212 THE EARLY HISTORY OF [CHAP. IV. 



In March the Select Committee made their second 

 report. 



It recommended the supply and completion of the 

 library, and the formation of an additional collection 

 of books for the reference of scientific men, as one of 

 the measures most likely to give permanency and 

 stability to the Eoyal Institution. 



On March 21 Mr. Bernard laid before a meeting of 

 the managers and visitors a plan for these libraries 

 which he had prepared. By April 4 he had obtained 

 subscriptions to the amount of 2,828., and at a meet- 

 ing of the subscribers they appointed a select committee 

 to consider and report upon the arrangements proper 

 to be made. On April 14 another general meeting of 

 subscribers to the library and collection of reference 

 decided on an address to the proprietors and subscribers 

 to the Royal Institution. Further resolutions were 

 adopted on April 20 and on April 29, the subscriptions 

 having reached 3,7 981. Regulations were drawn up, 

 and ultimately bye-laws regarding the library and 

 collection of books of reference were made on May 2. j 

 The total subscriptions to February 6, 1806, came to 

 5,395?. 10s. 



This library and collection was an institution within 

 an institution. It had its chief patron, chairman, 

 deputy chairman, treasurer, secretary, and other patrons, 

 its general committee and sub-committees, its ac- 

 counts, its bankers. Its great object, in addition to 

 the immediate completion of the library, was ' the for- 1- 

 mation of an extended collection of books of reference, 

 comprehending not only the best publications in 



