482 Mr. Charles Welch on the Guildhall Library. [Jan. 25, 



benefit it has proved to the people of London, shows the need of 

 similar reference libraries distributed about the suburbs of the great 

 Metropolis. Instead of some thirtv-eioiit library authorities, each 

 estabhshing out of very limited means a reference library for its 

 own district, a well-considered scheme might surely be devised and 

 submitted for Parliamentary sanction by which, say, six good hbraries 

 might be formed, three north and three south of the Thames, which 

 would amply and much more economically supply the needs of the 

 London ratepayers. 



Lastly, another want still remains to be supplied, namely, the 

 provision of lending Hbraries for students, from which, under proper 

 regulations and restrictions, valuable but necessary books of reference 

 could be freely borrowed for home use. My views on these last two 

 important matters were strongly urged in public addresses which I 

 delivered in 1881) and 1894. I only venture to repeat them in your 

 presence because in the Metropohs the rate-supported library system 

 is still in its infancy, and much may still be done to secure its 

 development on more economical and better-considered lines by co- 

 operation — enforced co-operation if necessary— between the various 

 librarv authorities. 



[C. W.] 



WEEKLY EVENING MEETING. 

 Friday, February 1, 11)07. 



Sir James Crichtox-Browne, M.D. LL.I). F.R.S., Treasurer and 

 Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Sir Almroth E. Wright, M.D. F.R.S. 



IVte Method of Comhatlny tlie Bacteria of Disease in the 

 Interior of the Organism. 



[No Abstract.] 



