USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 39
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2
Hon. A. H. Bullock,
-
1
1
S. L. Goodale, Esq., Maine,
8
Nathaniel Paine, Esq., .
3
Edward Earle, Esq., -
Librarian of Congressional Library, 1
Supplementary Catalogue, 1
Charlestown Public Library Report,
1
66 Lowell City Library Report,
1
66 Bowdoin College Catalogue,
2
66 San Francisco Mer. Lib. Ass. Report, 1 1
66 Philadelphia Mer. Lib. Co. Report,
6. Cincinnati Mer. Lib. Ass. Report,
1
66 Detroit Young Men's Soc. Report,
1 1
66 Boston Mer. Lib. Ass. Report, Providence Athenæum 66 66
C. E. Brown, Naval School,
M. B. Green, jr. 1
Rev. Wm. R. Huntington, -
Dr. Geo. Chandler,
-
1 1 1 2 2
Trustees N. Bedford Free Pub. Library, 1 66 Holton Lib. Brighton, - - 66 Fall River Pub. Library,
1 1
66 Fitchburg Town Library, -
1
66 Leicester Academy, 1
6. Brooklyn Mer. Lib. Association,
Hon. I. M. Barton,
-
1
Rochester Mechanic Ass. Report.
42
Trustees Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst.,
66 Boston Public Library, 1
66 Redwood Lib. Newport, R. I. 1
66 Buffalo Young Men's Associa.,
Master J. W. Lincoln, - -
-
1
Edward W. Lincoln, Esq.
Gen. Wm. S. Lincoln,
-
-
Robert Patterson, Philadelphia,
1
Richard H. Dana, Esq.
-
-
1
Capt. J. Loring, Newton,
1
Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell,
-
1
Hon. Theo. Fisk, N. H.
1
George Brinley, Esq.
1
1
Total, -
554
63
56
The Worcester Daily Spy, the Worcester Daily Trans- script, the Worcester Palladium, the Fitchburg Reveille, the Universalist, the Commonwealth, were gratuitously sent by the Publishers, and the New York Independent was given by Mr. James White.
Mr. Clarendon Harris has given a neat scrap-book con- taining notices of the death and character of Dr. Green, and his will and other publications in newspapers con- cerning him, which will be convenient for reference.
The noble example, that for successive years has stim- ulated the liberality of our Citizens, appears now for the last time in its full pre-eminence. The gift of Dr. Green of 489 volumes for the Green Library, and 52 volumes for the Circulating Library, includes many books very costly and very desirable for the Library. The Librarian's report mentions as among the most important
1
1
1 1
Hon. Andrew H. Green, 1
-
City Government, Worcester
-
43
the Encyclopedia Metropolitan in 25 volumes quarto, a complete and well bound set of the Christian Examiner in 77 volumes, La Martinieres Grande Dictionaire Geog- raphique in 12 volumes folio, and the first part, just pub- lished, of the Chinese Classics by Dr. Legge, a work of great importance and great cost ordered by Dr. Green. The Librarian takes notice with great satisfaction, of the improved behavior of the applicants for books, which has saved fully ten per cent. of the labor in the delivery and reception of books, and has reduced the expense of ex- tra assistance to a very small sum. He also commends an improvement in the treatment of books in regard to marking them, making them dirty, or otherwise injuring
them. His successive reports have deplored and cen- sured these outrages, as every one, who knows the value of a good book must do. Every right minded person should enlist, as a voluntary police, to expose and rebuke those who in thoughtlessness or malice, so ungenerously defile a fountain of knowledge and happiness, which is one of the best possessions of every inhabitant of the City.
Under the regulations, the Committee on the Library, consisting of Dr. John Green, Rev. J. J. Power, William A. smith, Esq., Rev. Ebenezer Cutler and Rev. J. D. F. Jones proposed the Books which were purchased and they were approved by the Board. The continued and increasing attractiveness of the Circulating Library, with such limited additions of new books, is a proof that the selection has been made in accordance with the judgment and taste of our citizens.
The Librarian's Report takes notice of the good effects of the new Reading Room, in making the Library known
44
to thousands who might not otherwise resort to it, and gives the following list of the Reviews, Magazines and Newspapers obtained.
Foreign Reviews, &c.
London Quarterly Review,
Foreign Quarterly Review,
Westminster, 66 66
North British, 66
Law Jurisprudence,
Chambers Journal, Monthly,
Blackwood, Monthly,
Dublin University,
Macmillan, .
66
Cornhill. 66
Once a Week, “
Frazer's,
All the Year Round,
Mechanic Magazine,
Foreign Newspapers.
