4 TRANSACTlON.'s. '^'^^97-^- 



It was resolved (March 5, 1847) that the room (Odd- 

 fellows' Hall) be opened every Saturday evening from seven 

 to ten o'clock for the purpose of allowing members ^o read 

 and exchange books. 



On the eveuing of the above date the Rev. Mr. Byrne 

 delivered a lecture on " Female Education." We see that at 

 early date this subject, which has so wonderfully developed 

 and taken so practical a form in our day, had already occupied 

 and enlisted the serious attention of thinking men. 



On April 2, 1857 the Rev. Mr. Durie gave a lecture on 

 " Phenomena of the atmosphere." 



On April 9, 1847, ^^ "^as resolved — That Mr. Robert Hill 

 be appointed Librarian, and that he be paid one shilling and 

 sixpence for each night the room is occupied by the' Me- 

 chanics' Institute, and that he provide fire whenever required, 

 and also keep the books and accounts thereof, as well as the 

 room in proper order." 



From this it would appear as if the Librarian had to 

 furnish the wood himself. However, the market price of 

 fuel was very low at that time. 



The first magazines secured for the Institute were 

 " Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, The Eclectic Magazine, and 

 Silliman's Journal." 



The first donation of money for the Institute was given 

 on April 16, 1857, ^y Stewart Derbishire* and amounted to 

 ;^65 currency ($260). 



One of the first purchases of books was that of the 22 

 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica, 7th edition, for ^25 

 currency. 



On iVugust 6, 1847, " It was resolved — That the books 

 of the Library taken out by members for the purpose of read- 

 ing be returned to the Library in two weeks from the time 

 they were taken, and the parties neglecting to compl)^ shall 

 be fined sixpence for the first. week, one shilling for the second, 

 two shillings for the third, and doubled ever}- week it may be 

 kept after the period 'for its return." 



This was undoubtedly dealing in heroic measures. An 

 unfortunate member retaining a book — say ten weeks — over 

 time would be liable for more than ^25 ! 



*Mu- Derljishire filled the oflicc of Queen's Piiuler lor many jears under the old gov- 

 ernment" of Ciuiada. 



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