New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-03
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE.

The opening Of the new building Of the Brook
lyn Institute marks an important stage in the
development Of that institution and of the lie
Of this metropolis. The educational worl, that
has been built up in the last few years. starting
with the moribund old foundation IN Washing
ton-st, Is little short Of marvellous The lecture
courses and study courses have awakened a
popular interest which even their excellence
does not account for. and which can be explained
only by peculiar interest in intellectual rur-
suits among Brooklynites that does not exist to
the same extent on this side of the East River
We have here museums and schools ind libra
ries, but we have nothing that corresponds to
the Institute.
With the merging Of the two cities It Is to be
hoped that the intellectual interests Of the In.
habitants will be more concentrated. The great
ness of The great universities and libraries and
museums Of the world is due in no small meas
ure to the centrng in each one Of them of all the
kindred interests and resources Of a great La.
ton or great city. The usefulness Of such an
institution Increases in more than arithmet.cal
ratio 10 its growth in size; for every book and
every picture and every specimen Is multiplied
in value by its cOntigulty to other articles Of
supplementary character. II would be most nm
ing up a great museum in the enlarged ciy
wasted in laying several foundations 1t will
be much better TO have in Central Park 4 vast
museum which will compare favorably with
those of Europe than TO have two inadequate
museums on different sides Of the city. So with
a library The example set by the Tlldpn. Lenox
and AsiOr trustees should be followed by others
so that for purposes Of extended research there
shall he gathered in one place the most com
plete collection Of books that the wealth and
intelligence Of the city will warrant. We have
had enough of muli!,ndinous mediocrity. Let
lis have few institutions Of great distinction.
On the other hand. have need IN every
quarter Of the metropolis Of just such work as
the Brooklyn Institute does so we'll Though in
one sense we want concentration. in another
we need diffusion. The Brooklyn Institute IL
admirably ad'p,ed 10 form part Of the circ,l-
latory system Of the metropolis. reaching out
among The people and helping them to use the
treasures nj the centre. Its beautiful building
and the activities which will be housed there
viii not exist solely for the residents OF Brook.
lyn. " the metropolitan district has suffered
from the division OF its political and social in
tcrests ~ has Manhattan Island suffered from
tho narrowncss Of It's life No other great city In
the world Is afflicted with such provincial regard
for few acres OF land and such inability on
the part Of the average citizen TO let his inter
ests and his sympaihles cross running water
II would be good for New-York as well ~
Brooklyn to have the Institute develop on Pros
pect Heights work entirely individual In char
acter which should make It's appeal 70 dwellers
In both sections. It's work so far has been In
that direction. 1t should resist all temptations