The first annual meeting of the corporation was held on the fourth Monday of February 1837, when the time for holding the same was changed to the fourth Monday of September.

In the meantime, the subject of the erection of the building by the Athenæum for their own accommodation, and that of the Historical and Franklin Societies, had early engaged the attention of the Board of Directors, and a plan for the same was obtained from Mr. Russell Warren, of this city. This was at first approved by the Board, but was ultimately abandoned; it was found to require an expenditure of money much greater than the sum appropriated. Mr. Warren being then absent from the city, Mr. William Strickland, of Philadelphia, was applied to, and from him a more economical plan was obtained. This plan having been finally adopted, the lot of land was conveyed to the Athenæum as proposed, and Zachariah Allen, John J. Stimson and William S. Patten were appointed by the Board the Building Committee to contract for and superintend the erection of the building. The ground was first broken on the 4th of April 1837, and the building was commenced on the 9th of May, the interval being occupied in excavating and preparing the ground. Samuel B. Durfee, of Providence, was the master mason, and Ebenezer Carpenter, of Providence, took and executed the contract for the carpenters' and joiners' work.

To the Providence Franklin Society was allotted the basement story, upon the following terms, they paying $3000 to the Athenæum and having perpetual occupancy of that portion of the building, with the condition, that if at any time within two years from its completion, they should find the rooms unsuitable for their accommodation, the Athenæum should repay them $1500 on their removal, or if for any adequate cause they should remove after two years, then the Athenæum should pay them such sum, not exceeding $1500, as might be agreed upon, they relinquishing all claim to any part of the building. The basement story was therefore constructed under their direction, as to internal arrangements, and was, for ten years, occupied by them.

For this rea

The Rhode Island Historical Society were to be accommodated in the East room of the upper or principal story, on condition that they contributed $500 to the funds of the Athenæum. son a thick wall was built dividing that from the other portions of the building, and an independent entrance from College street was de

signed. But their right to participate in the occupancy of the building was afterwards waived, they preferring to build an edifice exclusively for their own collections, which they have since erected.

In September, 1837, Alexis Caswell and Albert C. Greene were chosen directors by the Board, vice John Kingsbury and William Jenkins, resigned, and in December following, George Baker was chosen a director, vice John C. Brown, resigned.

The building was completed in the spring of 1838, and the Board of Directors first held a meeting there on the 22d of June. On the 2d of July the Board, from a list of forty-five applicants, elected Stephen R. Weeden to the office of Librarian, and during the week following, the books were removed to their new destination.

The dedication of the building by appropriate religious and literary exercises took place at the First Baptist Church on the afternoon of July 11th. A procession, composed of various public bodies, the proprietors of the Athenæum, and citizens generally, was formed at the Library building and proceeded to the church, where a discourse was delivered by Rev. Dr. Wayland, President of Brown University. Rev. Edward B. Hall officiated as chaplain, and odes, written for the occasion, by Thomas P. Rodman and William J. Pabodie, Esqs., were sung by the Providence Glee Club. The Discourse of Dr. Wayland was afterwards published by the Athenæum.

The building was opened for the use of the proprietors on the following Monday, July 16th. It was built in the most substantial manner, as is described in detail in the report of the Building Committee, appended to the third Annual Report. Its cost was about $15,000, and for the incidents of the building, excavations, embankments, fences, &c., about $4,000 more. The total receipts of the institution, at its commencement, from donations, subscriptions, sale of shares, and contribution of the Franklin Society, were between thirtythree and thirty-four thousand dollars. Of this sum, $19,000 were expended on the building and grounds, and $5,000 invested in Bank stock, leaving $9,000 to commence the purchase of books.

The history of the Athenæum, at the period of, and for some time after, its new location, was marked by numerous costly and valuable donations. In September, 1838, were presented, by several of our wealthy and liberal citizens, "The Description of Egypt," and the

"Musée Français."* Some of the other donations, received about this time, were as follows: from Samuel Larned, a copy of Stuart's full length Portrait of Washington, executed by an Italian artist, from the original painted for the Marquis of Lansdowne; from Thomas M. Burgess, 59 volumes in the Italian language, beautifully printed, and embracing many of the classics of Italian literature; from Benjamin C. Harris, 21 volumes of Niles' Register, making with those previously owned by the Athenæum, a complete set of that valuable publication; and from Hon. Tristam Burges, 22 folio volumes of American State Papers.

