while ostensibly a novel, is a biography, which may be read as such, of Major Eldred Pottinger, who devoted his life to furthering British interests on the Indian frontier. Another book of the kind, nominally fiction yet virtually a life of Hamilton, the American statesman, is
On the other hand, works of historical romance are got up in size and appearance, including the provision of portraits as illustrations, to range with histories and biographies, and thus they deceive the unwary, who are apt to regard them as authoritative and genuine, although perhaps it is not the intention of the author that they should be so regarded. Such a book is
"HARE, Christopher" (Mrs. Andrews.) Isabella of Milan, Princess d'Aragona, and wife of Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza: the intimate story of her life in Milan. 1911
While written in the form of letters, it is pure romance, with an historical basis.
In the ordinary way these books would receive quite different treatment, even for the classified catalogue. For the dictionary catalogue the books palpably novels would have title-entries given them, as
Hero of Herat, The. Diver, M. Conqueror, The. Atherton, G. F.
whereas the larger-sized book receives a subject-entry as a serious book,
Isabella of Milan, Princess d'Aragona, &c. Hare, C. 1911
and would be placed with historical biography in the classified catalogue.
This raises the important question whether the cataloguer is ever justified in giving subject-entries for works of fiction, especially historical romances. Much depends upon the nature and quality of the book. When it can be read as a contribution to the subject or period with which it deals, without being to any extent misleading, then it may fairly and usefully receive a subject-entry. Where so entered, it will prevent misunderstanding if a note (annotation) is appended to the entry, stating that the work is in fiction form. A schoolmaster, who was versed in the life of Sir Thomas More, read Anne Manning's "The household of Sir Thomas More" more than once, and could hardly be convinced that it was a work of fiction.
Catalogued according to the suggestions here outlined, the entries for the works of fiction would be
DIVER, Maud. The Hero of Herat: a frontier biography in romantic form. Though in fiction form the book is a biography of Major Eldred Pottinger, who devoted his life to furthering British interests on the frontier of India. Pottinger, Major Eldred, The Hero of Herat. Diver, M. A novel embodying Pottinger's life. ATHERTON, Gertrude F. The Conqueror: being the true and romantic story of Alexander Hamilton. Life of Hamilton, the American statesman, in fiction form.