The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-09

branches up 70 the present tis was N Preach s2s,
SPsnsn xos oe,man iSi book Keeping IN. Psnmsnshp
The lectures Of this Association have been for the
unprecedented attendant upon The lectures Of
Mr. Thackeray has uerved the board to the utility Of
procuring the highest talent, even at what might be
deemed BY some an extravagant cost The present
Board of Direction exerting themselves TO sustain
the high character which this branch and
entertainment has obtained and are now in treaty with
some Of the most distinguished native talent well
in daily expectation Of acceptance d saer made to
one Of England's mot popular and learned men.
Among the most valuable donations made to this
institution we estimate the four free scholarships now
in our possession two Of which donated by Coum
bia College In 1880 and two by the University Of this
city in 1S48 These beneAces constantly filled from
the ranks Of the members thereby bestowng the au
able privilege of liberal education without expense to
the incumbent.
Our insti, ution will long have cause to cherish the
memory of Miss Elizabeth Demilt for the liberay and
kndheartedness which prompted the bequest of So 000
which received during l649 This is the only dona.
ton of money that the association has received since
1885, il is securely invested in bond and mortage at
per cent the interest Of which is applied to the
purchase Of historical and illustrated works which col
lection is endorsed and in the Library as Demt
Fund books, and consists of II volumes, bound uni
form in full Russia binding.
Our institution is frequently indebted to the promi-
nent men of country for valuable contributions of
books and public d,cuments and often to the beneyo-
lent attention Of private individuals for the gift of
works, &C. which could not otherwise be obtained
without great difficulty. Among the most valuable of
the present years. donations is Caninas celebrated
work On Roman Grssan ma and a be-
Esq, Of this CITY, and an elegant portrait Of Lucien
Bull, Exq first President of the Mercantile Library
Association presented by our predecessors the Board
Of 1853
Repeated solicitations prominent members of the
library and the conviction OF the board Of direction
THAI should be adopted preserve among
us after our removal such members as account OF
residence in the lower part of the city the acent
cities would find it announcement to procure return
their books at Astor Place induced the board the
Of the removal to establish Office in the lower and
business portion of the city. Various plans
sdered by the committee to whom the subject
fered such citing it with down town reading
room, or with &c egraphcal and commercial room for
reference to the mercantile community but the idea Of
establishing it unconnected with any other purpose,
seen ing under every consideration the best it
finally 70 arranged. An Office procured at No
Nassau street opposite the Custom House. and opened
for the delivery and reception Of books Wednesday,
May II, "a. The experiment (for such must cali
it) offers evidence, thus far, of lis and
quent permanency. Although the Withdrawals
count of the removal OF the library have been small
comparatively with the predictions OF the opponents Of
the removal, yet DESTROYS and sanguine of re-
claiming, through the aid Of this down town agency,
cause
have thus, with great brevity, shown as much for
the information of the public for the satisfaction OF
members present the most important features Of the
association they exist at the present time, well
the method by which we aim to advance the interests
OF the institution and to carry out the spirit of the
constitution which represents the purposes Of the
ISOLATION to be the facilitating of mutual intercourse
the extension OF information upon mercantile and other
SUBJECTS Of general utility the promotion Of spirit Of
useful inquiry, and the qualification of ourselves dis
charge properly the duties Of profession and the
cia Offices Of life,
Governor SEYMOUR then introduced and received
with great applause. He sad:I deemed 1t an official
duty to accept an invitation to be present this
sion TO manifest admiration Of the beraty of the
merchants Of New York towards this institution and
my respect for its members who have asso-
ciaed them selves together for the purposes of self i'm
rovement have had placed in my hands the consti-
tuition Of this society," which states its objects to be to
facilitate mutual intercourse, extend information on
subjects of mercantile and general utility, promote
spirit of useful inquiry and qualify ourselves ts
charge properly the duties Of profession and the social
Offices of life" know OF object that can more com
mend itself TO our sympathy and approval than the efforts
OF young men who about to enter upon the grave
dutesof life to store their minds with useful knowledge
not only for the purpose of rendering themselves
cessfu in their honorable pursuit, but make them
selves educated end respected citizens They not in
tend TO sinh themselves into subordpaon to their bu
sness Affairs but to render these subservient their
advancement II this institution is to be regard
ed only with reference to its individual members, it
would deserve all the sympathy and support which il
now receives in this intelligent enterprising com
munity But desire to consider it, this OCCASION in
another hghtnot merely OF individual local but of
State and national interest order to estim lite its i'm
por'anca 10 our whole counryto its commerce. to its
he Relationship which this great city bears to the rest
o. Our common country. But, before | proceed upon
that topic, let me for moment advert to of it,
ohecsto facilitate mutual intercourse its mem
befs-by which understand il Is their design pro
mote that honorable pride of their profession which will
induce them 70 elevate IL to its best csatcto render II
subseryiebt not only to their individual interests,
but also to the honor and welfare Of this great
institutions, and of that local attachment which
has characterized some of its commercial rivals.
lbe gentleman who has preceded me has clearly and
succnctly narrated OF the striking events Of its
last history. He might have added many more Of an
equally honorable character And permit me here TO
say that this public is under very great obligations to
that gentleman for the ability which he As yed in
laying before them the early history Of New Far
be It from me to advocate spirit Of local sectional
prejudice but honor that feeling which reverences the
memory Of their forefahers displayed by the sons Of
New England, when, in erecting this coffee for the wor
ship Of God, they designated it The Church OF the
Iuntans TO perpetuate the memory of those who es-
tsb.hed upon the shores Of Plymouth bay institutions
founded upon principles Of civil religious liberty
The citizens of this great State, trust will hereafter
properly estimate the virtues Of those who first esab
ished here the best principles of civil and religious H.
bery and who poured out freely their blood aud their
treasure in assertion Of those great principles which our
government is designed to perpetuate As stated be-
fore In order that should appreciate the import.
ance of this society, Il is necessary that we should
dwell for moment upon the present and prospect
beacon lights upon Long Island welcome the com
merce Of the world into your harbor we must
pass up the noble Hudson, which was opriately
named by its first discoverers the River Of the Noun
tans and contemplate that great PHI sical phenomena
presented by its passage through the mountain chain,
and note where ev analogy Of nature would teach to
expect its current 10 be broken by rocky barriers the
deep aud sullen TOW Of the tide bearing the
of this city through the mountain barrier which
elsewhere through the length Of country nterposes
formidable distractions between the fertile valleys Of
the West and the Atlantic coast and maritime worlds.
Pass up the fertile valley OF the Mohawk traverse
the plains Of Western New York, to where you find
Niagara laundering western limits Enterprise
and skill have created methods by which this obstacle
has been overcome. portion Of its torrent has been
diverted into artificial channels and subservient
the use OF man AT this point, which would to be
natures stronghold where she had most firmly en-
tenched herself you will find the deep aud awful chasm
has been spanned by almost gossamer bridge while
the iron track of the railroad raverses the face to its
rocky cliffs and the locomotive shrieks defiance to the
OF the cataract We must then pass our vast in
land lakes and traverse the extended plains the West
till we reach the Mississippi with its numerous tribu.
taries whose united length would span the world before
we can form an adequate idea of the the COM
merce OF our country. While State has the adyan-
tage OF an easy and natural the
Atlantic ocean and the valley of the Mississippi and
while the channel that nature has made for the path of
commerce between the bay Of New York and that great
river so free from distractions that at certain