At the annual meeting in September 1839, Amory Chapin and Albert G. Greene were chosen directors, the former in place of William Butler, deceased, and the latter in place of Thomas H. Webb. Mr. Butler was one of the largest subscribers to the funds of the Athenæum, and had always been its earnest friend. Mr. Webb was also one of its earliest supporters, and his donations and services in its behalf did not cease with his removal, at this time, from the city. During the following year, valuable donations continued to be received. The Washington Insurance Company of this city presented fourteen well bound volumes of newspapers printed about the years 1800-1806, in Boston, New-York, Philadelphia and Baltimore; and to them the Athenæum has since been indebted for complete files, for many years past, of the "National Intelligencer," and "New-York Shipping and Commercial List." The late Henry Soule bequeathed to the Athenæum a complete file of the "Rhode Island American," published in this city, extending from its commencement, in October, 1808, to February, 1833, a period of twenty-five years; these, with the Providence Journal, since continued from where they leave off, make a complete file of Providence papers for forty-five years. James Phalen presented "Morton's Crania Americana," and ten well executed busts of illustrious personages, the nucleus of a collection which has since been increased. The late Amory Chapin presented a costly and beautifully printed volume, entitled "Public Works of Great Britain." Horatio N. Slater made a valuable donation of two hundred and thirty-six volumes of French Classics, imported by him ex

"The Description of Egypt," was presented by Messrs. Brown & Ives, Cyrus Butler, William G. Goddard, Horatio N. Slater, William Jenkins, Thomas J. Stead, Amory Chapin, "A Friend of the Athenæum," and "Another Friend." The Musée Français," by Messrs. John Whipple, Amasa Manton, William Jenkins, William W. Hoppin, William T. Grinnell, and "A Friend of the Athenæum."

64

pressly for the benefit of the Athenæum. Numerous other donations of books were received during this period, and it is to be regretted that in later years they have so nearly ceased. There are many works having high claims to a place in the Library, which, on account of their rarity and price, are beyond the limited means of the Athenæum, but which afford ample opportunity for the exercise of the liberality of our prosperous fellow-citizens.

At the annual meeting in September, 1840, Thomas M. Burgess was chosen a Director, vice Charles F. Tillinghast, resigned.

In April, 1841, the rooms of the Athenæum, with the exception of the east room, were carpeted, at an expense of $300, raised by subscription.

The increase of the Library, at a more rapid rate than had been anticipated, now required that the East room should be prepared for the reception of books; and during the summer of 1841, it was fitted up in a style corresponding with that of the principal room, the proportions of which it does not rival in beauty, although it far exceeds it in comparative extent of accommodation.

In August, 1841, Alexander Duncan and Edward B. Hall were chosen Directors, in place of Frederick A. Farley and Albert C. Greene, resigned, the former in consequence of removing from the city. Mr. Farley was one of the first and most zealous friends of the Athenæum, and was, from its commencement, a faithful and efficient member of its Library Committee.

At the annual meeting in 1840, a vote was passed, requesting the Board of Directors to " adopt such measures as they may deem best fitted to render the annual meetings of the corporation more available in exciting a livelier and more pervading interest in behalf of the Athenæum." With a view to this object, and as one of the most ready means to accomplish it, the Board took measures to provide for the delivery, annually, during the month of September, of a public lecture, to be called "the Athenæum Discourse." After some delay in making the arrangements, the first Discourse was delivered by John Whipple, Esq., on the 10th of November, 1842, to a large audience, in the First Baptist Church, with appropriate religious services by Dr. Wayland, and excellent music adapted to odes written by Albert G. Greene and William J. Pabodie, Esq'rs. Efforts were made for a similar Discourse the ensuing year, but they proved unsuccessful, and the series was not continued.

In September, 1844, Philip Allen, Jr. was elected a Director, vice. Amory Chapin, resigned.

In December following, the attention of the Board was directed to an increase of the periodical department. Previously to this, the Athenæum had been in the receipt of twenty-nine periodicals, all but three or four of which were American works or American re-prints. These, although comprising by far the most important portion of the current English literature of this description, were now found insufficient to supply the wants of the proprietors, and eighteen more were added, selected, except four, from the catalogue of British periodicals.

In September, 1845, Samuel W. Peckham, Secretary, and Stephen Tripp, Treasurer, resigned their respective offices, which they had held from the commencement of the institution. These vacancies were filled by the election of Samuel Austin to the former, and Thomas M. Burgess to the latter office. Stephen Tripp and Samuel Osgood were elected Directors, the former in place of Thomas M. Burgess, clected Treasurer, and the latter in place of Thomas B. Fenner, who had recently deceased. Mr. Fenner had been a Director of the Athenæum from the period of its establishment, and had been constant and untiring in his efforts for its prosperity.

In October, 1845, Stephen R. Weeden, on account of ill health, resigned the office of Librarian, which he had filled, to the entire satisfaction of the Board and of the proprietors, for more than seven years. Thomas H. Williams was chosen Librarian in his stead, and has continued to hold that office until the present time.

In the same month, William G. Goddard resigned the office of Vice-President, which he had held for nearly ten years. George Baker was elected to fill the vacancy, and Mr. Goddard took Mr. Baker's place as a Director. Soon after, in February, 1846, this institution and this community sustained an irreparable loss in the death of Mr. Goddard. His services to the Athenæum were invaluable. He was a member of its Library Committee from the commencement, and a large proportion of the additions to the Library testify to his good judgment, fine taste, and liberal scholarship.

In September, 1846, Robert H. Ives was elected a Director in place of Mr. Goddard, and shortly after, Mr. Baker resigning the office of Vice-President, William S. Patten was elected to fill the vacancy, and Mr. Baker took Mr. Patten's place on the Board.