Document information
Physical location:
Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 60.05.07Preferred Citation:
J. Moody and Thomas Cope to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1860-05-07. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1860-9/1860/60-05-07-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
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Printed circular found inserted in a copy of Victoria Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council, Session 1850, Bills. The document has been folded and addressed by hand on the outside: 'Immediate |
Dr Mueller | Argus Hotel | Collins St East'.
ON THE MUNICIPAL SITE
JOHNSTON STREET, EAST COLLINGWOOD.
Sir,—
The Honorable J. P. Fawkner, M.L.C., and other friends of Popular Education having
proposed, in a Memorial to the Municipal Council, to attempt to procure subscriptions
to erect a spacious Brick Building on the Municipal property in Johnston Street, for
a Free Public Library, on condition of its permanent maintenance; your kind donations of money and books, in aid of such object, are earnestly solicited.
In compliance with the stipulated condition, the Municipal Council have passed a By
Law to maintain the building in repair, to defray the expenses of managing the Library,
and also to grant it not less than £100 annually for the purchase of books and other
publications.
The attempt to establish a Public Library in East Collingwood to be open daily to every resident, without payment, for quiet reading and study, will, it is trusted, enlist the active sympathy and
support of every inhabitant, who, no doubt, will deem it both a privilege and a duty
to use every exertion for the attainment of such object.
The proposed Public Library will afford never-failing means for mental recreation
and improvement, — prove a powerful bulwark against intemperance, — tend to the formation
of good habits, — occasion new intellectual wants and increased efforts to supply
them, — and thus promote the moral, mental, and social advancement of the community
in general.
The Free Public Library is proposed to be forty feet long, twenty-five feet wide,
and fifteen feet high, and a professional gentleman has guaranteed the building and
completing it, inclusive of Library fittings, for a sum not exceeding £500!
To enable the Committee to ascertain the amount of available funds for proceeding
promptly with the building, your early and favourable answer to this Circular is solicited,
and the co-operation of your friends is also invited.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
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J. J. MOODY,
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}
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Honorary Secretaries
2T. H. Cope has not been unambiguously identified.
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THOMAS HENRY COPE,
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To Dr Mueller
Forms addressed to us, for filling up the amount and description of your Donations,
are enclosed.
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Enclosed form not found. The second page of the circular lists the office-bearers
and members of the East Collingwood Free Public Library Committee.
Court House, Johnston Street,
East Collingwood, 7th May, 1860.