156 THE RELIEF ASSOCIATION. which hereby bind themselves to succour and assist the sick, and take especial care that proper attention be paid to them. 1st. This Society to be called "Relief Association." 2nd. The members are divided into sixteen Committees, according to the different wards in the city; the duties are limited to their own ward- -they have no connexion with each other. 3rd. Each Committee has the right to elect its own President, or Vice President. 4th. The Presidents of these Committees form collectively a Central Committee, which meets for mutual deliberations, and is empowered to vary the appointments of the Ward Committees, by exchanging the members, so as to make the duties and labours fall equally on every one. 5th. As soon as a member is called upon to assist a patient, he must immediately either repair in person to the sick bed, or without delay procure the attendance of a doctor, and see that every care be taken of the patient. 6th. The President of each Ward Committee must state to the Secretary of the Central Committee the name and place of residence of each member. He is also bound to make a regular report to said Secretary, in case any of the members are prevented from attending to their duty, or wish to leave the city. 7th. All funds, collected by subscriptions, to promote the object of this Association, are to be distributed by the Central Committee among the Ward Committees, and all accounts are afterwards to be examined by the former. CHAPTER VIII. J'aime à me peindre un vrai citoyen meditant dans son cabinet solitaire la patrie est à ses côtés, la justice et l'humanité sont devant lui, les fantômes des malheureux l'environnent, la pitié l'agite, et des larmes coulent de ses yeux. THOMAS. No city in the whole Union has so many public institutions, having more or less benevolence and instruction for their object, as Boston. I shall only mention a few of the principal ones, as their number does not permit me to enlarge so fully on their merits as I could wish. Among these, the Lyceum of Boston unquestionably occupies a prominent place. It was founded, if I mistake not, about the year 1829, and has ever since met with great success. This excellent institution is divided in classes, devoted to different sciences, such as mathematics, natural philosophy, astronomy, &c. The annual lectures have been numerously attended, and justly appreciated by 158 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. visiters. The Lyceum has several branch establishments, some in Massachusetts, some in other States, and thereby materially contributes to the propagation of general knowledge. The Mechanics' Lyceum is not exactly on the same plan as the former, but has, nevertheless, done a great deal of good among that class of citizens whose name it bears. I was confidently assured that many of its members are men of no ordinary information. The society publishes a periodical, called "The Young Mechanic," which possesses merit, and gains an increased circulation. The Mechanics' Association and the Mechanics' Institution are two other societies, totally distinct from each other, but having also the advancement of knowledge for their aim. The first-mentioned is the oldest of its kind in Boston, composed exclusively of masters. Lectures are delivered here weekly in the winter season, and alms distributed with a liberal hand to distressed fellow-mechanics. The other, again, is accessible to all classes of mechanics; lectures are here also delivered. It possesses a small collection of implements suitable for the different wants of the members. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 159 The Association of Mechanics' Apprentices is one of the most remarkable institutions in the city. Apprentices here deliver lectures every week, which, at times, are so sensible and well turned that they would not disgrace even literary men. A speech, made by one of these individuals, at a late annual meeting, actually breathed, in some places, strains of eloquence and poetry. Young members, whose means do not permit the expence of an education, may here receive it gratis. A library, by no means inconsiderable, belongs to the institution to which a collection of natural and mechanical curiosities has lately been added. The Society for the Propagation of Useful Knowledge also originated in Boston. It has already published several works under the name of "American Miscellanies of Useful Knowledge," which answers the purpose remarkably well. The publications are sold at a very cheap rate, and contain information of great public utility. It would be a desideratum, indeed, if every city in the world could boast of a similar society. The march of intellect would then rapidly advance: slaves, now sunk into an abject state of ignorance and degradation, groaning under the 160 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. yoke of tyranny and oppression, would then no longer bear the delusive quiet of their dungeons, but endeavour to shake off the fetters. Reflection is the natural offspring of an enlightened mind. It engenders a desire to recover rights inherent in man. Passiveness of thought gives way to a more active development of the faculties. The bonds of subserviency are gradually broken asunder; and the mind, once unshackled, breathes anew a pure and free atmosphere. Thus it is that an intellectual effort, sooner than violent and reprehensible measures, slowly, but with more certainty, prepares the attainment of an object of vital importance to the human heart—public and private liberty all over the world. The Young Men's Association for the Propagation of Science and Literature; The Young Men's Benevolent Society; The Young Men's Society for Intellectual and Moral Exercises; The Young Men's (of the Baptist sect) Education Society:- these are the names of four of the principal societies created by the young men of Boston. The two first have already effected much good in their particular branches. The third was only formed a few months ago; it has an |