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LIVERPOOL PUBLIC LIBRARIES
H 1bt0tor of jfifty
BY
PETER COWELL, F.R.H.S.
CHIEF LIBRARIAN
WITH PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS,
" Books are legacies that genius leaves to
mankind, to be delivered down from generation
to generation." Addison.
LIVERPOOL
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, WILLIAM BROWN STREET
1903
LIVERPOOL :
GILBERT G. WALMSLEY, PRINTER, 50, LORD STREET.
1903.
PREFACE
I HAVE to thank the Library, Museum and Arts
Committee for publishing this historical account of
the foundation and development of the Liverpool
Public Libraries, which, owing to my long and
intimate connection with them, I have written with
so much pleasure. My work has been materially
lightened by the cordial interest taken in it by the
Library Staff. To Mr. Henry E. Curran I am
much indebted for his assistance while preparing
these pages and passing them through the press.
My thanks are also due to Mr. Charles Robertson
and to Mr. William May, the latter for preparing
the index. From Mr. George H. Parry, and also
from Mr. E. Webster Jones (of the Corporation
Stationery Department) I have received much
valuable assistance in regard to the illustrations.
PETER COWELL.
Free Public Library,
Liverpool, April, 1903.
602389
LIBRARY
LIBRARIES,
MUSEUMS AND GALLERY OF ARTS
OF THE
CORPORATION OF LIVERPOOL
THE RIGHT HON. W. W. RUTHERFORD, M.P., LORD MAYOR.
Committee, 1902-1903.
ALDERMAN SIR WILLIAM B. FORWOOD, D.L., J.P., CHAIRMAN.
ROBERT D. HOLT, ESQ., D.L., J.P., DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN.
ALEXANDER ARMOUR, ESQ.
ARCHIBALD BATHGATE, ESQ.
EDWIN BERRY, ESQ.
ARTHUR BLACK, ESQ.
*LIEOT.-COLONEL SIR A. H. BROWN, BART., M.P.
ALFRED S. COLLARD, ESQ.
ALDERMAN ANDREW COMMINS, LL.D.
ARTHUR CBOSTHWAITE, ESQ.
WILLIAM EVANS, ESQ., J.P.
J. HARRISON JONES, ESQ.
JOHN LAWRENCE, ESQ.
JOHN LEA, ESQ., J.P.
FRANK J. LESLIE, ESQ.
ALDERMAN M. HYSLOP MAXWELL, J.P.
PROFESSOR A. M. PATERSON. M.D.
ALDERMAN EDWARD PURCELL.
ALDERMAN J. N. STOLTERFOHT.
LIBUT.-COLONEL W. HALL WALKER, M.P.
* Not Members of the City Council.
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTORY : WILLIAM EWART AND THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT - - - - i
II. FIRST MEASURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A FREE LIBRARY IN LIVERPOOL - 9
III. THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WIDENED BY THE
EARL OF DERBY'S BEQUEST ----- 21
IV. THE OPENING OF LIVERPOOL'S FIRST FREE
LIBRARY - - 33
V. BRANCH LENDING LIBRARIES ESTABLISHED - 46
VI. A NEW REFERENCE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
BUILDING OFFERED BY MR. WM. BROWN 54
VII. THE BROWN LIBRARY COMPLETED AND OPENED 70
VIII. TRIBUTES TO MR. BROWN AND DESCRIPTION
OF BROWN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM - - 89
IX. THE CORPORATION FREE LECTURES IN-
AUGURATED ------ ... jo^
X. NEED OF AN EXTENSION OF THE REFERENCE
LIBRARY 112
XI. THE PICTON READING ROOM OPENED - - 122
XII. PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BRANCH LIBRARIES.
KENSINGTON BRANCH OPENED - - - - 135
vi. Contents.
XIII. FOUR NEW BRANCH LIBRARIES OPENED - - 150
XIV. THE NEW TOXTETH BRANCH OPENED BY
MR. ANDREW CARNEGIE ------ 172
XV. CONCLUSION : PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE - 191
APPENDIX : CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE PRO-
VISIONAL COMMITTEE, JANUARY i8TH, 1851 197
INDEX 203
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
William Brown Street in 1903 Frontispiece.
Portrait of William Ewart, M.P., from photograph facing page 2
Portrait of Sir James A. Pictou, F.S.A., from
photograph 10
The Royal Institution, Colquitt Street, from engraving
after Pyne, in "Lancashire Illustrated, 1839" - 14
The Original Public Library (formerly Union News
Room) in Duke Street, from drawing by
W. A. Herdman ,, 33
Shaw's Brow (now William Brown Street), the site
of the Brown Library and Museum, from
drawing by W. A. Herdman ,, 54
Portrait of Sir William Brown, Bart., M.P., from
an art-photograph by G. T. M illicit ap - - - - ,, 70
Exterior of the Brown Library and Museum, William
Brown Street, from drawing by W. A. Herdman 90
Portrait of Peter Cowell, Chief Librarian, from
photograph 112
The Liverpool Public Library, from photograph - - 122
Interior of the Picton Reading Room, from photograph 130
Exterior of the Kensington Branch Library, from
photograph ,, 144
Interior of the General Reading Room, Kensington
Branch Library, from photograph 148
Portrait of Sir William B. Forwood, D.L., J.P.,
from photograph ,, 152
viii. List of Illustrations.
Exterior of the Everton Branch Library, from
photograph - - facing page 156
Interior of the General Reading Room, Everton
Branch Library, from photograph .... ,, 162
Exterior of the Toxteth Branch Library, from
photograph ,, 172
Portrait of Andrew Carnegie, LL.D., from photograph 176
Portrait of Robert D. Holt, D.L., J.P., from
photograph ,, 187
Interior of General Reading Room, Toxteth Branch
Library, from photograph - - - ,, 192
HISTORY OF THE LIVERPOOL
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY: WILLIAM EWART AND THE PUBLIC
LIBRARY MOVEMENT.
FOR some years prior to the passing of the
Public Libraries Act of 1850, a strong
feeling had grown up, among thoughtful and
enlightened men interested in the cause of
education, that the lack of public collections of
books in the great centres of population, helpful
to all classes of students,- was a matter which
called for speedy remedy. Our working classes
it was felt, were too self-satisfied with the lead
they had hitherto taken in trade and manufactures,
and that if that lead was to be maintained,
greater technical knowledge and political wisdom
was not only desirable but essential.
It was perceived that other nations were much
more alive than ourselves to the advantages of a
practical education, and were thereby superseding
us in many arts and manufactures in which we
had formerly held the foremost place.
2 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
It was regarded, speaking generally, as more
than unfortunate that earnest students should
be hindered in their work of investigation and
research by the want of ready access to important
books of reference. One of the foremost to
perceive the use and importance of public
libraries, and to take action to enable munici-
palities to establish them under Parliamentary
sanction, was William Ewart, after whose name
the first Free Libraries Act is commonly called.
As a native of Liverpool, one of her merchant
princes of the highest integrity, and the represen-
tative of the town in Parliament from June, 1830
to 1841, it is natural that the people of Liverpool
generally, should have held him in the greatest
esteem. There are cases when the exigencies
of party politics are to be deeply regretted, and
those which severed his connection with his
native town was one of them.
Mr. Ewart had in the large towns particularly
in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester
numerous sympathisers and supporters of the
cause in which he felt so deep an interest, and
which had begun to engross so much of his time
and attention. As early as February, 1848,
Dr. Hume, at a meeting of the Roscoe Club in
Liverpool, gave expression to the feelings of
many persons besides himself, when he said that
he " wished for something that Liverpool had
never yet seen, but which he hoped to live to see
in Liverpool a large public library. There were
plenty of private libraries, but no public one, as
there was in almost every other large town in
WILLIAM EWART, M.P.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 3
England ; no library to which a sailor could go
and ask, with the certainty of being accommodated,
to look at a Nautical Almanac where a clergyman
might go and refer to a Clergy List or where a
merchant or other person might go and be able to
see Pigot's Directory."
On March I5th, 1849, Mr. Ewart presented
to the House of Commons two petitions from
the inhabitants of Birmingham, complaining of
the want of public libraries. In bringing these
before the House, he stated in the course
of his speech, that he " believed that the
want of such institutions had been a serious
damage to our literature. While for a hundred
years the writers of the Continent had the
consultation of public libraries at their command,
those of England had wanted them. Gibbon, in
his correspondence, had complained that * the
greatest metropolis in the world was destitute of
that useful institution a public library.' It was
stated in one of the works of the father of an Hon.
Gentleman opposite (Mr. Disraeli) that, in his
time, readers were kept waiting two days for a
book at the British Museum. Again, let them
take the case of Mr. Roscoe, at Liverpool, who
was obliged to form his own library before he
could compose such works as the Life of Lorenzo,
or of Leo X., &c." The Hon. Gentleman concluded
by proposing the following motion : " That a
Select Committee be appointed [on existing Public
Libraries in Great Britain and Ireland, and] on
the best means of extending the establishment of
Libraries freely open to the public, especially in
A2
4 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
large towns." This motion was carried, with the
exception of the words enclosed in brackets, which
were deleted.
In the meanwhile, Manchester and Liverpool
had been giving definite expression to their desires
for similar institutions. Strengthened by popular
sentiment in such large centres of industry, Mr.
Ewart, on February I4th, 1850, moved for leave
to bring in a bill for enabling Town Councils to
establish Public Libraries and Museums. In
support of it, he said that there was scarcely any
country in Europe so inadequately provided with
public libraries as England. " If the condition of
the great manufacturing town on the Continent
and in England were compared, how great were
the advantages in favour of the former. In Italy
and Germany no great town was without a library.
Here there was only a sort of a small public library
in Manchester; but there was none in Glasgow,
Leeds, Sheffield, and other great manufacturing
towns ; whilst in America, and in Rouen, Lyons,
Marseilles, and other towns in France, the
working classes resorted in numbers to the free
libraries that were open to them. The literature
of the country must naturally have suffered from
the want of such institutions. The Committee
(appointed by the House during the previous
session) turned their attention especially to the
point, and found it to be so. All the evidence
taken upon that part of the subject tended to
prove that the labouring population would be far
more advanced if they had such opportunities as
were afforded by means of public libraries to the
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 5
working classes of other countries. There were
two kinds of education that imparted in schools,
and that acquired by the individuals themselves ;
and they had the authority of Gibbon for saying
that the education which a man gives to himself
was far more important than that which he could
acquire from a teacher. In public libraries the
opportunity of self teaching would be afforded to
the labouring classes. The Bill he now proposed
went somewhat further than that which was
commonly called the Museums Act, and as the
Museums Act contained one or two inconsistencies,
he thought it better to consolidate the two bills,
and to enable town councils to found both
museums and public libraries. The Museums
Bill gave to town councils the power of levying a
small rate, not exceeding one halfpenny in the
pound, for the establishment of public museums.
He had adopted that provision in the present Bill
to enable town councils to purchase land and erect
buildings, and furnish them as libraries and
museums out of the proceeds. The Bill would
not give to the town councillors the power to
purchase books ; they relied upon books being
supplied by the donations of individuals. But a
very practical question that might be put was,
whether the Bill was called for by the people for
whom it was intended ? He replied that it was.
It had been anticipated by the people. Some of
the towns had anticipated a Libraries Bill by
turning the Museums Bill to their use. One great
advantage which might be hereafter derived from
such institutions he should mention. It was, that
6 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
their contents would be illustrative of the local
and the natural history of the places in which they
were established. The act was founded entirely
on a popular basis. They were not about to ask
the Government for any assistance, pecuniary
or otherwise. They merely asked that these
institutions might be legally founded by the
people, supported by the people, and enjoyed by
the people."
In reading over this bill and the speech of Mr.
Ewart in its support, and those of other advocates
of the free library movement at this time, one
cannot fail to notice how sanguine they appeared
to be that the supply of books, the very essence of
their aim and desires, need not be provided for in
the money clauses of the bill, as donations would
be so numerous and of such a character as to
make the purchase of books an unnecessary
consideration.
How fallacious this expectation was in regard
to standard books of reference, and up-to-date
books in science and art, and generally of such
books as give importance to a public library, those
who have had to do with their early management
know full well. It is true that many books from
generous friends of the movement were presented,
but the present splendid libraries of Birmingham,
Manchester, and Liverpool would not merit such
an epithet if they had had to depend wholly upon
donations. Mr. Ewart referred to one feature of
the proposed work of the libraries he desired to
bring into existence, viz., that of local history.
This important work has now become fully
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 7
recognised by all municipal libraries, and none
more so than the library whose jubilee is now
celebrated. Many maps, drawings, pamphlets,
and other illustrative literary matter important in
their bearing on local history must have perished
for the want of institutions where they could have
been garnered, and administrators zealous to
secure them. Of the extensive and unique local
collection in the Liverpool Public Library begun
in the first year of its existence more will be said
later on.
Before the Public Libraries Bill became law,
Mr. Ewart and other advocates of the measure
had many prejudices and much opposition to
overcome. Fifty years ago the friends of free
libraries were by no means numerous, and we may
deservedly award Mr. Ewart every praise for the
courage and ability with which he fought and won
the free library battle. The nature of the opposition
arguments at that time, viewed in the light of
the present, is not without a certain interest, as
indicating the opinions and feelings of many men in
high places. That opponents were both numerous
and influential we may, I think, infer by the
extreme modesty of the demands of the promoters
as contained in the first Free Library Bill. The
peculiarity of a library bill excluding the purchase
of books from its financial clauses naturally laid it
open to criticism. " As books," said one, "which
seemed not only the best but most necessary
furniture for a library, were left to the chances of
voluntary or charitable contributions, the expenses
of building and furnishing for which it was proposed
8 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
to make a rate might be supplied from the same
source." Another thought " the agricultural
interest would be injured." It was conceived that
the bill " enabled the richer and more influential
inhabitants to tax the poorer inhabitants for their
own special purposes, and that money might be
better expended in providing food and employment
for the people. When they had done this it was
time enough to provide amusements and recreation
of this character." Whether these views are now
wholly of the past it is difficult to say.
CHAPTER II.
FIRST MEASURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
FREE LIBRARY IN LIVERPOOL.
WHILE Mr. Ewart was energetically pro-
moting the library movement in Parliament,
other kindred spirits were zealously co-operating
with him by evoking and forming that public
opinion on the question to which Parliament
generally defers when it becomes satisfied of its
sincerity and wide spread character. No doubt,
moreover, the action of the neighbouring towns of
Salford and Warrington in establishing public
libraries under the doubtful powers of the Museums
Act had its effect in other places.
Liverpool, at this time, was not without
libraries; but they were not accessible to the
people at large, being either subscription libraries
or connected with learned societies.
As early as 1756 the Lyceum Library was
established, which claims to be the earliest
subscription library in the kingdom. In 1797
the Athenaeum was founded, and this has the
credit of being the first library having a news-
room attached to it. Both these were, however,
in the nature of clubs and largely of a private
character. The Mechanics' and other similar
institutions were furnished with libraries, but
io History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
to these also the public had not free access.
The library needed, however, was one of much
wider scope and conducted on broader lines and
stored with the books necessary for general research
and capable of meeting the varied wants of
students. Mr. Ewart gives Liverpool, his native
town, the credit of being first in the foundation
of such an institution. It is certainly to her
honour that she was among the earliest muni-
cipalities to recognise this, and to found a
public library of this kind. In her initiative
she may perhaps be entitled to more credit
than the date of opening her library on October
1 8th, 1852, might seem to warrant. Without
exaggeration it may be said that the father of
the movement in Liverpool was Mr. James A.
Picton. To his able advocacy and untiring
energy must be largely if not wholly attributed
the favourable support which the subject received
in the Council Chamber, as well as the disarming
of the opposition, both within the Chamber and
without, by those who doubted the advantages
of such institutions. As a lover of books, an
earnest student, a man of considerable literary
ability, an active member of various learned
societies, a clear thinker and a cogent reasoner,
Mr. Picton's whole -heartedness in the matter
went without saying, and always obtained him
a deferential hearing when advocating the value
and expediency of the institution he sought
to establish.
In the early part of the year 1850, Mr. Picton
gave notice of his intention to bring the question
Photo, by Medrington.
SIR JAMES A. PICTON, F.S.A.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 1 1
of Free Libraries before the Liverpool Corporation ;
and accordingly at a meeting of the Town
Council on Wednesday, April 3rd, of that year,
he moved "That a special Committee be
appointed to consider the practicability of the
establishment of a public library in Liverpool
freely open to all classes ; and to report thereon
to this Council."
Mr. Picton, in bringing the motion forward,
read an extract from the report of the Committee
of the House of Commons in which it was
stated that the great step was to procure a
place of deposit, a local habitation for the
goods. That once found, the donations would
abundantly pour in. Donations had been the
principal source of all the principal libraries
which had been formed. Mr. Picton "did not
go quite so far in his expectations as the
Committee of the House of Commons ; but he
had no doubt that the library, when once
established, would soon be carried on without
any expense to the town. There was already
in the possession of the Council a very valuable
collection of Parliamentary books, which had
been collected by the late Earl of Harrowby
and presented by the present Earl at the close
of his long and useful connexion with the
town, and those would form a little nucleus,
about which further donations and funds would
gather. He thought, too, that there would be
a surplus out of the Museum rate ; but without
going into that, was it too much to expect that
amongst its magnificent projects, some small
12 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
droppings from the cornucopia of the Council
might be permitted to diffuse themselves into
this channel ? If, however, these sources failed,
he had full reliance on the public spirit of
Liverpool, which never permitted a great and
good project to want support. There was no
other body to which an institution of this kind
could be entrusted so safely as the Town Council.
Other bodies were fluctuating, whilst the Council
was perpetually renewed. He might also remark
that there were, even in Liverpool, many cases
in which gentlemen of wealth had spent their
lives in amassing literary treasures large and
valuable collections of books and at the close
of their lives, these had almost uniformly been
brought to the hammer and dispersed ; whilst
it was more than probable that, if there had
been an institution of the kind proposed then
in existence, the owners of these collections
would have been proud to have left them to
their townsmen. Again, such an institution was
likely to fall into a sleepy tone, unless it was
brought under the wholesome control of public
opinion ; and he knew of no better way in
which this could be efficiently accomplished than
by placing it in the hands of representatives
freely chosen year by year." The motion was
agreed to, and the following gentlemen were
named as the Committee : Alderman James
Lawrence, Alderman William Bennett, Alderman
T. B. Horsfall, and Councillors George Holt,
Hugh Hornby, Thomas Wagstaff, John Woodruff,
Thomas Avison, and James A. Picton.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 13
Comparing this speech of Mr. Picton with that
of Mr. Ewart on presenting the petitions from
Birmingham in favour of a public library, it is
noticeable how generally accepted was the idea of
the early promoters of public libraries that they
had but to provide a library building when books
worthy of acceptance would simply stream in from
donations and bequests. However satisfactorily
this may have been realised by other libraries,
Liverpool had well nigh entered upon her library
jubilee year before any important collection of
books had been made or bequeathed to her library.
When, however, the Art Library of Mr. Hugh
Frederick Hornby came into her possession, after
his demise, ample compensation would seem to be
awarded her for years of hope and expectation, for
the dreams and promises of Mr. Ewart and Mr.
Picton to be realised. It is pleasing to be able to
associate this magnificent gift with a son of the
Mr. Hugh Hornby, whose name appears on the
earliest committee formed to found the library
where these valuable books now find a final resting
place.
The Liverpool Free Public Library is
established under a private Act, the scope of
which is indicated by its title : "An Act to
Establish a Public Library, Museum, and Gallery
of Arts." How Liverpool came to require an Act
of its own, and why it bears so comprehensive a
title, is a matter of some local interest and worthy
of explanation.
In the year 1814 was projected the Liverpool
Royal Institution, with the object of "promoting
14 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the increase and diffusion of literature, science,
and art." The upper classes in the town took the
matter up with considerable zeal, mainly through
the exertions and fervour of William Roscoe, who
was always conspicuous in the cause and interest
of literature and art, and ^20,000 was raised in
shares. Suitable premises were bought in Colquitt
Street, and on the 25th November, 1817, the
Institution was opened with an eloquent address
from its great promoter, William Roscoe himself.
An important collection of pictures, principally of
the Italian School, was formed, together with a
museum of natural history. Notwithstanding the
endeavours made to achieve the object and
intentions of the promoters, it never from the first
was more than a partial success, and gradually
languished until it became little more than a name.
It was at the time when it was best known as
a place of meeting of various learned societies,
that negotiations between the Trustees of the
Royal Institution and the Corporation were opened
with a view to transferring the specimens and
property to the Corporation, and coupling with the
Natural History Museum and Art Gallery a Public
Library. The nature of these negotiations and
the decision arrived at are set forth in the following
report, which was submitted to the Council on
September 4th, 1850 :
" The committee appointed by the Council on
the 3rd of April last, to consider and report upon
the desirability and practicability of establishing a
public library in Liverpool, free and open to all
classes, having devoted considerable time and
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History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 15
attention to the investigation of the subject, now
submit their proceedings, and submit the following
report :
" The attention of your committee was directed
in the first instance to ascertain how far such an
institution was called for by the circumstances of
the town, and the general feeling of the inhabitants.
On this part of the subject the evidence was very
clear and decisive, the object aimed at being to
throw open sources of information on all subjects
of an interesting and instructive character to all
classes at all seasonable hours, and free from
charge. There is not at present in the town of
Liverpool even a remote approximation to it.
The libraries at the Athenaeum and Lyceum are
proprietary institutions, within the reach of certain
classes only. The Collegiate and Mechanics'
Institutions possess libraries, but they are parts
of the general institutions, and only accessible
to subscribing members. A Mechanics' and
Apprentices' Library was established some years
ago, but appears to have sunk into inefficiency for
want of support. These, and perhaps one or two
other instances of a kindred but very limited
character, present the nearest approach to a public
library which Liverpool at present affords. There
is not, however, any collection of books of the
smallest description to which the public can have
free access. As was stated by one of the witnesses
examined before your committee, there is not a
place where even a Gore's Directory, or tide table,
or an almanac can be consulted as a matter of
right by anyone desirous of doing so. In this
1 6 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
respect Liverpool is singularly deficient ; Man-
chester, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and most
large towns having, more or less, deposits of books
of a purely public and gratuitous character. That
a free public library would be a boon of a very
important character to all classes appears to be
the general feeling of the community at large.
Your committee have taken the opinions of various
individuals moving in different stations of life
navigators, clergymen, masters employing large
numbers of workmen, &c. and find but one feeling
pervading the whole, that of anxiety for carrying
out the proposal. Your committee having thus
arrived at a unanimous conclusion as to the need
for such an institution, and the desirability of its
establishment, proceeded next to consider the
means for carrying it out. From the encouraging
manner in which the project had been received,
and the various promises of support which have
been tendered, there seems little doubt that
donations of books to a considerable amount might
be calculated on towards the establishment of a
public library. The carrying on the institution,
defraying the cost of management, and providing
continual additions to the books would form a
charge on the corporate funds ; but your committee
have every reason to believe that, from all ordinary
expenditure, the surplus arising from the halfpenny
rate already levied under the Museums Act, after
defraying the expense of the gardens, would be
sufficient. The most important question appeared
to your committee to be the providing a suitable
building in a central locality, which should be
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 17
sufficiently commodious for the present and future
requirements of the library, presenting an
appearance worthy of one of the public institutions
of the town, without entailing too serious an outlay
of the corporate funds. In the course of the
inquiry of your committee relative to that part of
the subject, the Royal Institution was named as
presenting suitable premises, in an excellent
locality for the purpose, and it was suggested that
probably an arrangement could be made with the
proprietors to place the library in part of the
premises in Colquitt Street. Communications
were opened between your committee and the
committee of the Royal Institution with a view to
this end. The views of your committee were met
in a most liberal and public spirited manner.
Several lengthened conferences have taken place
between the committees and sub-committees of
the two bodies, in the course of which, views of a
more extensive character applying to the institution
as a whole presented themselves as to the
practicability of rendering it a free public museum
and gallery of art, which shall eventually be to
Liverpool what the British Museum is to the
Metropolis.
" The Royal Institution was established in
the year 1820, for the encouragement of art,
science, and literature in the town of Liverpool,
and in the year 1822, a charter of incorporation
was obtained from the Crown, limiting the
property to its original uses, and providing for
its future management. Above 25,000 has been
expended in the land, buildings, library, gallery,
1 8 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
and museum, besides the numerous valuable
donations which have been from time to time
presented. The institution has been maintained
by the interest of a certain portion of the
capital invested for the purpose, and from the
rents of part of the buildings which have been
let. The income derived from these sources is
sufficient to provide for the ordinary expenditure,
but the committee feel that at present the
usefulness of the institution is restricted, and
the objects for which it was established are not
carried out to the extent it is desirable. /ioo
per annum is at present contributed to the
institution out of the corporate funds, in return
for which the public are admitted gratuitously
on the first Monday in every month. The
interest which these public days excite, and
the thousands of persons who attend, give
evidence of the value placed by the inhabitants
generally on the institution, and their desire to
avail themselves of it.
" Under these circumstances, the Committee
of the Royal Institution have come to the
conclusion of recommending to the proprietors
to make over the entire institution, consisting
of the land and buildings on the west side of
Colquitt Street, the gallery of art, and the
gymnasium opposite, the museum of natural
history, the laboratory, the paintings, sculptures,
casts, and books, clear of all debts and liabilities
whatever, to be vested in the Mayor, Aldermen,
and Burgesses, for the free use and enjoyment
of the people of Liverpool.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. ig
" The schools are not included in the proposal,
but will be conducted as heretofore, under the
management of the committee of the proprietors.
The only condition annexed to the arrangement
is the following : That an Act of Parliament
shall be applied for, transferring the property
in trust to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses,
who shall be bound to keep up the institution
in a state of efficiency, and that its future
management shall be in a committee, one half
appointed by the Council, and one half by the
shareholders, with the addition of a chairman
to be appointed by the Council. The proceedings
of the committee to be subject to the confirmation
of the Council.
" Your committee feel that in entertaining
and recommending this project they have gone
beyond the precise limits of the terms of their
instructions. Their justification must be found
in the fact, that the plan proposed naturally arose
out of the inquiries instituted in connexion with the
library. The proposal has appeared to them so
advantageous, in every point of view, to the public
of Liverpool, that they cordially and unanimously
recommend its adoption by the Council.
" The library would form a legitimate and very
important part of the institution, and your
committee are of opinion that, with judicious
management and a moderate expenditure, the
museum, library, and the gallery of art would
speedily become an honour to the town of
Liverpool, and a constant source of interest
and improvement to its inhabitants."
B2
2O History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
On moving the adopton of this report Mr.
J. A. Picton said that he thought that the
business of the Corporation was not simply to
administer funds, but to give thought and
afford opportunity for the intellectual and moral
advantage of the community. Viewing the need
for a public library merely from an economic
standpoint, the benefit of an institution to
those engaged in commercial and industrial
pursuits would be manifest.
After further remarks from Mr. T. B. Horsfall,
Mr. George Holt, Mr. James A. Tobin, and
others, the Council adopted the report by 37
to 10.
CHAPTER III.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WIDENED BY THE
EARL OF DERBY'S BEQUEST.
IN carrying out the recommendations of this
report, a bill entitled the " Liverpool Royal
Institution (Transfer of Property in Liverpool,
Corporation Public Library and Museum)" was
drafted and introduced in Parliament. During
its progress through the House, and after it
had passed its second reading, a discussion
was raised on April 2nd, 1851, in the Liverpool
Town Council on the money clauses of the
bill ; the feeling being that the financial
arrangements with the trustees of the Royal
Institution were not sufficiently favourable to
the ratepayers. After a somewhat acrimonious
discussion an amendment was carried by 29
to 23, the result of which was that matters
were brought to a standstill.
As the effect of this decision of the Town
Council materially modifying the financial
arrangement contained in the Royal Institution
Bill, was to jeopardise the bill altogether through
the strong objection to this alteration by the
Trustees, so an effort was made at the following
22 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
meeting of the Council to induce it to rescind that
decision, and agree to the bill as it stood originally.
With that object the Chairman of the Library
Committee, Mr. Picton, brought forward a motion,
as follows :
" To rescind or vary a resolution of the Council,
passed at the adjourned meeting of the Council,
held on the 2nd April last, on consideration of a
bill now before Parliament, intituled The Liverpool
Royal Institution Bill (Transfer of Property, &c<),
by which resolution clause 12 of that bill, as
printed, was directed to be struck out, and a new
clause substituted in lieu thereof, and that such
new clause be struck out, and a clause inserted in
strict conformity with the arrangement by which
the Committee of the Royal Institution agreed to
transfer their property to the Corporation, viz.,
that a sum not less than 700 per annum should
be expended in the maintenance and support of the
existing departments of the Institution, irrespective
of the contemplated Library."
This attempt to revert to the original terms of
the bill did not succeed. An amendment, " That
inasmuch as the proprietors of the Royal Institution
will refuse to transfer the said Institution on
the terms stated in the bill proposed for the
consideration of Parliament, as amended by this
Council, resolved, that the said bill approved of
on the 2nd of April be withdrawn," was submitted
and carried by 21 to 18. The bill was consequently
abandoned.
Though much annoyance resulted from this
action of the Council, the friends of the library
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 23
movement were by no means disheartened.
Following the Municipal elections of November,
1850, a new Library and Museum Committee was
formed, consisting of the following gentlemen :
Messrs. J. A. Picton, James Lawrence, George
Holt, William Bennett, Thomas Wagstaff,
John Woodruff, Thomas Avison, Hugh Hornby,
and Thomas Fleming.
It is pleasing to note that the interest in the
project was not confined to members of the Town
Council. Vigorous action was being taken by a
numerous and influential body of gentlemen,
favourable to the establishment of a Free Public
Library and Museum. On the loth December,
1850, a meeting was held in the Council Chamber
of the Town Hall, at which the Venerable
Archdeacon Brooks presided. After speeches from
the Chairman and Mr, J. A. Picton, Mr. William
Earle moved, that " The establishment of a free
library for the use of inhabitants of this borough
is highly approved by this meeting." This was
carried unanimously. The Rev. Dr. Raffles then
moved that "It is expedient to form an Association
to promote the formation of the proposed Library
and Museum, and to solicit donations of books,
money, and specimens for the use of the
Institution." This resolution was seconded by
Mr. Joseph Mayer, supported by Mr. William
Rathbone, Mr. John Gladstone and others, and
carried. Mr. Thomas B. Horsfall was elected
president of the Association here formed, and
Dr. Hume secretary. On the i8th January, 1851,
this Association issued a circular appealing to the
24 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
public for donations of money and books. This
circular, which will be found in the appendix,
is interesting from the important local names
attached to it, and from its dominant note, that of
a public library, rather than a museum and art
gallery. The book donations mentioned therein
are meagre, and not of a character calculated to
justify the expectations of those who thought
that the library could be formed and afterwards
largely maintained by this means, neither was the
response to this public appeal more reassuring.
An extract from a leading article in the
Liverpool Mercury at this time illustrates the
somewhat timorous view held by an important
paper which regarded the education of the
working classes with considerable favour. So it
may easily be inferred how difficult it was for the
promoters of public libraries to overcome the
doubts and fears of some, and the prejudices of
others, as to the expediency of giving the working
classes the unrestrained command of books.
"Considerable discrimination will be required
in the choice of works it is thus proposed to
circulate freely amongst the people, and it is
worth while considering the expediency of
introducing political or theological treatises.
Should it be decided that such works be
admitted, then it will be necessary to afford
the materials by which a man may be able to
form his own opinion, by giving him works
written on both sides of the question, whatever
it happens to be. Generally speaking, however,
it will hardly be within the object of a public
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 25
library to circulate works other than those which
may be perused with pleasure and advantage
by every member of a working man's family ;
and experience teaches us that there is hardly
anything so fatal to institutions of this kind
as constant discussions on subjects which, from
their nature, are apt to enlist the aid of the
passions and drown the voice of reason, and
to convert good-fellowship and harmony into
enmity and discord."
While matters were in this anomalous position
the following letter was received by the Mayor
from the I4th Earl of Derby :
KNOWSLEY, July 8ih, 1851.
SIR, It was the anxious wish of my dear and
lamented father, as it is my own, that the very extensive
and valuable collection of stuffed birds and animals
which it was the labour of his life to form, should not,
after his death, be dispersed, but rendered as far as
possible available to the amusement and instruction of
his countrymen and neighbours. Among his private
papers I find one upon this subject, embodying an
arrangement upon which he had communicated with
me, which so clearly sets forth his views that I cannot
do better than transcribe his own words :" With the
anxious desire that what I have collected during the
long existence that has been granted me may be devoted
more particularly to the gratification and, I would hope,
advantage of the part of this country with which I have
been more immediately connected, and in which I
cannot but feel a more direct interest, I would desire
that this museum should be placed in the care of a body
of trustees, after the model of the British Museum, to
be placed in the town or environs of Liverpool, hoping
that the public authorities there may think it fit to erect
some building for its reception, which might, perhaps
26 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
with advantage, be placed in connexion with the
Collegiate Institution already established in that town.
If this suggestion should be adopted, or favourably
received, I would propose that the Earl of Derby for
the time being, and one other member of my family
should be trustees ; that my personal friend Richard
Earle should also be one during his life, if he will be
pleased to accept the trust ; and that the Mayor of
Liverpool, and the two rectors of the town for the time
being shall be members cxofficio, on the part of the town,
and the incumbents of Knowsley and of Huyton on the
part of the country. That the above persons shall be
the first trustees, and that they have power to add to
their number, to fill up vacancies as they shall occur,
and to lay down rules and regulations for the better
management and preservation of the museum, and for
the purpose of making it as beneficial as possible for
the amusement and instruction ot the inhabitants of the
town and neighbourhood in the first place, and next, of
the public in general. As it is my principal object, by
this arrangement, to keep together in one body the
collection which has been formed by me, and to devote
it to the benefit of the rising generation, I have ventured
to suggest its being annexed to the Collegiate Institution,
as by that means it would appear to be more directly
available for the purposes of instruction and reference ;
and I would further add my wish that it should bear the
name of its original founder, as some memorial of the
interest I have, from boyhood, felt in the study of
natural history, and my earnest wish to make that
which has formed a constant pleasure during my own
life, as far as possible, conducive to the welfare and
gratification of my fellow countrymen and neighbours."
I have only to request that you will have the
kindness to bring this subject under the consideration
of the Council at the earliest period consistent with your
own convenience, and to express an earnest hope on my
part that nothing in the conditions attached may
interpose to prevent their acceptance of an offer which
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 27
seems to hold out no inconsiderable advantage to the
population of Liverpool, and which will place my
father's extensive collection in a position alike conducive
to the gratification of his friends and neighbours,
honourable to himself, and on all accounts gratifying to
me as his representative.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
DERBY.
