1-lBRARY committee's REPORT. 51 



is a remotest contingency, yet this view of the Library appropriation may be 

 influential with some, to whom a mere collection of books would be of little 

 value for reading. 



The Committee would also recommend that the Library be insured for its 

 full value; our building is not fire proof; the destruction of our Library would 

 be an irreparable loss, as we have many bocks which no money could replace, 

 but we have also very many of great value, which in event of their destruc- 

 tion could be repurchased, and it therefore becomes a duty to provide the means 

 of replacing them should any loss occur. 



The Reading Room has become an established institution, and has been a 

 source of great pleasure and advantage to many of our members. 



It has been constantly supplied with all the best periodicals, both foreign 

 and domestic. 



The number of books taken from the Library during the past year shows a 

 gratifying interest, and we cannot but feel that the Library has been a great 

 source of usefulness. 



The regular meetings of the Committee have been for many reasons inter- 

 rupted, but have been held except during the months of June, July, and 

 August. The busintss transacted has been chiefly for the better regulation of 

 the Library, and is of little public interest. 



During the month of August, Mr. Lathrop, who had most acceptably filled 

 the office of Secretary of the Committee, resigned his position on the liibrary 

 Committee, having accepted a Captaincy in the 38th Massachusetts Regiment. 

 It was not deemed advisable to fill the vacancy on the Committee, thus occa- 

 sioned, as the year was so near its close, end as no important business was 

 likely to come before the Committee ; the post of Secretary has since been 

 filled by Mr. Spooner, as Secretary pro tem. 



A large expenditure has been made for binding during the past year; it has 

 been the aim to present the books in strong serviceable dress ; in some few 

 cases it has been deemed advisable to procure more elegant binding, the value 

 of the work meriting it. 



Some rare and valuable books have been added to the "List of Books not 

 to be taken from the Library Room," and all rare books as procured are so 

 added — the wisdom of this is evident. These books are, however, always 

 accessible to any member for examination or reference, on application to the 

 Librarian ; the only rule in relation to them is that prohibiting their being 

 taken from the Library Room. 



The following are the books now on the list: — 



Thornton's SexuiiJ System. 



Burnett's Encyclopaedia of Useful and Ornamental Plants. 



Iconographie du Camellia. 



Hooker's Flora Boreali Americana. 



Fruits of America. 



Histoire du Culture de Mais, very rare. 



