f the Public Library,
distinguishing those which are the property of the Corporation by a
prominent and appropriate designation; and that therefore by the
removal of the City Library, the catalogue, to which your
memorialists have recently published the first appendix, will be
rendered quite useless and an expense, otherwise unnecessary, will be
incurred.

That although the books of the City Library were recently found in a
very dusty condition; yet that during the 40 years they have been in
the custody of your memorialists, they have suffered no deterioration
from damp, loss, or otherwise.

That the contiguity of the Public Library to the Guildhall affords
the greatest convenience of application to the Town Clerk for
permission to take out books from the City Library, and of the access
of the Library Committee of the Corporation to inspect their
property.

That it is in contemplation to place a fire in the room appropriated
to the City Library, and further to improve it by the insertion of a
large bay-window, which will make it a light and cheerful place for
all who need reference to these ancient and valuable books.

That your memorialists venture to point out the entire
unsuitableness, in their judgment, of works in learned languages, on
abstruse subjects or in black letter, to the objects of the Free
Library.

And your memorialists therefore pray that the books of the City
Library be allowed to remain, as heretofore, in their keeping.

Signed on behalf of the Public Library Committee.

Norwich, Nov. 10th, 1856.

G. W. W. FIRTH, President.

Edward Edwards, in his monumental "Memoirs of Libraries," 1859, (vol. 1,
p. 739) printed the above memorial which he said carried "its refutation
on its face." "On so puerile a production," he continued, "it were idle
to waste words. One remark, however, may be appropriate in anticipation
of the history and objects of the Act of Parliament in pursuance of which
the Free City Library of Norwich has been created. No Institution
established under that Act can with justice address itself to any "class"
of the population in particular. Rate-supported Libraries are _ipso
facto_ "Town Libraries." Their cost is defrayed by ratepayers of all
degrees. It is the imperative duty of every Town-Council so to manage
them as t