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The following report of the proceedings is reprinted from the Hackney Express
and Shorediteh Observer for 13th May, 1893:—
SHOREDITCII FREE LIBRARY.
OPENING CEREMONY BY THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.
MUNIFICENCE OF Mr. PASSMORE EDWARDS.
The deep interest of the people of Shorediteh in the free library movement and their fervent
gratitude to Mr. J. Passmore Edwards for so munificently helping' the parish found enthusiastic
expression in the brilliant ceremony of Wednesday afternoon, when, in the presence of a large
and representative assemblage, the Duke of Devonshire opened for public use the substantial
and splendidly equipped free library in the Kingsland Road. The glorious weather which
favoured east and west alike added greatly to the pleasure and success of the function ; and the
scene was most imposing when the noble duke drove up to the gaily decorated building between
an avenue of Second Tower Hamlets Rifles, who as a guard of honour, under the command of
Major F. M. Wenborn, edged the dense crowd of parishioners gathered to participate in the
welcome and rejoicing. On alighting, his Grace was cordially received by the indefatigable
Commissioners of the Library, and after a hasty inspection of the building he proceeded to the
grand pavilion erected in the grounds. Here the Duke was warmly welcomed by the large
audience who had been listening with manifest enjoyment during the previous half-hour to the
excellent music provided by the lads from Hornchurch, under the able direction of their
painstaking instructor, Mr. M. Larter. The chair was appropriately occupied by Mr. Thos.
Martindill, president of the Commission, supported by his colleagues, Messrs. W. H.
Barralet (vice-chairman), J. Cox, J. Donovan, S. Fordham, J. Hurlin, E. Moffatt, H. T. Sawell,
and F. M. Wenborn, with Dr. Robinson (hon. solicitor), and Mr. W. C. Plant (chief librarian
and clerk). On the right of the chairman sat the Duke of Devonshire, and on the left
Mr. J. Passmore Edwards, Mrs. and Miss Edwards, the company including Pro. Stuart, M.P., Mr.
W. R. Cremer, M P., Mr. W. J. Orsman, L.C.C., Mr. Nathan Moss, L.C.C., Mrs. and Miss Moss, Hon.
Claude Hay, Mr. J. Lowles, Mr. Edwin Austin, Mr. R. G. Alabaster, J.P., and Mrs. Alabaster, Rev.
T.Priestley (St. Peter's, Hoxton), Rev. C. Everitt (St. Andrew's, Hoxton), Mr. John Carter, Mr.
C. W. Cox, J.P., Rev. A. H. Vine and Mrs. Vine, Mr. R. J. Lovell (architect), Mr. E. A. R. Adams,
Messrs. R. Marshall, R. Clay, J. Little, R. Dummett, W. Ellis, G. Gotelee, C. W. Brabner,
H. Belstead, J. P. Creasey, J. Harverson, W. Beasley, T. B. Chant, E. Biggs, J. J. Frseman, J. W.
Vandy, J. Field, D. Noel, J. Cowley, H. Winkler, J. Langan, R. Speight, W. Cocks, W. Anderson,
G Andrews, R. J. Larcombe, J. Ivory (builder), H. Alexander, Dr. Oliver, and many others.
The Chairman commenced the proceedings with a brief statement of the history and
progress of the free library movement in Shorediteh, observing that the parish had a population
of 124,000, composed chiefly of the artizati class, who, up to the present time, had been deprived
of the advantage of free access to the best literature of the day. Having obtained a substantial
and suitable building, the Commissioners spent £1,870 in alterations, £1,500 on books, and £270
on furniture and fittings. A vast amount of detail work had been carried out by a competent
staff under the direction of Mr. Plant, librarian, who brought his previous experience to bear
upon the task in a thoroughly efficient and expeditious manner. In view of the need for
technical instruction, 16,000 persons in the par sh being employed in woodwork alone, an ample
supply of books bearing upon that industry had been obtained, which would be of valuable
assistance to artizans. The Commissioners wished to express their gratitude to Mr. Edwards for
coming forward with that philanthropic spirit characteristic of himself and removing the debt
on the building and site ; to Mr. Errington, for 200 valuable books ; and to Mr. Foster, Tolworth
Hall, Surrey, for a very fine painting, " The Finding of Jane Shore." They had also an
acquisition which no other library in London possessed, viz., the large garden in which they were
now assembled, where the public could promenade on fine evenings, and readers could enjoy a