Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-06

turn any of his works. This L esteemed O
great advantage, and | made as much use
of it as | could"
Finally, sir, as have already said, Frank
| Inns first important movement for the good
of his fellowmen was the foundation Of the
public library in philadelphia. At his in
stance, the members Of little club to which
! he belonged, tradesmen and mechanics OF
narrow means, threw into common stock the
! few books which belonged to them. \ sut-
scription was then obtained from fifty young
men, principally trade5men, of two pounds
each and ten shillings per aHaHm, and with
/ this little fund they began. The books were
imported. the library was opened one day in
the week for lending them to the subscribers
on their promisOry notes to pay double the
value if not duly returned" This was the
mother" says Franklin, "of all the North
I American subscription libraries, now 50 nu-
merous. 1t has become a grca: thing itself,
and continually goes on increasing. These
| libraries have improved the general converse
ton of the Americans, made the common
/ tradesmeu and farmers as intelligent a. most
/ lentlemeu from other countries, and perhai s
have contributed in some degree to the stand
50 generally made throughout the colonies IN
/ defence of their privileges"
Those are the words of Franklin, Mr..
Mayor, bich read from his own book
Our excellent friend the President OF the
Commissioners has Justly feliCitated himself
in having been the first person publicly to
raise his voice, in this noble hall. lie must
be happier man than | who can speak an
earlier or an ADLER word than his; but l claim
the credit of having read from the rTst BOOK
opened in this hsI;--and what Is more, sir,
mean to have the satisfaction of presenting
the first volume given to theljbrary, since 1t
came into the care of the Trustees. In your
presence, Mr. Mayor, and that Of this vast
assembly on this first of January, 1858, Of
fer this copy of Frankln's Autobiography in
Sparks's edition, as New Years gilt TO the
Boston Public Library. Nay, sir, am going
to do mere, and make the first and perhaps
the last, motion ever made in this hall; and
that is, that every person present OF his own
accord, if oG age-with the consent OF parent
or guardian, if a minor, -man, womaD, boy,
or girl be requested, on going homc, to select
one good book, and in memory of the poor boy,
who halE-ed himself u crafty his taste for
reading, present it as a new years gilt II the
Boston Public Library. | make you that mo-
ton, Mr.. Mayor, and call upon all present
to give me their voices; especially ask the
cooperation of the fairer aud batter part Of
creation. If now here else, woman's rights
shall be respected in this hall, while | have
anything to do with it. Ipray you Mr.. May.
or, put the question, and then I'll finish my
speech. Much laughtcr.)
His Honor the Mayor then rose aud stated
the question, which was seconded by Mr..
Winthrop. The Mayer particularly called on
the ladies to vote. ard unanimous aud en-
phatic aye resounded through the vast hall
The negative was then called aud no response
made. His Honor. amidst great cheering
and laughter, pronounced it 4 unanimous vote.