brander Marthew's successor, and Miss