REPORT. 



The Committee have pleasure in reporting a continued increase 

 and progress in the departments under their charge, as will be 

 seen from the subjoined statements. 



In the Act of Parliament under which the establishment of 

 the Institution was authorised, it is entitled the "Liverpool 

 Library, Museum, and GaUery of Arts." The two former are 

 in active operation, the latter has hitherto had no existence. 

 Reference was made in the last report to the resolution of the 

 Council sanctioning the erection of a GaUery of Arts, at a cost 

 not exceeding £10,000, provided the interest and redemption 

 fund can be defrayed out of the rate of a penny in the pound 

 levied under the Act. After careful consideration of the current 

 expenses which are absolutely necessary to maintain the Institu- 

 tion in its present efftciency, the Committee cannot honestly 

 declare that the proceeds of the rate are sufficient for this 

 purpose. The erection of the new Gallery must therefore be 

 postponed to a more convenient season. The Committee deeply 

 regret this, believing as they do, that a proper system of 

 Art Education would be of essential benefit to aU classes, 

 especiaDy to the working class, both intellectually and morally, 

 whilst it would contribute materially to the improvement of our 

 manufactures and the prosperity of our artisans. One per cent, 

 of the money which has lately been expended in public parks, 

 would have provided a Gallery of Art, which there is every 

 reason to believe, would have been speedily fiUed by donations 



