xxxvii 



was placed in each recess, which gave in alphabetical succession the works it 

 contained. Monographs of the contents of such great Repertoria as 

 Graevius and Gronovius, Mai, Pertz, 



Harleian Miscellany, Migne, Ugolinus, 



and many others -~re now printed and distributed throughout the Reading Room. 



The Donations are so numerous more than 20,500 volumes and form so 

 notable a feature, as to claim special notice. 



A List of Donors to whom the Trustees are indebted for additions to the 

 collections, to whom the gratitude of the Trustees has been already expressed 

 will be found annexed. A special catalogue of the donations, including all 

 presented up to that date, was published in the year 1873, amounting to 15,030 

 volumes of printed books, beside Pamphlets, Maps, &c. in abundance. Of these 

 many are of the highest order of literary and scientific merit ; many of a class 

 and of an expensive character, which the moneys at the command of the 

 Trustees would not have enabled them to purchase. Many are not procurable 

 otherwise than through the munificence of the Sovereigns of several of the 

 States of Europe, or through the courtesy of different departments of the public 

 service of the United Kingdom and of foreign countries. To the liberality of 

 several literary and scientific Societies the Trustees are also largely indebted, 

 as well as to the gracious mediation of the Consuls of the different foreign 

 countries. 



The number of these was largely augmented from time to time by contribu- 

 tions received on the occasions of International Exhibitions held in various parts 

 of the world, and by operations of mutual exchange between the Governments 

 of different nations and the Trustees. The system has been sustained by a 

 liberality on the part of successive Ministries of Victoria, which supplied the 

 Publications issued from the Government printing press. Means were thus 

 afforded for making presentations, by which the Trustees were enabled to count 

 upon a generous reciprocity. The comity of those who accepted the proffered 

 offerings in return enriched the Library with State papers and other works of 

 great importance and value. 



Twenty-four years have elapsed since the first portion of the Reading-Room 

 was thrown open to the public ; the space originally proposed as available for 

 books is almost completely filled. The vacant space on the shelves is reduced 

 to narrow limits ; additional room is urgently required, and the necessity for 

 enlargement of the building has been strongly represented to the Government 

 by each of the Committees and by the general body of Trustees. A confident 

 expectation is entertained that, by reason of the nature and character of the 

 books, of the complete freedom of admission to them, of the annually increasing 

 use made of them, and of the admirable conduct of those who avail themselves 

 without abuse of the privilege, the Public Library may long retain the 

 support of the inhabitants of Victoria, continue to hold the high position it has 

 deservedly gained, and that the funds required for its expansion will be readily 

 voted by Parliament. 



