PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMPANY 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM* S. MORRISS. 
 
 In Union there is Strength.” 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 FROM THE PRESS OF JAMES H. BRYSON, 
 No. 2 North Sixth Street. 
 
 1858. 
 
 For sale in Book and Pamphlet Form at No. 2 North Sixth Street. 
 
r 
 
 4 
 
 i - 
 
 * 
 
 j 
 
 
 k 
 
INSTITUTED APRIL 5, 1836. 
 
 A SKETCH 
 
 THE UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMPANY 
 
 WILLIAM S. M ORRIS S . 
 
 In Union, there is Strength.” 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 FROM THE PRESS OF JAMES H. BRYSON, 
 No. 2 North Sixth Street. 
 
 1858 . 
 

A SKETCH 
 
 
 •p g* ^ ^ 2. 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 NARRATIVE. 
 
 There are many points of difference between the duties of the historian and 
 the annalist. The former, with elevated vision, scans the mountain ranges of 
 life ; the latter, with a patient spirit, explores the common walks of existence. 
 The former deals in particulars, in order that he may know how to form com- 
 prehensive views of men and events ; the latter begins and ends with the minute 
 circumstances which make up the sum of human experience. The former 
 traces causes in order to relate intelligently their effects ; while the latter re- 
 cords both of these without regard to nice distinctions between them. The 
 sympathies of the historian are enlisted in behalf of illustrious men, brilliant 
 events, and all the startling and magnificent manifestations of national existence 
 and development. The annalist is swept along by the under currents whose 
 movements he depicts, while the historian describes the calms and storms which 
 reign above. The principal qualities of the historian are a ready appreciation, 
 assiduity, analysis, comprehensiveness, and the faculty of generalization, to- 
 gether with a perspicuous style ; the chief merits of the annalist are clearness, 
 honesty, industry and sympathy. The annalist gives us the heart-core of life ; 
 the historian furnishes us with a scientific summary of the past. Both of these 
 characters are needed, both are useful in their way. 
 
 If there be a leaning one way or the other in respect, to the position I now 
 hold, that leaning, according to my apprehension, is to the side of the annalist. 
 But, whatever may be the correct view of this matter, there can be but one 
 opinion as to what I ought to do. You have requested me to prepare a sketch 
 of the Company’s history, or annals, if you please, and to this task I address 
 myself without further comment. 
 
 Our society was organized under the name of “ The Youth’s Library 
 and Literary Association,” on the 5th of April, 1836, at the house of Mrs. 
 Porter, in Elfreth’s Alley, at present owned and occupied by Mr. George M. 
 Baugh, one of the earliest members. This spot may yet become the shrine 
 whither our members shall repair, when the Company shall be invested with 
 historic interest, and therefore it may be well to say something more about it. 
 It is situated on the north side of the street, three or four doors above Front 
 street. At the time of the Company’s organization it was numbered four, I 
 
4 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 think, but the recent change in such matters has altered it, and it is now num- 
 ber 113. The meetings were held in the second story back room, which was 
 furnished by Mrs. Porter free of charge. Mrs. Porter was the mother of 
 Alfred L. Porter, the justly esteemed founder of the Company. Of Mr. 
 Porter’s career previous to his connection with us I have no knowledge, but 
 there can be no doubt that it was honorable in every regard. Such of us as 
 enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, remember, with unaffected emotion, 
 his goodness of heart, his breadth of soul, and his ardent love of the good and 
 the true. Melancholy, indeed, was the announcement of his death : and not 
 less touching was the scene when we gathered around his coffin, in the old 
 Chapel on Christian street, to testify our regret at parting with one whom we 
 had learned to love with brotherly affection. 
 
 Among the first associates of Mr. Porter were William Bradley, Benjamin 
 Allen, C. H. Plummer, Edmund Allen, E. H. Parry, John Gannt, James Bar- 
 nard, Benjamin Parry, S. P. Morriss, Furman Sheppard, G. M. Baugh and T. 
 H. Fenton. All of them were very young at that time, and not less ardent 
 in their undertaking. Their resources seem to have been extremely limited, 
 when it is remembered that the initiation fee was fixed at twelve-and-a-half 
 cents, and the weekly dues at three cents. There were two sorts of members 
 originally,— active and contributing ; a principle that has all along been kept 
 up, substituting, however, in latter years, honorary for contributing members. 
 At the expiration of six months, thirty persons had united themselves with the 
 Company, and the Library consisted of one hundred and seventy-five books, 
 and by the end of the first year there were two hundred and sixty volumes 
 upon the shelves. These indications of success were so gratifying to Mr. Porter 
 that he took occasion in his Anniversary Address to advert to them as incen- 
 tives to future exertions. “ We should keep in mind,” said he, “ our motto, — 
 
 ‘ In Union there is strength.’ ” 
 
 The exact time when the name was changed to that of “ The Union Library 
 Company” cannot be ascertained. It was, however, before the first anniver- 
 sary was celebrated, for the address delivered on that occasion by our founder 
 contains the title under which we have flourished so long. 
 
 While treating this part of the subject, I would remark that various efforts 
 were made, while the Company was in the full-tide of successful operation, to 
 re-cast our name ; but as often as they were made they were resisted with 
 great determination, and finally the project was abandoned. One of these at- 
 tempts proved nearly successful. It happened that the President favored the 
 change, and desiring to speak upon the subject left the chair, calling to its tem- 
 porary occupancy an opponent of the measure. When the Chairman was about 
 putting the question, the President claimed his official position, but was met 
 with a prompt refusal until the point was decided. The contest was so spirited, 
 that the casting vote was necessary to settle the controversy. 
 
 Our first Anniversary occurred while we met at Mrs. Porter’s, and it was 
 celebrated with becoming spirit. The order of exercises consisted of an address 
 by Alfred L. Porter, remarks by the President, C. H. Plummer, reading the 
 Declaration of Independence, by T. H. Fenton, and Washington’s Farewell 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 5 
 
 Address, by Edmund Allen. The members assembled in the parlor of the 
 house alluded to, accompanied by their friends, their parents, and the neigh- 
 bors, and enjoyed themselves in a very agreeable manner. 
 
 So encouraging had the prospects of the Company become, that it was 
 deemed advisable to select a more eligible location, and accordingly the Mana- 
 gers instructed the Purchasing Committee, on the 18th of April, 1837. to engage 
 Mr. Ashton’s school room, situated on Fifth below Arch street, for the use of 
 the members. The room was secured, and the Society removed thither some- 
 time between the months of April and June of the year last mentioned. This 
 project seemed to give extraordinary vigor to our proceedings. We sprang 
 forth with new energy in the noble race we had commenced. A capacious, 
 though humble, book case was procured, the composition box was put into 
 operation, and the debates were characterized by a greater freedom of utterance 
 and breadth of thought. It was while we met in this hall that we gained some 
 of our most useful members. We now began to attract somewhat of the public 
 attention, and invitations were extended to us to join in the celebration of the 
 anniversaries of other companies. The plan of the Company was now enlarged, 
 so as to comprehend the giving of lectures by its members. A bold attempt it 
 was, to be sure, but, as the sequel showed, entirely successful. On the 20th 
 of October, 1838, the first Committee on Lectures was appointed, consisting of 
 G. W. Brown, S. L. Fowler and W. S. Morriss, and thus began a system which 
 was kept up until the Company terminated its active public career. Much of our 
 success may be attributed to this movement. Its most obvious advantages 
 were, that it set the members to thinking, to reading, and engaged them in the 
 fascinating study of composition. Of course every lecturer was anxious to do 
 his best, and in his efforts to please lay the secret of his application to study. 
 The delivering of Lectures was regarded as the peculiar province of the mem- 
 bers themselves, and hence for a long series of years, no person, except he be- 
 longed to the Company, was allowed to take part in such exercises. It was 
 thought, moreover, that if those who were advanced in such matters were per- 
 mitted to speak before us, the timid would hesitate, if not refuse, to enter into 
 the unequal competition. From Mr. Ashton’s room we removed, January 9th, 
 1838, to the north-west corner of Second Street and La Grange Place. This 
 enterprize increased our responsibilities, because the whole expense devolved 
 upon ourselves ; yet we entered upon our new obligations with unabated zeal. 
 Not having the means to hire help, we were constrained to make the fire, 
 cleanse the hall, trim the lamps, and do all the other necessary work incident 
 to the complete accomplishment of our purposes. One of our chief difficulties 
 was the want of furniture. At first we sat upon ordinary school benches, but 
 soon getting tired of these, we succeeded in purchasing six new settees. It 
 was considered necessary to enlarge our book accommodations, but to buy a 
 book-case in addition to our other purchases was beyond our means, and so the 
 members purchased the materials, brought tools to the hall, took off their coats 
 and went to work. The book-case which they thus made lasted until our next 
 removal. The first recitations were given in the hall of which I now speak; 
 the audience consisted of a few ladies and some of our companions in labor. 
 
