Division of the town as to schools.--Report of Selectmen.--First school-houses.--Town divided into Classes or Districts.--Old Teachers.--Divisions made in 1840.--New school-houses.--High School House.--Report of Prudential Committee of 1841 and 1842.--Purchase of Apparatus.--High School commenced.--Teachers of it.--School house on Park and Spring sts.--Attempt to Build a new High School house.--House for Intermediate School.--Superintendent of Public Instruction.--J. 0. Adams, Esq.--State of schools in the city.--Social Library in Derryfield.--Atheneum.--Its designs and formation.--Donations.--Merged into City Library.--Contract.--Officers.--Condition of Library, Feb. 15, 1855.--Same, Feb. 4, 1856.--Destruction of Library by fire.--Library resuscitated in Merchants Exchange, and again opened in July 1856.--Old Lyceum--New Lyceum.--Young Men's Christian Association.--Manchester Debating Club.

SCHOOLS.

The subject of schools was frequently brought before the town soon after its incorporation, but without success. The town was too sparsely settled and the inhabitants too much embarrassed by Indian and French wars, and by the difficulties prior to and during the war of the Revolution, to support schools at the public charge, and it was not until about the close of the revolution that schools were established by vote of the town. Prior to this however, schools had been maintained by voluntary subscription, but probably to no great extent. In 1781, December 25, at a special town-meeting it was "voted that the town hire a school-master nine months this year coming." This was the first successful attempt at furnishing the town with a public school. There were no school-houses and the selectmen made arrangements to have the school taught at certain private houses in the different sections of the town. On the 12th of February following, there was a town meeting, and the third article in the warrant calling the same, was "To see if the town will Except the Several Divisions the Selectmen have appointed for the Scoole to bee kept at." Upon this article it was "Voted that the Scoole be kept at Enos Webster's and att Joseph farmer's and at Lieut. John Hall's and at Joseph Simondes and to Be Equally Divided at Each of these places." Enos Webster lived about a mile north of the main village where David Webster now lives. Joseph Farmer lived in a house near the coner of Chestnut and Orange streets; Lieut. John Hall lived at Manchester Centre. in the house south of the old Town House, which was long used as a tavern, and which was destroyed by fire a few years since; and Joseph Simonds lived on the Derry road just east of the Little Cohas Brook. In 1783, at the annual meeting in March, the town voted not to raise any money for schooling; but this vote was reconsidered and one carried for raising �9 0-0-0 for the support of schools; and also that the "selectmen Divide the town into four Districts according to polls and Estate for the scool to be kept in." The Selectmen made the following division:

   Derryfield, october the 16th, 1783.
   "Agreeable to a vote of the Town of Derryfield the Selectmen Have Divided the Town into four Districts for the Benefit of Scooling there Children.--the first Division Begining at the upper End of the Town on the River Road Including all the Inhabitants as fer Down as John Browns. the Next Divission from John Browns all the Inhabitants on the River Road to Litchfield Line the third Division Begining at L. High Thompsons and Ebenezer Stevenses and Down the Road toards Derry to John Littles and on the other Road By John Dustins Including John Dickey and so on to Chester Line By Major Websters Including Haseltine. the forth Division Including from Huses to Derry Line also the Road By Ameys Place to Derry Line Including all the Inhabitants Not Included in the other Districts.

Jonathan Russ, Joseph Sanders, Samuel Moor.

} } Selectmen. }

After this division no schools were authorized by the town for five years; but in 1788 the town " Voted Nine Pounds to be Laid out for a town school this year. Voted that the Selectmen to the Best of their Judgment provid Schoolen for the Benefite of the town for all the nine pounds."

After 1791, when the law passed making it obligatory upon each town in the state to raise a school tax, schools were supported by the town in the various Classes or Districts; although for some half dozen years, there is no record of raising any money for that purpose on the Town Books; yet upon the book kept by the Selectmen, it appears there there [sic] were orders drawn upon the Constable in favor of some school master every year from 1791; the selectmen appropriating the money according to the statute without any specific vote by the town; so that there were schools kept at the town charge from the time of the passage of the law. The amount of schooling in the various classes must have been very limited as $59 is the largest amount paid out to teachers in any one year down to 1801. However, during this time schools were maintained at the expense of individuals, and two schoolhouses, one near the Falls, and the other near the Meeting-house at the Centre, had been built in the same manner. The one at the Falls stood upon the east side of the "Old Falls Road," just on the north bank of Christian's Brook, where the present Falls school house now stands. This was doubtless built in 1785, and was the first school house built in town. The one at the Centre was built about the same time.

