No. 129.] 221 



expended for gold and silver medals awarded by the managers, 

 and actually delivered to exhibitors, has amounted to over 



$25,000. 



The Institute has increased in its receipts, expenditures, con- 

 tributors and visitors, in all and every thing except the price of 

 admission to the Fairs, which has invariably been twenty-five 

 cents. The receipts show that the Fair of 1835 was visited by 

 about 22,000 persons who paid for their admission tickets, and 

 the Fair of last year by 88,000, and if we include those admitted 

 on free tickets, to wit : members and their families, exhibitors 

 and invited guests, we may safely say that the last exhibition 

 was seen and examined by over 300,000 persons. 



What greater facility can be afforded to the honest and hard- 

 working mechanics and artisans for the display of their skill and 

 ingenuity 1 



As the public have contributed each year more than the ex- 

 penses of the Fair, it may be asked by them, what has become 

 of the surplus 1 The managers pay the same over yearly to the 

 Treasurer of the Institute. The accumulations, after paying 

 salaries of agents, secretaries, clerks, librarian, and other inci- 

 dental expenses in 1849, amounted to about $15,000, and the 

 Institute then purchased the large brown stone building, No. 351 

 Broadway, for the sum of $45,000, on which they now owe only 

 $20,000, and which, in a few years, they hope to pay off by the 

 continued patronage of the public. 



The second story is occupied by the Institute as a place for 

 meetings, and as an office for the agent and other officers of the 

 Institute ; the third story as a reading-room and library, which 

 is handsomely fitted up for that purpose ; the library contains 

 5,860 volumes, among which are many rare and valuable works; 

 and the fourth story is occupied as a model room. The first floor 

 and basement are leased at an annual rent of $3,000. 



Since the close of our last fair, the manufacturers, artizans, and 

 mechanics of the Old World have had an opportunity of displaying 

 their skill and ingenuity at the World's Fair. It could hardly be 



