NELSON LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.

The annual meeting of the above institution was held in the Reading-room, on Monday evening last ; H. Adams, Esq., President, in the chair.

The following gentlemen were elected as of-fice-bearers: — H. Adams, Esq., President; the Rev. J. C Bagshaw, Vice-President; 0. Curtis, Esq., Treasurer ; and Mr. J. Percy, Secretary. Committee: — Messrs. D. Moore, D. Sinclair, N. Leaper, J. D. Greenwood, and W. Norgrove.

The Secretary's report shows no increase in the number of members, although upwards of thirty names have been added during the past year : this is no doubt owing to the superior attractive power of gold over literature. Upwards of one hundred and forty volumes of readable books have, it appears, been added to the library by the late committee » and they have made arrangements for a continuous supply of books from Mudie's celebrated library in London ; books which, if we are to judge from a few just received, will form a valuable adjunct to those at present in the library.

The committee have also taken steps to remedy a defect which must have been apparent to every one visiting the reading-room ; we mean the irregular receipt of the various English periodicals, some of which are from six to nine months old before they are received: they will for the future arrive by post. By resolutions passed, the -ew oo™«,ltt*e are directed to take into their immediate consideration the necessity which exists for increased accommodation, also.the desirability of obtaining lectures, &c ; without which such institutions do not deserve the name, and the want of which hitherto is no doubt one of the causes of the apparent apathy which exists among the members, as shown by the small attendance at the annual meetings. Let us hope before another year passes away that we shall have have another tale to tell.