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48 METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
borrowers, and at 8 cost to the pnblio not exceeding a penny
or twopence for 8 whole volume.
One point which it is worth while to notice about Free
Libraries is, that they are likely to be most permanent and
progressive institutions. I have pointed out in a former article
((‘ Contemporary Review,” Fob. 1880, vol. xxxyii., p. 181),
bow evanescent many kinds of social movements have proved
to be. But an important collection of books, once formed and
housed, is a solid nucleus, which attracts gifts and legacies, and
often grows altogether beyond the conception of the first
founders. It would be possible to mention many public
libraries whioh had small beginnings, and are already great.
With tho increase of education and general intelligence, libraries
will be far more esteemed institutions half a century hence
than they are now. It is difficult, to imagine, then, a wiser
and bcttsr way in which a rich man or a rich woman may
Rpend availablo wealth than in founding a Free Library in
some town which has hitherto feared the first cost of the
undertaking. Several Free ,Libraries have already been
established more or less at the cost of individuals. The
Liverpool Library was built at tho expense of the late Sir
William Brown, on a site given by tho Corporation. The
Paisley Library building was presented by Sir 1’. Coats. Mr.
David Chadwick gave a building and booka, all complete, to
~facclesfield. Mr. Bass built the Derby Library. The Wigan
Library building was erected by Mr. Thomas Taylor, while
Mr. Winnard presented d3Z,OOO for the purchase of books.
The site of tho Stoke-upon-Trent Library, together with a
handsome sum of money, was given by Mr. C. M. Campbell, a
local society presenting a library of books and a museum. At
Reading the adoption of the Act waa defeated seven years ago;
bnt Mr. William Palmer, of the great biscuit firm, proceeded
to open a library at his own expense, under the management
of a lady-librarian. Tbe library soon became so popular that
when the ratepayers again voted there was only a single dis-
.sentient. Hereford, Coven try, and several other places, owe
their libraries partly to benefactore, while in many cases
vslaable collections of books have been handed oyer to the