The extent and importance of this gift
naturally focalized matters, and as there was
no question of its refusal, immediate steps were
necessary to find a suitable building, and place
it as early as possible on public view. The
action of the Library and Museum Committee
and their proposals in connexion with this gift
and the public library are set forth in the
following report by the Chairman of the Library
and Museum Committee, and presented to the
Council on September gth.
" The Library and Museum Committee have
to report to the Council that, in accordance
with the resolution of the Council of the i6th
July last, your committee proceeded to com-
municate with the Earl of Derby on the subject
of the collections of natural history offered to
the Council.
" A deputation from your committee sub-
sequently proceeded to Knowsley, by appointment,
to inspect the collection, and to have an interview
with Lord Derby. They were received in the
kindest and most cordial manner by his Lordship ;
the whole subject was gone into at considerable
length, every desire being manifested on his part
28 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
to waive minor points, providing the great objects
of the late Earl could be properly secured, that
of rendering the collection as extensively available
as possible to the public of Liverpool. The
mention of the Collegiate Institution in the
written memorandum of the late Earl was, it
appears, merely suggestive, and was not con-
sidered as presenting any impediment to the
selection of such a locality as the Council
might judge the best fitted for the purpose.
In the first instance, the mode of settlement
proposed by the noble donor appeared to be,
that a certain number of trustees should be
selected by himself, a certain number by the
Council, a further number by these two bodies
jointly, and to this united board of trustees
should be given the entire management of the
collection, and the disbursement of the funds
necessary for its maintenance. The objections
to this mode of settlement were pointed out by
the deputation; and, after further consideration,
the following method was suggested, which met
with the approbation of all parties, as being
the most likely to secure the permanence of
the institution, whilst, at the same time, not
interfering with the freedom of action of the
Council.
" A board of trustees, principally, if not
entirely, official, to be nominated by the Earl
of Derby. In the deed of trust, or Act of
Parliament, whichever be the mode of settlement
adopted, the purposes, rules and regulations
under which the collection is to be managed,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 29
are to be defined and set out as clearly and
distinctly as possible. The province of the
trustees will be, principally, to see that these
regulations are duly observed, and that the
collection is maintained in its integrity and
efficiency. Subject to these provisions, the entire
management to be in the Council, who shall
appoint and dismiss the officers, fix salaries, pay
the current expenses, and provide a suitable
building for the reception of the collection.
" When a suitable building is once provided
and fitted up, your committee are not of opinion
that any very large outlay will be required on the
collection. The number of stuffed specimens is
about 8,000, and there are in boxes about 7,000
skins ready for stuffing. When the completed
specimens are arranged, the work of stuffing and
completing the remainder may proceed gradually ;
nearly the whole expense consisting in the wages
of one or two individuals engaged in that
department, the salary of a curator, and the
expenses of cleaning and repairs.
" The subject of a suitable locality next
engaged the attention of your committee. The
removal of the difficulties of joint management by
the proposed arrangement with the Earl of Derby,
naturally suggested the idea of re-opening the
negotiations with the Committee of the Royal
Institution, which had previously proved abortive
through misunderstandings on this point. It was
considered that an opportunity was now afforded,
which, if allowed to slip, might never occur again,
of combining the Derby Collection, the Royal
3O History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Institution Museum and Gallery of Art, and the
proposed Public Library, into one group, which
should be to the public of Liverpool and the
north-west of England what the British Museum
is to London.
u Your committee have pleasure in reporting
that the Committee of the Royal Institution met
their advances in the most conciliatory spirit.
The proposed arrangement, which is agreed to by
the Institution Committee, is the following:
That the entire property of the Institution shall
be vested in the Corporation under provisions
similar in character to those arranged with the
Earl of Derby, and that the management of the
Museum and Gallery of Art, and the disbursement
of funds, shall be with the Council. It is further
proposed that the Corporation shall purchase the
school buildings and land connected therewith, so
as to place the entire site at the disposal of the
Corporation. These schools and land are valued
by the Corporation surveyor at ^4,000. This site
will form an admirable position for the erection, at
a future time, of a building for the Derby collection
and the public library.
" With respect to the public library, it is in
some respects to be regretted that circumstances
have so long delayed the promised provision by
the Council of a place for its accomodation ; but
should this delay result in the establishment
of an institution on a wider basis, and of more
extended usefulness, it would leave no cause for
dissatisfaction with those who have contributed
towards its formation. The idea of your Committee
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 31
is, the ultimate concentration of the Derby
Collection and the Public Library along with the
present Museum and Gallery of Art on the site
in Colquitt street. Considerable time, however,
must of necessity elapse before this could be
accomplished. The obtaining of an Act of
Parliament and the erection of a suitable building,
if it were even determined to proceed at once,
would be the work of years, whilst immediate
accommodation is required for both the Derby
Collection and the Free Library. Under these
circumstances, your committee are glad to be able
to report, that the outlay of a very moderate sum
will secure a building every way suitable for both
these purposes for some time to come ; giving
ample time for consideration as to the best mode
of combining the whole at a future period, and
distributing the expense over a series of years.
The building alluded to is the Union News Room
in Duke Street and Slater Street, which has been
offered to the Council for the sum of 2,500. The
premises are large and commodious, having a
handsome stone front to Duke Street, and
comprising, besides the basement, a large room
on the ground floor suitable for the Library, with
several rooms above, well calculated for the
present reception of the Derby Collection. These
premises, if purchased by the Corporation, can, of
course be re-sold or leased whenever the collections
are removed.
" The above statement comprises, as far as
your committee are aware, every subject which
has come before them relative to the project before
32 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the Council. They are of the opinion that if
the suggestions offered above are sanctioned by
the Council, and carried out in their integrity they
will have an important and beneficial influence on
the moral and intellectual character of the town
in future, and they will give an impulse to its
educational institutions which is much to be
desired, and that both directly and indirectly they
will contribute to its progress and prosperity."
After a brief estimate of the probable annual cost
entailed, the report concludes with the following
remarkable words : "No expense for books is
included in the estimate for the Library. When
the Library is established, an occasional grant
might be made for books, at the option of the
Council."
After the reading of this report, the following
motion was carried unanimously: "That the
report be approved ; that it be referred to the
committee to carry their recommendations into
effect ; and that they be authorised to give the
notices for, and draw up a bill next session, or
otherwise prepare trust deeds or other documents
necessary."
CHAPTER IV.
THE OPENING OF LIVERPOOL'S FIRST FREE LIBRARY.
WITH the purchase of the premises of the
Union News Room in Duke Street, the
acceptance of Lord Derby's bequest, and the
donations of books and money received in response
to the appeal made by the Association, of which
Mr. T. B. Horsfall was chairman, the Library
and Museum may be said to have at last been
founded.
It necessarily took some time before the
institution could be organised and the Act of
Parliament obtained by which funds for its
maintenance would be insured, and to comply
with the conditions of the gift. Under these
improved circumstances it was felt the raison d'etre
of the Association no longer existed. Accordingly
on the ayth November, 1851, the members were
called together, and a report submitted to them,
of which the following is the most material
part :
" The committee beg to draw attention to. the
fact that the formation of a library was not merely
34 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the primary idea, but the only one which the
Town Council entertained in May, 1850, and that
the first resolution of this meeting at which this
Association was established had reference to that
object exclusively. In the printed circular
attention was pointedly drawn to this branch of
the subject, and the only articles yet entrusted to
the committee have been books, though their
object was nominally threefold. Further, the
Town Council have not only responded to the
application of the committee by providing
accommodation for the books, and taking charge
of them for the present, but they have already
anticipated the requirements of the library to be
founded by appointing a librarian. In these
circumstances the committee do not see that the
failure of part of a general scheme should at all
interfere with the realisation of the remainder.
The Association undertook the formation of a
library, and for this it stands pledged to the
subscribers and the public. The promotion of a
museum and gallery of art they also promised, and
they still desire to do so, though the understanding
on which that promise was given no longer exists.
They feel that in the present position of affairs
they are doubly unfortunate. They have to
lament that an arrangement which promised to be
of great public utility has met with so many
unforeseen impediments, and after the negotiations
of a year and a half is still in an equivocal position.
They are sorry also, that the assumed connexion
of the Royal Institution with the Free Public
Library has been seriously injurious to the latter,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 35
for the public (calculating naturally on the present
existence of a valuable collection) felt that they
were subscribing to create a new feature rather
than to establish a distinct institution. The
committee are, therefore, unusually anxious to
interest the public again on behalf of the library,
and to secure the adoption of such arrangements
as shall tend to its complete establishment and
rapid development.
"They, therefore, venture to recommend to
the Association that after the recent subscriptions
and donations have been advertised, and the
accounts passed, the entire donations of money
and books, together with the unpaid accounts, be
handed over to the Library and Museum
Committee of the Town Council for the purposes
of the library only."
The adoption of the report in its integrity was
formally moved by Archdeacon Brooks, seconded
by Dr. Macintyre, and carried unanimously.
At the suggestion of Mr. Theodore Rathbone,
president of the Royal Institution, the chairman
promised that the dilapidations in the room
recently occupied by the books should be
repaired.
A vote of thanks to the chairman was moved
by Mr. John Aikin, seconded by Mr. Theodore
Rathbone, and carried with applause ; after which
it was announced that the functions of the
Association had ceased.
Up to this time the negotiations with the
Trustees of the Royal Institution had not been
finally closed, and there were many who wished in
C2
36 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the interests of the town, that some satisfactory
arrangement in regard to the transference of the
natural history specimens, and, if necessary, the
property of the institution, could be arrived at.
To speak in diplomatic phrase, it would appear
that various informal pourparlers took place, but,
as the Town Council declined to ratify the financial
part of the scheme, and the Trustees apparently
were not prepared to accept anything less, there
was little more to be said or done. A special
meeting of the proprietors of the Royal Institution
was called " to take into consideration and decide
as to the adoption of proposals made to the
committee by the Town Council for the transfer,
on certain conditions and stipulations, of that
part of the Royal Institution consisting of the
Museum, Gallery of Art, and warehouses, to
the Corporation of Liverpool, for gratuitous
public use."
The president, Mr. Theodore Rathbone, in
his address on the occasion, gave a resume of the
negotiations between the Corporation and the
Trustees, and of the agreements which were
embodied in the bill introduced in Parliament,
which being afterwards modified in some important
particulars by the Corporation resulted in the
bill being withdrawn. Mr. Samuel Holme, who
was present as a proprietor, spoke largely on
behalf of the Corporation, and contended that the
Trustees overestimated the value of their landed
property.
Certain alternative proposals of the proprietors
were discussed and adopted at this meeting which,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 37
on being submitted to the Town Council on the
1 7th December following, were rejected, and so
terminated the protracted but abortive negotiations
which covered nearly a period of two years.
Viewing this end of the matter in the light of the
present, it is not too much to say that the result
has been eminently satisfactory in all its aspects.
With the termination of these proceedings, and
on the bill promoted by the Corporation becoming
law on the 3rd of May, 1852, the Liverpool Public
Library was fairly launched on its career of
usefulness. From what has already been said
it will be easily seen why a special Act of
Parliament was required and how it came to be
so much wider and comprehensive than the
Public Libraries general act. The rating clause
empowered the levying of one penny in the pound
on the assessed rental, which insured the new
institution a regular income available for books as
for other expenses. But of this the Library only
received a part, as the Derby Museum, and at
this time the Botanic Gardens also, had to be
maintained out of it.
The establishment of a public library supported
by municipal funds which would annually increase
in a degree corresponding to the growth in size
and wealth of the town had obviously a destiny
of greatness not easy for the mind to limit. To
organise such a library at the beginning and
systematise its work so that its certain growth and
development would be easy and natural, was a
task demanding thought and consideration, seeing
that the Liverpool Public Library was the second
38 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
library established after the passing of Mr. Ewart's
Public Libraries Act, and then only six weeks
after the first, it had little opportunity to benefit
by the experience of others. Much of this work
naturally fell upon Mr. John Stuart Dalton, the
first librarian. Mr. Dalton was a man of con-
siderable culture and ability, and his mental
endowments, united with his zeal and earnestness
in the discharge of his duties, largely contributed
to secure the early success of the institution and
to establish it in public favour. He died in 1868,
after sixteen years faithful service.
It was the i8th October, 1852, that the
Liverpool Free Public Library first opened its
doors to the reading public. The opening function
was modest and unpretending. It is evident that
this had no sinister augury, for few literary
institutions have been more successful in their
path of usefulness. The Mayor, Mr. Thomas
Littledale, performed the opening ceremony, and
there were present many men who, if not eminent
in the way of literature, science, or art, were
locally notable in promoting the welfare of their
fellow townsmen of humbler birth and means.
These included: Mr. William Brown, M.P.,
Mr. Charles Turner, M.P., Mr. J. C, Ewart,
the Rev. Dr. Hume, Messrs. J. A. Picton,
Samuel Holme, George Holt, John Bigham,
J. C. Fernihough, John Stewart, H. Danson,
M. J. Whitty, &c.
At half-past ten in the morning of that day,
the members of the Town Council assembled in
the Town Hall, and with the Mayor at their head,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 39
and accompanied by many magistrates and other
gentlemen, walked in procession to the library.
The Mayor, on opening the inaugural proceedings,
remarked: " It had been said, why provide for the
poor a free public library, when so many of them
were incapable of availing themselves of its
advantages ? But is this true ? The deficiency
that now exists of schools in proportion to the
population of this country will, I am sure, be
much diminished if secular knowledge is more
generally diffused to those who are already capable
of reading. The greater use that is made of this
acquirement, the more widely will be spread the
desire of acquiring it, and thus increasing
knowledge will tend of itself to eradicate ignorance.
Suppose the case of an artisan who has already
made some progress in science and in acquiring
general information which has tended so much to
his own advantage. It rests now with the people
themselves whether they will or will not avail
themselves of these advantages. But who can
doubt the spirit of the age, the desire of knowledge,
which, if rightly directed, tends so much to the
benefit of the population generally. Reading is
itself the power of getting at the opinions and
arguments of others. A good opinion, a sound
argument, will in the end prevail ; and relying as
we do upon the fact that we have the greatest
amount of political and personal freedom, that we
are governed by the most just laws, we cannot
but rejoice that those facts should be made known
through this nation to the poorer orders, and thus
in some measure counteract the influence of those
40 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
seditious and subversive principles which are
advocated in some of those publications which
are so much read by them, and whose only
recommendation is their cheapness. But I am
sure that this is but the commencement of a very
much larger establishment. I do hope that steps
will be taken, or are now being taken, by the
Council to have a museum and a library attached
which will be a credit to the town, and also a very
profitable and just investment of those funds over
which they are called upon to preside."
Mr. Picton, after referring to the measures
which had been adopted for bringing the library
movement in Liverpool to a successful issue, said :
"The task lying before us is a noble and a
splendid one. There is ignorance which requires
enlightening ; there is the thirst of the craving soul
which requires to be slaked at the fount of wisdom ;
there are myriads of inquiring minds looking up
for direction. All this we have in our power to
do. The time, I trust, is fast passing away when
the operative classes look upon those above them
with distrust and suspicion. Let us take away all
ground for this, we have the key of knowledge,
and this day we have thrown open its doors that
all may enter and partake. Here every man, be
his condition what it may, can commune freely
with the mighty spirits of the past. The building
in which we stand was the best suited for the
purpose of any which could be procured, and the
most has been made of the site by enlarging it to
the utmost extent which the ground would admit
of; but we are even now sorely straitened for
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 41
room. The 10,000 volumes already in our
possession, as may be seen, nearly fill the whole
of our space, and the accommodation for readers,
though convenient, is not very extensive. The
new part of the building is appropriated entirely to
the Derby Museum and the Liverpool model, for
which there is nothing like the room requisite for
their proper display. The series of articles
imported into Liverpool, which attracted so much
attention at the Great Exhibition, are lying
unopened in the cases for want of room to display
them. We are, in fact, suffering under a plethora
of wealth for which we cannot find space. It may
be said, why not adopt a bold stroke, and build a
magnificent museum at once ? This cannot and
ought not to be done without grave and serious
consideration. Let it first be seen that the public
of Liverpool really value the boon offered and are
disposed to make use of it. If they do so, if they
take pride in it, and support the Council in their
views, depend upon it the time is not far distant
when Liverpool will be as much distinguished for
her facilities in the study of science and art as she
is now for her facilities of commerce."
Then followed a speech from one who from the
first had evinced great interest in the library, and
was subsequently to manifest that interest in a
very practical and acceptable manner. This was
Mr. William Brown, M.P., who said " he hoped
that the shelves of the library would be stored
with valuable volumes, and that the public would
have greater access to them than they now had.
There was no doubt that it was our duty to acquire
42 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
knowledge on every subject to enable us to carry
out that which would be advantageous to our
countrymen. He desired to offer his sincere
congratulations upon the progress which had been
made. In days gone by, knowledge was limited to
the wealthy and the few. Now, happily, we were
in a different position. He was glad to see the
rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester. It
was honourable to both. It was that honourable
competition that was able to benefit, not only this,
but other institutions. Liverpool, fortunately,
had rather the advantage of Manchester in
possessing the magnificent collection left by the
late Earl of Derby, and he hoped the Corporation
would contribute to provide a fitting depository
for that noble collection of specimens of natural
history. The possession of the knowledge which
those volumes contained would enable us to
maintain our position. He hoped it would do
more. He hoped it would enable us to advance
in morals and intelligence ; and although in the
first instance, the information might probably be
confined to those who were possessed of the ability
to read and write, we knew perfectly well that
knowledge extended to those immediately below
us ; and we knew also that those who were in
higher stations received instruction from those who
were in a more humble position. Many of the
most magnificent manufactories in this country
were the work of respectable but humble mechanics,
who employed their science to contribute to the
wants of mankind, and we did not seem to have
made a pause in our career at all, for the last half
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 43
century had been more productive of improve-
ments than centuries before. When we looked at
what science had done for us at our railroads,
our steam engines, our electric telegraphs, and
other inventions which were contributing so much
to our wants ; and last, though not least, when we
looked at the right we enjoyed of assembling to
discuss our own affairs, we saw ourselves in the
possession of those advantages which would enable
us to maintain the position in which we stood.
He wished every success to the library which was
that day opened."
Mr. Thornely, M. P., expressed himself regarding
the urgent desirability of providing books for
home reading. He said: "I would take the
liberty to suggest to the committee for their
consideration the great importance, at an early
period, of adding a lending library to the library
and reading room. He did not speak without
great experience upon this subject, for it must be
some twenty or thirty years since that excellent
man, Egerton Smith, assisted by a number of
gentlemen of this town, solicited the Mayor of that
day, to call a public meeting to sanction what was
called a * Mechanics' and Apprentices' Library.'
He thought it was in the mayoralty of Mr. Charles
Lawrence, when that meeting was held in the
Town Hall. He was not sure that the Town
Council granted any money, but they cordially
gave their sanction to the establishment of a
Mechanics' and Apprentices' Library. He had the
honour one year to be President of the Institution,
and for several years he was a member of the
44 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
committee. They collected, chiefly by voluntary
contributions, such a library that they were
enabled to have 800 readers who took the books
home for one week from the library. He would
have the committee consider the desirability of
establishing a lending library, so that young men
employed in counting houses, warehouses, shops,
or elsewhere, and who could not spare time to
read at the Institution, might take books home
with them for a week or two."
Dr. Hume, who next offered some observations,
was one of the first and the most active promoters
of such an institution as was now offered for the
public benefit. He remarked that " Liverpool
has long been celebrated for her physical greatness,
her massive and spacious docks, and her public
edifices. To-day she declares she will be intel-
lectual also ; but this is only the beginning, and
not the end ; it is only the first round in the
ladder of social progress. Allusion has been made
to the subject of a lending library, without which
this work will only be half done. We shall
legislate only for certain classes of the community,
for the mechanic, who is one of the classes that
we are most desirous to raise, is engaged by day
in his usual employments. If we cannot bring
the mountain to Mahomet, however, we can bring
Mahomet to the mountain ; if the mechanic cannot
come here to read, we may be able to lay suitable
books on the table of his cottage. To this subject
I understand the committee have already given
their attention, and no doubt their arrangements
will be good. I hope it will be permitted to one
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 45
who has some experience of books to give a word
of advice respecting the mode of reading. Most
people read a book as they play a game of chess,
or chat, or take a glass of wine with a friend,
merely to pass the vacant hour. But I like to see
a man read as the South Sea islander plants his
bread-fruit tree, that himself and his children may
sit beneath its shade, and eat the fruit that hangs
from its branches."
CHAPTER V.
BRANCH LENDING LIBRARIES ESTABLISHED.
THE total number of volumes on the shelves at
the time of opening the library numbered
some 10,000. This was a reasonable number to
start with, but unfortunately many of the books
received as gifts were not, in regard to date and
edition, such as to do honour to a reference library.
The success of the library was immediate. The
attendances grew in number almost daily ; and it
was not long before the question of additional
accommodation for readers and books forced itself
on the attention of the committee. The first
year's report on the work of the library, fully
justified the hopes and expectations entertained
by its friends. The number of volumes issued
was 111,723, apart from a large issue of periodicals.
Of the character of these books the report says :
" Works of amusement form about one-half of
all the books read. Far from regretting this
result, the committee feel it their duty to render
this portion of the library more attractive still,
being of opinion that the love of reading in any
form must tend to counteract the propensity to
low and degrading pursuits, and that in order
to inspire a thirst for knowledge, the first step is
to cultivate a taste for reading in some direction.
History, general literature, voyages and travels,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 47
and poetry, have been next in demand. The
number of theological and philosophical works
consulted being about 80 per week, or 4,071
during the year, is somewhat remarkable, and
indicates a higher class of general reading than
might at first sight be expected."
It has already been intimated how important
public libraries may become as centres to which
all literary and illustrative matter of their particular
districts should gravitate. In Liverpool the impetus
to this work came with the offer, by the executors
of the late Thomas Binns, of his great collection of
maps, drawings, and engravings, illustrative of the
history of the County of Lancaster ; and more
especially of the town of Liverpool. They are the
outcome of leisure hour searching and collecting,
during a period of forty years, and a repertory of
illustrations of the past history of the locality. To
estimate their value now is impossible, so rare and
difficult to obtain are the majority of the items
here brought together. This collection occupying
some twenty-six large folio volumes is the nucleus
round which has gathered some thousands of other
illustrations and original drawings. Here in the
library lives, in a way that cannot fail to delight
the local antiquarian, the Liverpool which has
passed away to make room for a Liverpool of wide
spacious streets and palatial buildings. Here too
the local historian has his tastes gratified and
wants supplied in the books, pamphlets, play-bills,
and broadsides, the collecting of which begun
fifty years ago and is carried on now with no less
zeal and industry, if with less reward. The work
48 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
of Liverpool in this direction has given a lead to
other public libraries with a result that probably
all without exception, as far as their means will
allow, are securing similar materials for local
history.
Great as were the advantages afforded by the
Reference Library and its public reading room, it
was felt that a wider field of usefulness would be
entered upon if books could be borrowed for
reading and study at home. The distance of the
library from many homes, the time occupied in
going and coming, and the drawbacks to thoughtful
perusal in a crowded room, supplied convincing
arguments in favour of lending libraries. Very
soon the pressure of public opinion on the
committee was such that in deference to it, two
branch lending libraries were established tenta-
tively in 1853 in the north and south Corporation
schools, and opened on the i8th October and ist
November respectively. Each commenced with
a thousand volumes and was open, for the issue
and return of books, two evenings in the week
from 7 to 9 p.m. This was obviously a day of
small things, yet these two branches were the
embryos out of which evolved the Everton and
Toxteth libraries as we have them to-day. As
these two branch libraries were started largely in
the nature of an experiment and only open in the
evenings, it was thought sufficient to engage two
of the assistant masters of the schools to act as
librarians ; with these were associated two youths,
one of whom is now chief librarian and will shortly
enter upon his jubilee year of service.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 49
It soon became apparent that the branch
lending libraries had come to stay, and that
they had an important future. The Libraries
Committee accordingly considered it desirable
to place their direction and administration in the
hands of a man experienced in library work, who
should be responsible directly to them for their
efficient management. After due inquiry, the
committee's choice fell upon Mr. R. W. Roulston,
an assistant librarian in the Liverpool Lyceum
Library. In this capacity Mr. Roulston had
made himself conspicuous for courtesy and
attention, and these qualities, added to his wide
knowledge of books, insured his election for the
office.
The popularity of the lending libraries developed
very rapidly, so much so, that at the end of twelve
months each library had nearly a thousand readers.
As a consequence of this, more suitable premises
than the school rooms had to be obtained, where
readers and books (which latter had now more
than doubled) could be better accommodated.
The house, 6, Hardy Street, was rented, and
arrangements made for giving a daily attendance
both morning and evening for the issue and return
of books. This gave such satisfaction that a
similar course was pursued in connection with the
North Library, which was removed to Great
Nelson Street some eighteen months later.
As illustrating the application and studious
character of many of the working men readers
who availed themselves of the advantages of
these lending libraries, the following extract
D
50 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
from the second annual report issued by the
Library Committee is interesting, and a pleasing
confirmation of the educational value claimed for
them by those who advocated their establishment.
" A labouring man in the north district has
read since the library opened, Gibbon's ' Rome,'
' Universal History,' Macaulay's ' England,' and
is now going through Lingard, as he says he
wishes to know both sides of the question.
Another in the same district has read Macaulay,
the ' Universal History,' and is now reading
Alison. At the south, two working men have read
Moore's and Scott's * Poetical Works,' and one
Byron. Another has read Rollin's ' Ancient
History,' and is at present going through Alison ;
while a poor man at the extremity of Toxteth
Park has, ever since the library opened, been
reading the Mirror, he has now reached the 33rd
volume."
The character of the reading in the early
history of the library was altogether gratifying ;
the above instances of persistent high-class reading
being by no means exceptional. It is often stated
that statistics are fallacious ; and though biological
treatises were in frequent request, it must be
admitted that if the number of issues of a certain
book on local botany were to be accepted as a
correct indication of the interest manifested in this
particular science, then statistics would be
misleading indeed. The title of the work in
question gave rise to some misconception. In the
first printed catalogue, or rather list, for it was
too primitive in construction to merit the more
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 51
dignified title the Flora of Liverpool, by T. B.
Hall, was recorded ; and how many times this
book was asked for and obtained in the belief that
the Flora was a Liverpool ship with a deeply
interesting history, it is impossible to say ; but
the writer of these annals can certainly vouch that
the book was not unfrequently borrowed under
this impression.
The increased facilities for obtaining books
for home reading only served to attract other
borrowers in still greater numbers, which in turn
served to justify the Libraries Committee in
adding largely to the number of books already
provided. The result soon followed : totally
inadequate accommodation, and much incon-
venience and annoyance. The grievances of the
readers of the South Branch were first redressed,
by the purchase of two large houses, 3 and 5
Upper Parliament Street, which were adapted as
well as possible to the requirements of a library,
and opened for business in 1855. Here the
library remained until I5th October, 1902, when
like a butterfly emerged from its chrysalis, it
assumed a form which, by comparison, was
altogether unrecognisable, and entered upon an
extended and more varied field of usefulness.
The pressing needs of the North Branch were
next attended to, by the erection of a large room
on vacant land adjoining the premises occupied in
Great Nelson Street. Here the library remained
until it became almost isolated by the drifting
away of the residential population to the suburbs
of the city. On the erection of the handsome and
02
52 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
commodious library and reading rooms in Everton,
the premises in Great Nelson Street were closed,
and the old North Library, under a new name,
entered upon a larger and more vigorous
educational work.
The expectations of the committee in
appointing Mr. Roulston as superintendent of
the lending libraries did not prove delusive, two
altogether new departures in free library work
were made on his initiative, by the circulation of
books for the blind, commenced in 1857, and the
circulation of music began in 1859. The lending
out of books for the blind was altogether a happy
thought, for who can tell how many solitary and
weary hours since then, in the lives of those who
have been deprived of that dearest of all senses,
have been lightened and made cheerful through
the pleasure of reading. The books in Moon's or
Braille characters in the library now amount to
nearly a thousand, very many of them being the
gift of Miss Mary L. Hornby, whose generosity
and quiet philanthropic labours in the interests of
the blind deserve wider recognition.
The pleasure and refining influence of music
scarcely needs to be asserted. But in 1859, it
was a new thing for free libraries to make the
circulation of music part of their work. In this,
as in the lending of books for the blind, it is
pleasing to record that Liverpool gave a lead
which has not been without its influence in other
places. The large amount of standard music the
compositions of the great masters provided in
both of the lending branches; but more particularly
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 53
in the Reference Library is much used and
appreciated, and the valuable aid in its selection
given by the late Mr. Best, organist of St. George's
Hall, and later by Dr. Peace, his successor,
deserves to be thankfully recorded. The great
collected edition of the compositions of Handel,
published by the German Handel Society,
the Purcell Society publications, the fine score
editions of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn,
Chopin, and Palestrina, published by Breitkopf
and Kartell, besides the no less splendid edition
of Bach's works issued by Bach Society of
Leipsig, and the compositions and arrangements
for the organ by Mr. W. T. Best, give some idea
of the importance and value of the collection of
music available to musical students, though none
in regard to its extent. For the amateur and the
average player upon the piano, and the vocalist,
the light operas and operettas are not wanting.
Many amusing stories are related (most of them
fictitious) of the jumble the more illiterate readers
make of book titles. My own many years of
experience, however, have not enabled me to
record many such as we read about. But,
occasionally, one is provoked into a smile by
some work we are asked to supply. A short
time ago one of my assistants was somewhat
startled by a young woman asking in a quiet
simple way, and without the slightest idea of the
incongruity of the request, for "The Gaiety Girl"
or " The Messiah."
CHAPTER VI.
A NEW REFERENCE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM BUILDING
OFFERED BY MR. WILLIAM BROWN.
'""TO return to the Reference Library. Every
day demonstrated more and more the utter
inadequacy of the accommodation provided for
readers and books. For the storage of the latter,
first one adjoining house and then another was
rented and fitted up with shelving. But it does
not require a person to be experienced in library
administration to perceive that this sort of labyrin-
thine accommodation in a popular and fast
developing institution could be of a permanent
character. The difficulty of finding increased
accommodation for readers was much greater.
Several efforts in this direction did not improve
matters to any appreciable extent, for no amount
of ingenuity could obtain the required space. The
energy of the committee, and particularly of its
chairman, did much to secure the only remedy that
was possible an entirely new building specially
designed for the purposes of a library and museum.
How long this desideratum would have remained
unaccomplished it is difficult to say, had not a
o c
*
CQ P
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 55
sort of lever been applied by an offer of 6,000
from Mr. William Brown towards the desired
object. It was hoped that other donors would
contribute in a like manner, and the Corporation
by a substantial donation. This they did by a
vote of 10,000 towards the building. In the
meanwhile the question of site engaged the
attention of the committee and of the Town
Council. This attention gradually focussed itself
on the north side of Shaw's Brow (now William
Brown Street) as being the place most suitable
for a large municipal institution, and this site was
ultimately selected.
The question of site having been definitely
decided, the Council, with commendable prompti-
tude, proceeded to obtain legal authority for
acquiring the necessary land, by the insertion of a
clause in the Improvement Act which they were
then promoting in Parliament, by which the
Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough
of Liverpool obtained power to " appropriate for
the purposes of a Free Public Library, part of
three streets in the said Borough called respectively
Mill Lane, Mill Place, and Shaw's Brow." This
Act received the Royal Assent on the i6th July,
1855. Though much could be said in favour of
this site, it was not all that could be desired owing
to the rapid inclination of its surface. At this
time the Council, and the town generally, were
agitated by the question of a high level bridge
from the top of Shaw's Brow into Dale Street,
and spanning the line of Byrom Street. This
bridge was never completed in its entirety, though
56 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the terrace or platform in front of the library, just
recently removed, formed part of the scheme.
With no less commendable zeal the Council next
advertised for drawings and plans for the proposed
building. The highest premiated plans were
those of Mr. Thomas Allom. Their selection
gave rise to much discussion, as it was very
obvious that the building as designed could not be
erected for 26,000, the amount the Council
had decided to expend. On this account, and for
other reasons, further delay ensued. Mr. Brown
was most anxious to see the library erected during
his lifetime, and this, no doubt, materially
influenced his decision, when on December 3ist,
1856, he addressed the following letter to the
Mayor :
MY DEAR SIR, I have been long desirous that
Liverpool should have a free public library and museum
worthy of the town, where the inhabitants, be their
position in life what it may, can resort for intellectual
improvement ; and, as some of my relatives and friends
have expressed a wish that I should build one and
present it to my fellow townsmen, I am prepared to do
so on the site provided by the Corporation. I have no
wish to interfere with the resolution the Council have
already come to, of leaving the plans in the hands of
the Corporation Surveyor. Probably it will not be
unreasonable for me to hope and expect that, in some
way or other, my name will be connected with it, to
show that I have endeavoured to be useful in my
generation ; and possibly it may encourage others who
have the means to contribute to useful public works,
and that some of my family or executors may be
continued on the Managing Committee.
Ever yours respectfully,
WILLIAM BROWN.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 57
The elevation and plans of Mr. Thomas Allom
were adopted by Mr. Brown, with modifications
made by Mr. Weightman, Architect and Surveyor
to the Corporation. On the I5th of April, 1857,
the foundation stone was laid. The proceedings
of the day were inaugurated at 10-30 a.m. by a
meeting of gentlemen in the Town Hall under
the presidency of the Deputy Mayor, Alderman
Samuel Holme. Addresses were presented to Mr.
William Brown from the Literary and Philosophical
Society, Philomatic Society, Historic Society, and
various other societies and institutions to the
number of thirteen. That the day was regarded
as auspicious may be reasonably inferred from the
number of those who attended laying the foundation
stone, the banquet, or the soiree, in order to do
honour to the generous donor and the occasion.
Among the more illustrious present at one or
other of these functions, in addition to Mr.
William Brown, M.P., and the deputy Mayor,
were the Right Hon. Lord Stanley (afterwards
1 5th Earl of Derby), Sir John Pakington, M.P.
(afterwards ist Baron Hampton), Mr. William
Rathbone, the Bishop of Chester (Right Rev. J.
Graham), Major-General Sir Edward Cust, Bart.,
the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Mr. Joseph
Mayer, Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P. (afterwards
ist Baron Houghton), Lieut. -General Sir Harry
Smith (after whom Harrismith, South Africa, was
called), Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mr. William
Ewart, M.P., the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the Rev. Dr.
Hume, the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, Mr. S. R.
Graves, Archdeacon Jones, Mr. J. A. Picton,
58 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Dr. W. Ihne, Mr. J. C. Ewart, M.P., Mr. J. A.