6 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 We did not remain long at this place ; but what led to the next change of loca- 
 tion I cannot at present recall. We shifted our quarters next to the fourth 
 story of a building situated on the west side of Sixth below Cherry Street, 
 owned by Mr. Matthew Newkirk, which we occupied in the neighborhood of 
 four years, at the rate of fifty dollars per annum. The effects of the Company 
 were removed to the new place without the aid of strangers ; and the wagon 
 used to do part of that service with was drawn without the aid of horses. 
 This change of location involved us in fresh expenses. Matting was bought, 
 new settees were ordered, a rostrum for the officers was erected, and a new 
 book-case was added to our stock, the latter at an expense of fifty dollars. In 
 order to discharge the debts we had incurred, we levied contributions upon the 
 members, all of whom gave according to their ability. We now entered upon 
 a still more energetic course. A devotedness which I have never seen surpassed, 
 was the distinguishing feature that marked the Society under its new auspices ; 
 and a steadily increasing roll of members more than supplied all withdrawals, 
 Our lectures and debates began to attract a large share of the public atten- 
 tion, and our audiences increased to such an extent that the hall was at times 
 taxed to its utmost capacity. The stated meetings for business purposes were 
 held monthly on Tuesday evenings, the debates on Thursday evenings, and on 
 Saturday evenings books were given out to those who desired them. The con- 
 tributions to the Composition Box were read on Friday evening, once in the 
 month. In addition to the demands which these various meetings made upon 
 our time, we took care of the hall ourselves, and thus saved what would have 
 been paid to a janitor. For one purpose or another the room was open nearly 
 every evening in the week. The result of all this was, that friendships were 
 then formed which even now, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of time and for- 
 tune, are as fresh as ever. But a few weeks ago a gentleman, who became a 
 member while we met in Sixth Street, said to me, “ I have formed the acquaint- 
 ance of men under other circumstances, but I do not think as much of them as 
 our old associates.” During the period now mentioned there were a great many 
 literary societies in the city, and as a natural consequence there was a generous 
 rivalry between them, and not unfrequently visits were paid by the respective 
 members, either from motives critical or curious, or for the purpose of partici- 
 pating in discussion. Circumstances will justify me in saying that our reputa- 
 tion was scarcely inferior to that of any of our rivals. As an evidence of the 
 truthfulness of what I say, I will mention that some intelligent men, who were 
 advanced in years, were as regular in their attendance upon our meetings as 
 the members of the Company. Some of these finally attached themselves to 
 our fortunes, and did good service in our behalf. We sought to make the Com- 
 pany useful in a scientific point of view, and for this purpose endeavored to 
 establish a cabinet of minerals and curiosities ; but in this project we were not 
 very successful. It is true there was a collection, but it was small ; and as 
 for the curiosities, if such they might be called, the figure they cut was rather 
 ludicrous, consisting, if I remember rightly, of a shark’s jaw, a human skull, 
 and a toad fish! The lectures of Mr. Stephen English, on Astronomy and 
 Geology, which were very largely attended, certainly attoned for what I have 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 7 
 
 just related. The first of these were delivered when the celebrated Dr. Lardner 
 was in the city, holding forth at the Chinese Museum, upon the same subject. 
 
 Oh several occasions we kept up our patriotic recollections by celebrating 
 the Fourth of July in a becoming manner. Once at the hall in Filbert street, 
 above Eleventh, where the Rev. Thomas Stockton preached. The Company 
 marched in procession to the place appointed, and listened to addresses by 
 Furman Sheppard and James H. Bryson. Once at Bordentown, but of this I 
 have no recollection. Twice at the Falls of Schuylkill. At the latter of these, 
 addresses were delivered by W. S. Morrtss and Edmund Sterry, and Mr. 
 Sterry himself, while bathing after the dinner, narrowly escaped drowning. 
 
 Washington’s birth-day we used to observe in our own hall, where we could 
 conduct our exercises free of any additional cost. At this epoch, our ambition 
 became fired with the thought of erecting a building suitable to the purposes 
 of our organization. On the 5th of January, 1841, a resolution to that effect 
 was adopted, of which I will give a copy, “ Resolved , That a Committee be ap- 
 pointed to consider the propriety, practicability, and probable cost of erecting 
 a hall for the use of the Association, and that said Committee be instructed to 
 examine such sites as may be proposed for its location.” This Committee con- 
 sisted of Joseph K Helmbold, Jr., H. M. Morriss, T. H. Fenton, T. S. Quin, 
 Edmund Sterry, H. A. Gildea and G. W. Brown. The scheme originated with 
 Mr. Helmbold. It was proposed to build the hall by means of stock, to be 
 subscribed for by any persons who might feel inclined to venture their money 
 in the undertaking. The thing must have got abroad pretty well, for I re- 
 member that a contractor came to the room one evening in order to inquire 
 about the work. Not more than twenty or thirty shares were subscribed for, 
 or rather offered ; a sum not sufficient to pay for the ground, and the attempt 
 was given up. The failures of men often evince the metal they are made of — 
 their very defeats exhibit their strength. It was so with us. It is my opinion, 
 and one which I have always entertained, that, had the proper measures been 
 taken and pushed forth with becoming energy, we might have succeeded in the 
 enterprize. Although for all the uses of the Society an act or charter of incor- 
 poration was not needed, the subject was broached twice, and committees ap- 
 pointed to make inquiries as to the cost incident to the movement. It may be 
 questioned whether corporate powers would have been of the slightest advan- 
 tage to the Company, since at this point of time we can look back at the busi- 
 ness we had to transact, and not find that we were at all hindered in anything 
 we wanted to do, just for the want of them. 
 
 On the 22d of January, 1842, we received a communication from the William 
 Wirt Library and Literary Institute, touching the approaching anniversary of 
 that society. It was their design to celebrate it by a public debate, in which 
 the members of other societies should join. Each company was to select two 
 persons, one of whom should take the affirmative and one the negative side of 
 the question, “Has the world suffered more from the effects of ambition than 
 from superstition ?” The invitation thus extended to us was accepted, and 
 Furman Sheppard and William Y. McKean were elected to represent our insti- 
 
8 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tution. The debate took place in the Universalist Church, on Callowhill above 
 Fifth street. I was present but a few minutes, having an engagement elsewhere 
 that night, and I cannot therefore give a particular account of the method in 
 which the business was conducted. I believe, however, that our representa- 
 tives acquitted themselves in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the Com- 
 pany. This circumstance has been mentioned for the purpose of showing that 
 our Company was appreciated by societies of a kindred nature. The William 
 Wirt Literary Institute was regarded as one of the best associations of the day. 
 We were constantly in the receipt of invitations from our contemporaries, and 
 generally, if not always, responded with the frankest feeling. Among these 
 contemporaries, the Pennsylvania Literary Institute, and the Washington Li- 
 terary Association, still hold a place in my recollections ; nor should I fail to 
 mention the Jefferson, the Southwark, the Franklin, the Marshall and the Me- 
 chanics’, for all these were, in their day, of public importance. 
 
 The members of the Union Library Company were young men of moderate 
 means, and every inch of ground they gained was got by hard work. They 
 toiled early and late to establish themselves in such a way as that their influ- 
 ence might be felt in the community. I have already alluded to the lectures, 
 and recitations, and debates of the Company, and I will now advert to its 
 library. In its palmiest days the library was not, I confess, what it should 
 have been, considering the number of years we had been in existence, and the 
 causes of this state of things may be traced to the fact just mentioned. Yet 
 earnest efforts were made to increase the number and value of our books. For 
 this purpose, volunteer committees and appointed committees waited upon the 
 citizens of Philadelphia. 
 
 Donations in money and books were made by Charles Naylor, Townsend 
 Sharpless, William B. Reed, Horace Binney, William Rawle, David Paul Brown, 
 John K. Kane, and others. Still, notwithstanding these attempts, the library 
 languished, and it was thought something more was required. Accordingly it 
 was resolved to get up a concert in order to supply our wants. The proposition 
 met with a spirited opposition, so spirited, indeed, as to call for the recording 
 of the ayes and nays, but the motion prevailed by a majority of eighteen votes. 
 After the passage of the motion a committee of twenty-five was appointed to 
 carry out the intentions of the Company. The committee consisted of T. S. 
 Quin, C. H. Plummer, Furman Sheppard, George W. Brown, Henry Neff, W. 
 E. Ward, T. H. Fenton, W. S. Morriss, Edmund Sterry, M. M’Cloud, John R. 
 Matlack, W. E. Sleeper, Charles Gilligan, Edmund Allen, H. A. Gildea, E. E. 
 Sleeper, Benjamin Parry, J. K. Helmbcld, Jr., George M. Baugh, R. McGill, 
 C. W. Webb, Joseph M. Wilson, George Rugan, Jr., Noble Salisbury and H. 
 M. Morriss. I have been thus particular in naming these gentlemen, because 
 if the “ laborer is worthy of his hire” they assuredly earned their reward. 
 The Committee immediately organized and took measures to discharge the 
 duties which devolved upon them. They were called the “ Canvassing Com- 
 mittee,” but in process of time they were nicknamed the “ canvass-back 
 ducks,” and the “ grand action committee.” The upper saloon of the Museum 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 9 
 
