Since the ceremony Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to confer 

 the honour of knighthood on Alderman — now Sir Andrew Barclay 

 Walker. 



In addition to the building of the Ai-t Gallery the donor has presented 

 three marble statues to decorate the front, from the chisel of Mr. 

 Warrington Wood, of Eome. Raffaelle representing Painting, and 

 Michael Angelo representing Sculpture, are placed on each side of the 

 portico, whilst an allegorical statue of Liverpool crowns the summit of 

 the pediment. The bas-reliefs are not yet completed but are in progress. 

 They are intended to represent several events in the history of the town. 



VIZ. :- 



1. The granting of the first charter by King John, A.D. 1207- 



2. The embarkation of King William III. and his army in 1690. 



3. The visit of Queen Victoria in 1851. 



4. The laying of the foundation stone of the Walker Art Gallery by 

 the Duke of Edinburgh. 



The Council have voted a sum of money to improve and give an 

 architectural character to the open area in front, formerly Islington 

 Market. A handsome cast-iron bronzed fountain has been erected 

 immediately opposite the portico of the Gallery, presented by Col. Steble, 

 at a cost of ^1,000. When these improvements are completed, the 

 esplanade with the noble buildings surrounding it will constitute one of 

 the finest Places in the kingdom. 



The New Reading Room, by attaching his name to which the Council 

 have honoured the chairman, is now roofed in and the dome completed, 

 forming a suitable link of connection between the Library and the Art 

 Gallery. The space under the floor, which it was at first contemplated 

 to form into an aquarium, it is now intended to convert into a lecture 

 room, which will form a valuable addition to the Institution. 



REFERENCE LIBRARY. 



This continues to increase in usefulness and in public estimation. 

 The issues during the last year have been the largest since the formation 



