will be seen that four reading rooms have been opened, with a collective 

 average attendance of 160 each night. 



A third volume of the general catalogue has been recently issued. It 

 may here be stated that the plan and arrangement of the Liverpool cata- 

 logue has met with general approbation, numerous applications being 

 made from various public libraries for copies as models to be followed. 



The serious injury to the bindings of the books by the fumes of the gas 

 and the foul air poisoning the atmosphere, led to the trial of the electric 

 light, which was found so successful that a contract has been entered 

 into for lighting the whole of the Library and Heading Kooms in this 

 way at an expense rather below that of the gaslight. 



In the Lending Libraries, a new catalogue for the South Library is in 

 the press and will shortly be issued. The two Libraries continue to be 

 worked to the full extent of their capacity. 



In the Museum a new departure has been taken by the preparation of 

 circulating collections of interesting specimens of natural history of an 

 educational kind, which are issued to the various Board and Public 

 Schools, and exchanged periodically. This has created a wonderful 

 amount of interest and healthy excitement amongst the pupils. The 

 selection and arrangement of these has been undertaken by the Rev. H. 

 H. Higgins, whose untiring exertions in the cause of education in the 

 best sense cannot be too highly valued. 



The Winter Lectures have continued to be interesting and attractive. 

 The particulars will be found below. 



In addition to the specially popular series, a course of twelve was given 

 on Astronomy by the Rev. Father Perry, Director of the Observatory at 

 Stonyhurst. These were largely attended by the artisan class, the average 

 attendance being 1,211. A class was formed of students, with an attend- 

 ance each evening of 156, At the close of the series an examination wsa 

 held, and prizes and certificates were given to the successful com- 

 petitors. 



On the whole it may be stated with perfect truth that at no period has 

 the Institution been in a more flourishing and useful condition. 



The details and statistics are as follows : — 



