INTRODUCTION. 
XXIX 
cies may require. In these meetings are framed 
and enforced the bye-laws and the regulations for 
the government and preservation of the Institu¬ 
tion, the expenditure of the funds are here 
ordered and controlled, and every precautionary 
step is taken for the safety of the buildings, and 
the proper application of the whole for the 
intended purposes of public utility. Although 
paramount in their powers, yet are they, from 
time to time, called upon by Parliament to lay 
before them statements of their accounts and 
yarious proceedings. 
The Establishment of Officers consists, at 
present, of a Principal Librarian appointed 
by His Majesty, and of four Under and four 
Assistant Librarians, named by the three prin¬ 
cipal Trustees, viz. the Archbishop of Can¬ 
terbury, the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper, and 
the Speaker of the House of Commons. Each 
Under Librarian, jointly with one of the Assist¬ 
ants, is particularly charged with the care of one 
of the departments, of which there are four, 
namely, 1. the Library of Printed Books; 2. 
the Library of Manuscripts ; 3. the Department 
of Natural History and Modern Artificial Curio¬ 
sities ; and 4. the Department of Antiquities, 
Coins, Drawings, and Engravings. The duties of 
these 
Establishment 
of Officers, &c. 