Times,
City Press,
Athæncum,
Reader,
Examiner,
Illustrated News,
Bell's Life in London,
Mining Journal,
Notes & Queries,
United Service Gazette,
Manchester Guardian,
York Herald,
Oxford Journal,
Cambridge Chronicle,
Dublin, Freeman's Journal,
Weekly Scotsman,
66 Catholic Telegraph,
Leeds Intelligencer.
American Reviews, &c.
North American,
Harpers' Monthly, Atlantic Magazine, Monthly,
Bibliotheca Sacra,
Mg. of Horticulture, Monthly,
American Agriculturist, "
Publishers' Circular, 66
American Newspapers.
New York Daily Evening Post, New York Daily Herald, 66 66 Tribune, 66 Com. Advertiser,
66 66 66 World, National Intelligencer. Springfield Republican,
Tri Weekly Providence Journal, Weekly Albion,
66 Chicago Tribune, 66 Wilkes' Spirit of Times,
66 66 Missouri Democrat, Living Age,
66 66 Phila. Inquirer, San Francisco Bulletin.
66 Detroit Tribune, 66 Alta California,
The Artizan. 66
Tablet, Spectator,
Punch, Engineer,
Liverpool Mercury, Journal,
Gardeners',
Bookseller's English 66
45
Weekly Army & Navy Journal, Weekly Hartford Courant,
N. E. Farmer,
Fitchburg Reveille,
66 Pittsfield Sun,
Independent,
Dwight's Journal of Music, Anglo African,
66 Scientific American,
66 Palladium,
Courier Des Etats Unis,
66 Universalist,
Home Journal,
66 Louisville Journal,
Daily Spy,
Daily Boston Journal,
" Transcript,
.
66 Post,
Boston Evening Journal,
Advertiser.
The Librarian remarks that the large expenditure in the past year for account Books, Cards, &c. may not again be necessary for some time. He charges himself with
Balance of Cash in his hands Jan. 1, 1865,
131.03
Cash received from sale of Catalogues, Cards,
Fines, &c. - - 208.28
339.31
And he credits himself for payments, For Cards, Printing, advertising, blank books and stationery, - - - -
80.06
66
Extra Assistance, -
-
-
6.35
Repairs and new book cases,
-
-
84.64
66 Watering Streets, -
15.00
6!
Removing Ashes,
4.00
Mr. Paine's bill,
-
-
-
-
3.00
66 Oil and Fuel,
12.55
6. Postage and Express,
-
-
-
23.36
Leaving cash in his Hands,
-
-
- 109.45
-
- -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
339.31
The past year will be memorable in this City, for the establishment of the Reading Room under the most fav- orable and promising circumstances, according to the regulations of this Board, by Hon. Messrs. George F. 7
6.
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Hoar, Isaac Davis and D. Waldo Lincoln, the Committee charged with that duty, and by them the 15 Foreign Re- views and 24 Foreign Newspapers, and 9 American Re- views and Magazines, and 36 American Newspapers reported by the Librarian, were selected, under the ap- probation of the Board. The subscriptions for the fund of $10,640, were readily made and promptly paid by citizens in all the walks of life, and in some instances the gift was bestowed with some feeling of privation, which was cheerfully borne for so good an object.
In an interesting report of that Committee by their Chairman Hon. Mr. Hoar, it is stated that the case was extremely rare in which any person, to whom the Com- mittee felt it proper to apply, refused to make a prompt and generous subscription. The copy of the subscrip- tions for this Fund on the Records of the Directors, will be a permanent certificate of great authority, in favor of the object for which they were offered. It is the opinion of the Committee that the annual income of the Fund, as now invested in Debt of the United States, and in debt of the City of Worcester, " when foreign exchanges and the price of paper shall be reduced to their natural and permanent limit," will maintain the present variety, with the addition of a reasonable number of French, German, Canadian and southern periodicals, and leave a balance for binding and other uses. The Directors deep- ly regret that the excessively high price of some of very desirable German and French periodicals, has made it necessary to use some delay in procuring them.
The Committee also remark, " The experiment of plac- ing in the reading room a large proportion of English Newspapers, and those published in distant parts of our
47
own country, has succeeded beyond our anticipations. The English papers seem to have more readers than any other. The advantage to an intelligent and self-governing community, of such an opportunity to become familiar with the current history and life of other countries, is not likely to be over estimated. The American news- paper of to-day is not what it was in our father's time, almost the sole avenue of knowledge, to a large portion of the community, and the leader and director of thought on most political, literary or social questions."