At the annual meeting in March 1787, an attempt was made to raise money for building three school houses, but it was voted down. At a special meeting October 16, of the same year, the proposal "to provide places in the several Classes to keep the town school" was voted down. But at the annual meeting March 8, 1788, the friends of schools were completely successful and carried every measure proposed. It was

   "Voted, Io raise three Hundred Dollars for the purpose of Building School Houses.
   Agreeable to a Motion by Capt. John Goffe the following articles were voted:
   "Voted 1, That each person paying Taxes have Liberty to work out his School Tax or find Materials to build with and shall he allow'd fifty Cents per day for a good days work and the Market Prise for Materials found, provided said work be done before the Last day of October next.
   Voted 2, That the Selectmen appoint a suitable person to Each School House (the Commity shall appoint to be built) to Superintend the building of the same and shall give him a List of the persons belonging to the same, with their Taxes who shall allow the persons working or finding materials the prise for the same and the person having the List shall return the same to the Colector by the first day of November Who shall allowe the same.
   Voted 3, That the persons belonging to the school House Built near Esqr. Starks be allowed their school House Tax to finish their school House and repay those Who have done more than their proportion in building the saim.
   The House proceeded to the Choice of their Commitee When the following Gentlemen were Chosen, viz Samuel P. Kidder, John Ray, John Stark Esqr. on Motion being made the following Gentlemen were added to the Commitee viz Capt. John Goffe and Maj. John Webster.
   Voted That the Town be Classed in three Classes No. 1 2 and 3.

The Committee upon dividing the Classes made the following report:

   "We the subscribers being appointed a Commitee to Determine on the places to build three school houses in the Town of Derryfield We have accordingly Viewed and Determined on said places, viz, The first to be the school house standing near John Starks Esqr and to be finished Where It now stands, and to be Called the Federal School House.
   The second school house to stand on the Highway between Capt. Samue Moor and Enos Webster on the north side of the spring that runs Cross the Road and to be Called the Union School House.
   The third school house to stand on the highway between Archibald Grant and Major John Webster to be set within six Roods of the spot where the School House is Now Fraimed and to be called the Freedom School House.
   Derryfield July 7th 1798.

John Stark, John Ray, Samuel P. Kidder. John Webster, John Goffe,--Commitee.

This division remained for 20 years. The teachers of those days so far as can be ascertained were--1791, Jonathan Rand.--1792, Edward Blodget, Stephen Potter, and Frederick Hastings. 1793, William White and Peter Severens. 1794, John Tufts and Peter Severens. 1795, John M. Laughlin. 1796, 1797 and 1798, Samuel Moor, Jr. 1799, Samuel Moor, Jr., and Matthew Reed.

Mr. Rand was the first teacher in town of whom any record can be found. The wages paid were from $8, to $12, per month. The highest sum paid per month from 1791 to 1801, as appears from the selectmen's book, was "to Samuel Moor, Jr., twelve dollars for keeping school in the lower district one month." And for this sum it is highly probable he boarded himself, as it was in his own district!

At the annual town meeting, March 8, 1808, the '.Messrs. David Flint, Isaac Huse, John G. Moor, John Stark Esq., and Capt. Perham," were chosen a committee "to divide the town into five districts for the purpose of schooling."

The commitee performed their duty but there is no record of it except that five districts were subsequently recognized in the transactions of the town.

This division remained while 1818, when that part of District No. 3 below Capt. Joseph Moor's, at Moor's village, was set off; and designated as No. 6, and the part of No. 1, above the Ray farm was set off, and called No. 7. This division remained while 1840, saving that the upper part of No 2, was cut off and designated as No. 8. In 1840. the population had so increased, that a new division became necessary, and the selectmen agreeable to a vote of the town, made such division and made report of their doings to the town, Nov. 2, 1840. The report was as follows;

