xxiv 



The Pine Art Room, on the ground floor, measures 55 feet by 50 ; the 

 walls, which are without architectural features, have (as an experiment) been 

 painted of a delicate light purplish grey, and have been divided into panels by 

 lines and ornamental corners of a darker tint of the same colors. The ceiling 

 is divided into deep panels of a light grey color, the beams of a stone color ; the 

 whole is decorated with Greek ornament, of the leaf and scroll pattern. The 

 room is ventilated by flues in the walls, carried up to the top of the building. 

 It is worthy of remark that the tint adopted for the walls gives a pleasing tone 

 and a roundness and animation to the Casts. 



The nature of the studies pursued by the Readers may be judged of by 

 an inspection of the Catalogue. It shows that the works ordered by the 

 Trustees form a solid body of useful and instructive Literature ; and also that 

 the Public of Victoria is indebted to the generosity of several contributors for 

 many valuable and acceptable donations. 



In the decorated Initials and Finals, Mr. Edward LaTrobe Bateman has 

 introduced a selection from the flora of the country the first of the kind 

 published. These display a graceful arrangement, combined with fidelity of 

 delineation and excellence of execution, which commend them alike to the 

 botanist and the lover of art. 



The degree in which the Library is appreciated is exemplified by the fact that, 

 within 11 months of this year, it was visited by 161,221 Readers; and within 

 the 5 months succeeding its opening, 26,003 persons visited the Museum of Art. 



Within 6 years the building has been advanced to the extent already described ; 

 the Collection of Books amounts to 26,723 ; the aggregate number of Visitors 

 during the period has been 595,143 ; while the actual loss to the property, by 

 abstraction of or wilful injury to the Books, does not reach in money value 7. 



Books have been circulated in the Municipal Districts, within ten miles of 

 Melbourne, namely , ,. 



* Population. 



42,982 



A loan of from 200 to 400 volumes duplicates of those in the Library 

 for a period of 3 months, is made to the Mechanics' and Literary Institutes of 

 these towns ; when sent back, a re-issue of a similar number for a like period 

 occurs. The books have hitherto been returned with regularity and with a 

 complete fulfilment of the conditions of the loan. It was the design of the 

 Trustees to have extended the circulation throughout the country ; however, 

 tiny have not yet been empowered so to do. 



The Institution may now, therefore, be considered as established in the 

 wishes and affections of the people of Victoria. 



