The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-06

| to public attention an extract from the January
| number of De Bo,o's Revie,c, in which plan is
proposed for carrying out and giving effect to the
munifcent legacy of the late Abijah Fisk, and the
| donation added to it by his brother and esteemed
citizen, Alvarez Fisk for the establishment in New
Orleans of Free Public Library
| We have since paid a special visit to the Library.
building, on the corner of Customhouse and Bour-
bon streets, and conversed with the Librarian who
corroborates the opinion ventured by us, that in its
present shape and organization the Fisk Library is
but mockery, conducted at large expense, and
without any beneficial public results.
Here is building which, on fair estimation,
should rent for $1,000 per annum. exclusive of the
Library Hall, the whole emoluments of which are
given to gentleman who opens and closes the
doors, and acknowledges himself that it is the rares
thing in the world that he is favored with visitor
other than in the calls of personal friendship or in
the stealthy ntrusons of those patrons of ponder.
GUS learning-the mica, Indeed, we never before
formed SO vivid conception of what may be called
the repose Of letters in this Hall, and marvel il a
gentleman might enjoy the otium can, dignitate
any where else in the world so well as by being
made the Librarian here.
Among the moudy and sleeping volumes, we
discovered many OF great value, rarely 10 be met
with in the ordinary collectons-an edition of the
great Encyclopndi a by Rse., the complete works
of Ciaere, British Poets; Voltaite, in seventy
three volumes, French the great French Dictiona-
~ Of National History sets, nearly complete, of
the North American, Edinburgh, Port Folio, Ana
lytic, and other American and foreign Revue ws;
the American State Papers, and many hundred
volumes Of Congressional Documents, etc. The
| collection includes several thousand volumes in
English, French, Italian, etc., embracing most of
the classics of these languages.
All that is needed is but an energetic movement
to give to New Orleans the full benefit of this pro-
jected benefit. We believe that it can be done if
the parties take hold in earnest. Mr. Fisk himself
who did us the honor of call, expresses himself
anxious to place the matter upon a proper basis
and will cheerfully cooperate in the suggestions
we have made
Nothing remains but for the University and the
Council to appoint their respective committees,
who shall, without delay, arrange plan for the
sale OF the building, the investment, in books,
the reservation of a proper hail. and the general de-
tails of a Free LIBRARY establishment.
The FORREST QUARREL.-The NewYork Star
fully expresses opinion of Mrs. VOORHEES, affidavit
1t exposes the cowardy attack made on her repu.a-
ton by CARRIED extracts from her letters, which
are made to express, or rather TO hint, ideas the
very reverse of hers. How is it that husbands
manage TO possess themselves Of the correspond.
ence of their wives? We think it is a modern in.
vention. A man, perhaps, could not be convicted
of larceny, if indicted for stealing his wifes letters;
but, certainly, he would be considered as dsgraced
by the theft,
The affidavit of Mrs. Worries is a document of
great force and clearness and WILL unquestonably,
produce powerful impression. Some portions of
it are very touching, and it is calm and dgnified
throughout. Her explanations of the passages in
her letter, relied upon by Mr.. F. evidence agans.
her character, are given in a most natural, simple,
and apparently candid manner.
1t is much to be regretted that this family quarrel
has been obruded upon public attention, and we
believe Mr.. Forrest himself will one-lay think co.
The impression uniavorable 10 Mrs. Forrest has
been, IN great measure, removed, by the affidays
Of herself and others. Nothing remains against
her but the Consueo letter, and even that is for.
gotten in the brutal conduct of her husband.
otheilo has been his favorite character, why not
act 1t out Itwould have been far nobler than this
disgusting wer of affidavits.
we have had Me- Forests story, and now the
','.'i~ on the other side are coming before the
OIL - y, .nem, VIZ: those OF w. A. Howard, |
u.e"A,u o Willis, John b. Rich, (of The gym a.
, nv M nfoadway1 Nathaniel Parker Willis, G. |
'a'isson' Efanhy Calcraft, British packet
aseu'1 samuel nj. Raymond, Parke Goodwin,
Henry Panton, F. o. Darlev. and Ms,o,ra, r
Voorhes, have already been publisbed and Mrs
Forests own statement will bs nex, in OWL,
These afdavits deny in the most positive terms the
eliminating portion of the testimony given hv M
Forrest, HE housekeeper, Mrs. Underwood and ,he
other witnesses on his side. Many Of the facts
which MIR. +. has brought forward as syidenc,
against his wife, are explained in a manner tina,
unparalleled persons will deem satisfactory and if
both parties have now said their say, we cannot
believe that either public opinion or The laws
award will pronounce Mrs. Forrest guilty.