1851.] 353 



sive years, several hundred volumes, periodicals and pamphlets, and, without 

 other aid, vsrould soon have filled our shelves. 



We most cordially invite such contributions, which are gratifying, both as 

 evincing a regard for the Institution, and as affording us opportunities for recipro- 

 cating. From Societies abroad, however, we have yet much to ask. Although 

 in correspondence and exchange with many of them of the highest distinction, 

 there are others which have failed to embrace the offers which we have 

 extended to them. On this account foreign Societies, previously receiving 

 our Journal and Proceedings, are now no longer on the exchange list, the only 

 return for our publications having been formal acknowledgments of their receipt 

 by these Societies. The value which we may now justly claim for the Journal 

 and Proceedings of this Institution, entitles us to hope for a better and more 

 liberal feeling hereafter. 



Among the members of the Academy most conspicuous this year for contribu- 

 tions to the Library, I may mention Mr. George Ord and Mr. Robert Pearsall. 

 To Mr. Ord we are indebted for 27 folio and quarto volumes of works; and to 

 Mr. Pearsall for eight 4to and folio volumes of valuable dictionaries in foreign 

 languages. To Mr. Haidinger, of Vienna, a correspondent of the Institution, we 

 are under obligations for numerous works, of which he is either author or 



editor. 



This constant and rapid influx of books and pamphlets has again nearly 

 exhausted our available room. Scarcely two years have elapsed since the 

 adjoining apartment was fitted up for the reception of books, yet but little space 

 remains for additions, even in single volumes, and certainly none for any large 

 series. Under such circumstances, and should our present rate of increase con- 

 tinue, it will be necessary to make further provision for accommodating the 

 books. I therefore respectfully ask the early attention of the Society to this 

 important matter, merely suggesting, on this occasion, that the apartment to the 

 North of the one just referred to, and adjoining it, and now occupied as a dupli- 

 cate room, and used also for unpacking parcels and boxes, could be very readily 

 altered, at a moderate expense, and made to answer the required purpose. 



[ would also suggest to the Society the propriety of selling the duplicate 

 volumes, now for the most part in the room last mentioned, and also the exten- 

 sive series of French Documents. This will even be necessary, should the pro- 

 posed alteration be determined upon, as no space could be spared for them, 

 except in the cellar, where they would not be likely to benefit by the change. 



The proceeds of the sale of these works would, even at auction rates, form a 

 fund which could be most advantageously applied at present to Library pur- 

 poses. 



1 also beg again to call the attention of the Society to a proposition made in 

 the last report, viz : to extend the prohibition of taking books from the Hall to 

 all the worhs in the Library. No reason now exists for permitting'any work to 

 leave the Hall, every facility for consulting them here being afforded, that can 

 be asked for. Although thus far we have sustained no losses, nor has any injury 

 been done, since their removal to the present'apartment, yet future contingencies 

 should be guarded against, and the fact steadily kept in view, that a single care- 

 less member may occasion a loss which neither time nor money could repair. 

 The practice of loaning keys to strangers, who are usually irresponsible persons, 



