No. 144.J 9 



which, it is hoped, will be productive of much good. It is pro- 

 posed that the Mechanic's Club shall bear the same relation to 

 the arts and sciences, that the Farmer's Club does to agriculture 

 and horticulture. At its meetings should be found the best scien- 

 tific and mechanical talent which our city affords, as well as the 

 student and novice, and all whose studies or inclinations lead 

 them to feel an interest in the development and advancement of 

 American science and skill. We hope to be able hereafter to 

 report some good results effected by the Mechanic's Club. 



Our library has also been found an important aid in furthering 

 the objects of the Institute. Well stored with standard works in 

 all the departments of human learning, the student, the scholar, 

 and the general reader each finds here timely aid and assistance 

 in his scientific or literary pursuits; and the number of volumes 

 daily taken from the library, shows that these valuable helps in the 

 attainment of knowledge, are, to a very considerable extent, appre- 

 ciated. The library now contains over 7,000 volumes. During 

 the past year 244 volumes have been added, and among them 

 some works of great value, such as " Bayle's Historical and 

 Critical Dictionary," 5 vols, folio, London, 1734; "American 

 Archives," by Peter Force (4th and 5th series), 9 vols, folio; 

 " Smithsonian Contributions to Scientific Knowledge," 5 vols. 4to; 

 "Schoolcraft's Indian Tribes of the United States," 2 vols. 4to, 

 and many others. 



It has already been announced that a fair will be held in the 

 fall of 1855, and we confidently look forward to that co-operation 

 and support, which have always been generously extended to our 

 efforts to promote the productive skill and industry of our com- 

 mon country. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



ROBT. L. PELL, 

 LIV. LIVINGSTON", 



D. M. REESE, 

 ROBT. LOVETT, 



E. T. BACKHOUSE, 

 H. MEIGS, 

 PETER B. MEAD, 



Trustees. 



