By the foregoing account, which embraces the library year from Oct. 1, 1884, to Sept. 30, 1885, inclusive, it will be seen that the receipts and expenditures may be aggregated as follows:

The following table of comparisons will show at a glance the annual additions that have been made to the Library during the past ten years, and the general classification of sources from which they were received.

The general catalogue published in 1880 contained the complete contents of the Library at the close of the Library year, September 30, 1879. The total number of additions. for the six years intervening between that date and September 30, 1885, is 14,670 volumes, and 16,583 pamphlets, or an aggregate of 31,253 titles placed upon the catalogue.

Extensive additions have been made, during the past year, to the English and Irish Law Reports, and by the special favor of the legislature, the leading English and American Law Journals have been secured. The following publications of this class have been added during the

Every opportunity has been improved to perfect our collection of the statutes of the several states and territories, and every needed volume has been purchased that could be obtained. The collection of foreign statutes has been enriched by the addition of a complete collection of the statutes and codes of the Imperial Government of India and its several provinces Bengal, Bombay, the Punjab, Madras, British Burma, the Central Provinces, the NorthWest Provinces and Assam; the complete statutes of South Australia, Cyprus, the Cape of Good Hope, Griqualand West, British Kaffraria, Queensland, the Island of Jersey, Ceylon, Natal, and collections of the Laws of Gambia, New Zealand, Heligoland, Fiji, Grenada, Strait's Settlement, Ionian Islands, Labuan, Leeward Islands, Antigua, and other governments.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF MEMBERS.

During the year the Library has received from the heirs. of the late Hon. James M. Stone the collection of photographs of the members of the House of Representatives for 1866, which was presented to Mr. Stone as a testimonial to his service as Speaker. It has been placed upon the walls of the Library, and its presence suggests the desirability of preserving in the Library all obtainable portraits of those who have served the Commonwealth in a legislative capacity.

DONATIONS.

The catalogue of additions will show that the Library has been the recipient of numerous and valuable gifts during the year, and that the thanks of its administration are due to a large number of institutions and individuals for their thoughtful generosity.

SHELF ACCOMMODATION.

The provision of additional cases and shelves, in accordance with the action of the last legislature, will afford a greatly needed relief of the overcrowded shelves. The work has been placed under contract to the lowest bidders, and it will probably be completed and ready for use before the opening of the session of the legislature.

CLERICAL ASSISTANCE.

The present annual allowance of $2,000 for clerical assistance was established in 1874. Since that date the regular work of the Library has increased nearly fourfold. One indication of this fact that may be noted is, that the number of additions of books and pamphlets for the year 1874 was 1,736, while the corresponding number of additions for 1885, as will be seen by the comparative tables, is 6,591. The great value of the economy of time to those who consult a reference library renders the most intelligent as well as the most faithful service a necessity. The value of such a library to-day, beyond a certain necessary limit, depends more upon the intelligence which places its contents readily