14 



N'orth. South. Total. 



Merchants' and Shopkeepers' Apprentices, Office 



Lads, and School Boys 7.32 1100 1832 



Mechanics, Labourers, Warehousemen, and Police 



Officers 1401 



Clerks, Shopmen, and others employed in Shops. 515 



Teachers, Pupil Assistants, and Scripture Readers. 99 

 Commission Agents, Shopkeepers, and Retail 



Traders 74 



Students, and those engaged in Professions .... 20 



Business not ascertained, (principally females) . . 396 



3297 44.38 7755 



Males, 6,383 ; Females, 1,372. Of these, 3,395 are under 21 

 years of age, and tlie remainder are above that age. 



There are now 34 Blind Persons using the South Library, to 

 whom have been lent 441 volumes in embossed type ; and although 

 these books are somewhat expensive, and easily soiled, such is the 

 care taken of them, that no case of injury has yet been discovered. 

 The simplicity of " Moon's System," on which the books are embossed, 

 is such as to enable a person who has once had the blessing of sight, 

 and able to read, to teach themselves. A man, who had lost the use 

 of his vision some time since, learned in a few hours, and he has 

 expressed himself deeply grateful for the privilege of borrowing these 

 books. He stated his feelings to be of the most painful character 

 when first deprived of sight, being obliged to sit day after day ^\^thout 

 anything to occupy his attention or thoughts, and feeling, as he 

 graphically expressed it, " as if he were in solitary confinement." 

 Since he has learned to read and obtain these books, a new world 

 seems to have opened up to him, and he no longer feels the time hang 

 heavily on his hands. This may be said to be the testimony of the 

 whole of the blind persons now using the Library. 



A careful examination of the condition of the Books was made 

 during the year, and 173 volumes were found so far worn through 

 excessive circulation, as to be unfit for further use. These were 

 presented by the Committee to the Royal Infirmary and Southern 

 Toxteth Hospital, for the use of the inmates. * 



During the year 64 Books have been lost or injured while in the 

 hands of borrowers, and replaced by them or their sureties. In nine 

 cases the guarantees have had to make good the defalcation of the 



» " About 750 Volumes have been worn out during the 5 years, by constant 

 eu-culation." — Manchester Free Library Report, 1858. 



