SEVERAL of The ancient Corporate Towns of England possess Libraries, which were originally founded— eiTher by The munificence of individuals, or by a public and joint-stock contribution,—and Then entrusted to The guardianship of The respective municipalities. Most of These Libraries date from The early part of The seventeenth century. At that period, studious and even learned men were occasionally seen to take Their share in The business of Town Councils. others, sitting with Them, who laid no claim to distinction of this sort, were forward to show Their respect for it. No very elaborate argument was thought necessary to prove that all The townspeople had a common interest in The provision of facilities for study; or that tins common interest was wholly independent of gradations in social position.

But this recognition of a common want which we find to have been made in several towns at nearly The same period, was soon checked in its natural results by The political strife Then fast gaThering head. The temporary lull in The great struggle, which occurred outdiecked by between The death of Cromwell and The call of William of Orange, is too full of public infamy to admit of surprise that The municipalities of The day had little attention to bestow on trusts of this kind. Algernon Sydney has truly depicted The Then state of things, in his incisive way, by The statement that “The greatest part of The nation was brought under The power of The worst men in it.”