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 282 The Library. HAWICK. At a special meeting of Hawick Town Council on August 8, the Public Library Committee submitted a recommendation in favour of a new bye-law to make a charge not exceeding 2d. for each reader's card issued. One argument in support of the proposal was that since the charge had been discontinued there had been a considerable destruction of books by young people. There was a long and animated discussion, it was contended on the one hand that as there was a doubt as to the legality of such a charge it should not be made ; and on the other that there ought to be a charge, and if it was illegal, the Sheriff, by whom the bye-laws had to be confirmed, would give his decision on the point. Eventually the motion in favour of a charge being made was carried by nine to two. HULL. On July 12, an oak chime clock was presented to Mr. Alfred Ansell, late librarian of the Lyceum Library. He has been appointed an assistant librarian under the Hull Public Libraries Committee. LEICESTER. A portrait of Mr. C. Vernon Kirkby, public librarian of Leicester, together with a professional sketch, appeared in J^he Wyvern, a local "topical, critical, and humorous journal." It is a good portrait, and the sketch is highly complimentary. LINCOLN. The late Dean Butler's valuable library has, by the generosity of his family, been divided between the Lincoln Chapter Library and the Diocesan Theological Lending Library. The fine carved oak book-cases, presented to the Dean, have been given to the Chapter. LONDON : CHELSEA. A description of the Relics of Keats on view at the Public Library appears in the Westminster Gazette of August i. LONDON : HAMPSTEAD. Mr. W. E. Doubleday, who for the last five years has been connected with the Free Public Library movement in Marylebone, and who has occupied the position of chief librarian and secretary to the voluntary libraries of the parish, has been appointed out of a number of candidates principal librarian and clerk to the Com- missioners of Public Libraries and Museums. LONDON : KENSINGTON. The Commissioners have decided not to open on Bank Holidays, as the small attendance of the public shows there was no real demand for the opening. LONDON: LINCOLN'S INN. On July 6, Mr. John Thomas Nicholson, the librarian, was found dead in his room at 228, Peckham Rye, S.E. LONDON -. NEWINGTON, S.E. The Commissioners have re- ceived from William Saunders, Esq., M.P., a valuable gift, including a fine marble bust of Shakespeare, from the celebrated Carrara studios; a portrait of Beatrice Cenci, after Guido ; and a collection of standard works numbering upwards of one hundred and sixty volumes. Other important presentations so far have been a cheque for ^100 from Lord Llangattock, and one for ^20 from Lord Ashcombe. These sums are being expended in the purchase of standard comprehensive works of reference, which will be available for use in the lending depart- ment pending the opening of the reference library an event which, it is