an arched gateway, and here was the Leather Hall (which was still in existence in Hutton's time), where the "Sealers" performed their functions. It was taken down when New Street was opened out, and though we have an extensive hide and skin market now, we can hardly be said to possess a market for leather other than the boot and shoe shops, the saddlers, &c.
Lench's Trust.—See "Philanthropic Institutions"
Liberal Association.-On Feb. 17, 1865, a meeting was held in the committee room of the Town Hall for the purpose of forming an organisation which should “unite all the Liberals of the town, and provide them with a regular and efficient method of exercising a legitimate influence in favour of their political principles. The outcome of this meeting was the birth of the now famous Liberal "Caucus," and though the names of ten gentlemen were appended to the advertisement calling the meeting, the honour of the paternity of the Liberal bantling is generally given to Mr. William Harris. The governing body of the association was fixed at two dozen, inclusive of the president, vice, and secretary; all persons subscribing a shilling or more per annum being eligible to become members. The "General Committee," for some time known as the "Four Hundred," was enlarged in 1876 to Six Hundred, and in June, 1880, to Eight Hundred, the Executive Committee, at the same time, being considerably increased. The recent alteration in the franchise, and the division of the borough and outskirts into seven electoral districts, has led to a reorganisation of the Association, or Associations, for each of the seven divisions now works by itself, though guided by a central Council.-A "Women's Liberal Association" founded in October, 1873, and a "Junior Liberal Association in October, 1878.
Libraries.—The first public or semi-public library founded in Birmingham, was the Theological. In 1733, the Rev. William Higgs, first Rector of St. Philip's, left his collection of 550 volumes, and a sum of money, to found a library for the use of clergymen and students. The books, many of which are rare, are kept in a building erected in 1792, adjacent to the Rectory, and are accessible to all for whom the library was designed.—A Circulating Library was opened in Colmore Row, in 1763, and at one time there was a second-class institution of the kind at a house up one of the courts in Dale End.—A "New Library" was opened in Cannon Street, April 26, 1796, which was removed toTemple Row, in 1821, and afterwards united to the Old Library. The latter was commenced in 1779, the first room for the convenience of members being opened in 1782, and the present building in Union Street, erected in 1798. The report of the committee for the year 1882 showed that there were 772 proprietors, at 21s. per annum; 35 annual subscribers, at 31s. 6d. per annum; 528 at 21s.; 6 quarterly, at 9s. per quarter; 53 at 6s. per quarter; 17 resident members of subscribers' families, at 10s. per annum; and 118 resident members of subscribers' families (readers) at 5s. The total number of members was 1,479; the year's subscriptions being £1,594. The price of shares has been raised from two to three guineas during the past year. Receipts from shares, fines, &c., amounted to about £180, making the amount actually received in 1882, £2,012 6s. The expenditure had been £1,818 19s. 9., inclusive of £60 carried to the reserve fund, and £108 paid on account of the new catalogue; and there remained a balance of £198 6s. 1d. in hand. £782 0s. 9d. had been expended on the purchase of 1,560 additional books, re-binding others, &c., making a total of about 50,000 volumes. The library needs extension, but the shortness of the lease (thirty year's only) and the high value of the adjoining land prevents any step