" But it collects and concentrates public sentiment and is guided by it, instead of directing or controlling it. It is therefore extremely valuable to that class of persons whose daily reading is the daily paper, to have an oppor- tunity of knowing thoroughly the manners and senti- ments of distant communities, and so to temper narrow- ness and prejudice of a single country. To the self- governing citizen of a nation, which must more and more be brought into intimate relations with other countries, and which must largely influence and be in- fluenced by them, a knowledge of cotemporary history must seem to be a duty and a necessity." And the Re- port is closed with these important suggestions. "It is manifest that other and larger accommodations are needed for the reading room. A space equal to the whole floor of the Green Library, would be hardly too large for the convenient arrangement and use of the papers and mag- azines. But until the City shall deem it expedient to construct a new and larger building, this department must share with the others the inconvenience of too contracted space. It is gratifying that this inconvenience
48
is caused by the rapid and unexpected growth of all the departments of the Library."
The custom of closing the Reading Rooms of Public Li- braries on public holidays which prevails in this country and in Europe, has been readily followed here, from a desire to afford the opportunities of refreshment and enjoyment to the Librarian and his assistants, who deserve and need it, as much as any of the citizens. The pro. priety of this practice has recently been discussed by the Directors, and though there is no disposition to with- hold a privilege from the attendants on the Library, the Directors cannot deny, those who may find in the holidays the best time for the study or reading which they desire, and those also who in their idle leisure may be attracted from less desirable occupations to the pleas- ures and good influences of the reading room, have claims, which should not be disregarded. The subject remains under consideration, with the probability that an ar- rangement may be made for keeping open the reading room on such days, under the care of an occasional as- sistant. If this is deemed a novelty, it could not be introduced any where with more propriety and more suc- cess, than in this city, where there are so many energetic young men, engaged in active industry, who would make good use of such a privilege.
The Treasurer of the Directors, reports as follows : NATH'L. PAINE, TREAS.
IN ACCOUNT WITH FREE PUBLIC READING ROOM.
Dr To Cash on Subscriptions to Reading Room Fund, - - $10,640.00
49
To Cash From Worcester Lyceum & Library Association,
300.00
66
66 Interest on City of Worcester Bonds, 196.00
66
66
66 U. S. 7.30 Bonds, - - 182.50
Total Receipts, - -
$11,318.50
Cr.
Feb. 28, By Cash for U. S. 7.30 Bonds, - 5015.00 66 66 6 City of Worcester Bonds, 5000.00
Sept. 1, 66 66 66 U. S. 7.30 Bonds, 504.80
Oct. 14, 66 66 Do. 50.60
66 66 66 At sundry times for
subscriptions to Periodicals & Newspapers, 382.82
Total Expenditures, - - $10,953.22
Dec. 28, Balance on hand, -
-
365.28
1
$11,318.50
It is pleasant to observe that the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, credited above with a generous donation of $300, was the parent of the Circulating De- partment of this Library and also of the Natural History Society, and has lost no strength by the departure of her children. The Treasurer's account has been audited by the Committee on Finance, who have certified that it is well vouched and correct, and that the subscriptions for the Reading Room are all paid. The Finances of the Board have been under the particular care of the Com- mittee on Finance of which Dr. George Chandler, Wil- liam A. Smith, Esq., Nath'l. Paine, Esq., and Dr. F. H. Kelly are members; and the chairman, Dr. Chandler, has presented his Report, from which it appears that the Funds of the last year consisted of
50
Balance of former Appropriations in Treasury,
287.68 City Appropriation for 1865, - - 4000.00
- Cash for Glass from the Sky Lights sold, - 255.42
Balance in hands of Librarian, Jan. 1, 1865, - Cash from sales of Catalogues, Cards, &c., as
131.03
by Report of Librarian, - -
208.28
Bills Approved and Payments.
