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

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tiou this Institution receive when tse ceoi up
on This building is li9uidated II IS e-lcent that Ii
bra-v nusi be al length colectea whicn
the largest and Oldest ones OF IRIS Continent VII!
stand il proud competition WITH any oil modern OF
ancient Europe, repienished as isey nave been by
the accumulation OF ages and the costly donanens OF
princes and nations. In respect 100 !; WI! FAR
transcend al these refer 10 the rniversaE OF IL
use ana diffusion. Many OF the aacIen, and some OF
the modern libraries have borne the same relation 10
me cause OF Literature that converts anc monas;ees
once bore to thar Of Religion-PTeservins Inceed'
the treasures Of the human intellect from ces!EUcton
and dispersion, whilst darkness cn1 oaroarist :eig
ed yyLin the- precincts 5ui corning their light ana
;hei- benefit 10 The pale aud clustered student iheE
obscure alcoves AID dusty galleries unirocden ans
uuvisited BY the Of business and action But
the Library attached this Institution IS emphatic
ally one OF genera! and vide spreading clrca2,
ton it scatiers Is treasures with liberia! hand ana
every volume become, familiar the eyes OF ihcu-
sands.
4 capacious and properly arranged Reading room.
with 81. appliances and IneaAs 10 boot furnishes an
elegant 70. the leisure hours OF the long "R
ter evening, where the periodical literature OF the
Day uay divert the mind OF the student and IN some
cases not unproitably 10. season from MS regular
course OF msre systematic reading
I observe TOO BY the las, Annuul Report present
ed 10 TIE Association. from the pen OF my trend M
Silnau the late President, that Gallery OF Fine
ARTS. and Museum. and Cabinet @; minerals,
shells and natural cu-iosities, have been within the
last wear added 10 the other branches OF the lnst;u
ton.
would respectfully suggest to the Board OF Di-
rectors the proprely Of taking INTO their consdera
ton the addition OF 4 room in Uhich under proper
restrictions and regulations. the members might be
allowed the privilege OF conversaton-a kind OF ex-
change where mental ideas might be battered instead
Of the wares OF Commerce. You all well
quainted with ,ae apo;heem OF Lord Bacon, that
reading makes the fall writing the correct man.
and conversation the ready man. | am of opinion.
Judging from nv own experience and what have
heard from others that alter devotion OF some con
siderable time study or reading. II the physical
powers have not been much exhausted by TOO
long application the opportunity OF mixing IN tree
conversation with persons OF enlightened minds and
agreeable ternperS whilst it affords most beautiful
and delicious recreation 10 the wearied faculties Is
calculated in the efficient consolidate
and correct our nowledge and sharpen our intel
lcc,s by the friendly conflict of ,hose OF others.
suggest this view. however, not matter upon
which have bestowed any considerable reflection.
It IS than probable. presume that amongst
the number of gentlemen whom the interests o;
this Institution have been contidcd. the idea which
have thus suggested may have already presenter IL
self and not been carried into practical effect from
some difficulties that do not strike the hrst view
Of the subject.
Your Institution. gentlemen has thus from time
time constantly developed new resources and modes
OF npr vement springing up and varying with the
increased wants Of the community you represent
Prominent amongst your Improvements OF later years
is the system of annual Lectures which established
and carried large and liberal scale, and
comprising grea, variety OF subjects and lecturers
! this institution believe the first in the city OF
New ork 10 introduce the notice and appreciation
OF the public Under your auspices these walls have
been taught 10 resoGnd with the accents, and Its
,hronging crowds have rejoiced in the presence OF
Z NJ he most nd he'd
I scholars that hIve adorned country; the days
seemed almost return when the voice OF Socrates
drew down philosophy from Heaven to dwell among
men-when the ethereal Plato in the garden Of the
Academy elevated the rapt spirit with thoughts that
seemed to be anticipated from later and brighter
revelaton-or his disciple Aristotle poured forth to
the audience of the Lyceum the treasures OF an in
ellect which, in acu,eness comprehensiveness. and
protoundness has only been squaled by that oil him
whose name Is so often joned-the great Lord Ba-
con.
Your Lectures gentlemen, we all know have he.
come celebrated and popular; they draw audiences
frequent and full but still you cannot be unaware
tlat this mode OF conveying and receiving instruction
is by many persons very lightly estimated. They
consider that very little knowledge OF solid per
manent character can be thus acquired, and very
apt ortity their conclusions with the oraeuar de
cisiJn Of Doctor Johnson who according TO Boswell
pronounced the system of featuring III utility,
except upon subjects the proper understanding OF
which, like that of making shoes for example. for
such the Doctors illustraron.) required the
compartment OF experiments. To those who concur
in this view the attendance which is t9 be devoted
here IS considered at best as merely of negative
character-as only so much time rescued from scenes
OF rcve anu dissipation, preudicel 10 health and VIZ
tue. Lot il even be so take the admission-o
use the language of lawyers-and consider II no in
considerable point in Is itno small matter
gained the bark tossed by the tempest, aud
l,borine amongst shoals and qucksands a strange
coast; with inexperienced crew and carry her 10
some safe haven, thou h it rlay not forward nor
her voyage Is there triumph OF hu.
manly in aordng refuge, from the of vice
that allure him from thousand opening portals to
the psor and unfrended young man. who seeks them
perhaps for Of other resources and companions
snip Is it nothing him from the obscure
haunts of the gambler the drunkard, from the
fair speech and fatal snares of that strange
that begues him "on the black and dark night
whose house is the Nay 10 hell, going down to the
chambers OF Death
need no answer to these questions-your looks
sufficiently convey the response OF your hearts
Is 1t not better too would further ask. 10 be here
than many scenes, whose attendants will claim
;ha though discountenarced by some sterner moral
lists, they have feelings and tendencies associated
with them that inspire them towards the side OF Viz
tue
viii not enter into the discussion of nice questions
o. morality the length allowed TO this address will
not permit thst latitude 1t may be asserted. how
ever, Wit! confidence that OF The principal be
cause unsupported, dangers TO the morals of young
nsn IS TO be found in those and Inducements
Of which perhaps the original design founded on the
development or exercise of some native quality
faculty. OF the hear intellect, friendly to Viz
tue bTi has been diverted from It's first scope and
tendency or has become connected with incidental
matters, OF lis essence, which immoral. This
IS doubt of the causes OF the decline, tending
almost to extinction of the Drama il is exho
lied and which has caused to fall into disre
pue the dramatic itself although it Is interviewer
with the finest feelings OF the hearts illustrated by
the mos; pendid monuments of genius-has received
the homage Of the highest aRd purcst minds-the
praises Of the severe Milton the tasteful Addison,