ment. Their views, however, are not confined to country, politics, or religion; it is enough that the applicant is a stranger, to insure their protection. The society is governed by a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and a committee of Superintendence, consisting of four members, officers are elected annually.

GERMAN SOCIETY.

This society was instituted for the purpose of giving pecuniary aid to German emigrants, and assisting such other natives of that country and their decendants as might be reduced in their circumstances. On the sixth of April, 1814, they obtained an act of incorporation, to continue for twenty-one years. The affairs of the society are managed by a Committee, and officers regularly chosen ; and its funds are limited to $25,000.

ROMAN CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

The charter of this society was obtained in April, 1817, by which its real and personal estate is limited to $2,500 per annum. It was instituted for the humane and laudable purposes of "assisting and relieving the poor, and of protecting and educating orphan children." The management is confided to a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, two Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, and thirteen members, who are elected at Whitsun-Monday, annually. Members to subscribe no greater sum than three dollars per annum. Twenty-one form a quorum for the transaction of business.

SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI.

After the close of the revolutionary war, a number of those military veterans who had fought in the armies of the republic, formed themselves into a society for the purposes of general benevolence. As they had all "relinquished the hostile sword for the peaceful plough," or retuned from the embattled field to their former employments, like the celebrated Roman Cincinnatus, they very jusdiciously distinguished their institution by the name of that celebrated patriot.

TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

The New-York Typographical Society, was instituted on the 4th, of July, 1809, but did not obtain an act of incorpora

tion until the 27th, of February, 1818. The laudable objects of this institution are, " relief to indigent and distressed members of said association, their widows and orphans; and others who may be found proper objects of their charity." To effect these benevolent purposes the society is allowed, by their charter, to hold real and personal estate to the amount of $5000. Their affairs are managed by a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, who are chosen annually, on the Saturday next preceding the fourth day of July. They have also, a Board of Directors, composed of twelve members, three of whom are elected monthly, for the term of four months.

The terms of admitting new members are, 1st. competency as a workman, 2d. a good moral character; 3d. an initiation fee of five dollars.-4th. monthly dues of twenty-five cents. Any member having paid dues to the amount of thirty dollars; or paying the like sum in advance, becomes entitled to a certificate, and is for ever after exempt from monthly dues.

Application for relief, in cases of sickness, or otherwise, must be made to the President, who thereupon assembles the Board of Directors, by whom the applicant's case is taken into consideration; and, should his circumstances require it, a sum, not exceeding three dollars per week, is awarded him from the Treasury. In case of the death of a member, the sum of twenty-five dollars is tendered towards defraying the funeral charges, at the discretion of the Board; who likewise award to the widows of deceased members, any sum, not exceeding two dollars per week, for the space of three months from the decease of their husbands; and in case a member dies, leaving no widow, but children-if one or two, the sum of two dollars-if over two, the sum of three dollars per week, for three months, are appropriated to their benefit in any manner the Board may direct, provided the case, in their opinions, require it. But in no case whatever, have the wife or children of a living member, any legal claim on the funds of the institution.

A general meeting of the society for the transaction of business is held on the first Saturday of every Month, at the Society's room, in the Shakspeare, at the corner of Fulton and Nassau-streets; where the Board of Directors also converse on the evening of every Saturday. The affairs of this institution are in a very flourishing condition-the funds rapidly increasing, and their acts of benevolence frequent and judicious. A select and valuable Library has lately been procured, by private subscriptions and donations, from which every mem

ber, whose monthly dues have been paid, is entitled to draw two volumes per week.

MECHANIC SOCIETIES.

The "General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen," has already been noticed at page 226. In addition to which, it may be proper to state in this place, that the journeymen of almost every mechanical profession, have formed institutions similar to the one described above; most of which have obtained acts of incorporation, and all of them are found to be very beneficial in the promotion of those charitable purposes for which they were created. By a reference to page 142, a list of their names, &c. may be seen.

FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND.

