The Museum of Natural History, presented to tlic i«nvii hy the 

 Earl of Derby, was opened to the pubhc on the 8th of Maich. 

 Since that time it has been visited by 157,861 persons, being an 

 average of 4,933 per week. 



The Museum also contains the Model of Liverjiool, and the 

 cases of imports which appeared in the Great Exhibition of 1851. 

 The latter have been recently re-arranged. Many donations have 

 been presented during the year, the principal of which is a s^iei^ 

 of fossil casts from India, presented by the Hon. East India 

 Company. 



The satisfactory development of both the Museum and Libraiy 

 is materially retarded by the insufficiency of the building in which 

 they are contained. Happily, the Council have determined that 

 this shall no longer be the case. 



The site on the north side of Shaw's Brow, voted unanimously 

 at the last meeting of the Council, will meet every requirement on 

 the score of situation and capacity, whilst the grant of £10,000 in 

 aid of the building, voted at the same Council, united to the 

 donation of £6,000 by Mr. W. Brown, M.P., for the Library 

 Building, will enable the Committee for next year to proceed 

 vigorously with their preparations for the erection. 



The Committee cannot close their report without a more direct 

 allusion to Mr. Brown's noble gift. It is alike worthy of the 

 donor and the object — it is an omen of future progress and 

 success. It is sincerely to be hoped that he may live to see the 

 completion and success of the Institution towards which he has 

 so largely contributed ; and that his example may stimulate all 

 who desire to see the progress of our commvmity in all whicli 

 shoiild adorn and dignify humanity, if not to rival his munificence, 

 at least to lend a helping hand towards the furtherance of an 

 object which is emphatically for the benefit of all. 

 Signed on behalf of the Committee, 



J. A. PICTON, Chairman. 



October 26 t/i. 18,53. 



: iShi 

 iO NOV 3S 



