AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 27 



lature according to law, and which are printed by that body 

 annually. 



We need scarcel}^ allude to the influence and effects of these 

 annual fairs and exhibitions of the American Institute upon the 

 interests of this great city. When it is recollected that more than 

 four hundred thousand visitors have been ascertained to have 

 been present during the few weeks that our fairs have been held, 

 and that a vast proportion of these were strangei-s brought hither 

 for the purpose in large parties by steamboat and railroad excur- 

 sions from the numerous cities and towns Avithin hundreds of 

 miles of New York, the importance and advantage thus conferred 

 upon the merchants, tradesmen, hotels, restaurants, etc., of New 

 York, can scarcely be over-estimated. Indeed our whole country 

 derives benefit from these annual gatherings, for here the gifted 

 sons of toil from the north and the south, the east and the west, 

 are wont to greet each other, while in healthful rivalry they com- 

 pete for the prizes distributed among those who excel from every 

 section of our common country. They thus lose their sectional 

 spirit, or it becomes merged in the grand purposes of the Ameri- 

 can Institute — the advancement of American science and art, the 

 reward of our national genius and industry. 



Finally, we assure our patrons and friends everywhere, that 

 though we are '• cast down " by the recent unforeseen calamity, 

 yet we are not " destroyed." We can still survive the catastrophe 

 with that modicum of public patronage heretofore awarded to 

 the Institute and the continued favor of the inventors and exhibi- 

 ters of the country, who, having proved in all the past with what 

 zeal and fidelity we have served their interests, will confide in our 

 continued efforts in their behalf in the future. Arousing our- 

 selves, therefore, from the depression into which our recent dis- 

 appointment and grievous loss have thrown us all, and enlisting 

 with renewed energy and perseverance in the service of American 

 industry in all its departments, Avhether of genius or labor, let 

 us nerve ourselves anew in the good work of fostering and 

 encouraging our native artisans, and thus continue to confer 

 benefits upon our common country. 



