APPENDIX. — NOTE N. 5G1 



In addition to the liljraries contained in the foregoinrr list, which, for the most 

 jiurt are used hy the i)ul)lic- to a {.^reater or less extent, there are many private 

 libraries in the County. The works in several of these have been selected with 

 great care, and some of them contain from one to three thousand volumes. 



Darby Library was established in 1743. The following interesting matter 

 connected with Its establishment, omitted in the proper place, has been recently 

 supplied by a friend, and will be inserted here. 



The original article of agreement was signed upon the 10th day of March, in 

 the year of our Lord 1743, by the following persons, viz.: Joseph Bonsall, John 

 Davis, James Hunt, John Sketchier, George Wood, Joshua Thomson, Samuel 

 Bunting, Nathan Gibson, Benjamin Lobb, Enoch Elliot, Jonathan Paschall, Abra- 

 ham Jonason, Isaac Pearson, John Hunt, Joseph Hunt, Abraham Marshall. John 

 Pearson, Richard Lloyd, David Gibson, Joseph Levis, Benjamin Hayes, Thomas 

 Pennel, Henry Lewis," Charles Crossley, John Lewis, Thomas Pearson, William 

 Home, Joseph Lee and Peter Elliot ; and Joseph Bonsall was elected Secretary', 

 Nathan Gibson, Treasurer, and John Pearson, Librarian. It was also "Ordered, 

 that the Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, transmit y several sums of money 

 subscribed by this Company to Europe as soon as conveniently may, and pur- 

 chase therewith such books as is heretofore voted for, if the money be sufficient, 

 for y use of the Library Comiiany."' An adjournment then took place to the 

 14th day of May, 1743, at the house of John Pearson, Librarian. At this meet- 

 ing no business appears to have been transacted, except to receive the resignation 

 of Joseph Hunt, and to elect David Lewellyn, Jr., a member in his stead; after 

 which the Company adjourned, to meet again at the same place upon the 8th 

 day of October in the same year. The next meeting seems to have been more 

 important, as " the Treasurer acquainted them that he, with y<' advice and con- 

 sent of the Secretary and Librarian, had purchased a bill of exchange of Rebicca 

 Edgel, drawn on Larance Williams, of London, merchant, payable in thirty days 

 after sight to Peter CoUinson, of London, gentleman;" and "the Secretary ac- 

 quainted the Company that, in pursuance of the aforesaid bill of exchange and 

 y"= directions of this Company, he had wrote a letter to y"^ s'* Peter CoUinson, a 

 copy whereof he produced and read in the following words," viz.: 



"Darby, y^ 14th of 4th Month, 1743. 

 '•Fbiesd Peter Collinson : 



"There is a small number of us in Darby, near Phil*'*, who have formed our- 

 selves into a company, in order to purchase a small set of books for our use : 

 with well-grounded expectations of our number increasing in a little time, and 

 being advised by our fr<' and neighbour, John Bartrara, to apply to thee to pur- 

 chase the s* books, and in confidence of thy good disposition and from y^ 

 character he gives of thee to encourage such a decision, have thought fit there- 

 upon to send to and desire thee to do such an office of kindness for us ; but as 

 our number is but small, so is the sum of money, amounting only to fourteen 

 pounds, as p'' bill of exchange, drawn by Rebicca Edgel on Larance Williams, 

 merchant, payable to thee in thirty days after sight thereof. We also send here- 

 with a catalogue of such books as our Company approved of, requesting thee 

 to be so good as to buj- so many of them [taking them in order as they stand on 

 the list] as the money will extend to pay, reserving sufficient to satisfy thee for 

 thy trouble with the cost of Insurance here. And when the books are pur- 

 chased, please to ship them of p"" the first opportunity for Phil"''., in such a manner 

 and with such directions as appears to thee most convenient, either for John 

 Bartram or the subscriber hereof Be so good also as to get the books lettered 

 on y* back, if that can be done without much trouble or cost, or as many of 

 them as conveniently can be. We also desire thee to send the price of each book 

 purchased, that being necessary for us to know in pursuance of our agreement. 

 Thy answering our requests will much oblige us, who, with due respect, are thy 

 unfeigned friends. Signed in behalf of said Company, 



" By Joseph Bonsall, Secretary." 



In compliance with the requests so courteouslv conveyed in this friendlv letter, 



36 



