The oldest established now in existence is Mr. Folthorp’s North Street Library, originally Choat’s, and then Loader’s. It is admirably situated, and has a supply of books, periodicals, and newspapers equalled by no other circulating library in the county. The only proprietary literary establishments, with the exception of those attached to the several places of public worship and their schools, are the Brighton Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Albion Rooms, to which a Chess Club is attached; the Railway Library and Scientific Institution, for the use of persons employed on the railway; and the Young Men’s Christian Association, in Middle Street. Some of the booksellers have a lending library connected with their businesses. The principal of these are Dollman’s, Western Road, and Burrett’s, Waterloo Street, Hove; Styles’s, North Street, Sugg’s St. James’s Street, and Grant’s Library and Reading Room, Castle Square. The literary character of which the Steine formerly boasted is now entirely gone, and it is content to be considered the emporium of the followers of Galen and Æsculapius, who as much there abound as the students of Coke and Blackstone throng Ship Street, and give that locality of quips, quirks, and the law’s delays the appellation of Chancery Lane. CHAPTER XXIX. THE THEATRES. Besides the Assembly Rooms at the Castle Tavern and the Old Ship Hotel, and the Libraries, the Theatre has been, and still is, a place of fashionable resort in Brighton. The remnant of the first Theatre ever erected in the town has recently been restored to public notice in consequence of the premises undergoing alterations in the process of converting them into ale and porter stores, by Messrs. Charlton and Co. They are situated in North Street, and are approached by a doorway between the shops of Messrs. Cunditt, jewellers, and Mr. Pritchard, confectioner. To the old inhabitants they are better known as Wallis’s wine and spirit vaults; and at a recent date they were occupied by Mr. Cordy, the son-in-law and successor of Mr. Wallis. In 1789 they were used as the printing office of Messrs. William and Arthur Lee, who in a few years removed their establishment to Lewes, and then Mr. Wallis took possession of them. In this building David Garrick displayed his inimitable histrionic talent. The main structure and its original front have long since passed away: but the stage yet remains entire, with its several traps and appointments. An excellent portrait of Garrick till lately graced the wall, but the modern destroyer of many a work of art, whitewash, has entirely obliterated every feature of it. Annexed is a copy of the “Bill of the Play,” in the possession of Mr. Cunditt, referring to this Theatre:— Theatre, North-Street, Brighthelmston, On WEDNESDAY, October 5, 1785, will be presented, A COMEDY, called THE SUSPICIOUS HUSBAND.