general diffusion of education, unfettered by any of the trammels of antiquated customs, and ranking first in the confederacy, of which their state is a member, they were certainly called by their situation and circumstances, to act a prominent and leading part. That they have heretofore been negligent in this respect is to be deeply regretted; but it is not too late to repair the fault and remove the stigma, which, in this instance, has so long attached to the public spirit of our city.

It is from a character, for a high degree of progress in literature, in science, and the fine arts; that all lasting national reputation is to be derived. The wealth derived from commerce may vanish; the pride of monied opulence may be checked; but the works of genius, the productions of learning and the monuments of taste are indestructible and unfading. Deeply impressed with these truths, a number of gentlemen of literary and scientific pursuits, formed an association on the 1st. of June 1824, for the purpose of raising an institution upon a scale worthy of our metropolis.

To num

The following are the objects of this association, 1st, Many of the sciences are at present, in a state of progressive improvement, unexampled in the annals of history; the press teams with literary productions, of the most important nature. bers of our citizens, versed in scientific subjects, or possessing a taste for their cultivation, the time and opportunity of keeping up with their rapid advance is denied; while the productions of the press are beyond the reach of even those, who possess both the means and the inclination to obtain its most valuable works. It was, therefore, determined, that the associates of the institution should appoint from their own body, gentlemen, who should annually deliver public discourses, on the pro gress of those branches of science and literature, which are most intimately connected with their individual pursuits; and should the several parts be well executed, they will much abridge the labour of following the ceaseless progress of human intellect; and render that task easy to those, whom more active and profitable avocations, draw from the pursuits of learning.

2d. Many parts of literature, sciences and the arts, may be cultivated for the sake of the agreeable relaxation they afford from the cares of domestic life, and the turmoil of business. The associates, therefore, propose to provide popular lectures upon such subjects, open to the patrons, and subscribers to the institution, and to strangers. These lectures are, likewise, open to both sexes, and it forms no unimportant feature of the plan, that the ladies of New-York, will thus be enabled to

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pursue studies and investigate subjects, from which, by the present system of education, they are excluded.

3d. There exists no institution in the city, provided with sufficient funds to procure and furnish to its supporters the whole of the works, whether periodical or standard, that hourly issue from the presses of America and Europe.

4th. In the pursuit of the objects of the several lectures and for the use of the persons, who may attend the courses, a library of scientific reference will be of the first necessity. It should comprise, when complete, all the standard elementary works of literature and science of every age and nation. Extensive as this part of their plan may be, the associates, well knowing the laudable zeal of their fellow citizens, to promote objects of importance to their honour and prosperity, do not despair of accomplishing it.

The associates conclude their address thus, "In presenting this plan to the public, they deem it their duty distinctly to state, that it is based upon no views of private or individual emolument. Their object is to obtain the means, by which an institution, commensurate with the magnitude and wealth of our city, may be established. To attain this desirable end, the lecturers are willing to devote themselves, and to seek no other reward for their exertions, than the reputation they may have an opportunity of acquiring, and the pleasure they may derive from being instrumental in establishing a useful institution."

The following is an abstract of the by-laws, of this establishment.

The association is denominated "The New-York Athanæum." It consists of resident and honorary members. The resident members must be citizens of New-York, and may be either associates, patrons, governors or subscribers. The funds are derived from the contributions of these 4 classes. The payment of $200 constitutes a patron, of $100, a governor. Each associate pays an initiation fee of $5, per annum. There are two classes of subscribers, the one paying annually the sum of $20, and the other $10. A subscriber, who pays $20, is entitled to tickets of admission to the lectures, library and reading room for himself and family; he who pays $10, is only entitled to a ticket for himself. The number of patrons, governors and associates is confined to $100, of each. The officers are a president, 4 vice presidents, a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer and a curator.

The annual meeting is held on the 2d. Wednesday in May. The standing committee have six regular meetings in every

year, viz, on the first Tuesday in February, April, June, August, October and December; and have power to call special meetings of the members generally, of the associates and of the patrons, and to fill vacancies of their own number. They provide apartments for the library, reading rooms and lecture room, and may apportion any part of the annual receipts to the purchase of books and apparatus. The associates meet on the second Thursday in January, April, July and October, and have power to appoint lecturers and the subjects to be lectured on, and to recommend books and apparatus to be procured.

The patrons and governors, are each entitled to three transferable tickets of admittance to the lectures, library, and reading rooms, and other tickets for the members of their families. The patrons constitute a board, and meet from time to time, to consult in regard to the permanent fund, no part of which can be appropriated without their consent. The librarian is nominated by the curator, and appointed by the standing committee, to hold his office during their pleasure.

