The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-10-09
NEWPORT
uEDNESD.aY. OCT. 9, 1911.
REDWOOD LIBRAhi.

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THE Directors and Company or the Redwood lii
brary, arc under the necessity of soliciting publck
patronage, in support of that institution They feel
no degradation, and they cifer TO apology, in ad
dIsslng themselves, for this prrpCseio literary and
benevolent minds. In awakening and directing the
generosity Of men OF science to the advanSsmeht OF
science, they dcprccate the mputation of iNotives
merely selfish. They are but agents i- a common
for the common benefit. liz addition, however,
10 this sentiment, (as just II is aniabe,) OF the
community OF scientihck interests, there tecidr
circumstances connected with the history of this in
stitution of pcysuasive ia8uence, to conci4te the
sympathy OF the publick anG which constitute awell
grounded claim on its iheraliiy apd support Il is
now. sPwardsso sixty Years since this Library w.s
@stsfisshc its founders animated by truly
noble and enlightened publiok spirit, and it usi be
confessed, that their splendid services in favour of
literature, put 10 shame the reluctant and psrsmo-
nious patronage Of our times. s.srfr
The veU name OF the Library, reminds ,S of the
noble bounty OF ABRAHAM REDwoo d, Esq who, in
the year l747, bestowed on THIS institution five hun.
ded pounds sterling, for the purchase Of Books.
~ From the bounty OF another individual, HENRY
CoLLtHs. ESQ. we obtained the valuable lot Of ground
on which the Library edifce is erected. That edifcc
too, a,tests not only the TASTE, but the MuNI-
rIcENcE of, lis founders lin its design and con
strnction, BY strict conformity to the principles Of
ancient art, and by an unstinted but iudicous ex-
pense, they have ornamented this town with stiuc-
turc, that exemplfics the simplicity and the graale
ur, the chaste elegance and the magnificent effects
of Grecian architecture. r.. ,,a
Thus auspicious was the origin, and rapidly sue.
ccssih was the progress Of this Institution, when in
the very height of its prosperity it ovcrwhclm-
ed by calamity. sl.s. ..3c.s.sts
During our revolutionary conflict, THIS town was
occupied By different armies, aud torn aud vast.
cd by the cruel desoations of WAR. Our Library
editice was defaced, books were pillaged, our
friends driven from their homes, and the few who
ultimately returned, were themselves dIspirited by
their recent losses and dsconsolae at their future
prospects After the Peace, the Library was suffer
ga u go INTO decay, its interests, in spite of the rail-
tiny efforts OF few individuals were neglected, and
the beneve'cnt intentions Of ks founders were all
appearance irrctreysbly fru lated. The golden OPP
portunty o. incting the attention., and invoking the
Denenccnce OF the oPulent, presented by the late
peaceful and prosperous times, was not improved.
But it is with pride and pleasure announce to the
PATRONS OF literature that within the last two years.
In spite or the unprosPerous state Of commercial
concerns and the consequent depression Of the pub
ck mind an attention to the interests Of tlis nsti-
tuition has been revived and nspirited Its Const.
tuition and Bysl.aws arcncw modelled and improved
new proprieiors admitted on easy and liberal
terms the proper and necessary officers are appoint
ed who gulsrly execute their respective duties
Library Edifce has been repaired and renewal
cu, many dispersed volumes have been rcrained. I
taxes have been regularly assessed and paid, and
vaiusbe modem publications, 70 considerable a.
mount, have been procursd. So much has been |
done BY ourselves, that think we can With pro-
pricy justify present cal*for assistance from
others. To rSnder CHS institution efficiently useful,
and to complete the plan ofits founders afarge adj
dtion OF modern books is requisite, Onr ancient /
books arc of uncommon merit and value, and form
solid and peculiarly proper basis for various and
vast collection But 70 obtain tffis further addition
II mcdern books, TO any great is beyond our
means. The regular income from taxes and assess
nen,s must necessarily be tsrdy and inadequate, and
We are confined TO this source exclusively we shall
&c obliged TO postpone, TO an indefinite period, |
THAT, whichis most Immediately wanted, and waste
npc:iyand detached purchases, the fsnd that be
economically and most adyntagcously invested at
nee.
We DO therefore invoke In our aid, all those wio,
$ Scholars and Patriots, convinced Of the i'm |
ortance and utility of Literary Institutions. Where
an the opulen; better deposit their gifts, than where,
nshr;ned by g-aritudr, they viii endure, a
bent of their Inagnanimy. In any other act Of be-
evidence, the motive may be as virtuous, and The
ceiling TIA; prompts i as momentarily dciighsfuj,