“‘I am requested by a few friends of Mr. Roscoe to present to the Athenæum the books of which I enclose a catalogue; reserving to him, during his lifetime, their use, and removal from the library, whenever he may have occasion for them.
“‘Mr. Roscoe’s friends are desirous thus to record their high respect for his talents, and their gratitude for the virtuous and indefatigable application of them to the advancement of the intellectual character of the town of Liverpool.
“‘May I trouble you to communicate the substance of this letter, and its confirmation, to Mr. Roscoe.