The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-19

score OF volumes 70 Wnlch the c1tnon mould have 90
cess the same terms that the gospel i bold out to
money and without price. Books enough
there have been always but IL was MOI quite 30 easy
matter to got at them Our literary institutions are
rather of the exclusive character and can be entered
only through the same means that certain gentleman
of antiquity entered the Internal regions sort of
voyage of discovery The city, at last after getting
along some two hundred and twenty years without .
library, began to think that 1t was time to-think
realization Of the dea2 Did the government cause
suitable building to be erected, and vote handsome
sum Of money with which to buy booksg Was IT pro-
vided that there should be an annual appropriation
thing done by the government Not bit
OF it.. The Mayor, Mr.. Bigelow, knowing that
he might as well commence supplying the country
with hay from the common as to think OF getting
money from the aldermen and councilmen for the
purchase of books, set handsome example by
giving thousand dollars worth Of good works, as
the commencement of the proposed library. No
member OF the city government initiated this gener-
m them were muSn
however, did initiate it, in sort Of overthe-eft
sense. One gentleman, quite distinguished in the
world OF letters, and who now heads the State De
paIment at Washington sent in very choice set Of
ing is not so popular as it deserves to be- considering
Its importance; Report from the Treasury is not half
SO enticing as Abednego, the MOney-Lender, and
there ! is vulgar but very decided preference for
on the coast survey 1t ought not to be so but so
is, and what can be done about it? So Mr.. Everett's
donation has not exactly answered the end for which
it was made. Another distinguished gentleman has
given literally of his own writings on the science of
Notwithstanding works, beyond all question,
to those who understand the peculiar language in
which they are written; but, unlucky that number,
like Sam Wellers vision, is limited so that that do
nation has not turned out medical though it is, to
be physic for the SOUL as those model bricks" the
ancient Egyptians, termed books. Other donations
have not turned out much better, and, on the whole
the prospect of library for Boston is not the bright
est thing known in the annals of literature. You
are aware that Mr. Joshua Bates not long ago, gave
the city the sum Of 0OO towards the creation Of
the library, but requiring the erection OF suitable
building. This has troubled the economists amazing
ly, for it seems very Improbable not to take the
money, while, the other hand, the acceptance of
it will require the expenditure of probably not less
than fifty thousand dollars of the cty's money.
Reckoning all thinks, and making reasonable al
lowance for what the city must be cheated in
course Of the business, fifty thousand dollars will
have to be expended before the donation of Mr. Bates
can be made available. It is hard case, truly, and
some folk think Mr.. Bates ought to erect the
geniuses have hit upon very modest idea
to get over the difficulty. They have. through
the newspapers, called upon the Boston Athenaum
corporation to give up their building and library for
the use of the city, the latter to turn in the Bates do
nation, and so make joint concern Of the whole,
and every body to be admitted. The Athenaum
building is very fine edifce, recently erected on
Beacon street, and cost about $4,000. In point Of
situation, convenience and elegance, it never be
surpassed. 1t affords ample room for eighty thou
sand Volumes besides what is taken up by paintings
and statuary and which, if devoted solely to the
commodation of books, would admit Of seventy thou
sand volumes being added-or, in all, 10000 vol
umes. The whole number of volumes belonging to
the Athenaum is about sixty thousand, and the value
of the entire property of the corporation cannot be
much under $3.50 900; and it is this large property
which is Of pecunary value to the holders, besides
admirably subscribing the peculiar purposes for which
it has been aggregated, that the magnanimous city
OF Boston expects shall be given to it in return for
the $50 900 donation. It is the coolest thing that
has appeared in these latter days. The true
for city to pursue would be to erect appropr
ate building, and then to add $50,00O from its own
means to Bates donation for the purchase of books
and all this the city could do without feeling
it, for Boston is rich in money, however poor in
spirit have not thus far heard Of any very strong
disposition having been manifested by the proprie-
tors OF the AthenGum to avail themselves OF this
very liberal offer to get rid Of the and perplexi
ties which, according to certain philosophers with
empty pockets, ever attend the possession Of pro-
perry
It ought to be added, that the terms on which ac-
cess to the Athenmum Library can be obtained are
so easy that it would be no great boon to throw it
open to ALL as is contemplated by those who are de-
sirous Of seeing the Atheneum company give away
their property. Possession of proprietor's ticket
a by no means difficult matter and the annual as
sessment on which is only five dollars carres with
it all the privileges Of prOprietorship. This to be
sure, brings the AthenGum under the head Of an ex
elusive institution; but, at the same time, it is so
comparatively liberal in its arrangements and terms
that 10 one can reasonably complain. l doubt if
even free library could long be conducted more
moderate terms due regard being had to the of
the books. ALTOONA.