Mr. W. BLACK, of the Library of the Solicitors before the Supreme Court, then read a paper entitled "Notices of Some of the Eminent Librarians of Edinburgh;" giving an account of Thomas Ruddiman, David Hume, Dr. David Irving, Mr. Samuel Halkett and Mr. David Laing. The Chairman mentioned that Mr. Halkett's Dictionary of anonymous and pseudonymous works was continued by Mr. Laing, on whose death the work came to a stand; but it was now again in progress, and a proof was on the table.

The report on Cataloguing Rules was then read, and on the proposal of the SECRETARY, seconded by Mr. NICHOLSON, it was resolved to refer them to a committee to be nominated at the afternoon sitting.

Mr. C. WELCH gave notice of a motion for the next morning sitting, and the meeting adjourned at half-past twelve.

During the interval members visited the Royal College of Physicians in Queen Street.

Business was resumed at a quarter-past one, when a paper on the "Free Libraries of Scotland," by Mr. MASON, Assistant-Librarian, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, was read by the Secretary, in the absence of the writer.

Mr. J. MACLAUCHLAN, Librarian of the Free Library and Museum, Dundee, then read a paper on the subject: "How the Free Library System may be economically carried out in Counties;" and a discussion on both papers followed, in which practical suggestions were made as to the methods advocated in the papers and also as to founding small local libraries and perambulating libraries, such as exist in some parts of Wales.

Mr. LOMAX, Librarian of the Free Library and Museum, Brighton, next read a paper "On the Classification of History."

After the discussion of this paper, Professor DICKSON, of Glasgow University, gave an account of a subject catalogue of the University Library now in progress and exhibited the volume relating to bibliography. The Committee on Cataloguing Rules was then nominated and the meeting adjourned.

The members then proceeded to the Advocates' Library, where they were received by the Dean of Faculty and Mr. Blair, advocate, one of the curators. Mr. CLARK gave a short account of the history of the library. They next visited the Signet Library, where Mr. Cook, W. S., and Mr. Law, librarian, received them, and gave some particulars as to the formation of the library, which is especially rich in county histories. A visit was afterwards made to the New College Library, where, in the absence of Principal Rainy, the members were received by Professor Duns, who said that this was the youngest library they would be called upon to visit; it began in 1843, and now possessed between 30,000 and 40,000 volumes, comprising patristic theology, theological history, and systematic theology.

In the evening the members of the Association, with a number of the leading citizens, were entertained at dinner by the Local Committee, in the Waterloo Hotel, the number of guests being

about 110. Lord Provost Boyd occupied the chair; on his right were Mr. Mullins, Birmingham Free Library, Lord Carriehill, Mr. Small, Edinburgh University Library, Mr. Adam Black, publisher, Edinburgh, Mr. Harrison, treasurer of the Association, and Professor Mackay, Edinburgh University; on the left of the chairman were Principal Sir Alexander Grant, the Rev. Dr. Lees, the Rev. W. D. Macray, Mr. Skinner, town-clerk, Mr. Bullen of the British Museum, and Mr. Brodie, R.S.A. The croupiers were Mr. Blair, advocate, and Treasurer Harrison. After the usual loyal toasts had been duly honoured :

The CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of the evening-" The Library Association of the United Kingdom." He first gave the Association a cordial welcome to Edinburgh, and said that it had been well arranged that the Association should pay an early visit to this city, because it not only possessed valuable libraries, one of which was entitled to a copy of every book published in the United Kingdom, but it had a great literary history, and at the present time the printing and publishing trade it carried on was larger-London alone excepted-than in any other town in the kingdom. At the meetings of the Association which had already taken place, every point of library economy had received more or less attention, and there had also been a thorough ventilation of the question of printing the catalogue of the British Museum; which had resulted in an arrangement to print a catalogue of the English books in that enormous collection from the beginning of the art of printing down to the year 1640. Various schemes had been proposed for the publication of a general catalogue of English literature, which were still under consideration. Perhaps the most important object of the Association was the extension of the adoption and working of the Free Libraries Act; and the Metropolitan Free Libraries Committee had been actively engaged in promoting the adoption of the Act in London. Another, and not less important object was to create as high a professional standard among librarians as possible, and to initiate a thorough criticism of the best methods in branch of librarianship. He was sure that all wished conevery tinued prosperity to the Association, and that they would have much pleasure in drinking this toast.

