le, Revs. J. C.
Hudson, Vicar of Thornton, and J. Conway Walter, Rector of Langton, were
appointed a sub-committee, with instructions to find a permanent club
room, or to give the books to the Lincoln Diocesan Library. In September
of that year Dr. Madge, Head Master, offered to keep the books, to act as
Librarian, and admit members to them two or three days a week in his
house.

In January, 1893, the present writer was commissioned with Dr. Madge, to
examine the books, when there was found to be 799 in good condition, 69
missing. The Secretary of the Lincoln Diocesan Library was communicated
with, and at a meeting of the committee of that library, held on Feb. 24,
1893, the offer of the books was accepted, and they were in due course
transferred to that institution.

On May 17th, 1894, the Rev. J. Conway Walter, with three others, was
commissioned to obtain a supply of books from a circulating library at
Lincoln. Eventually Mudie's library was established at the shop of Mr.
H. Willson, Bookseller, Horncastle; Mr. W. K. Morton opened a
subscription library, and Messrs. W. H. Smith opened a book stall at the
station. These three still continue: the original Clerical Club books
being still available, with others, at the library in the Chapter House
of Lincoln Cathedral.

There was at one time a _Literary Society_ in Horncastle, which used to
meet at the Bull Hotel, in a small room, now the bar, beneath the large
ball room, on a level with the street. Among the most active members of
this was John Brown, the late, so-called, Horncastle "Poet Laureate,"
whose poems were published in 1890, by the Rev. J. Conway Walter, in a
volume entitled _Literae Laureatae_, dedicated to Lord Tennyson. Another
prominent member was the late Mr. Thomas Baker, who was an amateur actor
and clever ventriloquist, as well as a great cricketer. In his early
years he was engaged by the father of Sir Evelyn Wood to teach the
village boys cricket in Essex. His bowling was of the old roundhand
style; in which he bowled to Fuller Pilch, the greatest batsman of his
day; and also to Dr. W. G. Grace, now of the Crystal Palace; and, many
years ago, in a match against a crack 11, including three University
players and one professional, he bowled them all out for 11 runs. He
also bowled out the captain of the All England Eleven with his first
ball. He died Feb. 12th, 1903, aged 88.

THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Mechanics' Institutes were