Willson,
the last survivor of the Managing Committee, who sold the less valuable
among the books by auction in Lincoln, the rest being divided between the
permanent subscription library of Mr. W. K. Morton, Bookseller, High
Street, and that of the Grammar School.

It is much to be regretted that a valuable collection of books thus
ceased to be public property. A catalogue of the library, published by
Mr. W. Johnson, Bookseller, High Street, in 1865, shows that the number
of volumes was at that date 1,468, with annual additions; while in 1879 a
bequest was made by the late Henry James Fielding, Esq., of Handel House,
South Street, of about 230 volumes of standard works, bringing the total
up to about 1,750 volumes. (Classified List, published by W. K. Morton,
1879.)

The first librarian was Mrs. Wood, assisted by her daughter (afterwards
Mrs. Panton). She was succeeded by Miss South, who was followed by Miss
Stephenson, and she was succeeded by Mrs. W. Johnson.

The late Mr. Henry Nicholson acted as secretary, and for several years
took a great interest in all that concerned the Institute, until his
prolonged serious illness, which ended fatally in June, 1900. Mr. C.
Hensman was treasurer while the library was at the Corn Exchange,
resigning when it was removed to Banks Street. During the same period
the late Mr. Berridge, Master of the Union, acted as Secretary, and was
succeeded by Mr. W. Betts, of the Dispensary, who only held that post two
years, before the Institute was closed.

There were in the library, besides the books, a quantity of weapons of
war from the South Sea Islands, some cases of objects of natural history;
valuable sepia paintings by the late Rev. C. P. Terrot, of Wispington, an
almost unrivalled artist in his own line; and several fine Roman vases
exhumed in the town; all these were disposed of by Mr. Joseph Willson,
only surviving trustee, now deceased.

THE CORN EXCHANGE.

The Corn Exchange is a spacious and lofty building of brick, with stone
facings, capable of holding 500 persons, situated on the south side of
the High Street, and standing on what was formerly the eastern wall of
the old Roman castle; a well of pure water, still in use, under the
adjoining house, having been just within the wall of that fortress. It
was opened on July 5th, 1856. From the terms of the original deed of
settlement of the company we may give the following items.

The Indenture, dated July 18th,