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In order that the Manchester Literary and Pliilosophical 

 Society may preserve its ancient traditions and enable it to 

 continue and extend its sphere of usefulness as representing 

 original research, both literary and scientific, your Council 

 considers that it has become necessary to take the requisite 

 steps for the proper arrangement of our unique library, now 

 one of the most valuable collections of scientific reference 

 in the kingdom ; and also for enlarging its accommodation. 

 For this purpose our present historic home is quite in- 

 adequate; we possess, however, freehold land at the rear 

 of the premises upon which a suitable library and general 

 meeting room can be erected, but the Society is without 

 funds applicable for building purposes. 



The principal result which the Society will be able to 

 show in future years of the work which it has accomplished, 

 will be established by its " Memoirs." The publication of 

 such volumes is regarded by the Council as of the highest 

 importance, and it is greatly to be regretted that more funds 

 have not been at their disposal to issue more frequent 

 volumes, and to produce them in a form more worthy of 

 the Society, and of the city of whose intellectual life it forms 

 a part. 



No public appeal for pecuniary aid has ever been made 

 by the Society during the century of its existence, but to 

 carry out the objects here set forth the sum of at least £5,000 

 will be needed from the members and their friends. Your 

 Council confidently appeals to all who realise the supreme 

 importance of maintaining the Society in a condition of 

 efficiency as a focus of scientific and literary activity, and 

 who, being proud of its past history, feel the obligation 

 strong to do what in them lies to make its present influence 

 at least comparable with that which in past times it has 

 exerted. 



The President, Dr. Roscoe, is now engaged in a prelimi- 

 nary canvass of the members, which up to the present has 



