The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-10 00:00:00

1, ,--9
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4
' , t there will be no difficulty, for the 300/. which we in-
t to lay out, in obtaining from 1,500 to 2,000 works of
sound and valuable and standard instruction, and that, I
think, will be sufficient to begin with. (Hear.) But it
was announced in the notice which we put forth some time
ago, and announced I think wisely, that we were not pre-
, pared-to commence the undertaking—we were not prepared
to call for the sums which had then been promised —unless
we could obtain something in the nature of a guarantee
from those who were to benefit from the operations of this
institution that they would take it up, that they would
carry it on, and that they would :A least find the re-
quisite funds to cover the necessary expenses. For that
purpose we fixed upon,the sum of 401. yearly, to be made
up by annual subscriptions. lam happy to say that, from
the promises which we have already received, we may now
count upon at least that sum. (Loud cheers.) I cannot
give you at this moment the exact amount of the annual
subscriptions promised, but this I can state, positively and
confidently, that they more than cover the amount we re-
quired in the first instance=namely, 401. a year. (Cheers.)
I believe they will much more than cover it •, I believe,
from the premises we have already received, that our in-
come will exceed 501. a year—(cheers)—but at all events
we have accomplished two of the points at which we
arrived—we have received promises for 400/. as a capital
to begin with, and we have received a guarantee for sub-
scriptions producing more than 401. of annual income.
Now, as to the rate of subscription. Of course it is a
groat object with us, in fact it is the very purpose for which
we have set this undertaking on foot,--it is agrasibestletoall
object
with is to open the library as nearly as possible
who may be desirous of availing themselves of it. If it
had been in our power to make it entirely free, that would
have been to us a most satisfactory arrangement ; but we
could not make it entirely free—we could not make the ~1!
admission entirely gratuitous unless we had, in addition
to the funds required to cover the original expenditure,
sufficient funds to provide permanently for the annual out-
lay. Such a fund we have not obtained, and, therefore,
we shall be under the necessity of so far limiting the ope-
rations of the institution as to make a subscription, not
exceeding ss. a year if paid quarterly, or 4s. a year if paid in
advance, a necessary qualification for admission. (Hear.)
I think, knowing what the rate of wages is in this town—
knowing something of the general prosperity which pre-
vails here amongst the artisan class—l hope that the rate
of subscription which we have fixed will not be so high as
to exclude any one who may be desirous to avail himself of
the benefits of the institution. (Hear, hear.) We reckon
that 200 subscribers at 4s. yearly, taking the lowest sum,
and supposing, which we have no reason to suppose, that
gives us any assistance beyond his regular and ne-
e work-
ing
oonossosanye
subscriptions—at that, the lowest estimate, we
shouelxdp shavee so, botfacinouedrstehteh4oa t 1 i
sw a
e matter
require. . s
to
the
which
it
impos-
sible to calculate with any precision unless we have the
actual experience. There will, of course, be a curator—
a gentleman charged with the care of the books. Ten
Pounds a year will be required to cover his expenses
—I will not say sufficient to offer as a remuneration,
but as an acknowledgment of his trouble. The
building and repairing
re-
mainder, whatever it may be, will be applied to the
which may be destroyed from wear and tear ; and in adding,
we already possess. of the books; in replacing works
as I think we shall be able to do, new works to the stock
confess, for my own p(aCrlit,eeirst)w. uloltdf *ah
library should be in the nature is
intended
I
pbeleeansuarbeleitfo,
etoogmebthineer
awpitlhanthfoer leandreinarlitzt,
lending
giv e
given
library.nithateg, 1
.t h jea st
cheers.) lam glad to see you think reading room. .
so well of that pro-
ject, because I hope that we shall come to it at la
tinned cheers)—but whatever we do we must be last--(con-
tinned we
eLhouadd
we must not try to run before we can
wz.:sutihous ;
hear, and laughter)—we must recollect that institutions(ear°
of this kind have been taken up elsewhere with great
zeal and energy, but when the enthusiasm of the
moment has cooled away they have been left without
funds. Ido not anticipate that such will be the case
here ' • but we must take precautions against such a danger,
and therefore to guard for the present (and I hope
it will be only for the present) we have preferred the more
simple and the more economical plan of having a lending
library only. (Hear, and cheers.) Ido not know, gentle-
men, that it will be requisite that I should enter at any
length upon the details or arrangements which we propose
to establish. Much will have, of course, to be settled by
and by—much will have to be learned by actual practical
experience ; ,but, generally speaking, I may say that our
object is, while we Am anxious that our library should con-
tain a stock of works calculated to supply sound general
knowledge in almost every department of study, we are
especially anxious at the same time not to exclude works of
a somewhat lighter character—works of amusement, as well
a.i of instruction—works which are not, perhaps, so well cal-
culated to afford practical knowledge and instruction, but
which will, at all events, have the effect of inducing peOple
to read—or enabling those to find pleasure in reading who
found no pleasure in reading before, and substituting a
harmless and intellectual for those less intellectual, and
perhaps less harmless pleasures, which we all know are to
be found'elsewhere. (Hear, and cheers.) You are, perhaps,
aware that in many of the libraries which have been esta-
blished in the large toOns very careful returns have been
drawn out, showing what books are taken out and what
class of books are most valued and studied. From these
returns in Manchester I believe it has been found that a
very large proportion of the works taken out, and, there-
fore, we presume, studied, are works of a somewhat
grave and instructive character. In Liverpool, I saw it
stated in the last return published, that one half of the
works taken out were works of amusement only. Now, Ido
not think that is at all a bad sign. Of course it is very
right and very desirable that men should study, in order
to improve themselves ; but oven reading for the mere
purpose of amusement is a great pleasure—it is a very
harmless pleasure ; it is a pleasure which tends to improve-
ment—and it is a pleasure which we are now desirous of
putting within the reach of all classes of the inhabitants of
this town. {Hear, hear.) * Gentlemen, Ido not know that
I need detain you any longer. I have given you, I believe,
an ample explanation of the objects which we propose,
and of the means by which we intend to carry them out.
(Hear, hear.) Ido not know that there is anything more
I can add at this moment, but if any gentleman has
any question to put—if there is any further explanation
which I can afford on any point upon which I have not
touched, I shall have groat pleasure in doing so. (Cheers.)
The noble chairman concluded by calling upon
The Rev. L. W. Sampson, the Rev. J. S. R. Evans,
Mr. W. Pilkington, Mr. Ward, and other gentlemen, who
afterwards addressed the meeting. Among the subscrip-
tions announced were 1001. from the Earl of Derby, and
1001. from Lord Stanley ; SO/. from Sir T. B. Birch,
Bart. ; 501. from Richard Willis, Esq., and various smaller
sums.

