The New York herald., 1869-01-03


articles coming TO the library 10 Their being properly
entered and catalogued; to the accounts generally,
and 10 such matters the trustees may direct. Tbs
library Is free to all aud omen from nine A. NJ. 70
/ i've p. NJ, sundays and holidays excepted.
IL Is TO be regretted & anst ane ,hay hmoaary sn no,
! would gladly avail themselves OF Its gathered
treasures who now deoarred, because they can
nor spare the hours OF the day from their occupa-
There Is larve assortment Of rare and valuable
ana curious old books aud manuscriPts IN this
lbrary-too numerous to enumerate all, but the fol-
lowing selected as sampie-A copy or the nrst
edition Of Shakspeare's Works, dated IN l62S OF
the world and said to be worth $4,000 In gold .
COPY OF Cicero, dated 1853 an edition OF CaXtonS
Chess dated l4s7 q French manuscript Of Chron.
HAD printed in Florence In lass. me curious IN
suca matters can lind material for many weeks or
endowment in the examination OF numerous other
equally venerable tones, and they will encounter
nttle or no difficulty IN finding them, as the entire
eolsction is most admirably cataogued aphabeti
gsnce Of the former superintendent Dr. Joseph q.
THE ApPRRNTIcEs' LIBRARY.
The Apprentices Library was established In Novem-
Der. lS-U. by the General Society OF Mechanics and
Irsdesmsn. Ii tnen consisted OF about 500 volumes,
most OF which had been contributed by the citizens
the solicitation Of phllanthropc gentlemen, mem-
oers OF the society and Others the most prominent
stnong whom were the late Thomas X. Merceln and
William Wood They formed most heterogeneous
collection as was but natural, from the manner in
which they had been obtalned-some OF them being
odd younies, Others imperfect and nearly all some
what worn. At FIRST its use was restricted to the
male apprentices OF mechanics and tradesmen and
only Kept open IN the evening, the books being
handed out TO the readers by the members OF conf
mttee. from the society under whose manage
mens tlnsa MA %s pla0ga feeble ro eXissnee' dependng
solely for Its support upon such pecunlary
aid as the Mechanics and Tradesnens Society
could afford TO besow upon it, but sucn aid, though
all it had, was barely enough to sustain It's life, as
the income OF the society was at that time wholly
Inadequate to give it much and meet the drafts upon
air ras their other and sDecial
benevolent operations. Appropriations were, how
ever, made annually for this purpose by the society,"
which in 1923 was but $500 and In 1850 had not risen
AT that date the number OF volumes had increased
by purchase and donations, to about l4,ooo, and
there were not more than 1900 readers Since then
the appropriations have been gradually increased,
with the increase Of the societys income, until 1t
has reached the sum OF $4,000, and the number Of
volumes Is now $4,000, with fully 1000 constant
readers.
sttutions OF the kind IN the city, as 1t furnishes gra
tuitousiy large number OF young persons OF both
sexes, many OF whom would otherwise be unable TO
obtain such advantages, the means Of improving
their minds and eevating their characters and NJ
the same time by supplying them with the means OF
rational amusement, serves to withdraw them from
Other ways OF spending their leisure hours, which
would have contrary enect
This library Is situated at No. 472 Broadway, and Is
open from eight A. NJ. to nine P. NJ. The rooms are
comfortably and conveniently furnished, well
warmed and well supplied with daily and weekly
newspapers, pictorias, magazines aud reviews it 10
are rich or poor, well clad or ragged, clean or un-
clean; proper decorum and quiet are all that Is de-
manded Apprentices ana females males employed by
take out books gratuitously, and other approved
persons can ENJOY the same privilege by the pay
The a aam,rsion OF females was strongly opposed
for some time, many members OF the society being
doubtful OF the Drupriey and fearful OF the result OF
mingiing the sexes but it was Inally determined
TO make an experiment or the measure, and hap
PLY with the most beneficial influence. The num-
readers and attendants raDiQly increased.