   "The selectmen to whom was referred the subject of the division of the town into School districts."
   REPORT That in attending to the duties of their appointment they have caused an examination of the records of the town to be made and have been unable to find any such record of the present division of the town into School Districts as is required by law, And Therefore consider it important that a division of School districts be made by the town and a record thereof made so as to prevent in future any occasion of dispute in relation to the subject.
   On examination they have been led to believe that the arrangement of the districts heretofore acted upon is in most particulars as convenient as any which can be made, and it will be found that not many changes are recommended. In some instances where there has been a change in the situation of things an attempt has been made to adapt the form of the districts to the present circumstances of the people.
   They recommend for the adoption of the town the following vote, namely,
   Voted That the town of Manchester be divided into nine School Districts and that the said districts be numbered and bounded as follows to wit
   District No. 1. Beginning at the north angle of the town on the bank of the Merrimack river thence southerly and bounding by said river to the north west corner of John Ray's farm thence easterly by the north line of said Ray's farm to the north-east corner of the same thence on the same course to Chester original town line thence northerly to the southeast corner of the town of Hooksett thence northerly by Hooksett line to the place of beginning.
   District No. 2. Beginning at the north west corner of John Ray's farm being the southwest corner of district No. 1, thence southerly bounding on Merrimack river to the old ferry road near the Samuel Hall's place thence easterly by the said ferry road to land owned by David Young thence easterly and southerly by said Young's land to the aforesaid ferry road thence easterly by said road to the southeast corner of the Amoskeag Company's land thence northerly and easterly by said Company's land to Chester original town line thence northerly by said Chester line to the southeast corner of district No. 1 thence easterly by said district No. 1 to the place began at.
   District No. 3. Beginning at the southeast corner of district No. 2, on the bank of Merrimack river thence southerly bounding on siad river to the north-west corner of William P. Webster's farm to the old river road thence on the same course to the line between David Webster, Junior and Jonas Harvey's land thence northerly to the northwest corner of said David Webster's land thence on the same course to John G. Brown's land thence easterly by said Brown's land to Chester original town line thence northerly by said town line to David Young's land thence westerly by said Young's land to a point due south of the southeast corner of district No. 2, thence north to said corner thence westerly by said district No. 2 to the place began at.
   District No. 4. Beginning at the southwest corner of district No. 3. at Merrimack river thence southerly bounding on the river to Litchfield line thence southeasterly by Litchfield line to the line of Londonderry thence northerly to the northwest corner of said Londonderry thence easterly on the line of said Londonderry to the southeast corner of land owned by the heirs of Nathaniel Moor deceased thence northerly by the east line of the said heirs' land and David Webster, Junior's land to the southerly corner of district No. 3, thence westerly by said district No. 3, to the place of beginning.
   District No. 5. Beginning at the southeast corner of district No. 4 on the north line of Londonderry thence easterly by Londonderry line to the Mammoth Road thence northerly by said road to Coburn's brook and down said brook to great Cohas brook thence across said last mentioned brook and in a direct line to the easterly corner of Israel Merrill's land being the southwest corner of a piece of meadow owned by Jonas Harvey thence northerly by the east line of said Merrill's land and James McQueston's old farm to Archibald Gamble Jr.'s farm thence westerly to the southeast corner of Isaac and John Huse's woodlot numbered eight thence northerly by said Lot No. 8 Eighty rods. Thence westerly in a direct line to the northwest corner of Amos Weston Jr.'s Land lot No. seven thence westerly by said Weston's Land to Chester old line. Thence southerly by said Chester line to the southeast corner of district No. 3 and southerly by district No. 3 and district No. 4, to the place began at.
   District No. 6. Beginning at the southwest corner of the town of Hooksett thence southerly and westerly by districts No. 1 and two to Humphrey's brook thence up said Brook to the old road leading from the town house to Amoskeag village thence east to Chester original town line thence northerly by said Chester line to Moses Davis's Land thence easterly and northerly by said Davis's Land to the Mammoth road thence northerly by said road to the south line of the Jeremiah Johnson place thence easterly by said Johnson place to the southeast corner thereof thence northerly to the southeast corner thereof thence northerly to the southeaster corner of Lot number Thirty thence northerly by the east line of Lots numbered Thirty and one hundred and two to Hooksett line thence Westerly by Hooksett line to the place begun at.
   District No. 7. Beginning at the northeast corner of district No. 6. on Hooksett line thence southerly and westerly and bounding on districts numbered six and three to the no[r]thwest corner of Amos Wes[t?]on Junior's farm thence easterly and southerly by district No. 5, to the northeast corner of the same thence easterly by the south line of Archibald Gamble Junior's [f]arm to the Mammoth road thence on the same course to Samuel Gamble's Land. Thence northerly by Samuel Gamble and Thomas Gamble's Land to the Samuel Brown farm thence easterly by said Thomas Gamble's Land to the southeast corn[e]r of Joshua Corning's farm thence northerly by said Corning's farm to the northeast corner thereof thence in a direct line to the southeast corner of No. 21 thence northerly by the east line of Lots numbered 21, 35, 37, and 46 to Hooksett line thence westerly to the place of beginning.
   District No. 8. Beginning at the east shore of Massabesic pond on the line between Israel Webster and Nathan Johnson's land thence westerly on the line between lots to the east line of district No. 7. Thence northerly by said district No. 7 to Hooksett line thence easterly by Hooksett line to the northwest corner of Chester thence southerly by Chester line to Massabesic pond thence wester[l]y and southerly by the pond shore to the place of beginning.
   District No. 9, Bounded northeasterly by Massabesic pond on the east by Chester and Londonderry on the south by Londonderry on the west by districts numbered five and seven and on the north by district No 8.

