The Express.
London, England, 1865-09-07 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE BIRMINGHAM FREE

LIBRARY.

(fon One OWE IMPOSTER.)
BIRMINGHAM, WEDNESDAY.
To-day at noon the Central Reference Free
Library, in connection with the free libraries established in
different parted' this borough under the peonsioas of Yr.
Rwart's Act, was formally opened by the Mayor (Mr.
H. Wiggio), in the presence of • you Mennonite
empany, composed of many gentleman now on • via to
this town is conneetioe with the British Amociation.
At ten o'clock the Mayor entertained about two hundred
and fifty gentleman et bnakfast at the Royal HoteL
Amongst the guests of his Worship were Lord Lyttelton,
Lord Stanley, M.P., Professor Fairbairn, hr.
Alter breakfast the company marched in procession to
the Library Building, in llatoliff.plaos. The fornud osro
many cf opening took place in the &pertinent called
" The Lending Library ;" os sue aide of this shelves beet
been plated, on whieb are arranged about 19,000 volume'
selected by the Free Libraries Committee of the Corpora.
tion.
A prayer was offered by the Lord Bishop of Worcester ;
this was followed by • few observances of • preliminary
character from the Mayor, alter which he celled upon
Lord Stanley, M.P., to address the mosinbly.
Lord eranter, who was received with continuous ap-
plause, said in theme:se of his speech—At the present time
very few of these fres libraries exisß Thereseems to be may
practice. difficulties in the way of their establishment, bakes
the Iwo' has properly reminded va, so Monistic's of this
kind is sot for the exclusive benefit of the *midair elana. or
of any class, but for all climes impartially. (Applause.)
I say without fear of oonteadieticie that • free reading
library, and, what Is of more importance, a free lending
library, are eoevenieeess for which • real deemed toxins,
sod which, ones thoroughly sat a-fost, will sorer be gime
op for mat for support. (Hear, bear.) There wee pro-
bably sever • larger amber of educated mums of compa-
ratively small means than at present, and the gain to general
enjoyment by those free libraries is not insignificant;
aid when I say general sojoyment. I may say general mo-
rality also ; for allot you understand bow much immora-
lity arises from being sogaged in monotonous employmect
without reasonable relaxation. Real ad earnest students
are not very many, materially speaking, in any rank of
life ; still, of snob students you will have some, and it is
hard to say how much labour will be spared to those men
by giving them access easily and at once to such books as
they require. So. again, there is another class, a rather
more numerous class-I mean inventors, or would-be M-
onitors.
petents, By Wise always able to refer to works on
they may be saved from that fate
which to my knowledge has not tinfrequeutly
befallen men of genius that of inventing things which
had been invented before. They would then not suffer
from the disappointment of finding that their inventions
were perfectly familiar 'heady. But these classes are
numerically small eorupared to the total population; and
the real question is does this building give a fair return to
the burgesses for the money and labour expended on it.
I am confident that it does fully, and the best proof that
I can give is that, looking into the report of 1864, I find
it stated that of all similar libraries up to that time, that
of Birmingham had citealated the largest number of
volumes. 330,000 volumes represented the circulation
of one year ; that is really a thousand • day.
I understand from what the mayor stated just
DOW that that number has been coosiderably increased
during the current year, and 1 venture to say that
enjoys circulasuch sspr ot tion reesents an amount of useful and
loinhrmless
ent would n probably be attain soy
other way by the expenditure of a similar sum of money.
(Hear, hear) Now I have only one word or two more to
eay. I hope your lauding library will be extended and ear.
ried on on a great male. I have greater faith in the prup
tint utility of this tbao almost any other scheme. There
an many who, for various reasons, are not likely tofrequent
I a reading-room of this kind ; some think their clothes are
sot good enough ; some hve too far off ; others do not
lois to come into • crowded hall. I do not know
what led to these reasons, but still they will operate on •
certain number of people. Then again, however largely
used, its space in limited, whereas there is no limitation to
the circulation of books when those books.» given out to
them to be read at home. Ido not know whether it is pos.
Bible, but I think it would be very desirable that works
shou.d be lent, not merely to individuals, but to such clubs
' and associations as are willing to nee them—security of
I course being given for their proper treatment. (Applause.)
lam now coming to the last word. I don't think we oneht
to be annoyed or disappointed if it turas ontbere,as 'thesis
other pima, that the largest demand is a demand for works
of fiction. (Applause.) Of course one would tenet it it
the demand) were confined exclusively to such works,
and of coarse everybody sympathises in the wish of the
Mayor that you may have in one of the rooms • really va-
luable collection of standard works, such as may not be
unworthy of one of the greatest English towns. But if it
should turn out that the most popular works for general
circulation are works of fiction, I do not thick that is any
reason for disappoiatment I never understood why it is so
very much theprainice of educated men, who themselves enjoy
a good novel as much as anybody, todisparige its popularity.
I never understood that as • rule men of the educated class,
after a had day's work, were mach in the habit of pursuing
some difficult historical question or abstruse mathematic:el
problem. (Laughter and applause.) There are some whom
love of knowledge and science is tetanuea ad encore—mid
them should be provided for by all means—but do not
be ashamed, do not suppose you are descending too much
to the weaknessof humanity by providing for those who
look for an Moment nod not wholly useless enjoyment.
(Applause.) Of all kinds of literature, I take it that works
of fiction are those among which the greatest and most
marked improvement has taken place, and in their way
they may be as useful as works of a higher character, Well,
then, do not let us grudge amusement lathers who go there
solely for that purpose ; let us be satisfied if it is bandana,
sod harmless in 99'J oases out of • thousand we may be as-
sured it will be. Life to many is a somewhat tame and doll
affair, and, with our English climate end character, we are
all the better for every little bit of sunshine, moral or ma-
terial, that we can get. (Applause.) I have now said all
that I have to say, and it only remains for me to congratulate
you on this greet undertaking, to emigtatelate you on she
ample scoommodatioe and noble ape of this build-
iog, and I bops the Birmingham roe Library may con-
tinue as successfully as it has begun. (Applause.)
The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev.
Dr. Miller, Mr. George Damon, sod other gentlemen, sad
the Mayor baring declared amidst hearty cheers the
" Cecina Referees°. Free Library open to the public of
Birmingham for ever," the proceedings terminated.

Mr. Stewart, chairman of the finance committee
of the Liverpool Corporation, stated yesterday that Im-
provements, arranged to be carried out In the town, would
cost 1,281,8271., the interest on which (with a einkiag
hied) would amount to 83,0001., to meet which an improve-
ment rate of la. in the posod would have to be laid. tinder
various acts of parliament, the corporation have power to
Wee 1,360,0001. for improvements, and to 1a a fete of
160. in the pound.