The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-10-19 00:00:00

sounded the assembly'; Mr. Toole, the toast-master,
with stent6rian lungs,: then called, "Silence for Mr.
BroWn," and on that gentleman presenting himself he
was received with loud cheering, waving of handker-
chiefs, &c. Mr. Brown, in a low voice, audible only to
those in his immediate neighbourhood, then proceeded
to deliver au address, making formal presentntiOn of the
library; but the rain fell in such torrents that, before
he had concluded it became necessary to adjourn to the
inside of the banding, where the remaining portion of
the irtetetting proceedings connected with the occasion
took place, the audience being limited, but select
Mr. BROWN said—Mr. Mayor, my Lords, Ladies,Und
Gentlemen, when I look around and see the immense
assembly that have met to celebrate the opening of the
Free Library and Museum this day, it is a most gratify-
ing 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 pro:Tiding librariet for thernselVes;
Although it was not Contempated, by me when this
building was comraeneed,,that its usefulness could be
extended further thatt 'the Library and Museum, fortu-
nately it is not tow limited to these objects alone. The
learned societies of this town,—viz.; the Chemists' Asso-
ciation, 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, mid
discoverieS iu the arts and sciences, or ilhistrations
of antiquity, as may be deemed Worthy of
.pdblie hbtice
and useful for instruction. Poi tlie?ie
,purposes ample
accommodation hasbeenfentid by adding to the bbilding
another large room With galleries. It is important to
have connected' with this institution gentlemen whose
associatiOns, judgment, 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, investigation, and study, they have
themselves acquired. Having the to-operation of those
gentlemen under the•-same roof with the library and
museum will add to the value and asefidness Of. these
establishments—not only to the p•egelt titkt tb future
generations. All gentlemen who visited the library
when in Duke-street innst have. been struck with
the large and 'Constant attendance that they found
there Of Our hard-workinc, 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; big-I look upon it as merely. the iinelmis much
larger premises that will, be required, to fririiih the ne-
cessary 'accommodation,' as the taste for reading is hap-
pily on the increase. ny..kat of Parliament we are able
to collect about V,,646 per annum for the support of the
Botanic Gardens and the Library and Museum. I
should rather say the. libraries, for there are two circu-
lating 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 55,000_ volumes, but proiiSion is made here for
120,000, and it is pleasing to observe that the -class of
books that are called for, is becoming of a higher
standard,' and calculated to afford instrnetiorti. 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, Oonsidering that 'this is
one of the largest shipping ports in the ivOrld, and
that We hate vessels trading to emery 'Olt of the
earth, there are great opportunities for adding to
the museum much , that is Valuable. Collections
made by masters ihf itssels, and other_ gentlemen,
are frequently. lest to the public for want of suitable
places of 'safety to keep and preserve them. This mu-
seum la:furnish the means required. Indeed, I look
forivard, 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 op-
portunity of impressing on all parties goiag_ abroad that
their aid in making collections will be highly appre*te4.
The town is, greatly indebted to Lord Derby foitthe Thrice-
and valuable collection of siihjeets,Of Aatiiral history
which he has presented to and it is a source of
great gratification to me that the museum is united with
the library under this 'tee I should also mention that
a very man' ittoi.opriation has been made, for the
present at least, of a part of the basement storey, which
conld 'net 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 et •
two companies of Artillery Volunteers,' anA dgO for four
or five garrison guns, to teach the Men their drill. Those
cannons are dummies, at ihr that they never can be used
on the premises *ith gunpowder ; but they will instruct
the mee. to handle those weapons to defend this Library
and ether institutions of our country, should ever our soil
be desecrated by a foreign foe. By the library we will be
enlightened and informed how the various nations of the
earth are governed, and every man, who thinks at '6!1,1,
will be convinced that our Constitutional to\reirnment is
the best in the world, and that *hen danger looMs in
the distance it is out 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 ranch 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 accommo-
dation that he is making available for other iniportant
objects that suggested themselves as the beSktng 'ad-
vanced. I naturally feel mach int'e'rested that every-
thing connected with it sheald, as far as possible, be
turned to the best account, and in this he cordially
co-operates. should be wanting in what is due to
Mr. Weightman and to 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 judg-
ment. 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, MIA
have now the satisfaction of proclaiming that the library
and the museum 'are open- to my fellow-tovinsthen and
others, be their religion of their polities What they may.
This is neutral ground. To see this building consecrated
to public good is Most gratifying to me, and consum-
mates my Utmost wishes and desires. To you, Mr.
Mayor, I now deliver it over, for the 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. (Mr. Brown
concluded amid loud cheering.)
Theguns placed on , the site of the New Islington
_ _- -

Market then fired a-salute.
