heads of History, Biography, Voyages, Travels, Arts and Sciences, Poetry, the Drama, Novels, and Miscellanies. In Arts and Sciences, the selections are judicious and ample, the Edinburgh and English Encyclopedias are among the number; in historical and biographical works, in Voyages and Travels, it is rich: the periodical publications are some of the best extant. Novel-reading the Library does not particularly encourage; the laws limit the purchase of this species of reading to at most one-tenth of the annual income; indeed, in the earlier ages of the institution it was totally excluded, but the limited introduction of it was afterwards deemed expedient: the works of this description are of the best class, and by the most esteemed authors. The yearly receipts are generally about seventy pounds, the whole of which is expended in books, except the charges for rent, Librarian's salary, and incidentals, which amount to about one-third of its annual income. The value of the Library may be estimated at about four hundred and fifty pounds.

"When is is considered that at the very low rate of three shillings, a Subscriber actually becomes a joint proprietor in a Society of this value, and that the selections in every class of reading are the most choice of ancient and modern literature, it must be admitted that the advantages thus offered are great indeed; the number of Subscribers must necessarily be fluctuating; but it is presumed that when the Society shall become better known, many who are at present ignorant of its constitution and merits, will hasten to participate in the benefits to be derived, and obtain, at a very cheap rate, high mental gratification. The welfare of the Society demands from its friends their most strenuous

exertions, as there is most ample room for the accommodation of double the present number of Subscribers, without any additional increase in its expenditure. At present its expenses are heavy compared with its receipts, which limits the introduction of new publications, and excludes many which it would be desirable to possess. The Subscribers and Friends are therefore earnestly, yet respectfully, solicited to give publicity to an institution so well calculated to confer lasting benefits upon themselves and society. "August 1st, 1825."

Birmingham has long enjoyed the advantage of Public Libraries, one of which was established in 1779, and another in 1796. The former is very extensive, and the laws by which it is regulated were greatly improved by Dr. Priestley, who was for several years one of its managing committee, from which he was afterwards excluded by the paltry intrigues of some narrow-minded men who never contributed one iota to the mental improvement of the town or the literature and science of their country, and who could tolerate no difference of sentiment if it affected their own exclusive interests and importance.* The disgust produced by this mean spirit and conduct, induced some respectable and liberal-minded individuals to attempt the establishment of the latter institution; and it has been well supported, and contains a

* See Dr. Priestley's Appeal on the Birmingham Riots, 1791; and Dr. Parr's Sequel to a Printed Paper, &c.

b

most valuable collection of books. From the terms of admission being moderate, and the taste for reading in the town being pretty general, the number of subscribers to support both libraries is large.

About twenty-five years ago, Mr. George Barker (an eminent solicitor), in conjunction with a few of his scientific friends, commenced an association for the purposes of science. This is called The Philosophical Institution,* and it now possesses very extensive apparatus for experiments, as well as a valuable library, consisting chiefly of publications, in different languages, relating to the objects of their pursuits. For a considerable part of the year, a lecture on some scientific or useful subject is delivered, once a week, by one of its members; but others are admitted to the lectures upon the payment of a moderate subscription; and as their lecture-room is both large and commodious, the attendance is

*For several years the secretary to this society was Mr. Thomas Halliday, an artist who has executed some excellent medals of Henry Brougham, Esq., Dr. Priestley, and other eminent men. He is the author of an excellent little work entitled "Numerical Games," and was an associate with, and at one time a coadjutor of, those who were most active in diffusing knowledge among the artizans of Birmingham. He was also one of a small society called "The Club," where some of the plans formerly alluded to were discussed; and Mr. Luckcock was the senior member.

usually great. This society has also occasionally engaged other persons to deliver courses of lectures on various subjects, and among these may be named Dr. Thomson and Mr. Dalton on Chemistry, Sir James Smith on Botany, Mr. Thomas Campbell on Poetry, Dr. Crotch on Music, and Mr. Elmes on Architecture, &c. But previously to the establishment of this institution, the popular lecturers on subjects of science who visited the town were generally well attended. All these institutions are indications of enlightened views and increasing liberality of sentiment; the cordiality and unanimity displayed in their support, by all the different sects in the town, evince a community of courteous and friendly feeling; and to those who witnessed the temper and conduct of former days, how agreeably striking is the contrast, and how grateful the reflection! May party violence never again disturb this peaceful abode of science and the arts!

The merit and praise, however, of advancing the progress of improvement among the artizans of Birmingham principally belong to men whose days were devoted to business, and whose active employments left them but little leisure for other purposes; but a part even of that leisure was meritoriously appropriated to giving useful instruction to those who most wanted it. Such were the men who employed every laudable means by which knowledge could be diffused among the

industrious and enterprising inhabitants of Birmingham, and which have contributed so much to form their present general character; and though former events may have cast a shade upon its reputation, where is now the town in the British empire whose population is more conspicuous for sentiments and conduct accordant with the enlightened and liberal spirit of the age? And where are the working classes more generally remarkable for their intelligence and infor

mation?

From the preceding detail it will be evident that the origin of the several plans for giving useful information to the artizans of Birmingham, belongs to Mr. James Luckcock and a few of his associates in the town. Their labours in this great and good work have been unremitting for a very long period, and thousands can testify to their successful effects. They commenced many years before Dr. Birkbeck delivered his lectures to the mechanics at Glasgow, and of which the public did not hear till nearly twenty years after they were delivered. But as so much has recently been said and written about the origin and utility of Mechanics' Institutions, ought the great, but modest and disinterested, services of James Luckcock and Thomas Carpenter, and their associates, to pass unnoticed, when their exertions have been so remarkably meritorious?

There is not another individual existing to