affording all the affistance that had been hoped for, in executing a plan proposed in 1795. for the full investigation of the natural history of this important mineral, yet many valuable communications have been received, from time to time, on these subjects; and many other excellent papers have been read at the monthly meetings of the society, which have greatly contributed to the information and entertainment of its members; and fome of them, by subsequent publication, to the instruction of the public at large. ST. NICHOLAS' LIBRARY. During the dark ages of popery, books were, in general, accounted useless, and, in fome cafes, dangerous: for, whatever writing seemed to glance at that ghostly power, the book was put into the Index expurgatorious, (a fort of literary inquifition) and the possessor was liable to be turned over to the secular arm. No wonder, then, that, for ages, men trembled to have a book, especially of rational religion, in their hands. But, when the great Ruler of all events employed the fierce, imperious paffions of king Henry VIII. to combat the fpiritual tyranny of Rome, in his dominions, who, by publishing an edition of the facred fcriptures in English, gave a deadly blow to that ghoftly power in this country. And fo eager were all claffes of men to peruse this invaluable tre 1fure, that the clergy, aided by the magiftrates, were obliged to have bibles chained to the choirs, where the parishioners might come and read them. This, it is well known, constituted the ancient libraries of our churches. Such a collection, especially of devoțional books, have originally, without doubt, been in St. St. Nicholas' church; but at what time they were first shut up in separate private apartments, is not handed down. There seems, however, to be a kind of indirect proof, by St. Nicholas' register, that, as early as 1598, a perfon occurs as being buried "before the library door" An enlightened alderman of Newcastle, Mr. John Cofins, draper, bequeathed, in the year 1661, one hundred volumes (fixty folios and forty quartos) to St. Nicholas' church library. A. D. 1677, the common-council ordered three pounds per annum, as a falary to a librarian to superintend this library, in its infant ftate. But this trifling collection scarcely deserved the dignified name of a library, till the Rev. Dr. Tomlinson, rector of Whickham, left by will a truly noble collection of most valuable books, handsomely bound, and of the best editions. This inestimable literary treasure, worthy of a prince, was bequeathed by the reverend and generous donor to the people of Newcastle for ever, with the laudable design of diffusing knowledge among the numerous inhabitants of this rifing mart of commerce and trade. That the bequest might not be misapplied, a librarian was appointed, as we shall fee, with a fixed salary of twenty-five pounds per annum. A rent-charge of five pounds yearly was also purchased by the worthy divine, for the purpose of encreasing this valuable collection with the most useful works. The books of the old library are kept in a separate large room below that which contains Dr. Tomlinfon's collection.---Brand. We will take this opportunity, therefore, of performing our promise at page 84; and, in addition, give a copy of the letters, and a detail of the endeavours which have been used to gain for the public a re-enjoyment of their privileges. They are communicated to us by a friend of uncontrouled enquiry. Few comments will be necessary: the facts are palpable; and he only waits an opportunity to prove their truth! for repetition, as in this case it would be impossible to avoid, so is it unnecessary to apologize. It is a well-known fact, that by viewing the fame object through different media we more justly eftimate its consequence. CODICIL. WHEREAS I, the Rev. Robert Tomlinson, doctor of divinity, have made and duly executed my last will and testament in writing, bearing date the 18th day of this instant November, in the year of our Lord 1745: Now, I hereby ratify and confirm the fame. And whereas my worthy and generous friend, Walter Blackett, of Wallington, in the county of Northumberland, efq. hath, at his own expence, built over the vestry of the church of St. Nicholas, in Newcastle upon Tyne, a handfome fabrick, confifting of two stories, for the reception of my books and those of other benefactors, and has endowed the same with a rent-charge of twenty-five pounds a year, to be paid to a library-keeper, to be named and appointed in fuch manner as I fhall, by any deed or will attested by two or more credible wit nesses, direct and appoint: And whereas I have, by an inftrument under my hand and feal, duly appointed the Rev. Nathaniel Clayton, bachelor of divinity, to be the first librarian, on fuch conditions as therein mentioned: And whereas I have put into the faid fabrick or library above one thousand fix hundred books; and, for the increase of the faid library, have purchafed of the faid Walter Blackett a rent-cherge of five pounds a year, to be a perpetual fund to supply the faid library with books. Now, I hereby give and devise unto the faid Walter Blackett, and the Rev. Thomas Sharp, doctor in divinity, and archdeacon of Northumberland, all the books which I have already put into the faid