342 Royal Colonial InsMute. 



to use the Library, and, in view of the formation of a School of Imperial Studies 

 in London, the Library of the Royal Colonial Institute caiinot fail to prove of 

 service to the organisers of that movement. The collection, recently formed, of 

 publications issued by the American Historical Societies will be of the greatest use to 

 Students of Colonial History. A complete set of the publications issued by the Maine 

 Historical Society, presented through the President, the Hon. J. P. Baxter, and the 

 State Historian, Dr. Burrage, was received during the year. The latter, after inspecting 

 the Library, expressed his great satisfaction at the organisation of this new section. 

 Considerable progress has been made with the card catalogue, over 70,000 cards having 

 been typed or written since this catalogue was started four years ago. 



The Council thank the numerous donors of books, including the various Govern- 

 ments mthin the Empire, the different Learned Societies, Universities, and other 

 public bodies ; as well as numerous private individuals ; and desire to express their 

 appreciation of the action of proprietors of newspapers and magazines in continuing 

 to send so many valuable periodical publications. They are also greatly indebted to 

 publishers for sending books for review in " United Empire." 



" United Empire." 



11. The Journal, "United Empire," although comparatively speaking stilLin its 

 youth, has already attained a mde circulation ; and few, if any, will question the claim 

 put forth that it has, from month to month, enabled those interested in the various 

 Dominions and Colonies to keep in touch with the more important aspects of Imperial 

 development. The great loss which the Institute has sustained by the death 

 of the Editor, Mr. A. R. Colquhoun, has caused certain temporary changes to 

 be made, and the Council are especially indebted to Sir Harry Wilson, K.C.M.G., 

 for placing his services at the disposal of the Institute pending any permanent 

 arrangements. He has been ably assisted by Mrs. Colquhoun. Certain changes 

 have been made in the outward appearance of the Journal as well as in the use 

 of larger tj'pe. These alterations had been contemplated for some time past, and 

 had received the approval of the late Editor, though, unfortunately, he did not live to 

 see them carried out. The usual features, such as the Papers read at the Meetings of 

 the Institute, special articles on Imperial questions, Editorial Notes, Reviews and Book 

 Notices, etc., have been maintained, and, slace the outbreak of hostilities, a series of 

 special " War Numbers " has been issued, with the idea of placing before Fellows and 

 their friends in all parts a full account of the events which led up to the War, and the 

 course of it both in Europe and the Empire. These special numbers have not only 

 proved to be attractive and popular, but they are admittedly of great and permanent 

 value. The Journal is sent to Fellows and Associates in all parts of the world, as 

 well as to Societies, Institutions and Clubs wherever British communities exist. 

 The thanks of the Council are due to those who have given their assistance by 

 gratuitous contributions, many of them being distuiguished students of Imperial 

 questions. 



Bristol Branch, 



12. It was intended that the building for the Branch of the Institute in Bristol, 

 which (with its site) was presented by^Mr. T. J. Lennard, should have been opened in 

 November last. Unforeseen circumstances, however, have caused a postponernent 