previous witnesses. The effect of these dinners was to
obtain a fuller attendance at the committees, and he
was afraid the attendance would very much decline if
the dinners were abolished. He would do away with-
the special customs and privileges of the City, which
had outlived their utility, such as the metage dues, the
fellowship-porters' peculiar rights, cart tolls, and other
exactions. He thought the Lord Mayor ought to con-
tinue to be elected from the Court of Common Council
or the Court of Aldermen. As a means of securing that
he should possess the requisite knowledge and expe-
rience for the. proper discharge of his duties as presi-
dent of the municipality. The municipal and magiste-
rial functions of the alderman ought to be dissevered, or
in other words he would not allow the court of Alder-
men to continue to vote away any, part of the City funds
without being responsible to the constituent body. He
would, however, allow all aldermen who had passed' the
chair to remain as magistrates. The Court 0 001I1M011
Council should not consist of more than 100 members.
The principal salaried 'officers of the corporation were
men of high integrity and ability, and that circumstance
he regarded as a great secuetyy, to the public. When
the corporation was in conflict with the Government
on the subject of Smithfield-market
there was a very
lavish expenditure of the corporation funds. A body of
gentlemen, acting in the marketscommittee, subscribed '
their own funds for the purposes of the to the
y
Government, but the money they expended on
opposition
that
object must have been ten times the amount of their own
private subscriptions. The money went partly for cir-
culating large numbere of pamphlets gratuitously which
were written by doctors and medical men, who
had
thing else to do, and who descanted in their product' nne.
upon the sanitary blessings derived from the regular
assemblage of cattle in Smithfield. (A laugh.) The
accounts rendered of this expenditure gave no details of
the different items ; they are rendered in a vague and
loose manner, and it would have been quite useless for
him (Mr. Norris) to have moved for returns detailing
this expenditure, the feeling of the Court was so strong
against him on the subject of the removal of Smithfield.
Mr. Robert Robarts, fish factor, of 118, Lower
Thames-street, examined—The charge paid to the cor-
poration for a standing in the market at Billingsgate
used to amount to 30s. a year, before 1823. Since 1823
the charge has been raised to 9s. a week. He could not
tell what was the cause of the increase ; but gas has
been fitted up in the market. There is no complaint
about the present amount of rent charged in the market,
or of the regulations of the corporation, or of the con-
duct of the City officers. There may be one or two per-
sons in the market who are not satisfied, but there would
always be a few discontented people in any body.
Mr. Finlay, a liveryman, residing in Fenchurch-street,
next tendered evidence on the subject of the livery com-
panies ; but his statements did not appear to contain
any material facts coming within the scope of the inquiry.
The commission then adjourned (as we understood) till
Tuesday next.

