The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-01

The Worlds Fair Art Union-The Curiosi-
ties OF New York Life.

/ OnlOn-VnG
| ties OF New York Life.
| New YORK, March 26 Top. NJ.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,
Dear ir:-As you faithful chronicler of pass
ing events, and an exposer of all humbugs send
you two printed circulars, have received, of what
consider one of the humbugs of the day, which il
you think proper you can give publicity to. 1t
will show how easily we, the people of New York,
and elsewhere, are led to part with our money by
holding out the shadow of promise Of gain.
| was, with thousands of others, induced to sub
scribe to " The Worlds Fair Art Union," with tho
expectation Of securing free passage to and from
the great city of London. But how they havo been
humbugged you may judge from the issuing of the
following circular, which forwarded to all sub
scribers, post paid, with that significant word
"priyate" at the seal, on the oath instant
OF course some fsw ventpred to CALL and after
looking about to see if the officers alluded to were
present, peeped in to gain the promised information
and informed the ballot would take place that
day, (25th) at four o'clock, at their Office. Now
their office, you must understand, is part of
entry passage, il would appear, about ten feet
by six, with three desks which nearly fill the place,
and dozen persons could find standing ROOM
where thousands were invited to be present. we'll
knowing that after such threat scarce one would
dare to present himself Another singular and
laughabe sign ornaments the door, Instead Of Tho
Worlds Fair Art Unon," which shone gracefully
over half the door, short time since, is
american Live Stock Insurance Company Of In
diana" The following day another circular is con-
veyed to the post Office by the bushel, which also
enclose, and think on inquiry it will be found that
the circular with the prizes all printed at tho
time Of balloting, is said to have taken place, un-
less they made use of your printing press for they
must have been very expert to have had all ready
and mailed SO quick Besides, how kind and consde.
rate to voluntarily pay the postage, after losing
thousands by the operation
The prizes, doubt not, will be found to be among
themselves, friends, officers Of the Live Stock
Company. Or perhaps there are some few, who
demanded their money, and this is done to mortify
them, they not being part of the Live Stock.
! ought to remark that Notwithstanding that Of
fensive word private" my wife had opened the
letter before ! reached home, and supposng the cir
cular was genteel way of apprizing me of my good
fortune, OF obtaining q prize, had already become
seven years younger with JOY, anticipating journey
to London with me, and on retiring instead of
going to sleep, she sailed to London encountering
perils on the Deep &c., and finally, after good deal
Of fatigue she returned home well pleased with
sight OF the Glass Palace, and the wonders therein
exhibited, and now relate all she saw, in a
clear and straight forward manner, than one half
that will really see the Crystal Palace itself.
Nor SECRETARY TOWNSEND.
New YORK, so Wall street, March -, 1851.
SIR OR MADAM:-The time, place, and manner
Of distributing the prizes in the Worlds Fair Art
Union is fixed.
DelnS unable 10 state mere the time,
place, manner Of the distribution, and for the
following reasons
The District Attorney insists that the distribution
will contravene the lottery laws, and has expressed
his intention to prosecute all parties concerned and
it has to my knowledge that tho police autho-
rites on the alert to ascertain when and where
the distribution takes place, with view to arrest
all parties present.
Now, as the punishment for the offence Of being
present at the drawing Of any game of chance,
(Which this is alleged to be,) Is by the Revised
Statutes of this State fine Of 81, 800, and two
years imprisonment in the State prison, it will be
seen the prudence fnot the necessity, Of pre-
serving the time and place Of the distribution pro-
found secret, except to those interested.
The committee of management embarked in the
enterprise in the fullest belief of its entire legality
and certainly at the time of its commencement they
had idea that the laws against lotteries would be
leveed ut this Art Union.
The committee Of management have determined
at all risk to fulfil their promises to the subscribers,
and as it was announced that notice of the dstrbu-
ton would DO given to the shareholders, this notice
il sent, and if you desire to be present ut the str
BUTTON on production Of this circular and the cerf-
cate Of your share at the Office of the New ork Art
Union Company, SO Wall street, between the hours
of two and four o'clock Il. NJ. on Tuesday, the 18th
Of distribution. BY order,
|. TOWNSEND Secretary.
80 WALL STREET, NEW YORK,
March 18th, 1851
SIR OR MADAM have to inform you that, in
pursuance of previous notice by advertisement and
by circular, addressed TO each subscriber to the
Worlds Fair Art Union n meeting of subscribers
and at that meeting, in the presence of the members
there assembled, the distribution OF the prizes in
the Worlds Fair Art Uunion was determined The
Prizes fell to the following shares -