In September, 1863, the Committee evidently
intended to continue the penny readings, as it was resolved that Mr.
Dowson, a member of the Committee, should have full liberty to make
arrangements for conducting the penny readings during the following
winter session.
A course of popular lectures in connection with the Library by
distinguished scientists was inaugurated by Mr. F. W. Harmer, J.P.,
F.G.S., F.R.Met.Soc., in the year of his mayoralty, 1888.
(Parenthetically it may be remarked that he has the distinction of being
the oldest member of the Public Library Committee, he having served on it
continuously since 1880.) Hoping to place the scheme on a permanent
basis, Mr. Harmer suggested the appointment of a Committee of the
Corporation to carry out arrangements for a yearly series of similar
lectures on science by distinguished men, under the provisions of the
Gilchrist Trust, and the matter was referred to the Library Committee.
The first of these series, delivered early in 1889 by Sir Robert Ball,
Dr. Lant Carpenter, Dr. Andrew Wilson, Professor Miall, Professor Seeley,
and the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, were "crowned with complete success." Under
the management of the Committee another course was delivered during the
following winter, when the lecturers were Sir Robert Ball, Dr.
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