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19th October, 1837. Not long after this he became librarian, 

 when the Institution was situated in Chancery Street, and he 

 was fond of recalling the names and incidents of that time. At 

 the annual meeting of members, held January 25th, 1848, he, 

 (along with Martin Brown and William Wood) was made an 

 honorary member for life, on account of the valuable services he 

 had rendered for many years as librarian. During the period of 

 his librarianship he was closely associated with the late Mr. John 

 Sutherland, who as honorary secretary and director did so much 

 good service for the working-men's libraiy. Besides his labours 

 for the Mechanics' Institution, Mr. Charles taught in the Sunday 

 School in connection with Trinity Church of which he was for 

 many years a member. From about 18H6 to 1880 he was 

 librarian of the Literary Institute, and some years after he 

 resigned that position, a subscription was raised, by the combined 

 efforts of the members of both Institutions, and a considerable 

 sum of money was raised for his relief and support. Latterly 

 Mr. Charles has resided with his son Kobert, at 139, Padiham 

 Road, but for the last eight years he has not been able to follow 

 any employment. On Saturday, the 4th inst., his daughter-in- 

 law and two friends returned from a walk at about half-past ten. 

 As they entered Mr. Charles was going upstairs, and before they 

 were able to sit down, he fell down stairs and fractured his left 

 thigh, and slightly bruised his face and head. He died on Monday 

 at 8-45 p.m. Mr. Charles took great interest in local and antiqua- 

 rian lore, and occasionally read very interesting papers on the 

 early history and legends of Burnley, before the members of the 

 Literary and Scientific Club and other societies. He was never 

 so happy as when recounting the histoiy of the old times, and 

 there are not many now remaining who will be able to supply 

 his place as a faithful chronicler of times gone by. 



