New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-27
LETTERS FROM The PEOPLE.
SUNDAY AND IT'S OBSERVANCES.
FREE LIBRARY AND READfNGRo0M THAT Is


fsssNA1~-'N
OPEN ON SUNDAY.
TO the Editor ofthe Tribune.
SIR In the discussion which has recently
taken place in the columns Of THE TRIBUNE on the Cd
OF the Sabbath L have observed with great
satisfaction that there is point on which, THINK all
the cergymen who have given their views are agr eeu
that IT, tue proprety Of providing the working man with
readingroom library facilities before condemning
him for seeking recreation IN some other form.
1t has been assumed by most of the writers on the
subject that there absolutely provision OF that Knd
made any part Of the city, Permit correct this
Misrepresentation.
The First Ward OF this city would not probably De
selected the most likely embrace within It's limits
aterary institution such should be found In every
ward OF the city, yet it has for been the homo OF
an institution which in its humble way has, believe,
done an excellent work in the direction indicated by the
various writer's to who have alluded. Tie free read
ingroom for workingmen at No. 135 Greenwich-st,
under the management OF the trustees OF the First Ward
Lord Industrial School, has been in successful operation
for many years 1t Is open daily throughout the year
weekdays from to 10 o'clock, aud on Sundays from
TO o. and while the average attendance on weekday
evenings in winter Is about So on Sundays II Is ABOUT
100 the room generally being crowded to the extent of
It's capacity. The room which Is brightly lighted ana
made attractive by numerous pictures on the walls IL
evidently regarded as sort Of home by many OF the
workingmen of the First Ward and their behavior mas
Tor long been In every way uneXcepuonape III d'uon
to good supply OF daily and weekly papers, for large
part OF which the trustees are indebted to the beralty
of the publishers there well selected library OF more
than 600 volumes which is largely made use Of Until
within year or the books were not allowed to be
taken OF the ROOM bat the privilege OF taxing
the books home has been extended to the regular at
endants at the room with the happiest resuits Inc
books have nearly oil boon returned in good condition,
only very few being soed while in possession of those
who had applied for them Dickens aud Scott seem 70
be the fdvOrte authors their WORKS being Oftenest
called for go
OF association is empowered 10 lend books from
the library to tue parents OF children attending tne
school, and in her last report 70 the trustees she stated
that OF all the books thus loaned only one mad been lost
and that caused by tho removal OF the family 10 whom
IL was lent. ln fact tair beginning mas already Deeh
made In the First Ward toward the creation Of a
circulating library. As means OF increasing the
give series OF entertainments eacn
winter concerts. lectures aud the Ike seeking TO give
them such character would tend TO the elevation OF
those attending them while carefully avoiding any inter
ference with their religious faith More than one OF thc
eminent dvines whose letters were published IN last
SUNDAY TRIBUNE addressed audiences ofwOrKlng-
men IN the free pading-rOOn In Grcenwich-st ana
testify the quiet attention gwen ana OF inc cour
teous treatment always extended 10 tle lecturer. MANY
a so-called fashionable audience might take example
nom the wOrkngtIen OF the First Ward III tner Treat
mcnt OF speakers aud PERFORMERS
Tne point, however, winch chiefly desired to make Is
the fact this reading room Is Opcu every sunday
and Tor nuch longer Time tan on WeeA uay = 70 VIC
manifest OF the residents OF the district Such
Tree reading should be found Ia every ward ana
especially IN every district were WORKING men most 10
gate Ia connection with some or the stations OF
the Chens Aid society Of the city MsslOn suitable
accommodations could easily De opthneu ~ very
ti1ng pcuditure OF money, and few thousands OF
dollars would accomplish a vast amount OF practical
good. The cause of temperance would, In my humble
opinion. be benefited Dy such Tree TeadngrOonls
iug. than b. three times tue number Oh mission
valuable they are Let those VINO arc hteresteu IN
question visit the rendng room any SUNDAY evening
and Tor themselves. L. !"
Aer- lor6 May IS, 1851