Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/80

68 The Library. are also provided, and there are clock and record rooms in the tower. The building will probably cost over ; 10,000. The sum paid for the land was ^3,000, but the latter has been reduced by ^1,000, the sum paid by the Vestry for the library garden. This sale has enabled the commissioners to purchase a site at Nunhead, where another library is required. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York were received at the entrance of the library by the Lord Mayor of London (a native of Camberwell), Mr. George Crispe Whiteley, M.A. (chairman), the library commissioners, the clerk (Mr. C. W. Tagg), the architect (Mr. Whellock) and the chief librarian (Mr. Edward Foskett). The royal visitors, having inspected the library and garden, proceeded to the dais in the large news room, where an enthusiastic reception awaited them. After a dedicatory prayer offered by the Rev. John Dixon Dyke, M.A., rural dean of Camberwell, Mr. G. C. Whiteley, M.A. (chairman of the library commissioners), gave a lucid resumt of the history of the libraries in Camberwell. The Prince of Wales said : Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me begin by saying it was with the greatest pleasure I accepted the invitation to come here to-day to open this your central library and recreation ground. Before the excellent address we have just heard from Mr. Whiteley I had hoped 1 might have been able to touch on some interesting topics connected with these proceedings, but to use a nautical expression, he has completely taken the wind out of my sails. (Laughter.) I fear there is little left to say but to express my appreciation of the fine qualities of this building, so well arranged and so well built in every respect. (Applause.) I under- stand you have in it 20,000 books now, and that you have room for 60,000 volumes. Perhaps one of the most remarkable facts in connec- tion with these libraries is that since they have been used 1,500,000 books have been taken and every one has been safely returned. (Laughter and applause.) In connection with this library it must be a great boon to this part of London to have a plot of ground behind it for recreative purposes. (Applause.) Most sincerely do I wish prosperity and success to this excellent undertaking, with which Mr. George Livesey's name has been so very properly connected by Mr. Whiteley, for to him we all owe deepest thanks. Most heartily do I hope that the people in this neighbourhood may long gain every possible advantage from this excellent institution. (Applause.) I thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, most kindly and heartily for the very warm reception given me on this occasion, and accorded also to my son and daughter. (Loud applause.) I beg now to declare the library and recreation ground open. (Cheers.) After the departure of the royal visitors, short speeches were delivered by Mr. F. G. Banbury, M.P., Mr. M. Wallace, Mr. J. Faulkner, Mr. Seth Coward, Mr. George Livesey, and others.