Amos Weston. Jr., J. T. P. Hunt, Hiram Brown.

} Selectmen }         of } Manchester.

This division remains the same at present, save that No. 6 has been annexed to No. 2, and a part of Nos. 8 and 9 have been set off and formed into a new district, designated as No. 6, and Piscataquog has been added as district No 10, and Amoskeag as district No. 11. In districts No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10, school houses have been built since the division in 1840, one in each district; while in District No. 2, innumerable ones have been built to meet the wants of the thriving community within its limits. Many of these have been temporary structures of wood, moved from one locality to another, sometimes located for the time being upon lots hired of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, and at others upon lots belonging to the District, but in whatever location intended, merely to answer a temporary purpose. Of these, it is next to impossible to give any satisfactory account. There are others however of a permanent character, that demand a particular notice. Of these the first one in point of time, is the one at the corner of Lowell and Chestnut streets. This was built in 1841 under the direction of Messrs. Daniel Clark, E. A. Straw, and Alonzo Smith, the Building Committee. The lot containing 10,000 square feet, was given to the District by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. The building is a plain one of brick, without any pretentions to architectural beauty, two stories in height, and 62 feet in length, by 49 feet in width, and cost $3,000. The state of the 1841, and 1842, may best be learned from the report of the Prudential Committee of that year, as follows:

   The Prudential Committee of School District No. 2, in Manchester respectfully report that the new school house in said district was so far completed about the middle of July, as to admit of being used for the schools. The schools were soon after commenced, and they were continued with the usual vacations thirty-two weeks. The large hall of the new school house has been used for the school for the more advanced pupil of both sexes. It has been under the care of Mr. David P. Perkins, assisted by Miss P. Wheeler. The the number of scholars has been greater than the Hall is calculated to contain. The number of seats, allowing two pupils to each of the larger desks is 132 and the school has nearly averaged that number, while the number present has sometimes risen to 170. The two rooms on the first floor have been used for schools for smaller children. The west room under the care of Miss L. A. Shepherd, assisted by Miss E. J. Moulton. The east room for the most part under the care of Miss E. E. Brown, assisted for a time by Miss Bunton. Owing to a disappointment as to the teacher expected to take charge of this school, and the illness of Miss Brown, several ladies were temporarily employed in charge of it, which was felt be the Committee as a misfortune. Both of these rooms have been for the most part excessively crowded. The school in the old school house near the falls commenced about the first of July, and was continued with usual vacations, 24 weeks, under the care of Miss Harriet Crosby. The number of scholars in this section of the district is small and their privileges have been greater than those of the scholars in the village. The Committee have frequently visited these schools, and are gratified to have it in their power to express their satisfaction at the manner in which they have been conducted. The instructors succeed in maintaining good order, which the Committee consider of the first importance in a school, and they are aware it is a task of great difficulty when so large a number is brought together. A good degree of interest in their studies has been excited amongst the pupils, and the classes have made progress in their studies, in a degree very honorable to themselves and the teachers. The Committee are satisfied and they think that the District has reason to be satisfied, that everything has been done for the improvement of the schools by the instructors which their situations and the imperfect accommodations rendered practicable.

   The Prudential Committee have found themselves obliged to do many things for the school house, which more appropriately belonged to the building Committee, and would doubtless have been done by them if the sum appropriated had been sufficient. They have procured the stoves and furniture now in use in the building, and the district will no doubt feel the necessity of making provisions for paying the same, as they are aware the school money cannot be legally diverted to this purpose. After a season's trial, the Committee are of the opinion that the large hall should be divided, and two schools be kept, one for the most advanced pupils of each sex, under separate teachers. Two schools should be taught in the rooms below for the next class in age and improvement of the scholars, and new school houses should be erected for the accommodation of the younger scholar, on a cheap plan. Of these one should be placed on the west side of the main street, for the accommodation of that neighborhood, and one at the south part. If Janesville neighborhood be added to the district a house will be needed in that quarter. The Committee are satisfied that the school-houses now belonging to the district are wholly insufficient for the number of scholars and that the difficulty cannot be remedied in any way but by building new schoolrooms. The brick school house, and in deed all the school houses should be secured by substantial close shutters at least where there are no blinds, when they are not in use, a circumstance of which the committee have been reminded by the necessity of repairing a great number of squares of glass wantonly broken in a vacation. The committee have added a statement of their account which they hope may be satisfactory to the district. They also add a table prepared by the teachers of the number of scholars, the nature of their studies and other circumstances, supposed to be interesting. The registers of the schools are also presented for the use of future teachers and it is hoped may be long preserved amongst the records of the District.