The object of this fund, which is created by "the money arising from chimney-fines, certificates, and donations," is the relief of such disabled Firemen, or their families," as may be deemed worthy of assistance. The principal of this fund, however, cannot be impaired in granting relief; the only income arising therefrom, may be thus appropriated. All applications for relief must be made to the Trustees, whose duty it is to inquire into the situation of the applicant, and grant such assistance as in their opinion, circumstances may require. Those entitled to relief are "all Firemen while doing duty as such, and being indigent; all Firemen who have been disabled while doing duty as such, and having become indigent and infirm; and all Firemen having served ten years as such, and shall resign thereafter, having become indigent and infirm." The widows and orphans of all such persons are also entitled to assistance. In their last annual report, dated December. 4, 1826, the Trustees state that seventy-one widows were then on the pension-list, and receiving each twenty-five dollars per annum; that more than $2578, had been expended in charities during that year, of which pensioned widows had received above $1733, and sick and poor Firemen and their families, $543; and that above $342 had been appropriated to the purchase of shoes and books, for 270 children then at the various public schools in this city.

For further particulars respecting the Fire Department, see the appropriate head.

MASONIC SOCIETIES.

Whether Masonry be considered as a scientific, a moral, or a charitable institution; or, (as is the fact) all three combined, we feel no hesitation in saying that it sustains as high a rank in New-York, as in any city in the known world. In this place, however, it is proper to notice it merely as the agent of a most liberal and extensive benevolence. How many unprotected widows are daily rescued from want and despair, by its benign influence! What numbers of orphans are preserved from ignorance and infamy by its bounty! It feeds the hungry; clothes the naked; entertains the stranger; visits the sick; relieves the prisoner; and consoles the afflicted in every situation. In short, the Masonic Societies of New-York, are every way worthy of its elevated character and splendid destiny.

For a list of the Masonic Lodges in this city, with the times and places of their meeting, see Appendix.

CHAPTER X.

SOCIETIES FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

THE citizens of New-York are not more conspicuous for their attention to the temporal wants of the poor and destitute, than for their unwearied exertions in the distribution of spiritual charities, both at home and abroad. More than thirty societies now exist in this city, whose funds are devoted exclusively to this pious purpose; while assistant auxiliary, and supplementary institutions, are almost daily springing up around

us.

Innumerable streams of private contribution supply the means of operation, which are not permitted to remain inactive by the zealous managers. Of each of these institutions it will be proper to take a brief notice; and as the sacred Scriptures are acknowledged, by every sect, to be the basis and standard of the Christian faith, it will be most in order to place at the head of this article,

BIBLE SOCIETIES.

The American Bible Society was instituted in May, 1816, by a convention of delegates from Bible Societies in different parts of the United States. Its affairs are conducted by a

Board of Managers, consisting of thirty-six laymen, of whom twenty-four must be residents of the city of New-York or its vicinity. This Board holds stated meetings on the first Thursday of every Month, at 4 o'clock P. M. at the Society's House, No. 115 Nassau-street; or oftener if business require. The anniversary meeting of the Society is held annually, on the second Thursday of May, at 10 o'clock, A. M. at New-York or Philadelphia, as determined by vote at the preceding annual meeting.

The sole object of this Institution, as expressed in its constitution, is to "encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment. The only copies in the English language to be circulated by the Society, shall be of the version now in common use." A subscription of three dollars per annum entitles a person to membership. A subscription of thirty dollars, at one time, constitutes the donor a member for life; fifteen dollars per annum, makes him a director; and the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, secures him that honour for life.

According to the tenth annual report of this institution, dated May, 1826, there had been issued from its Depository, in this city, up to that period, 440,047 Bibles and Testaments; exclusive of a large number issued by the Kentucky Bible Society, and printed from the stereotype plates of the New-York institution.

The Society's House, No. 115 Nassau-street, is a large commodious edifice, comprising a capacious Depository, an extensive Printing apparatus, Bindery, &c. &c. all of which are politely shown to strangers, and others, who feel a desire to inspect them.

The following Societies (if they still retain a separate existence) have been admitted as auxiliaries to the above; some of them, however, it is believed, have since become component parts of the principal.

The New-York Bible Society was instituted in November, 1809. Its concerns are conducted by a President, six VicePresidents, two Secretaries, a.Clerk, Treasurer, and a Board of Managers, consisting of thirty-one. Like the Society above mentioned, it recognizes no distinction of sect or creeds, but assists in circulating the Bible without note or comment. The anniversary meeting of this society is on the first Monday of December; and the Board of Managers hold stated meetings on the third Mondays of January, March, May, July, September and November.

The Auxiliary New-York Bible Society was instituted in