Tobin, the Rev. C. M. Birrell, Rector Campbell,
Mr. T. B. Horsfall, M.P., Sir J. P. Kay
Shuttleworth, the Rev. J. H. Howson (afterwards
Dean of Chester), the Rev. J. Martineau, the Rev.
James Nugent (now Monsignor Nugent), the Rev.
W. H. Channing, the Rev. T. Binney, Mr. Thomas
Avison, Mr. Christopher Bushell, Mr. George
Holt, Mr. Thomas Inman, and others.
After the presentation of addresses, which Mr.
Brown acknowledged with expressions of warm
appreciation, a procession was formed which pro-
ceeded through crowds of spectators to the site of
the Brown Library, where, at 12 o'clock, Alderman
Holme, Deputy Mayor, invited Mr. William
Brown to lay the foundation stone. On presenting
trowel and mallet to Mr. Brown, and after adverting
to the insufficient accommodation for library and
museum in Duke Street, and paying personal
tribute to Mr. Brown, Alderman Holme said,
" And now, sir, like those princely merchants of
Italy who raised their cities into powerful republics,
you are shewing to England that the pursuits of
commerce are not incompatible with fostering the
arts and sciences and with protecting and extending
literature ; and like them you are about to erect a
building which will perpetuate your name. We
live in an age of progress. Education is spreading
her pinions, and civilisation is marching with rapid
strides in the footsteps of science and mechanics
through the whole globe. We must remember
that other nations are progressing as well as ours,
and, therefore, if we are to keep pace in the march
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 59
which now seems to be extending itself over
Europe and over a large portion of America, our
artizans must individually be taught, because, just
as the mountain is composed of atoms and the
ocean of drops, so an educated people, a mass of
educated mechanics, will have a much better
chance in the great race of competition which is
taking place, than if we suffer them to remain in
ignorance." He then read the inscription upon
the stone :
This stone of a building of the Free Public Library
and Museum of the Borough of Liverpool was set on the
I5th of April, 1857, by William Brown, Esq., M.P. for
South Lancashire, at whose sole cost the building was
erected and by him presented as a free gift to his fellow-
townsmen.
FRANCIS SHAND, ESQ., Mayor.
J. A. PICTON, Chairman of the Library and Museum Committee.
JOHN WEIGHTMAN, Surveyor to the Corporation, Architect.
WILLIAM SHUTTLEWORTH, Town Clerk.
Mr. William Brown in responding said : " It
has long been the conviction of my mind that to
place within the reach of our fellow townsmen, a
Free Library and Museum, where they will have
sufficient space and comfortably warmed and
ventilated apartments to resort to, to read and
pursue their studies, will be a great inducement
for many to come here and spend their time
profitably, in place of wasting hours of listlessness
or possibly something worse. It is evident that
there is a growing taste and anxiety on the part of
the public to avail themselves of opportunities to
acquire knowledge and cultivate their minds, at
which I sincerely rejoice. And it is the duty of
60 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
us all to promote this good feeling as much as lies
in our power. Here they will meet with the
accumulated intelligence of ages, and which, I
hope, will be eagerly sought after by many. And
no one can doubt this who visits the library in
Duke Street, and sees its crowded state, the
parties who attend there, and the class of books
that is asked for. It is only the want of time
and opportunity in having access to those silent
friends well chosen books and museums which
prevent, in many cases, valuable talent being
developed that lies dormant and lost for ever to
the world. We owe a debt of gratitude to men of
science and of letters, when we consider the time
and treasure they have spent in solving problems,
trying experiments, making discoveries, and per-
fecting machinery. We ought to hold them in the
highest estimation as the benefactors of mankind ;
and must regret that from want of access to public
libraries to ascertain what was done by others,
they had sometimes to go over the same ground
to arrive at the same result, and lost both their
time and their labour, which was a great dis-
couragement to further advances. Hence the
more we can facilitate the researches of such men,
the more we contribute to the general good of
Great Britain and throughout the world. Look at
the history of many of our great and distinguished
men, who have become so in spite of the difficulties
they had to encounter. Let us remove those
difficulties as far as we possibly can, and aid the
work of progress. It will not be questioned that
knowledge makes us more reflecting beings
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 61
enables us better to appreciate the value of the
constitution under which we live, and the many
advantages that we enjoy, and be less liable to those
unfortunate and ill-judged ebullitions of public
opinion which generally add to that distress which
it was intended to alleviate. I have great faith in
free libraries, freedom of expression, and a free
press which we pre-eminently enjoy being the
best guarantees for our liberty, and for our onward
progress as a nation in virtue and in knowledge."
Lord Stanley offered congratulations to the
town " on having added a building which will be
among the chief ornaments even of this town of
Liverpool," and on having thus increased educa-
tional appliances and means of instruction " by
the creation of an institution which will go far to
place Liverpool as high intellectually as it stands
commercially."
In the course of Mr. William Ewart's remarks,
he said : " I am a fellow townsman of you all. I
therefore feel a deep interest on this occasion, and
I may be permitted to add I feel a deeper interest
because I was anxious many years ago to introduce
free libraries, and I rejoice to find they are
introduced. Liverpool stands, I am delighted to say,
first in the foundation of these institutions. I only
left London six weeks ago, and I had the honour
to assist at the foundation at the first free library
formed in London. I mean the Free Public
Library for the City of Westminster. The people
of Westminster set the first example to the
inhabitants of London, but I rejoice that Liverpool
stands foremost on this great intellectual occasion"
62 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
After appreciative remarks from Sir John
Pakington, General Sir Harry Smith, and Mr. J.
C. Ewart, M.P., the proceedings terminated.
The most prominent feature of the day's
proceedings was the grand banquet during the
afternoon in St George's Hall. About 800
persons assembled, and Alderman Holme, deputy
Mayor, again presided. There were various
toasts, followed by speeches from Alderman
Holme, Mr. Brown, the Bishop of Chester, Lord
Stanley, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Mr.
Monckton Milnes, M.P., Mr. T. B. Horsfall, M.P.,
Mr. J. C. Ewart, M.P., Mr. William Ewart, M.P.,
Rector Campbell, General Sir Harry Smith, Sir
John Pakington, M.P., Mr. J. A. Picton, Mr.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others.
The Bishop of Chester, in response to the
toast of " The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese
of Liverpool," observed : " A public library has
become a public want in Liverpool. I am glad it
has. It is the necessary and the happy result of
the progress education has made in our day among
the people. I know very well that the education
of our people falls very far short of the point which
we could wish to reach, and many men, eminent
by their public stations, are now turning their
minds to devise, if possible, some practicable plan
of extending the benefits of education far wider
than they yet have been. Let the defects of our
education be what they may, I may say this, that
even in my own memory education has made great
advances in this country, great advances in almost
all classes, but I am going to mention only one ; I
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 63
speak of the class of superior artisans, mechanics,
and working men. The persons who compose
these classes are now most of them well instructed
in the elementary parts of learning, and they are
naturally eager to increase their stock of knowledge.
There has been an intellectual appetite, an
intellectual taste, created in them, and it seeks
intellectual food. There has, in fact, been a new
class added to the reading public of this country.
But the class I am speaking of the persons
composing that class they are not in a condition
to form libraries of books for themselves at home.
God be thanked, every one of them can have at
home, and his own, one book worth all the books,
and more than all the books, in the world besides.
He can have his Bible at his home to call his own,
and to bless and sanctify his family, and all it
contains ; but for other books, if he is to have
access to them, he must depend upon public
libraries for the supply libraries where men of his
class can go and read, or where they can go and
borrow books to take home, either upon the
payment of a small sum, or without any payment
at all, as will be the case with your free library
here, for it is to be freely open to all who are
to benefit by its advantages."
Nathaniel Hawthorne, in a felicitous speech,
said : " In appearing in this hall I do so as the
representative of my country and especially as the
representative of the literature of America. There
is nothing in literary reputation so dear to an
American as the idea that he may not be wholly
unknown in the land of his ancestry, that if he
64 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
comes hither he comes not entirely as a stranger.
I must not forget that I speak not merely on my
own behalf but on behalf of the literature of my
country. I may be as modest as I please on my
own behalf, as modest as befits me to be, but on
behalf of the literary men, my brethren, whom
my country has produced the poets, the novelists,
the historians of America I have no right to
decline any praise which may be awarded to them.
The circumstances of our new country have
directed much of our abilities to the active
pursuits of life, instead of softening them down
into the meditative and studious habits which are
favourable to literary productions : but it gives me
heartfelt happiness to think that we have returned
something of the great debt that we owe to
England that my countrymen have given some
evidence that the high standard of Anglo-Saxon
intellect has not degenerated in them they have
kept it up to the point, or perhaps not wholly to the
point, but that they have at least shown that they
come from the same stock as the great writers of
the past, as the great writers of the present day
who hold the same standard up to us. It gives
me great happiness to believe this, because the
more we return to you for the great measure of
enjoyment we have received from you, the more
do we increase the basis of natural sympathy, the
high ground of mutual goodwill upon which two
such nations may meet. Every American who has
written a book which Englishmen are contented
to receive into their literature has contributed
something towards that end,"
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 65
In the evening a soiree took place in the
Concert Hall, Lord Nelson Street, under the
auspices of the Evening Concert Committee.
Mr. Nathaniel Caine presided. Addresses were
presented to Mr. Brown from the readers of
the Free Libraries and the inhabitants of St.
Anne's Ward. In supporting the tributes to
Mr. Brown, the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, the
Rev. J. W. Twist, the Rev. T. Binney, the
Rev. W. H. Channing, the Rev. Father Nugent,
Mr. J. A. Picton, and others spoke.
The Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, in a charac-
teristic speech said : " Considering the state of the
people, their wishes and their wants, considering
the character of the age in which it is our privilege
to live, I do not think that benevolence could
elsewhere have found a wiser, a safer, a more truly
beneficial channel than that which has been elected
by our princely-hearted fellow- townsman. And
now, who does not see a glorious prospect opening
before the working men of Liverpool ? For,
notwithstanding all that grandeur which has
characterised a portion of the day's proceedings,
I for one cannot forget that this library is intended
chiefly for the service of those who cannot afford
to buy many books, who cannot afford to pay the
subscriptions which such an excellent institution
as the Liverpool Library, for instance, requires
for its support ; and although the free library is
intended for the benefit of all, yet I take it that it
is intended specially for the working people, men
of all trades these, I take it, are the people for
whom the library is designed ; and I cannot but
66 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
look forward to great and glorious results arising
from the institution which has been founded to-day.
I think we may expect, and are fully justified in
expecting, great and happy results from the
opportunities for mental improvement afforded by
our public library. The public library does afford
the workman a relief from the dulness and
monotony of his task. I believe that heretofore
hundreds of working men resorted to the public
houses because they had no other opportunity of
shaking off the weariness of seven days' work.
But there will be no such excuse now that a
healthy and real beneficial excitement is provided.
By perusing the books in the library, the working
man can obtain for nothing, a relief a thousand
times preferable to that which he seeks at such a
cost in other places. In establishing such an
institution you open out to the working man an
inexhaustible fountain of the most refined and
most refining pleasure. The people, the working
people of this town, are now furnished with such
an institution as will, under the blessings of Divine
Providence, promote their social happiness, yield
them pleasure of the most exhalted character, and
withdraw them from the debasing scenes in which
too many spend their leisure hours. Further, this
institution will tend to induce thoughtful habits,
economy, prudence, with all the power which must
ensue."
The Rev. T. Binney said " in London they
had nothing of the sort that we had here in
Liverpool ; they had no meetings of the working
classes like that for objects which had brought
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 67
that company together attended with anything
like the enthusiasm and excitement which he
witnessed amongst them in that hall. In London
they had no free library, and they had no man
coming forward with 30,000. He attended a
meeting at the Mansion House ; he went to it
with great anxiety and very favourable to the
object, wishing to promote it as far as he could.
It was a meeting called a year or two ago for the
purpose of considering whether a free library
should not be established in London, and it went
off upon the argument which was brought forward
and urged, that perhaps it might lead to a rate of
a farthing in the pound, or some argument of that
kind, for it was a pecuniary argument upon which
the whole thing turned, and he really came away
somewhat humbled that that should be the upshot
of a meeting called for such purposes that their
arguments should take such a turn as that, and
reason downwards to the fine point of a farthing.
The fact was, however, that London was far too
large for a single movement, and the only way to
go to work would be to divide it into separate
districts, and have free libraries for particular
localities. He hoped something of that kind
would soon be done, and he thought if many of
the leading men of London the merchant princes
of London, who had the intellectual and moral
power and purse power if they had been in
Liverpool that day, and had been operated
upon and influenced by what they had seen
and heard as he had been, they would have
gone home and would have determined that
E2
68 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
London should not be long without having
separate localities, and free libraries in those
localities."
Rev. W. H. Channing said "it struck him as
very felicitous he did not believe Mr. Picton
knew it that the corner stone ot the new building
was in the south-west corner. Did they see what
that meant ? It was the corner that laid nearest
to the other world. Therefore, he saw in that a
very beautiful pledge that it was a new bond of
union, from which they would learn that these
people were one in God's privileges, and not all
the agencies of the world should sever it. In the
corner stone which they had laid that day they
had placed the coins of this realm, stamped every
one with the head of that honoured woman whose
name was greeted in America with as hearty
cordiality as it was here. He could not but think
that if at any period a time should come to pass
that a great sorrow should fall upon Great
Britain perhaps by the breaking out of sub-
terranean fires, perhaps by foreign invasion, or
whatever might be the cause when in centuries
to come that corner stone should be lifted it would
contain the memorials of the head of a free, a
united, a happy, and an intelligent and prosperous
people. They would have that purity of symbol,
a reality which was a living reality ; and he would
trust that the institution which they were founding
that day would be one of the means of perpetuating
this prosperity to ages. One single word in
conclusion with regard to the institution which
they had been founding. In Liverpool they had
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 69
many controversies and discussions in regard to
the institutions since he came here. There had
been many in regard to the supply of this city
with water ; but in the river of water which they
now from that fountain opened, and which was to
carry its refreshment into every heart and every
home there, he believed there would be no
discussion and no controversy there with regard to
the quality and in regard to the purity of that
water at any rate. Well, since his arrival here
there had been great controversies here sometimes
with regard to the quality and with regard to the
quantity of our gas. Now, he was very sure that
every one who read in that library, and every one
who took a book from that library, which he hoped
would be the next step in the process, would light
up a new and improved light, the quantity and
quality of which would never be discussed."
CHAPTER VII.
THE BROWN LIBRARY COMPLETED AND OPENED.
'""THE foundation stone having been laid, the
work of erection was at once begun and
accelerated as much as possible. In the mean-
while the library in Duke Street pursued the even
tenor of its way, growing more and more in public
favour and daily demonstrating its utility until the
completion and occupation of its new palatial
home, when additional life and vigour was infused
into its work, and the scope of its usefulness greatly
enlarged. It was felt by all that the occasion was
a memorable one in local annals and that Mr.
Brown's munificent gift to his townsmen was
worthy of the fullest recognition by all classes of
society. That the town was fully sensible of this
was evidenced by the fact that the inaugural
ceremonies extended over three days. They
commenced on the evening of the I7th October,
1860, by an enthusiastic and numerously attended
meeting of working men in the Royal Amphi-
theatre, presided over by the Mayor (Thomas D.
Anderson). Among the distinguished persons
present were Lord Brougham, Sir John Bowring,
Hon. Algernon Egerton, Mr. William Brown,
Mr. William Rathbone and Mr. Thomas B.
Horsfall, M.P. Mr. Horsfall, after a speech full
of wisdom and kindly advice, concluded by moving
the following resolution : " That the meeting desires
SIR WILLIAM BROWN, Bart, M.P.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 71
to express its gratitude to Mr. William Brown for
his munificent gift of a building for a free public
library and museum, and congratulates him on
being present in health and happiness at the
commencement of the opening ceremonies." This
was seconded by Mr. Rathbone in terms of warmth
and feeling. The principal event of the evening
was the presentation of an address to Mr. William
Brown from the working men of Liverpool, together
with a clock and a silver salver, on the latter was
engraved the following inscription : " This
testimonial, the result of a small subscription
collected by the working men of Liverpool, was
presented to William Brown, Esq., on the occasion
of the opening of the Free Library, as an earnest
record of their grateful and sincere appreciation of
his magnificent gift to the town to which they
belong." A working man, Mr. Daniel Guile, in a
speech highly appreciated, concluded by saying:
" But, my working friends, before we can attain
the utmost amount of good derivable from this
institution we have a great deal to learn. Self-
denial must be exercised. The power of the
mind must gain a complete victory over sensual
appetites. Our leisure hours, instead of being
spent in the taproom, the singing room and the
dancing room, must be given to study, to thought,
to perseverance and to industry ; and with these
aids, and the aid of knowledge, which now is
placed within our reach, what shall hinder us from
becoming the envy of surrounding nations and the
pride of the world ? Now, generous sir, I believe
I shall be doing wrong to encroach any further
72 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
upon the time of this meeting, but I must say that
there is nothing we can wish more profoundly,
nothing that we can desire more earnestly, than that
God may be pleased for many long years to spare
the life of the donor, that he may witness in his
own days the full fruition of his noble efforts to do
us good ; and, my working friends, to-night let me
beg of you to show the classes that move above
us, as it is generally termed, to show our fellow
men, that we can, that we do, that we will appre-
ciate this great gift ; and then I am assured our
friend William Brown will feel that the ultimate
of his wishes is accomplished."
Mr. Brown, on rising, was received with
enthusiastic cheering, which was again and again
repeated. His words, eloquent in good council
and hope of the good fruit to be borne by his gift,
were listened to with deference and appreciation.
Lord Brougham, Sir John Bowring, and others
addressed the audience, and gave of their wide
experience and reading.
Lord Brougham said : "I could not resist
being present at a meeting held in honour of
my most esteemed friend, your munificent not
only benevolent, but munificent fellow townsman,
for without that wisdom and good sense, and
discretion which have directed his great
munificence, his generosity, unexampled as it is,
would not produce the effect which Providence
designed it to have; but I consider that this is
unexampled m the history of human munificence,
not only in the amount, but in the perfect
judgment, the true wisdom which has directed
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 73
Mr. Brown's generosity. He has founded that
which is of inestimable benefit to the working
classes, not only, as has been said by those who
have preceded me, a library and museum a
library to contain the stores of ancient and modern
knowledge knowledge on all subjects which are
most desirable to be considered and studied, not
only by working men, but by all men but a
museum connected with it, wherein those studies
may be improved by books and specimens of the
works of the Creator, as shown in the preserved
monuments of His bounty, wisdom and skill. But
there is added a reading room connected with this
library and museum, in which men may obtain
the inestimable benefits of social intercourse, of
conversations upon the subjects upon which they
have been reading, and upon the subjects of the
day which most interest them. I observed before
leaving home that my friend the Bishop of Oxford
has lately been presiding at the opening of a library
and reading room in Oxford, and that he sets
forth strongly and justly the benefits of the reading
room as hardly less than those of the library itself.
For, as he justly observes, reading without
reflection signifies little, and you have a good
security for reflection and for having understood
what you have read by freely and unceremoniously
conversing upon it with those who have also
studied and also read. It has justly been observed
by Mr. Horsfall, in setting forth the services of
working men, that there is George Stephenson, to
whom we owe the great advantage of railway
travelling. I could have wished that he had also
74 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
noted another working man to whom the railway
carriage is not less indebted, for without the steam
engine it would stand still. Watt was a working
man as well as George Stephenson, only that whilst
the one was a workman in a colliery the other was
a skilful artisan skilled in preparing and adjusting
machinery ; and being a working machinist, he
was induced to study the defects of the steam
engine and triumphantly to apply the remedy."
Sir John Bowring said : " I will tell you what
happened to me when I visited one of the noblest
libraries in China in the city of Ningpo a
library which glories in having received a succession
of liberal gifts, and which is supposed to contain
one of the best collections of literature that exist
out of the capital of Pekin. I was exceedingly
desirous to get access to this library ; but I found
that there were three great families in the
neighbourhood, each of whom had a key, and it
was necessary to consult them all before the library
doors could be opened. Many days passed, and
I, Minister though I was, and having some
influence in that country, I was able, after the
exercise of the little power which I possessed, and
after three days' negotiations, to get these three
illustrious families to lend me their keys. I
entered the library, and there were hundreds of
thousands of volumes; but I did not find a single
reader, and it was not in the memory of the
librarian that a single book had been allowed to
depart from the rooms. And if I had, I don't
mean to say they would have been of much
value, for of the excellent advice to be found in
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 75
the books of China I remember one very excellent
man says: 'Two words contain as much wisdom
as is in the whole book Be pure; there is nothing
else to be found in the whole of that book.' And
this I venture to say, that in any newspaper of the
present hour, and in any speech of the illustrious
nobleman behind me, you will find more of that
practical wisdom which you can turn to daily
account than you will find in all the libraries of
China, of which the catalogues only contain 120
folio volumes. What they want, my friend, is
what you find in this country, find it growing up
and spreading more and more every day. It is
that sound, practical wisdom that can be turned to
hourly use ; for not to know at large all things
remote from use, obscure, and subtile, but to know
that which lies before us in daily life, is the prime
wisdom. That is wanting in China. There are
400,000,000 of men, who make no progress. They
don't learn what concerns the business and duties
of daily life. They are wholly occupied with the
past, which was the age of ignorance. They look
not forward. They have not learned that great
maxim of Bacon, that the present generation is
the oldest of generations, and that the earliest
generation is the youngest. A maxim of more
practical wisdom never fell from the lips of
philosophy. What I should desire to see in this
country is what I have seen in China a universal
passion, a universal desire for instruction.
Certainly, that does pervade the community, but
the instructors and the instruction of a valuable
character are wanting."
76 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
On the i8th October, 1860, the ceremony of
formally opening to the public the Liverpool
Free Library and Museum took place attended
with all the circumstance which so worthy and
important an event justified. The day was
made a general holiday. The programme of the
proceedings included a reception at the Town
Hall, a procession formed by the illustrious invited
visitors and guests, members of the Town Council,
magistrates, clergy, members of local societies, and
other gentlemen. A feature of the procession was
the presence of nearly five thousand local volunteers
who materially added to it as an attractive and
imposing spectacle. A banquet in the evening in
St. George's Hall, and later in the evening displays
of fireworks in several of the publip parks.
Soon after 10 o'clock the various gentlemen
who were to take part in the procession assembled
at the Town Hall. Among the more distinguished
of them were Lord Brougham, Sir John Bowring,
Mr. William Ewart, M.P., the Bishop of Chester,
the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the Rev. Rector Campbell,
the Ven. Archdeacon Jones and Mr. T. B.
Horsfall, M.P.
Previous to the formation of the procession a
meeting was held under the presidency of the
Mayor, for the purpose of giving a suitable
opportunity for presenting to Mr. Brown addresses
from local learned societies and commercial
associations. In one address the Architectural
and Archaeological Society, Historic Society
of Lancashire and Cheshire, Literary and
Philosophical Society, Polytechnic Society, and
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 77
the Chemists' Association joined in a common
tribute of gratitude and appreciation of Mr.
Brown's great generosity. In another address
couched in no less appreciative terms the following
associations joined: Liverpool Chamber of Com-
merce, African Association, American Chamber of
Commerce, Brazilian Association, Corn Trade
Association, Cotton Brokers' Association, East
India and China Association, General Brokers'
Association, Steamship Owners' Association, Salt
Chamber of Commerce, Shipowners' Association,
Underwriters' Association, Warehousekeepers'
Association, West India Association, Wine and
Spirit Association, &c. These Mr. Brown received
and replied to in suitable terms. The procession
being now formed it proceeded to the library by a
lengthy and circuitous route, which included Castle
Street, Lord Street, Bold Street, Great George
Street, Upper Parliament Street, Rodney Street,
London Road. Here close to the library, not-
withstanding the inclement weather, a vast
concourse of people had assembled to the
estimated number of 10,000.
The route was made picturesque and attractive
by the flags and devices displayed to do honour
to the occasion, and by the people occupying
windows and every point of vantage where a view
of the worthy donor and the procession could be
seen wholly or in part.
When the principal visitors and leading citizens
had assembled on the dais in the library, Mr.
Brown advanced and spoke as follows : " When I
look round and see the immense assembly that
78 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
have met to celebrate the opening of the Free
Library and Museum this day, it is a most
gratifying spectacle. It shows the deep interest
that is taken by the public in the provision that is
made for putting invaluable treasures within the
reach of those who have not the means of providing
libraries for themselves. Although it was not
contemplated by me, when this building was
commenced that its usefulness could be extended
further than the Library and Museum, fortunately
it is not now limited to these objects alone.
The learned societies of this town viz., the
Chemists' Association, the Historic Society of
Lancashire and Cheshire, the Polytechnic Society,
the Literary and Philosophical Society, and the
Architectural and Archaeological Society have
applied for such accommodation within these walls
as will from time to time enable them to bring
forward for inspection such models, new inventions
and discoveries in the arts and sciences, or illus-
trations of antiquity, as may be deemed worthy of
public notice and useful for instruction. For these
purposes ample accommodation has been found
by adding to the building another large room with
galleries. It is important to have connected with
this institution gentlemen whose associations,
judgments, tastes, and pursuits lead them to
appreciate and to promote the advantages of
progress in the useful arts of life. I hope they
will make good use of the theatre by frequently
giving lectures in it, and imparting to others some
of that knowledge which, by researches, investiga-
tion, and study, they have themselves acquired.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 79
Having the co-operation of those gentlemen under
the same roof with the library and museum will
add to the value and usefulness of these
establishments not only to the present but to
future generations. All gentlemen who visited the
library when in Duke Street, must have been struck
with the large and constant attendance that they
found there of our hard-working and industrious
classes, in confined and badly ventilated rooms.
It created the necessity of providing for them more
ample and better accommodation, which this
building will for a time afford ; but I look upon it
as merely the nucleus of much larger premises
that will be required to furnish the necessary
accommodation, as the taste for reading is happily
on the increase. By Act of Parliament we are
able to collect about 6,000 per annum for the
support of the Botanical Gardens and the Library
and Museum. I should rather say the libraries,
for there are two circulating libraries connected
with this centre, and the books that are called for
at those establishments are about 13,000 volumes
per week. Our whole stock at present is about
36,000 volumes, but provision is made here for
120,000; and it is pleasing to observe that the
class of books which are called for is becoming of a
higher standard and calculated to afford instruction.
It is very honourable to the readers that the books
are taken care of and regularly returned. There
is scarcely an exception to this rule. Considering
that this is one of the largest shipping ports in the
world, and that we have vessels trading to every
part of the earth, there are great opportunities for
8o History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
adding to the museum much that is valuable.
Collections made by masters of vessels and other
gentlemen are frequently lost to the public for
want of suitable places of safety to keep and
preserve them. This museum will furnish the
means required. Indeed, I look forward, not only
to gifts of single objects, but to many donations
of whole collections already made, to enrich our
stores ; and I am sure our curator will lose no
opportunity of impressing on all parties going
abroad that their aid in making collections will be
highly appreciated. I may say, too, that I have
received a donation in a letter of which the
following is a copy :
WRAY CASTLE,
WlNDERMERE, AMBLESIDE,
October i8th, 1860.
To WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ.,
RICHMOND HILL, LIVERPOOL.
MY DEAR SIR, For some time past I have been
anxiously waiting and seeking for a suitable place for
several sets of valuable works (one of these I may
mention having cost me ^124 135. * without its massive
binding) that are now in my possession. At one period
I had contemplated their presentation to University
College, London, but the forthcoming inauguration
ceremony of your Free Library and Museum opens to
me a more gratifying and satisfactory occasion for their
retention in my native town ; and this gratification
would be deeply enhanced if you would kindly permit
* This mark refers to a splendid work of Paul Mascagni (as
issued from the press of the University of Pisa, in the year 1823),
viz., the entire Anatomy of the Human Body, represented in
44 tables of copper-plate engravings, each plate being of the size of
the adult figure, and each engraving having been afterwards pencil
painted, so as to demonstrate the exact appearance of the several
structures as they are disclosed to the anatomist. JAMKS DAWSON.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 81
this intended donation to pass through your hands, in
order that hereafter the works may remain on the
shelves of your Free Library and Museum (I hope)
for the use and advantage of future generations of
my fellow-townsmen and others.
Should this outline of my proposed plan meet with
your approval, a list of the works referred to, shall, at a
fitting opportunity, be made out and placed in the
hands of your secretary or librarian.
I am, my dear sir,
Ever regardfully yours,
JAMES DAWSON.
The town is greatly indebted to Lord Derby for
the large and valuable collection of objects of
natural history which he has presented to it ; and
it is a source of great gratification to me that the
museum is united with the library under this roof.
I should also mention that a very useful appro-
priation has been made, for the present at least, of
a part of the basement storey, which could not be
made available for either the library or museum,
and which does not in the least interfere with
either. It arises out of the circumstances of the
times. It is used as a place of deposit for the
carbines of two companies of Artillery Volunteers,
and also for four or five garrison guns, to teach
the men their drill. Those cannons are dummies,
so far that they can never be used on the premises
with gunpowder; but they will instruct the men to
handle those weapons to defend this library and
other institutions of our country, should ever our
soil be desecrated by a foreign foe. By the library
we shall be enlightened and informed how the
various nations of the earth are governed, and
82 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
every man who thinks at all will be convinced that
our constitutional government is the best in the
world, and that when danger looms in the distance
it is our duty to ourselves, our country, and our
Queen to meet it. It must be well understood
that our policy is protective, and not aggressive.
We must all be much indebted to the architect,
Mr. Weightman, for the exterior beauty and
chasteness of this structure, as well as for the
arrangements of its different apartments for the
purposes intended, and for the further accom-
modation that he is making available for other
important objects that suggested themselves as
the building advanced. I naturally feel much
interested that everything connected with it should,
as far as possible, be turned to the best account,
and in this he cordially co-operates. I should be
wanting in what is due to Mr. Weightman and
my own feelings, if I did not take this opportunity
of thanking him, and saying that the Free Library
does honour to his talents and his judgment. I
have been looking forward for some time to the
present occasion, when everything connected with
this establishment would be placed under the
parental care of the Corporation. That day has
arrived, and I have now the satisfaction of pro-
claiming that the Library and Museum are open
to my fellow townsmen and others, be their religion
or their politics what they may. This is neutral
ground. To see this building consecrated to
the public good is most gratifying to me, and
consummates my utmost wishes and desires. To
you, Mr. Mayor, I now deliver it over, for the
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 83
perpetual benefit of the public, and especially my
fellow-townsmen, earnestly wishing that prosperity,
happiness, and every other blessing may attend
you one and all."
The Mayor said: "I consider it one of the
highest honours which have devolved upon me
during my mayoralty to take so prominent a part
in the proceedings of this day at the opening of
the noble building which you have just presented
to the town, for the purpose of a Free Library and
Museum. I know well, sir, that you require no
thanks at our hands, for you have what is of far
greater value the happy consciousness of your
own mind. Still, we have a duty to perform, and
this town would be most ungrateful if it did not
offer to you and ask you to accept its best, its
grateful thanks for the gift, which in point of
munificence is unparalleled in the history of the
town. Though I could with pleasure dwell upon
the details connected with the building, the
noble gift of this day, yet, as they were so well
described upon the auspicious occasion of the
laying of the foundation stone, and as I am sure
those present will be glad to listen to the eloquence
of some of the illustrious strangers who are present,
I will not detain you with many more remarks;
I must, however, congratulate you upon the happy
completion of the noble institution which has
occupied so much of your time and attention
during the last few years, and to express the
fervent hope, which I am sure is shared in by
every inhabitant of the town, that you may be
long spared to see the fruit of your labours in the
F2
84 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
benefit which it may confer upon the rising
generation. I therefore now, on behalf of the
aldermen and burgesses, accept your princely gift,
and beg to tender to you, as their official
representative, the grateful thanks of the people
of Liverpool. I have still, sir, one pleasing duty
to perform, and that is to ask on behalf of the town
your acceptance of this gold medal, which has on
one side the portrait of yourself and on the other a
view of the beautiful building, in the portico of
which we now stand."
Lord Brougham said : " I can only say, in lieu
of facts and deeds, words and eloquence are of no
avail whatever. We have the greatest eloquence
that man can bestow in the fact and deed of
Mr. Brown's gift, not only to Liverpool but to
the world."
Mr. James Brown and the Bishop of Chester
also spoke.
Dr. Raffles said : " I can only re-echo the
sentiments already expressed, of admiration and
gratitude which, as a resident in Liverpool for
nearly half a century, I know and feel to be the
feeling of this great population to Mr. Brown for
his munificent gift. I have no doubt in long
coming generations his name will be pronounced
in grateful acknowledgment for the gift he has this
day bestowed; and if a suitable use is made of that
gift, the office which my son holds (and I find he
expressed a similar sentiment last night) will
become a sinecure. We may shut up our gaols,
give up the magistrates, and all flock to this library
and to the similar institutions, which will multiply,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 85
I trust, as the occasions for their use may increase.
In one respect, I am gratified that I have the
opportunity of speaking, because I wish to say
to this audience that at the committee meeting of
the Liverpool branch of the British and Foreign
Bible Society, of which I have the honour to be
one of the Secretaries, the last thing we did last
Tuesday morning was by acclamation, to vote to
this library the present of a copy of the Holy
Scriptures in all the various tongues into which
they are translated. And now will you permit me,
sir, as Mr. Brown has given to you on behalf of
this great community this most magnificent
donation will you allow me to present to the
shelves of the library of this institution that
interesting, and, I think you will agree with me,
most excellent and proper gift."
Mr. J. A Picton said : " I can assure you that
this is a very proud and happy day for me. When
we look back on the ten years or twelve years that
have elapsed since the first germ, the seed of this
noble institution, was laid in weakness, and when
we reflect on what it has grown up to, I cannot
but feel grateful indeed for what has taken place,
and especially that there should have been found
such noble men in both senses of the word as Mr.
William Brown, to contribute his noble donation
for the erection of this building, and another noble
man noble in both senses the Right Hon. the
Earl of Derby, to whom we are indebted for the
magnificent museum which is to be deposited in
this building. Mr. Brown has not only given the
money for the erection of this building, but he has
86 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
watched over it with fostering care, and has
cherished it as the apple of his eye, and every
suggestion which has been made has been received
by him with the utmost courtesy and liberality
and kindness, for he has added most materially to
the sum originally stipulated as the cost without
regard to any extra cost, in order that the building
might answer fully and entirely the purposes for
which it was erected so that the gift has been
twice blessed, both by the money gift and by the
courteous manner and liberal spirit in which that
money has been expended. Allow me to add one
word before I retire about what has fallen from
Dr. Raffles in reference to the donation from the
Bible Society. It is a noble gift, and I trust will
be blessed accordingly to the intention of the
donors. We could not certainly have inaugurated
this building more appropriately than by the gift
announced by the Rev. Dr. Raffles."
