and tend to prevent misconception and remove doubt, to show the merits of the design, and to justify the method devised for carrying it into effect.

In the apprehension of those, who invite the publick attention to the subject, this institution deserves approbation and support, as productive of utility and enjoyment; as ornamental to the metropolis, and honourable to its patrons. They also conceive, that it is proposed at a suitable time; and that it involves no extravagant demand upon the pecuniary resources, from which the necessary funds are expected.

The Athenæum may be recom mended as a place of social intercourse. But it will principally be useful as a source of information, and a means of intellectual improvement and pleasure. It is to be a fountain, at which all, who choose, may gratify their thirst for knowledge.

The value of learning, whatever incidental evils it may produce, is admitted by all, who are. qualified to judge upon the subject. Besides the dignity and satisfaction associated with the cultivation of letters and arts, and which constitute their worth to the individual, they have unlimited uses in respect to the community. Speculative and practical philosophy, history, polite literature, and the arts, bear an important relation to all the conveniences and elegancies of life, to all the good institutions of society, and to all the great interests of man, viewed as a rational and social, a moral and religious being. Not only, however, should those deep investigations of science and exquisite refinements of taste, which are necessarily confined to a few, be held in respect, as connected with the general welfare; but that love of intellectual improvement and pleasure, and that propensity to reading and inquiry, which are capable of being diffused through considerable portions of the community, should be regarded with interest and promoted with zeal among a civilized and flourishing people. They belong to

the regular progress of society.TA nation, that increases in wealth, without any corresponding increase in knowledge and refinement, in letters and arts, neglects the proper and respectable uses of prosperity. A love of intellectual improvement, and of the various objects of literature and taste, in a state or society enjoying freedom and affluence, is to be coveted and maintained, because it produces the best exercise and application of the faculties; because it strengthens and multiplies the ties, that bind men together; because it enhances the value and satisfaction of social intercourse by supplying worthy and interesting topicks of conversation; because it heightens the enjoyment of all the blessings of life, and enables us to derive advantage and pleasure from a multitude of new sources; because, on the whole, it tends to the removal of errour and the discovery of truth, and has a friendly aspect upon the interests of virtue and religion.

When we admit the dignity and use of the science of the learned, the taste of the refined, and the improved and cultivated character of the citizens at large, we must also admit, that these objects require a fostering care, and will not be obtained without adequate means and incentives. That the institution here proposed, if well begun and liberally supported, must prove in a high degree auxiliary to these purposes will not, it is presumed, be called in question.

The Athenæum will contain a variety, adapted to the diversity of the dispostions, views, and charac ters of its patrons and visitors.

Every class of readers must derive profit and pleasure from a constant access to the foreign and domestick journals, and the periodical publications and pamphlets of the day.

They must resort with great advantage to a place in which will be found the latest political and commercial intelligence, accounts of the state of literature, arts, and discoveries, the controversies and discussions, that successively prevail, and those fugitive pieces and

small tracts, which it is difficult or impossible for any individual to col lect, but which are necessary to satisfy our curiosity or complete our information concerning the opinions, events, learning, politicks, and manners of the times in which we live. In proportion as this department of the Library and Reading-Room shall be replenished by the accumulations of successive years, its value will be enhanced; and it will descend to posterity'a rich and increasing treasure.

By resorting to the Athenæum the man of business will have the means of intellectual activity and enjoyment, without any injurious interruption of his. ordinary pursuits, or "the more urgent concerns of life;" and the man of leisure will find ample means of rational and interesting occupation.

The inquisitive merchant must prize the opportunity of being able to consult a large collection of those works, which relate to commerce; as well as find an accommodation in the early and exact commercial intelligence from various and opposite regions of the globe, which the papers and documents in the Reading-Room will generally furnish.

The researches of those, who at tend to the constitution of society, the form and administration of governments, politicks, and finance, must be greatly facilitated by the assemblage, in one place, of the best and newest treatises upon these subjects of inquiry, of statistical tables and works, and state papers. The historian, and the reader of history, will here be able to perfect their information by a recourse to standard works of general and particular history; and especially such as relate to our own country. It is intended, that this institution shall co-operate with others, appropriated to this object, by procuring, as soon as circumstances admit, every tract, book, and journal, serving to illustrate the civil and natural, the literary and ecclesiastical history of America, and more particularly of the United States.

Gentlemen of each of the learned professions must derive impor

tant assistance, in their respective pursuits, from the liberty of consulting both those fugitive and periodical publications, which may exhibit the history and state of their respective professions, and the sciences and arts, on which they are founded, at successive periods; and also those large, valuable, and expensive works, which it may be inconvenient to most individuals to purchase.

