1870.] secretary's report. 21 



The number of volumes constituting the Library of the Society, at the date of 

 its removal to Horticultural hall, in February, A. D. 1862, was four hundred 

 and forty-one (441). The number upon our extended shelves, on the 3Ist of 

 October ult., was one thousand and sixty two (1,062). This was exclusive of 

 pamphlets and unbound serials in both cases ; and, in the latter, of volumes 

 circulating among the members. And it is believed that the relative value of 

 the collection has suffered no deterioration, with its increased size. 



Such then was — such now is our condition. What it shall be. at the expira- 

 tion of the next ten (10) years, must depend largely upon the wisdom and 

 energy of our successors. Much can be accomplished by unselfish devotion; 

 and of that, the Society has never yet felt any lack. More still may be 

 achieved by a liberal appropriation of the means accumulated during past 

 years of corporate thrift and private munificence. And all that has been gained 

 hitherto, may be worse than lost, under the influence of a mean and penurious 

 policy. 



For several years past, upon more occasions than he recalls with pleasure 

 has your Secretary animadverted upon the inadequacy of the Hall of the Society 

 for the purposes of its erection ; upon the unsuitableness of its location, owing 

 to the tendency of heavy wholesale traffic to engross and incumber Front Street 

 and to its inevitable, prospective ineligibility as an investment, from its want of 

 conformity to modern requirements and taste. And, in justice to himself, he 

 takes this opportunity to state, (what some seem determined to misapprehend,) 

 that the general drift of his objections was rather to the Hall, in its 

 restricted and technical sense, than to the entire edifice A'hich bears 

 that appellation. He is not about to consume your time, or weary your 

 patience, by a repetition of arguments which are as convincing to himself as 

 they are unpalatable to you. Having accomplished so much by persistent 

 agitation, — the creation of a Committee with power and the will to sit ! — he 

 reposes on his laurels and assigns to others any individual concern in the 

 incubation. It is due to frankness, however, to confess that the opinions of 

 the Secretary have been confirmed by reflection and the lapse of time. Other- 

 wise, he must impugn the discretion of those who built the existing edifice, the 

 want of which, at the time of its construction, was no more urgent than is our 

 present necessity. Or else he must concede the soundness of a policy which 

 has no other uor higher aspiration than that of becoming tenant upon suffer- 

 ance or at will of the Mechanics Association, without a lease in perpetuity, and 

 with no plausible assurance that one can be had upon any terms whatever. 

 Unless an arrangement can be effected, (assuming it to be the purpose of this 

 society to occupy Mechanics Hall, in the future, for its Annual Autumnal Exhi- 

 bition,) whereby a satisfactory lease for a term of years can be obtained, their 

 responsibility is not to be envied who, proposing nothing of their own motion, 

 are content to place obstacles in the path of those who march in harmony with 

 the age in which they live. 

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