140 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



the purchase of new books, works of reference relating to 

 history, science and art, and furnishing the reading rooms 

 with a selection of the best reviews, magazines, weekly and 

 daily papers, English and American, for the use of mem- 

 bers. 



"A considerable portion of the acquired funds of the In- 

 stitute has been invested in the purchase of this estate and 

 it becomes necessary to appeal to all interested in promot- 

 ing its objects and purposes, for financial aid, that the nec- 

 essary funds may be raised to make the proposed altera- 

 tions, and to assure the successful carrying on of the work 

 of the Institute. It is confidently believed that in a few 

 years the Institute, with the increased capacity for useful- 

 ness which will follow the proposed change, with largely 

 augmented membership, and with the funds which are sure 

 to come to such an institution when fixed on a stable and 

 lasting basis, will be in a condition to carry on its work in 

 a manner which will be creditable alike to its members and 

 to the city. As stated by the committee, the sum of about 

 $15,000 will be needed to make the proposed alterations 

 and provide for the necessarily increased running expenses 

 of the institution for the next three years. This sum is to 

 be placed in the hands of Trustees and is to be expended 

 only for the purposes here indicated, the expenses of the 

 rejrular work of the Institute being met from the income of 



O " 



its present fund. One-half of this sum, it is hoped, will be 

 pledged at once, so that there will be no delay in the pro- 

 posed refitting of the building. An appeal is now made for 

 funds with the belief that the Institute has fairly earned the 

 right to ask for the generous consideration of all interested 

 in its objects. It has from a comparatively small begin- 

 ning, through the earnest work of its founders and promot- 

 ers, attained a wide and enviable reputation at home and 

 abroad. By its publications and meetings it has awakened 