LORD STANLEY AT PRESCOT.

A public meeting was held in the Town-hall, Prescot,
on Thursday, to take into consideration the means of
establishing a public library for the use of Prescot and the
neighbourhood. The announcement that Lord Stanley
was to take the chair drew together a numerous company,
the hall being completely filled. Shortly before twelve
o'clock Lord Stanley entered the hall, accompanied by the
Rev. L. W. Sanipson, the vicar of Prescot, and was re-
ceived with enthusiasm.

Lord STANLEY, on rising, was received with loud ap-
plause. , When the cheering had subsided, he spoke as
follows :—Ladies and Gentlemen—l am well aware that
there are. many present in this room to whom it is au
object not to be detained 'longer than is absolutely indis-
pensable for the business for which we are met. We aro
here assembled not . for any purpose of display, - but as
practical. men, met together to accomplish a practical
object. (Cheers.) • You are probably aware that through-
out this country, and,. indeed, I may say through.
out many other countries, there has been a very
general and a very influential movement in favour of
the •establishment of public libraries. I need not go
beyond the limits of our own country to explain
what I mean. In Manchester there has been established
a public library which numbers its volumes, not by thou-
sands, but by tens of thousands. (Hear, hoar.) In Sal-
ford, also, a similar institution has been established, and
which has met with equal success ; and in Liverpool a very
extensive public library has also been established--e(hear),
and, judging by the reports which I have seen, I believe it
has met there with great and deserved success. There is
scarcely any town—there is scarcely any town throughout
the manufacturing districts of England—there is scarcely
any large . town in any part of England in which some
institution of a similar character has not been este-
, Unshed. I have seen it computed somewhere, and I
believe the calculation is correct, or pretty nearly so,
that there aro now between 700 and sao mechanics' insti-
tutions Ihrotighout the various towns of England, all of
whiclihave libraries, larger or smaller, attached to them.
And this is not the case only in England. I saw it stated
the other day that in Franca there were 87 towns, in each
of which there existed a public library containing not less
than 10,000 volumes, and that there arc 192 towns in which,
collectively, the number of volumes contained in the pub-
lic libraries exceeds three millions. (Hear, hear.) In the
United States again—although there, from the population
not being gathered together in such dense masses as in
this country—although there, upon that account, greater
material difficulties present themselves, the movement
in favour of public libraries is already very widely
diffused, and I believe that they are now being este-,
blished in almost every large town of the Union. Now
gentlemen, the object for which we are met is to
show that we, the inhabitants of Prescot, aro not be-
hind hand with the rest of the world. (Cheers.) We have
here a large population—a population, I believe, ex-
ceeding 7,ooo—we have, I am happy to say, a population
a great part of which is remarkably well off ; we have
`no inconsiderable amount of wealth, and I will not
exactly say that it is a reproach to us that we have no
institution of the kind at present ; but I do say it
certainly would be a reproach if, whilst public libraries
are being established everywhere, we alone were to lag
behind—we alone were to remain unprovided with this
great means of educational instruction. (Hear, hear.) Now,
gentlemen, it would really be a waste of time to expatiate
to you upon the uses and advantages of such an in-
stitution as we propose to establish here. It is very diffi-
cult to say how large a library—it is really difficult to say
how extensive a collection of books must be provided for a
library which is intended to contain the means of provid-
ing elementary knowledge in all the branches of human
study—it is of course difficult to fix the limits of such an
institution ; but I suppose I may say—and I take the very
lowest •estimate—that you cannot have a really good library
of even elementary works on all the great departments of
study that shall not contain between 3,000 and 4,000
volumes. I take these numbers, of course, at random, for
it is impossible to fix a limit to it • but with a less num-
ber of books you cannot have a really valuable collection.
(Hear, hear.) Now, gentlemen, I hardly need say that
a
collection of that extent is one which very few persons have
the time or the means, even if they had the incltionation,tocollect ; and what our object, therefore, is
this question of public instruction the same Pis
rincipalePPiy which
has already been applied to many other matters--I mean
the principle of association. (Hear, hear.) It is only b
v
qombination in this manner—it is only by establishing
a library which shall not be the property of one in-
dividual, but the property of all of you, and accessible
to all—to all, that is to say' who desire it, and
who choose to qualify themselvesy'
thereto—it is onlyfor admission
by that
means that you can
bring together such a collection
of works as shall
