BRIGHTON FREE LIBRARY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 235, 11 March 1875, Page 3

BRIGHTON FREE LIBRARY.

The Brighton Guardian publishes the following official documents, which have been issued in a pamphlet form ; It having been decided “ That there shall be a general joint meeting of all the subcommittees once in six months”—and, “That a general report be drawn up and presented once each year to the Town Council ■, through the pavilion committee, on the condition, progress, and prospects of the institution ” the following reports have been adopted by the sub-committees of each department for the year ending September 12th, 1874 ; LIBRARY SUB-COMMITTEE. In presenting their report for the year, the library sub-committee have great pleasure in being able to say that the conduct of the readers, without an exception, has been excellent ; that the books, allowing for a year’s use, are in good condition, and tkat there have been no losses. The form of alphabetical catalogue adopted has been found useful and intelligible, and the shelf catalogue, giving the position of each book on the shelves, with the number of volumes, has proved to be a valuable record. The plan for the issue of books has worked well, and has met with the approval of the principal librarians of some of the largest libraries in (he kingdom. In several

instances, our mode of management has been taken as the model in other and older institutions. It must, however, be stated that the labor of making out the classified statement, as well as of carrying on the work of the library, is quite doubled by the careless way in which the titles of the books required are frequently written in the cheque books, a single word or part of a number being often made to stand for the description of the work. The number of readers may be judged of by the fact that, on the evening of our last meeting, eighty chairs were in use at one time in the reading rooms, and the committee are able to say that such books, amongst many others, as the following have been read through : —Thiers’ Histoire du ConsulatetdeL’Empire,” 21 volumes: Miss Strickland’s “ Q ieens of England,” 12 volumes; and “ Queens of Scotland,” 5 volumes; “ Life of Andrew Fuller,” “CEuvres Completes de Moliere.” In presenting the following classified statement, it is most encouraging to notice the large proportion of useful books read. It is natural that fiction and the volumes of illustrated papers should stand first, but that science should come next, and represented by such a number of works, could scarcely have been expected. It may also be mentioned that during the last six months, notwithstanding the addition of a complete set of the Graphic , the scientific works exceeded by ten the illustrated papers. The sub committee need scarcely point out that the large number of books issued under the heads history, biography, theology, poetry, voyages, and travels, &c, indicates a high and healthy class of reading. Number of works (not volumes) issued during the year ending September 12th, 1874. Biography 2329 History 2808 Classics, Latin, and Greek ... 390 Essays, including Letters and Lectures 1607 Books in Patents Boom ... 152 Science 4489 Transactions and Proceedings 198 Voyages and Travels 2931 Magazines and Reviews ... 1837 Encyclopoedias 403 Dictionaries and Gazetteers... 754 Illustrated Papers (bound)... 5327 Miscellanies 1032 Fiction 10145 Poetry and the Drama ... 2215 Political Economy 769 Theology 2115 Archaeology, including Borough and County Histories, &c 1616 Total number of works issued without reference to number of volumes ... 40957 Since the removal into the new building, 2680 volumes, including a number of scarce works, 602 pamphlets, and 21 maps have been presented by 136 donors, and 78 volumes have been added bj purchase. Special mention must be made of ,ae valuable collection of 600 volumes of scientific works, presented by Mrs Ormerod, according to the request of the late Dr Ormerod, F.R.S., whose loss is deeply felt in all the departments of the institution. A most important addition to the scientific works has also been made in the books belonging to the Brighton and Sussex Natural History Society, which are available to the public in the reading rooms, and which are largely used and highly appreciated. The library has been of great service to many preparing for examinations, and to those engaged in literary work. In one instance, amongst many, a foreign man of letters was enabled to remain in Brighton all the winter, instead of going to London, from finding here the books which he daily required. The expression of thankfulness for the great boon of a free library, containing so large a number of valuable works, has been universal from residents and visitors. [Then follows the list of donors to the library since the removal into the new building.] MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE. The Museum Sub-Committee beg to report that before the opening of the Museum the various departments had been so carefully arranged and classified, as far as the extent of the collections went, that besides bringing the labelling nearer to completion, their attention has been principally given to filling up gaps and supplying deficiencies. The chief of these has always been felt to be the mammalia, of which there were very few at the beginning of the year. It is satisfactory to be able to report that this defect is in course of being remedied. A number of very fine specimens have been presented, chiefly by Sir J. Cordy Burrows, including several species of monkeys of the old and new worlds, and other animals. An arrangement has also been made with Mr Brazenor, by which further additions have been made in exchange for duplicates. Several skins hitherto hung on the walls have also been skillfully stuffed, and in this way excellent specimens of the antelope, lynx, and great anteater have been added to the collection. In all, the additions to this department will, when those now in hand are completed, amount to about fifty, and others are promised. Already the cases are so much crowded that it is impossible to attempt any classification. Every effort will be made to render this instructive and popular department worthy of the institution, and as we are already cramped for want of space, the earnest attention of the Town Council is requested to the means of providing additional accommodation. A large number of beautiful foreign birds, presented by J. A. Freeman, Esq, and M. Penley Esq, will soon be ready to be placed in the cases. Eleven additional species of Crustacea have been added, by purchase. The glass covered boxes and other means of securing the cases against dust will, when finished, be a great improvement, apd the beautiful Paris basin collection, presented by Thos. Davidson, Esq, F.R.S, will not only be seen to greater advantage, but will be secured from injury. The ceramic collection, when removed to suitable cases in the lecture room, v ill be one of the finest of its kind in the kingdom, and as Mr Willett intends to have it extended, arranged, and catalogued, will form a record of the tastes and habits of the people during several centuries.