 building was procured at the rate of one hundred and forty dollars for the 
 evening. Contracts with performers were made, amounting in all to one hun- 
 dred and fifty-eight dollars, while the expenses for tickets, posters, and printing 
 amounted to ninety dollars and twenty-two cents. Thus, a company of young 
 men without resources, except what their own industry might evoke, undertook 
 the task of paying^three hundred and eighty-eight dollars and twenty-two 
 cents, and trusted to their own exertions for the profit as well as the credit of 
 carrying the project through. Circulars were distributed through the city so- 
 liciting the citizens to purchase tickets. For this purpose the city was divided 
 into districts, and sub-committees were appointed to canvass them. Some of 
 these committees met with tolerable success, some with scarcely any, some 
 met with logic instead of receiving money, some were repulsed with rudeness ; 
 but in spite of such obstacles the work went on. A gentleman who lived in 
 Arch street, whose name I do not remember, on my calling for the circular and 
 tickets left at his door, handed them back to me, saying they were not wanted, 
 but that I might look inside, which I did, and to my great delight I found suf- 
 ficient money therein to pay for half a dozen tickets. I always thought well of 
 that man afterwards! Every effort was put forth to make the concert profitable. 
 Even the posting of bills and placards was done by the members, who in the 
 night covered every available fence and post from Southwark to Kensington, 
 and from the Delaware to the Schuylkill with our appeals. At length the 
 eventful March 2d of the year 1841 arrived, and with it a favorable evening. 
 The performers were on hand and the audience slowly seated themselves to 
 listen to the entertainment. About twelve hundred persons were present, many 
 of whom had been furnished with tickets gratuitously, and when all was over, 
 it was apparent that we had at least taken money enough to discharge our in- 
 debtedness. The final report of the Committee was not made until one year 
 after the concert, and it then appeared that we had cleared forty-two dollars 
 and forty cents. This was a very small return for the immense labor bestowed 
 upon the effort, but it showed that the Company knew how to undertake and 
 how to act. The expenses were enormous, but they were such as enterprizes of 
 that sort involved at that period. 
 
 The experience gained in this first effort was made available subsequently 
 in managing other affairs of the same sort. On the 16th of December, 1843, 
 a committee was appointed to get up another concert. It was composed of 
 W. Y. McKean, H. A. Gildea, H. M. Morriss, J. B. Sheppard, Stephen Eng- 
 lish, T. S. Quin, Henry Neff, J. M. Wilson, Benjamin Allen, C. Hamilton, 
 Henry Blye, Edmund Sterry, G. M. Baugh, T. H. Fenton, and W. S. Morriss. 
 The tickets were sold at 12£ cents each, and were readily disposed of. The 
 concert was held in the lower saloon of the Museum building, called the Chi- 
 nese Museum. Every thing was done with the utmost promptitude, and before 
 the close of the same month the concert came off. 
 
 When the members reached the vicinity of the Museum, droves of people 
 were seen coming from that point and dispersing in various directions. What 
 could all this mean ? was of course the natural inquiry. Hardly any one sup- 
 posed that the hall was not capable of containing our friends, but yet such was 
 
10 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the fact. The room was so densely crowded that numbers of those who gained 
 entrance were unable to see, much less find an opportunity of listening to the 
 performances with satisfaction. In fact the Union’s star was up, and it was 
 evident that we had made a hit. By this concert we cleared one hundred and 
 seventy dollars. The members were so elated at their success, that on the 2d 
 of January, 1844, they resolved to give another concert, upon the same plan, 
 at the same place, and for the same price. The committee remained as before, 
 with the exception of II. M. Morriss and J. B. Sheppard, who resigned, and 
 in their stead, W. E. Greble and Benjamin Parry were appointed. In due 
 time the third concert attracted a large audience. Upon these two entertain- 
 ments the Company cleared about three hundred dollars, which amount was 
 mainly devoted to the purchase of books and the discharge of debts. Among 
 the books bought were Hallam’s Constitutional History, Gillies’ Greece, Moore’s 
 History of Ireland, Bakewell’s Geology, Crabbe’s Synonymes, The Penny Ma- 
 gazine, Scott’s Works, Byron’s Works, Stephen’s Travels in Yucatan, Stephen’s 
 Travels in Central America, Cooper’s Naval History, Pope’s Works, Buffon’s 
 Natural History, Brande’s Dictionary, Johnson’s Works, Milton’s Works, Plu- 
 tarch’s Lives, &c. 
 
 Four years later, still another concert was announced by the Company ; the 
 last we gave, and one of the least successful. We again had recourse to the 
 distribution of circulars, inviting the assistance and sympathy of the public. 
 I will transcribe one of these circulars for the gratification of the members. 
 
 “TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 “ Ignorance is the curse of God ; 
 
 Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to Heaven.” 
 
 “ The Union Library Company of Philadelphia, composed of young men of 
 various professions, is one of the oldest Literary Associations now in existence 
 in the city. It was founded April 5th, 1836 ; and since its organization up- 
 wards of three hundred active members have been connected with it. The 
 exercises of the Company are strictly of a literary character, consisting chiefly 
 of debates, every Thursday evening throughout the year, on subjects intended 
 to stimulate thought and research, (excluding, however, partisan and sectarian 
 topics,) and to develope whatever capacity for public speaking may be possessed 
 by those who participate in the discussions. In addition to this, a course of 
 Lectures is delivered by the members of the Company during the winter 
 months. The audiences attending at these times are usually large and atten- 
 tive. The Library consists of eleven or twelve hundred well -selected and 
 well-used volumes, which are accessible to the members every Saturday even- 
 ing. The laws of the Company also require that Essays should be read, and 
 difficult questions in history, science, etc., proposed by the members to each 
 other for solution. This has thus far been eminently successful. Its members, 
 it is thought, have become more intelligent men than they otherwise would 
 have been, and are better prepared to discharge the high responsibilities of the 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 11 
 
 American citizen. It has also furnished to the various professions and the 
 walks of political life, numbers whose aspirations were first enkindled by the 
 zeal with which its exercises have been conducted. The Company is now de- 
 sirous of increasing its facilities for improvement and usefulness, of enlarging 
 its library, of procuring philosophical apparatus, of extending its range of ope- 
 ration, and of placing its organization on a permanent basis. To do this mo- 
 ney is requisite. The young men who compose the Company have contributed 
 all they are able, and feeling that they have some claim on the community, 
 they appeal to their friends, to the lovers of literature, education and popular 
 improvement, and to all who are willing to hear and heed the warning voice 
 of Washington, uttered in his Farewell Address, ‘ Promote, as an object of 
 primary importance, institutions for the diffusion of useful knowledge.’ Ac- 
 cordingly, as a means of assistance for the accomplishment of the above object, 
 the Association propose giving a Concert on the evening of Thanksgiving day, 
 (Thursday,) November 23, 1848, and most respectfully solicit of their friends, 
 and fellow-citizens at large, their support and patronage in this good work .” 
 
 We realized about thirty dollars only by this undertaking. The smallness 
 of our profit was not the result of bad management ; it resulted from the 
 change in public taste, for concerts were now no longer popular. 
 
 In the spring of the year 1844, (April 4,) after a short time spent in the dis- 
 charge of his official duties, General Harrison, the President of the United 
 States, departed this life, and the different Literary Societies of the city, will- 
 ing to join in a public demonstration of respect to his memory, resolved to 
 unite with other associations and the citizens in a parade for that purpose. 
 The Literary Societies held a meeting, and Mr. George Crosby was elected as 
 their marshall. Our Company, with the zeal which always distinguished its 
 actions, took part in the pageant. The Frankford Band performed for us dur- 
 ing the procession, and received its compensation by eans of the voluntary 
 contributions of the members. The funeral solemnities, which were mournful 
 and imposing, were interrupted by a heavy rain, that drove the participants 
 from the ranks, and thus marred the interest of the occasion. Our Society 
 was out in full strength, having in the line one hundred and eleven persons. 
 My recollections will not permit me to say whether we surpassed or were sur- 
 passed by the other associations, and therefore I will content myself with what 
 I have said. 
 
 On the death of General Jackson we paraded again, if not with the same 
 number in the ranks, certainly with the same spirit. Political partizanship 
 did not then, nor has it ever prevented the Union Library Company from doing 
 what it should, under any given circumstances, have done. The same obser- 
 vation may be made with respect to religion. Fortunately the contentions 
 which divide the religious world, and the disastrous consequences flowing from 
 them, never intruded into our midst ; though all shades of religious faith were 
 found amongst us — there were Presbyterians, Catholics, Universalits, Luther- 
 ans, Baptists, Unitarians, Methodists, Quakers and Episcopalians. Every 
 phase of politics found its representative — there were Democrats, Whigs, Na- 
 
12 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tive Americans, and Abolitionists. With a wise forecast it was determined 
 that “party politics and sectarian theology” should “be carefully excluded 
 from all the concerns of the Company,” This kept the bitterness of political 
 and sectarian strife from entering into the Company, while at the same time 
 the letter of the law was not so closely followed as that all debate upon subjects 
 of public interest, involving politics and religion, was excluded. This blending 
 of political and religious prepossessions, restrained and tempered by a judicious 
 law, in connection with an almost unlimited intercourse of the most affectionate 
 character, has contributed largely to the formation of habits which must ever 
 mark the conduct of the members of the Union. Our society never did, and 
 never could, produce a bigot ! 
 