The general superintendance of the property is intrusted to the Curator, and it is, likewise, his duty to examine the rooms weekly, and enforce the regulations and report at the annual meeting. The lectures commence every year, on the first Monday in November, and may continue until the first day of May.

SCHEME OF LECTURES FOR THE YEAR 1826.

Lectures.

Professor Anthon.

Dr. King.

Professor M'Vickar.

The Revival of Classical Literature. Mr. Richard Ray.

Taste and Beauty.

Chemistry.

Prof. Renwick.

Mr. John Hone jun.
Mr. Morse.

Mr. W. Beach Lawrence.
M. W. C. Bryant.

Rev. Mr. J. F. Schroeder.
Rev. Dr. J. M. Mathews.

CHAPTER VII.

MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.

THE CITY HOSPITAL.

In the year 1770, a petition was presented by PETER MIDDLETON, JOHN JONES and SAMUEL BARD, three eminent physicians to Lieut. Governor Colden, for a charter for a hospital, which was granted 13th. June 1771, by Lord Dunmore, then Governor of the Province.

The origin, of this institution, may be justly attributed to the late Dr. SAMUEL BARD, which at the first medical graduation, in this city, 3d. November, 1769, delivered an address, in which he so warmly and pathetically set forth the necessity and utility of a public infirmary; that upon the same day, on which it was delivered, a subscription was commenced by his Excellency Sir HENRY MOORE, then Governor, and the sum of £800, Sterling, ($3,552,) collected for that establishment, and the corporation of the city soon after added £3,000, Sterling, (13, 320,) to the first subscription. Through the influence of Dr. JOHN FOTHERGILL, and Sir WILLIAM DUNCAN, contributions were, likewise made by many of the inhabitants of London, and other parts of Great Britain.

By their charter, the governors, to whom the management of the affairs of the institution was intrusted, were`limited to twenty-six, and in 1772, the legislature granted an annual allowance of of $2,000, in aid of the funds for twenty years.

The governors, having purchased five acres of ground for the erection of a suitable edifice, the foundation of that valua ble establishment now the pride of our city, and alike devoted to the purposes of humanity, and the promotion of medical science, was laid on 27th. July 1773; but on the 28th. February 1775, when almost completed, it was nearly consumed by fire. By this misfortune, the institution sustained a loss of $17,500, and the execution of the benevolent plan would have been suspended, had not the legislature in March 1775, granted $10,000, towards repairing the loss, which had been sustained. But the Revolutionary war, which commenced, in the same year, prevented the progress of the work; and the annuity granted by the Provincial legislature in 1772, ceased on the commencement of hostilities. On 1st. March 1788, our State Legislature directed $2,000, per annum, for four years, to be paid to the Hospital; but the dreadful effects of the war, and the general derangement of affairs, prevented the building

from being placed in a proper condition to receive patients till 3d. January 1791, when 18 were admited, since which time, it has been a regular asylum for the sick and disabled

In April 1792, the legislature granted for the better support of the Hospital $5,000, per annum, for five years, payable out of the City Excise, and since that time the institution has deservedly enjoyed the patronage of the state. In 1795, the act of April 1792, was repealed as to future payments, and $10,000, granted annually for five years, payable out of the sales at auction in his city. An addition of $2,500, per annum for four years, was granted 11th April 1796, payable out of the same fund, making $12,500, per annum, and this grant was continued from time to time, till on the representation of the governors, stating the necessity of providing for the reception of lunatics, an act was passed 14th. March 1806, directing the sum of $12,500, to be paid annually out of the sales at auction, in quarterly payments, till the year 1857.

The governors in August 1796, appropriated the sum of $500, towards the purchase of a Medical Library, to which, several members of the faculty, contributed books from their private libraries. An Hospital library was thus established, which was further augmented by the library of the late Dr. Romayne in 1800; and by the accession in 1805, of the library of a private association of physicians, who gave their books on condition, that they and such of their sons as should become practitioners of medicine in this city, should have the free use of the hospital library. In the same year, the governors appropriated the annual sum of $250, for the increase of the library, and large additions have from time to time, been made to it, including the whole of Dr. Hosack's botanical library. The Hospital library now contains about 6,000 volumes, amongst which are some of the rarest and most valuable works in medical science.

The ground, on which the hospital stands is an area of about 455 feet in length, by 440 in breadth, bounded in front by Broadway, in the rear by Church-street, on the North by Anthony-street, and on the South by Duane-street. Part of this area fronting Broadway, is, at present, owned and occupied by individuals, leaving an avenue of about 90 feet, leading from Broadway, which is planted with a double row of lofty trees. The site of the hospital is elevated, being considerably above the level of Church-street, and about 600 yards from the Hadson River. It is one of the most open and airy situations in the city, and possesses great advantages for the enjoyment of fresh and salubrious breezes.