Without lessening the merits of Mr. Smirke and Mr. Fielder in carrying out its plans, the contriver and real architect throughout has been Antonio Panizzi.
Your exertions have brought increased prosperity to the greatest of our Institutions.
Yours ever sincerely,
Henry Ellis.”
Another letter, by the same hand, bears testimony to the success of the entertainment itself:—
“24, Bedford Square,
4th May, 1857.
“Dear Panizzi,
I must not resist the pleasure I feel in expressing to you my congratulations on the successful opening of our new Reading-Room, on Saturday, although H.R.H. Prince Albert, contrary to his own intention, was prevented by the Duchess of Gloucester’s demise, from honouring it with his presence.
You see I still venture to say our Reading-Room, for although officially defunct, my heart and mind remain attached to the welfare of the place, and with it a fancied identity still hovering over me, and I must say not a little encouraged by the prosperity and increasing magnificence of the place I have so long loved.