LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. THE NEW-YORK SOCIETY LIBRARY. This is the oldest existing literary association in the city of New-York, having been founded in 1754. It is governed by a board of fifteen trustees, who are annually elected by the stockholders. The library is one of the largest in the United States, containing forty thousand volumes, and occupies a new and beautiful edifice, situated on Broadway, corner of Leonard-street. Connected with it is a large and excellent reading-room. The "Atheneum" has been recently united with this institution, which now comprises the property and members of both associations. The rights of membership cost $25; the annual payment is $6; free rights, (perpetual,) $100. The present officers are-Gulian C. Verplanck, Evert A. Bancker, William Inglis, Daniel Seymour, Alexander R. Rogers, Dayton Hobart, Frederick De Peyster, Stephen C. Williams, James D. P. Ogden, Joshua Coit, Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, Robert B. Minturn, Joseph Delafield, Henry Nicoll, and Joseph G. Cogswell, Trustees. Alexander R. Rogers, Treasurer. Philip J. Forbes, Librarian. NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. This institution was founded in 1804, and has enrolled among its officers and members, at different periods, the most distinguished citizens of the state. It has a library of about twelve thousand volumes, and a cabinet of antiquidics and works of art, including busts and portraits of eminent persons, a large and valuable collection of coins, numerous original manuscripts, &c. The rooms of this society are situated in the University building, on Washington square, and are open to members and visiters every day, except Sunday, under the care of the Assistant-Librarian. The publications of the society consist of six volumes of Transactions, or Collections, embracing inquiries and materials relative to the early history of the state and country. Its last volume, (published 1841,) edited by George Folsom, presents the only full account of the Dutch colony that originally settled New-York, hitherto published. The present officers of this society are the following: Hon. Albert Gallatin, LL.D., President. William Beach Lawrence, and Rev. Thomas De Witt, D.D., Vice-Pres'ts. The Librarian appoints his Assistant: now George H. Moore. The meetings are held, except during the warm season, on the first Tuesday of every month, when original papers relating to historical subjects are read by the members, and slight refreshments are served. Every member is authorized to introduce strangers from other places at the meetings, which are thus rendered attractive to persons of literary tastes. THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. This institution was established in 1818, for the purpose of cultivating and encouraging the study of natural science. No other similar association in the United States, has labored more successfully in this department of knowledge. It possesses a valuable library, and an extensive museum of specimens in natural history, collected from all parts of the world, embracing the departments of Mineralogy, Geology, Botany, Zoology, &c. These are contained in a spacious building erected by the society, on Broadway, (near Prince-street,) where public lectures are also given. The present officers of this institution are the following: Joseph Delafield, President. John Augustine Smith, M.D., and Abraham Halsey, Vice-Presidents. John H. Redfield, Cor. Secretary. Robert H. Browne, Rec. Secretary. John C. Jay, M.D. Treasurer. Issachar Cozzens, Librarian. Anniversary Orator for 1843, Prof. John W. Draper, M.D. THE NEW-YORK LYCEUM. This popular institution was established in 1838, for the purpose of diffusing useful knowledge among all classes of the community, by means of lectures, &c. At the annual meeting held May 12th, 1842, the President submitted a report, by which it appeared, that during the year then elapsed the income of the Lyceum amounted to $4,569.50, and the expenditures during the same period, to $4,575.95. The income was chiefly derived from the avails of public lectures, and the fees of members; and the expenditures were for the library, reading-room, &c. The officers are the following: Albert G. Zabriskie, Cor. Secretary. Isaac T. Smith, President. George S. Stitt, Vice-President. John L. Salisbury, Treasurer. There are also boards of counsellors and directors. The library and readingroom are at 411 Broadway. Fees of members:-Admittance fee, $2; annual dues, $2. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOW LEDGE. This is an important Institution, and is intended to occupy similar ground in this country to that of the British Society, whose name it bears. Particular attention is given to the examination and preparation of school-books-a subject whose importance is awakening great attention. Benj. F. Butler, N. Y. Hon. Samuel Jones, John Knox, Thos. H. Skinner, William. B. Calhoun, Edward Robinson, John Sargeant, Mancius S. Hutton, Washington Irving, Wm. R. Williams, Daniel D. Barnard, George Peck, Benj. Silliman, Thos. R. Vermilyea, George Griswold, John Proudfit, Hugh Maxwell, John O. Choules, John L. Mason, Benj. C. Cutler, Robert C. Cornell, Samuel Hubbard, John Smith Rogers, Thos. McAuley, Gideon Hawley, Francis L. Hawkes, John Torrey, Thomas Dewitt, George Bancroft, Samuel Miller, Hiram Ketchum, John P. Durbin, Eleazer Lord, Jacob Janeway, Thomas Day, Leonard Bacon, Willard Hall, Gortlandt Van Rensselaer, William Cutler, Gorham D. Abbott, Henry Rosevelt, Alexander D. Bache. Executive Committee. Theodore Frelinghuysen, Gorham D. Abbott, John A. Dix, Edward Robinson, Thomas Cock, John Torrey, Charles Butler, John L. Mason, Mancius S. Hutton, George Peck, Marshall S. Bidwell, Thos. L. Vermilyea, John B. Beck, Alfred C. Post, Wm. Adams, John O. Choules, Samuel F. B. Morse, George B. Cheever, George Folsom, William Cutler. Gorham D. Abbott, Secretary. Anthony P. Halsey, Treasurer. THE NEW-YORK ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY. This is an association for the purpose of conducting inquiries into subjects connected with the origin, history, and distinctive characteristics of nations, comprising language, customs, geography, antiquities, &c. Formed in 1842. OFFICERS. Hon. Albert Gallatin, LL. D., President. Henry R. Schoolcraft, John R. Bartlett, Cor. Secretary. Alex. H. Bradford, Treasurer. Charles Welford, Recording Secretary. This Society proposes to publish a series of memoirs on subjects pertaining to Ethnology. Other Literary Associations are the following: The New-York Society of Letters, which meets every Tuesday evening at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Crosby-street. The Franklin Literary Association, Thalian Hall, Grand-street, every Thursday evening. The Metropolitan Association, meets Thursday evening at 254 Broadway. The Irving Lyceum, meets Monday evening at 554 Broadway. The Berean Institute, meets in the Universalist Church in Elizabeth near Walker-street, every Monday evening; admittance $1; dues 50 cents per quar ter. The Mechanics' Lyceum, meets at the Shakspeare, corner of William and Duane-streets, every Wednesday evening; admittance 50 cents; dues 50 cents per quarter. The Carroll Lyceum, meets every other Friday evening at the Library Rooms, north-west corner of Broadway and Canal-street; admittance 50 cents; dues 50 cents per quarter. THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. This Institution, founded in 1821, is composed chiefly of merchant's clerks. Its library contains about twenty-four thousand volumes, and is constantly increasing. An excellent reading-room is connected with it. The number of embers is over three thousand. The officers are annually elected by the members; they are, at present, the following: Lewis McMullen, President. Richard Burlew, Vice-President. Anthony Halsey, Cor. Secretary. James A. Williamson, Treasurer. William M. Parks, Rec. Secretary. Charles M. Wheatley, Cuthbert C. Gordon, Benjamin Pomery, Jr., John O. Stevens, John A. Clark, John T. Lanman, and Henry G. Scudder, Directors. Librarian, (appointed by the Board of Officers,) Henry S. McKean. APPRENTICES' LIBRARY OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY OF MECHANICS AND TRADESMEN. Established in 1820. The library contains about thirteen thousand volumes, and with the reading-room and schools, occupies a spacious building on Crosby-street, near Grand. Open from 6 A.M. to 9 P.M., for members and apprentices. Officers for 1843: James Van Norden, President. Shivers Parker, and Jacob A. Westervelt, Vice-Presidents. Richard C. Mount, Treasurer. The schools of this society contain about five hundred pupils, many of whom are instructed gratuitously. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.—(Rooms in Clinton Hall.) Instituted in 1826, by Artists professing the four arts of design, viz: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and Engraving. The annual exhibition occurs in May, and consists of works by living artists only, and such as have never before been exhibited by the academy. The government, is vested in a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and two members, constituting a council, who are chosen at the annual election in May. NEW-YORK LAW INSTITUTE. Established in 1828, for the convenience of members of the bar. The library consists of three thousand three hundred volumes, and is kept at the City Hall. Members are elected by ballot; fees, $20 initiation, and $10 annually. The books are not allowed to be taken out of the City Hall. Officers elected May 2d, 1842, are as follows: Samuel Jones, LL.D., President. John Anthon, Gerardus Clark, and James W. Gerard, Vice-Presidents. Joshua Coit, Treasurer. Alexander H. Dana, Secretary. Lewis H. Sanford, Librarian. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. Office, library, and reading-room, over Marine Court, in the Park. Organized January, 1828. Incorporated, May 2, 1829. For the purpose of encouraging and promoting domestic industry in this State and in the United States, in agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the arts, and any improvement made therein, by bestowing rewards and other benefits on those who shall make any such improvements, or excel in any of the said branches. TRUSTEES: Hon. James Tallmadge, President. Adoniram Chandler, William Inglis, and John Travers, Vice-Presidents. Joseph Titcomb, Cor. Secretary. Gurdon J. Leeds, Rec. Secretary. T. B. Wakeman, Treasurer and Superintending Agent. Annual election, second Thursday in May. Stated meetings, second Thursday in each month. Fifteen Annual Fairs have been held under the auspices of this Institute. The library contains about five thousand volumes. Its repository is open every day, and the library can be consulted by strangers free of charge. It is conducted generally upon the most liberal principles. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. Founded in 1830, and incorporated in 1833. Rooms in the basement of the City-Hall, containing a Library and Reading Room. Open every day except Sunday, from 9 A. M. to 10 P. M. Meetings are held every fortnight for scientific purposes, and during the winter, lectures are given every week. The officers and members of this Society are in general practical mechanics. OFFICERS FOR 1843. Robert Smith, (stone cutter,) President. William Browning, (iron founder,) Joseph E. Coffee, (engineer,) Vice-Presidents. Henry Adriance, (bookbinder,) Treasurer. Thomas Ewbank, (lead pipe manufacturer,) Cor. Sec'y. There is also a board of twenty-four directors, all of whom are practical mechanics. This institution is in a flourishing condition, and its rooms are much resorted to by its members. The fee for admission is $2.00; annual fee $2.00. UNITED STATES NAVAL LYCEUM. Located at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn. Organized by the officers of the U. 8. Navy and Marine Corps, November, 1833. Com. Mathew C. Perry, President. Chaplain P. G. Clark, Librarian. Lt. A. S. Harwood, Cor. Secretary George A. Farley, Asst. Librarian. HAMILTON LITERARY ASSOCIATION IN THE CITY OF BROOKLYN. APPRENTICES LIBRARY.-Brooklyn. Augustus Graham, President. R. G. Nichols, Secretary. FRANKLIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.-Hudson. This is a Young and popular Institution, to which is attached a large library and philosophical apparatus. Joel A. Wing, Charles Austin, and Lewis Benedict, Jr. Rec. Secretaries. OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.-FIRST DEPARTMENT. Jonathan Eights, President. Richard V. De Witt, Cor. Sec'y. William Mayell, Vice-President. Joel A. Wing, Rec. Secretary. Peter Bullions, Librarian. SECOND DEPARTMENT. Stephen Van Rensselaer, President. Horace B. Webster, Cor. Secretary. T. Romeyn Beck, Lewis C. Beck, Philip Ten Eyck, Ebenezer Emmons, Horace B. Webster,-Curators. THIRD DEPARTMENT. Peter Bullions, President. Specimens in the Museum of the Institute January 1, 1843, 15,506. The Library of the Institute contains about 3,500 volumes. The objects of the Institute are literary and scientific. At its sittings oral discussions are held, and papers are read on topics connected with the history, biography, literature, science, and the arts of the state and the country. YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT IN CITY OF ALBANY. This Institution was founded December 13, 1833, and incorporated by the above title, March 12, 1835. It is undoubtedly one of the most useful institutions in the country. In the language of its charter, it was incorporated " for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a library, reading-room, literary and scientific lectures, and other means of promoting moral and intellectual improvement, with power to take by purchase, devise, or otherwise, and to hold, transfer, and convey real and personal property to the amount of $50,000: and to take, hold and convey all such books, cabinets, library, furniture, and apparatus as may be necessary for attaining its objects." Its government is vested in an Executive Committee consisting of a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Cor. and a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and ten Managers, elected annually by such members as are entitled to vote by the charter. The association has power, also, to organize from its own members a Debating Society, the officers of which are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. Any resident of Albany between 16 and 35 years old may become a regular member, if approved by the Executive Committee, and on entering must pay a fee of $1, and afterwards of $2 annually. The sum of $50 in money, or in books to that amount, constitutes a member for life; and $5 annually, an honorary member. The Governor, Lt. Governor of the State, and the clergy of the city, are entitled to admission to the |