Bill of W. A. Wheeler - 11.75
" Braman, Perham & Co. Gas fittings, 40.04
" J. D Chollar, High Chairs, 5.00
" Nath'l Paine, postage stamps, envelopes, -
4.30
" City for Water, 16.50
" 3 Tons Coal, 37.50
" Gas Works for Gas for Dec. 1864, and 11 months in 1865,
235.58
" S. Salisbury, certified and bound, Copy of Dr. John Green's Will, 9.00
" Z. Baker, books purchased, 487.24 ·
" J. S. Wesby, Binding books, 240.40
" Salaries of Librarian and Assistants, 1700.00
" S. Clark, Work on Roof, - - 10.25
" H. & A. Palmer, fitting up Reading Room, - - 122.15
" Braman, Perham & Co,, Gas Fittings, 80
" Payment by Librarian as by his Report, Book Cases and Repairs, S 84.64
" For Sundries as by his Report, - 145.22 " Balance now in hands of Librarian, 109.45
" Balance in City Treasury, - 1622.59
$4882.41 $4882.41
The Committee on the Building, consisting of Hon. Isaac Davis, Richard Ball, Esq., and Hon. D. Waldo Lin- coln, report the sound condition of the objects of their care. The repair of the Roof made 18 months ago, has
51
been durable and satisfactory, and little expense has been required on the building or grounds, except the moderate cost of the Reading Room furniture. This Committee agree in the opinion expressed by the Committee on the Reading Room, which is also entertained by their asso- ciates of the Board, that the successful progress of the institution has outgrown the accommodations. For the mere storage of Books, there is enough for a few years. But more ample space, which shall guard against the annoyance, and the probability of crowding, is necessary for such a pleasant use of the Green Library, and the Reading Room, as shall give them the highest utility. When the Citizens and the City Government, shall deter- mine that the Library must be moved from this building the necessity will be less regretted because it is occa- sioned by the success of the institution, and because the building will remain well adapted to other uses of the City. In the past year the use of a room for the Asses- sors, and the use of the west basement for a school room, have been continued. The Worcester County Medical Society retain the use of an upper Hall, for their excel- lent Library, which is a very desirable addition to the Green Library. The Natural History Society continue to use the east basement for their valuable collections, and large and interesting and very instructive meetings, though they also suffer the inconvenience and impa- tience of unexpected and successful growth.
Respectfully submitted by order of the Directors of the Free Public Library.
STEPHEN SALISBURY, President. Jan. 23, 1866.
HOPE CEMETERY.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR 1865.
To His Honor, the Mayor, the Aldermen,
and the Common Council of the City of Worcester :
The Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, in execution of their trust, and pursuant to the injunctions of the Statute Law of the Commonwealth, present the twelfth annual Report of the condition of the Cemetery and of their management thereof, and of the Receipts and Expendi- tures for the same, the past year.
The annual reorganization of the Board, by the choice of a Chairman and Clerk, took place early in the season, upon the first meeting of the Commissioners after notice of the election by the City Council of a member to sup- ply the annual vacancy created by law. Immediate ar- rangements were made for clearing the path-ways and grounds of all accumulated rubbish, and repairing the usual injury and waste by the frosts and storms of winter, and the Cemetery was seasonably put in a condition of neatness and convenience for access and use. The lots were carefully inspected, proper directions given for their care, and precautionary measures taken, as far as might be, to secure conformity of grade in their relative loca- tion, and taste in their improvement. An absolute pro-
8
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hibition to digging trenches or raising high and abrupt embankments in the immediate pathways between the lots which, in the early occupancy of the grounds had been so generally practiced, to their great defacement, was again repeated, and reasonable restraints imposed upon unauthorized acts of possession before a title had been acquired to the use of the property. With an in- considerable outlay of money, the imperative duty of keeping the Cemetery in creditable condition, the ave- nues free of obstruction, and smooth and pleasant for passage, and of furnishing, at all times, a sufficient num- ber of lots, of desirable variety and apportioned values, for selection and purchase, has been studiously observed, and the year has closed with no omissions or neglects on the part of the Commissioners of which they are con- scious, or complaints of which they have heard, from any one.
In the early part of the season, a considerable addi- tional space of land was cleared of its growth of wood, the roots removed, the surface grubbed and graded, and over this ground, thus prepared, Seventy-two Lots, partly on Chestnut and Magnolia, partly between Magnolia and Hazel, and partly on the North side of Hazel Avenues, have been laid out, and their appraisal certified by the Commissioners to the City Treasurer. These lots are among the most eligible in this most conspicuous and beautiful part of the Cemetery, and probably will fully satisfy the demand, for another year. Further improve- ments, in the same direction, are within the arrangements for the next season, and will be in time for later require- ment.
The pleasure of the City Government having been
55
expressed, that a suitable place, within the inclosure of the Cemetery, should be set apart for the interment of deceased gallant soldiers of our late patriotic army, from the United States Dale Hospital in this city, the Com- missioners lost no time in conferring with Dr. Chamber- lain, late Superintendent of the Institution, upon the selection and assignment of an acceptable Lot, and with his entire approval, they appropriated a space of ground on the south side of Spruce Avenue, eligibly located and of ready access, and so situated as to admit of extension if there should be occasion. This testimonial of regard by the city for the remains of the heroic dead, most grateful as it was to their surviving comrades, has been practically of little account. It was often the expressed wish of the dying, and more frequently the desire of family friends, that the body should be borne to the home of the soldier, and his ashes committed to the earth to mingle with the dust of beloved kindred. Hence, from the mortality at the Hospital, but three burials have been made in the assigned Lot, and from the dis- continuance of that establishment, no further occasion will occur for its purposed use. It is not improbable indeed, that the instinctive desire, that remains, so prec- ious to relatives and friends, should be placed in their native soil, may yet induce to a removal from their pres- ent resting place of those which have already been de- posited there.