 At different times several of our members engaged in editorial labors. Mr. 
 James H. Bryson, who removed to Lancaster about the year 1840, edited, and, 
 I believe, published, a daily, semi-weekly, and weekly newspaper called “ The 
 Age,” for which the society subscribed on the 30th of August, 1840, Mr. Jo- 
 seph K. Helmbold, jr., was concerned in a newspaper called “ The Literary 
 Pearl and Temperance Repository,” and Charles H. Plummer conducted a reli- 
 gious periodical, named “ The Christian ;” subscribed for by the Company, 
 May 10th, 1847. None of these were long lived. Mr. Helmbold’s paper was 
 encouraged by the Company’s subscription on the 16th of June, 1842. 
 
 Becoming dissatisfied with our quarters in Sixth Street, we appointed Com- 
 mittees at various times to select a new location. After repeated failures we 
 at length fixed upon the room in Walnut above Sixth Street, where we continued 
 to assemble until the close of our public meetings. The change involved us in 
 a fresh expenditure of money, for fitting up the hall in a style commensurate 
 with our own tastes and the wants of the public. 
 
 The first meeting at this place was held on the 17th of October, 1844. We 
 brought with us to the new room the experience gained by eight years’ constant 
 labor in the literary field, and if in anything we were less zealous, we were 
 more matured, and had a better understanding, therefore, of the objects to be 
 accomplished, together with the methods to be pursued. Large privileges were 
 extended to gentlemen in attendance upon our meetings, who were not con- 
 nected with the Company. It was our earnest wish that it might be made use- 
 ful to the community, and hence we selected such topics for discussion as were 
 of general importance, and invited the visitors to participate. At this time the 
 debates were conducted with great spirit, and they were attended constantly 
 by attentive audiences. In compliance with an invitation from the Irving In- 
 stitute we agreed to take part in a discussion to be conducted by the members 
 of the respective societies. Nine different questions for the debate were sug- 
 gested by that association, none of which met the approval of the Company. 
 According to the arrangement between us, the choice of a subject was left to 
 ourselves, and on the recommendation of our committee, the speakers to be se- 
 lected were allowed to choose for themselves. The Union’s debators were F. 
 Sheppard, W. Y. McKean and Henry A. Gildea, and they selected the question 
 “ Should the veto power be taken from the President of the United States ?” 
 The discussion was held in the hall of the Irving Institute, at Fourth and Vine 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 13 
 
 streets, the Union’s representatives taking the negative side of the debate. As 
 was the fashion in those days, a vote was taken at the close of the meeting 
 upon the subject discussed, which was almost unanimously given in our behalf. 
 In the course of a few weeks we held another discussion with the same society, 
 upon the question, “Do the Middle Ages deserve the epithet of ‘ Dark’ ?” Our 
 speakers remained the same, with the exception of Mr. Gildea, who resigned, 
 and in his stead W. S. Morriss was elected. The latter debate was held in 
 both halls alternately, and gave, I believe, general satisfaction. We never re- 
 ceived any other proposition of the kind, a circumstance which is to be regretted, 
 when we consider the manifest advantages which accrue from such affairs when 
 rightly conducted. 
 
 Before leaving the Sixth street hall, The United Literary Association, ad- 
 dressed a communication to the Company in regard to the Union of the two 
 societies. We appointed a committee to confer with theirs. The two commit- 
 tees met, and agreed that the property of the United should be valued at 85 
 dollars. Our Committee reported these facts on the 3d of August, 1841, and, 
 in addition, recommended that the proposition should be acceded to, and that 
 the members of the United should be admitted into full connection with us. 
 The report was accepted, and subsequently a motion was made that the Com- 
 mittee be empowered to purchase the property at the valuation set upon it. 
 This motion led to an animated debate, so spirited, indeed, that the Company 
 adjourned until the following Friday evening to consider the matter. After the 
 meeting had organized, the President stated that the motion to buy the property 
 was in order, and the strife was again renewed. On the one hand, it was argued 
 that an accession of twelve or twenty members, and the acquisition of the 
 effects of the society making the overtures, were advantages which ought not 
 to be lightly regarded ; while on the other hand it was strenuously maintained 
 that we would be more prosperous without complying with the terms, and re- 
 ceiving new members under such circumstances. The question, however, was 
 upon buying the property only, and under the operation of the previous ques- 
 tion, the discussion was brought to a close. So warm had the contention been 
 that the ayes and nays were ordered, and the result showed that twenty-three 
 persons voted in the affirmative and fourteen in the negative. The property, 
 although the vote was largely in the affirmative, was never bought, nor were 
 the members of the United ever received, as such, into our Company. A se- 
 cond offer of a similar character was made by the Randolph Literary Institute, 
 on the 21st of September, 1848, but on the 12th of October, of the same year, 
 the Committee reported that they had not been able to come to any satisfactory 
 arrangements. Still later a third overture was made, by The Platonian Lite- 
 rary and Rhetorical Institute, and on the 13th January, 1855, the Committee 
 having the subject in hand made their report, whereupon we declined the offer 
 made to us. The failure of these projects was, in my opinion, a fortunate thing 
 for our society. It hardly seems possible to unite distinct parties or sets of 
 men, so as to avoid the formation of cliques, which cling to and support the 
 interests most favorable to themselves. 
 
14 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 As an evidence of the public spirit of our Company, I will mention that when 
 the disastrous fire occurred in Pittsburg, we voted twenty dollars to aid the 
 sufferers by that dreadful calamity, although we needed the money badly our- 
 selves. In this connection I cannot forbear mentioning the part we took in 
 reforming the naval service of the United States. About the year 1849, Wat- 
 son G. Haynes, who had formerly been in the service, appeared in public as an 
 advocate of the abolition of rum and flogging in the navy. He visited the 
 Union, and solicited us to send delegates to a convention, to be called for the 
 purpose of getting up a public meeting in favor of his movement. He met with 
 sympathy amongst us — the Company appointed a delegation consisting of H. 
 A. Gildea, W. S. Morriss, Wm. Brotherhead, W. V. McKean and J. B. Shan- 
 non. The result was, that a public meeting was held in the Chinese Museum, 
 at which David Paul Brown and the Rev. John Chambers delivered addresses. 
 It was one of the largest gatherings held at the time, and was, it is supposed, 
 instrumental in helping on the desired reform. If our Company had existed 
 for no other purpose than the breaking up of the detestable punishment of 
 flogging, it would have deserved the gratitude of those humble men, whose 
 lives are spent upon the “ great deep,” away from the comforts of civilized life, 
 though not beyond the reach of the sympathies of their fellow-citizens. 
 
 The effects of time were now becoming visible in the Company. Some of our 
 members had died, some of them had married, while others had gone abroad 
 in search of fame or fortune, and the roll was gradually decreasing. In fact, 
 the multiplied demands of business, and the family relations, upon the time 
 and attention of such as remained connected with us, prevented that thorough 
 devotion which distinguished us at an earlier period. It soon became apparent 
 that the ancient spirit was gone. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the Company 
 resisted as long as it could, the final stroke of dissolution. After repeated at- 
 tempts to dissolve the society, it was at length determined to alter the plan of 
 organization. The associations of nearly a fifth of a century, could not be 
 broken up at a blow, and without a struggle. The Company, therefore, con- 
 cluded to close its active career, and meet annually on the night of the Anni- 
 versary, in order to join in celebrating the “ olden time.” The last meeting 
 for the purpose of debate was held on the 8th of November, 1855. 
 
 I have thus attempted to present in a connected view, some of the principal 
 events connected with our history, and I now propose to give fragmentary re- 
 lations of some topics, which I supposed would bear that method of treatment. 
 The first of these I shall call 
 
 The Frazee Episode. 
 
 Our lamented fellow-member, Mr. Stephen English, as was his wont, lectured 
 for us one evening extemporaneously, upon a topic connected with his duties as 
 a teacher, namely, upon Grammar. In the course of his observations he re- 
 viewed a Grammar prepared by Mr. Frazee, with some degree of freeness. Mr. 
 Frazee himself was present, although unknown, at first, to Mr. English, and 
 the members also. At the close of the lecture, leave was given to any one who 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 15 
 
 might wish, to combat the views of the speaker, and of course Mr. Fra zee soon 
 made himself known. Expectation was now on tip-toe. Our representative 
 had thrown himself into the breach and was at once attacked by his opponent, 
 who was supported by Mr. Brown, another grammarian. In order to test the 
 knowledge of Mr. English, Mr. Frazee, while the former was lecturing, asked 
 him to parse the scriptural sentence, “ 0 the depth of the riches both of the 
 wisdom and knowledge of God,” particularly calling his attention to the word 
 “ depth,” and demanding what part of speech it was. Mr. English paused a 
 moment and replied, “ a noun, sir.” The answer was so satisfactory that Mr. 
 Frazee said, “You are right, sir ; I give you credit for parsing it correctly.” 
 The contest soon grew warm between the combatants. Mr. Frazee was a keen 
 debater, and not at all backward in the full expression of hit. opinions. 
 