Mr. William Ewart said: " It is a proud day for
Liverpool to see this building now risen amongst us.
I believe that the institution of this library will
have a permanent civilising effect on the character
of our population. I believe it will civilise them ;
I believe it will christianise them ; I believe it will
scatter among you the blessings of peace and of
religion and in what place should peace and
religion more naturally thrive than in a commercial
community for commerce, peace, and religion,
in my opinion, all are consorted and all move
together. I thank you for the notice you have
been so kind as to take of an individual like myself.
I can only say that I always entertained the most
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 87
ardent aspirations for extending the benefits of
education amongst the people, and especially of
voluntary free education, for where a man educates
himself, as is the old trite observation of Gibbon,
that education is worth more than all that others
can give him ; and when we see these temples of
knowledge thrown open to mankind we may
conceive that self-education will receive an impulse
which no time or circumstances can control, and
which will be fraught with blessings to mankind.
I am convinced that no institution ever was so
intimately connected with the future prosperity
of the people of Liverpool as this noble library
will be."
Sir Robert Peel, M.P., said: "I have witnessed
this ceremony this morning with feelings of surprise,
satisfaction, and admiration for the character of
Mr. Brown. I can conceive nothing more noble and
nothing more honourable on the part of a citizen
of any country than to find himself the subject
of so much enthusiasm and so much merited
applause on the part of his fellow- townsmen.
Recollect, that this is a period when individuals
are gaining great distinction in different parts of
the world. Men, by the force of arms and the
strength of their military genius, are acquiring
most magnificent renown ; but I can conceive no
renown and no distinction more honourable and
worthy of admiration than that of a citizen who
devotes an immense portion of his fortune to
the benefit of the social well-being of his fellow-
townsmen. I do hope that this great institution,
dedicated to the welfare of the commercial
88 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
metropolis of England dedicated to the welfare,
I believe, especially of the humbler classes of this
district will tend to promote their happiness and
social well-being ; and I am quite certain if they
will avail themselves of the advantages now so
easily placed within their grasp, and which but a
few years ago they were entirely and totally
debarred the enjoyment of they will be able to
enjoy with greater happiness and with greater
expectation of success every position which this
country can offer; and that whilst in other
countries only men of rank and wealth can seek to
enjoy the noblest position in those countries, yet
here the humblest classes, if they will only avail
themselves of the advantages placed within their
grasp, may feel assured that they will attain a
position which may enable them to render services
not only to their native country', but to the
world."
CHAPTER VIII.
TRIBUTES TO MR. BROWN AND DESCRIPTION OF
BROWN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
AS the company proceeded to inspect the
various rooms and arrangements of the
Library and Museum, Mr. Brown, on coming into
the public reading room, paused before a half
length portrait of Mr. Picton, painted by
Robertson, and addressing Mr. Picton, said : " I
have been deputed by the Library Committee to
present this portrait of yourself, its chairman, to
the public, the committee considering it right that
you should be represented in the building." A
tablet on the frame bears the following inscription :
Presented by the friends of J. A. Picton,
Esq., F.S.A., as an acknowledgment of his
eminent services as Chairman of the Committee
of the Liverpool Free Library and Museum,
October iStk, 1860.
Mr. Picton having expressed his deep sense of
the honour thus conferred upon him and his
appreciation of the kindness of his friends, the
company pursued their course of inspection.
In further celebration of the inaugural ceremony
of the day, a banquet took place in the evening in
go History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
St. George's Hall, when some 800 ladies and
gentlemen were present. After the customary
loyal and other toasts had been proposed and
responded to, the Mayor rose and said: "My
lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I must now crave
your indulgence whilst I propose the next toast,
the toast of the evening ; and I feel my entire
inability to do justice to it. I know if I were to
propose it without a single word of preface, the
mere mention of it would ensure a most cordial
and enthusiastic reception. But if I did so I
should not be doing justice either to your feelings
or my own, and yet I feel it very difficult to
express the thoughts in our hearts this evening.
This town has had a gift presented to it this day
in point of munificence unparalleled in the annals
of the town, and we are met here this evening to
do honour to the noble-minded and large-hearted
donor. We prize it highly, my lords, ladies, and
gentlemen, but not on that account alone. Gifts,
as well as deeds, are to be valued not for their
splendour only, but for their utility and the
consequences they are likely to produce. We
measure the deeds of the warrior not by their
daring only, but by the results they may happily
ensure ; we estimate the measures of the statesman
not so much by the eloquence with which he
proclaims them as by the beneficial effects which
they may have on the interests of the world. We
admire the works of the poet and the historian less
for the beauty of art than for the beauty of
composition, and we appreciate the labours of the
philanthropist who has gauged the wants of his
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. gi
fellow-man less for the greatness of the gift than
for the benefit which it has conferred on mankind.
We prize this, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen,
for the munificence, the wise consideration and the
kindly spirit which have dictated the gift of this
day, which to all coming time will connect the
prosperity of Liverpool with the name and
liberality of William Brown. At this period of
the evening, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen, it is
my pleasing duty to inaugurate the marble
representation of your honoured guest. It is true
we need no memento, for his lasting monument
will ever be found in the noble building which he
has presented to the town this day. Still our
children's children might desire to see the outward
lineaments of their father's friend, and we are glad
that the sculptor's art has secured for us a faithful
likeness of the venerable man. I give you, my
lords, ladies, and gentlemen, ' The health of
William Brown,' and may he long live to see the
fruits of his labours in the benefits which they may
confer upon us and the rising generation."
Mr. Brown then rose, and after the enthusiastic
greetings with which he was received had subsided,
spoke as follows : " I have looked forward with
some solicitude to the period when we should be
able to open the Free Library and Museum, and
I assure you it gave me very great pleasure this
morning that my wishes were fully consummated
by my being able to hand it over to my friend our
worthy Mayor, to be placed in the hands of the
Corporation a permanent body, which secures to
it the advantages of the management and control,
92 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
in perpetuity, of gentlemen whom my fellow-
townsmen from time to time are pleased to elect
for the superintendence and regulation of our local
affairs. Although my mind is not stored with that
literary lore which is possessed by many of the
noblemen and gentlemen present, and although I
have not the tact, the talent, nor the memory to
bring forward such arguments and illustrations as
will impress on the minds of all the inestimable
value of knowledge, I nevertheless feel strongly
that the cultivation of our intellects by every
means in our power contributes to our happiness,
and makes us more respected and more useful to
those around us. Idleness is the greatest mis-
fortune that can befall any man ; but those who
are fond of reading, if they have no other pursuit,
never can be idle. We ought to encourage boys
to read well-selected moral and amusing novels.
It is of much importance, as it leads them to look
to biography, travels, and history, and paves the
way to a taste for the arts and sciences, every step
in which gives pleasure and prevents listlessness
and idleness. The want of invigorating and
rational amusements at proper seasons, and
of useful employment, too frequently leads to
immoral and vicious pursuits, and I think that we
must all feel that a well-selected library aids in
preventing these evils. No matter in what position
of life a man's lot is cast, the better informed he is
the more he is respected and the more he influences
the circle around him. What would the power
and social position of England be without our
commerce ? Where would our commerce be
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 93
without some knowledge of political economy the
aid of the chemist, the botanist, the mechanic, the
engineer, and others who, with persevering industry
cultivate the arts and sciences ? Civilisation is
greatly indebted to those gentlemen. Without
their aid we should be little better than the
untutored Indian. Every day is bringing to light
some new discovery. Had we possessed the
knowledge some fifty years ago which geologists
have now acquired, many bitter disappointments
would have been prevented and much treasure
would have been saved in looking for coals and
other minerals where none were to be found. I
am sanguine that the Library and Museum, from
the valuable works that will be found there, will
contain information that will prevent much loss of
time and many of those disappointments to our
thoughtful and inquiring people, as there they will
have an opportunity of referring to the specifica-
tions of all existing patents, and more or less
information on every subject interesting to
mankind ; and the five literary and scientific
societies which have been grafted on the Library
and Museum in the course of its erection, cannot
fail to turn to the best account the knowledge
that is contained within its walls. The great
advantage of education is shown in every
movement of our lives, The time has happily
gone by when it was considered dangerous to
instruct the people. Nothing is more satisfactory
than to see how knowledge enables the labouring
classes to understand and appreciate the advan-
tages that they and their country derive from
94 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
improved machinery. The more we are instructed
the more we value the advantages we possess over
every other nation, and the less we are exposed to
any misunderstandings amongst ourselves. Every
day we live we see the importance of putting
within reach of the masses the means of getting
instruction. It is a most important element in
securing to us the freedom of the press and of
discussion, and that knowledge which is necessary
to amend our laws and to convince all of the
advantages of a constitutional government."
Lord Stanley, M.P., in responding to the toast
of the House of Stanley, said: " Many years ago
long, I believe, before there was any such thing
as a public library in the town of Liverpool
Lord Derby was employed in forming that large
collection of objects of natural history which
occupied so much of his time and thought, and
the question was then discussed between him and
his immediate successor in the family as to what
the ultimate destination of that collection should
be ; and they both agreed without a moment of
hesitation or doubt that there was no place that
had upon them or their family claims so strong as
this town of Liverpool, or that there was any
place in which a large assemblage of the wonders
of nature might be more usefully or more
appropriately deposited; for we know that the
commerce and the enterprise of Liverpool are as
cosmopolitan as science herself, and that there is
no country in the world so remote or so barbarous
but that Liverpool men, Liverpool capital, Liver-
pool enterprise, Liverpool industry have contrived
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 95
to find their way. What my Lord Derby left to
others to carry out, Mr. Brown has witnessed with
his own eyes. He has witnessed the accomplish-
ment of the objects which he himself had in view.
He has witnessed the interest and enthusiasm with
which men of all employments, of all classes, and
of all parties, have come forward to indicate their
cordial acceptance of the gift which has been so
nobly offered to them, and their appreciation of
the advantages which may henceforth flow from
that magnificent donation. You, gentlemen, as
citizens of Liverpool, may feel a legitimate pride
in the noble building which adorns the hill
opposite to us ; and you may reflect with equal
and legitimate satisfaction on the enjoyment
which the contents of that building will give to all
who participate in its advantages, as well as the
impetus it will give to the cause of education and
of science in the district."
Mr. Thomas Bazley, M.P., in proposing the
toast of " House of Lords," said: " I cannot on
the present occasion withhold from my old and
valued friend, William Brown, my meed of
approbation of his munificent gift to the town of
Liverpool. He is indeed manifesting by that gift
an acquaintance with the tendency of the age in
which we live. Unless we have intelligence
diffused amongst all classes of the community,
the respective duties which are expected from all
will not be adequately performed. As the people
are enjoying increased liberty and still seek
increased privileges, it is right and prudent that
they should receive increased intelligence, and
96 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
amply comprehend those rights and privileges for
which they are continually contending. The
prosperity of Lancashire, in my opinion, depends
upon the increase of intelligence, and I do rejoice
that the kindred spirit of Manchester is proud of
following the example which has been this day
inaugurated in Liverpool."
Lord Brougham said : "I look forward with
the greatest hope and with exultation to the
prospect of the inestimable benefit which is to be
derived from the free use of this Free Library
and Free Museum. I have no manner of doubt
that it will tend to make the members of the
different communions more religious, men of all
classes more moral citizens, also of all classes
more loyal, more orderly and better subjects, and
that the whole community will be improved in
its duties towards man, in its duty towards the
government, and in its duty towards Heaven, by
the improvement which it will derive from this
institution."
Later in the evening the Mayor rose and said :
" When the Free Library was established in
Liverpool, it was hoped and expected that
donations would be given to it and to the Museum
from time to time. That expectation has been
partly fulfilled, and I have been allowed the great
gratification of announcing a donation which
exceeds amazingly anything we expected. It is
from a gentleman who resided for many years in
this town, from one who was long and highly
esteemed by all who knew him, Joseph Shipley,
Esq., partner of our honoured guest. I will read
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 97
to you an extract from his letter: 'I see that Mr.
Brown's noble building for the Free Library is to
be opened on the i8th of the coming month. It
will be an occasion of much interest, and one on
which I should like to be present. As that cannot
be, I desire, as an old resident of Liverpool, to
mark my sympathy in the design and object by
making a donation of 1,000 to the institution, in
promotion of the extension and usefulness of the
contents of the library. May I ask you to do this
for me ? ' The letter is addressed to Mr. Francis
A. Hamilton. We see, I think, the influence of
example; and I hope that that example may be
continued, and that it may result in further
donations to the library, which may make it one
of the first and best in the kingdom."
Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., said " he had been
asked to speak upon the establishment of Free
Public Libraries. He happened to be connected
with the origin of this question. When wandering
through the libraries of the Continent he asked
himself why this country should not have similar
institutions, and why the ancient civilisation of
Rome should be confined to old Latin countries
and not extended to this country. He resolved to
bring the question before Parliament and the
public, in the hope that we might have in this
country, libraries freely opened to the people as
they were in other countries of Europe. The
time had arrived when he saw the accomplishment
of his wishes ; for free libraries were now opened in
25 places, and he had no doubt the number would
be largely increased in future. Having come to
98 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Liverpool after a considerable absence, he rejoiced
to see its improved aspects in all respects. An
Italian patriot, when he spoke in Venice, the
commercial capital of Italy, said esta perpetua, and
he (Mr. Ewart) could only repeat it in his native
town of Liverpool, and he was convinced that
nothing would tend more to perpetuate it than the
foundation of institutions such as these, which
would at once extend the civilisation and commerce
of a great community."
There also spoke: Colonel Maclver, Sir John
Bowring, the Hon. Algernon Egerton, the Arch-
deacon of Liverpool, Mr. T. B. Horsfall, M.P.,
Colonel Smythe, Colonel Bousfield, Mr. J. Ireland
Blackburne, Mr. James Brown, Mr. Charles
Turner, Mr. Gilbert Henderson (Recorder), and
Mr. J. A. Picton.
Though the major demonstrations and festivities
of the opening day were now concluded, it was not
until the evening of the day following that they
finally terminated. On this evening, the Mayor,
Mr. T. D. Anderson, gave a soiree in the Town
Hall to some 1,200 persons, principally members
of local learned societies. The preparations for
the pleasure and gratification of the guests were
on an elaborate scale, and an evening long
remembered for its varied enjoyments was the
happy result.
The following official description of the new
building is taken from the Liverpool Mercury :
" The new Library and Museum, erected from the
design of Mr. Allom, but modified by John
Weightman, Esq., is situated on the northerly
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 99
side of Shaw's Brow, and presents a centre, flanks,
and wings. The centre is a deeply-recessed
hexastyle Corinthian portico, after the Temple of
Jupiter Stator in Rome, having an inner row of
four columns, two intercolumniations being omitted
to gain width in the entrance ; the floor of the
portico being attained by steps from the footwalks,
enclosed within screen walls, and landing at each
end of the portico, and not in the middle. The
remainder of the front is enclosed from the street
by a stone balustrade and iron gates. The two
wings have each four Corinthian pilasters,
irregularly spaced, the two in the centre standing
forward about two feet ; between them is a niche,
with pedimented cornices on carved trusses ; above
are small panels and wreaths. The flanks between
the central portico and the wings have each five
windows, with horizontal cornices on trusses,
above which are small panels with large wreaths
in them. The roofs are screened from view by
lofty attics or parapet walls. On entering the
building through the centre portico, the visitor
passes into the vestibule 31 feet by 23 feet, with a
panelled flat ceiling ; beyond the vestibule is the
central hall, the principal architectural feature of
the interior; and beyond the hall is the principal
staircase. The central hall is divided at each end
from the vestibule or staircase by a screen of two
Doric columns in antis. It is 90 feet long, 53 feet
wide, and 46 feet high. It is divided, basilica-
wise, into three portions, a centre or nave, and the
side aisles or corridors ; the latter are separated
from the nave by an arcade, which supports the
G2
ioo History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
gallery floor, and the Ionic columns which carry
the roof. At each end of the hall the entablature
on these columns is continuous, but at the sides it
is broken round each column, and from the cornice
spring arches, which are groined into the vaults
over the gallery. Over the centre of the hall or
nave the ceiling is flat, coved down to the cornice
with panels, the mouldings of which are enriched.
Three of these panels are glazed, but the principal
light is derived from seven-round arched windows
on each side. Between the columns in the gallery
is a stone balustrade.
11 The principal staircase is 31 \ feet by 30 feet.
The stairs consist of a central flight, with a
continuous landing the full width of the staircase
and two return flights : the outer string of the
stairs is a plinth of Yorkshire stone, with dado and
moulded capping in lieu of balusters and handrail.
The steps are from Craigleith quarry.
" This arrangement of the vestibule, central
hall, and staircase, gives an agreeable vista nearly
150 feet in length.
" On the ground floor, to the right of the
principal entrance, is the door to the free library.
The reading room, which is no feet long and 50
feet wide, is divided into two portions by two
Doric columns in antis near the south end, and
here are four windows looking into Shaw's Brow.
The remainder of the room is lighted by two large
skylights, and by windows in an attic raised upon
panelled segmental arches, of bold and simple
design, springing from piers intended to form
shafts to be used in ventilation. The Doric
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 101
entablature is continued all round the centre part
of the room. Adjoining the reading room, in the
extreme south-east corner of the building, is the
students' reading room, 40 J feet wide by 28 feet ;
and running northwards from this, parallel to the
principal reading room, and along the eastern end
of the building is the reference library, 75 feet by
27 feet, fitted up with book cases in two tiers, the
upper accessible from a light iron gallery ;
additional storage for books is provided in three
rooms, all lighted from the roof, which are over
the rooms just described. The total accommo-
dation provided is estimated at 100,000 volumes.
" Returning to the principal entrance, on the
left hand is the entrance into the museum, which
consists of five rooms upon the ground floor and
also on the upper floor. Two of these rooms are
each 50 feet by 27 feet, two 40 feet by 28 feet,
and one 70 feet by 27 feet. Access to the upper
rooms is gained by the principal staircase.
" An additional room is obtained over the
vestibule of the principal entrance.
"The basement under three of the rooms of the
museum have been prepared with solid floors for
the reception of sculpture and other heavy articles ;
the others will be used as workrooms by the
curator.
" In the extreme north-east corner of the
building on the ground floor are three class rooms
and a committee room ; above the committee room
is a lecture room 28 feet by 25 feet; and over the
class rooms a larger room also for lectures, which
is intended to accommodate nearly 400 persons.
102 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
" The entire cost of the building, including the
fittings, lighting, warming, and ventilating, will be
nearly ^40,000, and the whole will be defrayed by
Mr. Brown."
Apart from the stately and imposing appearance
of the new building as compared with the one it
superseded, it was with much appreciation the
committee, and particularly the staff, viewed its
internal spaciousness and ample accommodation
for books and readers. Its lecture hall and class
rooms suggested opportunities for more extended
usefulness, while its central and commanding
position in the town justified the expectation of
greatly increased popularity. All these antici-
pations the worthy donor had the pleasure of
seeing verified to a degree which must have been
highly gratifying. The ceremonies and rejoicings
on the opening day of the library ; the statue by
McDowall erected to his honour in St. George's
Hall ; the life-size portrait in the library painted
by Sir T. Watson-Gordon ; his baronetage, and
the change of name of Shaw's Brow to William
Brown Street in perpetuation of his memory,
must all have been sources of pleasure and
satisfaction as demonstrating the appreciation of
his generosity ; but one cannot help thinking that
they fell into insignificance compared with the
pleasure and satisfaction arising from the
contemplation of the thousands who made daily
use of the building he had erected for their mental
betterment. His was a noble and generous gift,
and justified the honours his Sovereign and his
townsmen conferred upon him.
CHAPTER IX.
THE CORPORATION FREE LECTURES INAUGURATED.
A LTHOUGH the formal opening of the new
** library took place on the i8th of October, it
was not until the 3rd of the following December
that its doors were thrown open to the public.
The new reading room accommodated 450 persons,
as against 200 in the old one, and the area of
library space was 1,646 feet as against 414 feet.
But, notwithstanding this greater seat accommoda-
tion, the attendance of readers was from the first
so large that all the resources of the library were
taxed to the utmost to provide the amount of
seat room which should prevent would-be readers
going away disappointed. An almost continuously
crowded room lacks the quiet and repose which the
majority of persons find necessary for profitable
reading and study of works of higher rank than
novels and romances. Hence a special room was
absolutely essential if the library was to be the
help in the cause of self-education, which with
very many persons is the only justification for the
existence of rate supported libraries. An inner
room, 40 feet by 28 feet, was provided for such
student readers, and became familiarly known as
the students' room. This special room was highly
appreciated for its quietness and certain little
104 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
privileges, and continued to be the almost loving
resort of the more thoughtful readers until the
opening of the Picton Reading Room, when the
exigencies of the library compelled the appro-
priation of the students' room for purposes of a
general business character. The effect of the
greater accommodation, comfort, and facilities for
readers in the Brown Library, as compared with
the Duke Street premises, is forcibly illustrated
by a comparison of the number of books issued
during the last complete year in the one, and
the first year in the other. In the old library
the last year's issues were 195,962 volumes, in the
new library the first year's issues were 456,372
volumes. This difference is very marked, and
must have been as gratifying to the donor as it
was to the committee.
The local Act of Parliament under which the
Liverpool Public Libraries are governed gives
power for the delivery of free lectures. In this
it is distinctive. Until the erection of the Brown
Library the committee could not see their way
to avail themselves of this power. The new
building contained not only several large class
rooms, but a lecture hall capable of seating 400
persons in a semi-circle. Such a useful adjunct
it was felt ought to be turned to account as soon
as possible by utilizing it for the delivery of
lectures calculated to act as a stimulus to reading
and study.
The up-keep of a palatial building like the
one the Library Committee now possessed,
soon proved much more expensive than the
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 105
comparatively insignificant premises which formed
the old home of the library in Duke Street, and
this, added to certain extraordinary expenses on
account of fittings, furniture, &c. for the new
building, soon brought the committee face to face
with financial difficulties. The new building was
not endowed, the library rate was fixed and
unresponsive to new expenses, and the rate had
in part to be applied to " maintaining and keeping
in good order and repair the Botanic Gardens and
Herbarium."
A report published at this time by the Library
Committee, sketches briefly and concisely the
growth and development of the institutions under
their charge, and gives in a tabular form their
annual income and expenditure from 1852-1861.
To add further to the committee's difficulties at
this period, they found themselves engaged in
expensive litigation. Owing to the opposition of
the ratepayers to the misreading of the Library
Act, whereby the Corporation sought to obtain
the full assessed amount of the rate, which it
was estimated the several parishes of the town
ought to produce, irrespective of empty houses
and other causes of leakage, by levying more
than a penny in the pound, a trial and a
judgment adverse to the Corporation ensued.
This legal decision resulted in the loss of nearly
a year's income, which, however, after much
inconvenience, was finally made good by the
help of the Finance Committee. This special
report declares itself to be written " in reference
to, and consequent upon, the decision of the
io6 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Court of Queen's Bench." On the report being
considered by the Town Council, it was felt that
the committee's straightened financial position
was deserving of favourable consideration, and
effect was given to this feeling by the Council
permanently relieving them from the costs and
charges of the Botanic Gardens. As the cost of
the gardens in 1861 amounted to 1,568, this
welcome addition to the committee's income for
the purposes of the libraries and museum only,
enabled many desired developments to be carried
out for the public benefit. The frequency with
which financial difficulty besets the Library
Committee, might almost suggest that they are
ever in this unenviable position. With an income
which may be said to be fixed, or at most of slow
expansion, and with institutions ever growing and
developing, and, as a consequence, growing more
and more expensive to maintain, financial difficulty
cannot be wondered at. The demand of the
public for additional branch libraries necessarily
meant greater establishment charges, and heavier
bills for books and binding. The accumulation
of books necessitates from time to time structural
alterations to provide storage, and in the case of
many books, particularly on science and the
mechanical arts, an ever increasing outlay to keep
them up to date and abreast with the progress of
discovery and invention.
Mention has already been made of the lecture
hall and class rooms in the new library ; also of
the provision in the Liverpool Library and
Museum Act for the delivery of lectures. The
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 107
committee having obtained the financial relief
which they so much desired, and for the want
of which much useful work had been hindered,
felt themselves in a position to arrange for the
delivery of several courses of public lectures;
viewing such as an important auxiliary to the
educational work in which they were engaged.
This was the beginning of those valuable
incentives to reading which have been given in
varying number continuously during the past
38 years, and which have made the Liverpool
Public Libraries pre-eminent among similar
institutions in this useful and popular means of
education. In regard to these lectures, the
committee in their annual report for 1864-65 write
as follows : " The Act of Parliament under which
the library and museum are established, makes
provision for the delivery of lectures on scientific
subjects, either gratuitously or by charge for
admission. An experiment is now being made
to carry out this purpose. A School of Science
has for some time past been conducted in the
rooms of the library, especially intended for the
industrial classes. This school is in no way
connected with the library, nor supported by its
funds. It has already been the means of
educating many working men in the sciences
connected with their business ; but a want has
been felt of popular lectures to supplement the
instruction given in the school. The Library
Committee, considering that such a plan came
legitimately within the scope of their commission,
have arranged for four courses of lectures ; one on
io8 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
geology, by Dr. Birkenhead ; one on chemistry,
by Dr. Newton Samuelson ; one on geometry,
by Professor Cameron ; and one on natural
philosophy, by Dr. Birkenhead."
These lectures were duly delivered with a total
attendance of 2,666. Considering that the lectures
were entirely free and treated popularly by means
of simple experiments, objects and specimens
selected from the museum, and the blackboard,
this number does not point any great measure of
success. The subjects, however, were not such as
to appeal to the many and calculated to attract
large audiences, still the committee saw no reason
to consider them a failure, or be deterred from
repeating an experiment fraught with so much
educational advantage. One thing was certain,
that the comparative paucity in number of auditors
was balanced by their zeal and seriousness of
purpose. For some five years these subjects,
occasionally varied by zoology, mineralogy, and
drawing, formed the lecture programme ; but in
1872 a departure was made by the delivery of six
lectures consisting of dramatic readings. If there
was any doubt about the statistical success of the
scientific lectures, there could be no possible doubt
of the statistical success of the readings, the hall
being full to overflowing on each occasion of their
delivery. In the following year the number of
lectures was increased, and as a further innovation
a lecture was given on German music. It was
found that the attendances at the courses of
scientific lectures had a disappointing way of
being excellent at the beginning of the series, but
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 109
of gradually falling off to an almost vanishing
point towards its close. As a consequence of this,
single lectures, complete in themselves, began to
be delivered on subjects of a less technical
character. With the introduction of the lantern
and photographic slides as a means of illustrating
lectures came almost a revolution in the art of
lecturing, and when the Picton Lecture Hall
was constructed and opened, something like a
corresponding revolution took place in the
attendances, the result of the seating capacity
of the new hall, which was threefold greater than
the one previously in use in the Brown Library,
and of its more convenient access and superior
general arrangements. Hitherto the public
appreciation of lectures was not very pronounced,
but the pictorial illustrations, often artistically
coloured, with which lectures now begun to be
made effective and attractive, gave the lecture
a position in public estimation it never before
possessed. Previously, the working man was
more conspicuous by his absence than his presence
at the lectures, but since then mechanics and
labouring men form the greater and by no means
least attentive and appreciative portion of the
lecture audiences. The beneficial effects from
their attendance may only be inferred, but the
character of the lectures and the deep interest
shown by these men make the inference easy to
draw. In 1881 Liverpool University College was
founded. For some years previously the free
lectures given by the Library Committee had
gradually resolved themselves into two kinds,
no History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
those of a scientific and strictly educational
character, given in courses, and delivered in the
autumn of each year, and those of a decided
popular character given in the winter. In this
way the committee sought to help and to foster
earnest and studious endeavours in self education,
and to provide lighter and more enticing mental
food for those who did not care for or could not
digest stronger meat. In 1878, and again in 1879,
a course of thirteen Cambridge University local
lectures, on Political Economy, was given by the
Rev. W. Moore Ede. The following year the
Rev. Alfred Caldecott delivered a series on English
Prose Literature, 1600-1720, under the same high
educational authority. In 1881, Mr. Hall Caine,
in a series of twelve lectures, continued the subject
under the title of English Prose Literature, 1720-
1880. Several of the courses of autumn lectures
were followed by examinations and the granting
of certificates of proficiency to those who were
successful in gaining the regulation number of
marks, and in several instances prizes were given,
the outcome of the private generosity of members
of the Library Committee. As has been said the
lectures delivered in long courses were comparative
failures from the point of view of attendance,
though, as if to prove the rule, the twelve delivered
in 1884, on Astronomy, by the Rev. Father Perry,
S.J., were remarkably well attended from first to
last. The subject of astronomy always proves
attractive, and in the hands of so learned and able
a lecturer as Father Perry, the lectures were
singularly interesting and instructive.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 1 1 1
After the foundation of the University College,
and the organisation of their various classes, it
was felt that the efficient body of professors and
lecturers of that institution were better able to
impart the knowledge which had been aimed at in
the autumn lectures of the Library Committee.
Thirty-eight years have passed away since the free
lectures were inaugurated, but never were they so
popular and so highly appreciated as at present.
With the growth and extension of the city came
the demand for lectures delivered nearer the
homes of the people. Reasonable requests of this
nature could not be ignored by the committee,
and so instead of some thirty or forty lectures
given in one centre as at the beginning, they have
now increased to 112 delivered in ten centres, and
requests are still preferred for more. So many
gratifying results flow from the lectures, that the
committee regard with much satisfaction their
initiation of this valuable adjunct to library work
and the statistics which illustrate its appreciation
and uninterrupted continuance during the paslt
37 years.
Number of Lectures given - - - 1,978
Attendances 1,400,311
CHAPTER X.
NEED OF AN EXTENSION OF THE REFERENCE
LIBRARY.
FOR some few years after the opening of the
Brown Library, it may be said to have
pursued the even tenor of its way without material
incident, but nevertheless with ever -increasing
profit and advantage to the large number of
readers who sought its resources for the purposes
of mental improvement and recreation. It is
difficult to gauge the extent of profit and advantage
individual readers reaped, but it is within the
certain knowledge of the library staff that many
young men have created for themselves honourable
careers, largely, and in some cases wholly, through
the facilities afforded by the library for acquiring
the knowledge necessary to pass school and college
examinations, and to enable them to excel in
various arts and sciences.
In 1866, Mr. John Stuart Dalton, the first
librarian, died, and was succeeded in his office
by the deputy -librarian, Mr. George Hudson.
In 1875, death removed Mr. Hudson, and the
present chief librarian, who was then super-
intendent of the lending branches, was appointed
in his place.
Photo, by Brown, Barnes & Bell.
PETER COWELL.
Chief Librarian.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 113
A crisis had now arrived in the development
of both Reference and Lending Libraries the
result of their extraordinary growth and popularity.
The borrowers from the latter, which only
numbered two, had increased so greatly (nearly
10,000) that it had become necessary to limit the
issue of tickets of membership. The buildings
of these libraries were totally inadequate to the
requirements, and this made the administration
difficult and arduous, and was the cause of much
dissatisfaction and annoyance to borrowers.
It is not too much to say that both these
libraries, which were only adapted dwelling
houses, were primitive and out of date. In the
Reference Library, ingenuity for increasing the
accommodation for books and readers could go no
further, and this was particularly applicable to the
student readers who were putting the library to so
excellent a use.
On 8th April, 1875, at a meeting of the
Town Council, on proposing the adoption of the
minutes of the Library Committee, the Chairman,
Mr. Picton, addressed the Council as follows :
" He wished," he said, "to say a word upon a
subject which was not embodied in the minutes,
but with which he thought the Council should
be made acquainted at as early a stage as was
possible. There had lately been paid into the
funds appertaining to the library and museum
a considerable sum by the Mersey Docks and
Harbour Board, arising out of rates which had
been in dispute. The rating question had now
been settled, and arrangements, he believed, had
H
1 14 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
been made by which any further disputes would
be prevented for some time to come. With the
sanction of the Council, the committee proposed
to appropriate that sum in the erection of a new
reading-room. The Walker Art Gallery was
rapidly approaching completion, and it would form
a very handsome addition to the fine buildings in
the locality. Between the Free Library and the
Walker Art Gallery there was a piece of land
which had always been contemplated as a site for
a new reading-room, which at the present time was
much required. The site was in many respects a
very awkward one, owing to the curve and different
angles it possessed; but between the two buildings
the committee proposed to erect a circular reading-
room with the money paid over, and to borrow
on security of the rate the balance required to
complete the work. He merely mentioned the
matter now to prepare the mind of the Council for
a scheme which would be brought before them."
The words addressed by Mr. Picton to the Town
Council were not long in bearing fruit. In 1874
the Council determined on the erection of a new
reading-room, circular in plan and connected with
the Art Gallery, then in course of erection, on the
one side, and the Brown Library and Museum
on the other ; and Mr. Cornelius Sherlock, the
architect of the Walker Art Gallery, was instructed
to prepare plans in architectural harmony with the
adjoining buildings.
Plans were accordingly prepared and adopted,
and on the 2nd December in the following year
the first stone was laid of this new extension
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 115
of the library by the chairman, Mr. Picton, in
accordance with the following resolution of the
Council :
At a meeting of the Council on 6th October,
1875, it was moved by Mr. Samuelson, seconded by
Mr. Avison, and resolved unanimously :
That Mr. James A. Picton, the Chairman of the
Library, Museum, and Arts Committee be requested
to lay the Foundation Stone of the new Circular
Reading Room of the Free Public Library as soon
as the contracts are executed, and that the same be
called the Picton Reading Room.
On the occasion of this ceremony, the Mayor
(Lieut. -Colonel P. Thompson) in the presence of
Mr. William Rathbone, M.P., Mr. JohnTorr, M.P.,
the Rector of Liverpool (Rev. A. Stewart), the
Rev. Charles Beard, the Rev. S. Pearson, General
Fairchild (American Consul), Mr. J. B. Aspinall
(Recorder), Mr. E. R. Russell, Mr. James Whitty,
Admiral Evans, Mr. P. H. Rathbone, Mr. A. B.
Forwood, Mr. W. B. Forwood, Mr. Thomas
Avison, the Rev. Canon Hume, the Rev. H. H.
Higgins, Alderman A. B. Walker, Mr. Edward
Samuelson, Mr. T. B. Royden, Mr. William
Crosfield, and other gentlemen, presented a silver
trowel to Mr. Picton, and having invited him to
perform the ceremony, briefly addressed the
assembly, referring to Mr. Picton's services to
the town, and to the efforts which for many years
had been made, under his guidance, to supply
the reading wants of the people of Liverpool.
