Portico+Library

In 1806 Portico Library was opened as a private library. It was primarily used by the members to read the latest London newspapers, which allowed them to make better decisions about various important trading deals. To this day it serves as a private library. It costs about 500 pounds a year to be a member. British novelist Elizabeth Gaskell used to come here, but was not allowed to be a member because she was a woman. Her husband brought her books and newspapers to some back rooms, and there she would read them.

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