   March 30th, 1842

S. D. BELL, J. M. ROWELL, I. C. FLANDERS,

} } Committee. }

On the 30th of July 1842, District No. 6 having been added to District No. 2, by vote of the town, the district procured a lot for a school house of Mr. John Hall, at Janesville, and built a house upon it for the acommodation [sic] of the scholars in that section. September 10th following, the district purchased the lot on the corner of Manchester and Chestnut streets, of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, containing 7500 feet, for the sum of $500, and built a school house for the acommodation [sic] of the New Primary Schools.

On the 23d, day of May, 1844, the district purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Merrimack and Union streets, for $650, containing 12600, square feet and erected thereon a house for two Primary schools. The 5th day of September, 1845, the district bought of the same party the lot on Spring Street, for $1,700, containing 13,600 feet of land. This lot was intended more particularly for a Grammar School

March, 30, 1846, the district authorized the Prudential committee to expend the sum of $200, for apparatus for the various schools. At the same meeting it was voted to put in operation a High School for boys and another for girls, or both in connexion

The Prudential committee accordingly made arrangements for a High School for boys and girls in the second story of the house at the corner of Lowell and Chestnut streets. Mr. J. W. Ray, then of Auburn, was the first Principal. He was succeeded by Mr. Amos Hadley of Bow. Mr. Hadley was succeeded by Mr. J. P. Newell, then of Pittsfield, and his successor was Mr. Johnathan Tenney, who resigned in 1855 and was succeeded by Mr. Newell who has charge of it at the present time.

On the 23d day of June, 1846, the District bought a school lot on Park street, containing 10,500 feet of land, for the sum of $1200, and commenced erecting a building of brick upon it forthwith. This house was completed in 1847; is two stories in height, 80 feet in length, by 52 feet in width, and has four primary school rooms on the first floor, and a room for a Grammar School on the first floor.

On the 7th day of May, 1847, the District purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Bridge and Union streets, for the sum of $500, and placed upon it a house of wood for the accommodation of a Primary, and and [sic] a Secondary school.

In 1848, the District built a house of brick on the lot on Spring street. It is a substantial, handsome structure, two stories in height, 80 feet in length by 46 feet in width, with a projection in front 17 by 53 feet. It is fitted up for four Primary schools on the first floor, and a Grammar School on the second floor.

On the 10th day of May, 1849, the District purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, the lot on the corner of Concord and Beech streets, for $500, containing 13,500 square feet.

In 185O, an attempt was made to build a High school house, and a lot was purchased at the corner of Concord and Union streets, of John Coe, Esq., for that purpose; but, subsequently the District voted not to build said house, and ordered the lot to be sold at public auction. It was accordingly sold to Geo. M. Flanders, Esq.

On the 21 st day of June of the same year, the District bought of S. P. Greeley, the lot at Janesville, upon Lowell street,for the sum of $400. This lot was for the accommodation of the school house at Janesville, the other lot bought of Mr Hall not being a suitable location.

In 1853, the District built the Intermediate School House of brick at the corner of Manchester and Union streets. It is two stories in height, 48 feet in length, by 42 feet in width, and is fitted for two Primary Schools upon the first floor, an Intermediate school upon the second floor, and a Truant school in the attic. This is a handsome substantial structure.

On the 4th day of May, 1855, the District bought of Mr. Luther Aiken, the lot on the corner of Manchester and Wilson street, for $625, containing 16,000 feet, and built upon the same a house of wood, one story high and 40 feet square. This house i on "Wilson's Hill," so called, and is fitted up for a Primary, and for a Middle school.

At the annual Meeting in March 1856, the District voted to raise $10,000 for constructing a brick house upon the lot on the corner of Merrimack and Union streets. This is now being built, and is to be two stories in height, 68 feet in length by 45 feet in width.