In reply to the kindly words of the Mayor,
Mr. Picton said: "At the request of the Town
Council the duty devolves upon me of laying the
Bfl
u6 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
first stone of the new reading-room. It is 17 years
since the same ceremony was performed in
connection with the adjoining building of the
Free Public Library. The intervening years
have added to the extent and usefulness of the
institution until an enlargement has become
necessary. That enlargement was commenced
by the munificence of our late Mayor, in the
erection of the Walker Art Gallery, so suitably
called by his name, and we are now taking the
initiative in completing the structure by the
erection of a noble reading-room. What does
all this indicate ? What inferences can we draw
in relation to the good old town, of whose
inhabitants we form a part ? The ceremony of
to-day indicates, I think, several very important
facts. First of all it gives striking evidence of the
increase of wealth and population of the town.
The locality where we stand, little more than
a century ago, was an open heath. Nearly
opposite, the old infirmary had just been erected.
The neighbourhood then became the seat of
an important manufacture, that of pottery, and
Shaw's Brow became crowded with cottages and
manufactories. The course of events has changed
all that. The cottages and manufactories have
been swept away, the old infirmary has been
removed, and in its place there has arisen a
magnificent hall worthy to be compared with the
noblest buildings of ancient Greece and Rome.
In place of the squalid cottages and dingy
potteries there now stands forth a noble terrace,
crowned with a group of buildings devoted to art,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 117
science, and literature, which greet the traveller
on first emerging from the railway station, and
which cannot fail to impress his mind favourably
in his first aspect of the town. Again, there is
scope for congratulation in the object and purpose
for which the group of buildings has been erected.
Man does not live by bread alone. It is in vain
that wealth accumulates, and its visible signs
predominate around, if people remain uneducated
and insensible to the higher qualities which
dignify and elevate human nature. The past
century, to which I have alluded, has manifested
a wonderful change in this respect, for which we
have reason to be thankful. At that time the
spot on which we stand was occupied by a
cockpit, the remains of which were discovered
in clearing the adjoining land. The advance
from a cockpit to a free library is a fitting
illustration of the progress in cultivation, as well
as wealth, to which the past century has been
witness. A Free Library, a Museum, a Gallery
of Arts what do they signify ? I think they
signify much. They indicate a reading public,
and, to some extent, an educated public ; at all
events, a public seeking for education. They
indicate a spirit of inquiry into the works of
nature in the world around. They indicate a
taste for the beautiful in nature and in art. They
testify to the softening and elevating influences
of mental cultivation. It must be remembered
that this institution is not for a class or section
of the community. It is the common property of
all, irrespective of rank, station, or circumstances.
Ii8 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
There is here no exclusiveness, no assertion of
superiority of one above another. In the strictest
sense of the word, it is a popular institution. I
trust that those who come after us will bless
the name and memory of the individuals who
contrived, and the municipal authorities who had
the courage and liberality to carry out, the
erection of this great institution."
Mr. John Torr, M.P., proposing a vote of
thanks to Mr. Picton, remarked: "Our worthy
friend, in laying the foundation stone, alluded to
the inclement weather, and although it has not got
much brighter since Mr. Picton make the remark,
still we have been enlightened in more than one
way by the speech he has delivered to us. It will
warm us, and take away the chill which the
elements have imposed upon us, to hear the
eloquence and heartiness which he expressed in
the cause of literature."
This was seconded by Mr. William Rathbone,
M.P., who said: "I shall not detain you longer
than to say that a far more solid and enduring
claim to our gratitude, and a far more solid
foundation for the work that we have undertaken
here to day than that solid stone itself is the work
Mr. Picton has long been doing, in trying to fix in
the character and customs of the people of
Liverpool that desire for literature which the
building we are about to erect is intended to
gratify."
A vote of thanks to the Mayor, moved by
Mr. Edward Samuelson, seconded by Mr. William
Crosfield, concluded the proceedings.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 119
Immediately after the ceremony of laying the
foundation stone there was a luncheon in the
Reading Room of the Free Library.
Mr. Torr, in responding to the toast, "The
Houses of Parliament," said that ''the House
of Commons had to deal with large matters, and
take broad views of things. They could not, he
thought, have a better evidence of this than in the
purchase of the Suez Canal the highway to their
possessions in the East. By that very happy
incident accomplished without the aid of the
House of Commons they had secured that
highway, and now they could look on with
comparative complacency at anything that might
be done. As far as their great national interests
were concerned, nothing could be done to secure a
greater blessing to the country, connected as it is
with the East, than the security of that great
highway. And there was no town that possessed
greater interest in that highway than this great
port. Another point was, that the whole country
from the most advanced Liberal to the stoutest
Tory, was unanimous that the purchase was a
step in the right direction." Referring to the
ceremony of that day, the hon. gentleman said
that "they must grieve to say that the criminal
statistics of the town were not more favourable,
and they must all agree that in order to secure a
higher tone of morality they must try to induce
the people to cultivate a higher class of education.
The step taken that day must be attended with
great advantage to the people, and he hoped that
similar movements would occupy the attention of
I2O History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
their corporate rulers in other directions. In
legislating for Liverpool, they should legislate for
her fifty years hence, and not for what she was to
day ; for no town in the country had a greater
future before her."
Mr. William Rathbone followed. He said that
" the proceedings of that day carried him back to
the time when Sir William Brown first proposed
to found that library. At that time it was much
discussed whether or not it would be better,
instead of having a large central library, to have
a number of small ones in different parts of
the town. It was quite right that they should
found a great reservoir of learning, but he hoped
that they would not stop there. There were
few merchants in Liverpool who were able to
accumulate such a fortune as Sir William Brown,
but it was not necessary that smaller libraries
should be formed by such rich men. He could
not help hoping that sooner or later Sir William
Brown's example would be followed, and that
gentlemen who had acquired wealth and distinction
in the town would wish to leave a mark behind
them as a testimony of gratitude for the prosperity
they had attained. He thought that such gentle-
men would be very much encouraged by the way
in which Mr. Picton and those who worked with
him extended the sphere of usefulness of that great
library. He (Mr. Rathbone) hoped, therefore,
that many years would not pass before every
ward in the town would have a library, each
bearing testimony to some good, industrious, and
honourable merchant who had passed away."
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 121
Mr. Picton, responding to the toast of his
health moved by the Mayor, gave a brief
account of the history of the Library, Museum,
and Gallery of Arts, remarking that private
liberality had furnished some 160,000 during
twenty years.
Alderman Walker, Mr. E. Samuelson, the
Rev. H. H. Higgins, Mr. J. B. Aspinall (Recorder),
General Fairchild, the Rev. Canon Hume, and
the Rev. J. A. Picton, also spoke.
CHAPTER XL
THE PICTON READING ROOM OPENED.
ET WEEN the dates of opening the Brown
Library in 1860, and the new Picton Reading
Room in 1879, two events happened which though
not directly connected with the library had
nevertheless indirectly an important influence
upon it. These were the gift by Mr. Joseph
Mayer in 1867 of his valuable and extensive
antiquarian collection, and the completion and
presentation to the town in 1877 by the late Sir
Andrew B. Walker of the Art Gallery which bears
his name.
There are few libraries of importance but
possess, more or less, a character of their
own, arising either from important bequests of
specialists, the trade and commerce of the district
in which the libraries are situated, or possibly,
as in the case of the Liverpool Public Library,
from affiliated institutions like the Museum and
Art Gallery, which are administered by the same
committee and form a complete tria juncta in uno
by virtue of their position, management, and
related work. Later, the work of the committee
for technical instruction and its grant of money for
technical books has not been without its influence
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 123
on the scientific and practical side of the library,
while the acquisition in 1852 of the Binns
Collection of Lancashire Maps, Drawings and
Sketches already mentioned, has been a sort of
magnetic centre drawing to itself during the past
fifty years everything in the way of books and
documents which could be acquired calculated
to illustrate the County Palatine. With these
influences at work on the purchase of books it
will be seen that while the library appeals to
students of all subjects it appeals most of all to
those whose researches and studies lie in the
domain of natural history, the fine arts and
antiquities, and in a more subordinate degree to
the student of the mechanical arts, and local
history and topography.
The Picton Reading Room being now
completed the inaugural ceremony was fixed for
the 8th October. The day was an important
one in the history of the library, for the opening
of this magnificent room, with its additional
accommodation for books and readers, was destined
to be attended with the same great developing
results on the work of the Brown Library as the
opening of the Brown Library had on the work of
the old library, when domiciled in the premises of
the Union News Room, in Duke Street. In some
respects even more so, as it has since, by its
general arrangements and facilities for study,
attracted to it a numerous body of readers, whose
object and purpose make the assertion that free
libraries are the universities of the people more
than a mere figure of speech.
124 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
The weather, on the day fixed for the formal
opening of the Picton Reading Room, was all
that could be desired : a factor by no means
unimportant, in enabling the arrangements made
for the ceremony to be carried out in a way
calculated to add materially to the pleasure
and eclat of the day's proceedings. At a quarter
to three o'clock, the Mayor, Mr. T. B. Royden,
the Town Clerk, Members of the Town Council,
and many leading citizens assembled in the great
hall of the Museum, and noticeable among them
were : Mr. J. A. Picton, The Mayor of Bootle
(Mr. Newell), Sir A. B. Walker, Mr. A. B.
Forwood, Mr. Robert D. Holt, Mr. C. T. Bowring,
Alderman Samuelson, Mr. P. H. Rathbone, Mr.
William Crosfield, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Mr.
Thomas Holder, Mr. W. Oulton, the Rev. H. H.
Higgins, the Rev. Charles Beard, Dr. W. H.
Dallinger, Mr. E. R. Russell, Mr. David Radcliffe,
Mr. G. G. Walmsley, Alderman Bennett, Mr.
Henry Tate, Mr. W. J. Lunt, Mr. John Yates,
Mr. T. J. Moore, Mr. Charles Dyall, and
Mr. Peter Cowell.
At three o'clock a procession was formed,
headed by the Mayor in his robes of office, and
officials bearing the Corporation regalia, and
leaving the Museum, proceeded up William Brown
Street to the main entrance of the Picton
Reading Room.
The large crowd of spectators which had
gathered in front of the building greeted the
gentleman whom the town had delighted to
honour, with respectful and hearty cheers. At
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 125
the entrance to the Picton Reading Room, the
architect, Mr. Sherlock, received the Mayor,
and addressing him said : "As architect of
this building, I have been requested by the
Library Committee, as representing the Town
Council, to present you with this ornamental
key for the purpose of opening it ; and, I trust,
worshipful sir, you will find the building suitable
for the purpose for which it was designed, and
no disgrace to the town, of which you are the
chief magistrate, and over which you so ably
preside."
Having received the key, and the door being
opened, the Mayor proceeded to a raised dais,
having Mr. Picton, Mr. A. B. Fonvood, and
Mr. P. H. Rathbone on his right, and on his left,
Alderman Samuelson and the Town Clerk. The
Mayor then arose, and said: "I have a very
pleasing duty to perform to-day, especially
pleasing when we consider the circumstances that
surround it. Through the liberality of an eminent
merchant of Liverpool, Sir William Brown, the
town was provided with a very handsome library
and museum ; and through the liberality of another
gentleman, who is present to-day Sir Andrew
Walker we were provided, on the other hand,
with an art gallery which will, I trust, with the
collection of pictures from time to time presented
by generous donors, be worthy of the town in
which it is situated. In the Brown Museum we
also have other collections of donations which
have been made by generous men, principally by
Lord Derby and Mr. Mayer. That, too, is a
126 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
matter of congratulation to the town, from the
priceless value of some of the articles the museum
contains. But what we have to do to-day is more
especially with regard to the reading room in
which we are assembled. I trust our fellow
townsmen will show their appreciation of what has
been done for them, and that many will by this
means find instruction, and a course of reading
which will lead them to a higher life, and show
them that there is far more worth living for than
the mere indulgence of sensual pleasures. The
special circumstances of to-day's proceedings,
which we view with so much pleasure, is that
this beautiful building, which has been erected
at the sole expense of the Corporation, is about
to take the name of him who has so worthily
filled the office of Chairman of the Library,
Museum, and Arts Committee for something like
a quarter of a century. It is an honour very
seldom paid to any gentleman connected with the
Corporation, and we feel that that honour could
not be more worthily bestowed than when it is
placed on the shoulders of Mr. Picton. I am
sure he will esteem that honour more than any
other ; because it will carry down his name linked
with a great work, which has been the object of
his life. Mr. Picton, I congratulate you on the
honour which the town has done you by calling
this building the Picton Reading Room. I now,
as a matter of duty, declare the Picton Reading
Room open, and I trust it will add much to the
welfare and happiness of those classes for whom
it is intended."
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 127
Mr. Sherlock here introduced Mr. Cowell, the
Chief Librarian of the Corporation, who handed
to Mr. Picton an elegantly designed silver key in
a handsome case, the key being commemorative
of the opening of the reading room.
Mr. Alderman Samuelson then addressed the
audience, and, having described in detail the
progress of the library movement in Liverpool
and its present success, referred in complimentary
terms to Mr. Picton's services during the past
twenty-five years, uncovered a brass tablet
bearing the following inscription:
"This building, erected by the Corporation of
Liverpool, was, by a resolution of the Council dated
the 6th October, 1876, ordered to be named the Picton
Reading Room, in recognition of the valuable services
rendered by James Allanson Picton, F.S.A., in his
capacity as Chairman of the Public Library, Museum,
and Art Gallery, which position he has occupied for a
period extending over a quarter of a century."
Mr. Picton rose, and after the greetings with
which he was received had subsided, said: "I
have to congratulate the Council and the town
on the completion of another stage in the history
of this institution. The occasion is one to
suggest a variety of thoughts, both retrospective
and prospective. Thankfulness of past success
mingles with anticipations of future progress.
Some reflections also naturally arise on the scope
and aim of the objects to be carried out within
these walls. A fortnight since, Mr. Mayor, you
gave a right hospitable reception in the adjoining
building to the members of the Iron and Steel
ia8 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Institute. At the meeting of that association
it fell to my lot, not exactly to sing, but, at all
events, to sound the praises of iron and steel as
constructive materials. I traced them in the
mighty works of the railway, the steam engine,
the ironclad, the steam forge hammer, the bridge,
the viaduct; but there was one little implement
which was not mentioned, but ought to have
been, which is mightier than them all I mean
the steel pen. It is mightier than them all,
because it is the representative, the medium for
translating thoughts that breathe into words
that burn. Look round on the vast array of
books that crowd these shelves. They are the
exponents of the best thoughts of the noblest
men of all ages and nations. They are the steps
by which we rise from barbarism to civilisation,
the aliment of the mind, which has now become
so essential to the existence of modern society
that it is like the air we breathe if we have
it not we die. Liverpool, I am proud to say,
has become alive to the importance of the
cultivation of literature, science, and art. In
this she has done wisely. At the beginning of
the last century, Lancashire was the most
backward county in England, and Liverpool was
about the most backward town in Lancashire.
Small, ill-built, and poverty-stricken, its emergence
seemed all but hopeless. Manchester had its
fine old church with its collegiate establishment,
its Cheetham Library, and its noble grammar
school. Liverpool had only a wretched little
parochial chapel, and a free school with an
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 129
endowment of 6 135. 40!. per annum, and no
other endowment of any kind. We have had
a great deal to do in bringing up lost ground ;
but we have reached a certain standpoint, and
it is incumbent on us to go forward. So far
we have arrived with success ; but we are far
from having reached perfection. There is still
much to be done in educating the people in
science, literature, and art. Our Art Gallery
wants enlarging, to provide for our accumulating
treasures and for the permanent collection, without
interfering with the annual exhibition. The
Mayer collection requires more space for its
development. The noble lecture hall below the
reading room requires finishing and fitting up.
These are works not belonging to any exclusive
class ; but are the property of all, for the use
of all, and should be maintained by all. I
congratulate the town on the acquisition of so
beautiful a building, which does credit to its
architect and builder. It is here that the
electric light will first be displayed in any public
building in Liverpool. I trust this light will be
an emblem of the light of knowledge and truth
which will be disseminated from this centre to
quicken and vivify the minds of the population
around."
At the close of Mr. Picton's speech a beautifully
illuminated address was presented to him from
the Architectural Society by Mr. Henry Sumner,
its president. It was signed by the principal
architects of the town, and referred in appreciative
terms to the obligations Mr. Picton had conferred
130 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
on the town by his intellectual culture and
scholarly research displayed in his communications
to various learned societies, in his Memorials of
Liverpool, and in his services to the Liverpool
Architectural Society in fostering its growth and
development.
To give a circular form to the Picton Reading
Room was a happy conception, for in so doing
the angles between the Brown Library and
Museum on the one side, and the Walker Art
Gallery on the other, were softened and made
pleasing by the curve of its broad and imposing
front. The style of the building is of the
Corinthian order of classical architecture. The
front facing William Brown Street is rendered
graceful and dignified by its colonnade of eighteen
fluted columns. The plainness of the front wall
is relieved by a series of niches intended for
sculpture. The cornice surmounting the colonnade
is decorated by a frieze consisting of a floriated
scroll design, and above the cornices is a low
balustrade, which acts in a great measure as a
screen to the roof. Much of the plainness of the
domed roof, where seen, is removed by a metal
corona.
The whole design consists of a single chamber
100 feet in diameter, and 60 feet high from the
floor to the centre of the roof. The total absence
of columns or visible girders in support of the
roof renders the internal vista of the room very
effective. Oak shelving 8 feet high runs round
its entire circumference. From this spring at
equal distances 16 projecting book cases; but
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 131
thrust forward so as to allow of a working passage
for the staff between the wing cases and the
wall shelving.
Above the shelving runs an ornamental iron
gallery, with wall and projecting book cases above
it similar in design to those below. About 60,000
volumes are thus accommodated, very many
being large quartos and folios. The room by
day is effectively lighted from the centre of the
domed roof by a circular skylight 24 feet in
diameter, and by night by means of four electric
arc lamps, each of 2,500 candle power, placed
on top of an ornamental oak column in the
centre of the room. The powerful glare of the
lamps is softened and made agreeable by being
screened in a kind of inverted umbrella of opal
glass.
The reading tables radiate like the spokes of
an immense wheel. By this arrangement the
light falls on them entirely free from interruptive
shadows.
The basement of the Picton Reading Room
has been made into a lecture theatre, with the
same area as the reading room above. The
seats are cut out of the solid rock. Its shape
is that of a horseshoe, with the seats rising
amphitheatrewise from the floor. The platform
coincides with the heels of the horseshoe. The
roof of the hall, which is the floor of the
Picton Reading Room, is supported by immense
iron brackets springing from the circular wall,
consequently the large hall is free from columns
obstructing the view of the platform a feature
12
132 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
which makes it appreciated for illustrated lectures
or public meetings of any kind. Its seating
capacity is 1,200.
Its inauguration as a public hall took place
on the 3rd January, 1882, when Sir James Picton
delivered the first of the seventeenth annual series
of free lectures connected with the library, entitled
" Our Municipal Institutions." At this time the
hall was called the Rotunda Lecture Hall from
its circular construction ; but owing to it being
frequently identified with the Rotunda Theatre,
the name was altered to Picton Lecture Hall a
name which was an easy transition, as it had
always been more or less called by it.
The opening of the Picton Reading Room
infused much new life into the management and
working of the library. Its previous congested
state prevented much educational work being
accomplished through want of reading accom-
modation, and the quiet necessary to make study
effective. The acquisition of such an extension
of the library gave immediate opportunity for a
better arrangement of the books and improving
its general administration. The students' room
had ceased to be such, except in name, by reason
of its small size and the hum and movement
which prevailed in it, caused by the numerous
body of readers who, by special application, had
secured the right of using it. A general business
room was much wanted, and as it had long been
felt that there was much invidiousness in issuing
tickets to people who merely called themselves
students, without having any other claim to
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 133
the distinction, it was decided by the Committee,
on the suggestion of the present chief librarian,
to make the Picton Reading Room the students'
room, and administer it on the same lines
as it is to-day. Henceforth the new room
would be perfectly free to every one whose
personal appearance could not be called in
question. No novels would be issued, nor
periodicals of the light and entertaining class.
Pens and ink would be provided to facilitate
literary work, no limit within reason would be
placed on the number of books required at one
time, and valuable and important books would
be made accessible to those who had a decided
educational object in view. To atlases and a
large selection of literary and scientific magazines
and reviews, the public have always had free
access, and more recently to a large selection of
books of general reference, and of books recently
published on subjects of general interest and utility.
It would be an error to suppose that because
students and literary readers receive much
consideration in the arrangements and regulations
of the Picton Reading Room, the requirements
of the less educated readers are neglected and
overlooked. The almost ever crowded state of
the general reading room of the Brown Library
amply disprove any such supposition. The
Library Committee have always been sensible
of the importance of attracting to the library
the more illiterate of the working classes, and
in this they have undoubtedly been successful.
The Brown Reading Room is no feet long by
134 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
50 feet broad. It is comfortably seated, well
lighted during the day, and by electricity at night.
A number of attractive pictures contribute to its
general cheerfulness, and an effective scheme
of ventilation, which changes the atmosphere
every few minutes, keeps the room equal to the
requirements of a body of readers which commonly
exceeds 400. The room for general reading
purposes is supplied with a large number of the
leading British newspapers, and some 90 British
and foreign directories attract the frequent visits
of the commercial classes.
Illustrated papers and popular magazines are
liberally provided, and there are available for all
those whose reading lies in that direction an
extensive collection of the best works in English
prose fiction.
From this it will be evident why the Brown
Reading Room is so much better attended than
the Picton Reading Room. It is, however, to
be regretted that a constant assemblage of a
large body of labouring men during business
hours, engaged in the perusal of a literature
which is popular rather than educational, is not
regarded by very many persons with the favour
which, on the whole, it deserves. And this
disfavour, unfortunately, frequently extends to
the institution. A little thought must make it
obvious that, apart from the advantages which
always, more or less, accrue from reading, the
community at large must be benefited by the
quiet, orderly conduct of men who might dispose
of their time in a much less commendable manner.
CHAPTER XII.
PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BRANCH LIBRARIES.
KENSINGTON BRANCH OPENED.
HPHE extension of the Reference Library by
the erection of the Picton Reading Room,
and the greatly increased facilities afforded therein
for literary work and study, seemed but to whet
the public appetite for similar facilities in other
parts of the city. The large population which
inhabited the vast network of streets eastward,
entitled the claim for a branch library (which at
this time was more pressingly preferred from this
locality) to the fullest consideration, seeing that
branch libraries had been established in the North
and South ends of the city many years previously,
and that an East branch had from time to time
been considered by the Committee from as early
as 1857. This general desire for additional
libraries and reading rooms was brought into
prominence in October, 1879, by a deputation
from Toxteth Park, which waited upon the
Library Committee to urge the desirability of
opening one or more public reading rooms in
that populous district. The deputation, which
was introduced by Councillor Arthur B. Forwood,
included the following representative citizens :
Councillors Thomas Hughes, William Radcliffe,
136 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
and Joseph Ball, and the Rev. J. H. Honeyburne,
the Rev. Henry Postance, Mr. W. P. Lockhart,
and others. After the deputation had expressed
the object and purpose of their visit, the Chairman
of the Library Committee, in reply, drew attention
to the fact that the whole of their income was
absorbed in the maintenance of the present
institutions, and that additional ones could only
be established and maintained by some increase
of the library rate, or by curtailing some portion
of the useful work in which they were already
engaged. The result of this interview, coupled
with other influences and expressions of opinion,
was that in June, 1880, the Chief Librarian was
instructed to " prepare an estimate of the cost
of establishing in the eastern part of the city
a free lending library, and to report how the
Board Schools of the city could be adapted for
the purposes of evening reading rooms, open
from 6 to 9."
This report was duly prepared and submitted
to the Committee. After giving a brief history
of the existing branch libraries, and some
account of the branch libraries of Manchester
and Birmingham, and of the school reading
rooms of Leeds and Bradford, it concluded by
recommending the establishment of a branch
library and reading room in West Derby Road,
and four school reading rooms in Stanley Road,
Chatsworth Street, Heyworth Street, and High
Park Street.
Owing to financial difficulties, and to some
extent, possibly, to a want of sympathy on the
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 137
part of the Chairman of the Library Committee,
it was not until 1884 that five school reading
rooms were opened, and not until 1890 that the
East Branch Lending Library and Reading Room
was erected, and its advantages made available.
It must not be overlooked, and it is in many
respects greatly to the advantage of the city, that
the aim and absorbing idea of Sir James Picton
was to build up a great reference library, not
in number of volumes merely, but great in its
literary and scientific importance and value.
How successfully he achieved this is only known
to those whose studies have made them intimately
acquainted with the library.
The school reading rooms opened in 1884 did
not coincide wholly with those mentioned in the
Librarian's report. Several modifications had to
be made in the original proposals. They were
eventually opened in the Board Schools, Stanley
Road, Queen's Road, and Chatsworth Street, and
the Church Schools of St. John the Baptist,
Wellington Road, and St. Jude's, Low Hill.
The acquisition of the Board Schools for reading
room purposes was much facilitated by the warm
interest taken in this new departure of the
Library Committee by the Chairman of the
School Board, Mr. Samuel Greg Rathbone. In
connection with the same object and purpose, it
is right to record the sympathetic and active
interest of Mr. W. J. Stewart (the present
Stipendiary Magistrate), Mr. T. B. Hall, and
the late Alderman W. J. Lunt, all of whom
were then members of the Library Committee.
138 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
These reading rooms now only number three.
In consequence of the erection of the Kensington
and Everton Branch Libraries, with their
commodious reading rooms, it was not found
necessary to continue the Low Hill and Queen's
Road rooms on account of their proximity. With
the exception of Stanley Road none of these
rooms, from the point of view of attendance, has
ever been a success. School desks and other
furniture prevent the supply of an adequate
number of tables and chairs to make the room
attractive and comfortable, consequently there is
little or no inducement to working men to make
more than a brief stay.
Up to 1883 the Liverpool Public Library was,
it is believed, quite exceptional among municipal
libraries in the non-provision of newspapers ; but
in this year, on the motion of the Chairman, the
committee unanimously decided to remedy this,
and the Librarian was instructed to make
arrangements in the Brown Reading Room for
the suitable display of the chief London and
Provincial papers. The London Times and the
local newspapers had from the foundation of
the library been filed and bound for reference
purposes ; but the supply of newspapers for
general reading, such as was now contemplated
and about to be carried out, was altogether a
new departure. The popularity of the newspaper
department in other public libraries was uniform,
and there was no reason to suppose that such a
department would be less so here than elsewhere.
If any vindication of the provision of newspapers
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 139
were needed, it was urged that they were useful
for commercial purposes, valuable as a means of
education in imperial and local politics, and that
their perusal led to the reading of a literature
more solid and continuous in character.
In 1883 the Library Association of the United
Kingdom held their annual conference in the
small lecture hall of the Brown Library, under
the presidency of Sir James A. Picton. Many
interesting papers, principally on libraries and
library work, were read and discussed, and the
meeting, which was attended in larger numbers
than any previous one, was regarded as eminently
successful and profitable. An exhibition of book-
binding and library appliances, held at the same
time, illustrated the practical side of librarianship.
It is not difficult to prove to the dullest
comprehension that the up-keep of a group of
palatial buildings like the Library, Museum, and
Art Gallery in William Brown Street is costly.
As one year after another passes by, repairs to
the fabric multiply. In the library the increase
of books is followed by an increase of the binding
account, and from time to time with an increase
in book shelving. This in turn requires additional
lighting, and so, little by little, the permanent
expenses increase. Energetic administration
prevents sleepiness and fossilization ; but it does
not prevent the growth of expense. This comes
more or less without the seeking of " fresh woods
and pastures new" to provide the cause.
The perusal of the Annual Report for 1885
shows how the several institutions Libraries,
140 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Museum, and Art Gallery have developed the
scope of their usefulness, and, in consequence,
increased the cost of the annual maintenance.
The extension of the Walker Art Gallery by
Sir Andrew Walker, the circulation among the
elementary schools of boxes of natural history
specimens from the museum, the introduction of
newspapers in the library, the substitution of
electricity for gas in the library for general
lighting purposes, and the opening of five evening
reading rooms, have obviously added materially
to the permanent expenses. From these and
other causes the question of ways and means
began now to press upon the attention of the
committee in a way that called for an early
remedy. Accordingly on the 2oth October, 1886,
Sir James Picton moved, at a meeting of the
City Council, that the library rate be increased
to i|d. in the pound. This was seconded by
Sir William Forwood. On an amendment being
proposed that the increase be to ijd., it was
carried. At a meeting of ratepayers in the Town
Hall, on October a8th, under the Borough Funds'
Act, even this very moderate increase was rejected,
notwithstanding the strong support given to it by
Sir William Forwood and others. In the Library
Report of the following year, the financial position
of the Committee is referred to somewhat lengthily
by the Chairman, of which the following may
be quoted:
" The institution has been hitherto maintained
by a rate of a penny in the pound, supplemented
by occasional grants from the surplus funds of
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 141
the city. As no surplus at present exists, no
aid from that quarter can be looked for, whilst
in consequence of an alteration in the mode of
collection, the income from the rate is likely to
diminish rather than increase. During the past
year the expenditure was 13,458, whilst the income
from the rate only amounted to 12,602 143. 8d.,
leaving a deficiency of 856. It was evident,
therefore, that some steps had to be taken, either
to diminish the expenditure which really means
to cripple the usefulness of the institution or to
find some method of increasing the income.
Following in the steps of Birmingham, Nottingham,
and other towns, the Committee proposed to
the Council to introduce into a local Bill now
pending in Parliament, power to increase the rate
when the Council should deem it necessary to
id. in the pound. When this proposition was
laid before the Council the power was cut down
to ijd., and when subsequently under the
Borough Funds' Act, the Bill was remitted to a
Ratepayers' Meeting, the clause was struck out
altogether. The only alternative, therefore, is to
reduce the expenditure, which might be done
either by striking off some branches which might
not be considered essential, or by cutting down
the expenditure all round. Suggestions were
made to abandon the lending libraries, to close the
reading rooms, or to give up the lectures ; but the
committee, after serious and anxious consideration,
are unwilling to curtail the usefulness and restrict
the operations which have been so successful until
compelled by absolute necessity to do so. They
142 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
have, therefore, determined to persevere for the
present, at least, in maintaining every branch in
its integrity. They cannot, of course, exceed the
amount allotted by vote of the Council, and the
experience of the coming year will determine their
course in the future. The standing expenses of
maintenance, salaries, lighting, cleaning, rates and
taxes, &c., cannot be reduced. Unfortunately,
any reduction has to come off that portion of
the expenditure which is the life-blood of the
institution, viz., the purchase of books in the
libraries, and of specimens in the museums."
The refusal of the ratepayers to sanction any
increase of the library rate was keenly felt by the
Chairman of the Library Committee, as seeming
to show a want of appreciation of their own
institutions and of their educational work. He,
however, loyally accepted the situation, and
determined to remain at the helm of affairs, and
wait and hope for the means and opportunity in
the future to carry out those structural extensions
and improvements in the buildings, which would
conduce so much to their efficiency and usefulness.
Unfortunately, during the following four years the
Committee had the unpleasantness to contend
with a diminishing income, and an expenditure
with every tendency to increase.
That this diminution of income was a fact,
stern and real, the following annual yield of the
library rate during 1887-1890 conclusively shows:
12,708, 12,226, 11,253, 10,671. The turn
of the financial tide eventually came, and the
flood which led to many improvements and
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 143
developments in the work of the institutions;
but it was not the destiny of Sir James Picton
to see them carried out or even begun.
On the 1 5th July, 1889, the Chairman of the
Library, Museum, and Arts Committee, after 40
years devoted service to the institutions he loved
so well, was called to his rest, and to let another
take the duties of the pffice he had so long
excellently fulfilled. Honoured by his sovereign
and by his fellow citizens, successful in life, and
favoured by length of days, he passed away,
leaving the record of a life illustrative of integrity
and high-minded citizenship, and valuable as an
encouragement and an example to youth.
On the demise of Sir James Picton, the choice
of the Library, Museum, and Arts Committee as
to his successor fell upon the Deputy-Chairman,
Alderman Samuelson, whose long and active
service in the further capacity of Chairman of
the Arts Sub-Committee gave him almost a
prescriptive right to the position, the Committee
unanimously elected him. To him the credit
must be given of having initiated the Free
Lectures, and later, the Autumn Exhibition of
Pictures, which, under his direction and with
the able support of Mr. Philip H. Rathbone,
gained a reputation and success which they have
since retained.
In a little more than twelve months, it has to
be regretfully recorded, failing health compelled
him to resign, and leave to others the duties he
felt himself no longer capable of discharging with
his accustomed zeal and energy.
144 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
The principal event in the history of the
libraries during his brief term of office, was the
opening of a branch library and reading room
for the eastern part of the city in Kensington.
The reason of this change of site from West Derby
Road, as originally recommended, to Kensington
becomes obvious from the following resolution of
the City Council on the ist August, 1888, and
more particularly from the fact that the site
mentioned was granted free of charge by the
Parks and Gardens Committee, with the sanction
of the City Council :
That the sum of ^3,000 be appropriated out of
the capital personal estate of the Corporation for the
purpose of erecting a building to be used during the
pleasure of the Council as a lending library, upon
part of the Kensington Recreation Ground, according
to the plans approved by the Council on the 4th July,
1888, and that there be paid into the City fund out
of such part of the income under the control of the
Library, Museum, and Arts Committee as does not
arise from the Library and Museum rate, the sum of
150 per annum, so long as such building is used for
a lending library."
This site was in every way eligible, and in
some respects much superior to that previously
suggested. It was in the midst of a large and
increasing population, and offered the opportunity
for the erection of a building which by position
would attract attention and advertise its mission
of usefulness. A building, ornate in style and
admirably convenient, was designed and erected
by the City Surveyor, Mr. Thomas Shelmerdine,
the plan and internal arrangements being the
outcome of the suggestions of the Chief Librarian.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 145
The warm interest which Sir Thomas Hughes
had for many years taken in the extension of
branch libraries and reading rooms, made the
opening of this first branch library and reading
room, specially designed, with up to date
equipment, during his term of office as Mayor,
somewhat auspicious. The inaugural ceremony
took place on Thursday, 3Oth January, 1890, in
the presence of many members of the City Council
and leading citizens. Alderman Samuelson
(Chairman of the Library, Museum, and Arts
Committee) presided, and in addition to his
Worship the Mayor, may be mentioned Principal
Kendall, the Revs. W. H. Harpur, R. H. Lundie,
H. H. Higgins, T. B. Hardern, and Father
Kennedy, Alderman W. J. Lunt, Alderman
William Radcliffe, Councillors Thomas Holder,
P. H. Rathbone, J. Miles, J. B. Morgan,
Dr. Commins, Mr. T. B. Hall, Mr. J. Armour,
Mr. Isaac Turner, and others.
