BOSTON AND ITS ENVIRONS. 63 



low-priced book-stores, making access to the best 

 authors possible to the poorest. The Atlantic Monthly^ 

 which for so many years has occupied a place unique 

 and unapproachable among American magazines, is 

 published here. 



Art is represented by the magnificent Museum of 

 Fine Arts, with its beautiful exterior and interior 

 decorations and fine collection of antiques and art ob- 

 jects ; the Art Club, the Sketch and the Paint and 

 Clay clubs, as well as by the innumerable paintings 

 and statues appearing in public places ; by the Athe- 

 naeum, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 

 the Boston Society of Natural History, the Warren 

 Museum and the Lowell Institute free lectures. 



To draw this brief study of Boston to a close 

 without mentioning her countless charities would be a. 

 grave omission, since these form so large a part of the 

 city's life and activities. As is always the case in 

 great towns, two hands are ever outstretched — that of 

 Lazarus, pleading, demanding, and that of Dives — 

 more unselfish now than in the days of the parable- 

 giving again and yet again. Boston's philanthropists 

 flatter themselves that there the giving is rather more 

 judicious, as well as generous, than is frequently the 

 case; and that ^' the pauperizing of the poor," that 

 consummation devoutly to be avoided, is a minimized 

 danger. The ^^ Central Charity Bureau" and tlie 

 "Associated Charities" systematize the work of relief, 

 prevent imposture and duplication of charity, and do 

 an invaluable service to the different organizations. 

 Private subscriptions of citizens maintain the work, 

 which is carried on in three fine buildings of brick 

 and stone on Chardon street, one of which is used a? a 



