and in 1827 he was called to the Bar. After leaving Oxford he
lived for two years in Italy, Germany, and France, for the purpose
of studying the language of each of those countries. He not only
returned to England a very accomplished linguist, but his travels
had a further influence upon him. The libraries then open to the
public in so many French, German, and Italian cities first aroused
his desire to see English cities and towns as well endowed in
that respect.
In 1828 he entered Parliament for the since
disfranchised borough of Bletchingley, and voted for the first
Reform Bill. He afterwards sat for Liverpool, and later for
Wigan. His name, however, is most associated with the Dumfries
Burghs, for which constituency he sat from 1841 to 1868. In the
early part of his career Mr. Ewart's name appeared very fre-
quently in the reports of the Parliamentary debates as a speaker,
both on subjects of general politics, in which he was an advanced
Liberal, and on special subjects, such as the sugar duties, for Free
Trade in sugar, and in 1834 for the Repeal of the Corn Laws,
and many other questions which have gone to the very roots of
our national well-being. He always exhibited a laudable zeal on
behalf of the working classes and the population of our large and
crowded cities, and advocated the opening of public museums and
galleries, and other repositories of works of art, as free from
every restriction as possible. He also was among the first to
propose, and certainly one of those whose steady perseverance
carried, several important bills for the establishment of schools of
design. The nation is very apt to forget the great blessings
which have accrued from some of the small and apparently
insignificant measures passed by the House of Commons, but the
memory of William Ewart should ever be kept green by the
friends of this movement. An excellent portrait of him appears
on the opposite page. In the middle of 1887, Mr. Gladstone, in
opening a Public Library, paid a high tribute to his memory.
It is interesting to note that Sir John Gladstone, the father of Mr.
Gladstone, was an intimate friend of the father of William Ewart,
and Sir John gave the names of his friend's son as Christian names
to his own son, who was to become so distinguished. William
Ewart could have no better monument than that of his name
being perpetuated in the name of England's greatest living
commoner. Mr. Gladstone, speaking at Swansea, said:

It recalls to me the early days of my political life, and the name of one whom I knew well from my boyhood upwards, namely, William Ewart, who passed the Public Libraries Act, and on whose memory and whose services I look back with the greatest respect and regard. There is no doubt that Mr. Ewart, by his efforts in this cause, entitled himself to be enrolled upon the list of England's benefactors. He was, in point of fact, not only a patriot, but a prophet in this case. He took up the question of Public Libraries at a very early date, and he reminds us of the phrase which is applied in a higher and holier sphere to a character familiar to us all--he was for the time the voice of one crying in the wilderness.' But by degrees there became apparent solidity and reality of the public interest which was involved in this question, and which

was perceived by him in the far distance, long before others were aware of its existence, while the majority were perhaps inclined to treat it as a crotchet of a benevolent mind, and the product of his fancy rather than of his judgment. Notwithstanding such discouragements, Mr. Ewart laboured steadily in the cause, and could he now be amongst us how he would rejoice to think of the acceptance which his great purpose has obtained.

Mr. Ewart was for forty years in Parliament, between the years 1828 and 1868, when he resigned his seat for the Dumfries Burghs, having represented them for twenty-seven years.

Several letters have recently been received from Miss Ewart, his daughter, who mentions that she has, in conjunction with her brother and sister, sent photographs of their late father to most of the Public Libraries in the country.

T

CHAPTER VII.

The First Public Library under the Act.

HE influence of Manchester on commerce, politics, and education has long been a recognized fact, and to the everlasting credit of Manchester be it said that it was the first town to avail itself of the Public Libraries Act of 1850. Cottonopolis may reasonably be proud of this fact, and the author of this work, a native of that district, looks back with pride and pleasure to the time when, as a lad in his teens, he used the old Campfield Library as a borrower. All honour to Manchester for what she has done for the advancement of knowledge and social progress in its various forms. Warrington had a Museum and Reference Library from 1843; Leicester had a ratesupported Museum from 1844, under the James Silk Buckingham Act of 1843; Salford had its Peel Park Library and Museum, a year or two before the passing of the Ewart Act; but to Manchester belongs the credit of giving effect to the Act in establishing a popular Lending and Reference Library.