Upon the application of the Engineers of the Fire Department, the Commissioners caused the Lot, hereto- fore assigned to the Firemen, to be prepared and graded in such manner as to conform to the grade and improve- ment of the adjacent grounds. The Department as yet.
56
have done nothing towards its inclosure or ornamenta- tion.
In the sale and conveyance of a large selected Lot, some years since, to the Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital in this city, it was the express understanding of the Commissioners with the Superintendent of that Institution, that the ground to be occupied should be inclosed by an appropriate and durable fence, and the inclosure so cultivated and adorned by the Grantees, as to render it an attractive and imposing spot in the Cem- etery. Although several interments have since been made there, the Commissioners regret to notice, that no measures seem to have been taken for its improvement.
During the year, the Commissioners have received from the City Treasury for the general purposes of the Cemetery, two hundred and seventy four dollars, and sixty seven cents; for surveying and laying out Lots by Gill Valentine, thirty five dollars; and for revenue stamps to be affixed to Deeds, twenty three dollars and fifty cents ; making the sum of three hundred and thirty three dollars aud seventeen cents. In addition to this, they have sold wood cut from the land, in the process of improvement, to the amount of one hundred and forty one dollars and sixty nine cents, giving an aggregate of receipts with which the Commissioners are chargeable, of four hundred and seventy four dollars and eighty six cents. The expenditures have been for labor on the grounds, three hundred and sixty one dollars and twenty seven cents, payment to Mr. Valentine for sur- veying, &c., thirty five dollars, and for stamps for deeds, twenty three dollars and fifty cents, making an aggregate in expenditures, of four hundred and nineteen dollars
57 .
and seventy seven cents, and leaving in the hands of the Commissioners, fifty five dollars and nine cents to be carried to their debit in a new account; thus balancing the account of receipts and expenditures by the Commis. sioners with the Cemetery, the past year, of which a particular detailed statement accompanies and makes part of this Report.
There have been sold and conveyed to purchasers, during the year, forty nine lots, in various localities in the Cemetery, and at different appraized values, to the amount of eight hundred and thirty one dollars, the whole of which sum has been paid into the City Treasury. Deducting from this sum of eight hundred and thirty one dollars the amount of three hundred and thirty three dollars and seventeen cents, credited by the Commis- sioners in their account, as drawn from the Treasury, and there results a balance of receipts over and above all expenditures, for the year, of four hundred and ninety seven dollars and eighty three cents, to be added to the accumulated Fund to the credit of the Cemetery, on the books of the City Treasury. The Fund, at the commencement of the last year, was two thousand eighty six dollars and seventy one cents, and by the addition of the afore-mentioned balance of four hundred and ninety seven dollars and eighty three cents, may now be set down at two thousand five hundred and eighty four dol- lars, and fifty four cents. This accumulation is pledged to the care and improvement of the place, and should be applied, as soon as the prices of labor and materials will justify the outlay, to the construction of a tasteful and enduring fence, and a spacious entrance and gateway,
58
upon the front line, on Webster street. Indeed, the necessity of the work to the protection of the Cemetery, and, much more emphatically, to its creditable appearance, has become too obvious to admit of much longer delay. Should circumstances warrant the commencement of the undertaking the present season, it is the purpose of the Commissioners to enter upon it, and thus the fund will be in immediate requisition for use. The Commissioners respectfully suggest, that the whole of the money should be held subject to their draft for the above objects, and in the ordinary care and progressive gradual improve- ment of the grounds. For the latter, the present year. aside from the structure of the fence and the gateway, they estimate the expense at five hundred dollars.
The valuable services of the faithful and energetic City Treasurer, have been freely given to the Commis- sioners, in the sale and conveyance of the lots, and in the frequent intercommunications with each other, which the duties of their respective offices demand.
The Commissioners cannot close this report without again bearing witness to the reverential respect with which this consecrated and lovely spot has uniformly been regarded. Since the opening of the grounds, in no one instance, has intrusive rudeness violated its appro- priate seclusion, or thoughtless levity offended its solemn quiet. The mourning visitant may tread its pathways in undisturbed contemplation, or kneel by its tombstones in saddened memories. In these enduring memorials of mortality by which he is surrounded, he will read the unfailing records of the termination of all earthly exis-
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