The toast was enthusiastically responded to.

Mr. MULLINS, in reply to the toast, thanked the Lord Provost and the gentlemen of the Local Committee for the very hearty and generous reception the Association had received. One might have thought, and some of them had some fears, that, coming as they did after the meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the Church Congress, and the now imminent Social Science Congress, human endurance might be tried too much, and they might be voted one too many. But they felt they had a right to live and a work to do. They had a relation to the firstnamed association-they were scientific. There was science in producing from disorder and chaos method and beauty, and that was one of the special objects of the Library Association. There had

been hidden away in country-houses, cathedrals, and churches, libraries of valuable books; and already the action of the Associa tion they represented had resulted in awakening some of the sleepy custodians of these treasures, with the effect that they were brought to light and usefulness. It was not a slight matter that they had shaken off the cobwebs from the libraries not only of this country but of France and Germany.

Mr. HARRISON, London Library, then gave "The Literary Institutions and Libraries of Edinburgh."

Sir ALEX. GRANT, in reply, referring to the institutions of the city, said that most of them had sprung up since the Reformation. The University was a child of the Reformation. It had begun like a grain of mustard-seed, but now it was the largest university in the United Kingdom-larger than Oxford, and, he believed, larger than Cambridge. It now numbered about 3,000 students.

Professor MACKAY then gave "The Printing and Publishing Trade of Edinburgh," which was replied to by Mr. ADAM BLACK. Lord CURRIEHILL proposed "The Chairman;" and the proceedings terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

SECOND DAY.

On the second day, Wednesday, 6th October, the Committee on Cataloguing Rules met at 9 a.m., and the business of the meeting was resumed at 10 a.m.; when Mr. J. D. MULLINS, Librarian of the Free Library, Birmingham, read a paper on "The Librarian and his Work." An interesting discussion followed; after which Mr. HARRISON, Treasurer, moved on behalf of Mr. TEDDER, whose unavoidable absence called forth many expressions of regret: "That it is desirable that the Council of this Association should consider how library assistants may best be aided in their training in the general principles of their profession."

This proposal was carried after a long discussion, in which several practical suggestions were made as to apprenticeship, hours of work and opportunities for study, and also as to the drawing up of a manual of the librarian's duties.

Mr. SMALL at this stage requiring to leave, Mr. MULLINS took the chair for the remainder of the sitting.

Mr. NICHOLSON then moved: "That this Association is in favour of the general principle of opening public libraries, museums, and other galleries for some part at least of every Sunday; though particular local circumstances may sometimes render the present application of this principle useless or undesirable."

The motion was formally seconded by Mr. W. E. A. AXON.

Mr. C. WELCH, in accordance with a notice given the previous day, moved :-"That the meeting do pass on to the consideration of the next paper."

This was seconded by the Rev. W. D. MACRAY, and on a division it was decided, by a majority of 38 against 8, to pass on to the next business.

Mr. JAMES MARSHALL, Assistant-Librarian in the Advocates'

Library, then read a paper on "An Improved System of Press and Shelf Notation." The meeting adjourned at half-past twelve.

On resuming at 1.15 p.m., a paper was read on "Assyrian Libraries," by Mr. LEONARD WHEATLEY; and another on The great libraries of Scandinavia," by Mr. GILBERT GOUDIE. An account of the "Library of the Royal Society" was given by Mr. JAMES GORDON, Librarian. Mr. J. SMALL, Librarian of the University Library, then read a paper entitled "Notes on the History of the Edinburgh University Library." The discussion on these papers brought the afternoon's sitting to a close, and the members visited the University Library, where they were shown the collection of books formerly belonging to Drummond of Hawthornden; the MSS. collection of the late Dr. Laing, and other rarities. Visits were also made to the Library of the Philosophical Institution, and the Select Subscription Library.

THIRD DAY.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, 7th October, the Committee on Cataloguing Rules met, and at 10 a.m. the business of the meeting was resumed, when letters were read from Messrs. Justin Winsor, C. A. Cutter, and S. S. Green. Mr. BOWKER then gave an account of the state of affairs with regard to the Library Journal, and declared his belief that in five years such a Journal would be possible, and that unless something were done before that time he would start it then. The SECRETARY thought that a Library Journal was possible without waiting five years, and gave notice of a motion on the subject.