The opening ceremony took place on the afternoon and evening of Thursday, September 2, 1852, and in the issues of the local newspapers on the following Saturday every prominence was given to the reports of the two meetings. Each of the Manchester papers devoted about a column to a leader on the important event which had taken place in their midst. To the afternoon meeting some eight columns are devoted, and the report of the evening meeting extends to between five and six columns. Nothing could better demonstrate the significance of the event in the estimation of the Manchester press than this fact, and from that time to the present the "Manchester Guardian,” "Courier," and "Examiner and Times" have never ceased to give Public Libraries their earnest and consistent advocacy. The tone of the editorials is hopeful and buoyant throughout, and in perusing carefully the entire fifteen columns of newspaper matter

it is impossible not to be struck with the inspiring tone which characterized the proceedings. The "Manchester Guardian "in its editorial, remarked that "Sir John Potter and his coadjutors; in the foundation of the Public Library, scarcely need to be con gratulated on the brilliant ceremony which has crowned their labours. If they feel towards the nascent institution as towards their natural offspring they must have some satisfaction in reflecting that a more successful christening never ushered into the world a favourite of fortune. No good fairy was absent from the festal board, nor, we firmly trust and believe, did any malignant genius slip in uninvited to mar the destiny which so many powers had contributed to render perfect. In our age and country few undertakings have been launched under more august or varied auspices." Then there follows later on in the editorial these words, so pregnant with hope and foresight: "To what vast fields of mental and moral elevation, individual and social, an avenue was opened for our teeming population on that day-never, we trust, to be shut to the poorest of our fellowtownsmen so long as Manchester has an existence and a name." For thirty-nine years the doors have been open to the very poorest, and through all time to come, as far as one can be humanly certain, they will remain an open portal for the long line of generations to follow.

As the time approached for the opening ceremony of the new Library the interest in the object increased, subscriptions were multiplied, and numerous were the applications for tickets. A more brilliant and intellectual assemblage was seldom seen than that which filled every nook and cranny of the reference room of the Campfield Library where the meetings were held. The lending library on the ground floor was opened as a reception room. At a quarter after eleven a.m. the principal guests came upon the platform, and were received with loud applause. On the right of Sir John Potter, the chairman, there were R. Barnes, Mayor of Manchester, the Bishop of Manchester, Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M.P., R. Monckton Milnes, M.P. (afterwards Lord Houghton), W. Makepeace Thackeray, John Bright, M.P., Charles Knight, James Crossley, and M. Ross. To the left of the chairman were-the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Wilton, Charles Dickens, Sir James Stephen, Joseph Brotherton, M.P., J. A. Turner, treasurer of the Public Library Fund, Sir E. Armitage, and Thomas Bazley. The whole of these have now passed over to the majority, but the movement whose birth they were celebrating is destined to envelope the whole country by the time the jubilee of the movement comes round.

The entire story of these two meetings is so full of interest and bears retelling so well that the indulgence of the reader must be asked if the details seem wearisome. The chairman first read a report of the history of the institution. This occupied a column of small type in the newspaper reports. In the summer of 1850 a subscription was set on foot for the establishment of a library.

But as it was the especial object of the promoters to provide means for the mental culture and moral elevation of the artisans and workpeople, who form so large and important an element of such a community as Manchester, it was laid down, as the fundamental basis of the scheme, that it should include a Free Lending Library, an institution up to that time without example in this country. In support of this object twenty-six townsmen subscribed, either for themselves or for their respective firms, the sum of £100 each.

The building at Campfield had early been pointed out as well adapted to the contemplated purpose. It had originally been built by the working classes with an outlay exceeding £5,000, but under the then existing circumstances those interested were willing to dispose of it for £1,200. Sir Oswal Mosley owned a chief rent upon it of £91 6s. per annum, which was estimated to be worth twenty-four years' purchase, or about £2,200. That gentleman, on being informed of the purpose to which it was intended to devote the building, expressed his cordial approval, and stated that he should value the chief rent at twenty years' purchase, £1,826, and should further testify his goodwill to the project by returning one-half of the purchase money as a contribution to the fund. In January, 1851, the first appeal was made to the public for co-operation and support.

