desirous of participating in our scheme, to be good enough, in the first instance, to forward to the Librarian of the John Rylands Library a list of the works which they propose to present, so that the register be examined with the object of obviating a needless duplication. of gifts.

may

We have been compelled through considerations of space to hold over the record of contributions received since December last, but we shall furnish the particulars in our next issue.

LOUVAIN

TEE.

Since our appeal was issued, a committee has been formed, under the leadership of Viscount Bryce, as President of the INTERNABritish Academy, to co-operate with the Institut de TIONAL France in the formation of an International Committee COMMITwith the ultimate aim of the restoration of the University of Louvain and its library. Invitations were issued to the learned societies and principal libraries throughout the country to appoint delegates to assist in the realization of this aim, and Sir Alfred. Hopkinson, K.C., with the Librarian were appointed to represent this library. The inaugural meeting was held at Burlington House in December last, when steps were taken to form a small executive committee to consider ways and means. This executive committee has since been formed, with Lord Muir Mackenzie as Chairman, to work in connection with the French Committee, and is now considering the best way of organizing the movement effectively.

OF THE
COLLEC-

The efforts which have been employed throughout the year to develop the resources of the library along lines which GROWTH hitherto have been productive of such excellent results, and at the same time to reduce the number of lacunæ TIONS. upon its shelves, have again met with most gratifying success. In this respect the officials have to acknowledge the valuable assistance which they have received from readers, who in the course of their investigations have been able to call attention to the library's lack of very important authorities. In most cases these deficiencies have been promptly supplied, whilst in the case of works of rarity, which are not so readily procurable, steps have been taken to obtain them with the least possible delay. Suggestions of this nature, which tend to the improvement of the library, are not only welcomed, but they are invited, and receive prompt and sympathetic attention.

It may not be out of place again briefly to refer to the help and

SERVICE.

guidance which the officials are constantly called upon to render to readers and students, not only by personal attention in LIBRARY the library itself, but also in response to requests received through the post. Such service cannot be reduced to any reliable statistical statement, but they bear fruit in the grateful acknowledgments of indebtedness to the library, which constantly find expression in the footnotes and prefaces of published works.

Notwithstanding the absence of the six members of the staff who have joined His Majesty's Forces, the service of the library has been maintained at its regular level of efficiency, thanks to the loyal cooperation of the remaining members, who from various causes are ineligible for military service.

THE YEAR'S

The additions to the library by purchase and by gift since the presentation of the last report number 3060 volumes, of which 2670 were acquired by purchase, and 390 by

gift.

ACCES

SIONS.

The acquisitions by purchase contain fewer works of current publication than usual, by reason of the fact that there has been something like a pause in authorship since the war began, except in war books. Many prominent scholars have exchanged the peaceful pursuit of literature for the service of the King, and in several cases have already given the last pledge of loyalty to their country. We have therefore been able to pay greater attention to the acquisition of some of the older works, in which the library is still deficient.

The printed books include many rare and interesting items, amongst which are the following: The rare original editions of three of Sir William Alexander's works: "Doomes-day," 1614, "Paraenesis to the Prince," 1604, and "Aurora," 1604; Mexia's "The Forests or collection of Histories," 1571; Joshua Silvestre's "Lachrymae lachrymarum," 1613; Richard Brathwaite's "Whimsies," 1631; the earliest publication of King Edward Vlth's reign towards the reformation of ecclesiastical affairs: "Injunctions given by Injunctions given by . . . Edward VI. . . .' 1547; Henry Jacob's "Defence of the Churches of England," 1599 Increase Mather's Trials of New England Witches 1693; a collection of tracts and broadsides relating to the Popish Plot, 1679-1681; "Breviarium Carmelitanum," 1480; the original edition of Florio's translation of the "Essays of Montaigne," 1603; the original edition of John Harington's translation of "Orlando

66

Furioso" of Ariosto, 1591; John Florio's "Second Fruites . and Gardine of Recreation," 1591; also a large selection of important works upon the history of British India, made with the help of Professor Ramsay Muir; a collection of books on Eastern archæology, including an important group of works on the history of Ceylon, from the library of Professor Rhys Davids, etc.