 The contest became so exciting that Mr. Frazee asked for the use of the room, 
 in order to review the remarks of the lecturer. This was accorded to him on 
 the following evening, when the combat was renewed. Of course the more the 
 gentlemen insisted, and argued, and explained, and doubted and denied, the 
 more intent each of them became upon obtaining the victory, until at length 
 Mr. Frazee questioned Mr. English’s ability to cope with him. This aroused 
 that gentleman’s ire, and he replied with spirit — “ Capacity, indeed ! why, I 
 will meet my opponent upon any topic, from fractions to fluxions !” Still 
 wishing to keep up the battle, Mr. Frazee, desired the use of our hall again, 
 and it was proffered to him for a reasonable compensation. This he declined, 
 and engaged the hall of the Pennsylvania Institute, at Eighth and Chestnut 
 streets, for his purpose. In due time the audience and the grammarians as- 
 sembled. There was a clever sprinkling of all ages present, and all degrees of 
 intelligence besides. Among the throng that night, was the late Mr. Thomas 
 Earle, who at one time was, if I mistake not, a candidate for the Vice Presidency 
 of the United States. Other gentlemen of respectability were there, contribut- 
 ing by their presence or otherwise, to heighten the interest of the meeting. 
 The members of the Company did not forget that a fellow-member was in the 
 toils of a sharp debate, and they rallied to his support. It may be conjectured 
 that the telling points of our champion’s remarks did not pass without vocifer- 
 ous applause. We had a lively deputation scattered through the room, willing 
 and anxious for the appearance of victory. At the time appointed the struggle 
 was again begun, and the hot shot flew in every direction. In the course of the 
 proceedings a couple of our companions joined in the fray — these were W. V. 
 McKean and H. A. Gildea. The latter distinguished himself by letting off an 
 impromptu pun of great merit. A gentleman present, or it may have been Mr. 
 Frazee himself, remarked that for the purposes of the discussion Mr. English 
 did not seem to possess sufficient calibre. Mr. Gildea immediately arose and 
 said — “About the point of calibre I have nothing to say — but (alluding to Mr. 
 Frazee,) there can be no doubt as to the size of that gentleman’s bore.” Little 
 incidents like these, which told in their way, gave the proceedings an animated 
 turn, and when the meeting broke up, small groups of persons still remained, 
 discussing the events of the evening, and such collateral matters as they gave 
 
16 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 rise to. I believe that the contest closed on the night in review. We had 
 abundant cause to believe that Mr. English did not suffer in the debate. I saw 
 Mr. Frazee frequently after the discussion, but where he is now I cannot tell. 
 
 Anniversary Celebrations. 
 
 In common with societies of a kindred nature, we celebrated the day of our 
 formation with such exercises as were considered proper by persons of a literary 
 turn. The rival institutions of the time now spoken of, strained every nerve 
 to surpass each other in these exhibitions. Most frequently they were conducted 
 in churches, and religious services were blended with the literary performances. 
 Unfortunately circumstances did not favor the regular periodical observance of 
 our natal day, and therefore I cannot present an unbroken series of celebrations. 
 In addition to this, the records of the Company are not so perfect as could be 
 desired. I have made diligent search, and taxed my memory, in order to pro- 
 duce the list I now subjoin. 
 
 First Anniversary, 1837. — Order of Exercises , — Introductory Remarks by 
 the President, Charles H. Plummer ; an Address, by Alfred L. Porter ; Reading 
 of the Declaration of Independence, by Thomas H. Fenton ; Washington’s 
 Farewell Address, by Edmund Allen. 
 
 Third Anniversary, 1839. — Exercises, — Introductory Remarks by W. S, 
 Morriss ; Address, by C. II. Plummer, “Utility of Literary Associations 
 Address, by T. H. Fenton, “ Our Country and its Institutions Address, by 
 J. K. Helmbold, “ Hope.” 
 
 Fourth Anniversary, 1840. — Order of Exercises, — Prayer, by Rev. Asher 
 Moore ; an Address, by Furman Sheppard ; an Address, by T. H. Fenton ; an 
 Address, by J. C. McConnell. 
 
 Fifth Anniversary, 1841. — Order of Exercises, — Prayer, by Rev. T. D. 
 Cook ; Introductory Remarks by the President, G. W. Brown ; Address, by 
 W. Y. McKean, “ Our Country Address, by Furman Sheppard, “ Truth 
 Address, by C. H. Plummer, “Philosophy.” 
 
 Sixth Anniversary, 1842. — Order of Exercises, — Introductory Remarks by 
 the President, C. H. Plummer; an Address, by Samuel M. Shute, subject^ 
 “ The Past and Present ;” an Address, by T. II. Fenton, subject, “American 
 Character;” an Address, by E. E. Hultish, subject, “Literature.” At the 
 Universalist Church, Callowhill street. 
 
 Seventh Anniversary, 1843. — The order of exercises consisted of a debate 
 in our own hall, upon the subject — “ Does Mary, called the ‘ bloody,’ deserve 
 that title more than her sister Elizabeth ?” The discussion was conducted by 
 members alone. 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 17 
 
 Ninth Anniversary, 1845. — Celebrated by a festival in the hall of the 
 Company. 
 
 Eleventh Anniversary, 1847 . — Order of Exercises — 1st. Opening Address 
 by the President, Jeremiah B. Sheppard. 2d. An Address by Wm. S. Morriss. 
 3d. An Address by Furman Sheppard. 
 
 Fifteenth Anniversary, 1851 . — Order of Exercises — Addresses by Wm. S. 
 Morriss, William Y. McKean, and Furman Sheppard. 
 
 Twentieth Anniversary, 1856.— Celebrated by a festival or supper in the 
 hall of the Company, during which speeches were made by such members as 
 desired to speak. 
 
 Twenty-First Anniversary, 1857. — Celebrated in the hall of the Company, 
 in the manner just related. 
 
 Twenty-Second Anniversary, April 5, 1858. — Celebrated at the residence 
 of E. E. Hulfish. Address by W. Y. McKean, President. Supper. The 
 reading of this sketch by W. S. Morriss. 
 
 I regret exceedingly that I am not able to furnish a more correct and full 
 account of these proceedings. Yet the list, imperfect as it is, is not without 
 interest to those of us, at least, who knew the Company in its palmy days. 
 Let us cherish the hope, that as often as we shall continue to assemble at our 
 annual gatherings, we may be found better and wiser men. 
 
 The Pickwick Club. 
 
 Though not a regularly organized affair, the Pickwick Club, such as it was, 
 gave rise to many scenes of innocent enjoyment. The members of our Society 
 used to assemble in the hall at one time nearly every evening in the week, and 
 while thus together, and after the transaction of such business as called them 
 there, they gave vent to their mirthfulness by various methods. A portion of 
 them formed a class for the study of vocal music, and employed a teacher to 
 instruct them. Some took lessons in instrumental music, and some preferred 
 recitations. All, however, entered with spirit into the conversations which 
 abounded at the time. They saw each other so often, and understood each 
 other so perfectly, that they knew exactly how far they could go without giving 
 offence. It was this thoroughly mutual acquaintanceship, perhaps, that enabled 
 them to get up the Club I am now speakiug of. It consisted not so much in an 
 organization, as in the appropriation of Pickwickian names to individuals. 
 The writings of Mr. Dickens contained so much genuine humor, and such cu- 
 rious delineations of character, that every body read and relished them. There 
 were many points of resemblance between some of his characters and the 
 
 2 
 
13 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 members of the Company ; and the fun of the thing consisted in discovering 
 and applying to each person, the name best fitted to his physical or mental 
 qualities. Yet, it must be confessed, a few of these names were very poorly 
 adapted to the purpose for which they were employed. I will give the names 
 as they were used, without specifying the individuals to whom they were 
 given. 
 
 One was known as Mr. Pickwick, another as Mr. Tupman, another as Mr. 
 Snodgrass, another as Wardle, another as Stiggins, another as Smiggers, another 
 as Sam Weller, another as Tony Weller, another as Jingle, another as Job 
 Trotter, another as Nupkins, another as Cyrus Bantum, another as Dr. Slammer, 
 another as Dowler, another as Sergeant Busfuz, another as Mr. Perker, another 
 as Dodson, another as Fogg, another as Ben Allen, another as Bob Sawyer, 
 another as Joe the Fat Boy, and so on to the end of the chapter. For a long 
 time the gentlemen who bore these respective names, were addressed by them 
 as familiarly as by their real names. Those were happy days. It is idle, I 
 know, to indulge in vain wishes, but I would like to see once more, in the flesh, 
 those who remain of that goodly Company, that fifteen years ago pressed each 
 other’s hands in glowing friendship. 
 
 Questions for Discussion. 
 
 Several reasons have led me to give a selection of the topics debated by the 
 members of the Company. Every man loves to “ fight his battles o’er again,” 
 even though the experience of after years may have shown to him his weak 
 points of attack or defence — struggles, I mean, of the intellectual sort, with 
 their bloodless victories and defeats. We have all in turn been among the 
 vanquished and the conquerors, and have experienced the exultation of victory 
 before we have recovered from the chagrin of previous disasters. Some of the 
 questions debated by us will continue to be discussed while societies like ours 
 maintain their footing in the community. Possibly this sketch may find its 
 way into institutions of this sort, and be of practical advantage in the choice 
 of subjects for discussion. Hence, I will append the selections I have made 
 without further remark. 
 
 Nov. 21, 1839— “Which is the better adapted to the interests of this Country, a Me- 
 tallic or Mixed Currency ?” 
 
 Decem. 5, 1839 — “Does the Greatness of a Nation consist in its Wealth and Strength of 
 Arms ?” 
 
 Decem. 26, 1839 — “ Does Ambition produce more Good than Evil in Society ?” 
 
