JThe number of times 



the different classes 



Classification of Books Read. of Books (laken as a 



whole) have been read, 

 is about : — 



6 times. 



Theology, Metaphysics, &c 4071 



Natural Philosophy 3577 | 8 ,, 



Natural History 1903 j 5 „ 



Science and the Arts 2808 j 7 , , 



History and Biography 13369 | 8 ,, 



Topography and Antiquities 1848 ] 4 ,, 



Geography, Voyages and Travels 7433 8 ,, 



Miscellaneous Literature 10208 | 5 ,, 



Law, Pohtics, &c 739 ^^ ,, 



Commerce and Political Economy 394! 6" ,, 



Education, Logic, Language, &c 1018 i 9 ,, 



Poetry and the Drama ■'')770 9 „ 



Novels 56224 ' 52 „ 



Classical Literature 291 | 6 ,, 



Encyclopaedias, Heraldry, &c 2070 6 ,, 



Total 111,723 



It will be seen from the above table that works of amusement 

 form about one-half of all the books read. Far from regretting 

 this result, the Committee feel it their duty to render this portion 

 of the Library more attractive still, being of opinion that the love 

 of reading in any form must tend to counteract the propensity to 

 low and degi-ading pursuits, and that in order to inspire a thirst for 

 knowledge, the first step is to cultivate a taste for reading in some 

 direction. History, general literature, voyages and travels, and 

 poetry have been next in demand. The number of theological 

 and philosophical works consulted being about 80 per week, or 

 4,071 during the year, is somewhat remarkable, and indicates 

 a higher class of general reading than might at first sight be 

 expected. 



"' The individuals frequenting the Library do not belong to any 

 class of society in particular. A large proportion belong to the 

 operative classes, and of these again many are youths in their 

 apprenticeship. The advantage to these which the Library 

 presents it would be difficnlt to over-estimate, and the effect is 

 beginning already to tell in a marked manner upon their conduct. 

 For some time after the opening of the Library, before the 