To men of letters, and studious inquirers in general, this establishment will offer facilities in study, hitherto not enjoyed; but highly desirable and even necessary. In this country nothing can exceed the inconvenience, arising from the want of large libraries to those persons, who aim at superiour attainments and accurate researches. This is one of the circumstances, which account for the small number of finished scholars and finished works, of which we have to boast. As much time, as is necessary for reading a particular book, is often consumed in attempts to discover or obtain it; and frequently, after every inquiry, the book wanted cannot be procured. Those who, not content with superficial knowledge, would arrive at exactness in any subjects of science, history, or taste, either give over their pursuit, because destitute of the assistance, which the learned in the same walk have furnished, or continue it under the disadvantage of their ignorance of what has been done by their predecessors. Hence they are liable to be occupied in "solving difficulties, which have already been cleared; discussing questions, which have already been decided; and digging in mines of literature, which former ages have exhausted." If the uses of this institution were more immediately confined, than they are, to literary men, or to those who wish to perfect themselves in sciences and literature, it would be worthy of the munificent spirit of our opulent citizens to give effect to a plan for affording to persons, ambitious of superiour acquisitions, the means of extensive knowledge, and the

The good effects, which this establishment may have respecting young persons, deserve particular attention. Where they are of proper age and deportment, they will have access to the rooms of the Athenæum on the same terms as others. The attractions of the place will induce many of them to pass that time in useful reading, which is now wasted or misapplied. Their resort to this fund of instruction and entertainment will tend to inspire them with laudable curiosity. It will serve to withdraw them from gross relaxations and hurtful pleasures, by the desire of enlarging their minds and improving their taste. Parents, who consider the temptations surrounding young men, and the connexion between employment and innocence, will not regard this use of the Athenæum with indiffer

ence.

The ladies have at least an indirect interest in this design. Whatever raises the character of men has a favourable influence upon that of the other sex. Undoubtedly when the citizens are sensible and well informed, the intercourse of the sexes is proportionably more rational and agreeable. But if the progress of the institution shall be equal to the wishes and expectations of its friends, it will include a plan of instruction by lectures, on which the ladies will be invited to attend. By their admission to this privilege, as well as by the use of the circulating books of the library, and the right of access to the other apartments, they will have more than an indirect share in the advantages of the Athenæum.

To these different classes of persons, in the several ways described, this institution, and particularly the Library and ReadingRoom, will be useful. To the same persons, to others, and to the publick, must the subordinate branches of the Athenæum prove beneficial. The Repository of Models is adapted to promote the speedy and general knowledge of new and use

ful improvements, relating to the necessary arts and trades, and will be resorted to by artisans with particular advantage.

It is well known, that a taste in the fine and pleasing arts cannot be formed, without specimens to serve for example and illustration. By a Repository for productions in these arts, we shall provide for the improvement and emulation of artists, and for the correction and refinement of taste in those, who aim to be connoisseurs, and able to bestow praise and censure with discrimination. It concerns the publick interest, as well as honour, that the higher classes of society, and possessors of superfluous wealth, should prefer elegant and innoxious luxuries to those of a different character; and should be patrons and judges of what is excellent in the fine and liberal arts.

The Museum, by its collectionTM of natural objects, scientifically arranged, will both excite and gratify that disposition to study nature, which is always safe, and sometimes profitable and important, by means of the discoveries and im

provements to which it leads. This department of the institution will preserve, for constant inspection, a multitude of productions, natural and artificial,either curious or useful, brought from different countries, which are not now obtained; or being obtained, are lost through want of a proper receptacle, in which they may be placed.

The Laboratory and Apparatus may be used, when it shall be found practicable, for the purpose of lectures on chemistry, natural philosophy, and astronomy. The usefulness of a course of popular instruction upon these and other related subjects, calculated to interest the young of both sexes, and to diffuse as well as extend the knowledge of the laws and operations of nature, need not be displayed,

In these respects it is conceived the proposed institution will be productive of utility.

If it is viewed, in the next place, as a source of rational enjoyment, it will appear to mexip

the support it requires. It is ob vious to all, who attend to human nature, or the history of human society; and it is verified by observ ing the state of manners in our own country, that affluence and prosperity are ever attended by a correspondent passion for amusement and pleasure in their diversified forms. It is equally obvious, that whatever serves to correct and re gulate this passion is an additional security to publick and private morals. In this view it must be acknowledged important, not only to check that dissipation, which ener vates and depraves, but also to moderate and qualify a propensity to what are deemed less exceptionable modes of pleasure....to show and equipage, convivial entertain ments, festive assemblies, and then trical exhibitions. One effectual method of accomplishing this pur pose is to promote a relish for the pleasures of knowledge, and a taste for liberal pursuits and studies. The satisfactions, flowing from these sources, tend to strengthen, not debilitate, the mind; to subdue, not inflame the passions. They are friendly to cheerfulness and the social virtues, and serve to disengage the feelings from ignoble gratifications. In these respects therefore, as tending to substitute mental occupation for sensual indulgence, and to create a fund of rational and salutary enjoyments in a place and state of society, where the love of pleasure and the means of it are continually augmenting, and where expense is not grudged to amusements of a different nature, it is presumed this institution will be thought to deserve the countenance of the wise and patriotick.

