Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-08
GjgTY AgSE AIR y.



be published:
TO THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND.
The building formerly known as the Richmond
"Academy" and the lot which it is situated lat the
corner OF Marshall and Tenth streets1 having recently
become the property OF the city, it has been resolved
| by an Ordinance in Council, to establish there an
"a ther Tum ter the promotion OF education the en-
couragement Of learning, and the diffusion of useful
knowledge In the Same ordinance, valuable provs-
ions were adopted for atlordng ne ruction tn "ndjpent
Children and the regulation of primary schools" and
ofthe "Iancastetian School,. These provisions were
naturally introductory to the institution OF the Athe
neum, part OF general plan Tor the accomplish.
ment Of the objects already indicated. TO further
these oheclseave was granted to the Richmond Libra
ry Association" and the Virginia Historical and Phil
osopbcal Society" to occupy the rooms in the upper
story OF the Athenmnm for library purposes aud pro-
vision made for appropratlng annually to each the
sum Of one hundred and fifty dollars 10 add to their IL
br8ties; but coupled with the terms that these libraries
should be made conveniently accessible to the citizens
generally. Al the same time, a "COmmtee Oh the
AttenBum was appointed, with control over the other
stories ot the building but under instructions that
some OF the rooms should be appropriated TO public lee
ture tor admss on 10 which Except in appro-
pirate Tor exemption, moderate fees should be charged
to deray incidental expenses, and if practicable to pur
chase scientific library and apparatus. The commit
lee We're moreover required to consider and report 10
the Counc what repairs and improvements would be
proper to the building and lot referred to- with an est
mate OF the probable cost. Since their appointment
the committee have had several meetings at " bjch
among other measures, they have resolved to invite our
| distinguished ownsman, Judge Robertson to deliver
an IN roductory lecture, 10 which admtance shall be
Tree. They have also organized several sub commit.
lees upon the subject oil repairs and improvements
to the lot ana building; another upon the subject oi
ecures and another charged with the duty of prepar
ing public address in regatd to the objects of the
AthenBum. None of these sub commees have VET
made delnitve reports; but they have frequently had
conferences in relation to the general outline of their
pans and has been considered acvisabe that the fol.
lowing address TO the citizens OF Richmond should be
submitted to them without inrtherideay:
The plan of having such an institution the "Ahe-
nenm," if suitably encouraged, must be eminenty
beneficial. 1t will place within the reach of ALL the
means of obtaining useful knowledge, at the lowest
cost, and in the most agreeable way, There are few
cities IN our Union, OF equal size with Richmond in
which something OF the kind has Tot been tried: and
wherever tried the results have been auspcious-
The Libraries here which will once be placed in the
Athennum are already respectable, aad must be con
stanty Improving only by city appropriations but
it Is hoped, by individual contributions. The com
nuny cannot tad to approve and patronise these IL
brarles. Access to them without charge itself no
unlmportan benefit 10 the public And in connection
lnently calculated TO awaken d desire for improve
ment and to afford the means of its qualification -
These lectures may be made to address themselves
and 1t is ed that they will address themselves
to the diffusion OF knowledge; not merely upon sub
Iccts OF abstract science but its application all the
useful arts and tho ordinary pursuits of life. Lee
lures on the mechanic arts on chemisry and on 9th
er subjects calculated TO afford Instruction. as well to
the pupils IN our schools all others capable or de-
In other places, 1t Is by no means uncommon to invite
distinguished lecturers from distance and afford
them remuneratlon where required, from the fees of
admission or other provided for the occasion
Our proximity to Washington and the Smithsonian
institute, where such lecturers expected to be
constantly invited and IN attendance, will we hope
enable us 10 procure their presence here at conpar
atvely moderate expense.
lhefe is no business, trade, no art no pursuit in
lille In Whch the instruction thus obtained would not
prove practically useful, and ead if wisely applied
to distinction and fortune. On recent occasion if |
was sflklngy SAID by PANEL Webster, that the late
eAiiiooi az te NFyata fdi&ce In London had proven
40 a,h eseh the Hitsh press to
49, f - to, III WY INNS Vdildole, ~ every |
~ i 'ldi mp oVT'en the Ghlted STATES go
;it 5, ~ - 10y else as ~ rays itopody III
Ii ,t Ait t n0 lhp can la 10 acknow-
e.rt ,tn,,i i I W 'iits suFei oitty IS tile
~ ,+; f , 80 49, iti"diy tIohi9teu ny
i 81 siI 'pr 1i le general gnu
Gnnntai,s or ns,r1lt Gnu r iLnss VI iiie
a.T..ss;hIa r. he nonnIn at 49,, NJ ui'l ie"uiy
n,ofa 81 ,ncoran,; b;! 49,; Is asui ual d oet'ei
han bv indici6ns sys7en of nnhl; hy t mrse m
hinat9n Win veil seiectad rff Eh; III ooli
FPbaea must inyit, ,to ,ttonJnaoa - III
onroyon1nnt and eo;Ii h :" a. uesno y, oi
in tbn sros ~ IF i ay I fuus' "!lo " III nnu
stead ri rsna;r r. a'ts % 40 -, piat, IN
t hl $500 -; h ., 'veea aliu aiSS!pa'ion
~ "'e T"y .'oh liouis 81 lesufe' 'Iey VIII md re-
u '"l ,,oe asieeaoe' lational ana instructive
, e'r NUNS, anu a.! VINO rove tle pur-
y, F "is, 5'e iesoi.S ueuica'eu 70 me cui-
$500; IeeVe guy tle announcement OF literature
] rs E9n'i'u ,iss % ,ieI sstei cues III s
; t ~ NM t 'p rIt anu II IS iiis.h uihe 10
mi VIII out e feproaGii. ne proposed lectne,foom
|l ue SPACIOUS ana e91oy stualeo; care viii be ia
~ op,o' ieetu,ei' anu 1t cannot De
ro, 'a J S mas once oe9li made
su,c,tm' %"uence VIII DC aways IN attendance to
ssnt fU NJ ~ df oa ~ ' Yer 81
% or ,'ar ~ SiI anu ,ay uP eIi''s sur
tap 'o. pP:' I'm ~ i"S"ie soIh d iaif
,de intaras "u nu eldi .L 'aesla"
ynnld ba IN a bobn ua o pr oi T c Z
npl buding and tho aroIods arn,d he ftlle
nut in the best oras, Il wonid he ani -, a 70 e
th ~ ''e v9a u ~ "pulu pe MfSe econo'q 10 40
neoe yyb; it, horders che IA 'e ana le
their aid in fthatan 81 tba 49,, IN 'ol Gs anu
womd then no IN ornament To- tbe civ ao ~
which we moht with teanos nfsatiefnt?on i' th
attention of s1ranears and an aGreeah resor nr nr
own citizens and their iamjles The lot as i
IS suscenIjhIe Of beng verv apreaaby imDroya. and 4
added to as n,ioht nerba1e he convenienIu oonon,