In June 1855, a law was passed by the Legislature, providing for the election by the Mayor, Aldermen,--and School Committee; of a Superintendent of Public Instruction, for the City of Manchester. On the 6th day of August of the same year, James 0. Adams, Esq., was elected to that office for the term of two years, in accordance with a provission [sic] of the Act.

Mr. Adams entered immediately upon his duties, and in February 1856, made his first report, which fully shows the state of the schools at that time.

From this report it appears that

   "During the third and fourth terms, there were in session forty schools, in which there were forty-eight teachers, and not far from 2300 scholars in the fall, and 2500 in the winter. The schools were classed as follows:

Primary,	16,		Teachers,	16.
Winter,	15,		"	15.
Middle,	7,		"	7.
Miscellaneous,	14,		"	15.
Winter,	15,		"	16.
Grammar,	2,		"	7.
High,	1,		"	3.
	40,			48.

They are distributed in the several school districts as follows:

District No. 1, has  1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        "    2   "  13 Primary Schools.
      "        "    "   "    7 Middle Schools.
      "        "    "   "    5 Miscellaneous Schools.
      "        "    "   "    2 Grammar Schools.
      "        "    "   "    1 High School.
      "        3    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        4    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        5    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        6    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        7    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        8    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        9    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "      10    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        "    "   "    2 Primary Schools.
      "      11    "   "    1 Miscellaneous School.
      "        "    "   "     has summer and fall terms 1 Primary School."

THE ATHENEUM, AND CITY LIBRARY.

This institution so creditable to our city was established in the winter of 1844. It has been seen in a former chapter that a Library had existed in the town, from 1795 to 1833. This Library was established by a number of gentlemen of this town and vicinity, under the name of the Proprietors of the Social Library in Derryfield. In 1802 Dec. 6, it was incorporated, when the original constitution having been lost, a new one was adopted, and an acknowledgment or pledge was signed by members as follows:

   We the subscribers acknowledge ourselves to be members of the Derryfleld Social Library Company, and promise to Conform to all rules and regulations which may at any time be adopted by the society, while we remain members of said society.

"James Griffin, Philip Hazeltine, John Dickey, Stephen Worthley, Peter Hill, Asa Hazeltine, David Flint, Reuben Sawyer, Ephraim White, Joseph Farmer, Jr., James Parker, Jesse Baker, Moses Hazeltine, Amos Weston. Isaac Huse, John Proctor, Elijah A. Nutt, John Hall, John Frye, Nathan Johnson, Daniel Hall, Jr., John Dwinell, Samuel Jackson, Nathaniel Conant, Phinehas Bayley, John Perham, Benja. F. Stark, Samuel P. Kidder, Wm. Walker, Israel Webster, James Nutt, Wm. Perham, David Webster, Job Rowell, John Rays Samuel McAllaster, David Adams, Phinehas Petengail, Ephraim Stevens, Jacob Chase, John Stark Jr. Samuel Moor Jr. Stephen Moor, Joseph Moor Robert Hall, Samuel Gamble, Asa Hazeltine."

In 1827, according to the receipt of the last Librarian on record, it contained 92 volumes, of which number were some excellent works, viz:

The Spectator, Goldsmith's Animated Nature, Marshall's Life of Washington, Newton on the Prophecies, Hunter's Sacred Biography, Cook's Voyages, Arabian Nights Entertainments, the Fool of quality, and the like.

The Library seems to have flourished until about 1827, when at the Annual meeting in November, the last board of Directors were chosen, viz:

Ephraim Stevens, Jr.
Lieut. Job Rowell,
James Griffin.

Samuel Jackson Esq., was chosen Librarian. No quorum seems to have met after this date. At the annual meetings of 1828, 1829, and 1830, the Librarian commenced his records thus; "Only a few of the Proprietors met," and the record of 1832, reads thus;

"Monday, Nov. 5th, 1832.

   A few only of the Proprietors met and agreed to adjourn to Saturday, the 8th day of December next, at 4 oclock, P. M.

SAMUEL JACKSON, Librarian."

This was the last meeting of the association, and it is understood that the proprietors divided most of the books of an value among themselves.

The design of the Atheneum was to furnish a Library, Reading Room, and Museum, for such of our citizens as were willing to contribute of their means for the support of such objects. The first meeting of the members of the Atheneum, was on the 19th of February, 1844. The meeting was held at the Insurance Office of the Amoskeag Fire Insurance Company. At this meeting measures were taken to establish a Library forthwith, and an invoice of books was purchased in March following, amounting to $415,46 and comprising 683 volumes for the Library.