It will not be pretended, that the use and necessity of this institution, for the purposes described, are superseded by any establishments already existing in the town: how ever valuable they may be in themselves, or adapted to their particular objects. All the departments of the Athenæum, excepting the Library, are new, and not included in the plan of any other publick es

tablishment; and the Library is constituted upon principles and with regulations, by means of which it does not interfere with the interest of any other in operation, and at the same time is fitted to answer the exigencies of science and literature. Besides, when the building for the Athenæum shall be erected, other libraries, if their proprietors choose, may be united with this, or placed on its shelves and thus be rendered more secure, more accessible and useful, than their present situations admit.

It was observed, that this institution will be ornamental to the metropolis. In the form of the building, the distribution of the rooms, and the selection and arrangement of the various objects they will contain, neatness and elegance will be consulted along with convenience.

This establishment, it was said, will confer honour on its patrons. For it must be acknowledged honourable to apply wealth to some of its noblest uses; to join to a spirit of commercial enterprize a just estimate of the value of letters and arts; and to lay a permanent foundation for their cultivation and advancement thro' succesive periods.

The example and success of the more wealthy inhabitants of other cities at home and abroad, in originating and conducting similar undertakings, are worthy of attention as calculated both to guide and to stimulate our liberality.

The Athenæum of Liverpool has been visited with delight and admiration by numbers of our countrymen; and it is but one of several institutions of a like nature in that city. It includes a publick news-room of a superiour kind, occupying the ground floor of 2000 square feet; and a library, of a narrower base, but greater elevation, lying over the first, and lighted from above. It was begun in January, 1798, for three hundred and fifty subscribers, who were to pay ten guineas each, as a capital, and two guineas annually. The whole was completed for 4000. sterling. After six months, it being found sufficient for the accommodation of a larger num

ber, seventy-five new subscribers were admitted at 20 guineas each At the end of a year, seventy-five more, at thirty guineas each, were admitted; and the shares immediately rose to thirty-five and forty guincas. Thus a large sum was added to the capital of the institution; and the income, destined to the increase and support of the Library, was at that time estimated at four hundred guineas annually.

The city of London is known to have abounded for ages with found ations for the sciences, literature, and arts. Two have within a few years been added to those before existing, and supported with a liberality, which we cannot indeed be expected to rival; but which we may properly imitate, according to our exigencies and means. One of these is the Royal Institution, commenced under the auspices of our countryman, Count Rumford, designed for "diffusing the knowledge and facilitating the introduction of useful mechanical inventions and improvements; and for teaching, by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life." Another is the London Institution, having three objects

1. The acquisition of a valuable and extensive library...2. The diffusion of useful knowledge by means of lectures and experiments...3. The establishment of a reading-room, where the foreign and domestick. journals and other periodical works, and the best pamphlets and new publications, are provided for the use of the proprietors and subscribers." The persons, having the benefit of these institutions are classed much in the manner proposed in the Boston Athenæum,consisting of hereditary proprietors, life subscribers, annual subscribers, and occasional visitors. Within a few hours after the proposals for the London institution were issued, all the shares were taken to the amount of 100,000l. stl.

Establishments, similar to these, but upon a smaller scale, are found in other cities of Great-Britain, probably inferiour in opulence and population to this metropolis; and

they are provided in the populous places of other countries in Europe

If we look to the principal towns and cities in our own country; though in general liberality, and in some instances, in disbursements for objects of science and the interests of education, we may court a comparison, yet, in this mode of patronizing literature, we find them before us. The Charleston Library Society, incorporated in 1754, has made very respectable progress in collecting books. The rooms are open during the prin cipal part of every day, and afford a place of resort for reading and conversation. The merchants and scholars of Baltimore have recent ly provided themselves with an ample institution of the same kind. The library of the Philadelphia Library Company is well known. It was founded in 1731. Before the year 1769 other social libraries, which had been erected, were annexed to this. In late years it has been much augmented by donations and purchases; and is advancing to great splendour and utility. In the same city an institution, for the fine arts alone, has been commenced with an endowment nearly as large, as would be necessary to put the more extensive design here proposed into operation.

In the city of New-York much has recently been done for the promotion of these objects.

The cultivated character and the liberal spirit of the Bostonians have been subjects of encomium. It is probable, that the countenance, afforded to this proposal, will furnish a new instance to justify their claim to this praise.

This institution, it was said, is proposed at a suitable time. It bears a correspondence to the advancement of society and the state of the metropolis. Boston now contains a sufficient number of those, who need, or who can enjoy and improve, the advantages and pleasures of the Athenæum. There is a prevailing opinion, that objects of this kind should now engage attention. As a long course of time will be necessary for the maturity and