 January 9, 1840 — “Are Theatrical Representations immoral?” 
 
 March 19, 1840 — “ Is a Lawyer justifiable in supporting the cause of a Client whom he 
 knows to he guilty ?” 
 
 April 9, 1840 — “ Which could better be dispensed with, Clergymen or Statesmen ?” 
 
 April 16, 1840 — “ Is a Representative bound to sustain the Principles of his Constitu- 
 ents ?” 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 19 
 
 May 20, 1840 — “Are men more influenced in their Actions by the hope of Reward or 
 the fear of Punishment?” 
 
 Aug. 27, 1840 — “Do the Moderns excel the Ancients in Works of Genius and Art?” 
 
 Sept. 24, 1840 — “ Which have sustained the greater injury from the Whites, the Blacks 
 or the Indians?” 
 
 October 2, 1840 — “ Are the mental capacities of the Male sex superior to those of the 
 Female sex ?” 
 
 Nov. 12, 1840 — “Is the Pulpit a suitable place for Political Discussions ?” 
 
 Dec. 17, 1840 — “Has Criticism been a benefit or an injury to Literature?” 
 
 Jan. 14, 1841 — “Which is the more important, Ancient or Modern History?” 
 
 March 11, 1841 — “ Should Foreigners be entitled to a Vote before residing in this Country 
 twenty- one years ?” 
 
 May 27, 1841 — “Does the discovery of an unknown Country by a civilized Power, give 
 a just right of possession ?” 
 
 July 8, 1841 — “Is Mob Law ever justifiable?” 
 
 July 29, 1841 — “Has Man a control over his Religious Opinions?” 
 
 Aug. 26, 1841 — “ Are all men created equal ?” 
 
 Oct. 13, 1841 — “ Is Eloquence natural or acquired ?” 
 
 March 10, 1842 — “Have the Crusades been a blessing or an injury to the World?” 
 
 May 26, 1842 — “ Ought the Right of Suffrage be Universal ?” 
 
 Aug. 11, 1842 — “Do the Scriptures sanction the use of ardent spirits as a beverage?” 
 
 Oct. 20, 1842 — “ Which deserved the more credit, the Pilgrims who settled New Eng- 
 land, or the Emigrants who settled Maryland ?” 
 
 Jan. 6, 1843 — “ Did the Necessities of the times warrant the execution of Charles I.?” 
 
 Feb. 2, 1843 — “Is Labor-Saving Machinery a benefit to the World?” 
 
 March 23, 1843 — “Is War consistent with Christianity?” 
 
 Jan. 22, 1843 — “Was the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, justifiable?” 
 
 Aug. 10, 1843 — “ Would the repeal of the Legislative Union between Ireland and Great 
 Britain promote the Political and Religious Liberty of the Irish 
 People ?” 
 
 Nov. 30, 1843 — “Did the Age of Elizabeth produce greater Geniuses than that of 
 Anne ?” 
 
 Dec. 7, 1843 — “Were the Monastic Institutions of the Middle Ages a benefit to their 
 
 own and succeeding Ages?” 
 
 Jan. 18, 1844 — “Was the career of Oliver Cromwell productive of more good than 
 evil to the Human Family ?” 
 
 April 4, 1844 — “Did the exigencies of the Times require the execution of Lady Jane 
 Gray ?” 
 
 Dec. 5, 1844 — “ Do professional avocations require more talent than those of a me- 
 
 chanical nature ?” 
 
 March 6, 1845 — “ Do the Greatness and Happiness of a Nation depend upon its System 
 of Religion ?” 
 
 April 3, 1845 — “ Is a Member of the Confederacy of the United States justifiable, 
 under any circumstances, in withdrawing from it ?” 
 
 April 17, 1845 — “ Is it probable that the Human Race have sprung from one pair ?” 
 
 Aug. 7, 1845 — “ Would it be better for Man, morally and intellectually, if the produc- 
 tions of the Earth grew spontaneously ?” 
 
 Dec. 11, 1845 — “ Have the People of the North a right to interfere with the existence 
 of Slavery in the South ?” 
 
 April 30, 1846 — “ Are there more evils than advantages in social inequality?” 
 
 June 25, 1846 — “ Has England been more just to her Subjects than France?” 
 
20 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 July 23, 1846 — “ Should the Senate of the United States he abolished ?” 
 
 Octob. 1, 1846 — “ Can the immortality of the Soul be proved by the light of Nature ?” 
 Octoh. 22, 1846 — “Does Civilization increase our Happiness?” 
 
 Dec. 3, 1847 — “Were the Religious Houses of the Middle Ages beneficial tp Society?” 
 March 16, 1848 — “ Is a large extent of Territory incompatible with a Republican form 
 of Government?” 
 
 Dec. 7, 1848 — “ Has the Reformation improved the condition of the English People?’’ 
 
 Nov. 22, 1849 — “Was the reign of Mary more free from abuse than that of Elizabeth ?” 
 March 28, 1850 — “ Is the World more indebted for its progress to Statesmen than to 
 Authors ?” 
 
 April 24, 1851 — “Was the Norman Conquest a benefit to England?” 
 
 May 15, 1851 — “Was the Conquest of Ireland by Henry II. an injury to the Irish 
 People ?” 
 
 Sep. 29, 1853 — “ Is Man the Creature of Circumstances ?” 
 
 The questions above quoted certainly cover a wide range of inquiry. I wish 
 that I could transfuse into these pages the zeal exhibited in discussing them. 
 If they should not serve any other purpose now , the mentioning them will at 
 least awaken the most pleasing recollections. 
 
 List op Members. 
 
 I have included in this table only such persons as have really become mem- 
 bers of the Company, and not those who have been elected but have never ful- 
 filled the conditions of membership. Dates have been given as far as possible. 
 
 A. 
 
 Allen, Edmund, April 19, 1836, 
 Allen, Benjamin, 1836, 
 
 Armstrong, William, 1839, 
 Armstrong, John, October 6, 1840, 
 Alcorn, Charles, 
 
 Abrams, E. S., October 16, 1841, 
 Archer, George, 
 
 Archer, John, 
 
 Adams, John Q. 
 
 Algeo, Wm. W., May 12, 1845, 
 Attwood, James B. 
 
 Alvord, J. B., 1847, 
 
 Allen, Thomas G., Sept. 20, 1849, 
 Asay, Wm. H., April 7, 1851, 
 Ahern, Eugene, April 22, 1853, 
 
 B. 
 
 Baugh, George M., 1836, 
 
 Bradly, Wm., 1836, 
 
 Brown, G. W., 1836, 
 
 Barnard, James, 1836, 
 
 Byerly, Elwood, 1838, 
 
 Burr, Mr. 
 
 '■'•Bryson, James H., 1839, 
 
 Blaker, Joseph, 1839, 
 
 Bond, Alexander, May 5, 1840, 
 Blood, D. O. 
 
 Ball, Jesse R. 
 
 Boyd, David, Jr., May 28, 1840, 
 Bechtel, Jacob H., September, 1840, 
 Butler, John Ross, October 16, 1841, 
 Bolton, Everard, January 20, 1844, 
 Buck, John V., Dec. 12, 1844, 
 Bradford, A. C., Feb. 27, 1845, 
 
 ~Babb, Thomas, July 10, 1845, 
 Bennet, J. D., 1845, 
 
 Boilden, Charles J., 1846, 
 
 Brandt, Daniel R., May 7, 1846, 
 Briggs, Amos, 1846, 
 
 Bateson, John, 1847, 
 
 Borden, Theodore, Oct. 28, 1848, 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 21 
 
 Borden, John, Dec. 15, 1849, 
 Borden, Hamilton, Sep. IT, 1853, 
 Banks, R. M. 
 
 Benson, E. G. 
 
 Bright, W. S. 
 
 Bresee, J. R., 1848, 
 
 Britton, S. L., 1848, 
 
 Brotherhead, Wm., 1848, 
 
 Bertram, George, Feb. 8, 1848, 
 Brown, W. R., Dec. 14, 1850, 
 Bartle, Joseph D., Feb. 15, 1851, 
 Brunner, Henry, October 23, 1851, 
 Badger, Wm. H., March 10, 1853. 
 
 C. 
 
 Conard, J. Hart, 1839, 
 
 Clymer, Daniel R., 1839, 
 
 Corlies, Britton, 1842, 
 
 Corse, Wm. 
 
 Conway, Thomas, 1842, 
 
 Cooper, S. G., Feb. 24, 1844, 
 
 Cope, Richard, “ “ 
 
 Cope, Wm. T. March 3, “ 
 Costello, C. A., Dec. 12, “ 
 
 Clowes, Timothy, May 15, 1845, 
 Cobb, J. C., Sep. 4, 1845, 
 
 Crowley, J. P., July 2, 1846, 
 Campbell, Duncan, 1846, 
 
 Cox, Isaac, 1847, 
 
 Christian, R. S., 1847, 
 
 Cox, Charles C., 1847, 
 
 Carlton, H. P., 1848, 
 
 Craig, John, 1848, 
 
 Currier, J. W., Dec. 23, 1848, 
 Campbell, Howard, Jan. 11, 1850, 
 Comstock, D., November 10, 1853, 
 Crispin, Benj. F. 
 
 Coyle, Mr. 
 
