11 



hardly be over-rated, and it is satisfactory to find that the privilege is highly 

 estimated, the Library attaining every year more and more the character of 

 an educational institution of the highest class— that in which the educators 

 and leaders in every branch of science and literature can find the means of 

 fitting themselves for their noble occupation. 



During the year 1,959 volumes of books have been added to the Librr.iy, 

 viz., ],667 by purchase, 88 from the Commissioners of Patents, and 204 1 y 

 donation, under the following heads : — 



Classifications. 1*>72. Additions. 1S73. 



Theology, Morals, and Metaphysics 4,405 107 4,512 



Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, &c 1,322 46 1,368 



Natural History, Botany, Mineralogy, iSrc 3,184 99 3,283 



Science and the Arts, Architecture 6,043 306 6,349 



History and Biography 7,695 226 7,921 



Topography and Antiquities 2,455 110 2,565 



Geography, Voyages, and Travels 3,382 101 3,483 



Miscellaneous Literature 10,412 535 10,947 



Jurisprudence, Law, and Politics 4,612 117 4, /29 



Commerce and Social Statistics 516 29 545 



Education, Logic, and Language 882 49 931 



Poetry and Dramatic Literature 2,452 53 2,505 



Works of Imagination 5,373 83 ^>^2^ 



Classical Literature .- 343 28 371 



Heraldry, Encyclopedias, and Works of Reference . . 1,793 70 1,863 



54,869 1,959 56,828 



A change has been introduced into the mode of computing the statistics 



of this department which it is considered desirable to explain. Hitherto 



reviews, magazines, and periodicals of whatever kind have been entered 



under the head " Miscellaneous Literature," This year a different plan has 



been adopted. It was found that of one hundred and thirteen periodicals 



issued nearly one-half belonged to one or other of the fifteen different 



classes into which the books are divided ; and special statistics having been 



taken, as a result 55,160 issues have been placed under the respective heads 



to which they properly belong, leaving a residuum of 73,640 to be added to 



the division "Miscellaneous Literature," instead of 128,800, as under the 



former arrangement. 



The following statement will explain the position of the periodical litera- 

 ture in the Library : — 



Account of Miscellaneous Reviews, Magazines, and Periodicals issued 

 during the year, from 1st September, 1872, to 31st August, 1873 :— 



Daily Winter Average taken January and March. 448 

 Do. Summer do. July 472 



920 

 460 per day for 280 days .... 128,800 