The Chairman, on opening the proceedings,
said : " They all profoundly regretted the absence
of Sir A. B. Walker, who was confined within
doors by an attack of influenza. Sir Andrew
took the liveliest interest in everything concerning
the educational institutions of Liverpool, and had
been for many years a valued member of the
Corporation. It was equally a matter of regret
that their lamented friend Sir James Picton had
not been spared to witness the completion of that
undertaking. Sir James loved the free libraries
of the city, and it would be the aim of that
committee to continue and develop the usefulness
K
146 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
of these institutions which he so fondly cherished.
Of late years increased obligations had been cast
upon them to provide for the educational wants
of the masses ; but their greatest obstacle was the
question of ways and means. The Library
Committee intended to look cheerfully to the
future, and they appealed to the public to support
them in their endeavours, because it depended
entirely upon the public whether they were to
remain contented with what they had already
done, or whether they should increase the
number of institutions of this useful character.
Politicians might try to utilise the question of the
amelioration of the masses for the purposes of
party advantage ; but in his opinion the industrial
classes had had quite enough of being patted on
the back. Their duty was to give the workingmen
opportunities of education, and thus enable them
to think for themselves, and he was glad to
say that that would be done in the institution
which they were now opening." The Chairman
concluded by complimenting the City Surveyor
and the Librarian upon the manner in which their
duties in connection with the new institution had
been discharged.
Mr. Shelmerdine then presented to the
Mayor a gold key of the building, bearing a
suitable inscription, and Mr. Cowell handed to
his Worship an elegantly bound copy of the
catalogue.
The Mayor, who was heartily applauded, said
" it was most gratifying to him to witness the
final stage of that important undertaking, and to
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 147
be allowed to declare the library open. He was
proud to declare the library open. He was
proud to think he had rendered some service in
impressing upon the Library Committee the
desirability of extending the usefulness of the
central institution by founding branch libraries
all over the city. The imposition of a penny
library rate was designed not so much to serve
the rich as to benefit the poor, who were denied
the advantage of having libraries at home ; and
he considered it a wise policy on the part of
the committee not to concentrate their attention
solely upon the central library ; but to take the
advantages of education as it were to the very
homes of the industrial classes in various parts
of the city. The establishment of this new library
was a step in the right direction. The very
atmosphere of the building must have a tendency
to raise the tone of those who frequented it,
and his earnest hope was that it was only the
beginning of a very extensive movement. Instead
of two or three branch libraries, he wished to
see the number increased to a dozen, and he
was convinced that the economists of the Council
would be satisfied as to the wisdom of such an
expenditure if the present venture were only
appreciated by the public to the extent that it
deserved. From an educational point of view,
they had every reason to be proud of Liverpool.
The elementary schools were giving a higher
standard of education than was generally afforded
in such institutions ; the intermediate schools
and University College were pursuing a career
K2
148 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
of great usefulness, and the Library Committee
were not behindhand in their efforts to advance
the good work."
Principal Kendall briefly addressed the com-
pany, and said that "of all municipal movements
the present one commanded his entire sympathy,
and he heartily congratulated the public of
Liverpool on the enterprise and courage and faith
by which the scheme had been carried into effect.
Libraries were amongst the greatest privileges of
life, and he confidently believed that the new
institution would never be lacking in usefulness."
Mr. Thomas Holder, in moving a vote of thanks
to the Mayor, said that " Liverpool was far behind
Manchester and many Continental and American
cities in the matter of branch libraries. He
trusted that this reproach would soon be wiped
away, and that Liverpool by extending her free
libraries would do something to foster amongst
the working classes a taste for intellectual
pleasures."
Alderman W. J. Lunt seconded the motion,
which was carried, and the Mayor, in acknowleg-
ment, paid a warm tribute to Mr. T. B. Hall,
who, he said, took the greatest interest in the
work in its early stage, and gave valuable
assistance to the committee.
The doors of this library were scarcely thrown
open to the public before it became conspicuously
apparent that, to use a journalistic phrase, it
supplied a long felt want. The lending library,
consisting of some 8,000 new and well selected
volumes, soon drew such a number of borrowers
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 149
that its resources were speedily taxed to the
utmost, and the daily attendance in the reading
room, particularly in the evening, gave no less
evidence of its appreciation. At the close of the
first year the statistics of readers and book issues
stood thus :
Readers 3,968
Volumes issued 140,348
It soon became evident that the library had
an important fault, it was much too small to
accommodate in its reading room the number
of adults and young people of both sexes who
wished to avail themselves of its advantages.
The lapse of time and growth of population
only served to emphasise this grave defect. So
in 1897 the committee determined to extend the
library by building a new general reading room
some 66 feet long by 28 feet broad. This was
carried out by the City Surveyor with considerable
architectural skill and taste. Again the Library
Committee was indebted to the Parks and Gardens
Committee, and to its Chairman, Alderman Ball,
for the additional land necessary to make this
important and much needed extension of the
library.
CHAPTER XIII.
FOUR NEW BRANCH LIBRARIES OPENED.
THE HORNBY BEQUEST.
A MONG the events which carry with them
** important consequences in connection with
the history of the Liverpool Public Libraries is
the election of Sir William Bower Forwood to
fill the chair vacated by the resignation of
Alderman Samuelson. Sir William's connection
with the Library Committee dates back as early
as 1868, and although various municipal duties
had prevented his connection with it being
continuous and unbroken, the work of the
committee had always his sympathetic regard
and active co-operation.
On more than one occasion, when lecturing
was less the vogue than at present, he delivered
lectures in connection with the winter free series
in the hall of the Brown Library. That given
by him, on March I4th, 1876, on the subject
of "Arctic Exploration: its heroes and their
discoveries," was one of the earliest to be
illustrated by lantern slides.
The election of Sir William to the position
of Chairman of the General Committee ushered
in a forward administrative policy. His desire,
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 151
often expressed, was to popularise the institutions
to a greater extent than hitherto, and in this he
had the cordial co-operation of the committee and
official managers. Two things will always be
associated with his name the increase in number,
size, and attractiveness of the new branch libraries
and reading rooms, and the magnificent extension
of the Museum as part of the Technical School
buildings. There is yet a looked-for third, which
it is hoped may be connected with his name, the
much needed enlargement of the Walker Art
Gallery.
The congested state of the Reference Library
in 1892 made additional book storage imperative.
This was obtained by a reconstruction of the
basement of the Brown Library. Here a complete
transformation was effected, and an area brought
into requisition which provided excellent storage
for the voluminous collections of newspapers and
specifications of patents, and also a light and
commodious reading room to the front of the
building with its own separate entrance, where
the numerous body of readers who came to
consult them could do so with facility and
comfort.
A large library is much in the nature of a
wilderness of books, without roads or signposts,
unless a guide is provided, in the shape of a
well-planned catalogue.
The Library Committee was early sensible of
this fact, and sought to provide a key to the
Reference Library which should unlock it to the
ordinary reader easily and effectively. This
152 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
catalogue, the first volume of which was published
in 1872, is deserving of some notice, as it was, it is
believed, the first catalogue printed in this country
after its particular plan and arrangement. It may
be briefly described as a dictionary catalogue,
with the books entered in it in alphabetical order
under author and subject, and in cases where
considered necessary under title as well. Further,
it is largely analytical, setting forth and indexing
under its own particular subject the contents of
all collected works.
In 1892 a vote of 1,600 from the funds
accruing under the Customs and Excise Act,
enabled the Reference and Branch Libraries to be
brought up to date and largely augmented in
technical books. The importance and number
of these books led to the suggestion of printing
a handlist of them, and circulating it gratuitously
among the workshops of the city. An edition
of 5,000 copies was printed and distributed
accordingly. The result was eminently satis-
factory, for the statistics of the issue of such
books during the next twelve months showed
an increase of 10,592 volumes. Owing to the
admirable way this little volume served its purpose
it became the pioneer of several similar handlists,
all of which have proved valuable in making
known the important technical side of the
Reference Library.
It was felt by those students and readers
to whom the special catalogues most strongly
appealed, that the mere titles of the works there
given were to them names and nothing more, and
Photo, by Medrington.
SIR WILLIAM B. FORWOOD, D.L., J.P.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 153
that it would be an education in itself if they
could have the opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the nature and scope of these valuable and
important books, so many of which were of foreign
origin. In sympathy with this feeling, and with
the desire to extend the advantages of the
library to the fullest, a series of exhibitions were
inaugurated of these books. Artists, architects,
decorators, workers in wood and metal expressed
their unbounded pleasure with the numerous
high-class works displayed for their benefit,
and their note books gave evidence that it was
not their intention to confine themselves to the
mere superficial inspection which these occasions
only enabled them to make a resolution which
the statistics of the book issues afterwards fully
confirmed.
Among the special catalogues published from
time to time by the Library Committee, perhaps
none are more commendable in their object
than those of books adapted for juvenile readers.
The field of literature for the young alone is so
extensive that it cannot be expected that parents
are capable in all cases, even if they had the time
and the will, to exercise that supervision over
their children's reading which is desirable.
That every effort should be made to induce
the young to read, and to create in them an
appetite and a taste for reading goes without
saying; but in so doing the character of the
reading, which is of paramount importance,
should be carefully considered by those who are
responsible for its provision. With a due sense
154 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
of this responsibility, the committee have not
only provided in their newer branch libraries
special rooms for their juvenile readers, but have
made a selection of books attractive and healthy
in tone and subject, to which their reading, while
in the library, is wholly confined.
It seemed almost anomalous that with the
establishment of lending libraries in the North,
South, and East parts of the city, there should
be no central lending library in connection with
the reference department. From time to time
the want of such a library had been brought under
the notice of the committee ; but the subject had
always been deferred on account of the structural
alterations which such a library would involve
in its formation, and their consequent cost. The
successful adaptation in 1892 of a part of
technically the basement, but really the ground
floor, of the Brown Library for the purposes of
a patent and newspaper library, led to the further
reconstruction in 1895 of this part of the building
for the purposes of a lending library, and with
equally satisfactory results. The success and
public appreciation of this further extension of
the branch library system is forcibly illustrated
by the following figures :
Number of borrowers at end of first year - 4>477
Volumes issued 125,822
Number of borrowers, 3ist December, 1902 7.311
Volumes issued in 1902 229,498
When in 1855 the old North Lending Library,
originally opened in the North Corporation
School, Bevington Bush, was removed to premises
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 155
in Great Nelson Street, this new home was
considered to be suitably situated, and quite
northern enough from the centre of the city.
When, however, in later years the districts of
Everton and Kirkdale became in point of
population large towns in themselves, it was felt
that the library should follow this great northward
migration and seek a better and greater centre for
its educational work.
With the time and opportunity came also the
determination to erect in Everton a library in
harmony with the latest ideas of what such an
institution should be. Plans and drawings were
accordingly prepared by the City Surveyor, in
conjunction with the Chief Librarian, and on the
5th July, 1895, the foundation stone was laid by
the Lord Mayor, Alderman Watts, in the absence
of Lord Stanley, who at the last moment had been
prevented from performing that ceremony. Among
those present on the occasion, the following
members of the City Council and other gentlemen
may be mentioned : Sir William Forwood, Mr.
John Willox, M.P., Mr. T. Snape, M.P., Dr.
Andrew Commins, M.P. ; Aldermen Bowring,
Thomas Hughes, Grindley, and Radcliffe ;
Councillors R. D. Holt, Austin Taylor, W. J.
Burgess, W. E. Willink, W. H. Picton, J.
Houlding, &c. ; the Rev. Canon Major Lester, the
Rev. Canon Armour, and others.
Sir William Forwood remarked " that he
regretted very much to say that Lord Stanley
could not be present. A telegram had been
received saying that owing to a very urgent
156 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Parliamentary business he was unable to leave
London. Lord Stanley had been appointed one
of the Lords of the Treasury under the new
Administration, and he presumed that the duties
of the office required his lordship's presence during
the political crisis. He (Sir William) had it from
Lord Stanley's own lips that he desired to identify
himself with every good work that would promote
the welfare of Liverpool, and he had been looking
forward with very great pleasure to be connected
with that new Everton library. It would be very
gratifying to the people of Liverpool to know that
his lordship was particularly anxious to follow in
the footsteps of his predecessors in identifying
himself with the welfare and prosperity of the
city. In Lord Stanley's absence they had an
excellent substitute in the Lord Mayor, who
would lay the foundation stone. They were
about to erect upon that site an additional free
lending library in connection with the city, and
this so recently after the one opened only last
week at the central buildings in William Brown
Street. They trusted to go further forward with
this work, and before another twelve months had
passed they hoped that they might be able to lay
the foundation stone of a new library at the South
end. Technical instruction in Liverpool, under
the very able guidance of Mr. Willink, was making
very rapid progress, and they had great difficulty
in finding accommodation for the pupils. They
hoped to relieve the pressure to some extent by
having classes within that institution, and arrange-
ments had been made to provide laboratories and
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 157
class-rooms. By bringing technical education to
the doors of the people they would be conferring
upon them a great boon. In that district, where
once the merchant princes of Liverpool resided,
there was now a teeming population composed
generally of clerks, artisans, and small tradesmen
men of education who had not the means of
providing large libraries for themselves."
The Lord Mayor having laid the foundation
stone, observed that " the future historian of this
country would probably look back upon the work
of the last half century as marking a very distinct
advance in all that related to the civic duty that
devolved upon the people. There had been a
transference of responsibility from Parliament to
municipalities. Very wisely Parliament had
thrown back upon the various municipalities a very
large portion of the work that appertained to their
every-day life. Among these matters nothing was
more important than the education of the young.
Liverpool at a very early period took that matter
in hand, and were almost pioneers in the good
work. It had become necessary that the poor
should be educated, that the rising generation
should be educated, for the three R's were not
sufficient nowadays. It was absolutely necessary
that they should have good literature put into their
hands, and that their education should be continued
after leaving school. Liverpool had felt its
responsibility in this direction, and in William
Brown Street they had one of the finest insti-
tutions of the kind in the country. That institution
was availed of to the fullest extent, and during last
158 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
year about one and a quarter million of books
had been issued. The self-government of the
people threw upon them a very large amount of
responsibility, and unless the rising generation
was educated up to date it was quite clear
that they could not be as prosperous as they
should be."
Dr. Commins, Chairman of the Library Sub-
Committee, moved a vote of thanks to the Lord
Mayor for his services. " These free libraries,"
he said, " would be a great factor in the education
of not only the young, but also of those who were
no longer young. We were a self-governing
people, and ought to fit ourselves for the task of
self-government. ' '
Mr. Austin Taylor seconded, and remarked
that " the laying of that stone and the hoped-for
completion of that building would be the in-
auguration of a new era of intellectual progress for
the dense population which surrounded it. There
they would be able to hold communion with the
great minds of all ages, and to study those
monuments of eternal genius, whose loftiness of
thought was aptly symbolised by the commanding
site which had been chosen for the foundation.
If, on the other hand, they desired intellectual
recreation, they could still gain something by the
study of that interesting product of modern days,
the novel, which he might perhaps classify in a
fourfold division, as the novel metaphysical, the
novel grotesque, the novel with a purpose, and the
novel with a yellow back. He would not have
them to infer, however, that there was any want of
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 159
education or enlightenment in the people of
Everton which rendered the provision of that
library a peculiar necessity. Rather would he
have them to understand that there was that
degree of intelligence already active in the minds
of those whose lot was cast there as to fit them
rightly to appreciate and greatly to enjoy the
mental nourishment therein to be provided. They
had, by adding dock to dock at the North end of
the city, built up a fabric unexampled of its kind
of material prosperity. The commercial experience
of the generation which had gone before had
enabled them to supply an unrivalled system of
marine accommodation. But, after all, material
prosperity was not everything. It was indeed
nothing unless it was a stepping stone to those
intellectual endowments and higher characteristics
which were the real guarantees of national progress.
They trusted in that library to give a mode of
access for the huge population, to the organised
experience of the race, and in so doing to secure
for them the most staple form of intellectual
expansion."
A luncheon given to the invited guests by the
Chairman of the Library, Museum, and Arts
Committee (Sir William Forwood), brought the
day's proceedings to a pleasant termination.
On the gth October, 1896, the Everton
Library (replacing the old North Library) was
opened by the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby,
who that year filled the office of Lord Mayor of
Liverpool. The attention of the inhabitants of
this locality had been drawn to the institution
160 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
intended for their benefit during the course of its
erection ; but now that it was completed and
presented such an attractive appearance, both
externally and internally, this interest had by the
day when it was to be dedicated to their use,
developed into something like enthusiasm. The
collection of books was no mean one, for it
numbered 25,000 volumes, and these to the
thoughtful suggested untold mental pleasures, and
drew from the mere casual observer many
appreciative comments by their multitudinous
ranks, and bindings of varied colours. The old
North Library was devoid of reading rooms
attached to it. But here there were special rooms
for men, women, and boys, all comfortably
furnished and otherwise made inviting. Literature
in its several forms of books, magazines, and
newspapers, could be perused in accordance with
individual taste, and quiet happy hours spent
wholly removed from deleterious influences. A
large number of people assembled to do honour to
the occasion, and in appreciation of an institution
which was calculated to confer so much social
benefit on the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.
Among those present were Lord Derby, Sir
Willam Forwood, Councillor Robert D. Holt, Mr.
A. F. Warr, M.P., Dr. A. Commins, M.P., Mr. J.
A. Willox, M.P., Principal Kendall, Alderman
J. N. Stolterfoht, Alderman T. H. Williams,
Councillors A. Crosthwaite, W. Oulton, Morris P.
Jones, Maxwell H. Maxwell, Junr., Austin Taylor,
A. T. Salvidge, and Louis S. Cohen, Canon T.
Major Lester, and Colonel John Pilkington.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 161
Sir William Forwood, in opening the pro-
ceedings, said: " The library in which they were
assembled was built to take the place of the old
North-end Library, which was situated in Great
Nelson Street. That library had done good
service in its generation, but the population had
moved from that centre, and those people who
remained had been accommodated by the opening
of the Central Library in William Brown Street.
The site upon which the new library was built
was in the immediate vicinity of that formerly
occupied by a beacon. This beacon guided
vessels, richly laden with merchandise, up the
River Mersey, and he hoped that the building
which had taken its place would guide the residents
of Kirkdale and Everton to where the rich stores
of knowledge lay. They had endeavoured to
make it an up-to-date library, and therefore had
recognised the claims of the coming woman.
When the lord and master of a house went to the
rooms to enjoy his newspaper or book his better
half might accompany him and occupy herself
in an interesting way in the next room. The
committee recognised that if they wanted to make
readers the best plan was to make them when
they were young, and therefore they had provided
a reading room for boys and a special catalogue of
books suitable for boys. The great thing was to
encourage reading amongst young men, because
when that had been done a great step had been
taken towards their advancement in life. One
half of the building was devoted to technical
instruction, some very fine class rooms having been
1 62 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
constructed. The classes, in fact, had already
started, such was the eagerness of the young men
of the district to take advantage of the opportunities
afforded. When the residents began to appreciate
the thorough-going character of the instruction
which would be given in those rooms, and how
valuable it would be to all in their different careers,
he felt sure that the classes would be largely
attended. In his young days such advantages
were not to be had, and therefore he thought the
country had suffered in consequence."
Lord Derby, in declaring the building open,
said "it was a privilege which he highly valued
that amongst the many duties, pleasant for the
most part, which he had had to perform during
his year of office, it should so happen that he was
able, on nearly his last public appearance as
chief magistrate of the city, to perform on behalf
of the Corporation the ceremonial of opening that
library and technical school. It was a great
feature of the day that libraries had become so
common and so popular. There were many
people who predicted some forty or fifty years
ago, when the establishment of public libraries
was first mooted, that they would be taken up
by those who were simply advocates of science
and abstruse studies ; that they would be crowded
with books which would be slightly read, and that
in point of fact so far from being in accordance
with the requirements of the population, speaking
generally, they would rather contain books which
would be left on one side because of their dulness.
Hence it was, he thought, that practical wisdom
CD -i
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 163
had been shown by the managers of such
institutions which belonged to public bodies in
catering for the wants of the people with whom
they had to deal, for all persons did not desire
to apply themselves to philosophical studies.
Those who had charge of the libraries had
brought them up to date, so to speak, and had
carefully regarded the class of books required for
their readers, and had endeavoured not to drive
but to lead the reading public into the proper
channel. The efforts made in this direction had
met with a legitimate success, and owing to the
tact and management of those who had control
of public libraries, especially in large places, the
taste for reading, instead of falling off, had
increased, and whereas readers were counted by
hundreds some years ago, they were now counted
by thousands. The North Branch Lending
Library, now closed, was originally opened in the
North Corporation Schools, and it commenced with
a thousand volumes and about twenty readers, and
it was open for the issue of books two evenings
each week. A house was then taken ; but
afterwards the want of a reading room was felt,
and it was then thought necessary for the
committee to seek for larger library accommo-
dation, and to supply a cheerful and commodious
reading room. Now from small beginnings, step
by step, they had come to the time of the opening
of the library in which they were assembled.
He might mention that since the opening of the
North Lending Library in 1853, there had been
85,400 persons who had enjoyed its privileges,
L2
164 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
and 7,800,000 volumes had been lent to them.
That was a little guide as to the instruction
and enjoyment which had been afforded by the
use of the building in past times. Now that they
had a better equipped library, it was hoped that
it would have even better effect than the old
one, and that it would attract more readers, who
would, perhaps, be encouraged to pursue their
studies, whether they were studies merely of
passing interest or taken up with a practical
object. As regarded the separation of the sexes,
that was no doubt bringing matters to a great
extent up to date. They were right to provide for
all persons, and, he thought, the provision of a
boys' reading room and library was a very good
and wise step to be taken in the interests of the
public. Valuable works of reference, which one
generally saw occupying conspicuous places in a
library, did not, perhaps, attract boys either by
their titles or their contents, and, therefore, did
not encourage reading amongst the younger
generation. He hoped that in time to come
there might be even a further extension of the
library, and that the Library Committee, with
that wisdom which seemed to characterise their
proceedings in the past, would consider how to
extend even further the privileges which were
conferred on the greater part of the community.
With regard to the Technical School, there was
no doubt there were many who would take
advantage of the accommodation which was being
afforded them in Everton. He believed that the
technical instruction movement, in the words of
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 165
their cousins across the Atlantic, had come to
stay. For years they had rather been behind the
times. They thought that their old rule of
experience and the rule of thumb was good enough
for them, and they allowed other nations perhaps
to steal a march upon them, and through no less
experience than that which Englishmen possessed,
aided by science, other nations had in many cases
equalled, and in some cases surpassed, this country
within the last ten or fifteen years. The British
nation, however, had wakened up to the very
unpleasant conviction that they were allowing
their trade and trade skill to pass away from them.
Hence he believed the real feeling for technical
education and instruction had sprung up amongst
them. It had taken root and it had flourished,
and indeed had flourished with such rapidity as
sometimes to give to friends of technical instruction
some fear whether the impetus was not almost too
great to last. For his own part he did not believe
that under the usual circumstances that could be
so. One word of warning, however, he would like
to give those who had control of technical
instruction, and that was that they should not be
satisfied with that with which they had done, but
should continually press forward, see what other
countries were doing, and see that England should
not only keep abreast of those countries, but head
them, so that technical instruction in England
might be what they had always boasted their
manual labour had been, not only equal to but
superior to other countries. Technical schools
formed a very proper adjunct to a library such
1 66 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
as that. There was many a clever brain which
would in the first instance be set thinking or
aided by the volumes which were within the
building, and he trusted that they would put
the thoughts of readers or students into practical
effect, and that by such means they would
create a wise people possessed of prosperity and
knowing how to properly use it."
Alderman Dr. Commins, M.P., in proposing
a vote of thanks to his lordship, said " that
they had furnished in the new building materials
by which people might be turned from mere
routine individuals and items in society into
thinking, rational, moral, and useful members
of the community."
Councillor M. H. Maxwell, who seconded, said
"that before the enlargement of the city they
had in Liverpool only one branch library which
was really worth calling a library. When the
Libraries Committee took in hand the idea of
increasing the reading facilities for the public, they
considered in which part the libraries should be
placed, and they had very properly decided that
the needs of Everton and Kirkdale first required
attention. The committee were very much
indebted to the exertions of Mr. Austin Taylor
in bringing about the erection of that building."
Mr. Austin Taylor, who supported the motion,
thanked Mr. Maxwell for his kind observations, and
said "that he felt, when he had the opportunity
of pressing the claims of Everton, he was only
doing his duty as a representative of the ward.
It had been said that it was a wise policy to
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 167
establish such an institution in Everton, the
inference being that the people in that district
required some stimulus to their mental faculties.
He, however, was quite convinced that the people
of Everton were already sufficiently enlightened,
that the library was only a further means of
adding to their stock of knowledge. He could
not conceive any more useful purpose that that
building could be put to, than the acquisition by
the younger readers of that habit and capacity of
thought which would be so useful to them in
after days."
The opening of this branch library seemed to
produce for some half-mile round it quite an
epidemic of reading. Young and old resorted
to the library in such large numbers that the
spacious rooms provided in it were constantly
crowded to excess. This was particularly the
case with the boys' room. No doubt the novelty
of such a room, for this was the first of its kind
provided by the Library Committee, had much
to do with its wonderful success.
The choice of numerous illustrated books and
periodicals with their stories of voyage and
adventure was a thing so new to most, if not
all of the young folk, that unbounded pleasure
and delight was taken in simple, rapid inspection
of the illustrations, and then exchanging the
books for others.
After a while this fickleness with the majority
of the boys gradually wore off, and they began
to take pleasure in the contents of the books,
and to read for the enjoyment it gave them.
1 68 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
If any justification were needed for the action
of the committee in choosing this populous district
for the erection of a library and transferring the
books from the old North Library, it is strikingly
illustrated by the 140,921 volumes issued during
the twelve months previous to closing it, and the
392,320 volumes issued during the first twelve
months in the new library, either for home reading
or to be perused in its several reading rooms,
and this quite apart from the many readers who
almost exclusively confined themselves to the
magazines and newspapers.
In the year 1895 an Act was passed sanctioning
the extension of the city boundaries so as to
include the townships of Wavertree and Walton,
the rural portions of Toxteth Park, and a large
part of the rural district of West Derby. One
of the conditions made with the Local Boards
governing these districts previous to incorporation
with Liverpool was that they should be each
provided with a public library.
Such a library was opened in Walton, and
South Toxteth, in 1897, by utilising the offices of
the two Local Boards. Wavertree will shortly be
in possession of a library and reading rooms of
considerable architectural merit, specially designed
by the City Surveyor, Mr. Thomas Shelmerdine,
and in regard to plan and internal arrangements
by the City Librarian. The claims of West
Derby have been, for various reasons, delayed, but
plans are in preparation for a library and reading
rooms for this district which, when erected, will by
their design, finish, and completeness be a source
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 169
of gratification to the residents of that locality,
and a full compensation for several years of
patient waiting for the fulfilment of the promise
made when they became citizens of Liverpool.
Further reference to this library is made later on.
Liverpool is frequently compared to its detri-
ment with Manchester and Birmingham in regard
to the number of its branch libraries. But those
who do so seldom inquire if there is a reason.
Until 1899 the Library rate of Liverpool was only
id. in the pound against ad. in the pound in
Manchester. The latter city is in the position
of being able to devote the whole of this rate to
their libraries. Their art gallery and museum are
supported from other sources. Birmingham has
no natural history museum, but for its libraries
and art gallery it levies a rate according to
their requirements. It will be obvious then why
Liverpool with only a penny rate, and with an
art gallery and in part a museum to maintain
out of it, should have frequently felt the pinch
of poverty and been hindered in developing her
existing institutions to the utmost and increasing
the number of her branch libraries. In the year
mentioned, with the sanction of the City Council
and the ratepayers, application was made to
Parliament for an increase of the Library and
Museum rate from one penny in the pound to
three-halfpence, which was granted. With this
improvement of income the Library Committee
were enabled to carry out several important
structural developments and improvements, not
the least of which was the efficient warming
i jo History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
and mechanical ventilation of the Brown Library
and Museum. Of its success those who can
remember the state of the atmosphere in the
Brown Reading Room when crowded with readers
and the atmosphere now, under like conditions,
will judge best.
Reference has already been made incidentally
to the bequest of art books to the library by
Mr. Hugh Frederick Hornby, of Wavertree. This
bequest was formerly communicated by his
solicitors to the Town Clerk in a letter dated
3ist July, 1900.
Since the foundation of the library no gift to it
can at all compare with this in extent, value, and
importance. The collection of books, engravings,
and autograph letters of eminent personages which
has been brought together with such care, loving
interest, and indifference to cost justly entitle it to
be called princely. One of its most noteworthy
features is the number and rariety of books it
contains illustrative of French engraving during
the eighteenth century. In this the collection is of
exceptional interest and importance. To attempt
to describe the collection as a whole and appraise
its value would be to court failure. Almost every
book, by reason of its art binding, extra illus-
trations, original drawings, autograph letters, or by
some characteristic removing it from the category
of an ordinary edition justifies a description of its
own. It is only when the catalogue now in
preparation is published that an approximate idea
can be conveyed of this benefaction as a whole,
and of the taste and culture of its generous donor.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 171
The volumes number upwards of 7,200, and
the engravings and etchings exceed 3,000, many
being artists' proofs. The autograph letters are
contained in some twenty boxes, and are of the
greatest historical and literary interest apart
from their unique character and value. But the
indebtedness of the city of Liverpool to this
literary and art connoisseur extends still further.
Desiring that his gift should be housed and
cared for, as it fully deserved, he also bequeathed
a sum of ;i 0,000 to erect a suitable building
in which the collection should find a permanent
home. Plans for such a building have been
most carefully prepared by the City Surveyor,
Mr. Shelmerdine, with the assistance of the Chief
Librarian, and there is every prospect that this
annexe to the Picton Reading Room will, in
design, decoration, fittings, and arrangements be
a worthy memorial to the generous donor.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE NEW TOXTETH BRANCH OPENED BY
MR. ANDREW CARNEGIE.
T F any event were necessary to bring this
* jubilee record to a fitting conclusion, none,
perhaps, could better serve the purpose than the
opening of the new South or Toxteth Library, by
Mr. Andrew Carnegie, on the I5th October, 1902.
As a matter of sentiment, one might have wished
that Mr. Carnegie's engagements had permitted
him to have performed the ceremony three days
later, on St. Luke's Day the birthday of the
parent institution, and the birthday of its first
branch library.
In asking the great promoter and munificent
benefactor of public libraries to perform the
inaugural ceremony, the committee felt there
was some justification in making the request, as
Liverpool was largely the home of the free library
movement ; and Mr. Ewart, after whom the first
Free Library Act was commonly called, was a
native of Liverpool, and the building about to
be opened was the new home of a library born
on November ist, 1853, and, therefore, probably
one of the earliest free lending libraries in the
country. The building too was not unworthy
of the " hour and the man." It was dignified
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 173
and attractive in design, its several reading rooms
cheerful and comfortable, its fittings and arrange-
ments according to the latest ideas, and the
number and character of the books contained in
it calculated to give it an important place among
the institutions of its kind. Mr. Shelmerdine,
the architect, and the Chief Librarian contributed
of their best, with the result that the library and
its arrangements received the high enconiums of
all present.
The Committee's invitation, through Sir
William Forwood, obtained from Mr. Carnegie
a letter of cordial acquiescence, and the day of
opening having been definitely fixed, suitable
preparations were made to give eclat to the
ceremony. The building externally was made
bright and gay with bunting, and internally no
less bright by shrubs and flowers ; while line
upon line of books in their bindings of various
hues contributed their own quota of colour and
brightness. The pleasure of the visitors was
promoted by the strains of music at suitable
intervals, and brilliant sunshine perfected the
whole and crowned it with success.
While in the district, Mr. Carnegie was the
guest of Sir William Forwood, at Bromborough
Hall. On crossing over to Liverpool on the
day of the opening ceremony, a visit was first
made to the Reference Library, William Brown
Street.
Accompanied by the Lord Mayor (Alderman
Petrie) and Sir William Forwood, Mr. Carnegie
was received at the library by Alderman Stolterfoht
174 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
(Chairman of the Library Sub-Committee),
Councillor R. D. Holt (Deputy Chairman of the
General Committee), and the Chief Librarian.
Mr. Carnegie viewed the library and its
reading rooms with much appreciation, and was
evidently highly pleased with the number of
readers which he saw perusing the books and
periodicals before them. The company then
proceeded to the Toxteth Library.
The Lord Mayor (Alderman Petrie) presided
at the opening ceremony, and amongst the
distinguished company present were : Sir William
Forwood, D.L., J.P., and Lady Forwood,
Councillor Robert D. Holt, D.L., J.P., and
Mrs. Holt, the Dean of Ely, Mr. Henry Yates
Thompson, Professor Sir Richard Jebb, Aldermen
J. N. Stolterfoht, Maxwell H. Maxwell, J.P.
A. Commins, LL.D., and W. Bartlett ;
Councillors John Lea, J.P., A. Crosthwaite,
W. Oulton, J.P., W. Denton, J. Harrison Jones,
Morris P. Jones, J.P., William Evans, J.P.,
Chaloner Dowdall, M.A., H. R. Rathbone, M.A.,
R. Dart, R. H. Bullen, J. Morris, T. Roberts,
G. B. Smith-Brodrick, R. R. Meade-King,
P. McGuffie, W. Boote, and S. Jude ; the Misses
Forwood, the Rev. Dr. John Watson, Sir Edward
Russell, Sir T. Hughes, J.P., Sir John Brunner,
Lieut. -Colonel Porter, Very Rev. E. Goethals,
Canon Irvine, Mr. A. F. Warr, M.P., Principal
Dale, M.A., Professor Mackay, M.A., Professor
Glynn, M.D., Dr. Carter, Canon Burbidge,
Colonel John Pilkington, Mr. Edgar A. Browne,
Rev. John Sephton, M.A., the Town Clerk
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 175
(Mr. E. R. Pickmere, M.A.), Mr. G. H. Ball,
Miss Florence Melly, Mrs. Madden, the Misses
Hornby, Rev. W. J. Adams, Mr. M. Fitzpatrick,
Mr. J. C. Stitt, Mr. Joshua Sing, R. Barrow
(City Controller of Accounts), J. E. A. Rogers
(City Treasurer), the Chief Librarian (P. Cowell),
and F. T. Turton (Deputy Surveyor).
The Lord Mayor, in opening the proceedings,
said : " We are gathered here this morning to
perform a very interesting ceremony, the opening
of this library in the South end of the city.
