Page:Address on the opening of the Free Public Library of Ballarat East, on Friday, 1st. January, 1869.djvu/18

 12 have not the poor excuse of the hypocrite pretending poverty and extenuating his petty larceny under the subterfuge of the want of bread, it is most difficult to he prepared, however constant the vigilance.

Still, although a few representatives of this most disreputable and odious band of pilferers molest us occasionally, are all the honest and the true to suffer an abridgment of their just rights in consequence of indiscriminating suspicion including them in the criminal class? Let me presume to answer for you — emphatically No!—certainly not. The rigorous visitation of the law and the universal execration of all insulted by such conduct will suffice. Meanwhile let the innocent remain unscathed by the imputation.

The insinuation of the waste of time in the perusal of unprofitable, trashy books must be met also by the enquiry—What does the expression mean?

It is not to be presumed that those honored with the management of this institution could be so destitute of acquaintance with the calibre of mind of the public for whom the}' cater, as to allow its shelves to be occupied with such works. From my inspection of them, careful and scrutinizing, it may be confidently assorted that of the seven thousand volumes, the use of which is so liberally offered to the public, there is not one of an avowedly hurtful character, while very many of the highest order of useful literature are by their costliness altogether beyond the reach of the vast bulk of the reading population.

But why this indignant crusade against class. works at the least harmless and entertaining, I though their aim may not openly be that of positive instruction in some particular branch of abstruse learning or favorite doctrine?