Mr. WALFORD then read a paper on "A Proposal for Applying a System of Clearing to Duplicate Volumes in Public and Private Libraries." After the discussion of this paper, Mr. R. A. MACFIE read a paper on "Copyright in its Relation to the Supply of Books for Libraries and the Public," on which a short discussion followed. The Committee then brought up the Cataloguing Rules, as revised by them, and the meeting proceeded to take them into consideration. This discussion was continued until 1 p.m., when the meeting adjourned. On resuming at 1.15 p.m. the discussion was continued as far as Rule 34 (see p. 61), when the meeting proceeded to the election of officers, and the voting papers were distributed; Messrs. P. COWELL and A. J. FROST being nominated scrutineers. The name of Mr. TEDDER for Vice-President, and of two other gentlemen for the Council were withdrawn at their request with the consent of the persons nominating them. The scrutineers then collected the voting papers and retired to count the votes.

On the proposal of Mr. WALFORD, Cambridge was selected as the place of meeting for next year.

Mr. WALFORD moved :-"That the thanks of the Association be given to Mr. Tedder for the great services he has rendered as one of the secretaries from the foundation of the Association, and that this be specially communicated to Mr. Tedder." The motion was seconded by Mr. COURTNEY, and unanimously adopted.

Mr. BULLEN proposed, and Dr. SELIGMANN seconded, a vote of

thanks to the local Secretaries, Messrs. T. G. Law and W. Black, and to the Local Committee for their exertions in rendering the visit of the Association so agreeable as it had been. This motion being put by Mr. HARRISON was carried by acclamation, and Messrs. T. G. LAW and W. BLACK briefly acknowledged the vote; Messrs. J. SMALL and J. T. CLARK replied on behalf of the Local Committee.

The Rev. J. C. HUDSON proposed, and Mr. C. WELCH seconded, a vote of thanks to the Directors of the Philosophical Institution, who had allowed members the use of their Library and Reading Rooms during their stay.

Mr. TONKS moved, and Mr. WRIGHT seconded, a vote of thanks to the Royal Society for allowing the Association the use of their rooms for the meeting.

Mr. TIMMINS proposed, and Mr. HAGGERSTON Seconded, a vote of thanks to Messrs. W. and R. Chambers, Messrs. W. and A. K. Johnston, and Messrs. Nelson and Sons, who had invited members to visit their printing works.

Mr J. GORDON responded on behalf of the Royal Society.

Mr. C. WELCH proposed, and Mr. J. W. KNAPMAN seconded, a vote of thanks to the officers of the Association for their services during the past year. Mr. HARRISON, Treasurer, responded on behalf of the officers.

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The Scrutineers then gave in their report, and the Chairman announced the names of the officers for the next year to be as follows: President: Rev. H. O. Coxe. Vice-Presidents: Lord Lindsay, J. Small, J. D. Mullins. Council: J. B. Bailey, F. T. Barrett, G. Bullen, P. Cowell, A. J. Frost, R. Garnett, E. B. Nicholson, W. H. Overall, H. Stevens, H. R. Tedder, C. Walford, B. R. Wheatley. Treasurer: Robert Harrison. Secretaries: E. C. Thomas, C. Welch.

The Committee on Indicators then brought up their report, which was adopted on the proposal of Mr. TIMMINS, seconded by Mr. WAITE.

Mr. A. J. FROST moved: "That the date of future annual meetings be fixed earlier than the month of October." Mr. BONE seconded the motion, which was carried after some discussion, the exact date being left for the Council to decide. The opinion of the meeting was taken as to the most convenient month for the meeting; when August was declared most suitable, in preference to July, September or October.

Mr. CREDLAND then read the report of the Statistical Committee. Mr. TONKS proposed that the matter of statistics should be referred to the Council; this was seconded by Mr. NICHOLSON, and carried.

Mr. NICHOLSON moved: "That it be an instruction to the Council to send to all bookbinders in the Bookbinders' Trade Directory a circular letter, containing such enquiries as it may be desirable to make, and inviting answers, suggestions, and scales of prices. And that the results be laid before the Association at its next yearly meeting, together with such samples of binding as the