The Miion, in- reply to Mr. Brown; said he omila
assure him that he considered it one of the highest
honours which had devOlved upon him in his mayoralty
to take so wominenta pact in the proceedings of that
day, in opening the noble building which they had jrist
had presented to the town .for the purposes of a Free
Library; yet he could with sincerity say that he witthea
it had fallen upon a gentleman of more
.ability. to have
represented the town on that most gratifying and interest-
ing occasion.. He could have Wished that the pleasing
duty of acknowledging on behalf of the town Mr. Brown's
noble gift had been entrusted to other hands, for he
confessed lie felt his 'entire inability to do justice. He
hoped, however, they would not allow the feebleness of
the manner in which he discharged his duty to Weaken.
in their estimation 'those 'deep emotions of gtatitade
which he could assure Mr. Brown animated the whole
community. (Applause.) Bre knew well that he re-
quired no thanks at their bands, for he had what was of
at -better . Value, the, happy. consciousness in his own
mind of whit he had accomplished. Still they had
a duty to perform;; and this town_ would be uirrate-
fal if it did not offer and ask him 'to accept
beit grateful thanks for a gift which, ie. poin't 'of
munificence, was unparalleled in ,the histety of the town.
(Applause.) He could dwell. with delight upon the
etails connected with the history of that noble institu-
tion ; yet, as they
.weto so well deicribed on he auspi-
cious occasion of laying' the foundation. stone, he was
sure those present would be more glad to bear the elo-
quence of some of the illustrious strangers present, and
he Should -not detain them with many more remarks;
but he • must congratulate -Mr. Brown upon the happy
completion of the noble institution which had occitpied
so much, of his time and 'attentiondaring the last
few years, and to express a fervent hope, which thate h wae
s
sure was shared by every inhabitant of the town,
might be long spared to see the fruit of his labour, and
its effect upon the rising generation. (Applause). He
hail now, on behalf of the aldermen and burgesses, to
accept his princely gift, and begged to tender him, as
their official 'representative, the grateful thanks of the
people of Liverpool. (Applause). He had still one
one pleasing duty to perform, and that was to ask, on behalf
,of the town, Mr. Brown's acceptanet'of a gold medal,
whieb, had on one side a portrait of himself, and on the
other a•view of the beautiful building in the portico of
which they stood, which they hoped that his children's
children after him would regard as a permanent memento
of that day's proceedings. (Loud applause.)
Three cheers were given for the Mayor.
Mr. Bitowx briefly returned thanks; and the Mayor
then called upon •
Lord BROUGHAM, who said—Mr. Mayor 'I can only
say, in the View of faets '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 Ito Liverpool, but to the
world. (Loud. applause.) •
The MAYOR then called upon the 'Bishop to say a
few 'words.
The Bight Rev. •Pant.vro said he was not prepared
to make a speech ;. but for Mr: Brown's munificent gift
to the town he could assure ,them that his heart had
been lifted up in.
,prayer that that building might have
God's blessing upon it; and that it might fulfil every
object of social improvement for which it was designed.
(Applause.) He hoped that whatever books the work-
ing men of Liverpool, or any other class,- might take
from, that library and read would, through God's blessing,
have the effect of enlightening their minds to knowledge,
and fostering in all their hearts sentiments of justice
and of humanity, and of loyalty and of patriotism, and
pf liberty and of obedience—(loud cheers)—and that in
that way this would be a centre of blessing to Liverpool
for generations to come. (Applause.)' The only other
thing which he would try to say was that be joined
with them.all in wishing Mr. Brown many, many happy
years to enjoy that respect which was His
voicepaid ftaoilhedimhimby,
the people of,Liverpool that day;
but if ever there was an occasioii when ho should have
wished it perfect it was the present. (Loud npplause.)
The Rev. Pr..Raffies was loudly called for, but
The MAYOR said he was sure most of them were
aware that they had the pleasure of having in Liverpool
the brother. of the donor of that beautiful building ; and
he was sure that they would be very much gratified if
he would be good enough to say a few words.
31r. JAMBS BROWN, of the united States, who was
received with cheers, expressed his , delight at seeing
the homage paid to his brother, and hoped that the
building, which had that day been opened would prove
a great blessing to the working classes of this town and
all who used it.
Lord BROUGHAM said-111r:' Mayer and Gentlemen,
do not let us part from hence without doing justice to
another party,lcannideaant: the people of Liverpool, for
their admirable
(Loud applause.) •It ise autpeon the present occasion.
to your good of
theimony; in the first ,
it own ; in the next place,
to the, police of thotoWn •
government
but
an honour .to :the people themselves
ssall)ove all a testimony,
persons of all ranks 'and of all
ages'
(es that 400,
gathered
together, and without one sin 1 have been
__
g e,—not merely breach of
the peace, but without one single word,
sign of. digeontent, or ill-humour. or motion, or
(Loud applause.) I
have seep many multitudes,—T. won't call theml-
-
I have seen many multitudes ,
my' time ; but such
a
sight of Order, and propriety • and goo dfeeling, and