 Corriel, W. W., Dec. 30, 1852, 
 
 D. 
 
 Daily, David E. 
 
 Daniel, H. H. 
 
 Davy, John, June 29, 1844, 
 
 Doran, Charles, May 7, 1844, 
 Dithmar, John, 
 
 Day, Augustus F., Dec. 26, 1844, 
 Dougherty, Jas. B. E. Jan. 30, 1845, 
 Dougherty, Daniel, 1845, 
 
 Dougherty, D. A., Feb. 22, 1847, 
 Dougherty, Wm., Feb. 26, 1853, 
 Douglass, Geo. W., May 31, 1845, 
 Dalzel, John, Nov. 29, 1845, 
 
 Day, Geo. M., 1846, 
 
 Duross, C., 1846, 
 
 Dunn, Wm., 1847, 
 
 Doherty, Andrew, Nov. 28, 1849, 
 Douglass, Jos. M., Dec. 15, 1853, 
 Dunlap, Wm., 1854, 
 
 E. 
 
 English, Stephen, Feb. 3, 1842, 
 Evans, N. R. 
 
 Evans, W. L., Jan. 18, 1845, 
 Everett, C. D., Mar. 20, 1845, 
 Evans, J. R., 1846, 
 
 Eady, Joseph, 1848, 
 
 F. 
 
 Fenton, Thomas H., April 12, 1836, 
 Fowler, Samuel L., Dec. 7, 1837, 
 Fisler, Jacob H., Jan. 7, 1840, 
 Fetters, John D. 
 
 Foster, Samuel, 
 
 Fling, Oliver B. 
 
 Ford, G. W., April 20, 1844, 
 
 Ford, Robert H. 
 
 Francis, D. P. 
 
 Ferris, James D., May 2, 1844, 
 Finch, George T., March 6, 1845, 
 Farr, John T., April 5, 1845, 
 
 Fulton, James, April 11, 1846, 
 Freese, J. R., 1847, 
 
 Freese, Wm. S., 1849, 
 
 Fenton, Thomas, 1849, 
 
 Freno, Jacob C., Dec. 14, 1850, 
 
 Fow, Wm., May 9, 1853, 
 
 Fuller, Daniel, Jan. 4, 1854, 
 
22 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Follansbee, G. 
 
 Follansbee, John. 
 
 G. 
 
 Gannt, John, 1836, 
 
 Gildea, H. A., February 13, 1839, 
 Gildea, James, 
 
 Germon, G. W., 1839, 
 
 ^Gilligan, Charles, 1839, 
 
 Greble, Wm., 1839, 
 
 Gass, John H. 
 
 Gutterman, C., May 7, 1840, 
 Gorman, B. 
 
 Grafton, Nathan M. 
 
 Gravel, George, 
 
 Gaskell, John, Jan. 30 1845, 
 
 Gillies, Adrian, 1845, 
 
 Gilbert, Joseph B., January 3, 1846, 
 Green, E. M. June 4, 1846, 
 
 Gray, Samuel W., July 9, 1846, 
 Gilman. John T., 1846, 
 
 Gray, Robert, 1847, 
 
 Green, James, 1848, 
 
 Gallagher, A. J., 1848, 
 
 Grier, John M., November 7, 1850, 
 Gayley, A. W., Nov. 13, 1851, 
 Griffiths, John J., Nov. 20, 1851, 
 Gilbert, Henry, 1854. 
 
 H. 
 
 Helmbold, J. K., Jr., 1837, 
 
 Hebrew, S. M. 
 
 Hughes, Amos P., Oct. 31, 1839, 
 Hilsee, Gilbert E. 
 
 Hawkins, Wm. 
 
 Hanor, Edward H. 
 
 -Huffish, Ewin E., 1840, 
 
 Heintzleman, R. B. 
 
 Harvey, Wm. 
 
 Hawkins, S. W. 
 
 Hardy, Wm. Henry, 1842, 
 
 Hillier, G. W., Dec. 8, 1842, 
 
 Hatcher, J. J. 
 
 Horn, H. J., Nov. 16, 1843, 
 
 Hamilton, Charles, 
 
 Harpur, James, Dec. 30, 1843, 
 Hoagland, John, 1844, 
 
 Iloagland, Samuel, 1844, 
 
 Hill, John, 1844, 
 
 Huffish, David, Jan. 11, 1845, 
 Harding, S. W., Jan. 25, 1845, 
 Haws, J. G., March 6, 1845, 
 Heveningham, C. S., 1845, 
 
 Hippie, H. G. 
 
 Hahn, John V., 1846, 
 
 Hewston, Hamilton, 1846, 
 
 Heilig, G. W., Dec. 11, 1847, 
 Haydock, J. B., 1847, 
 
 Hales, Wm., 1848, 
 
 Harris, E. S., 1849, 
 
 Harris, Joseph, December 6, 1849, 
 Hague, H. M., February 8, 1851, 
 Haynes, T. G., December 13, 1851, 
 Hood, Jeremiah, 1851, 
 
 Hook, H. W., 1854, 
 
 I. 
 
 Illman, Thomas, May 8, 1845, 
 Ingraham, Asa, 1847, 
 
 J. 
 
 Jenkins, W. W., May 6, 1840, 
 Jenkins, E. R., March 25, 1841, 
 Johnson, Thomas R., 1842, 
 
 Jackson, W. J., November 23, 1843, 
 Jackson, F. J., 1846, 
 
 Jennings, R., March 29, 1849, 
 Jeffries, Edward. 
 
 K. 
 
 Knight, David, 
 
 Knight, A. ,L. 
 
 Kerrison, R. M. 
 
 Korn, Thomas K., April 4, 1845, 
 Keyser, C. R., 1846, 
 
 Knox, George, 1847, 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 23 
 
 Kelly, P. F., November 2, 1848, 
 
 Kutz, H. C., November 1, 1849. 
 
 L. 
 
 Laughlin, Robert, 
 
 Lyons, Edward W. 
 
 Larcombe, J. H. 
 
 Larcombe, Augustus, 
 
 Loughrey, John, November 23, 1844, 
 Ludden, Isaac, November 27, 1845, 
 Lord, James, 1848, 
 
 Lewis, 0. M. April 10,1851, 
 
 Lynch, P. 
 
 M. 
 
 Morriss, S. P., 1836, 
 
 Morriss, Wm. S., June 15, 1837, 
 Morriss, H. M., Dec. 21, 1837, 
 Marshall, John, 1837, 
 
 McCloud, Malcolm, March 15, 1837. 
 McCorkle, Thomas, 
 
 Matlack, J. R. 
 
 Mills, William, 
 
 McGill, Robert, 1839, 
 
 Matlack, John K. 
 
 McNutt, Samuel, 1839, 
 
 McConnel, John C., Nov. 14, 1839. 
 McKean, William V., April. 1840, 
 Mellish, T. J. 
 
 Moore, H. D. 
 
 Murray, John, Jr. 
 
 Moore, Joseph, 
 
 McElroy, John, 
 
 Mattson, Thomas W., Nov. 6, 1841, 
 Macdowell, Wm. H. 
 
 Martin, C. T. 
 
 Megill, Charles, June 29, 1842, 
 Mulligan, Samuel, July 5, 1842, 
 McGill, Samuel 
 
 Myers, Theodore, January 25, 1844, 
 Morton, Thomas H., April 18, 1844, 
 McManigle, Wm. Aug. 3, 1844, 
 McMinn, Wm. H., October 3, 1844, 
 Muirhead, John, November 7, 1844, 
 McConnel, A. C., 1845, 
 
 Morfit, Campbell/ Jan. 15, 1846, 
 McKnight, Andrew, 1846, 
 
 Mackey, D. D., March 5, 1846, 
 McBurney, S. P., July 2, 1846, 
 Mickle, David, 1847, 
 
 Mason, Joseph H., 1857, 
 McLaughlin, Michael, Oct. 9, 1847, 
 Morris, Alfred L., 1848, 
 
 Morgan, Evan, 1848, 
 
 Mulford, P. H., Nov. 1, 1848, 
 Maddock, G. C., 1848, 
 
 Madden, Jeremiah, 1849, 
 
 Madden, John P., 1849, 
 
 Murphy, Albert E., Sep. 1, 1849, 
 McKenna, F. Dec. 29, 1849, 
 McNichol, Joseph, 1849, 
 
 Merrick, S. W., January 10, 1852, 
 McElwee, Joseph, Jan. 4, 1854. 
 Meager, T. I. 1854, 
 
 Makins, J. B., November 23, 1854, 
 
 N. 
 
 Neff, Henry, November 2, ’37 
 Neff, Samuel, ’39 
 Newport, B. F. 
 
 Nebinger, G. W., October 7, ’43 
 Nones, S. D., February 6, ’44 
 Nichol, Wesley, April 5, ’45 
 Nixon, John II., December 8, ’45 
 Neill, James, ’52 
 Newbern, John 
 
 O . 
 
 Owen, Samuel M., October 20, ’49 
 Owen, Joshua T., Jan. 31, ’50 
 O’Brien, Lawrence 
 Orr, Robert 
 
 O’Byrne, John, March 16, ’50 
 O’Hanlan, Wm., ’53 
 O’Neill, John, Feb. 2, ’54 
 
 P. 
 
