Sydney Smith (1771-1845) was an English writer and a Reverend of the Anglican Church. He founded the Edinburgh Review, an intellectual and cultural magazine. The Reverend Sydney Smith wrote this book about his works. The book is part of Flagstaff Hill's Pattison Collection, a large group of books and records, some of which are rare and valuable. The collection was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, which was founded in 1853 and is named after Warrnambool's Public Librarian, Ralph Pattison. The book is of interest as it has the conditions of borrowing a book from the Mechanic's Institute pasted onto the front cover, including the cost of a Quarterly Subscription, written by Secretary Geo. D. Alston. Thomas Longman founded his publishing firm in 1724 in London by the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, including Longman, Green, Reader and Dyer (1865-1880), the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC. The book is of special interest as it has the conditions and cost of borrowing from the Mechanics' Institute pasted onto the front cover, which gives insight into the importance placed on being able to borrow a book from the library. The book is important for its connection with the London publisher Longmans, Green & Co. The firm has been established for over two centuries and is renowned for publishing encyclopedias, dictionaries, books on English grammar, textbooks, poetry, reference books, novels, magazines and more. The book has additional importance for its connection to the Pattison Collection, which, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institutes’ Collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and its important role in people's intellectual, cultural and social development throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance.The Works of The Rev Sydney Smith Author: The Rev Sydney Smith Publisher: Longmans, Green, Reader, & Dyer, London Date: 1869 Edition: A new edition Crimson hardcover book with a green sticker attached to the cover and all covered in clear plastic. The green sticker gives details and the cost of a subscription to the library and borrowers' rules. Inscriptions are on the spine in embossed gold, and on the fly are a stamp and several handwritten characters. The book is part of the Pattison Collection.Label on spine: "PAT 824 SMI" Label/sticker on front cover includes the print: "Mechanics' Institute" "Subscription 2s. 6d. per Quarter payable in advance" "Geo. D Alston" "Secretary" Sticker; a green sticker pasted to the front cover "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" Stamp on Fly "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute" Sticker on front endpaper "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" covered by a sticker "Corangamite Regional Library Service" Handwritten on fly: "M" "102" "G 29 (crossed out" "1179" "3" flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, pattison collection, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool library, free library, corangamite regional library service, longman green reader dyer, sydney smith, rev. sydney smith, sydney smith biography, works of the rev. sydney smith, 1869, edinburgh times, secretary geo. d. alston., mechanics' institute subscription, geo. d. alston