library aforesaid; and also all the refidue and remainder placed of my books, except duplicates of English books, in truft, to be placed in the library aforesaid, for fuch uses, intents, and purposes, as are mentioned and expressed in the orders and statutes of the faid library, made, appointed, and subscribed by the faid Walter Blackett and me: And also I give and devise unto them my faid trustees as many of the twenty-four presses in my study at Whickham as can be placed in the upper and lower library, in trust, to be placed therein; and according to the power and authority to me given as aforesaid, I hereby direct and appoint that each librarian, or keeper of the library aforesaid, after my death, shall from time to time be elected, nominated, and appointed, and also removed and displaced, by fuch perfon and perfons, and in such manner as is hereinafter mentioned; that is to say, that the faid Walter Blackett, for and during his natural life, shall from time to time have the fole nomination and appointment of the library-keeper or librarian of the library aforefaid; and also full power and authority, for juft caufe, to remove and displace the present or any other librarian, and elect, nominate, and appoint another in the room and place and stead of him who shall be so removed. And after the death of the faid Walter Blackett, that the heirs male of the body of the faid Walter Blackett shall from time to time have the like power of election, nomination, and appointment of fuch library-keeper, and also the like power, for reafonable caufe, to remove and displace the fame, and to elect and appoint others in the room of fuch who shall be so displaced. And I hereby direct and appoint further, that failing the faid Walter Blackett and the heirs male of his body, then the mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne aforesaid for the time being, the archdeacon of Northumberland for the time being, the vicar of Newcastle upon Tyne for the time being, and the lecturer of Saint Nicholas' church aforefaid for the time being, or the majority of them, shall from time to time have the election, nomination, and appointment of fuch library-keeper; and also shall have the power, for just cause, to remove and difplace the fame, and elect, nominate, and appoint others in the room and place of those who shall be fo removed. And if at any time the four trustees should be equally divided, then the mayor of Newcastle to have the cafting vote. And my mind and will further is, and I hereby direct and appoint, that after the death or removal of any librarian, another librarian shall within twenty days be chosen from and amongst the then licensed curates of the churches of St. Nicholas, All-Saints, St. John's, and St. Andrew's, in Newcastle upon Tyne aforetaid, preference being given to those of St. Nicholas: And in default of making fuch election of a librarian within twenty days in manner aforefaid, then my will is, that the rector of Whickham for the time being, the rector of Ryton for the time being, and the rector of Gate head for the time being, or the majority of them, shall have power to elect, nominate, and appoint such library-keeper for that turn only; and afterwards each librarian or library. keeper of the faid library shall from time to time be elected, nominated, and appointed, and alfo removed and displaced by such other perfon or persons, and in such manner, as herein before mentioned, and not by the faid rectors of Whickham, Ryton, and Gateshead; it being my mind and will that the faid rectors shall not have the election, nomination, and appointment of the library-keeper at any time other than when default of making election of a librarian within twenty days shall happen; and that then the faid rectors shall have the election for that turn only, and thall have no power to elect afterwards until the like default shall happen again. And my mind and will is, that each librarian shall give such security, and be fubject to fuch rules, orders, and regulations, as are already made and ordained, or shall hereafter be made or ordained for that purpose by the faid Walter Blackett and me. And it is my mind and will that the faid Walter Blackett, during his life, and the archdeacon of Northumberland for the time being, shall be visitors jointly of the faid books; and after the faid Walter Blackett's death, that the heirs male of his body, together with the archdeacon of Northumberland for the time being, shall be visitors; and failing the said Walter Blackett and his heirs male, that the mayor of Newcastle aforesaid for the time being, and the archdeacon of Northumberland aforefaid for the time being, jointly, shall be visitors for ever. And I do hereby declare, direct, and appoint that the business of the faid visitors shall be to visit the faid books once a year at least, and to examine the catalogue of books, and fee that all the books are there, and to correct and rectify all abuses, and to hear and determine all complaints, and to punish the breach of the faid rules, orders, and statutes. And my will is, that the time and manner of visiting be according to the statutes or rules aforesaid. And it is my mind and will, that this be and be deemed and taken to be a codicil to and a part or parcel |