£8,000 on salaries. In thirty-five Lord Provosts, four of whom were twice in office, and one thrice, the library has had as many presidents. There have been five vice-presidents, four secretaries, and three treasurers. About 450 different gentlemen have acted as directors, and the office of librarian has now its twelfth occupant. Of the dozen, five were clergymen, two were booksellers, one was a shoemaker, one an ironmonger, one a bookbinder, one of occupation unknown, and one a librarian. They held office as follows:

1791-1795.

1795-1796.

Rev. William Taylor,
William Meikleham,

1796-1808. Rev. James Pate,

1808-1812.
1812-1815. Rev. John Cumming,
1815-1832. Rev. Matthew Muir,

Rev. Alexander Gray,

1832-1833. John Wylie,

1833-1848. John Struthers,

Years.

4

1

12

4

3

17

1

15

3

10

20

In the career of Stirling's Library there are, without doubt, many disappointing features, but also some creditable and pleasing ones. Many of Glasgow's ablest citizens have spent much time and labour, and some of them money, to further its best interests.

When Walter Stirling died, and for many a long day after, very old-fashioned notions prevailed in library administration. These were not the days of library associations, and every custodian dealt with his charge according to his own fancy and personal convenience. The library was established, the books were there, the terms were made public, and the institution was then left to live or die as accident or a capricious public might determine. Stirling's

library did not die, but it may truthfully be said to have slept very soundly. Managers can do much to make a library successful, but their efforts require to be backed up by an energetic librarian. A library-especially one dependent on the patronage of the public for part of its living-must be kept in the front. Its presence in the community must be proclaimed as loudly and as often as opportunity offers. Every facility must be given to render access to the library easy. From the circumstances and nature of the appointments, there is every reason to believe that, with the exception of Mr. Pate and Mr. Auld, every librarian from the first to the tenth looked upon their situation as a quiet resting-place where they might spend their declining years or prepare sermons for prospective flocks. No wonder, then, that the library never occupied the place due to it among the educational institutions of the city.

What the future has in store for the library we know not, but there is strong ground for hoping that it may become the centre of a more powerful organization than it has ever been, or indeed than its founder perhaps ever expected for it. In its new position its operations might reasonably be wide enough to accomplish as much work in ten years as stand to its credit for the last ninety-five. Whatever may be its part in the library system of the city, its individuality should be preserved; it should not be turned into a collection of cheap editions suitable for lending out, but maintained as a reference as well as a lending library. The injunction of the founder should ring in the ears of its guardians that his public library is to exist for ever, and that no power or right with which he invested them by his will and deposition is to be relinquished.

CHAPTER VI.

THE MITCHELL LIBRARY.

The Founder-Terms of the Bequest-Constitution of the Library-First Library Committee Leading Principles followed in the Formation and Management of the Library-Purchase of the Library of Professor Innes, of Books from the Library of Professor Stevenson, and of Euing Duplicates in the Library of the University of Glasgow-Temporary Premises secured.

THE Mitchell Library had its origin in a trust disposition and settlement by the late Stephen Mitchell, tobacco manufacturer, formerly of Linlithgow, but for many years in St. Andrew's Square, Glasgow, where the firm still carry on business. By this deed, which bears date 5th January, 1866, with codicil dated 4th May, 1870, Mr. Mitchell bequeathed the residue of his estate to the city of Glasgow, to "form the nucleus of a fund for the establishment and endowment of a large public library in Glasgow, with all the modern accessories connected therewith," and he provided that the residue "should be allowed to accumulate until, by its own natural increase, or by contributions from others, the fund should amount to £70,000, or even a larger sum should that be considered necessary by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors for the time being, before the formation of the library is begun." The principal directions of Mr. Mitchell regarding the library will be found embodied in the constitution, a copy of which follows.

Mr. Mitchell, who had for some time been resident

at Moffat, died on 21st April, 1874. His agents intimated the bequest, with its probable amount, to the Town Council on 6th May, and the Council on 16th July accepted the trust. After consultation with Mr. Mitchell's adviser, Mr. Boyd, who was thoroughly acquainted with his wishes, the following constitution was drawn up. The Town Council approved it on 30th October, and on 20th November the approval of Mr. Mitchell's agents was also intimated :

-

CONSTITUTION OF THE MITCHELL LIBRARY, GLASGOW.

1. The residue of the Estate of the late Stephen Mitchell, with the interest and profits which may accrue thereon, shall hereafter be known and designated as "The Mitchell Library Fund." The said fund shall, with any contributions or additions thereto that may be made by others, and subject to the expenses of management, form the nucleus of a fund for acquiring and altering existing premises, or for erecting new buildings suitable for a large Public Library in Glasgow, and for establishing, endowing, and maintaining such a Library, with all the modern accessories connected therewith. The said Library shall hereafter be known and designated as "The Mitchell Library."

2. Books on all subjects not immoral shall be freely admitted to, and form part of, the Library, and no book shall be regarded as immoral which simply controverts present opinions on political or religious questions.

3. The administration of "The Mitchell Library Fund" and of "The Mitchell Library" shall, subject to the direction and review of the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors of the City of Glasgow, be entrusted to a Committee of their number, to be annually appointed by them, and the proceedings of the Committee, and of such SubCommittees as it may from time to time appoint, shall be reported to the Town Council in such way and manner and at such times as the Town Council may from time to time direct.

4. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors shall from time to time elect such officers as they may consider necessary for the management of "The Mitchell Library Fund" and of "The Mitchell Library," subject to such conditions as they may from time to time prescribe.

5. The Accounts of the Fund shall be annually balanced, audited, and submitted to the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, at such time and in such way and manner as the said Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors may from time to time prescribe.

6. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors shall have

power from time to time to add to, or incorporate with, "The Mitchell Library," such other libraries or collections of books, or collections of objects of vertu, or collections of objects of science and art, as in their opinion may add to the utility and value thereof, and they may designate the libraries or collections so to be added to, or incorporated with, the Mitchell Library, by such distinctive names as they think proper, provided always that, in the exercise of the power hereby conferred on them, they shall not contravene the essential conditions of Mr. Mitchell's Bequest.

7. The Mitchell Library shall be accessible to the public for purposes of reference and consultation, at such hours and subject to such conditions as the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council may from time to time prescribe; and for the accommodation of the persons who may wish so to use the Library, a Librarian and staff of Assistants shall be provided, who shall give out such books as may be applied for, and see that the same are duly returned uninjured. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council may also authorize any of the books in the Library to be lent out under such conditions as they may from time to time prescribe.

In pursuance of the testator's directions the Town. Council appointed the following gentlemen a committee to administer the fund and the library ::

The Lord Provost (James Bain), Knighted in 1877, left the Council