Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-30
Gift for Chicago.


4 Gift for Chicago.
The character and objects of the Anglo
American society may readily be inferred from
its name 1t was organized in England few
years ago, when the Alabama difficulties seemed
to threaten a rupture of peaceable relations
between England aud the United States and
among its founders, perhaps the most earnest
and influential of them, was Mr.. Tom Hughes
Whether the society did much or little to pro-
mote an amcable adjustment of that contro-
versy, is of no consequence; it does not claim
any credit on that score, although to bring
about such a result was the leading objec OF
its founders. 1t did no harm at any rate, but
the work was taken out of its hands by men
who desired peace quite as much, and whom
their official position enabled to accomplish di-
reclly what the society could only aim at by
crcuitous methods. The society, however, did
not consider that its opportunities for useful
ness were necessarily at an end. Its members
thought that the time was yet distant when the
efforts of such an association might not be Of
service in promoting the mutual fTiendliness of
the two nations. As the Anglo-Amercan socie-
" has It's seat in England, the majority of its
members are naturally Of that country; the 9th
ers are Americans living there, but retaining
their citizenship Of the United States 1t oc
Cured to the English members that the Chicago
disaster offered a suitable occasion for some cor
porate action 10y the society which should take
some form expressing sympathy with the suffer
ers, and respect and admiration for the manner
in which the calamity had been met. A Mr.
fpzt ., 20
free public library for Chicago in England This
met with general approval, and already some
progress has been made towards putting it into
execution.
Mr.. Hughes has taken hold Of the matter with
his usual energy and enthusiasm and the pro-
ject has already very promising look Alta
meeting of the society, held few days ago, he
explained the plan as it had taken shape in his
mind, aud told what he had already done and
what encouragement he had received from
various sources. Ii is proposed to obtain, first,
the works Of living authors presented by them.
selves; secondly, standard works presented, if
possible, BY the descendants or representatives
OF the original authors. Under this head WILDE
included celebrated memoirs of John EVELYN. TO
be contributed by his descendant, the present
Mr.. Evelyn of Walton, the works of Dr. Arnold
Of Ragby, by his son-in-law Mr. Forster, and 60
on. Then the Messrs. Macmillan had promised
copy Of their magazine from its beginning
with autographs of all the contributors now Iiv-
ing, and Tom Taylor promises to try supply a SET
OF Punch with autographs. 1t is expected also to
obtain many copies Of standard works from the
libraries Of gentlemen who have duplicates. and
cations. In these and other ways library
viii no doubt be gathered of great value in itself
and quite worthy ofacceptance also for the spirit
in which it is Offered and the associations CON
nected with the giyers. After Mr.. Hughes
statement a resolution was adopted, approving
the plan and pedging the association to for
ward it by every means in its power.
Among the letters received 10y Mr.. Hughes
from living and representatives of deceased au.
thors to whom he had written of his scheme
are some that have interest for American read
ers. Mr.. Carlyle does not approve of the plan
for reasons which he suggests, but gives A
grumbling assent in the following character.
istie note:
No. CnEINE Row, CHELSEA
Nov. p, 1871
DEAR HUGHEs: Forgive me that have noe
sooner answered your friendly, CHEEKY and al.
together pleasant little note. / supposed Bnr.
CESS would have told you my objections 10 The
project; that it seemed tC me superguous moi
practicable by the methods he proposed ffor
the gifts Of all the baaks Ct living authors viii
20 for very little in such an enterprise): and
third aud worst, that II wore on the face of il a
visible pck-thank kind Of character-a thine
g ally y be avoided, both at Chicago and
herel
These objections do not vanish on ref ction.
but on the contrary gather weight. Ncverthc-
less, II you and the tc.ary world feel nothing
Of the like, and the project do take fire and 20
on, 1t continues certain that my poor contribl-
ton Of a copy Of my books Shall not by any
means be wanting. Believe me always. vonrs
with many regards, T. C4RfYIr
Mr. Disraeli, Of course, must have hi. Joke
aud, as usual, il is almost an III natured one
His books, with the exception Of the last
were Published many years ago, before the ems.
tom, now almost universal among American
publishers, had arisen Of anowing a share in
the profits Of publication 10 English Authors
who eaa baYe no legal claim. As the extensive