In the Art Galleries -we held a very successful Sprinc^ Exhibition of 

 the works of local artists ; and the Autumn Exhibition was very 

 attractive and greatly appreciated. 



"We received in the Spring the Roscoe Collection of old masters ; and, 

 during the Summer, a very handsome selection of the works of Sir John 

 Gilbert was presented by the veteran artist. 



WILLIAM B. FORWOOD, 



Chairmax. 



REFERENCE LIBRARY. 

 This Library stands out with some prominence in its liberal provision 

 for the wants of two great classes of readers. Its two large and com- 

 modious reading rooms, standing almost side by side, afford by the one 

 the means for gratifying what may be called the elementary taste for 

 reading, through the medium of story books and illustrated magazines 

 and papers ; and by the other, the means for satisfying the requirements 

 of literary men and students. Perhaps no other library presents more 

 effectively to public view the important work a free public library is 

 doing among the people at large. To find from four to five hundred 

 men of the labouring class gathered together throughout the day gratify- 

 ing their taste for reading is one of the satisfactory signs of the times. 

 The order and quiet required by a public reading room is not without a 

 certain discipline ; while something stimulating to the mind cannot fail 

 to be received by the perusal, if of nothing of a more solid character than 

 representative works of Fiction. The Picton Reading Room has its own 

 distinct character, and, if less imposing from its more limited number of 

 readers, it is none the less impressive on account of the more serious aim 

 and purpose of those who use it as a study. Liverpool has the honour of 

 being one of the first English cities to tax herself in order to provide books 

 for the use of her citizens, for on the 18th of October, 1852, the doors of 

 this library were first opened, and its books made available to all readers. 

 Since then the growth and development of the library has been rapid and 

 without interruption. The two sister institutions on her right hand and 

 on her left — the Museum and Art Gallery — have been the means of giving 

 this library a distinct character, and perhaps it is not too much to say 

 that no Library out of London is so rich in important books on natural 

 history and the fine arts. Few, if any, of the great natural history 



