Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-04-19

Bfurdoeh-Thc supper and the DANCING.
The celebration gf the qdddri-ppntsnniaI
anniversary df the Young Mems Mercantile
Library Association, drew one Of the largest
assemblies TO the 0pera-house last night that
ever congregated within its walls. The
chairs had been removed from the parquette,
the floor of which had been covered with
Ts,s JGSsISs %s5S SaSctS sSf 6 TRSss # %
balcony, galleries, and private boxes were,
therefore, almost too small TO accommodate
the audience.
The stage was admirably set, and repre-
sented an immense banquet-hall whose gilded
columns growing near and nearer in the per-
spective, glttered in the light Of splendid
chandeliers and lli6 eye, looking down
through their heightened vista was carried
TO beautiful plain, in which lay a lake en-
bosomed among mountains whose tops
kissing the clouds were surrounded by the
delicate ti9tings which nature gives the back
ground of her loveliest landscapes,
Bvergreens and plants of various kinds,
which gave relief to the scene, were placed
near the footlights. Behind and among these
which seemed 10 form garden, sat the Com
mittee of Arrangements and the speakers of
the evening The boxes and balcony were
filled with the elite of the city--beautiful
women, whose eyes, bright as the jets of gas
that their possessors, at least, were delighted
for the present. and found in the openl-house
q partial realization of the Eden Of their
dreams UfcsH'- li.H
AT eight o'clock the President of the Asso-
citation, Mr.. Cook, introduced William Hooper
to the audience, who delivered the anniver-
sary address. The Grafton occupied more
than an hour in delivery and was listened to
quite attentively. Much of it, however, was
lost to the audience for Il was spoken in so
low tone that those who occupied the more
remoteseats failed to hear IT, Our abstract
is quite meagre, but it contains the principal
features of the address, which at the close was
loudly applauded.
ADDRESS ny WILLIAM HOOPER.
Mr.. Hooper prefaced his address by remark
ing that he had accepted the position which
the partiality of the committee had assigned
him, with some reluctance and with much
distrust because, being aware of their reas-
enable expectations, he was also aware of his
inability to fulfill them. But being persuaded
that he had not the right to refuse any SER
vice that others believed he could render to
the Association, he yielded to their judg-
ment.
THE ANNIVERSARY.
The occasion, said the speaker, which has
called us together, is one of congratulation;
It is also one of concern. To-day the insti-
tuition which is yourpride, aud which has been
your care, has attained quarter ofa century
of growth. In the midst of so much that has
changed around us, in the midst of so much
that has passed away it is gratifying to reflect
that the institution has become not only n
thing of deep interest in the community, but
a necessity of our social life. Planted twenty
five years ago, the smallest seed, it has grown
to be a tree, under whose grateful umbrage
our minds have found refreshment and re-
pose; the social atmosphere has been filed
with its fragrance, and its fruit has been
gathered by every household.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE ASSOCIATION
To what thoughtful and benevolent person
we are indebted for the first suggestion to es-
tablish this Young Mems Library, our dill
gent inquiry has brought no certain answer.
The original draft of the charter on file bears
the autographs Of Moses Ranney, William n.
Green and Isaac ID. Wheeler, and to their act
i've exertions appears to be due the procure
ment ofthe act tofincorporation, and the form
which the Association assumed ~
The Young Mems Mercantile Library As
sociation of Cincinnati was founded in the
year 1885. The first well authenticated
meeting for the purpose was held on the 4th
of April of that year. but, as the original
constitution for the government of the Asso-
citation was presented and adopted on the
lot0 OI tlliI lnOnLn, IL WIS buD6tqueutly
| solved, after considerable discussion, that its
birth should date from that day, just twenty
| FIVE years since The first election of officers
took place immediately, and in the following
| July the Board reported subscriptions for the
purchase of books and for other purposes, the
sum of $1,000; which was handsome sum
at that time. Temporary accommodations
were obtained at an annual rent of $3.50, and
as the means OF the Association did not war
| ~ Inv nf Of ins
ofsuch an officer were alternately shared by
the three directors, who carried them out
with success and satisfaction. a.,ltvuy
In 1887 an amendment to the charter wa'
obtained, and the first library catalogue wa'
compiled and published. The humber of vol
umes their on the shelves of the library was
about one thousand two hundred; these, how.
ever, judging from the records, we're not very
choice. - so
At the annual meeting in January, 1910
the number of Directors was increased u
five, and in the following spring the library
was moved into commodiOus rooms in thu
old Cincinnati College edifice. The yea
l84l was distinguished by several importan
progressive steps, The annual report was
for the first time published; a new catalogue
was prepared; the Office of Corresponding
Secretary was created; honorary memIershil
was rendered to the resident clergy Of thu
added to the library, and the circulation 70
the year reached the unprecedented numbe
eff fifteen thousand.
During l943 and l844there was a stead yant
prosperous growth, hut nothing worthy o
particular note occurred 10 2ar = sTOtN
i On the morning of January 10, l845, tn
old College Building was destroyed by fire
and the Association was driven from its home
but most of the books and all of its record
were saved. This disaster proved to be
blessing in disguise. A contract was speed
lily made with the Trustees of the Cincinnati
College, and the sum of $40, 900 was obtaine
in few weeks, from liberal 'commercia
community, to purchase the rooms now occu
pied by the society, and the further sum {
81, 600 was subscribed, chiefly by the ypunge
members o'pay for the furniture and neces
sary fittings OF the rooms. e,5. fu sYuFvJ
In the month of September, 1S46, theiAs
4 sociation took possession Of its present prem
ises-somewhat proud, Of course, in the III
incumbered right to new and improve
home. a..,
To-day we number 3,ll2, of which tier
are 2,545 active members, 26l life member
and 56T honory and eX-oflicio members, wit
an income Of from eight to nine thousan
dollars, with library numbering over twent
thousand volumes, and with areadingrool
unequaled in its accommodations or seleC
tions by any similar association Of the West
ern or Southwestern States.
THE FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION AND ART.
The future of the Association, said, NJ
Hooper, demands consideration, and I'll
| onssfin,, aaafna ~ h6 what ncburd oa h VI