of a doubt. But if it be intended that the Library shall become a public benefit, the members of the society should certainly consist of annual subscribers, as well as of proprietors. In this case the subscription ought undoubtedly to be augmented to the non-proprietor in proportion to the interest of the deposit, and at present might be farly fixed at two guineas per annum. It does not appear probable that any evils would arise from this extension of the plan of the Bristol Library Society, if the librarian would exercise only an ordinary degree of vigilance in examining the state of books when delivered to the subscribers, and when they are returned; especially as the committee may forbid what volumes they please to be taken from the Library. This arrangement would render the Library an institution of evident public utility. It is true that something more than even this is necessary, that these establishments may be productive of all the advantages of which they are capable; but this improvement should be immediately effected, and posterity will not fail to carry on the plan to the highest improvement of which it is susceptible.

Among its institutions Bristol had a Philosophical Society, of which one of the objects seems to

have been the dissemination of science by means of public lectures. Of the history of this Society the author knows nothing, and among its transactions the only remarkable circumstance of which he has heard is, that the late Dr. Beddoes was refused the honour of ranking among its members on account, as it is said, of his opinions in regard to religion. At the dissolution of this Society it was proposed to form an establishment on a more extensive plan, to unite the Bristol Library and Philosophical Societies, and to erect a building sufficiently spacious to form a literary and scientific institution which should do honour at once to the city and to the age. It is certain that such a scheme reflects a genuine splendour upon those with whom it originated; and that obstacles should have arisen to its being carried into execution cannot be too greatly regretted. It is presumed that the regulations, of the proposed establishment would be dictated by the spirit of liberality, and have for their object the public benefit. It is indeed understood that the Surry institution is the model upon which it would be formed; and every friend to the progress of amelioration will join his ardent wishes that the Bristol institution may emulate and even rival the reputation of its celebrated model.

This chapter ought to close with a view of the state of literature and society in our city at the period in which we are writing. This is at once a delicate and difficult task. The task is delicate, because it is inconsistent with decorum to sacrifice. to heroes till after sunset; and it is by no means easy to fix upon such criterions as at once demonstrate the progress of science, of literature, or of taste. That in the present age Bristol has produced talents which will bear a comparison with the most splendid period of the ages that are gone, to us appears indubitable. To trace the steps of their progress, and to point out the characteristics by which they may be at once distinguished, are objects which excite interest, and which may be rendered sources of instruction. Among these characteristics may rank public libraries, book societies, scientific establishments, the periodical and other publications, originating in the city or which are the productions of its citizens and of those in its vicinity. To these we should be disposed to add the booksellers and printers of the city, as means of ascertaining the state of its literature. Upon some of these topics a few observations have been already offered, and we must compress into narrow limits what remains to be said upon these topics.

Besides the Bristol Library Society, the city has many circulating libraries. Of these, the principal, we believe, is that of Messrs. Barry and Son, and that of Messrs. Haas and Rees. In these collections are found many of the most valuable works in general literature, in biography, in history, and even in philosophy and science. The subscribers to these, establishments we have been informed are numerous, and the circumstance deserves to be recorded, as indicative of the state of literature at the period in which we are writing. It is only justice to add, that the library of Messrs. Barry and Son ranks as the first in the city, in point of extent of collection. That of Messrs. Haas and Rees is comparatively in its infancy, but the progress already made is creditable to the proprietors.

The weekly newspapers are, at present, the principal periodical publications of the city. These are four in number,* but are distinguished from provincial papers in general by no features which seem to require a particular delineation. Indeed a newspaper conducted with a liberal impartiality, and enriched by original reflections or communications,

* The Journal, and the Mirror, published on Saturday; the Gazette, on Thursday, and the Mercury, on Monday.

is confessed to rank among the objects which are still to be desired for Bristol.

The reputation acquired by Chatterton, by Yearsley, by Hannah More, by Southey, and by Cottle, is acknowledged to have shed some degree of splendour upon the literary character of the city. In another age, the historian will enumerate those of their contemporaries by whom a portion of this splendour is still reflected; and we venture to predict, that among them will be distinguished the elegant Translator of Hesiod, and the profound and skilful Biographer of Beddoes; nor will the editors of some of the rarest specimens of early English literature be omitted in the enumeration. But we feel that here we are trespassing upon forbidden ground; and, consequently, that safety can be secured only by a precipitate retreat.

Of the present state of Society in the city something shall be said, but that very briefly. The stranger who visits Bristol is astonished that it furnishes no public amusement except the Theatre, and wonders that even that is, in general, attended by so few of the inhabitants. That this however argues the absence of a social spirit is by no means