larger portion being females; aud during several
years not one single instance has occurred to cause
regret; on the contrary, the tendency has been to
render the rooms more attractive and 70 restrain
anu improve the manners OF the male visitors.
the free circulating department, and the other
reference department, for the use OF which
small fee is paid This division was made IN
consequence Of the bequest OF the Demilt
fami0 consisting OF library OF very valuable
books OF reference aud sum OF money, but In the
terms q this gils condition NV was made taas zee
determined, In order To harmonize the matter, to
make the two divisions placing all the works OF ref
with the Demilt Library, and oil Others in the
circulating one and In all subsequent purchases this
distinction has been carefully preserved and the ap
portionment OF money TO the two perfectly equal
lied.
The history Of this library from Its organization,
little over forty-eght years ago, is an interesting
Une sr tSs yery sa care aT tna rnsncs
Tradesmen's Society TO be an institution OF which
the mechanics Of News York may well feel proud.
This library is rs yet in embryo, although 1t has
had an existence OF some ten or twelve years. 1t
was originated BY Miss Powers, who was inde,
gentlemen OF this city, Of whom Mr. Benjamin H.
Field was one OF the principal, and who furnished
a greater portion Of the means. The object was to
create library for the use OF class Of our female
citizens who, from adverse circumstances were un-
able to obtain access to larger and Yore extensive
devote to reading, and who were unable TO pay the
necessary fees-the seamstresses and other work
ing women, though all classes or females are en-
titled to and do enjoy Its advantages.
1t was first opened in the University building,
where II remained until May. 1865, whel II was trans
ferred to Its present custodians, the working
womens Protective Union, In consequence OF a visit
made TO q meeting Of TINS Union Dy Mss Powers.
She there became convinced that the original object
could best be carried out by them and In consdera-
ton OF the fact that the committee OF gentlemen had
become somewhat lukewarm IN providing the requi-
site means to defray It's expenses through her inu-
ence and management II was donated and some 2,537
miscellaneous volumes were turned over At pres
ent the library contains small increase over that
number, probably 1900 volumes. Many books have
been added TO 10, but the unavoidable losses nave
prevented the increase from being large and the re-
sources OF the Protective Union, by which 4 IA wholly
maintained, are not sufficiently great TO justify the
expenditure oflany considerable sum for IT. man.
agement.
per annum is charged, but they refused TO
the careful and worthy, though unable to pay that
sum. II Is located at No. "A Franklin street and Is
open daily from nine A. NJ. to four L. NJ. Mrs. M.
W. Ferreris the kind and obIigng superintendent.
IL Will pe ODservcu tlat TINS mon anu library nag
no connection Whatever with the 'Women's Relief Az
sociatoni Of strong-ntnded women on the contrary,
II is under the direction OF committee OF gentlemen
Of high standing IN the community and Is intended
expressly for the benefit OF the weak women, those
who not only do not claim 10 he but who are not
able 10 take care Of themselves unaided. Donations
OF books money would be thankfully received and
no more useful employment Of even old books could
be made. The olicers are:-C. r. Daily PRESIDENT;
james w. Gerard, Vice President; Moses 3. Beach,
Treasurer; WIN. B Colby, Secretary; John II. Par
sons Attorney and board of twelve directors, all
OF whom render their services gratuitously.
THE CITY LIBRARY.
visit TO this institution by the curious general
reader ~ not likely to prove interesting IL Is open
from ten A. NJ to four r. N. daily and IL free to all per-
sons. IL has librarian mr. James Barclay and an
assistant, who are paid liberal salaries by the city
government. IL contains no miscellaneous work OF
any Importance or interest, being composed almost
entirely OF the published proceedings OF the City
Council and the reports OF the several boardA to-
gether with the Laws of the state OF New York, SUI
preme Court Reports and some few other books OF
similar character. The collection IL not largo-in
fact, hardly deserves Its higsoundlng It'll e. and
would be much more appropriately designated II
Called O record room.