Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-21
From the Albany Evening Journal, June goth.
The Metropolis 0fvermoni.
ITS ATrRACrIoNs-THE FLETCHER FREE LIBRA
RYAN EXAMPLE FOR ALBANY.
BURLINGTON, VT, June "a. 1876.

The Metropolis 0fvermoni.
ITS ATrRACTI0NS-THE FLETCHER FREE LIBRA
RYAN EXAMPLE FOR ALBANY.
BURLINGTON, VT, June "a, 1876.
Having spent three or four days in this
city, allow me to note briefly a few obser-
yations taken in it. Burlington. in point
of population and wealth. is the metropolis
of Vermont; it is not only the largest and
wealthiest, but, to my thinking, 1t Is the
most beautiful town in the State.
Burington's S present population is about
eighteen thousand. and in all respects it Is a
thriving as well as a handsome place. Ii
has large number of fine private resi-
deEces. which are mainly in the eastern and
more elevated part of the town. Particu-
larly noticeable among these are the resi-
dences of l.. Il. b. Cannon, +. Z. Kennedy,
Mai Davis, ex-Gov. Underwood, d. c.
Linsley, b. B. Smalley, E. j. Phelps and
others. The grounds about these mansions
are extensive and their adornments are such
as a refined taste would suggest and ample
means provide. Starting from the City
Hall, a walk of half a mile eastward brings
one to the summit OF College Hill. from
which point view is obtained that for eX-
tent variety, grandeur and beauty can
hardly be surpassed IN this State, which Is
80 largely favored with charming and I'M
presslve scenery.
Looking west from the top of College
Hill the city of Burlington. with its fine
residences and handsome churches embOwer
ed among the trees, lies Immediately at
your feet Just beyond roll the blue waves
Of the beautiful Lake Champlain; farther
on are the green fields and forests OF Essex
and Clinton counties, while the western
horizon is bounded by magnificent view oil
the Adirondacks. Turning to the east there
Is spread out before you broad expanse OF
country. alternating in hill and valley, the
Green Mountains making up the back
ground OF the picture, with Mount Mans
field (the highest point IN NeTmOntJ tower
ing in solitary grandeur above It's leiIO"s.
Among the manufacturing interests OF
this city are cotton factory, WOODEN mill,
basket factory and marble WORKS. Inc
lumber interest Is also very materlal one
in Burlington. Indeed | think there are
bat two Lumber markets in the country
Chicago and Albany which exceed this.
The largest lumber concern here Is that OF
Bronson, Weston, Durham Co, Mr. y.
" Dunham, O. Albany. being one oil the
partners. The BrOnsOns have large timber
tracts in Canada, near Ottawa. and the hrn
l. reported "a doing a heavy business. Dur
hngton i also quite summer resort, ana
there are now at the Van Ness House guests
from various parts of the country, includ-
ing some from California.
The Young Mems Association here mum
hers three hundred members. It's reading
r,om /. in the old Court House building
The Association takes thlrty-tw0 ne"spa-
pers of various kinds, dailles, pIctorials ana
religious. it also.has from twelve 10 hlteen
otthe English and American Monthly Maga-
zines. Inc keeping up OF the reading room :,
and supplying a course oi lectures during
the winter, Is the extent ot the society >
work.
THE love oc learn ~ the sequesterei hooks,
Andu.l the sweet serenity O- BOOKS.
To me. the most interesting features Of
Burlington Is It." Fletcher Free Library.
Mr.. Thaddeus Fletcher. formerly mer-
chant OF this city, recently died leaving an
estate estimated 10 be worth 500 600.
Since his death has widow. with praise
worthy .lberality, has founded free public
library. Her first gilt was $1,000, when
was Immediately vested IN books Sae sub
sequenily gave d second ; IL. O.OOO-the prln-
ciple 10 be permanently invested, anu the
interest (S7OO) 10 be annually used IN Keep
/ ing Up the library Besides these munih-
cent donations She has just made another
Of 81 coo. which j. TO be at once used IN
/ the purcbsse of additional books. Upon
/ founding .hi- library. the only conditions
/ that Mr., Fletcher required were, trst. that
| the city Of Burlington should assume the
necessary running expenses Of the lnstitu-
tion and. second, that the library sh0u4l
/ be ais0lufs.y and fgrsrer free.
The Fletcher Library i at present IN The
U O 4 a.. l J.
over the rooms Of the Young Mems AssO-
citation. II i believed however, that at no
I distant day this city will show It's apprecIa-
sion Of Mrs Fletcher generous gifts by the
/ erection Of a suitable library building. The
/ number of volumes at present IN The library
| Is 10 600. comprising History, Travels, BIO
/ graphy. Fiction, Poetry, Science. Art and
/ Belle Letters Jhe books have been select
| ed with excellent judgment by committee.
/ among whom are the President Of the | III
yersity OF Vermont Rev. DR.. Ware, OF
the [ nitarIan Church L. >. Phelps, E>q =,
and Mr.. Huntington, prominent book
| seller In looking over this hne library. 1t
/ l. pleasant to think that now the most hum
/ bic individual IN Burlington, even the poor
/ ct chIid. can freely draw iron this rich in-
/ tel.ectual treasure house. take TO his home
whatever he may desire, and keep 1t the
allotted time; all. ,rita0W prioe the only
/ condition enjJined beng, tnat the books
1 entrusted T. nun shall be used with reason =
/ able care The library has been IN opera
/ ton but i few months, and already IT. IN
/ huence for good l. very apparent through
| out this community. Today, a citizen sad
/ to me. that as Il cOnserYatOr OF good order,
/ It was worth more than twenty policemen.
/ Mr.. Henry Ballard, legal gentleman OF
/ this city. gave me an interesting incident
( IN connection with the library that came
under bis own observation. Not long since
/ he had occasion to call at very humble
residence IN the suburbs. While there, he
noticed boy Oi some twelve years intent
/ ly reading volume, which, a he could see.
came from the Fletcher Library. Wishing
TO know the subject which 80 fully interest
ed the lad, he looked over his shoulder aud
found that the book was " Leaders OF
/ thought IN Ireland" Mr.. I. F. W.
Rogers. the Librarian, Is gradu-
ate uf the University. lie l. gentleman
of culture, and one who Is thoroughly IN
sympathy with his work. A. passed out
OF the Fletcher Library | thought. he-e l.
a city of but Is 900 people. which has this
magnificent Library-while Albany with
a population OF five times that number. and
with probably five times the wealth OF Bur
! lingtoD). as vet, has none We have many
rich men. many generous men, IN Albany
when will they realize that one Of the most
practical, noble, Christian enterprises they
could engage in, would be the establishment
of a large. well-selected Free Public Libra
~ in the city of Albany.
Ii was a pleasure to meet the Rev. W. j
Heath Formerly of Albany in Burlng
ton. lie Is pastor of hre Methodist churet
here. and has. am told, one OF the best
church edlfices in this city.
Faithfully yours, H. l. G