Liverpool, I think it will be admitted by every-
body, has done a great work in the construction of
libraries throughout the city. For many years we
have, of course, had the Central Library, but
owing to the progress of the Library and Arts
Committee we have now several branch libraries
in different districts. We are very glad indeed
to-day to see with us Mr. Carnegie. Of course we
all recognise him as a great authority on libraries,
and whilst the citizens of Liverpool have been
doing for themselves what Mr. Carnegie is kind
enough to do for others, I am sure we are very
pleased to see him and to have his advice on
the subject of our libraries. He, I am sure, will
tell you that he has gone through this library, and
I hope he has found it all he expected it to be.
The Libraries Committee certainly have done
all they possibly can to make the building
handsome and permanent, and I think it is the
opinion of all that they have succeeded in doing
so. I will not stand between you and Mr.
Carnegie, who is our guest here this morning, and
176 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
I have very great pleasure in introducing him
to you, and in asking him to perform the ceremony
of opening this library."
Mr. Andrew Carnegie, LL.D., who was
received with great applause, then addressed the
meeting. He said : " My Lord Mayor, magistrates,
and ladies and gentlemen of Liverpool, certainly
you could have given me no more congenial
task than to perform the ceremony of to-day,
but my delight is heightened when I address
the Lord Mayor to find in him a fellow Scot,
and not only that but a fellow Fifer. We have
had a great deal of delightful conversation since
my arrival under the protection of Sir William
and Lady Forwood, and the Scotch element was
not altogether absent. It is astonishing how
many of the people of Liverpool are Scots, for
we Scots claim as Scots men or women born
in Liverpool whose fathers and mothers were
Scots. I am reminded that Liverpool was the
pioneer city in regard to Free Libraries. It was
my extreme pleasure in receiving the freedom of
Dumfries to suggest that the library there should
be called the Ewart Library as a tribute to a
Liverpool man. It was he who succeeded in
passing the Free Libraries Act, which unlike some
other Acts of Parliament creates no sensation,
causes no partizan bitterness, and who shall say
that that one Act has not already done, and will
in its operation do more, as I believe, to elevate
the people of Great Britain than a hundred Acts
of your Parliament which have created partizan
bitterness. My Lord Mayor, may I suggest that
Photo, by W. Crooke.
ANDREW CARNEGIE, LL.D.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 177
Liverpool has had no citizen more worthy of such
an honour in the city of his birth than that which
Dumfries has paid to Mr. Ewart. I like a free
library because it is free. It is a grand symbol
of true genuine democracy, and this more an
exhibition of democracy than perhaps any library
I have spoken in, because it is the gift of no
citizen, of no man ; but is from foundation stone
to turret paid for by taxation, so that the poorest
citizen of Liverpool contributes in his proportion
as much as the multi-millionaire in support not
of a library, not of the library, but of his library.
He is a proprietor here, and there is no privilege
that may be enjoyed by the wealthy or the
titled no, not even by your august Lord Provost
himself which is not the birthright of the humblest
citizen of Liverpool. Such an institution as this
has a far-reaching influence beyond the mere
reading of books. I say it goes near to the
springs of man, the foundation of that indomitable
independence to do or die, to stand or fall, that
makes man man. But you do not consider a free
library only great in what it does for those who
read its books. It is great for what it does in
enabling the poor citizens of Liverpool in passing
through her streets to look up and say * Yes, I
am a Landlord there.' That is the thing that
tells. Now I wish to congratulate you upon this
library. Strangely enough, before I left the
North, my Pittsburg Committee came to me and
said they wanted a better branch library than
anything they had. The development of the
branch libraries had been so great that I must
M
178 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
not expect to pay 50,000 or 60,000 dollars any
more for a branch library. They wanted to
submit one that would want 125,000 dollars. I
have looked all over this building, and I find
here many of the improvements that they
suggested. I have just been through the women's
room, and I have seen the boys' room, and I
come to a point which I wish to mention in
regard to the hall. My experience is there is
nothing that has developed any branch library
equal to a hall. I suggested one at the little
fishing village of Port Mahomet, and by altering
a few partitions then turned the reading room
into a big hall, and when I delivered the opening
address, I told them I wanted them to put a little
stage in it, and they have done so. I advised
them strongly to cultivate the local talent of Port
Mahomet. I told them that they had amongst
them actors, musicians, men who could speak,
that they had possibly Members of Parliament,
and, perhaps, even a Lord Provost. I advised
them to form a musical club, a dramatic club, and
various other organisations for the development
of local talent. Of the modest New Year gifts
we received, I think, the one that gave us as much
satisfaction as any, was the programme for the
annual entertainment of the local performers in that
fishing village of Port Mahomet. Organisations
of that kind make every one neighbours. They
create a kindly, neighbourly feeling, and all that
you need add is a man or a woman and I am
sure you have them here who will devote
himself or herself to finding out local talent, and
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 179
encouraging the modest to come forward and
perform. I said to those men at Port Mahomet,
I, myself, was a member of such an organisation,
and if I have any facility in speech, or if I have
any assurance or self-possession which I did not
have as a boy I attribute it to the fact that I
played many parts in an amateur theatrical club,
and I was accounted a good actor. My favourite
part was, of course, always the lover; but, of
course, I may say, before I met a certain lady, all
my love making was purely in fun. I must not
keep you long, and I will refer only to the
important parts about the library. Fiction you
will find somewhat of a difficulty, and I should
like to give the committee my views upon that
subject. An art dealer in New York said to me
one day ' Mr. Carnegie, I always like to see a
pioneer from the West come in here and look
over all my fine art and even buy a chromo, for
if that man becomes prosperous he comes back
year after year, and I can give you the names of
several of my best customers who now come in
and buy true works of art.' Now it is so in other
respects. A book is a book, although there is
nothing in it, and I hold that if you can induce
a working man or woman to come into this library
and take anything like a book, my Lord Provost
I mean my Lord Mayor, you have not yet reached
the dignity of Lord Provost, but being a Scot
there is still hope some good seed may be sown.
There is something in a bound book, and I
understand that superstition, as you may call it,
of the Chinaman who will not step upon a printed
M2
180 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
page. He considers it is unlucky. Well, he
ought to consider it so, and, I may say, it was
a Chinese blacksmith who gave us movable types.
Well, I have hinted time and again whether it
might not be necessary to provide that no fiction
should be admitted to a free library unless it were
a year old ; but, ladies and gentlemen, think what
a fatal epidemic this would evoke in the publishing
line. Nine out of ten of everyone of the novels
that are published would be slaughtered, and the
epitaph would be justified ' If I were so soon
to be done for, I wonder what I was begun for.'
But I have changed my views upon that point,
and I think there is no use in providing a step
ladder for the aspiring to climb, if you make the
first step of that ladder too high. Therefore, I
hope the committee will be very chary about not
admitting fiction, which you can induce a working
man or working woman to take home to read. I
do not speak at this moment to an audience of
working men, therefore I will refrain from urging
the advantages of a library. You all understand
them. You prove by your actions that the
opening of a library building is a good work, and
I will refrain from speaking one word in defence
of a library. I will only conclude, my Lord
Provost I mean my Lord Mayor I have been
addressing Lord Provosts for ten days. You are
Lord Mayor for the present ; but, perhaps, you
are a Lord Provost yet to be. I beg to thank
you for inviting me to perform this opening
ceremony. Nothing could be more congenial.
Liverpool is the pioneer not only in regard to
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 181
libraries ; but also in regard to municipal affairs,
so far as I know, in the world. I have read
reports sent home to Glasgow, and I know
what you are doing about the housing of the
people, and I know what you are doing about
temperance, and if I were a citizen of Liverpool
I should have one great ambition I should like
to be Chairman of the Vigilance Committee. I
conclude this ceremony in the confident belief
that future centuries are to see your libraries
occupying more and more important positions as
agencies for the further improvement of the
people. They cannot work injury. They must
always work good. They cannot pauperise ;
because they are the people's own property, and
they cannot fail to be to coming generations
a fountain from which only healing waters can
flow."
Sir William Forwood said: "I have much
pleasure in rising to move a very hearty vote of
thanks to Mr. Carnegie for his kind presence here
to-day, and for the most admirable speech which
he has delivered to us. Mr. Carnegie stated that
if he was ambitious of one thing it was to be a
member of the Vigilance Committee of Liverpool.
I do not think the Vigilance Committee any longer
exists. It has done its work, and we do not now
require a Vigilance Committee, but if Mr. Carnegie
were to dwell with us I think we may promise him
a seat on the City Council in November, with the
prospect of becoming Lord Mayor within a year.
The Library Committee, over which I have the
honour to preside, feeling that they were the
1 82 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
pioneers of the library movement in this country,
and I presume in the world, were desirous of
paying Mr. Carnegie the greatest compliment they
could, in recognition of the great work he has done
for libraries not only in his own country of America
but throughout the length and breadth of England
and Scotland, and more than that, for the very
wise conditions which he has attached to all his
great and many benefactions. This library in
which we are assembled to-day has taken the place
of the old South Library built many years ago
thirty or forty years ago at the foot of Parliament
Street. That library became no longer suitable
for its purpose, and we have erected this library
which, I think, is fully equipped and up-to-date in
every particular. In the olden time we thought it
sufficient to have lending libraries without reading
rooms. Now we find it necessary to have a large
reading room such as the one in which we are
assembled, and also to have a reading room for
women and boys. The first experience of opening
a reading room for women was this there was a
great deal more talking than reading. I am happy
to tell you that it is a thing of the past, and there
are women readers who come and are excellent
and steady readers. In the same way the first
great difficulty with the boys was that they thought
it was their province to play leapfrog over the
chairs and benches, and I believe we had to go so
far as to call in the police to maintain order. Now
all that is a thing of the past, and if you visit the
reading rooms you will find boys crowding them
and steadily perusing some book in which they are
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 183
interested, so the experiment of enlarging our
libraries, and attaching a reading room for women
and also a reading room for boys, has been
wonderfully successful. Now, my Lord Mayor,
to-day has an interest of a double character. We
are not only opening this library, which I think is
in every way a model branch library, but we are
celebrating the jubilee of the library movement in
Liverpool. Fifty years ago next Thursday, the
1 8th October, the first Reference Library was
opened in Duke Street, and contained 8,000
volumes. But although we are thus celebrating
the jubilee of our library movement in Liverpool,
so far as the date of our first reference library is
concerned, we can go still further back than that.
As Mr. Carnegie has just stated we were rather
ahead of Parliament ; in fact the Public Libraries
Act introduced by Mr. Ewart in 1850 was the
outcome of a public meeting held in Liverpool a
year before. So we can claim not only the first
library in the country, but we can also claim to
have prompted Mr. Ewart to introduce that useful
and valuable Act. Now there has been a great
deal of correspondence of late in the newspapers
about libraries, and I think the position is some-
what misunderstood. By the Libraries Act local
authorities are empowered to levy a penny rate
for the purpose of establishing and maintaining
lending libraries. Well, a penny rate will not
build a library, but when a library is built it will
maintain it. Now Mr. Carnegie has stepped
forward into the breach and said, ' I will build a
library for you. You cannot raise the 10,000 or
184 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
the ^12,000 necessary. I will build the library,
but you must then apply to have power under the
Act to levy a rate to maintain it.' I think that is
a very wise condition. You know how many
people are anxious to have libraries who never
think that when a library is built it has to be
maintained, and libraries are not cheap things to
maintain. Not merely have you to maintain your
building but you have to keep your books up-to-
date, and therefore you are always adding to the
number of books on your shelves. This is a fact I
think not fully appreciated, and therefore I think
that the condition attached by Mr. Carnegie is a
very wise condition, and a very far-seeing condition.
Now I see that in some urban districts they have
refused to levy a library rate, and it is said to be a
question whether libraries really justify an extra
rate upon the poor. I think that argument was
exploded years and years ago. This is not the
time or place to do it, but I should be prepared at
another time to fully justify the imposition of a
library rate. There is no rate which we levy
which so soon returns full value to the community.
We cannot shut our eyes to this great fact, that
for the progress of civilisation physical forces are
equalised. It is no longer the strong arm but the
strong head which is the moving force in society,
and if that be so, we are bound to educate the
intellectual faculties. We have acknowledged
that by introducing elementary education, and
now we have committees going in the House of
Commons in reference to middle-class education.
Well, what will be the result ? You are giving
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 185
the people of the country opportunities for the
acquisition of knowledge, and how on earth are
the people when they leave school to follow up
those opportunities unless you supply libraries. I
saw it stated in the newspaper the other day that
cheap literature and the penny press are taking
the place of libraries. I do not think so. On the
contrary, as Mr. Carnegie said just now, the more
a man reads the more he wants to read, and the
fact of being able to buy a book for id., or 2d., or
3d., will induce him to want something better to
go on with his studies. So we cannot stop, but we
must provide people with some means of continuing
their education, and the only means I can suggest
is the establishment of libraries. Now let me
quote one figure to bear me out. Ten years ago
the books taken from the libraries of Liverpool for
home reading were 300,000. Last year they were
over 1,000,000. I cannot give you any fact which
more fully sustains my argument that the increase
of the love of reading is going on very rapidly
indeed, and it does prove that the facilities for
obtaining books are greatly appreciated and
enjoyed. As for fiction forming part of our issue
that is quite true. I believe at one time it formed
80 per cent, of our issue. Some years ago it came
down to 75 per cent., and I believe to-day it is 62
per cent. I believe if you once turn a man into a
library, and he begins reading books of fiction,
some of which are very admirable, he will not stop
at fiction, but he becomes a reader and he goes on.
In that way I feel sure our libraries are doing a
great deal of good. In Liverpool we have
1 86 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
established six branch libraries in the last seven
or eight years, and the outcry is still for more.
Ten years ago, when I became the chairman of
this committee, we had no encouragement to
establish branch libraries. People threw cold
water on them. Now the outcry is for libraries
here and there, and even this rich Corporation can
hardly vote money quick enough to meet the
demand. The Parliamentary Committee of the
Corporation have very properly annexed new
districts to Liverpool, and the first thing they
promise in order to induce them to join in the
annexation is that they shall have a branch library,
but they never consult the members of the Library
Committee to ask how that is to be done. They
leave us face to face with the Act of Parliament
with its very serious obligations, and they say,
1 You must carry it out,' so I am very glad indeed
to have this opportunity of explaining why the
Library Committee may be obliged to ask you to
contribute another halfpenny to the rates in a
very short time. I thank you very much for giving
me this opportunity, on behalf of our Library
Committee, of tendering our very warmest thanks
to Mr. Carnegie for coming here to-day, and for
the very practical and eloquent remarks he has
made to us, and the opportunity of thanking him
personally for the great and noble efforts he has
made in this country to spread free libraries
throughout the length and breadth of it. I do not
know how many he has built or helped to build in
this country and in Scotland, but if I say they
have been 600 I believe I am not very far wrong,
Photo, by Medrington.
ROBERT D. HOLT, D.L., J.P.
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 187
and when you think of the enormous nucleus
which that means, I think you will agree that the
thanks of the British nation are due to Mr. Carnegie
for his magnificent work."
Councillor Robert D. Holt, in seconding the
vote of thanks, said: "It is really a pleasure to
join in the vote of thanks to Mr. Carnegie for
coming here to-day, and for the interesting address
he has delivered. It is most encouraging to the
Library Committee, who might have thought that
they were getting a little behind the age, to be
informed that we are progressing and keeping up
to the times. That assurance is most encouraging,
and as the Chairman, Sir William Forwood, has
said, you must not grudge us another halfpenny in
the pound. We will spend it well, and you can
make it easily enough. You have nothing to do
but to make the money, and when you have made
it we will spend it. We may remind you that
these new libraries in the outlying districts cannot
be maintained upon nothing. We must have
money, and for my part I consider that the good
work we are doing in regard to such libraries as
these is a most encouraging feature in the municipal
life and in the history of Liverpool. We think,
therefore, that we might fairly rely that the rate-
payers will not grudge us the necessary amount to
support them. I am sure, ladies and gentlemen,
we all join most cordially in a vote of thanks to
Mr. Carnegie for coming here to-day with his vast
experience in regard to libraries, and we are very
glad to hear his assurance that really we are not
behind the times."
1 88 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
The Dean of Ely supported. In the course
of his remarks he said : " It is a great pleasure
to me to say a word in support of this vote of
thanks to Mr. Carnegie. I do not, as Dean of
Ely, nor even as an old Liverpool clergyman,
but as an old Liverpool boy who was one of
the readers in the Free Library at the bottom
of Parliament Street. I read Sir Walter Scott's
novels for the first time entirely in the edition
that was to be found in that library in Parliament
Street. I know of no one who more desires
education and appreciates the need of books
than on the one hand the clergymen of England,
and on the other hand the children of England.
I hear you have a boys' library here, and that
reminds me of a visit to Boston a few years
ago, a city I may say which struck me as being
more like Liverpool than any other American
city. One thing which interested me very greatly
in Boston was a children's library, about the size
of this, which was furnished with bookcases all
round the walls of sufficient height for the children
to reach down their books. At the end of the
afternoon, when the children were breaking out of
school, they poured into this room and were met
by a number of ladies who formed the Advising
Committee of that children's library, and advised
them as to the best books to read. I do not know
whether you have such a library here in Liverpool,
but let me commend it to the Library Committee
and to the ladies whom I see here so largely
represented let me commend to them that they
should do something to educate the tastes of the
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 189
children in reading the right sort of books. I have
great pleasure in supporting this vote of thanks."
Alderman J. N. Stolterfoht said: "We have
listened with great pleasure to Mr. Carnegie's
most useful address, and I am sure the committee
will take to heart all his hints, and I hope they
will give a fresh impulse to the work of that
committee. I have one duty to perform, and that
is to request you to give a very cordial vote of
thanks to the Lord Mayor, or according to his
new title the Lord Provost, for his kindness in
being with us to-day. He has performed his
duties in no perfunctory manner. He has given
us the advantage of his experience, and has told
us various things which will be useful to do, and I
have very great pleasure in asking you to accord
him a vote of thanks."
Councillor John Lea said : "It affords me
very great pleasure to second in a very few
words the vote of thanks proposed by my friend
Mr. Stolterfoht. I think we all agree that although
this is one of the closing meetings in connection
with the Lord Mayor's year of office, it is by
no means an unimportant one. It is one which
is likely to have a great influence upon the district
in which we meet. Mr. Carnegie in his brilliant
speech was pleased to refer to the use in America or
elsewhere of libraries for theatrical performances.
We are not going for a moment to contrast our
action with the action of America ; but we are
rather inclined to use our libraries in the evenings
for the benefit of the public, by means of very
interesting lectures in the winter season. These
i go History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
lectures are of an instructive and interesting
character, and go a very long way to supplement
the information that our people get by reading
the literature contained in the library. May I
just be allowed to say that the Arts Committee
has not forgotten us on this occasion. You have
only to look at the walls to see the treasures
they have lent us."
Mr. Carnegie, before the Lord Mayor replied,
formally declared the new building to be opened.
He said : " Ladies and gentlemen, the golden
key that is in my hand that can open so many
doors I now put to the highest use to which
any key in my opinion can be put. I now declare
this free library open to all people without money
and without price."
The Lord Mayor said : "I am very much
obliged to you for the cordial vote of thanks you
have been good enough to pass for me. I am sure
my duty has been a very simple one this morning.
I am personally much indebted to Mr. Carnegie
for the very kind way in which he spoke of myself.
I happen to be a brother Scot from the kingdom
of Fife ; but I am not Lord Provost yet, and
I do not know if the citizens of Liverpool would
care to change the title of Lord Mayor to that
of Lord Provost. It would no doubt occupy a
week's debate in the City Council. Now, ladies
and gentlemen, you are all requested to inspect
the building, and I am sure you will be very
much interested."
The assembly then broke up, and dispersed
to inspect the library and its arrangements.
CHAPTER XV.
CONCLUSION I PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.
AS a social function it may safely be assumed
that the ceremony of the formal opening
of the Toxteth Library was a great success ; but
the utilitarian and the Liverpool ratepayers will
probably prefer to know if the objects for which
the library was erected have been attained, and
with the success it was hoped and anticipated.
Statistics have the reputation of being mis-
leading ; but it is not always easy to set them
aside and resist their import.
During the first month after opening for
business, the several departments of the library
were besieged with readers of all ages and of
both sexes, and the energies of the staff and the
working arrangements were put to the severest
strain. No doubt novelty, and an attractive and
inviting looking building, had much to do with
this, so it will be better to pass over the
attendances and book issues during this time in
order to obtain figures free from temporary
inflation, with which to make a comparison with
the work of the old library during a corresponding
period in the previous year.
192 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
Taking a period of three months from the
middle of November to the middle of February,
the work of the new library is indicated by the
following statistics :
Volumes lent for home reading - - 47,058
Volumes issued in the men's room - 34,782
Volumes issued in the ladies' room - 5,612
Volumes issued in the boys' room - 23,217
Total 110,669
In addition, the magazines, reviews, &c.,
read in the men's room numbered 29,533, in
the ladies' room 8,316, in the boys' room 8,278 ;
total 46,127. Further, it is estimated by means
of periodical countings, that the newspapers read
numbered 65,000. These figures together give
a grand total of 221,716 books, magazines, and
newspapers read or referred to during this limited
period, as against an issue during a corresponding
period of twelve months previously in the old
premises of 35,938 volumes, exclusively for home
reading.
As the greatest care is taken that the literature
provided, particularly for the young, is of the
healthiest character, these figures, and similarly
those of the other libraries, are full of hope for
the future, when the habit and taste for reading
that which is of the best is confirmed.
The Toxteth Library, by its elevation,
plan, and working arrangements, elicited from
Mr. Carnegie many commendatory remarks
which, coming from one who has seen much of
public libraries, may not be taken as merely
" complimentary."
2 E
f
Ul O
t-
X
O
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 193
That this inference is correct, the following
letter addressed to Sir William Forwood on the
1 6th of December fully confirms.
NEW YORK, Dec. i6tk, 1902.
MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM,
Delighted to hear of the progress of the
Toxteth Library.
You mentioned that 3*011 wished to build another
such branch somewhere costing about ^"13,000. If it
would not be considered intrusive I should like to testify
my appreciation of the public spirit of Liverpool, and
especially of its partnership in the free library movement.
It has a great record, having established a free library
before the advent of the Libraries Act. Besides this, I
was deeply impressed by the number of able citizens
who give so much of their time, not to aims that end
with miserable self, but for good of the community.
I do not make a practice of volunteering. I depend
upon you and such of your other friends that I had the
pleasure of meeting, to be sure the offer would be
universally received with approval.
Please be sure to consult the late Lord Mayor, my
fellow countryman, in your counsels, and believe me
Always very truly yours,
ANDEEW CARNEGIE.
On this letter being read at a meeting of the
Library Committee on January 28th, 1903, the
following resolution was passed, which at the
next ensuing meeting of the City Council was
unanimously confirmed :
That the Council be recommended to accept the
very generous offer made by Mr. Andrew Carnegie to
erect a new Branch Library at a cost of about ^"13,000,
and that the best thanks of the Council be accorded to
Mr. Carnegie for his handsome gift, and that the money
offered by Mr. Carnegie be applied to the erection of a
Branch Library in West Derby, and that the library be
called the Andrew Carnegie Library.
N
1 94 History of the Liverpool Public Libraries.
This resolution, after being engrossed and
illuminated, was duly forwarded to Mr. Carnegie.
The erection of the Andrew Carnegie Library
will be proceeded with as rapidly as possible, and
will in elevation and plan worthily perpetuate the
name and generosity of the donor.
The Wavertree Branch Library approaches
completion, and promises, by its architectural
features and interior arrangements, to be an
ornament and a benefit to a district whose
rurality is fast disappearing before the enterprise
of cottage builders. But the outlook of the
Library Committee extends still further, so as
to give the advantages of a library and reading
rooms to the populous district of Kirkdale. Here,
as soon as the drawings can be prepared, will be
erected a building which will vie in size and plan
with the later libraries in other districts, and be
an agent equally valuable in the social betterment
of the working classes.
It will be seen from the foregoing that
valuable and extensive work has been done in
recent years by the Library Committee in the
erection, in populous and convenient centres, of
public libraries and reading rooms principally for
educational purposes ; but an important work, it
is thought by some members of the committee,
might be worthily undertaken by erecting in parts
of the city contiguous to the docks reading rooms
with a less educational but more social object
than those attached to the branch libraries.
The rooms, which need not be costly in their
erection or administration, should, however, be
History of the Liverpool Public Libraries. 195
made comfortable by their furniture, cheerful and
bright by the suspension of a few pictures, and
generally attractive by the literature supplied.
During the winter illustrated lectures delivered
in them would add to their popularity and
usefulness. If rightly placed the success of such
rooms is assured.
In the libraries projected, and in the reading
rooms just described, the Library Committee have
a vista of work of happy augury for the future.
The past supplies ample encouragement. The
issue of upwards of 51,000,000 volumes, quite
apart from a very large number of magazines and
reviews, is a record illustrative at least of popular
and vigorous management and warm appreciation
on the part of the public.
But who shall gauge, if books, as Milton says,
" contain a potencie of life in them to be as active
as that soule was whose progeny they are," the
mental strength and profit which has been
imparted to tens of thousands of men and women
during these past fifty years. And standing on a
somewhat lower plane, of the pleasure and rational
enjoyment given to a still greater number, whose
lives and surroundings for the most part are
sombre and heavy by reason of their perpetual
round of monotonous duties.
N2
APPENDIX
CIRCULAR, ISSUED BY THE PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE,
January i8th, 1851 :
LIVERPOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM, AND
GALLERY OF ART.
THE COMMITTEE to whom has been entrusted the completion
of this important Institution, for general and gratuitous
public use, now appeal to the town at large for the requisite
assistance.
Their special object is the formation of a PUBLIC
LIBRARY, for which it is generally known that the Corporation
have determined to provide accommodation, and which they
will maintain in permanent usefulness when formed. They
are desirous that the vast population of Liverpool, in many
respects peculiarly in want of such a provision, may no
longer be destitute of means of such importance, to the
morals, intelligence, and happiness of all classes, and in the
establishment of which other towns have already been so
successful; but, it is necessary, at the same time, that the
Town shall manifest its own feelings and interest by coming
forward in a spirited manner to store the LIBRARY with BOOKS.
It may also be generally known that arrangements have
been entered into between the Proprietors of the Liverpool
Royal Institution and the Town Council, for the surrender
of important property belonging to the former, for public
use. This consists of the very valuable and interesting
Museum of Natural History and the Gallery of Art,
together with Warehouses, well calculated for the purposes
of the Library. The sole condition is, that tJic wliole be
maintained and devoted to the public; who, on the few free
198 Appendix.
days which the Committee of the Royal Institution can
at present afford, have shewn themselves well able and
disposed to appreciate this privilege, as well as in all
respects deserving of a more extended enjoyment of it.
If the appeal now made to the town at large be
but met with the same liberality and cordial spirit of
co-operation which have been evinced by the Town Council,
by the Committee and Proprietors of the Royal Institution,
and by several individuals who have already come forward
to offer large donations both of money and books, the
proposed noble institution will at once commence its
existence, and offer advantages which many years would
have been otherwise required to accomplish. The Museum
of Natural History and the Gallery of Art, to be contributed
by the Royal Institution, are in many respects already
unsurpassed in value and interest by anything of the kind
in this kingdom ; and they will, the Committee have reason
to believe, now be rapidly enriched by further donations and
contributions of every description. The Committee will at
once thankfully take charge of all suitable objects for these
collections ; but at present they more particularly urge on
all ranks and classes, the prompt contribution, according to their
means and opportunities, of LIBERAL DONATIONS OF MONEY AND
BOOKS for that department which has yet to be brought into
existence, and on which the perfect success of the whole
depends the FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
In consequence of the decision of the Town Council
and of the arrangements with the Royal Institution for
the confirmation of which a Joint Committee of these two
bodies propose to apply for the sanction of Parliament
a numerous meeting of those likely to interest themselves
in the scheme, was summoned by the Town Clerk, and
met in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, THE
VENERABLE THE ARCHDEACON OF LIVERPOOL in the Chair.
By resolutions unanimously adopted, an Association was
formed ; and the large Provisional Committee, whose names
are annexed, was afterwards chosen, who at their first
Meeting appointed an Executive Working Committee, with
power to add to their number.
Appendix. igg
Temporary accommodation for Books has been provided
in one of the Rooms of the Royal Institution, and the
Committee now make an earnest appeal to the inhabitants
of the town and neighbourhood, of every grade, to contribute
at once whatever they are able and disposed to give, in
aid of the objects which they have in view.
The Donations solicited are
I. CONTRIBUTIONS IN MONEY.
II. BOOKS (suited to any class of the community,
or which might be exchanged for others, if
necessary, by the Committee).
III. OBJECTS FOR THE MUSEUM AND GALLERY OF
ART.
An application to the Secretary, at the Ro} - al Institution,
Colquitt Street (personally or by post) will have prompt
attention ; and will secure an immediate opportunity of
forwarding anything, without expense, to its destination,
or any information or personal explanation that may be
desired.
SUBSCRIPTIONS are received by the Treasurer, at i, Goree
Piazzas; also at the Banks of Messrs. HEYWOOD & Co.,
LEYLAND & Co., Moss & Co., the BOROUGH BANK, and
the BANK OF LIVERPOOL.
BOOKS will be received at all times at the Royal
Institution, either by the entrance in Colquitt Street or
by that in Seel Street.
THOMAS B. HORSFALL, PRESIDENT.
ROYAL INSTITUTION,
lith January, 1851.
Tlie following Subscriptions and Donations have, been announced to
the Committee, before the issuing of the Circulars :
The Mayor of Liverpool, 50; William Brown, M.P., 100; Thomas
B. Horsfall, Theodore \V. Rathboue, Hu. Hornby, Jos. B. Yates, and
J. P. Heywood, 50 each ; James Aikin, Son & Co., Robert M'Andrew,
William Rathbone, and John Clow, 25 each ; Samuel Holme, and the
Misses Yates (Farmfield), 20 each ; The Recorder, 12 12 ; ]. A. Pic ton,
Thos. J. Kilnin, Jeffery & Morrish, William Balleny. and W. Ridyard.
200 Appendix.
10 each ; Thomas Fleming, Rev. Dr. Raffles, Dr. Dickinson, Alfred
King, Thomas Palmer, Thomas Bouch, Thomas Milner & Sou, Thomas
Chaffers, T. F. Hampton, Miss Rhoda M. Hope, and Miss Charlotte
Hope, 5 each ; Chapman & Callis, 4 4 ; J. H. E. W. Weightman,
J. W. Pilcher, R. M. Cunningham, James C. M'Andrew, and William
Benbow, 3 3 each ; Thomas Duncan, and Thomas Brakell, 2 2 each ;
Thomas Gray, Thomas Dale, J. Adams, jun., Gerard Hornby, and
Richard Crosby, i i each.
From the Earl of Harrowby, the Parliamentary Library of the late
Earl; from the Committee of the Liverpool Library, a Set of Duplicate
Works, consisting of more than 2000 vols. ; from the Yen. Archdeacon
Brooks, Dodsley's Annual Register complete, and several vols. of the
Edinburgh Review ; from John Eden, the Parker Society's Publications
from the first, the continuation of the series to be presented also ; from
John Mather, Sets, nearly complete, of the Edinburgh and Westminster
Reviews; from the Secretary, 200 vols. : from Edward Fletcher, 106 vols. ;
from Thos. Fleming, 50 vols. ; from Robert M'Andrew, 32 vols. ; from
the Rev. D. James, 30 vols. ; from A. Lcighton, the British Poets, in
?.o vols., with other Works ; from Thomas Sansom, a collection of native
Mosses, and other collections for a Botanical Museum; from James
Boardman, a model of the Portland Vase, wood blocks for printing the
figures on it, and a large Map of the United States; from James Fraser,
the Binding of 100 vols. ; from Richard Scragg, the printing of 1000
Circulars.
PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.
Elected January ^rd, 1851.
[The mark * denotes Members of the General Committee; and t Members of the
Joint Committee of the Town Council and Royal Institution.]
* President THOMAS BERRY HOKSFALL.
* Treasurer JOHN AIKIN.
* Hon. Secretary REV. A. HUME, LL.D., F.S.A.
t THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL.
t James Aikin
fHenry Ashton
* fThomas Avison, F.S.A.
William H. Bainbrigge, F.R.C.S.L.
Thomas Baines
fT. B. Barclay
Rev. Joseph Bay lee, M.A.
Henry Behrend, M.R.C.S.L.
tWilliam Bennett
Sir Thomas B. Birch, Bart., M.P.
Rev. C. M. Birrell
Thomas Bolton
Charles Booth
Thomas Bouch
Henry Bremner
'tVen. Archdeacon Brooks, M.A.
Right Rev. George Brown, D.D.
William Brown, M.P.
Nathaniel Caiue
fRev. Augustus Campbell, M.A.
Edward Cardwell, M.P.
Robert Clay
*John Clow
John Cropper, Senr.
Appendix.
201
John Cunningham, F.G.S.
James Dawson, F.R.C.S.L.
Joseph Dickinson, M.A., M.D.,
William Earle [F.L.S.
1 Edward D. Falkner
W. M. Fisher, Ph.D., F.R.A.S.
tThomas Fleming
"Robertson Gladstone
Rev. H. Hampton, M.A.
t Francis Hay wood
James Holme
* Samuel Holme
John Holmes
*)Hugh Hornby
*Rev. J. S. Hosvson, M.A.
tGeorge Holt
William Ihne, Ph.D.
*J. R. Isaac
Rev. David James, M.A., F.S.A.
J. R. Jeffery
James Kennedy
Thomas Johnson Kilpiu
Ambrose Lace
Alfred Lafone
William Lassell, F.R.S., F.R.A.S.
Thomas Littledale
Walter P. Macgregor
Studley Martin
'Joseph Mayer, F.S.A.
'Peter Macintyre, M.D.
"tRobert M'Andrew, F.L.S.
f Andrew Melly
Thomas Moore, Seur.
Rev. Thomas Moore, A.M.
Sheridan Muspratt, Ph.D.,
John Miller [F.R.S.E.
William Milner
Edmund Molyneux
James Molyneux
Thomas Muncaster
Rev. H. M. Mosse, B.A.
W. Williams Mortimer
William Nicol
*John Nottingham, M.D.
f Alfred North
R. F. North
* tjames A. Picton, F.S.A., President
of the Library and Museum
Committee Town Council,
ex-officio
H. C. Pidgeon
*|Rev. Thomas Raffles, D.D.,LL.D.
*|Theodore W. Rathbone, President
of the Royal Institution, ex-
cjficio
* William Rathbone
Thomas Reay
Rev. John Reid, M.A.