Warne'a work, "Celtic Tumuli, of Dorsetshire," lately added to the library. Many valuable donations have been received from 203 donors. These include a case of British army and navy medals, presented by SurgeonMajor Fleming, which, with a case containing sixty-two lent by Captain Philp, of the Royal Scots Greys, show most of the medals and clasps given since the time of Cromwell. The splendid collection of Indian arms, lent by R. H. Wallace Dunlop, Esq, C. 8.. still remains on view. The attendance has been very large, frequently too much so for study; but whilst many, as is but natural, are merely passing thiough the rooms, much instruction is received even by them, and the sub-committee are able to say that there is a large class of real earnest students at work. Nothing could tend more to develop the educational uses of the museum than the meetings of the Natural History Society being held beneath its roof, and the books of the society being available for all, nor afford a more hopeful promise that the institution will become, and continue to be, the scientific and literary centre which has been long hoped for in Brighton. It is also most satisfactory that the relations of the Museum with the Aquarium are of the most cordial nature. The directors afford every facility for increasing our collection by the presentation of specimens of all kinds, and there is every prospect of the two institutions continuing to go hand-in-hand in the promotion of science. In every respect it may be said that the success, the popularity, and the usefulness of the museum have exceeded the hopes of its most sanguine friends ; and the expressions of approval from visitors of the highest scientific eminence have been most gratifying. [Then follows the list of donors to the Museum since the removal into the new building.] FINE AETS SUB COMMITTEE. The fine arts sub-committee beg to report that, during the first six months of the year ending September 12th, 1874, the beautiful collections of pictures so generously lent for exhibition during the previous seven months by William Webster. Esq, of Blackheath, and Henry Willett, Esq, remained in the Picture Gallery, and retained their great popularity to the last. Since April a second exhibition has been opened, and will remain on vkw for some time longer. To this Capt. Hill, Marine parade, is the principal contributor. [Then follows a list of contributors.] It is impossible to overrate the kindness of the gentlemen who have thus contributed so much to the enjoyment and permanent education of so many thousands of visitors. The attendance throughout the year has been very large, about six thousand persons having at times entered the gallery in one day. Many eminent artists have expressed their high approval of the lighting and construction of the gallery. The privilege of copying the pictures by amateurs granted by Mr Webster has been continued by Captain Hill and most of the present exhibitors, and has been greatly appreciated, one hundred and twelve copies having been made. At the close of the present exhibition, Miss Leech, of Gloucester square, Hyde park, London, will most kindly exhibit her interesting and instructive private collection of upwards of five hundred large drawings by her late eminent brother, John Leech. During the next few months it is hoped that, whilst the formation of a permanent town collection is kept steadily in view, all the friends of the institution will übe their influence to secure for the spring season a new loan exhibition worthy of those which have preceded it; and thus the high character which the Brighton Picture Gallery has already secured, will be maintained. Henry Willett, Chairman. George Scott, Curator.