PREFACE. 1 THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK was formed on the ninth of November, 1820. A few active and zealous young men, perceiving the necessity of a library for the use of merchants' clerks, after a public meeting held for the purpose of taking the matter into consideration, determined upon founding one, and united themselves for that object, under the name still retained by this institution. A small apartment was hired at No. 49 Fulton Street, and subscriptions, as well as donations in books and money, were solicited. During the first five years this location sufficed for the wants of the library; but at the end of that time, the number of volumes obtained, mainly by donations, having reached 3,300, its removal was resolved upon. In 1826 the library was established in more spacious quarters in Cliff Street, near the site of the present Harpers' establishment. This removal had a most beneficial effect upon the growth of the institution. Its progress was so rapid, that it soon became evident that still larger and more permanent accommodations were demanded. This necessity incited the members to make an appeal to the mercantile community for aid. Accordingly, a meeting of merchants and others was held, at which subscriptions were obtained to a large amount. At the invitation of the officers of the library, their friends, who so generously had come to its assistance, formed themselves into a separate corporation, in order that the Mercantile Library Association should always enjoy the full benefit of the fund contributed for it, and at the same time that a proper supervision might be exercised by the donors in the appropriation of their bounty. The results of this plan were the formation of the CLINTON HALL ASSOCIATION, together with the subjoined articles of agreement between the two bodies. An eligible site having been chosen at the corner of Nassau and Beekman Streets, the first Clinton Hall was erected, and the edifice formally dedicated, in the year 1830, to the cause of Science and Literature. Here the library gradually expanded from 6,000 volumes to 40,000, and the membership from 1,200 to 4,500; so that the accommodations, which at first were sufficiently ample, became at length entirely inadequate, and some extensive change was absolutely required. In addition to this, it was felt that the position of the population, with reference to its convenience of location, had undergone a great change within twenty-five years, and that this fact. should be fully considered in making provision for the future. After much deliberation, it was decided by the Clinton Hall Association to dispose of the property then held by them, and to effect a purchase of the Astor Place Opera House, which was done in the early part of the year 1853. Measures were at once taken for making such alterations in the structure of that building as would best adapt it for the present and prospective wants of the institution, and for providing a source of revenue for the future support of the library, after all debts of building and alterations should have been paid. At this time the merchants of New York again responded liberally to the appeal of the Clinton Hall Association, and subscribed, during the years 1854 and 1855, the sum of $61,500 towards the new building—an amount sufficient to relieve the corporation from all fears as to the debt being ultimately removed. On the 1st of May, 1854, the former premises in Nassau Street were finally given up, and on the 8th of June following the new building in Astor Place was formally opened, and inaugurated with appropriate services. The advantages of removal have since been well shown in the increase of members, and in the much greater use that is made of both the library and reading-room. The number of volumes comprised within the accompanying Catalogue and Supplement is 47,082. |