satisfy the requirements of the student. (Hear, hear, and
cheers.) Now, gentlemen, I apprehend that there is no
difference of opinion among us with regard to the impor-
tance of this object, and theonly question we hay.° stet to
discuss is, how that object shal be cart ictaoact
o_l`, this
there is one remark which I am anxious tok_ n
head. I hold it to bo a matter necessity,that
in regard to any institution fthispairlYt-hen once fairly --
set on foot, it should forl the ectitture be self-suPPorting Private Charles Mills, a deserter from the 14th Regi-
(Hear, hear. 1
that no institution of
merit, in Limerick, was arrested on Monday. Mills bad
an educational characteyr
forayrely upon
well c"daeiniann. disposed of his military uniform.
accomplish the objects hich it eras established—e_e
se
of On Monday Captain Foster's company of the 62d
less, after the first outlay,xbpennefit it proceeded from Kilkenny to 11Firyborough, and Captain
establishment is defrayed, the people I,lef°orfvithe advantages Daubeney's company to Thurles, the former to relieve
after the originalh
has been established are so far sensible able to maintain it Captain -Kilvington s company, ,under Lieut. Cox, and
they derive ft om it as to be willing and
order that it
for themselves. And for that P1111)7
may be felt by every
stitution of this kind are the persons
with its maintenance,
success--in order
upon All
who take aufrie
desirable that it sh
f those flu, - the s bscri hers to an in-
mese that
the hands 0 'Hear, hear.
sary an object. t
this it one —Li; persons who are charged
and who •
are responsible for its .
all-important principle
to re
in the institution, I think it . .
II b placed as much as possible in ing in since, with 1,300/. in his
the latter to relieve the grenadiers, commanded by Cap
after serv-
tain Dickson, which' hAve returned thßilkenn,- ' .
James Donoghue, of Shan Holden who arrested
in Limerick about aiahnacidoonmrtehptearnny
po'sse"tiloien'Eaasndt wholtid
deserter from ai:, subscribe to so useful and neces- up as a
) I believe in a case like
si usably necessary to provide the first
is iurredidien the establishment ; but after that first ledEgTeldsightilmEsreelfwaeses,u
netcy in the Scots Gret
outlaY in"- tbe satisfied—l think we who promote the Brov,„e Esq.,
of
outlay
establishn
I-shall no . . . .
t of his institution have no
.right to be
unless its is found that the local aid, the local The returned
sferrovinice,
yhse, li
s 2 tthh
eßegimeut,
fromcili the 56th 'appointed
-- , -.-,,,,i d eviite, Ka ou,h
111 uvr
Ed' b h
satisfied—resources of this town of Prescot, are sufficient •e •
moans and .
to cover the working expenses o
and to prevent the necessity
to any other of the institution—(hear)— ' 72d has sent a recruiting*
Captain Studdert,
of any application for funds at Castlebar.
cheers) Now, togo a
quarters. (Loud
Second Cl '
ass Stall: Su
o :Malta.x
into detail, 1 will state again, for. the convenience of Class Stall' Surgeon French
those wo h may not have seen a printed paper recently Hospital, Phoenix P India,has been takn
Arid acknow-
Ici. a eor-
..
.N. eldest son of p, R. M.
6 •
party from Limerick to
16th, is d ‘,
or ered to join the depot
Surgeon Cooper, relieves Second
at the General Military
issued—l will state again briefly what is there set forth.
ordered .
.orde 1 t ark, the latter officer having been
We want a sum of no less than 400/. to establish this library .
in the first place. Of course, the fixing of that particular 4- young officer of the 17th was fined Si. in Dublin last
sum is to sonie degree arbitrary; but as it is indispensable week, for assault on the boxkeeper and assistant of the
not only to cover the first outlay, but also as a matter i Theatre Royal, Hawkins-street.
of common prudence to leave something over and above i Lieut. the Hon. L. A. Addington, 11. A., has been
by way of security for the future, we have fixed the sum I appointed to the Royal Horse Brigade, in the room of
of 4001., because we think that a really useful library Lieut. Tupper, promoted.
We repose
cannot very well be set on foot at an expenditure of less 1 The 82d, at Stirling, expect to move to Dublin in
than 3001., for all kinds of books. (Rem%) tier_ ,
at head -quarters, under
to expend 3001. at once on books, and to reserve aboutP - • 1 January, Five companies are
Perth,
as a security to cover the incidental expenses, ender' Major
r toadyeq ui r e
to
1 0,
Now, of that 4001. which we announced to be. der Captain Isaac.
10°1- 1 Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, three at.
(Rear.) 1 Robertson, and two at Dundee, under
and without which we stated that we were not
I have greatproceed with with the undertaking,
pleasure in
informing you that 3801, are alread -
cheers)—and,We have promises f '
y subscribed—(loud
of its, being required, from o assistance, in the event
persons who have, already sub-
scribed to a certain extent, but who
more largely, which will more than
are willing to subscribe
require. , (Renewed eheers.)- We make up the sum we
las far as the original outlay is ' may say, therefore, that
Obtained funds more than ffi. concerned we have already
cheers.) Now, I have au
sufficient to cover it. (Continued
been inquiring a little as to the re-
( turn we mayiexpect from
that outlay, and I understand

