the generosity of three generations of the Astor family, was only a library of reference, consisting of rare historical books, pamphlets and manuscripts. The Lenox Library, made possible through the generosity and infinite pains and labor and love of James Lenox, gave to this Foundation a precious biblical collection, and a wonderful library of American history. The Tilden Foundation brought a valuable library of 16,000 volumes and a foundation of $2,000,000. The generosity of these founders of course is much to be praised. So, too, the generosity of those who contributed to the New York Public Circulating Library and to the various circulating libraries that are now made a part of this; and so, too, must we applaud the generosity of Andrew Carnegie, whose munificence will provide for sixty branches in all parts of this great city. But after reading the history of these various collections and circulating libraries, the fact that impresses itself most upon me, that stands out in the history of the whole movement, is that in the short time since 1895 master minds have conceived the union of all these agencies into one, by which the possible benefit for the individual contained in each is now distributed and brought within the easy and beneficial use of every New Yorker.

"A Library which affords constant reference and reading room facilities to 1,700 people and which circulates through sixty branches its books, at the rate of 8,000,000 a year, accomplishes so much more in the popular dissemination of knowledge than any other library in the world, that the men who conceived the plan and who had the energy, tact, patience and knowledge with which to execute it, are those whom I would congratulate to-day. It is to the Librarian and the Trustees of those various Foundations that I would convey my personal felicitations. Every one who has had to deal with human nature knows the difficulty of securing from those who are independent in control of any organization, however large or small, a willingness to subordinate their own importance and their own freedom by a union of that which is in their custody, with similar trusts in the custody of others, even in order to render all the trusts more effective in the accomplishment of their original purpose. To have secured the consent of all the Trustees of the various Foundations, to have obtained the necessary legislation authorizing the union, to have secured from the city authorities the use of this magnificent site, and the appropriation of the money for this magnificent structure, required genius and statesmanship, and marks this day as noteworthy, not only because of the expanding usefulness to the people of this Library, but also as commemorating a most remarkable success of disinterested human effort in the cause of philanthropy."

Benediction by The Most Reverend John M. Farley, D. D. "May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, descend upon all who are assembled here to-day and abide with them forever, and upon all who will labor or live within this building, that they may be inspired to devote all their thoughts and study to the honor and glory of God and the eternal salvation of their own and their neighbors' souls. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

APPENDIX C.

DEDICATION

OF THE

MAIDEN LANE TABLET,

In New York City,

November 25, 1911.

[343]

MAIDEN LANE TABLET.

Dedicated in New York City.

In our Sixteenth Annual Report (1911) we gave at page 87 and at pages 585-90 a brief report of the verification of the inscription for a tablet to be erected on the Silversmiths' Building at No. 15 Maiden Lane, New York City, to commemorate the history of Maiden Lane. This beautiful tablet, made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company and donated by Mr. Edward Holbrook, was dedicated with public exercises in the Silversmiths' Building on November 25, 1911, under the auspices of the Maiden Lane Historical Society, and with the co-operation of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society.

Mr. A. K. Sloan, President of the Maiden Lane Historical Society, presided, and made the following address:

Address by Mr. A. K. Sloan.

"Members of the Maiden Lane Historical Society, Ladies, Gentlemen and Honored Guests. I am delighted to see so many of my old historic friends here to-day. Some of you whom I know have traveled up and down the Lane for many years, looking for the nimble sixpence and the almighty dollar. I know some of you have found both, as I hear of you traveling abroad, out joy-riding in your autos, fishing, shooting and having a good time generally. The rest of us poor fellows are still on the hunt.

"I have had the pleasure of spending most of my time for over 57 years in this street. Many years ago a number of us moved up town and remained for a few years, expecting to take most of Maiden Lane with us, but it was no go; they would not come, and we were very homesick and glad enough to turn tail and move back home to the dear old Lane.

"One young gentleman, who is with us to-day, blew into Maiden Lane several years ago, when a boy, to make his fortune, which he undoubtedly did, as a few years later we find him down in the banking district, a banker and broker, and I doubt very much if a man can go into the banking business without capital. However, he did not forget little old Maiden Lane, as he is frequently seen here with a 25-cent cigar in his mouth and a glad hand extended to his many friends.