volumes, the average weekly circulation of which is 148; and in connection with the institution is an excellent reading and news room, supplied with the London morning papers, and the principal provincial journals, with the leading magazines and serials. For some years back the institution has rented a building in Clegg street, but this was found inadequate to the requirements of the members, and with the view of raising a fund for the erection of a new building, an industrial exhibition was got up in the Working Man's Hall, and was opened with great eclat by the Right Hon. the Earl of Wilton, on Monday, the 17th July, 1854. The exhibition remained open for four months, being closed on the 18th November; and during that period, the number of visiters amounted to 93,926, exclusive of the holders of 1248 season tickets. In connection with the exhibition there was a bazaar of fancy articles supplied by a ladies' committee, which realised the sum of £623 12s. 3d. The total amount realised by the exhibition and bazaar was £3669, and the expenses incurred were £1469, leaving a balance for the building fund of £2200. A site having been selected for the new building at the corner of Clegg street and Union street, the plans submitted by Mr. N. G. Pennington, architect, were accepted by the committee, and on the 25th June, 1855, the foundation stone was laid by the president, Mr. James Platt, in presence of Lord Stanley and a distinguished circle of the friends of education in the district. After the ceremony was over, a banquet was held in the Town Hall, at which £ 1500 was subscribed for the building fund, which has since been increased to £1750, making a total of £3950. The building will cost between £5500 and £6000. It is to be surmounted. by an observatory, for which Mr. Platt, with his accustomed liberality, has furnished an excellent telescope, and the other arrangements are so complete that the institution will be one of the first of its class in this

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