New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-11-10

of which destroyed, and which was proosoiv
preserved by accident from oblivion. you will par
don me for reading 10 you
.NEx-YoRk. November B, l52o.
NOTICE TO MERcHAsTs, CLERKS Aso APPsESrIcE IS
Those Young gentlemen no disposed 10 form Aer-
camille Library ard Evening Reading Rooa are desired
Meeting for that purpose a. the oEiiae Cot
fee House. Thursday evening next nj clock
The Young Men OF South street, Front w eie: Pea
Maiden lane and Broadway, are particularly desired to
attend '"
There was no vain Boosting about this announce
rnent-no captivating promise CT extraordinar!
benefits which the result might have proved faa-
cioss no rompous anticipation OF brillian; pro-
iects. destined perhaps 10 end in disappointment
and ridicule is terms were plain and practical
partaking of the simplicity and directness OF the
olden time and, l venture 10 say, OF the persona!
character of the individual who penned it. The
letter OF the alphabet appended to the call desg-
mates the name OF Wood TO whom ! believe. Is
accorded the hoser Of having borne mos; con-
spcuous part amongst the founders OF tie Asso-
CATION That gentleman | have never mad the
pleasure OF meeting, and having quilted many
wears since the busy scenes OF our city, am told
that he now enjoys serene, honorable and useful
old age, in the tranquil retreats Of Of our
Western villages.
lave been informed that he might probably
honor this occasion with his presence; that he
would be amongst Us tonight TO celebrate the
tweny.irs, birth day OF this fair child of his spirit
which even now, its career just opening, ha. so
far outstripped The most sanguine expectations of
the fondes; parental affection.
# he indeed be here present, the voice OF eulogy
will be conveyed to him in language deeper, more
emphatic and heartfelt, than any words, how
ever ap;ly chosen, could express; he viii be pro-
sent as it were, in the midst of po.terity; he will
read his history and his praise in the graduating
ewes and looks of these his intellectual children
reflected back from this bright audience, that
sympathises and rejoice. with them. He wIll en-
jov the rare and honorable triumph Of having
achieved victory OF unmixed good, approved by
morality and his own conscience; his laurels.
though perch4nce not so high or widc-spreading as
those Of names more dubious, spring from health
Ter soil and will remain always verdant. never
scared By the ghtnings of war, un.inaed with the
blood OF humanity and unwashed with is tears.
To estimate fully the extent of his triumph and
tba, of his associates and to those TO whom the
task of completing their design has been success
svely transmitted TO the present day, let Us cast
back our view to the period when the association
first started iGto existence.
Twen,y-one years ago the Clerks OF the City of
New.York, engaged in mercantile pursuits mad M
library of any considerable extent or tasteful and
iudicious selection to which they might freely re-
sort at the times when they wer' freed from their
daily avocations. They thrown, therefore.
in their pursuits of knowledge upon purchases from
their own scanty resources, on the casual and pre-
carious beraliiy of friends, upon those coliec-
lions belonging TO private individuals, which, made
for the purposes OF pScuniary emNlument only. eX-
hibited, in tteir selections of authors, discrm
mating taste and frequently very scrupulous mo-
rality.
In this why it was easy to perceive that the time
left 10 them from their usual employmenis and
private affairs would except in cases strongly pro-
tectcd By counieracting circumstances be naturally
exposed, not merely 10 TIE danger OF being wasted
in idle vacuity or in temporary recreations, but 10
pursuits positively nmcal TO virtue and happiness.
The business too OF large commercial cities is
unremited and ahserbs so much Of the time and
thoughts of all who are engaged in it, that even
those who natives OF them Withdrawn. 10 a
great extent from the eyes and supervision OF their
elder relatives by the engtessng nature OF their
respective affairs, and when released from therp
the young man is called so frequently from home
upon reasons that are, or appear, plausible that
the government of parents and guardians is con
fined mostly TO advice, long even before the age OF
legal majority has arrived. In The government of
families, the Pervading principle OF our political
institutions has intcrmngled itself and tine veto
the acts Of young men is Of very qualified nature.
The ancient severity of paterna authority, far
moved it is true from that vigor which, under
the law Of Moses and of the Roman twelve
tables, permitted the father proceed to the prl-
vate Judgement and infliciion of death upon the
child, which still exists in some of the counties at
EuroPe and which may be still found lingering in
some households here, had. in this country at
earlier period goaerally given place to rule found
ed more upon affection and an enlightened percep-
ton on both sides, of mutual interests. The IA
Their has now generally learned to appreciate the
hish and confidential relation in which he stands to
his child, and becomes to him what nature intend
ed he should be, only the elder, the wiser and the
more faithful friend, not governing merely Tor the
chds best interests, but governing that the
child himself. if not altogether devoid of intelIi-
gence and natural aiiedton, cannot fail perceive
that such is the motive
But sill this kinder and more judcious mode Of
parental government although in It's genera. results
so beneficial in many exposed the young
from great confidence i'll the nober principles OF
his nature, and from a want OF previous preparation,
10 danger .rem early and unrestricted intercourse
with the world.
If such the perilous cation OF the native OF
the city. how much greater then was the danger 10
the inexperienced youth entering into this multitudi
nou, city from the distant village or country fax re
moved from his kindred and early friends-pIaced,
perhaps, with employer who looked upon him in
the same light a, his other good. and chat,eIs and
felt regard for him except part of his produc
tive pecuniary capital, with whose moral and intel
lectGal culture he had concern OF this class OF
Strangers the youthful population OF every large com
nercal city, both in this country and Europe and
always vii! be largely composed. am told tina;
even in the cities of London and Paris, whose anti
putty transcends the Christian era AMI whose names
figure in history than a thousand years ago a
very large portion OF the active business classes !,
OF young from the Provinces upon
whose constantly flowing tide OF immigration the an
cient native denizen looks with the same jealousy
Ina, is sometimes expressed here.
OF TIL. strange! class thus constantly incorporating
IL. i. III l..