At this time, and subsequently, gentlemen connected with the institution made many acceptable donations, and loans of books for the Library, and curiosities for the Museum. A Reading Room was established at the same time in connection with the Library, containing many of the best newspapers and periodicals of the day. In 1844, the association took the corporate name of the "Manchester Atheneum." In 1846, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company made the Atheneum a donation of $1000, and the same year the Stark Mills made them a donation of $500. In 1850, the Manchester Print Works made them a donation of $500. So that in 1854 the Library contained 2953 volumes. In March of this year, Frederick Smyth Esq., in his inaugural address as Mayor, called the attention of the City Government to the propriety of establishing a City Library. Subsequently certain gentlemen connected with the Atheneum, and who had very much at heart the permanency of that institution, proposed the transfer of the property of the Atheneum to the City, as a foundation of a City Library. The proposition was favorably received, and committees of conference were appointed by the Atheneum, and the City Government. The result of the whole matter was, that a contract of transfer of the property of the Atheneum was completed with certain conditions on the 6th day of September, 1854, which were as follows;

   "The said city shall annually appropriate and pay to the trustees of the said City Library, a sum not less than one thousand dollars, to be expended in the purchase and binding of books and periodicals, not being newspapers; shall by suitable appropriations provide for a room, lights, fuel, and other contingencies of the library, and for the salary of a Librarian.
   The control of said Library, the appointment of a Librarian, and the entire management of its affairs, shall be vested in a board of nine trustees, of whom the Mayor and President of the Common Counsel for time being shall be one and the members of the board of control of said Atheneum now in office, shall, in the first instance, be the remaing Trustees. The seven Trustees last described, shall severally hold their offices for one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven years, from the first day of October next, and shall determine by lot which of their number shall hold his office for each of the said terms.
   Whenever a vacancy shall occur by the expiration of either of those terms, or by the expiration of the term any of trustee hereafter elected, the vacancy shall be filled by joint ballot of the said board of trustees and of the aldermen of said city, at a meeting called in the month of September, and each member so elected shall hold his office for the term of seven years from the first day of next October following the election.
   Any vacancy arising from any other cause shall be filled in the same manner, but only for the residue of the term of the trustee whose place is so supplied, and no longer.
   No member of the city council shall be eligible as a trustee.
   The Board of Trustees shall establish such regulations as they may think fit, relating to the use of books of the Library, and may prosecute in the name and at the expense of the city, any person who shall take away or injure any of the property belonging to the said Library, or who shall violate any of said regulations.
   They shall annually report to the city the state of the Library, and its regulations, and render an account of the expenditure of the funds entrusted to their disposal.
   All members of the Manchester Atheneum who are not residents of the city of Manchester, shall have the same right to the use of the City Library, as they now have to the Manchester Atheneum.
   If the city of Manchester shall fail to perform on its own part, the foregoing conditions, or any of them, this grant and transfer shall be void; if the said Atheneum shall so act, at any time within one year after such failure occurs, in which case the whole of said Library, with all the additions made to it by the said board of trustees, shall be vested in, and become the property of said Atheneum.
   This instrument shall take effect and be in force so soon as the City Council being first duly authorized by statute, shall confirm the same, and the said Atheneum in pursuance of their constitution, the same being first changed so far as may be neccessary, shall confirm the same; and the same shall be duly executed, under the seals of the said city and of said Atheneum, by committees duly authorized for that purpose.

The officers of the City Library first chosen were

THE TRUSTEES.

Frederick Smyth, Mayor, David J. Clarke, Pres. Com. Council, Samuel D. Bell, Daniel Clark, David Gillis, Wm. P. Newell, E. A. Straw, Wm. C. Clarke, Samuel N. Bell. Frederick Smyth, Mayor, Wm. C. Clarke, Samuel N. Bell, Samuel D. Bell, Daniel Clark. E. A. Straw. David Gillis, Wm. C. Clarke, Samuel N. Bell. Frederick Smyth, Wm. P. Newell, David J. Clark, Francis B. Eaton,

} } Ex-Officio. President, Ex-Officio Clerk. Treasurer. } } Committee on the Library. } } } Committee on the Reading Room. } } } Committee on Accounts. } Librarian.

In the first annual report approved February, 15, 1855, the Board of Trustees thus remark upon the condition of the Library at that date.

