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presents a notable example of the result of a policy of self-reliance and faith in the future-qualities which have been the mainspring of successful British Colonisation in every quarter of the globe. While relying solely on the Fellows for financial support, our doors are open to all enquirers who seek special information or advice on subjects relating to the Colonies; and the authors of many useful works declare that they could hardly have been written but for the help afforded them here. It sometimes happens that demands are made upon us that are quite beyond our means and outside our scope, such as the supply of wall-maps and Colonial literature to National Schools; but we are ever ready to offer suggestions as to the best text-books, and this Institute has done good service to the cause of education in directing public attention to the great importance of a better knowledge of our Colonies. A considerable sum has just been voted by the Council for the publication of a new and up-to-date catalogue of this library, which has been prepared by Mr. Boosé, and must prove of the greatest value throughout the British Empire as an aid to the study of Colonial literature.

The CHAIRMAN: It is now my pleasure and privilege to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Boosé for his admirable paper. I thought I was pretty well acquainted with the value of our library, but I certainly had no conception that we possessed one of such extent and importance until I had the opportunity of hearing the details which Mr. Boosé has presented to us in his paper. Reference has been made to the forthcoming catalogue, which has not only entailed an immense amount of work upon Mr. Boosé, but the cost of which will be very considerable, amounting to nearly three hundred pounds. I am sure we are deeply indebted to Mr. Boosé for the admirable manner in which he fulfils the duties of librarian, and I think we have a good illustration of the way in which those duties are performed in the paper which he has given us this evening.

Dr. GARNETT: I desire to express the gratification with which I have listened to Mr. Boosé's paper, both individually and as an officer of the British Museum. The library of the Royal Colonial Institute is evidently extensive, progressive, and well administered. The proverb says, ex ungue leonem, and by hearing from Mr. Boosé how many publications it possesses relating to such a Colony as Hong Kong, it is possible to form an idea of its extent and probable development as regards the growing empires of Canada and Australasia. The British Museum has always taken a lively interest in Colonial literature. Its founder, Sir Hans Sloane, laid the

foundation of his fame by a work on what was then the most important British Colony-Jamaica. A copy of this book copiously annotated by himself is exhibited to the public as a treasure in the King's Library, where are also to be found the first books printed in New South Wales and the Cape Colony. A new room has recently been fitted up for the reception of Colonial and Indian State Papers, the construction of which presents many features of interest, and which I shall be happy to show to any here present. The Museum is under very special obligations to the Royal Colonial Institute for the donations of Colonial newspapers which have now been made annually for several years. It is of the greatest importance to collect and preserve such documents, which reflect the daily life of society with a truth which no other form of literature can, but which the resources of the Museum and numerous other claims upon them will not allow it to assemble in any degree approaching completeness. By the generous aid of the Institute, however, the Museum is forming what will one day become a noble collection of priceless advantage to the historian. I am sure it will be borne in mind that the utility of such a collection depends upon its indefinite continuance. The files of a few consecutive years can but constitute a mere isolated fragment of little worth, but perseverance will, in course of time, build up a great national collection in which every Colony will be represented. Respecting the shortcomings of Colonial Governments in the dissemination of Colonial literature, I must express my concurrence with the remarks of Mr. Campbell. I cannot but think that if these Governments were to recognise the importance of the people of the Mother Country being well informed on their affairs, they would take more pains to make the productions of their press accessible at home. I presume that Colonial publications are registered by some public authority, and if so, I can see no insuperable difficulty in making them known by an official publication, if only an occasional page of the "Government Gazette." It is remarkable that the disposition to carry out the Imperial Copyright Act seems to be, generally speaking, in inverse proportion to the importance of the Colony and the liberality of its institutions. Many Crown Colonies have passed ordinances entitling the Museum to receive their publications, and thus preventing the Copyright Act from remaining a dead letter. The Indian Government, unsolicited, have included the Museum in their own Copyright Act, but no self-governing Colony of the first rank has adopted either of these courses except the Cape of Good Hope. I hope that the influence of the Royal Colonial Institute may be judiciously exerted

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to procure an amendment in this respect and I desire to express once more my appreciation of what has been done already, and the interest with which Mr. Boosé's paper has inspired me.