Edward Rushton
tSir John P. Salusbury
Charles F. Salt
|H. R. Sandbach
1 John Stewart
i*tjohn A. Tinne
*Rev. David Thorn, D.D., Ph.D.
*tRev. J. H. Thorn
David P. Thomson, M.D.
George Thomson
William Thornely
Jackson Townsend
*Rev. Dawson Turner, M.A.
tj. N. Walker
fThomas Wagstaff
tjohn Woodruff
Peter Wright
fjoseph B.Yates, F.S.A., M.R.G.S.
* Richard V. Yates
INDEX
Adams, J., jun., 200
Adams, Rev. W. J,, 175
African Association, 77
Aitkin,
Aitkin, ^
Aitkin,
ames, 200
ames, Son and Co., 199
ohn, 35
Allom, Thomas : designs for Brown
Library and Museum, 56, 98
American Chamber of Commerce, 77
American literature, N. Hawthorne
on, 63-64
Amphitheatre, Meeting in, 70
Anderson, T. D. (Mayor), 70;
Mayoral Soiree, 98 ; speech at
opening of Brown Library, 83 ;
speech at St. George's Hall
banquet, 96
Architectural and Archaeological
Association, 76, 78
Architectural Society : address to
Sir James Picton, 129
Armour, Rev. Canon, 155
Armour, J., 145
Art books in Hornby Collection, 170
Ashton, Henry, 200
Aspinall, J. B., 115, 121, 199
Association to promote Library and
Museum : formation of, 23 ;
report and dissolution of, 33-35
Autumn Exhibition of Pictures, 143
Avison, Thomas, 58, 115, 200;
appointed on Special Com-
mittee, 12 ; appointed on new
Library Committee, 23
Bainbrigge, W. H., 200
Baines, Thomas, 200
Ball, G. H., 175
Ball, Joseph, 136, 149
Balleny, William, 199
Barrow, R., 175
Bartlett, W., 174
Bay lee, Rev. J., 200
Bazley, Thomas, M.P. : speech at
St. George's Hall banquet, 95
Beard, Rev. Charles, 115, 124
Behrend, William, 200
Benbow, William, 200
Bennett, William, 124, 200;
appointed on Special Library
Committee, 12 ; appointed on
new Library Committee, 23
Bent, John (Mayor), 200
Best, W. T., 53
Bigham, John, 38
Binney, Rev. Thomas, 58, 65 ;
speech at soiree, 66-68
Binns, Thomas : collection of Lan-
cashire maps, &c., 47, 123
Birch, Sir Thomas, 200
Birkenhead, Dr., lectures by, 108
Birmingham, petition from, for
libraries, 3 ; branch libraries,
136; rating powers, 141, 169;
compared with Liverpool, 169
Birrell, Rev. C. M., 58, 200
Blind, books for the, first issued,
52 ; gifts by Miss Mary L.
Hornby, 52
Boardman, James, 200
Bolton, Thomas, 200
Books, no power in bill to purchase,
5 ; gifts of, relied upon, 6, 7 ;
financial provision for, not in-
cluded in first estimates, 32 ;
stock in libraries, in 1860, 79
(see also under Donations)
Boote, W., 174
Booth, Charles, 200
Boston Public Library, 188
Botanic Gardens, 37, 79 ; expense
of maintaining, 105; Library
Committee relieved from main-
tenance of, 106
Bouch, Thomas, 200
Bousfield, Lieut. -Colonel N., 98
Bowring, C. T., 124, 155
Bowring, Sir John, 70, 72, 76, 98;
speech at Amphitheatre, 74
Boys' reading rooms (see tinder
Juvenile)
Bradford : school reading rooms, 136
204
Index.
Brakell, Thomas, 200
Branch lending libraries and reading
rooms : Dr. Hume on the need
of lending libraries, 44 ; first
two lending libraries established,
46-53; appointment of first
superintendent librarian, 48, 49 ;
demands for other branches, 106 ;
suggested for each ward of the
city, 120; provision of additional
branches, 135-149; Sir Thomas
Hughes on, 147 ; in other cities,
148; further extension, 150-171 ;
Sir William Forwood on, 161,
181 ; promised for new out-
districts, 168
North, first opened in Corporation
Schools, 48, 163; removed toGt.
Nelson Street, 49 ; extension of
premises, 51 ; removal to Ever-
ton, 52 ; superseded by Everton
Library, 154, 161 ; inadequacy
of old premises, 155
Everton, foundation stone laid,
155-159; opening ceremony, 159-
171 ; its success and first year's
statistics, 167-8
South, first opened in Corpora-
tion Schools, 48; removed to
Hardy Street, 49 ; removed to
Upper Parliament Street, 51 ;
transferred to new Toxteth
Library, 172-190
Toxteth, opened by Andrew
Carnegie, 172-190; replacing
South Library, 182; statistics,
192
Kensington, decided upon, 144 ;
opening ceremony, 144 ; first
year's issues, 149; extension, 149
Central, opened, 154, 161
Sefton Park, opened, 168
Walton, opened, 168
Wavertree, completion of build-
ing, 168, 194
Brazilian Association, 77
Bremner, Henry, 200
British and Foreign Bible Society's
present to Library, 85
Brooks, Archdeacon, 23, 35, 198,
200
Brougham, Lord, 70, 76; speech
at the Amphitheatre, 72 ; speech
at opening ceremony, 84 ; on
benefits of free libraries, 96
Brown, Rev. George, D.D., 200
Brown, Rev. Hugh Stowell, 57 ;
speech at soiree, 65
Brown, James, 84, 98
Brown, Sir William, M.P., 38, 62,
70, 125, 199, 200 ; speech at
opening of library, Duke street,
41-43; letter to the Mayor, 56:
addresses presented to, 57, 65 ;
offer of new reference library and
museum, 56 ; speech at founda-
tion stone laying, Brown Library
and Museum, 59; portrait of,
70; addresses and speeches at
Amphitheatre meeting, 70 - 75 ;
presentation of addresses to,
from local societies, 76 - 77 ;
speech at opening of Brown
Library and Museum, 77-83 ;
present of gold medal to, 84 ;
Sir Robert Peel's eulogy of,
87 ; banquet to, at St. George's
Hall, 89-102 ; speech at banquet,
91 ; inauguration of statue of, in
St. George's Hall, 91 ; portrait
of, by Sir T. Watson Gordon,
102 ; Mr. W. Rathbone on the
example of, 1 20
Brown Library and Museum (see
under Public Library)
Browne, Edgar A., 174
Brunner, Sir John, 174
Bullen, R. H., 174
Burbidge, Canon, 174
Burgess, W. J., 155
Bushell, Christopher, 58
Caine, Hall, lectures by, no
Caine, Nathaniel, 65, 200
Caldecott, Rev. A., lectures by, no
Cambridge University local lec-
tures, no
Cameron, Prof., lectures by, 108
Campbell, Rev. Augustus (Rector
of Liverpool), 58, 62, 76, 200
Cardwell, Edward, M.P., 200
Carnegie, Andrew, LL.D., opens
Toxteth Library, 172-190; por-
trait of, 176; conditions attached
to his gifts, 183; gift to Liver-
pool, 193 ; the Andrew Carnegie
Library and its erection, 194
Carter, Dr. William, 174
Catalogues, the first "dictionary,"
151 ; handlists of technical books,
152
Central Lending Library estab-
lished, 161
Chaffers, Thomas, 200
Chamber of Commerce, 77
Channing, Rev. W. H., 58, 65
speech at soiree, 68
Chapman and Callis, Messrs., 200
Index.
205
77
Chemists' Association, 77, 78
Clay, Robert, 200
Clow, John, 199, 200
Cockpit on site of Picton Reading
Room, 117
Cohen, Louis S., 160
Commins, Dr. Andrew, 145, 155,
160, 166, 174 ; speech at found-
ation stone laying Everton
Library, 158
Concert Hall, soiree in, 65
Corn Trade Association, 77
Cotton Brokers' Association,
Cowell, Peter (chief librarian) 124,
127, 144, 146, 155, 171, 173, 174,
175 ; entry into Library service,
48; appointed Chief Librarian,
112 ; portrait of, 112
Cropper, John, sen., 200
Crosby, Richard, 200
Crosfield, William, 115, 118, 124
Crosthwaite, A., 160, 174
Cunningham, John, 201
Cunningham, R. M., 200
Cust, Major-Gen. Sir Edward, 57
Customs and Excise Act and
technical books, 152
Dale, Principal A. W. W., 174
Dale, Thomas, 200
Dallinger, Dr. W. H., 124
Dalton, John Stuart (first librarian),
38 ; death of, 112
Danson, H., 38
Dart, R., 174
Dawson, Dr. James, 201 : gift to
Library, 80
Denton, W., 174
Derby, Edward, i3th Earl of,
21-32,85
Derby, Edward Geoffrey, i4th
Earl of, letter from, offering
Derby collection to the town, 25
Derby, Henry Edward, i5th Earl
(Lord Stanley), 57 ; speech at
foundation stone laying of Brown
Library, 61-62 ; speech at St.
George's Hall banquet, 94
Derby, Frederick Arthur Stanley,
i6th Earl of (Lord Mayor), 159,
160 ; speech at opening Everton
Library, 162
Derby Collection and Museum, Si,
125 ; bequeathed to Liverpool,
letter and report, 21-32; to
bear name of its founder, 26 ;
Trustees' duties, 28-29 ; number
of specimens in, 29; its forma-
tion, 94
Dickinson, Dr. J., 200, 201
Docks reading rooms proposed, 194
Donations, appeal for, 24, 96 ; value of
during twenty years, 121 ; see also
Brown, Sir William ; British and
Foreign Bible Society ; Carnegie,
Andrew; Dawson, James; Derby,
1 3th Farl of; Hornby, Hugh F. ;
Mayer, Joseph; Shipley, Joseph ;
and list of donations in the
Appendix
Dowdall, Chaloner, 174
Duke Street, first free library
premises (Union News-room),
31, 33 ; view of, 33
Duncan, Thomas, 200
Dyall, Charles, 124
Earle, Richard, 26
Earle, William, 23, 201
East India and China Association, 77
Ede, Rev. W. Moore, lectures by,
no
Eden, John, 200
Education, value of, 87; facilities
in Liverpool, 147 ; and free
libraries, 117, 184
Egerton, Hon. Algernon, 70, 98
Electric light in Picton Reading
Room, 129, 131
Evans, Admiral, 115
Evans, William, 174
Everton Branch Library resolved
upon, 155; foundation stone
laid, 155-159; view of exterior,
156; opening ceremony, 159-171 ;
technical instruction class rooms
at, 161, 162; view of interior,
162 ; its great success, 167 ; first
year's issues, 168
Ewart, J. C..M.P., 38, 58, 62
Ewart, William, M.P., 57, 62, 76,
176, 177, 183 ; and the public
library movement, 1-8 ; portrait
of, 2 ; speech at foundation stone
laying of Brown Library, 61 ;
speech at opening of Brown
Library, 86 ; speech on the
establishment of free libraries, 97
Ewart Library, Dumfries, 176
Fairchild, General L., 115,121
Falkner, Edward D., 201
Fernihough, J. C., 38
Fiction, issue of, 46 ; Mr. Carnegie
on, 180; proportion of issues,
185
Finance Committee and rating,
105
206
Index.
Finances, embarassing state of,
104-106; diminution of income
from rate, 142 ; necessity for
increased rate, 186, 187
Fisher, Dr. W. M., 201
Fitzpatrick, M., 175
Fleming, Thomas, 200, 201 ; ap-
pointed on Library Committee,
23
Fletcher, Edward, 200
Forwood, Sir A. B., 115, 124, 135
Forwood, Sir William B., 115, 140,
159, 160, 173, 174, 187, 193;
joins Library Committee, 150 ;
elected chairman, 150 ; lectures
by, 150; portrait of, 152; speech
at laying of foundation stone,
Everton Library, 155 ; speech
at opening of Everton Library,
161 ; speech at opening Toxteth
Library, 181
Forwood, Lady, 174
Forwood, The Misses, 174
Fraser, James, 200
General Brokers' Association, 77
Gladstone, John, 23
Gladstone, Robertson, 201
Glynn, Professor, 174
Goethals, Very Rev. E., 174
Gordon, Sir T. Watson, paints
portrait of Sir William Brown,
102
Graham, J., Bishop of Chester, 57,
62, 76 ; speech at Brown Library
banquet, 62
Graves, S. R., 57
Gray, Thomas, 200
Grindley, E., 155
Guile, Daniel, speech at Amphi-
theatre meeting, 71
Hall, T. B., 137, 145 ; his interest in
branch libraries, 148
Hamilton, Francis A., 96
Hampton, Lord (Sir John Paking-
ton), 57, 62
Hampton, Rev. H., 201
Hampton, T. F., 200
Handlists of technical books, 152
Hardern, Rev. T. B., 145
Harpur, W. H., 145
Harrowby, Earl of, donations of,
II, 200
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 57, 62 ; on
literature of America, 63-64
Haywood, Francis, 201
Henderson, Gilbert, 98
Hey wood, J. P., 199
Higgins, Rev. H. H., 115, 121, 124,
M5
High level bridge to Dale Street, 55
Historic Society of Lancashire and
Cheshire, 57, 76, 78
Holder, Thomas, 124, 145; at open-
ing of Kensington Library, 148
Holme, James, 201
Holme, Samuel, 36, 38, 57, 58, 62,
199, 201
Holmes, John, 201
Holt, George, 20, 38, 201 ; appointed
on Special Committee, 12; on
new Library Committee, 23 ; at
foundation stone laying, Brown
Library, 58
Holt, Robert D., 124, 155, 160, 174 ;
speech at opening of Toxteth
Library, 187 ; portrait of, 187
Holt, Mrs. R. D., 174
Honey burne, Rev. J. H., 136
Hope, The Misses, 200
Hornby, Gerard, 200
Hornby, Hugh, 199, 201 ; appointed
on Special Committee, 12; on
new Library Committee, 23
Hornby, Hugh Frederick, bequest of
Art Library, 13, 170 ; special
building for collection, 170
Hornby, Miss Mary L., gift of
books for the blind, 52
Hornby, The Misses, 175
Horsfall, Thomas, B., M.P., 20, 23,
58,62,76,98,199,200; appointed
on Special Committee, 12; Chair-
man of first Committee, 33 ;
speech at Amphitheatre, 70
Houghton, Lord, 57, 62
Houlding, J., 155
Howson, Dean, 58, 201
Hudson, George, appointed Librar-
ian, 112
Hughes, Sir Thomas, 124, 155, 174;
his interest in the libraries,
145; opens Kensington Branch
Library, 145-147
Hume, Canon A., 23, 38, 57, 115,
121, 200 ; on the need of a public
library, 2 ; speech at opening in
Duke Street, 44
Ihne, Dr. W., 58, 201
Inman, Thomas, 58
Iron and Steel Institute, 127
Irvine, Canon, 174
Isaac, J. R., 201
James, Rev. D., 200, 201
Jebb, Sir Richard, 174
Index.
207
effery, J. R., 201
effery and Morrish, Messrs., 199
ones, Archdeacon, 57, 76
ones, J. Harrison, 174
ones, Morris P., 160, 174
Jubilee of the Library, 183
Jude, S., 174
Juvenile readers, catalogues for,
153 ; special rooms for, 154 ;
boys' reading room at Everton,
164 ; their love of illustrated
books, 167; in Boston, 188;
improved behaviour, 182
Kennedy, Rev. Father, 145
Kennedy, James, 201
Kensington Branch Library : claims
of the eastern part of the city,
135; allocation of money for
building, 144 ; opening ceremony,
144 ; views of exterior and in-
terior, 144, 148 ; first year's
issues, 149; extension of, 149
Kilpin, Thomas J., 199, 201
King, Alfred, 200
Kirkdale district, growth of, 155 ;
proposed Branch Library for,
194
Lace, Ambrose, 201
Lafone, Alfred, 201
Lancashire, Binns' collection re-
lating to, 47
Lassell, William, 201
Lawrence, Charles, 43
Lawrence, James, appointed on
Special Library Committee, 12 ;
on new Library Committee, 23
Lea, John, J.P., 174; speech at
opening Toxteth Branch, 189
Lecture room provided in Brown
Library, 78 ; dimensions of, 101,
104 (see also Picton Lecture
Hall)
Lectures, Free: inaugurated, 103-1 n ;
powers under local act, 104 ; first
series, 107 ; attendance at first
series, 108 ; first illustrated by
lantern, 109 ; long courses not a
success, 1 10 ; total attendances
at lectures since inauguration,
in ; Alderman Samuelson's
initiation of, 143 ; Sir W.
Forwood's lectures, 150 ; Coun-
cillor Lee on, 190
Leeds school reading rooms, 136
Leighton, A., 200
Lending libraries (see Branch
libraries)
Lester, Canon T. Major, 155, 160
Librarians, first (Mr. Dalton), 38 ;
appointed for first branch
libraries, 48, 49 ; since opening,
112
Libraries, free : prejudices concern-
ing the working classes and, 24 ;
Mr. Ewart and the origin of, 97 ;
suggested for each ward of the
city, 120 ; special character of,
122 ; papers on, at Library
Association meeting, 139; first
predictions as to failures, 162
Libraries in America, 4 ; in France,
4 ; Continental, 4, 97 ; in China,
74.75
Library and Museum (set Public
Library and Museum)
Library Association, meeting in
Liverpool, 139
Literary and Philosophical Society,
57, 76, 78
Littledale, Thomas, 38, 201 ; speech
at opening ceremony, Duke
Street, 39-40
Liverpool : desire expressed for
libraries in, 4 ; libraries in,
before 1850, 9; first Free Library
movements in, 9-20 ; model of,
in Museum, 41 ; collection of
maps and views of, 47 ; foremost
in foundation of libraries, 61 ;
library a public want in, 62 ;
eulogy of enterprise of, 94 ;
future of, 1 20 ; development of,
128; state of, in eighteenth
century, 128 ; extension of city
boundaries, 168 ; comparisons
with Manchester and Birming-
ham, 169 ; limited rating and its
increase, 169 ; and its free
libraries, 175 ; its extension and
additional branch libraries, 186 ;
compared with Boston, 188
Liverpool Athenaeum, 9, 15
Liverpool Collegiate Institution
Library, 15 ; Derby Museum
and, 26, 28
Liverpool (Lyceum) Library, 9, 15,
65, 200
Liverpool Public Library Act, title,
and reason for, 13
Local collections of books, prints,
&c., need of, recognised, 6, 7;
formation of, 47
Lockhart, W. P., 136
London, want of free libraries in,
61,66; meeting to promote free
libraries in, 67
208
Index.
Lundie, Rev. R. H., 145
Lunt, W. J., 124, 137, 145, 148
Lyceum Library, 9, 15, 65, 200
M'Andrew, James C. 200
M'Andrew, Robert, 199, 200, 201
McDowell's statute of Sir William
Brown, 102
Macgregor, W. P., 201
McGuffie, P., 174
Macintyre, Dr. Peter, 35, 201
Maclver, Lieut. -Col. Charles, 98
Mackay, Professor, 174
Madden, Mrs., 175
Magazines in Brown Reading Room,
134
Major-Lester, Canon, 155, 160
Manchester : desire for libraries,
4 ; and Liverpool rivalry, 42,
96; state of, in eighteenth cen-
tury, 128; branch libraries, 136,
148 ; comparison with Liverpool,
169
Martin, Studley, 201
Martineau, Rev. J., 58
Mascagni's "Anatomy," gift of, to
Library, by J. Dawson, 80
Mather, John, 200
Maxwell, Maxwell H., 160, 174 ; on
branch libraries, 166
Mayer, Joseph, 23, 57, 125, 201
Mayer collection, 122 ; requiring
further accommodation, 129
Meade-King, R. R., 174
Mechanics' and Apprentices'
Library, 43
Mechanics' Institute Libraries, 9,
15
Melly, Andrew, 201
Melly, Miss Florence, 175
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board
and library rate, 113
Miles, J., 145
Mill Lane, 55
Mill Place, 55
Miller, John, 201
Milner, Thomas, and Son, 200
Milner, William, 201
Milnes, Monckton, 57, 62
Molyneux, Edmund, 201
Molyneux, James, 201
Moore, Thomas, sen., 201
Moore, Thomas J., 124
Moore-Ede, Rev. W., lectures, no
Morgan, J. B., 145
Morris, J., 174
Mortimer, W. Williams, 201
Mosse, Rev. H. M., 201
Muncaster, Thomas. 201
Museum : appeal for gifts of objects,
80 ; description of building, 98-
101 ; collections and donations
in, 125 ; extension of, 151
Museums Act, 5 ; libraries estab-
lished under, 9
Music : rich collection in Reference
Library, 53 ; circulation of, at
branch libraries, 52, 53
Muspratt, Dr. S., 201
Natural history museum in Royal
Institution, 14 (set also Derby
collection and museum)
Newell, J., 124
Newspapers, first news-room, 9 ;
first provision of, in the Brown
Reading Room, 134, 138; files
of, 138 ; further accommodation
for, 151
Nicol, William, 201
North, Alfred, 201
North, R. F., 201
North Branch Library, first opened
in Corporation School, 48, 163;
removed to Great Nelson Street,
49 ; extension of premises, 51 ;
superseded by Everton Library,
52, 154, 161
Nottingham, Dr. John, 201
Nottingham : rating powers, 141
Nugent, Monsignor J. 58, 65
Oulton, William, 124, 160, 174
Oxford, library and reading room
at, 73
Pakington, Sir John, M.P., 57, 62
Palmer, Thomas, 200
Parks and Gardens Committee,
grants of ground for library
buildings, 144, 149
Parliament, motion for select com-
mittee of, on public libraries, 3
Patents' room provided, 151
Peace, Dr. A. L., 53
Pearson, Rev. S., 115
Peel, Sir Robert, M.P., speech at
opening of Brown Library and
Museum, 87
Perry, Rev. Father, lectures by, no
Petrie, Charles, 173, 174 ; speeches
at opening Toxteth Branch
Library, 175, 190
Philomathic Society, 57
Pickmere, E. R., 175
Picton, Sir James A., 23, 38, 62, 65,
98, 115, 124, 125, 140, 145, 199,
201 ; advocacy of free library
Index.
209
Picton, Sir James A. Continued
movement, 10; portrait of, 10;
appointed on Special Library
Committee,i2; moves adoption of
first report, 20 ; moves to rescind
resolution of Royal Institution
transfer, 21 ; appointed on new
Library Committee, 23 ; speech
at opening ceremony in Duke
Street, 40 ; speech at foundation-
stone laying of Brown Library,
57; name on foundation-stone,
59; speech at opening Brown
Library, 85 ; presentation of
portrait of, 89 ; speeches at
laying foundation-stone of Picton
Reading Room, 115-118, 121 ;
tablet to, in the Picton Reading
Room, 127; speech at opening
of Picton Reading Room, 127-
129; address to, from the Archi-
tectural Society, 129; delivers
inaugural lecture in Picton
Lecture Hall, 132 ; his aim for
a great reference library, 137 ;
President of Library Association
meeting, 139; on necessity for in-
crease of rate, 140 ; death of, 143
Picton, J. Allanson, 121
Picton, W. H., 155
Picton Lecture Hall, 109; com-
pletion of, 129; construction of,
131 ; opening of, 132 ; change of
name from Rotunda Lecture
Hall, 132
Picton Reading Room, 104; site,
114 ; resolution as to name, 115,
126 ; foundation-stone laying,
115-121 ; site formerly a cockpit,
117; opening ceremony, 122-134;
view of exterior, 122; reasons
for circular form, 130; view of
interior, 130; regulations for use
of, 133; attendance in, 134;
Hornby annexe, 171
Pictures : collection in Royal Insti-
tution, 14 ; Autumn Exhibition
inaugurated, 143
Pidgeon, H. C., 201
Pilcher, J. W., 200
Pilkington, Col. John, 160, 174
Polytechnic Society, 76, 78
Port Mahomet, Mr. Carnegie and,
178
Porter, Lieut.-Colonel, 174
Postance, Canon Henry, 136
Potteries of Shaw's Brow, 117
Provisional Committee's circular,
197-201
Public Libraries Act, William Ewart
and the movement, 1-8; opposi-
tion to, 7, 24; Bill introduced,
4 ; its origin in Liverpool, 183
Public Library and Museum, local
collection in, 7, 47 ; opening in
Duke Street, 33-45 ; library to be
of first importance, 34, 35, 198 ;
contribution by Corporation to
new building, 55 ; Shaw's Brow
site selected, 55 ; foundation
stone laying of Brown Library
and Museum, 57-59 ; inscription
on foundation stone, 59 ; work
in Duke Street premises, 70 ;
inaugural ceremonies, 70 ; Brown
Library completed and opened,
70-88 ; opening in William Brown
street, 76 ; description of build-
ing, 98-102 ; area and seating in
Brown Reading Room, 103 ;
students' room provided, 103 ;
first open to public, 103 ; issues
of books in old and new premises
compared, 104 ; need for exten-
sion, 112 ; value of gifts during
twenty years, 121 ; crowded state
of Brown Reading Room, 133;
attendance in Brown Reading
Room, 134; multiplication of
expenses, 139 ; reconstruction
of basement, 151 ; opening of
Central Lending Library, 154 ;
improvements in warming and
ventilation, 170 ; circular of
Provisional Committee, 197-201
(see also Reference Library, Ficton
Reading Room, Branch Libraries)
Radcliffe, Sir David, 124
Radcliffe, William, 135, 145, 155
Raffles, Rev. Thomas, D.D., 23, 57,
76, 86, 200, 201 ; speech at opening
of Brown Library, 84
Rate, Library and Museum, half-
penny for Museums, 5 ; penny
on assessed rental clause, 37 ;
inadequacy of penny rate, 105 ;
litigation concerning assessment,
105 ; Docks Board rates in dis-
pute, 113; mention of probable
increase, 136 ; increase proposed
in Council, 140; proposed
increase rejected, 142 ; variants
in places, 169 ; increase of rate,
169 ; inadequacy of penny rate,
183 ; advantages derived from
rate, 184.
Rathbone, Herbert R., 174
O
210
Index.
Rathbone, Philip H., 115, 124, 125,
143. M5
Rathbone, S. Greg, 137
Rathbone, Theodore W., 35, 36,
199, 201
Rathbone, William, M.P., 23, 57, 70,
71, 115, 199; speech at laying
foundation stone of Picton
Reading Room, 118
Reading, character of, at Branch
libraries, 50 ; advice on, 73 ;
value of, 92 ; habit in young men,
161 ; cheap books and, 185
Reading Rooms, Evening : report
on, 136 ; proposed opening in
schools, 136; school reading
rooms first opened, 137; closing
of two, 138 ; proposed rooms in
locality of Docks, 194
Reay, Thomas, 201
Reference Library, new building
offered by Mr. Brown, 54 ;
collection of music in, 53 ; need
for extension, 112-121; Sir James
Picton's desire for a great, 137 ;
congested state of, 151 ; publica-
tion of special handlists of books
in, 152
Reid, Rev. John, 201
Rendall, Principal, 145, 160;
speech at opening of Kensington
Library, 148
Ridyard, W., 199
Roberts, T., 174
Robertson, John, portrait of Sir
James Picton, 89
Rogers, J. E. A., 175
Roscoe, William, his library, 3 ;
address at opening Royal In-
stitution, 14
Roscoe Club, Dr. Hume's speech at, 2
Roulston, R. W., appointed librarian
to Branch libraries, 49 ; successful
work of, 52
Royal Institution projected, 13 ;
report on proposed transfer to
Corporation, 14-20 ; schools not
to be transferred, 19 ; transfer
of Property Bill, 21, 22 ;
proposed amalgamation with
Library and Museum, 29, 30, 34 ;
schools and land, proposed
purchase by Corporation, 30 ;
modified transfer proposals, 35-
37 ; finally rejected by Town
Council, 37
Roy den, T. B., 115, 124; speech at
opening of Picton Reading
Room, 125
Rushton, Edward, 201
Russell, Sir E. R., 115, 124, 174
St. George's Hall, banquets to Sir
William Brown, 62, 89, 102
Salford Public Library established, 9
Salt, Charles F., 201
Salt Chamber of Commerce, 77
Salusbury, Sir John P., 201
Salvidge, A. T., 160
Samuelson, Edward, 115, 118, 121,
124, 125 ; address at opening
Picton Reading Room, 127;
elected Chairman of Committee,
143 ; speech at opening of
Kensington Library, 145
Samuelson, Dr. N., lectures by, 108
Sandbach, H. R., 201
Sansom, Thomas, 200
School of Science, 107
Schoolrooms and evening reading
rooms, 136-138
Science teaching and the free
lectures, 107
Scientific books in Libraries, 123
Scragg, Richard, 201
Sefton Park Branch Library opened,
168
Sephton, Rev. John, 174
Shand, Francis (Mayor), 59
Shaw's Brow: appropriation of
street by Corporation, 55 ;
selected for site of Brown
Library, 55, 99; change of name,
102 ; its early character, 116
Shelmerdine, T. (City Surveyor),
144, 146, 149, 155, 171, 173
Sherlock, Cornelius, 114 ; at opening
of Picton Reading Room, 125,
127
Shipley, Joseph, donation from,
96-97
Shipowners' Association, 77
Shrewsbury and Talbot, Earl of,
57. 62
Shuttleworth, Sir J. P. Kay, 58
Shuttleworth, William, 59
Sing, Joshua, 175
Smith, Egerton, 43
Smith, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Harry, 57, 62
Smith-Brodrick, G. B., 174
Smythe, Col., 98
Snape, T., M.P., 155
South Library, first opened in Cor-
poration Schools, 48 ; removed to
Hardy Street, 49 ; again removed
to Upper Parliament Street, 51 ;
superseded by Toxteth Library,
172, 182
Index.
211
Stanley, Henry E., Lord, M.P. (see
Derby, i^th Earl of)
Stanley, Edward, Lord, M.P., 155,
156
Statistics of books issued, first year
in Duke Street, 46; of old and
new buildings compared, 104 ;
of lecture attendances, 111; in-
crease caused by publication of
special catalogues, 152; of books
lent from branch libraries, 185 ;
Central Lending Library, 154 ;
Everton Branch Library, first
year, 168 ; Kensington Branch
Library, first year, 149; North
Library, 163 ; Toxteth Library,
191-192
Steamship Owners' Association, 77
Stephenson, George, 73
Stewart, Rev. A. (Rector of Liver-
pool), 115
Stewart, John, 38, 201
Stewart, W. J., 137
Stitt, J. C., 175
Stolterfoht, J. N., 160, 173, 174 ;
speech at opening Toxteth
Library, 189
Stubbs, C. W. (Dean of Ely), 174 ;
speech at opening Toxteth
Library, 188
Students, provision of room for, 103 ;
growth of demands by, 113; and
the Picton Reading Room, 132
Sumner, Henry, 129
Tate, Sir Henry, 124
Taylor, Austin, M.P., 155, 160;
speech at foundation stone laying
Everton Branch Library, 158;
speech at opening Everton
Branch Library, 166 ; tribute
to, 166
Technical books in the libraries,
122; augmentation of stock, 152
Technical instruction, progress of,
156; classes in Everton Library,
156, 161, 162 ; Lord Derby on
the new school at Everton, 164
Technical School buildings, 151
Theological books read, 47
Thorn, Rev. David, 201
Thorn, Rev. J. H., 201
Thompson, H. Yates, 174
Thompson, Lieut-Col. P. (Mayor),
"5
Thomson, Dr. David P., 201
Thomson, George, 201
Thornely, Thomas, M.P., speech at
opening, Duke Street, 43
Thornely, William, 201
Tinne, John A., 201
Tobin, James A., 20, 58
Torr, John, M.P., speeches at laying
foundation stone, Picton Read-
ing Room, 118, 119
Town Hall, soiree in (T. D. Ander-
son, Mayor), 98
Townsend, Jackson, 201
Toxteth Branch Library, first
mention of new building, 156;
view of exterior, 172; opening
by Andrew Carnegie, 172-190;
statistics, 191-2; view of interior,
192
Toxteth Park, 168; deputation from,
for branch reading rooms, 135
Turner, Charles, M.P., 38, 98
Turner, Rev. Dawson, 201
Turner, Isaac, 145
Turton, F. T., 175
Twist, Rev. J. W., 65
Underwriters' Association, 77
Union Newsroom, Duke Street, pro-
posed for library building, 31 ;
opening of free library in, 33 ;
view of, 33 ; work in, compared
with later results, 123; library
in, 183
University College, 109, no; classes
and lectures, in
Ventilation of Brown Reading
Room, 134; improvements in
Brown Library, 170
Volunteer gunnery drill room in
museum, 81
Wagstaff, Thomas, 201 ; appointed
on Special Committee, 12;
on new Library Committee, 23
Walker, Sir A. B., 115, 121, 124,
125, 140, 145'
Walker, J. N., 201
Walker Art Gallery, 114, 116, 122;
need for extension, 129; extension
by Sir A. B. Walker, 140 ; pro-
posed further extension, 151
Walmsley, G. G., 124
Walton Branch Library opened, 168
Warehousekeepers' Association, 77
Warr, A. F., M.P., 160, 174
Warrington Public Library estab-
lished, 9
Watson, Rev. John, D.D., 174
Watt, James, 74
Watts, W. H., 155; lays foundation
stone of Everton Library, 157
212
Index.
Wavertree Branch Library, com-
pletion of, 168, 194
Weightman, J. H. E. W., 200
Weightman, John, 57, 59, 98 , com-
plimented for his architectural
skill, 82
West Derby Branch Library pro-
posed, 168; gift by Mr. Carnegie,
193
West Derby Road : proposed branch
library in, 136; site abandoned,
144
West India Association, 77
Westminster, first public library in
London, 61
Whitty, James, 115
Whitty, M. J., 38
William Brown Street, view of, in
1903, frontispiece; removal of
high level plateau, 56, 57 ; view
of, with Brown Library and
Museum, 90; its name changed
from Shaw's Brow, 102 ; view of,
with Picton Reading Room, 122
Williams, T. H., 160
Willink, W. E., 155; and technical
instruction, 156
Willox, Sir John A., M.P., 155, 160
Wine and Spirit Association, 77
Women's Reading Rooms, Sir W.
Forwood on, 182
Woodruff, John, 201 ; appointed on
Special Committee, 12; on new
Library Committee, 23
Working Classes: importance of
library to, 65 ; address and
presentation to William Brown,
71 ; attendance of, in Duke Street,
78 ; advantages of facilities for
instruction, 94; appreciation of
free lectures, 109; education of,
146
Wright, Peter, 201
Yates, John, 124
Yates, Joseph B., 199, 201
Yates, Richard V., 201
Yates, The Misses, 199
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THE LIBRARY
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