“My Dear Sir,
I have communicated to this Department the most kind and flattering letter you have addressed to us, and I am desired to convey to you the expression of the pleasure all have experienced from its perusal. The gratification we feel in your promotion to the important post of Principal Librarian is much alloyed by our regret at your separation from us. All have been indebted to you for acts of kindness and consideration—not a few for substantial benefits. It is our pride that we have been enabled to take part in the labours of the Department; but the result is due to the firm and able guidance those labours have at all times received from yourself. The approval and ready acknowledgment with which you have always met the exertions of others have proved no slight incentive to continued zeal and application.
The energy and enlarged views which have raised the Library to its present state of efficiency will now be employed in promoting the advancement of the Institution generally; and supported and seconded as you doubtless will be by the Trustees and Officers, we look forward with confidence to the time when the British Museum shall take its proper rank as one of the most powerful engines for the promotion of education and intelligence.
Believe me, my dear Sir, most truly yours,
J. Winter Jones.”
On the assumption of the office of Principal Librarian, Panizzi wrote a circular letter to the officers of the Museum, to which are appended a few of the answers received, in the order of dates.
“British Museum,
March 24th, 1856.
“Dear Sir,
Her Majesty having been graciously pleased to appoint me to the office of Principal Librarian, I beg to inform you that the Trustees, on Saturday last, put me in possession of that office.