The CHAIRMAN: It is a source of great gratification to me that this vote of thanks has been seconded by one so distinguished as Dr. Garnett, who has afforded us an opportunity of hearing from him so many interesting details and valuable remarks regarding the British Museum, with which he is so prominently connected. Dr. Garnett has referred to the fact that the Royal Colonial Institute is in the habit of presenting to the Museum a large number of Colonial newspapers, and he has expressed a hope that those contributions may be continued. I can only say on behalf of the Council that they will in future have great pleasure in forwarding similar files, which, I am glad to hear, are considered of such value, and are so much appreciated.

Mr. JAMES R. BoosÉ: I am very much obliged to you for the kind way in which you have received my Paper. It is especially gratifying to me that both the Chairman and Dr. Garnett, as well as other speakers, have referred to my services in such appreciative terms. The speakers having been so unanimous in their praise little remains for me to say. I would, however, emphasise the reply of the Chairman to Mr. Mason, by stating that the library is open to all applicants regarding any subject relating to the Colonies, and that almost daily numerous enquiries for information are received both personally as well as by letter from all parts of the United Kingdom, which are promptly answered by means of the very complete collection of works of reference contained in the library. Mr. Campbell has referred to Mr. R. C. Walker's "Bibliography of Australasia" as being a somewhat incomplete work, but I would point out to him that Mr. Walker has not put it forward as a complete bibliography, but as a catalogue of such works upon the Australasian Colonies as are contained in the Sydney Public Library only. With respect to the suggestion, with which I entirely agree, that the Colonial Governments should embody the titles of all works published in their respective Colonies in the Government Gazettes, as regards Australia, such a list is published annually in "Greville's Year Book," an example which might be followed with advantage in other instances. In reply to Mr. MacAlister, who has suggested that I should supply periodically for the use of public librarians lists of works regarding the various Colonies, I can only say that I shall be most happy to do anything in my power to assist the numerous public libraries of the United Kingdom in selecting such

works upon the Colonies as may be required for the dissemination of information regarding all parts of the British Empire.

The vote was carried by acclamation.

Mr. S. W. SILVER: Speaking as a very old Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute as well as a Member of the Library Association, I feel our thanks are due to the Chairman for the particulars entered into by him bearing on the progress of the Royal Colonial Institute, the library of which, the object of our meeting, might be taken as a favourable evidence, commencing in a modest way, having risen to its present proportion, and offering the facilities it does to all in search of information relating to the Colonies. It affords me great pleasure to have the privilege of proposing a vote of thanks to Sir Frederick Young, and I am sure all present will agree with me that such is due to him for his conduct in the chair.

This was seconded by Mr. MACALISTER and carried unanimously.

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TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE.

The Twenty-First Annual Conversazione of the Royal Colonial Institute (founded in 1868, and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1882) was held at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum, on Thursday, June 28, 1894, and was attended by over 2,000 guests, representing all parts of the British Empire, and including the Right Hon. the Marquis of Ripon, K.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies. The string band of the Royal Artillery, conducted by Cavaliere L. Zavertal, performed in the Bird Gallery; and the Ladies' Pompadour Band, conducted by Miss Eleanor Clausen, in the British Saloon, the electric light having been specially introduced for the occasion into the building. Refreshments were served throughout the evening in the Refreshment Room, the Bird Gallery, and the South Corridor. The Central Hall was decorated with choice flowers and palms, and here the guests were received by the following Vice-Presidents and Councillors:

Vice-Presidents.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Rosebery, K.G.
Sir Henry Barkly, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.

Sir Henry Bulwer, G.C.M.G.

Sir James A. Youl, K.C.M.G.

Sir Frederick Young, K.C.M.G.

Members of Council.

Mr. F. H. Dangar.

Mr. Frederick Dutton.

Lieut.-General Sir J. Bevan Edwards, K.C.M.G., C.B.

Mr. W. Maynard Farmer.

Major-General Sir Henry Green, K.C.S.I., C.B.

Mr. T. Morgan Harvey.

Sir Robert Herbert, G.C.B.

Sir Arthur Hodgson, K.C.M.G.

Mr. R. J. Jeffray.

Mr. H. J. Jourdain, C.M.G.

Mr. F. P. de Labilliere.

Mr. George Mackenzie.

Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., C.B.

Sir Francis Villeneuve Smith.

Sir Charles E. F. Stirling, Bart.

Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., G.C.M.G., C.B.

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