REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN. 387 



library — even a small one — is limited only by the zeal and abil- 

 ity of the workers. Our own library was never growing so rapidly 

 as now. The amount of money expended for books, magazines, 

 etc., being the same annually, no great variation can be expected 

 from year to year in the number added by purchase. It is in the 

 number received b}' donation and exchange that the greatest vari- 

 ation may be looked for, and here we find a large increase. The 

 year 1886 not being quite closed, the exact number received can- 

 not be given, but in 1885 pamphlet publications numbering more 

 than three hundred were added to the library — equalling more 

 than half the aggregate acquired during the first fifty years of the 

 Society's existence, and nearly equalling one-half the aggregate 

 added during the six years from 1879 to 1884, inclusive. 



Funds derived from the sale of certain books not suited to the 

 library have enabled us to bind a greater number of volumes than 

 for some years previous. Several works of much value had been 

 held for a considerable time, awaiting the da}' when the binders' 

 art should put them in a form pleasant to the sight and convenient 

 for use. Some of these publications have required an amount of 

 time and care in arranging for the binder which can only be ap- 

 preciated by those familiar with such work. Most of the costly 

 illustrated works, which form one of the most important features 

 in such a library as this, are published in parts, the publication 

 often extending over several, and sometimes many, years. Jus- 

 tice to such works would seem to require that when after 

 completion they are taken in hand to be placed in permanent form, 

 no pains should be spared to have them pass this final stage with- 

 out disastrous errors of collation, and this is often a matter 

 requiring considerable study. 



In conclusion I wish to express my warmest thanks to the Com- 

 mittee on Publication and Discussion, and to the Committee on 

 the Library, for the heartiness with which I have been supported 

 and for the kind appreciation accorded to my endeavors faithfully 

 to perform the duties of the two departments which, under the 

 Constitution and By-Laws of the Society, are subject to the gen- 

 eral direction of these Committees. 



ROBERT MANNING, 



Secretary and Librarian. 



