a slate circulation tally that increments for interruptions not yet made and cannot be altered by contrition.

Dimensions: 12.4 cm × 4.1 cm × 0.9 cm. Weight, 186 grams.
Material: Slate tablet with drilled corner, cotton lanyard, and a brass-framed ivory index wheel with engraved numerals.
Provenance: Removed from the lending desk of the Harker & Pell Subscription Library, Bath. Transferred with fixtures upon dissolution of the firm, 1888. Accessioned from the estate of Mr. Edwin S. Harker, 1891. Catalogued 1893.

Remarks

Small hand tally intended for desk use. The index wheel advances in single units without detectable cause. Advances occur 2 to 11 minutes before an interruption of reading-room procedure, including questions directed to staff, dropped volumes, and disputes between patrons. The advance is not affected by staff forewarning, posted notices, or closure of the room. When an interruption occurs, the wheel does not change further. The number shown corresponds to the count of interruptions that will occur before the next closing of the room, not the total for the day.

Attempts to reduce the number by erasure, resetting the wheel, or replacing the wheel with an unnumbered blank have failed. When forced backward, the wheel returns to its prior value within one minute. Spoken apologies directed toward patrons, staff, or the object have no effect. A written apology placed beneath the tally increases the number by one.

—