Particulars as to the formation of the library were then given. The speech of the chairman, Sir John Potter, came first after the recital of the particulars by the secretary. The mayor, Robert Barnes, who wore his chain and badge of office, afterwards spoke.

The Earl of Shaftesbury-the good earl-said:

:

In rising to propose the first resolution, I must defend myself against the probable charge, that, as a stranger, and unconnected with your great city, I presume to obtrude myself upon the notice of this meeting. The resolution which I am called upon to move expresses: "That this meeting witnesses with great satisfaction the opening ceremonial of the Manchester Public Library, and desires to express its entire confidence that this noble institution will effect great and lasting good to the community for generations to come." There will be no difficulty in obtaining your concurrence to this resolution, and there will be as little difficulty in showing to the by-standers and the world at large the local benefits that will arise from this institution. But we must go further than local benefits; and allow me to observe that in these days of pursuit of excitement, in these days of novel projects and restless inquiry, in these days of accelerated progress, when time and space seem almost extinct, you are preparing hereby an antidote to mischiefs that might likewise arise, and setting an example that may be imitated; and in laying down a principle of universal application, you assert that the true end of commerce is to make the necessities of the country subservient to its civilization, and then its civilization subservient to the social and moral amelioration of the whole family of man. Now, sir, who in these days will presume to question the growing importance of the man of commerce and industry? They no onger, as before, figure for a time, and then become absorbed in the great mass of proprietors. They now stand apart, upon a separate and inde

pendent basis, and claim to be heard as equal to the best in patriotism, in principle, and in intellectual power. Our institutions-God be praised ! -can well bear this demand. You have founded this great and glorious institution, large, liberal, and cosmopolite; and from my heart, say, may God prosper it to the purpose to which it was intended; and may you, in the pursuit of wealth, and in the duties of commerce, in the exercise of every virtue, and in the maintenance of every sound and great principle-may you, I say, thereby sanctify the possession and enjoyment of your riches, and may you enjoy for yourselves, and transmit to those who may come after you, the citizenship of a crowning city, "whose merchants are princes, and whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth." Therefore, with heartfelt satisfaction, I propose this resolution.

Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, M.P., after referring to the speech of the Earl of Shaftesbury, spoke as follows:

I am reminded that there was once a Scottish peasant, who, having raised himself to a rank in the eyes of posterity beyond that of ordinary princes, desired also to raise the whole class which he ennobled in the scale of intellectual nobility, and was the first to institute libraries for the people in the rural districts of Scotland. That peasant was Robert Burns the poet, and when I look around this noble hall and this large assembly; when I know that behind me are the contributions that come from the palaces of your kings; when I see that next to me is one of our most reverend dignitaries of the church; when I see beyond me the representatives of some of the loftiest houses of our aristocracy; and when I look upon either side and know that you have present also the representatives of the orders of literature and art; and when I look before me and see an array that I confess awes and dazzles me more than all, composed of those who are never absent where good is to be done, I own I do wish that Burns could have foreseen what magnificence you have given to his idea. But, gentlemen, education does not cease when we leave school; education rightly considered is the work of a life, and libraries are the school books of grown up men. I was exceedingly touched when the other day I was taken by Sir Elkanah Armitage to see the library and museum at Peel Park, which, I believe, owes as much to Mr. Brotherton as this library owes to Sir John Potter. I was moved and affected when I saw so many intelligent young faces bent over books with much earnest attention; and when I felt what healthful stimulants had replaced the old English excitement of the ale-house and the gin palace.

Then came Charles Dickens, who was in a very happy vein :I have seen so many references made in newspapers, in parliamentary debates, and elsewhere to the " Manchester School," that I have long had a considerable anxiety to know what the phrase might mean, and what the "Manchester School" might be. My natural curiosity on this head has not been diminished by the very contradictory accounts I have received respecting that same school;" some great authorities assuring me that it was a very good one, some that it was a very bad one; some that it was very broad and comprehensive, some that it was very narrow and limited; some that it was all cant, and some that it was all cotton. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have solved this difficulty by finding here to-day that the "Manchester School" is a great free school, bent on carrying instruction to the poorest hearths. It is this great free school inviting the humblest workman to come in and be its student; this great free school, most munificently endowed by voluntary subscription in an