The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-31
NEW YORK'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES
gns Metropolis Rich With Nell-Fur-
niShed Institutions.
WHICH THEY ARE AND WHO GAVE.
Hnteresting Fashion Notcs-What the Ladies'
VIII Wear this Spring and Summer.
Riding Habits.
NV YORK BUREAU, RICHMOND TIMEs,

NV lotsh DOhhANs
Nav 80. 1891.
New York is particularly rich in well-furn-
;shed public libraries The student. the
scholar. the scientist, the lover OF poetry and
ronsnce find ample material within their
walls. so varied in charac ter are these great
..orehouses. The great mass of the people
can enjoy these advantages, as the libraries
are free.
The City Library. .or Library Of City
Records is the oldest library IN this city. The
exact date Of its foundation is not known, but
the manuscript records date back 10 1647.
The records pertain 10 land titles and
municipal AZ airs, and for nearly thirty years
,hev were written in Dutch. In 1914 the
English manuscript records began and con-
tinued until 1880 when the records were
printed.
There are seventy volumes of these manu.
scripts. All the printed reports from the sew
era city departments are Kept here, and sew
era miscellaneous historical works have been
added 10 the collection, which numbers now
81 thousand volumes. The library is opened
f9r visitors every day.
NEW YORK SOCIETY LIBRARY.
NEXT on the list comes the New
York Society Library. This institution
hears the honor of being the first loan
library in America. II was probably established
in 100, and how II was conducted IN It's early
wears is a matter of conjecture, as there is no
record Of these years TO be found ApprO-
prations for collecting books for the use of
The people were made early in the sixteenth
century and IN 1745 ii was firmly established
as o circulating library, which it continues 10
be until this day. The volumes in it now
number $4,000
HOSPITAL LIBRARY.
From medical standpoint the New York
Hospital Library is one of the finest in the
country. Ii was founded in 1886. and the
governors OF the hospital gave $500 for the
purpose Of buying medical works The pro-
lessons Of Columbia College helped the good
work along by contributing volumes from
their private libraries, and now its shelves
contain $4,000 books One of the choicest
special libraries may be found in the New
York Historical Society rooms In 1904 thesO-
ciety was organized, and the work of gathering
a library commenced Immediately. Works of
o miscellaneous character first filled the
shelves. but they soon gave place 70 historical
and biographical works, which number now
about 10000. Many rare and beautiful pant
ings adorn the walls of the library. In point
Of age tho New York Law Institute Library
comes next. The date of Its tounda-
ton is 1928, aud Chancellor Kent, the
famous legal text writer was lis
first president The library has grown since
then until now il Is considered TO have the
best collection Of legal works IN the United
States There are $4,000 volumes III its cata-
logue. In 1855 the General Society OF Me
chanics and Trademen of New York was
formed and the charter the Legislature or
1892 gave 1t empowered the society TO found
library for apprentices.
APPRENTICES LIBRARY.
The Apprentices Library. which was organ
lied in 1890, was the Cutgrowth of this society
This library is. perhaps. one Of the most re-
markable educational institutions IN the land.
Its broad system for educating such people as
choose 10 take advantage of its facilities
has done incalculable good. Works OF
technical nature were first put in the library.
but now books of the most diversified char
acter may be found in the 80 900 volumes
that crowd its shelves. The Mercantile
Library was incorporated in 1928 but it did
not 60 into operation until 1880. Dewitt Gin
ton donated 10 the library its first set of books
a history of England. These books are among
the treasures of the library The Mercantile
IS the most famous institution of Its kind IN
the city. and its members have at their
disposal 100000 volumes.
y The American Institute Library dates as far
back as 1893, but il IS only open to the men,
bers of the institute. The library contains
IL. 900 volumes. The New York Academy of
Medicine. which was Incorporated IN 1851, has
900 volumes of rare and standard works, but
its specially is complete files of American
medical periodicals and hospital reports.
THE AsTOR LIBRARY.
Through the munifcence of the late John
Jacob Astor. the library which bears MS
name was founded. He left 100000 for the
foundation and perpetual support Of a library
for the free use of the public. The corner
stone of the building was laid in March, 1850,
and in three years the library was ready for
use The volumes in the library num-
Der now 245,OOO, and among them
are the choicest books in the world They are
only for reference though, no one beng per
mitted 20 take volume from the building.
The Cooper Union Library Is attached TO the
institute Of that name which was founded by
that practical philanthropist, Peter Cooper.
II contains 40 600 volumes besides remark
able collection of American and foreign maya
zines. periodicals and reviews.
The Young Mems Christian Association LII
brary numbers 20, 900 volumes, and the Young
WOmen's Cristian Association 5000.
The late James Lenox presented 10 the city
the Lenox Library. which Is the greatest lite
rary stOrehouse in the city. 1t contains
very fine collection OF 100000 volumes; MI
Lenox started il with his private library
which numbered $1,000 volumes. There are
countless other Libraries which number thou
sands of volumes.
In these may be included the college libra
RES of Columbia and the University, and
College OF the City OF New 1Orh, anu INC
libraries Of the institutions of learning, many
pf which contain fine collections Of books.
Fashion Notes.
The founce and coat basque of lace does
not diminish in favor. midas and chalhes
are shown in this style more than any other.
A combination Of figured silk and crepe has
the corsage with draped front OF crepe edged
with cascades Of lace with high collar, deep
cuffs and full sleeves. The long basque
pieces are founces Of lace. The front OF the
dress skirt is also founced with lace. re-
cent importation from Paris shows panier
draperies of lace on one side only, the other
plain.
Most Of the new French skirts are graceful
" shaped and made without foundations.
They are simply silk-lined and have plenty
OF silk inside the hem.
The crepon jacket is the newest wrap.
dainty one is in pale fawn color. with an ap-
phque trimming OF white and silver
cloth. a rich embroidery Of gold and silver,
with green pink and copper beads spreading
over both and on 10 the soft crepon. Ihetuli
sleeves are dotted with the beading.
The new Pinafore frocks are pretty on
slender figures.
SUMMER DRESSES.
MANY dresses of summer cloth and other
4. W. W