The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-28

tude and value Of our public libraries, we are
surpassed by no city Of the Union. The mag
nifcent bequest Of Astor, and more recently the
judicious iberality Of Mr.. Cooper, have done
much toward establishing the claim of New
York to rank second to none as literary en-
porium, as she confessedly ranks first in a
monetary and commercial point of view.
We are rich in libraries, rich in literary in
situations, rich in the possession of purely
catholic spirit in letters and art. Our Histori-
cal Society, with its sister branches, offers a
wide field Of research to the antiquarian and
statistician; for our young mechanics we have
several collections, though none SO large and
complete as they should be; and that large and
important class, our embryo merchants, GER
tainly have just cause to be proud Of their fine
and extensive library association. These are
all excellent in their way-all valuable to the
classes for whose use they are designed-all Gre
ditable to the literary taste of the community;
but it seems to us that q void still remains
to be filed, want still exists, that if fully
on this city than any institution having for its
primary object the benefit of class, however
large and important, can possibly do. We
Peoples Library-a library calculated to
suit all tastes, designed for the popular mind,
and selected with special reference to their
wants. The Astor collection will not meet this
want. Rare and curious editions, costly tones,
intended only for reference and consultation by
the professed iteyateur, however indispensable
to great and complete metropolitan library,
OH the place Or mOre popular works. The
working classes-to whom time is money, and
to whom knowledge, if it come at all, must
come in condensed and popular shape--can-
not be expected to appreciate at once such
refined mental pabulum. They want library
ungloved hands, not too costly to be removed
from the premises and brought to the humblest
home.
Such library would be not an ornament
only, but a public blessing. 1t would be USE
less to deal in commonplace on such subject.
If any wholesome reform is to become perma-
nent among the masses it must be worked out
by the engines Of intellectual enlightenment.
If we seek to deprive men of any sensual indul
gence we must fill its place with something
better; ergo, if the Maine law is ever to go into
operation in this city the friends of popular
education must be on the alert. That library
for the people is wanted few will attempt to
deny. Who will be the first to immortalize
himself by forming the nucleus of such an in
stitution? We recommend the project to the
attention Of the male Jellabys whose eyes are
now intently fixed on Borioboolah Cha. We
do not believe that any sudden miracle would
be wrought by the establishment Of half dozen
such libraries in this city, or indeed by any
other similar means, for reforms in popular sem
tment are uniformly quiet and slow in their
operation, but we firmly believe that it would
exert an influence for good almost incalculable.
Such library-a free library, with no re-
straint upon it's enjoyment-one which the la
boring classes might call their own, and look
upon with pride, would be worthy of this
mighty city, and nobly sustain its reputation.
Every popular want must sooner or later be
supplied, and probably ere long this with
others will be remedied.