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

_
o
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 9.
The Medea, 6, paddle sloop, Commander Phillimore,
will leave about Tuesday next for Lisbon, conveying
despatches, letters, parcels, &c., to Rear-Admiral Corry's
squadron.
The remains of the late Vice-Admiral Dacres were re-
moved by Messrs. Turner, of this port, from the seat of
the deceased at Catisfield, this morning, to the Fareham
station of the South-Western Railway, whence they
were conveyed by express to Tetbury, Glocestershire,
for interment in the family vault to-morrow.
The Blenheim, 60, screw ship, Captain the Hon. F.
T. Pelham, has been dismasted and placed alongside her
hulk, the Hastings, where her officers and crew will be
berthed during her refit.

WOOLWICH, DEc. 9.
APPOINTMENTS.
Captain Lord Frederick H. Kerr (1852), to, the Water-
loo, 120, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Joceline
Percy, C. 13., at the Nore, vice Captain the Hon. Mon-
tagu Stopford, promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral.
Lieutenants.—George F. Burgess (1849), from the
Excellent gunnery-ship atPortsmouth, to the Edinburgh,
58, screw steam-ship at Devonport ; Lord George N.
Grosvenor (1852), recently serving as additional lieuten-
ant of the Leander, 50, in attendance on the Earl of
Ellesmere during his visit to New York, to the
Bos-
cawen, 70, fitting at Portsmouth to serve
, nas lag-shipthe North
to Rear-Admiral Fanshawe,
C.
Jeohn H. Cave
America. and West Indies s
(1850), from the Hogue, 60, screw ; steam guard-ship
at Cork, to the Princess Royal,, 90, screw steam ship at
Portsmouth • Charles R. Robson 9 (1851), borne on the
O
bthoeoks.soarsthadAdmiticornicaal lieutenantl
s
West
einwn dtsil Fei
aClut amt iboenr ,l a toed ' b7eon firs
Princess Royal.
852) from the Hogue, to the
Chaplain—The Rev. Charles T. Comber (1853) to the
Boscawen ; Willia,
th to the Boscawen, at Chat-
. Good (1853), from the Prince
mac
Maus_Alhert Doe Hut (1 , _.
Naval i I istructor—R. C.
'Saunders, (1853), to the Bos-
cawen.
Second
' re 101, screw steam , .
muter_Octavius F. Clernentson.sh(lipBs3t),ofi•tore
the St. Jean d'Ac , .
the Channel Islands.
Short, John Tracy, and P. P.
Dasher, paddle-wheel steam vessel, employed in surveying
Naval Cadets—John
Luxmore, to the Boscawen.

Tll E ARMY.

THE COASTING TRADE.—It is shown that in ten
months ended the sth ult. the number of vessels em-
ployed in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom,
entered inwards, was 112,235, and the tonnage
10,770,907 • while the number cleared outwards was
123,599, and. the tonnage 11,350,010.
EXPOIITATION OF SALT.—The value of salt exported
in ten months, between January and November,
amounted to 219,7211. In the like period of last yea
the amount was 194, 9421.