The manuscripts include: "The original record of the Royal receipts and expenses in Ireland for the year of 20 James I," 1622, in 4 vols.; a collection of eighty volumes of records, of which the outstanding item is a volume of the fifteenth century "Cartulary of Fountains Abbey," which was lost sight of for a very long time, and was unknown to Dugdale, Dodsworth, and the later editors of the "Monasticon Anglicanum," the volume is in a perfect state of preservation, and retains its interesting fifteenth century stamped binding; the other volumes in the collection consist for the most part of seventeenth century transcripts of State Papers, but include some original documents, which may prove to be of considerable historical importance, including an "Ancient Rent Roll of Oswestry," "Book of Offices under the Crown," "Statutes of Savoy Hospital," etc. A collection of eighty Pali manuscripts on palm leaf, metallic lacquer, or paper, including a number of very rare and unpublished texts, together with a small group of unknown works from the Bali Island beyond Java, in Bali character, from the library of Professor Rhys Davids. A large collection of memoranda, reports, and letters relating to the East India Company, mostly covering the middle of the nineteenth century, with a quantity of material dealing with the earlier history of the Company. The collection seems to have been made by John Charles Mason (1796-1881) who held the office of Marine Secretary of the Indian Government, and was for many years employed at the East India House, upon confidential duties under the Committee of Secrecy. A number of "Court Rolls" of the time of Queen Elizabeth, and a 'Legal Commonplace Book" of a Preston solicitor, also of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

66

These are but a few of the works, taken almost at random, but they suffice to furnish some idea of the importance of the accessions which are constantly being obtained.

In the following list of donors, we have fresh proof of the sustained practical interest in the library, and we take this op- GIFTS TO portunity of renewing the thanks, already expressed in THE LIBRARY.

another form, for their generous gifts, at the same time assuring them that these expressions of interest and goodwill are a most welcome source of encouragement to the governors.

The Executors of the late Thomas Mrs. Watson.

J. H. Watson, Esq.

The Rev. Dr. W. T. Whitley.

O. U. Wihl, Esq.

G. A. Wood, Esq.

British and Foreign Bible Society.

Cairo. The Khedivial Library.

Cambridge. Magdalene College.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Chicago University Library.

Chicago. John Crerar Library.

Copenhagen. Det Store Kongelige Bibliothek.
Cornell University Library.

Durham University Library.
Groningen. Rijks-Universiteitbibliotheek.

Habana. Biblioteca Nacional.

Humanitarian League.

International Institute of Agriculture, U.S.A.
Jamaica. Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.
Japanese Government Railways.
London. British Museum.

London. Middle Temple Library.

Manchester Egyptian and Oriental Society.
Manchester Museum.

Manchester University Press.
Manchester. Victoria University.
Saint Andrews University Library.
South Australia Public Library.
Stubbs' Publishing Co.

Testimony Publishing Co.

Toronto. Provincial Museum.
Utrecht. Rijks Universiteitsbibliotheek.
Washington. Congressional Library.
Washington. Surgeon-General's Office Library.
Washington University Library, St. Louis, Mo.
Worcester, Mass. Clark University Library.
Yale University Library.

AND DE

Interest in the public lectures, which have come to be regarded a one of the established institutions of Manchester, has con- LECTURES tinued unabated throughout the year, in spite of the war. MONSTRAEight evening and two afternoon lectures have been TIONS. arranged, thanks to the help so ungrudgingly given, by such scholars as Dr. Rendel Harris, Principal Burrows, Professors Herford, Ramsay Muir, Richard Moulton, Peake, Tout, Elliot Smith, and Mr. Walter Poel. On each occasion the lecture-room has been well filled with a most appreciative audience.