October, 1891. 



OUR COLUMNS. 



43 



be admitted that the General Library, though doing its utmost to provide the best 

 literature of the day for its readers, ultimately became much too flat and prosaic for 

 the Bedford public. The old order was changing and giving place to a new state of 

 things in which people required attractive lectures, with frequent lively entertainments, 

 musical and otlierwise, in return for a very moderate annual or quarterly payment. 



Had the institution been reconstructed between the years 1836 and 1840 on a more 

 po2)ular basis, by the admission of members at a lower rate, and by the introduction of 

 newspapers and more periodicals, or, better still, if an amalgamation had been effected with 

 the old Reading Room Society, wliich at this period was in a moribund condition, owing to 

 its foolish exclusiveness, we may be sure it would never have fallen from its high estate, 

 notwithstanding the subsequent inauguration of the Literary and Scientific Institute ; 

 and the overtures for amalgamation would not have proceeded from the older Society, 

 but, if at all, from its younger rival. We, however, who now enjoy the benefits resulting 

 from the union of the two Societies, which took place in November, 1863, have no reason 

 to regret that the Fates ordained otherwise, for the most advantageous outcome of the 

 fusion was not so much the combination of two excellent collections of books, and the 

 addition of a reading-room, as the new life which resulted from the ingrafting a 

 vigorous scion on a goodly old stock, which, under existing conditions, was rapidly 

 becoming useless, despite all the care of those who watched over it. 



COMMITTEES AXE OFFICERS. 



It would be unjust to the memory of many who have now passed away to conclude this 

 account of the Bedfordshire General Library Avithout saying a few words relative to some 

 of the most active members of the successive Committees which presided over the Insti- 

 tution during the thirty-three years of its existence. The names of members composing 

 the first Committee have already been recorded ; of these, the Rev. J. Donne, Vicar of St. 

 Paul's, continued to serve till 1848, and Mr. Blower till 1836. Both these gentlemen took 

 a very active part in the details of management, and the latter contributed largely to the 

 Museum from his private collections. He was subsequently one of the most enthusiastic 

 supporters of the Literary and Scientific Institute till he was struck down by a malady 

 which rendered him incapable of taking part in public affairs. Dr. Tattam, for some 

 years Rector of St. Cuthbert's ; Rev. S. Ilillyard, Mr. Cooper, and Rev. W. Alliott were 

 also very energetic members of the Committee during the first decade. The latter, after 

 10 years' retirement, was re-elected in 1846, and continued to act till the amalgamation. 

 Coming down to a later date, Mr. James Wyatt served from 1842 till the amalga- 

 mation, Mr. W. White from 1846 to 1855, Mr. Nail from 1855 to the amalgamation, 

 the Rev. J. Mendham, Vicar of Clophill, from 1845 till 1860, and the Rev. R. W. 

 Fitzpatrick from 1846 till the close. These names show that if the dowuAvard tendency 

 of the Institution could have been prevented by able administration the final collapse 

 would not have taken place. 



As regards the officers, the Rev. Edmond Riland Williamson, who may truly be regarded 

 as the father of the Institution, held the office of Secretary from first to last, though in 

 1841, other duties preventing him from attending so closely to the work as he had hitherto 

 been able to do, Mr. Bradford Rudge was appointed his able colleague, and continued to act 

 in this capacity till the end. The first Treasurer was Mr. John Green. He was succeeded 

 in 1833 by Mr. Joseph Trapp. On Mr. Trapp's retirement, in 1838, Mr. Halfhead took 

 the office, which he held till 1852, when Mr. Thos. S. Trapp was appointed, and performed 

 the duties till the amalgamation. 



