The Express.
London, England, 1858-11-08 00:00:00

PORT-OPPICI LIBRARY AND LITERADY

AS6OCIAZION.

Not to be behindhand in the " march of improve-
ment," and emulous of their brethren at the Bank, Admi-
ralty, and other government institutions, the employe,' at the
General Post-offiee a short time Ince conceived the idea of
forming for themselves a library and reeding-room similar
to those possessed by the former establishments, and on
Saturday a general meeting of upwards of 300 clerks and
officials we held in the Dead Letter Department, to establish
the same; Mr. TILLEY being unanimously called to the
chair. The project has received a large amount of support,
both from the public and those more immediately interested
in the scheme, which will comprise a library, reading and
lecture room do., for the nee of clerks and higher officers in
every department.e Donations to the amount of 2204 in
money, and 1,600 volumes of books have already been re-
ceived, and the proprietors of three morning papers have oleo
promised to supply a copy of their respective journals free.
The subecriptions will be 12e. per annum; life subscribers,
61. ; the election to be by ballot. In addition to their own
library, arrangements have been made with one of the large
circulating libraries for a constant supply of books.
The CEA I MIEN briefly explained the objects of the meet-
ing. The want of each an Institution as that which they
were now inaugurating bad long been felt in that vast wta-
blishment, on the importance of which he need not dwell.
He referred to the pleasures and benefits to be derived from
literature, referring to Charles Lamb, and the enjoyment he
found in his own letters, which were the means of relieving
what would otherwise have been a monotonous life.

" Books," he remarked, " were our best frieuda, mi.Tfei;l
es ware too wise to turn our backs upon them."
Kr. Wm moved—" That this meeting approves of the
proposal to establish a Poet-office Library and Literary
Assoclotion, with the object indicated in the report from the
committee now submitted, and resolves that the proposed
asiodatfon be established."

Mr. IICSARD73ON alluded to the moral and intellectual
effect which such an institution would be likely to produce,
and medially seconded the resolution.
Mr. F. Htha, hod communicated with the Postmaster-
General on the subject, who bad promised to give the project
hie support. He (Mr. Hill) hoped at some future time such
an institution would be established for the benefit of the
letter carriers, and paired a high compliment upon them as
body for their auldnity and attention to business.
Mr. B. PAGE submitted the proposed rules to the meeting.
Several amendments were proposed, but, after some discus-
don_
_, they were adopted as they stood.
Mr. BCODARORI proposed a vote of thanks to the donors
and others who had assisted them. He read a letter from
the pirate secretary to the Prince Consort, in answer to a
communication taut, expressing his royal highneas sym-
pathy, end wishing to hear from them again when their
scheme had been further developed. Hs bad received a
donation of 61. from the Duke of Argyll; Lord &bury, 61. ;
Sir Moses Monteffors, 101.; Lord Oversteps, 101.; Yr. Gil-
bert, 10 &was ; Sir H. L. Salyer, 61.; Bid* of London,
3 guineas; Mr. C. Henn. 61" Ate. Contribudosa of books
had been sent by Mr. C. Mr. Smug Lover, Mr.
Freak Smedley, Mr. Bohn, Mies Martineau, Menem. Riving-
eon, Masers. Smith and Son, Strand (300 vols.), Messrs.
Virtue, Mr. Trollop, Mr. Capra, the `poet-postman" of
Bideford, and numerous others. Several eminent persona
had also promised them support, among whom were the
Postmaster-General, Cardinal Wiseman, &c. They had
been most liberally supported in the Post-office--Mr. Row-
land Hill, Mr. F. Hill, and Mr. Tilley had each given 101.,
besides becoming life ant-scribers. Contributions in money
and books had also been received from very many oaten,.
Mr. TROLLOPS thought there was very little doubt of
the success of the institution. Many of the works received
were very valuable, end were only to be found in race
libraries. He medially seconded Mr. Scudamore's propoeidon,
which wee carried by acclamation.
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, among
whom were Mess. Chetwyod, Jordan, Lewis, R. Smith,
Bolombeen, F. R. Judson, &c.; and a committee of manage-
ment and officers were chosen.
Mr. TAXIS, in s very humorous speech, • vote of
thanks to the chairman, upon whom he a high eulo-
glum for his martians in their behalf. He (Mr. Yates) hoped
the time would shortly come when the stigma that had been
cut upon them by some that, though " men of letters," they
weft illiterate, would be astireby removed.

THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.