   "At the date of the transfer, the Library contained 2953 volumes, since which time 1319 have been added from funds belonging to the Atheneum, 18 have been presented, and 325 purchased out of the city appropriation, making the whole number, Feb. 18, 4623. Of these a few valuable volumes are loaned to the Library, for the public good.
   Preparations in the Library having been so far completed that books could be taken under the new system, it was opened on the 8th of November. No public notice was given, as our accommodations were and still are too limited to invite a crowd, at any one time Under such circumstances the number of books taken in 56 days, by 450 persons, was 2,910. Six hundred and twenty persons complied with the regulations neccessary for taking books.
   In this time only one book, of small value, is missing, which has not yet been accounted for and the amount of fines imposed for books detained over time is not quite one dollar. The Reading Room contained at the time of the transfer, a few select periodicals on its tables, and some of the more important newspapers of the day. The former have been so increased, as to presen [sic] ta collection of the best foreign and American periodicals, of literature, science and art; while the latter have been suffered to remain, rather as as [sic] a means of increasing the attraction to a place which cannot be too much frequented by our young men."

On the 4th of February, 1856, the state of the Library was thus, as appears from the Librarians report of that date,

   "The whole number of persons who have complied with the regulations, enabling them to take books, to this date is 1,380, thirty-one of whom were qualified by deposit and the remainder by furnishing the required guarantee. Of these, 760, have been added since the last annual report, and 1.225 persons take books with more or less regularity at the present time. In 254 days of this year, 17,640 volumes were delivered from the Librarian's desk, an average of sixty-five per day. Out of this number, four books of less than $4,00 in value, are found missing, without indications of the persons by whom they are held while the amount received from fines and sale of catalogues, is $29,13 No books have been thrown away as worn out, but a eight or ten juvenile works are not worth rebinding. The whole number of books, bound newspapers and periodicals now in the Library, is 5,446, of which 813 have been added the past year; 713 by purchase, 78 by donation, and 22 are bound volumes of magazines and periodicals taken for the Reading Room."

On the evening of the same day that the report of the Librarian was made, Patten's Building in which was the Library, was destroyed by fire, and with it a large portion of the books in the City Library. Only some 550 volumes were saved, the estimated value of which was $420.

The insurance, $2,500 was promptly paid, which together with the appropriation from the City, of $1000. enabled the officers to act with great promptness in starting another Library. Convenient rooms were obtained in the Merchant's Exchange, and a Reading Room was opened in April. The Library was opened again to the public the 1st of July, having 3000 volumes of choice books. It is again on a good footing, and with the annual appropriation of $1000, from the city for the purchase of books, must eventually become one of the finest Libraries in the country It is to be hoped that the city will soon take measures to furnish a spacious building for its accommodation, that property of so much value to the community at large, shall not again be subject to the risk of fire.

MANCHESTER LYCEUM.

The Manchester Lyceum is a voluntary association of gentlemen, whose object is to provide for a course of lectures from distinguished gentlemen from abroad. The course usually consists of twelve or fifteen lectures, delivered once during the winter. Season tickets are sold to gentlemen for $1,00 and ladies 75 cents. Single tickets, 15 cts.

Wm. D. Buck, President; S. C. Bartlett, Joseph Kidder, E. B. Merrill, Vice Presidents; J. B. Sawyer, Recording Secretaries; F. B. Eaton, Corresponding Secretary; Davis Baker, Tseasurer [sic]; Moody Currier, I. G. Hubbard, B. P. Cilley, Chas. Wells. A. Robertson, Frederick Smyth, John B. Clarke, J. C. Abbott, B. M. Tillotson, N. E. Morrill, Committee on Ways and Means.

MANCHESTER NEW LYCEUM.

The New Lyceum is an association, whose object is to provide for a course of lectures on the subject of slavery.

   Samuel Upton, President; Joseph Ferren, Treasurer.
   B. Currier, J. H. Goodale, J. J. T. P. Hunt. Alonzo Smith, T. T. Abbott, Nathan Parker, S. B. Page, E. G. Haines, W. Sage, G. W. Quimby. Directors; J. B. Straw, Secretary.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOSIATION.

The Association have a Reading-Room, well supplied with religious, literary, and miscellaneous reviews, magazines and journals of the day. Also a Library of standand [sic] works. They have a course of lectures through the winter.

Rev. Elisha Adams, President; J. C. Wing, Abraham Burton, Vice Presidents; Samuel Upton, Recording Secretary; Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, Corresponding Secretary; A. B. Soule, Treasurer; Sylvanus Bunton, Librarian; and a Board of ten Directors, consisting of one from each of the churches represented in the Association.

MANCHESTER DEBATING CLUB.

This is an association of young men, for mutual improvement, in composition and debate. The club meets once a week in Winter, and its officers are chosen monthly. Lectures are occasionally given before the Club, upon literary and scientific subjects.