EEPORT. 



The history of this Institution has been one of continual progress and 

 development, but since the opening of the present building in 1860, no year 

 has brought with it so many sources of congratulation. 



The Central Library of Reference has far exceeded all previous years in 

 the extent of its issues and usefulness ; and the Lending Libraries have been 

 worked up to the full extent of their capacity, which is limited. The mam 

 feature of the year, however, has been the acquisition of the magnificent 

 Collection of Historical Art Treasures, given to the town by Mr. Joseph 

 Mayer, F.S.A., which, it is no exaggeration to say, is the finest Collection of 

 the kind ever presented to the pubUc. The money value of this Collection is 

 very great ; but it possesses an interest and value which no amount of money 

 at the present day could purchase ; it has been the loving labour of a life to 

 bring it together. In some of its departments— those of Wedgwood ware 

 and ivory carvings— it is unique. It contains the best collection extant of 

 iUustrations of the Liverpool Pottery ware, a manufacture for which the town 

 was once celebrated, but which has been long extinct. In Egyptian and 

 Assyrian antiquities it is very rich, particularly in gems. The Fausset 

 CoUcction of Anglo-Saxon Remains, the finest extant, forms a portion of it; 

 together with a large number of ancient manuscripts and iUuminations. 



The Town Council has suitably recognised its appreciation of this noble 



gift by voting a marble statue of the donor, to be placed in St. George's HaU. 



The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby, the munificent donor of the Derby 



Museum, has during the year been awarded a similar acknowledgment by the 



Council. 



The erection of the Gallery of Arts is now in a fair way of being pro- 

 ceeded with. The property required for the site has been scheduled under an 

 Act passed during the last Session, and the Borough Architect is preparing 

 plans for the intended building. 



A valuable historical CoUection of Porcelain has been lent to the 

 Institution by the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., for seven years, which 

 is open to the public, in the Picture Gallery. 



The Lectures have been continued, and have afforded valuable aid to the 

 School of Science in their endeavours to educate the industrial classes. 



The Committee have to lament the loss of the chief lecturer. Dr. E. H. 

 Birkenhead, F.G.S., who was suddenly cut off in the prime of Ufe, and in the 

 midst of a course of active usefulness. 



