The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-05


dited when related But fater myself that what il dis
covered though not enough to satisfy curiosity is sui
Client to excite IT, and that subsequent explorations Will
complete what has been commenced"
The whole territory embraced within this great
basin is now virtually the property of the United
States. II has, at all events, come into our pos
session by the fortune war, and it WILL no doubt,
remain as part indemnity for the expenses we
have been so upjustly forced to make in prose-
cutting peace with Mexico. An exploration of
this unknown region would be attended with in
caculable advantage, and we hope that when the
pressure of business now on the administration at
Washington shall have been removed, and peace
once more be triumphant that survey and ex-
ploration of this great basin, as well as all other
territory that may be coded to us, will be directed
and undertaken by the government.
This is great country.
The New York Society Library.-The Inn
PrOvements OF the CITY.
We give on the outside OF this days Herald an
excellent view Of the beautiful building in Broad.
way owned and occupied by the Society Library
1t is situated short distance above the Taber-
nacle, and is one of the ornaments OF the city.
The age we live in may well be termed won.
derful, for its developments mock the tmorous
doubts of cautious learning, and force upon us
new imagery for our rhetoric. Its master.spirit,
the press, must now be termed the daguerreotype
OF thought-the telegraph of ages.
In our republic, where ignorance is almost a
badge of scorn, the press rears its form in every
hamlet, and its light beams round in every cot
tage The transient influences of the passing
hour, the hum of industry and boarding thrift,
the noise Of busy man in all his haunts, find end
less echo in this wakefnl sprite. The historian,
the philosopher, and the poet, to the press owe all
their power; while man is deeply indebted to it
for the voice Of prophecy and the word Of God.
although endowed with a spirit moro subtle
than the electric spark, which "puts a grdle
round the EARTH" nor marks the tagging minutes,
the offspring OF the press boasts but fragile
form. Though scattered,
Like flower seeds by the far winds sown,"
wherever the white mans footstep urges on
ward in his march of power, their evanescent
ministry must be renewed with each rising sun.
Even the more substantial labors of the art, to
which ingenuity seems exhausted in giving per-
manence, we find hardly less perishable.
To arrest the fleeting messengers of truth-to
snatch from oblivion the deeds of honor, and
hoard the golden treasures OF the mind-have
ever ranked among mans noblest objects. In
"peace on earth" had babe pale science light her
torch in heaven, and spread her pages to the as.
tonished world, her scrolls were cherished by the
hands of monarchs; and temples, knocking still
the tooth of time, were reared, to save her records
from decay.
The sober necessities of civilization suggest the
propriety of public Libraries every enlightened
nation makes them the object of its highest care,
and even the unlettered children Of nature pre-
serve their history, pictured on trees and rocks
The earliest public library in this country is al
luded to by its faithful colonial historian, Gra-
hame, whose volumes have lately been pro-
duced. He says, briefly
"A library was founded under the government of
Lord Bellamont in the year 1900 - GraGsmes History
Of the U.S., Vol. ,, page 256. Phiiad Ed, ls45.
A few volumes, the relics of this early collec.
ton, are still preserved, bearing the following
label -
belonging TO ye publick Library Of New York, I'LL"
In others are found this autograph and quaint
John Sharpe" "Ad quid venist"
There is reason to believe that this was the
name of the real founder of the library; he was
chaplain to the governor, and distinguished for
his learning. The public library was increased
in 1929 by donation of one thousand volumes,
but having gradually fallen into neglect, in 1854,
Z" set Of gentlemen" as stated by another colonial
historian, (Wm. Smith) "set on foot subscription
towards for ga new one," which resulted in
the estab ishment of " The Society Library"
being engrafted on the former, it occupied the
Library apartments in the Old City Hall, and
continued to increase and flourish until the dis
turbances of the revolution drove its members
from their homes, and we find no record
OF its history till the restoration Of peace,
when, from the minutes OF the trustees,
we learn that "the accidents of the war had
nearly destroyed the former library the society
was recognised, new subscriptions were obtain
ed, and a building evincing considerable archi-
tectural taste was erected in Nassau street, oppo-
site to the Middle Dutch church, now used as the
Post Office. Here, with the wreck of the ancient
collection, only, as foundation, the Library
speedily increased, and continued its course of
unobtrusive usefulness until the growth of the
city rendered more central locality desirable,
when, having purchased the site of the present
edifce in Broadway, the Nassau street property
was sold, and the society occupied temporary ac-
commodations in Chambers street until 1910,
when the new building was completed. Its di-
mansions are 60 feet in width, and 100 feet in
length. The architecture is of the Ionic order
the material OF the front and basement walls,
&c, is brown free stone-the interior con
sists Of two handsome rooms on the street
floor, facing on Broadway, with neat and
commodious theatre, or lecture room, in the
rear, capable of seating five hundred persons,
and admirably adapted to scientific or other lec-
lures. In regard TO sound, the room is much ad-
mired by vocalsts, and the celebrated Braham
gave it his decided approval. The library and
reading rooms occupy the principal floor, and
consist of two large halls and two smaller apart
ments Tor study and conversation. The National
Academy Of Design hold the upper story on a
lease, and are enabled by their central and con-