The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-27

brary, which is intended to show the in
debtedness of the different classes of the CON-
munity to such institutions Among those
particularly mentioned are authors, merchants,
public lecturers and newspapers; and various
incidents are related in connection with the
history of the library in proof Of the lecturers
statements. That public libraries are essen
tally necessary as repositories of the accumu-
lated learning Of the past and the present no
one will deny, nor will it be disputed that
their existence is almost indispensable in every
large and important city like ours We are
glad to perceive, therefore, that New York,
which is making gigantic strides towards the
first station in the ranks of the great CONNER
cial cities Of the world, is not unmindfui of the
interests of public education and the cultiya.
tion Of the refining Influences Of literature.
As proof of this we need only refer to The
Eve great public libraries which are supported
by our people. These are the Aston, the Mer-
camille, the Historical, the Society, and the Ap
prentices', in addition to which there are large
number Of valuable private and circulating
libraries owned by individuals The Society
Library Is erecting new edidce on University
Place, and all the other institutions are in a
fourishing condition.
OF those we have named the Aston Library
is the best, and contains the largest, the most
perfect and valuable collection Of books to be
found in this country. Its catalogue embraces
works On every subject, and is Of the greatest
value to authors and others looking for books
Of reference. To show the praiseworthy man
Der in which the efficient Librarian, Mr..
Coggswen performed this part of his dn,
ties we will relate an incident which
occurred some time ago. A literary gentle
man who took particular interest in the sci
ence OF ethnology, and who had occasion to
consult work on the subject, was somswhat
surprised in reading the foot notes, at the i'm
mense number of books of reference on this
interesting science, which were enumerated
therein. There were altogether from sixty to
seventy named, and the gentleman, to satisfy
himself Of the diligence of Mr. CoggsweN ia
making his selection, instituted an inquiry into
the number of works on ethnology which he
had purchased for the Aston Library. TIE
result of his Investigations proved that of thas
large number only one had been omitted
In the lecture OF which we have spoken, we
find that the press is particularly cited to show
how much the public are indebted to these IL
braries. Now, so far as the HERALD is 90
cerned, we have very seldom been obliged to
borrow works from any of our public
libraries, and least of all, from the Society
Library. On the contrary, this iussi-
tuition is more indebted to US, for
during the last twenty years it has received
daily from three to six copies OF cur paper, free
Of charge, for its files and the subscr ption for
which would amount to from twenty to 70 sy
dollars per annum We have in our establish
ment already an extensive library, and Mr. Ben
nett during his visits to Europe never onits an
opportunity Of adding to it by the purchase o.
the most reliable and valuable works on scien ,e,
literature history, politics and the fine arts
In fact, 20 well provided are we in this parti-
cular already, that we are seldom hardly
once in six months--obliged to ask for any
OF those courtesies which our public liora-
rians are always ready to extend to the press
While, therefore, we reture our thanks for
those favors we desire to say that our own Ii
brary is at present SO complete that we shall
hereafter have no occasion to refer to any
other.
WIDENING or BATTERY PLAcE--We perceive
that bills before the Legislature authoriz a.
an important improvement The widening o,
Battery Place. Something of this kind shou
be done. The design is to take large Sire
OIL from the Battery and make new ferrs
which would bring in an income to the city
No one opposes the bill, we believe, except the
jersey City ferry people, who are afraid that
new ferry may diminish the enormous profits
of their monopoly. The lower part OF tne cisy
is very much crowded, and it is with the utmost
difficulty that freight can be conveyed across
town. There is no ft avenue for heavy loads
between CortlaIdt street and the Battery, ~
the ives. side, and consequently the rush
through Battery Place is so great that the car
men are obliged TO keep in line and deliver
their freight by turns. We would 60 much
farther than the provisions of the bill. We
would throw open the Battery entirely for bus
nesspurposes, making it a great public square.
The omnibuses, cars, etc. want more room, and
the Battery is of no use as q promenade; it is
simply breathing place, and would be so still
were our suggestion adopted, which must be
the case sooner or later
He WoS'r Do 1.-THE Albany Statesman
(Fillmore organ) has severe attack upon
Mr.. Seymour, the State Engineer, who has bolt
ed from the ticket. According to the States.
man, he has made an unfortunate blunder'-
his letter is simply ridiculous"-he will be
withered by the "sccrn of all parties'-his let
ter " comes from the pressure of George l.w's
money, and he (Seymour) will find the Ameri-
cers too sbrewd to be caught by his chafl."
These are rather strong remarks, more espe-
cially as the Statesman commences by saylag
that it is matter of no Importance what the