New Fork Society beginning of this society may be dated back as far as 1729; it is the oldest and most valuable library in the state, and contains upwards of twenty thousand volumes on the various subjects of general literature, theology, history, law, medicine, political economy, &c. &c. The building which it occupies is situate in Nas sau street, opposite the middle Reformed Dutch Church. It is supported by the annual subscrip tion of its members.
The is a recent establishment, which was formed in 1824. Its objects are to sus tain a library and reading room, to maintain lec tures on various branches of general literature and science, &c.
Medical Society of the City and County of New is an institution created in conformity to a law of the legislature, passed in 1806, organ izing medical societies throughout the different counties of the state.
city in the union, perhaps none of its size in the world, can claim a greater number of efficient charitable institutions than the city of New York. Her paupers, embracing a large body of emigrants from the shores of Europe, find the hand of Christian beneficence liberally opened to them, both in poverty and sickness. To notice at length these numerous institutions, would far ex ceed the limits assigned to this article. The fol lowing enumeration of the principal ones must suf fice. The establishment, on a broad and liberal scale, founded and supported by the corporation of the city, denominated the Alms House and Fever Hospital at Bellevue, is delightfully situate on the bank of the East river. The New York Dis pensary, incorporated in 1795. The Northern Dis pensary, incorporated in 1830. The House of Re fuge, which combines together the advantages of a prison, a manufactory and a school on the Lancas terian plan. Two Lying-in Hospitals. The Eye Infirmary. Several Orphan Asylums. The Humane Society, for the resuscitation of persons from sus pended animation and for the aid of imprisoned debtors. The Society for Aged and Indigent Females. The Deaf and Dumb Institution, a noble establish ment, incorporated in 1817. The Medical Mansion, built by the munificence of Jacob Lorrillard, Esq. though not strictly a charity, deserves also to be noticed. It is designed for the accommodation of invalids generally, and particularly for those who visit the city for the purpose of obtaining the bene fit of the advice of the distinguished members of the medical profession, and who can here be accom modated (with or without their families) with suits of furnished rooms, in a spacious building, which is situated in a retired and pleasant part of the city, surrounded by fine pleasure grounds, and in full view of the Hudson river: the inconveniences oft times incident to the sick in boardin•-houses, led to the establishment of the Medical Mansion, where invalids have the advice and attendance of any phy sician they may prefer, and are accommodated with apartments and attendance in accordance with their means or wishes. Besides these, there are many As
sistance Societies of mechanics, tradesmen, poor widows, &c. &c.
School _Fund and Common city of New York participates in the munificent fund of the state appropriated to the advancement of com mon education.* There were in 1829, eleven public schools; nineteen charity schools; three incor porated schools; and four hundred and thirty-six private schools, at which were educated twenty-two thousand nine hundred and forty-three pupils. Since that time the number has been greatly aug mented. At the Sunday schools upwards of twelve thousand children are educated. Besides these, there are a number of by'roft schools, at which probably from two to three thousand children un der the age of four years are instructed. At the Roman Catholic free schools about thirteen hun dred children are educated.
Penitentiary System.--The penitentiary, formerly at Bellevue, is now removed to Blackwell's Island, on which are being erected edifices of great ex tent. The penitentiary system of New York em braces details far too extensive to allow of ade quate notice in this place.
Municipal is in the hands of a mayor and two separate councils, the one con sisting of the aldermen, the other of the assistant aldermen of the fifteen wards into which the city is divided.
the city of New York, are holden the sittings of the United States circuit court, for the southern district of New York, in April and September. The United States District Court for the southern district of New York, on the first Tuesday of November. The May term of the New York Supreme Court; and at stated intervals, the sittings of the New York State Court for the county; the court of Chancery; the vice chancel lor's court; the court of Oyer and Tcrminer; the New York Superior court; the court of Common Pleas; the court of Sessions the Marine court; the public court, and the several justices' courts.