4 



whether the second city in England is content to occupy this humiliating 

 position. In any event this Committee has done its duty in calling 

 public attention to the fact. 



Signed on behalf of the Committee, 



J. A. PICTON, Kt., 



Chairman. 



REFERENCE LIBRARY. 



The accommodation for the ever-increasing store of Books is becoming 

 very limited, and before very long some effort will have to be made to 

 extend its borders. 



The lighting and heating of the extensive premises occupied entails 

 a large expense, and requires constant vigilance. The poisonous atmos- 

 phere arising from the burning of gas in the bookrooms was found very 

 injurious to the health of the employees, and also to the bindings of 

 the books. With a view to improving this a trial was made of the 

 incandescent electric light and a contract entered into for carrying it out. 

 After twelve months' experience it had to be abandoned, principally on 

 account of the greatly increased expense. 



A system of improved gas lighting by Messrs. Sugg & Co. has been 

 adopted, which is more economical, and has the advantage of lighting 

 and ventilating at the same time. It is now working satisfactorily. 



Table I. — Showing the Books issued during the year : — 



ClassiftcatioD. 

 Theology, Morals, &c. 

 Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, «fec. 



Natural History 



Science and the Arts 

 History and Biography ... 

 Topography and Antiquities 

 Voyages and Travels 



Miscellaneous Literature (principally collected Works 

 Magazines in Volumes, &c.) 



Jurisprudence, Law, and Politics 



Commerce, Political Economy, and Statistics . . . 



Education'and Language... ... 



Poetry and Dramatic Literature 



Prose Fiction 



Latin and Greek Classics and Translations 



Encyclopaedias, and Works of General Reference 



Patents for Invention 



Total 752,542 2,766 



The various Quarterly, Monthly, and Weekly Magazines and Reviews are 

 placed at the discretionary use of the readers. No statistics are taken of their issue, 



% 



