whose name is permanently fixed in literature as the original of "Doctor Hornbook" in Burns's satirical poem, "Death and Doctor Hornbook." Messrs. Blackie & Son, a further gift of publications of their firm, 20 volumes; Mr. Duncan Brown, large collection of programmes of meetings held in the City Hall, 1865 to 1882; Messrs. Bryce & Son, publications of the firm and other books, 30 volumes; ex-Lord Provost Clouston, Elwin's edition of the Works of Pope, 7 volumes; Yarrell's British Fishes, 2 volumes; Chabot and Twisleton on the Handwriting of Junius, and other works; Mr. A. Devlin, the rare first Irish Bible, by Bishop Bedell, 1685; the late Mr. W. N. Greig, about forty volumes, mostly philological, but including à Beckett's Comic Histories of England and of Rome, and other books not on language; the Secretary of State for India, and the Trustees of the British Museum, further donations similar to the former in character, but including different works; Commissioner Kerr, two unique works of the late Dr. John Strang, City Chamberlain of Glasgow, and other works; Dr. A. B. M'Grigor, 18 volumes; Mr. Isaac Pitman of Bath, 80 volumes; Professor Dr. Geo. Stephens of Copenhagen, three early chapbooks of Dugald Graham, bellman of Glasgow; Sir C. E. F. Stirling, Bart, the Stirlings of Craigbernard and Glorat. During 1884, the record of which brings our chronicle of the library to a close, the attendance of readers was again larger than in any previous year, the volumes issued reaching the very large number of 435,142. As the reduced issue in 1882 was reasonably attributed, to some extent at least, to the fairly good state of trade and of the labour market, so must the large increase of 1884 be regarded as partially produced by the depression and scarcity of employment which existed in some trades. The additions of the year did not include any specially extensive acquisitions, and the increase was some what less than in most years. It amounted to nearly four thousand volumes and pamphlets, and raised the number contained in the library to 55,496. In the preceding narrative the statistics of the progress of the library have been casually glanced at; but it was thought convenient to postpone to this place a more particular account. At the date of opening, 5th November, 1877, the number of volumes was 14,432. At the latest date available for this page, it had increased to 57,100. The table on next page shows the classification and the total at the end of each year. The numbers stated are what remained after deduction of duplicates withdrawn and exchanged, and books lost by theft or otherwise. It is proper to state that the losses by theft and destructive mutilation number only 55 out of an issue of more than two and a half millions, or one volume for each 45,500 books consulted by readers. It is, of course, only in accordance with the fitness of things that a considerable number of the thieves were detected and punished. With regard to the use made of the library by the public an equally encouraging result is to be stated. We state first the total issue of each year, and then some statistics of the classification of the aggregate issue. During the months of November and December, 1877, the volumes issued numbered 18,970; in 1878, 194,314; in 1879, 379,748; in 1880, 390,732; in 1881, 403,713; in 1882, 366,225; in 1883, 381,607; in 1884, 435,142. The whole number of volumes issued from the opening to the 31st December, 1884, was 2,570,451. Of these 240,960, or 9.37 per cent. of the whole, were of the class Theology, Philosophy, and Ecclesiastical History; 542,953, or 21.12 per cent., were in History, Biography, Voyages, and Travel; 74,888, or 2.91 per cent., in Law, Politics, Sociology, and Commerce; 519,606, or 20-22 per cent., in Arts, Sciences, and 475 9,134 10,006 Prose Fiction, Miscellaneous Literature, 4 16,156 23,072 28,070 33,107 40,096 45,025 51,582 55,496 15,088 20,363 23,856 27,818 33,145 37,265 41,309 43,957 13,736 19,538 23,075 26,150 28,480 31,206 34,348 36,996 2,420 3,534 4,995 6,957 11,616 13,819 17,234 18,500 Natural History; 187,134, or 7.28 per cent., Poetry and Drama; 69,859, or 2.72 per cent., Linguistics; 207,647, or 8.08 per cent., Prose Fiction; 727,404, or 28.30 per cent., Miscellaneous Literature. Taking what is known as light literature, namely Poetry, Fiction, and Miscellaneous, together, they show only 43.66 per cent. of the reading, and even this includes a large number of books classed as miscellaneous, such as encyclopædias, reviews, etc., which are consulted for purposes of study or information. The outcome of all these figures is to show that of the reading at the library a very large proportion is undertaken not merely as pastime or amusement, but with the definite object of acquiring knowledge and improving the education. The readers have been as various as the books they called for. The majority, as might have been expected, were of the working-classes; many of them were apparently clerks, or warehousemen; a good many students take advantage of the privileges offered; and there is a smaller number of professional and literary men. The attendance of ladies has been very small, only 15,325 volumes out of the 2,570,451 having been consulted by them. This is no doubt due to the fact that the committee have not yet been. able to make any better provision for their accommodation than the screening off of a single table. The history of the library during its as yet brief existence is, we believe, without precedent, whether regard be had to the number and value of the books acquired, or to the benefit derived from them by those in whose interest it was founded. Of course there are not a few libraries in the provinces which are much richer, especially in the costlier books; but these have been established for many more years. When the present position of the Mitchell Library is compared with that of other libraries at the same period in their history, it will be seen how exceptionally favourable it is. If in some respects, such as the failure to secure suitable housing, the record is discouraging, the managers have abundant ground for satisfaction in seeing that the two great essentials of library success-the acquirement of good books in large numbers and the free and appreciative use of them by the public-have been to so great a degree present. CHAPTER IX. Description of the Contents of the Library-Formation of the "Poets' Corner"--Purchase of the Jervise Collection of Scottish Poetry-Burns Collection--The Burns Centenary, unique Memorials--James Macfarlan-Gardyne Donation-Description of the “Corner"-Collection of Glasgow Literature-" Noctes Sma' Weftianae"-List of Periodical PublicationsThe Earliest West of Scotland Newspaper-Glasgow Courant-Glasgow Mercury. IN attempting to give a general idea of the contents of the library at this date, we will, after premising that the main endeavour has been to make it as thoroughly representative as possible, draw attention to the special collections which have been formed. The Poets' Corner" is the realization, so far, of one of the earliest suggestions made with regard to the library. It had come to the knowledge of some members of the committee and other friends that there had been formed in Birmingham a "Shakespeare Memorial Library" of a very comprehensive character, containing all obtainable editions of the works of that poet, together with all works published in criticism or in illustration of his writings or his life. The idea naturally arose that it would be a most appropriate thing to col |