324 
THE LIBRARY. 
About one-third of the books consists of bound volumes of the most valuable 
scientific journals, in most cases complete sets, while the other two-thirds com¬ 
prise, in about equal numbers, works of reference, manuals, and old works relating 
to Chemistry and Pharmacy. About one-half of the books on the Catalogue may 
be fairly said to be in circulation. 
The following table will show the extent to which the Library and Reading- 
Room are used, being the average number of readers and circulation of books 
during the months of January, February, March, and April, of 1862 :— 
No. of Readers. 
Circulation. 
January . 
. 222. 
. 36 
February . 
. 278. 
. 41 
March . 
. 269. 
. 52 
April . 
. 265. 
. 34 
1034 
163 
Monthly Average. 
. 258. 
. 41 
These numbers represent the readers, but it must be borne in mind that the 
same persons are numbered again and again, and that at least three quarters 
were students who were using the Library for the purpose of reading up for 
their examinations, so that the yearly average of persons using the Reading- 
Room may be stated at 1000. 
The prospect is encouraging, and far brighter than any anticipation I had 
dared to form; and yet 1 venture respectfully to state, that without any violent 
alteration, the sphere of the Library may be most advantageously extended. 
The Librarian has already made a sound practical suggestion to the Com¬ 
mittee of Management which deserves attention. 
He proposes a yearly subscription of two guineas to Lewis’s Scientific and 
Medical Library,* which would enable the Committee to have constantly upon 
the Reading-Room table four of the most recent works on Science, thus afford¬ 
ing the members an opportunity of seeing the latest scientific works, and adding 
an attraction to the Library, and an inducement to the members to use it, at a 
very trifling expense. 
He further advises that a small definite sum (£10) might be set apart annually 
for the purchase of additions to the Library. This would ensure a constant and 
sure increase in the number of books, and would at the same time be more satisfac¬ 
tory to the Committee, as from their knowledge of the demand for books they 
might be able to supply it at a settled rate, and at a known annual expense to the 
Society. This would be greatly facilitated by a subscription to Lewis’s Library, as 
the passage of recent books during a year through the Reading-Room would show 
what works were most in demand and most desirable to purchase, and these 
might be had at a very reduced cost by buying surplus copies at the end of each 
year. 
Upon one point I must venture to dissent from an opinion that has been oc¬ 
casionally offered. I believe it would be no advantage to extend the usual 
* H. Iv. Lewis’s Medical and Scientific Libeaey, 15, Gower Street North, London, 
TV.C .—This Library was established in 1852 for supplying, on hike, New Books and the most 
recent Editions in Medical Literature and Science generally, without limit or delay, to individual 
Subscribers and Book Clubs throughout the United Kingdom. Books may he retained as long, 
or exchanged as frequently, as suits the convenience of Subscribers; and for any book retained 
as a purchase, an extra supply will be allowed in the next exchange. (Library hours: 9 a.m. to 
7 p.m. ; Saturdays, till 4 p.m.) Surplus books withdrawn from Circulation are sold at reduced 
prices. Amongst the Periodicals circulated are, ‘ Transactions of the Royal Society,’ * Philoso¬ 
phical Magazine,’ ‘Annals of Natural History,’ ‘Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science,’ 
‘ Intellectual Observer,’ ‘Westminster Review,’ ‘Popular Science Review,’ ‘Natural History 
Review.’ Two Guineas per Annum. Four Volumes at a time. Catalogue, with Supplement 
for 1862, gratis; and Boxes are provided for the Conveyance of Books. 
