“candid friends,” coarse but not witty, seeking in every possible way to disparage this beneficent project, in short, PRETENDED AND HOLLOW friends of the poor, who, like the arch traitor in the text CARE NOT ONE STRAW FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE, are going on to meet the armed men, the soldiers of victory, thrice armed as having their cause, or _casus belli_ just. But unlike other encounters, in this Engagement there will be no gathering tears and tremblings of distress. The heroic women of St. Marylebone especially, will take comfort in the thought that fortune favours the brave, and that although the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, they have, come what may, _deserved_ success, for they have done what they could to win the battle. Clad in the armour of Righteousness you will know no fear; you will mock at fear and not be affrighted; you will meet the treacherous foe with self-approving smiles; Conscience will whisper in your ears the memorable words of the SAVIOUR to Mary, “SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD” to secure the victory. I have said this Public Library movement—this precious boon of Reading for All is especially a WOMAN’S QUESTION, and I hope the Meeting will be graced by many Ladies to attest its truth and do honour to this great occasion. With such powerful allies I for one have no fear of the result. “From woman’s eyes this doctrine I derive, They sparkle still the true Promethean fire; They are the books, the arts, the academies That show, contain and nourish all the world.” I have briefly alluded to the economic aspect of this question, and shewn how pauperism would be diminished by the advance of the people in Knowledge. You may depend upon it nothing is so expensive to this Parish, so burdensome on the rates as IGNORANCE and INEBRIETY. I have designated the Public Libraries Act as a scheme for reducing the rates by improving the condition of the people. Let me for one moment turn from the £ _s._ _d._ point of view, to the social. What power in BOOKS! What various knowledge in those great Public Instructors, NEWSPAPERS! GOD be thanked for Books!