The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-06-25
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PORTLAND, TUESDAY, JUNE Is, 1922.
TIE APPRENTICES LIBRARY.

Among the institutions which philanthropy bas
established to instruct the young in usefu
knowledge, and lure them from the errors and
vices to which youth have strong and powerful
temptations perhaps none have a more Just and
higher claim TO public patronage, and public
gratitude. too, than Apprentices Libraries,
when under proper guidance and regulation.
1t is our happy lot to live in a country, where
the rudiments Of education may be obtained BY
all, at the public expense; and no country can
boast OF equal blessings in this respect. In 9th
er nations these blessings are either confined to
children, whose parents are able to render an
equivalent, they are the noble, generous gift
Of private benevoience but with US, il is the
right Of every individual, rich or poor--W c
have, in respect of early school education, every
thing in enjoyment, and nothing to wish.
Sunday Schools, too--so happily established in
most Of our towns-ofer the means Of mplant-
ing in the infant mind lessons of early pietv.
To these Institutions, IN aid Of parental cXer-
ton, the community lie under debt of graft
tude, which it is impossible to appreciate.
But these advantages TO the rising generation
are confined to childhood. 1t is necessary to
continue important and beneficial instructions,
after that period has given place to youtfl-and,
judging from what we have seen in the establish
ment Of the Apprentices Library, in this town,
we cannot forbear to say, that institutions of
this sort. well conducted, are emnentIy calCu-
lated TO transmit rich blessings to the remotest
generations. We believe that the benefits which
NAV result from them are but little understood,
and that therefore they are not proportionably
patronized.
The Institution in this town. however, was at
its commencement, patronized bv many philan-
thropists, who can now contemplate with much
pleasure and satisfaction, the good they have
been the instruments of imparting. But large
portion Of the community are nacquainted with
tie happy success of the noble experiment of
this Institutions benefactors. Our short limits
will not admit of details. We can only give
general, and a very hasty sketch.
The Library consists of about 900 volumes
among which are several comics ofvarious works.
The books are we'll selected; consisting of his
tory, voyages, travels, periodical works, and
few novels, together with mathematical, meta
physical, moral and religious treatises-There
are about 800 readers-all of whom come within
the description Of apprentices, who, on every
Saturday, are supplied with the books they
choose, by some Of the trustees, who wait upon
them in rotation. 1t has been in operation a
bout two years. lis benefits might be estimated
in some small degree by an inspection OF the
Library book-the persevering eagerness with
which the Young men resort 10 the library room.
and by the ardor they discover in the pursuit OF
information and instruction, in their hours Of
leisure, when the duties to their masters permit
the Indulgence.
Who shall presume to estimate the benefits of
m institutions like this Who shall calculate
the incalculabIe good resulting from an nstitu-
ton which tends to keep our youth away from
places oil idle and vicious resort, by uTrng them
into the paths Of knowledge, of science, and OF
piety We cast an eve upon one page in the
library book, and saw, in one account, the reg
ular charges of loans and returns Of 66 volumes
in less than a year. Upon enquiry we ascer-
tanned, that this was youth of about IA, whose
diligence and ardor do not surpass the correct
Judgment and taste he discovered in his selec-
tiOus
There is a set Of Dobson's Cyclopedia in this
Library, Of which several lads have taken ont
volumes, and read them through. And some OF
the mathematical oasl metaphysical works have
been read, and we believe with much profit. bv
young men, who, but for this institution, would
not probably have ever had snch privilege.
The moral benefits to these young men must
be obvious. This is the employment of their
leisure hours The youthful mind must have
occupation-it viii have occupation. How i'm
portant. then, that If should be led into right
pursuits.
This valuable institution now languishes Tor
want OF more support. And we will not doubt
the philanthropist will contribute according t.
ms means, and the value Of the object. Lads
have often been obliged 10 wait weeks, perhaps
months, Tor cooks. so small. in proportion 10 the
readers, is the r.r,nber ofoOO yolnmcs-This i
not all many Of the books are in st. tered
state, and require new binding ana there are