Modem 



Bath in its relation to Literature. 125 



The wants of the general reader, somewhat 

 ^ ., . overlooked in former years, have since been 



Libraries. -' ' 



well met. At one time a Reading Society- 

 connected with the Institution made over to it annually the 

 books that had passed through it. At another the object 

 was aided by raising a permanent fund in memory of two 

 Bath gentlemen, benefactors of the Institution, connected 

 with the University of Oxford — the brothers Duncan. The 

 sum of ;£soo was then invested in order that the proceeds 

 might be used for the library and museum, thus ensuring 

 constant additions of standard works. Other readers in Bath 

 avail themselves of other institutions. The Athenaeum, 

 formerly the Mechanics' Institute, has had a useful life of 

 more than fifty years, and is still in full vigour. Bath has 

 also the Law Library, " the Tottenham," chiefly theological, 

 and many well-supported reading societies. Good private 

 collections have been numerous ; one of the largest belonged 

 to Mr. Walter Wilson, of Pulteney-street, author of the life 

 of Defoe ; one of the most select, including the far-famed 

 Hamilton collection, to Mr. Beckford, of Lansdown-crescent, 

 author of " Vathek.'' Unfortunately, notwithstanding re- 

 peated efforts, there is no Free Library in Bath, a reproach 

 surely that ought to cease. 



At various times the city has had circles of 



Literary Society. 



literary men and women accustomed to meet 

 for intercourse. Of much local repute in the last century 

 were the parties of Lady Miller, at her villa in Batheaston. 

 Herself an authoress, she brought together those who were 

 sufficiently poetical to contribute offerings to the Muses in 

 an antique vase she had brought from Frascati. Though 

 some of the customs, such as that of crowning successful 

 contributors with wreathes of myrtle, may now excite a 