 Porter, Alfred L., April 5, ’36 
 Plummer, C. H., April 5, ’36 
 
24 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Parry, Beniamin, June 7, ’36 
 Parry, E. H. 
 
 Parry, Charles 
 
 Powell, B. Rush 
 
 Paulin, Daniel 
 
 Pepper, Wm., March 2, ’44 
 
 Phillips, Cyrus, April 16, ’46 
 
 Pepper, Hugh, ’47 
 
 Palethorpe, Robert, Jan. 27, ’48 
 
 Palethorpe, John H-, Feb- 7, ’52 
 
 Park, Samuel B., January 15, ’52 
 
 Poole, John H. ’54 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quin, Thomas S. ’39 
 
 R. 
 
 Ragan, George, jr. March 15,, ’38 
 Rankin, George, ’39 
 Ryan, Isaac, 
 
 Ryan, Davis 
 Robinson, Samuel 
 Robinson, William S., Aug. 3, ’44 
 Ringwalt, John, ’45 
 Reed, S. R„ March 9, 1846 
 Rogers, Wm. B., May 7, ’46 
 Rogers, James A., ’47 
 Rutledge, Pascal, ’47 
 . Jteimer, Benj. F. ’48 
 Rose, John R., November 24, ’49 
 Ramsey, John, December 8, 1849 
 Reakirt, Richard 
 
 Robinson, R. M., February 19, ’53 
 Robinson, John, ’54 
 Riley, Charles J. 
 
 Rorty, Alexander 
 
 S. 
 
 Sheppard, Furman, ’36 
 Sterry, Edmund, January 4, ’38 
 Swan, M. E. ’39 
 Sleeper, Wm. ’39 
 
 Sleeper, Edward, ’39 
 Speakman, T. S. 
 
 Salisbury, Noble 
 Short, Thomas J. 
 
 Stone, Samuel S. ’40 
 Shute, Samuel M. 
 
 Scott, John A. 
 
 Scott, R. K., April 28, ’42 
 Shannon, Jacob B. 
 
 Smith, F. H. 
 
 Snyder, G. R. 
 
 Stone, Bartle J. ’42 
 Souder, J. W. 
 
 Sheppard, J. B., November 16, ’43 
 Sheppard, Augustus 
 Stevenson, S. H., Nov. 23, ’44 
 Sharkey, Wm., January 25, ’45 
 Serrill, Thomas A. ’46 
 Schofield, J. ’48 
 
 Schrieber, Theodore, March 29, ’49 
 Street, Dennis, February 8, ’51 
 Smyth, Isaae S., ’51 
 Smith, William N. 
 
 Sterling, Joseph, jr. April 16, ’52 
 Smith, L. S. 
 
 T- 
 
 Tomlin, John, 
 
 Thorn, G. Taylor, August 29, ’44 
 Toohey, J. H. W. ’45 
 ,-«' / Tage, Charles R., January 3, ’46 
 Tibbals, Samuel, December 18, ’47 
 Thompson, Robert, ’47 
 Thompson, John E. ’50 
 Taylor, H. 
 
 Tyson, E. A. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yan Amburgh, N. 
 
 Yan Meter, H. L., August 17, ’44 
 Yan Baun, John D., July 3, ’51 
 Yan Cleve, F. A., February 26, '’53 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 25 
 
 W. 
 
 Ward, W. E., March 6, ’38 
 Ward, R. B. 
 
 Ward, J. Parrish 
 
 Wilson, Joseph M., October 17, ’38 
 
 Webb, 0. W. ’40 
 
 Webb, J. C. ’40 
 
 Wright, John, ’40 
 
 Wright, James L., March 7, ’40 
 
 Wallace, Samuel 
 
 Wentworth, W. W. 
 
 Wiley, John 
 Walker, W. W. 
 
 Willets, C. W., January 4, ’42 
 Wills, E. T. 
 
 Ward, Hiram 
 
 Wilmot, William T., July 9, ’42 
 Wier, John G., December 15, ’42 
 Woddrop, R. S. 
 
 Williamson, William, August 31, ’44 
 
 White, John, November 7, ’44 
 Williams, John, December 9, ’44 
 Witham, Daniel, February 20, ’45 
 Wanner, Mahlon, April 19, ’45 
 Whipple, H. 0., November 15, ’45 
 Weber, Rodney, ’45 
 Ward, Allan, ’46 
 Wallin, Robert, ’46 
 Wall, Wm. M. ’47 
 Wilson, John, jr., October 28, ’48 
 Wilson, James 
 
 Wallace, George, December 8, ’48 
 Wallace, Henry, ’48 
 Wilson, Wm. D., MajT13, ’50 
 Wood, Joseph, jr., April 3, ’51 
 Watson, H. C., ’51 
 Winder, A. B., ’52 
 
 Z. 
 
 Zebley, Alfred, February 1, ’44. 
 
 Honorary Members. 
 
 The privileges of Honorary members were the same as those of Active mem- 
 bers, with the exception that they were not allowed to participate in business 
 affairs. No higher honor could be bestowed upon an individual connected with 
 the Company than that of making him an Honorary member. In order to be 
 advanced to that position, the candidate must have been a member three years, 
 and have labored faithfully for the society, and then on resigning his active 
 membership he might have been elected. We have had but very few members 
 of this description — so guarded has the Company been in elevating men to that 
 distinguished position. 
 
 Of these members I will give as accurate a list as I can ; for which purpose 
 I must depend more upon my memory than the records themselves. The fol- 
 lowing are all the names I can recollect : 
 
 William Bradley, Malcolm McCloud, 
 
 John Marshall, John R. Matlack, 
 
 Samuel P. Morriss, Stephen English, 
 
 Thomas A. Serrill. 
 
26 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 DECEASED MEMBERS 
 
 Alfred L. Porter. 
 
 Born September 20th, 1821 — Died October 24th, 1840. 
 
 The Company attended his funeral in a body. As already intimated, he was 
 greatly beloved by the members, and by those more especially who knew him 
 best. Towards the close of his life he became deeply interested in religious 
 matters, and preached, I think, occasionally. On his decease the Company de- 
 cided to have an address prepared and delivered by one of the members touch- 
 ing his life and character, and for that purpose William S. Morriss was selected. 
 Mr. Morriss subsequently resigned the appointment, and Thomas H. Fenton, 
 who was elected in his stead, read the eulogy on the evening of the 15th of 
 April, 1849. 
 
 The memory of Mr. Porter is cherished with affectionate regard by all who 
 enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance. 
 
 Benjamin Parry.— Died September, 1844. 
 
 Mr. Parry was one of the most active members of the Company up to the 
 period of his death. He was of a very lively disposition, and would crack a 
 joke whenever opportunity might offer. Any one acquainted with him might 
 learn his usefulness among us by consulting the minute books, anterior to the 
 year of his death. His end was melancholy indeed. In company with some 
 friends he went upon a gunning excursion, and by some mishap his gun dis- 
 charged itself into his arm near the shoulder. He was brought to the city and 
 taken to the Hospital, for the sake of medical advice and assistance. The 
 wound afterwards mortified and he died in consequence. During his last ill- 
 ness he was attended by a member, or members, of the company, and did not 
 seem conscious of his approaching dissolution. A large number of members 
 attended his funeral, which was conducted according to the observances of the 
 society of Friends. Peace to his memory ! 
 
 Charles Alcorn. 
 
 This gentleman was quiet and unobtrusive in his manners. I cannot state 
 anything about his history, nor when he died. He was a reliable member. 
 
 Charles R. Tage. — Died September, 1849. 
 
 Very little is known about Mr. Tage ; not sufficient, indeed, to state any- 
 thing with certainty. 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 27 
 
 William Henry Hardy. — Died Agust, 1843. 
 Of this member I cannot remember anything in particular. 
 
 Watson Way Wentworth. 
 
 Mr. Wentworth was connected with the Company but a short time.~ He 
 was one of the number who assisted in the celebration of the Fourth of July 
 at the Falls of Schuylkill. The society attended his funeral in a body. 
 
 George Archer. 
 
 A very active member during the early period of our existence. 
 
 Robert Orr, S. P. McBurney, 
 
 James Harpur, John H. Gass, 
 
 N. Van Amburgh, G. R. Snyder, 
 
 Nathan R. Evans. 
 
 Of the seven persons above mentioned I am not able to record much that 
 would be interesting. Mr. Evans was the only one who took a prominent part 
 in the Company. Mr. Snyder, however, was for a long time regular in his at- 
 tendance at our meetings. 
 
 Willtam W. Walker. — Died May 13, 1857. 
 
 He was a member of the firm of Lee and Walker, publishers of music. He 
 was a useful member. 
 
 Daniel Otis Blood. 
 
 Mr. Blood was the founder of “ Blood’s Despatch,” which has now become 
 a fixed fact in the community. He had great difficulties to contend with in his 
 attempts to establish what is now conceded to be a great public convenience. 
 He was remarkable for his spirit of perseverance. 
 
28 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Thomas S. Quin. 
 
 Mr. Quin took a decidedly active part in the management of our concerns. 
 He was particularly useful as respects our concerts. He was afflicted with an 
 impediment of speech, which prevented him from engaging largely in debate. 
 
 John T. Gilman. 
 
 This member never occupied much of the time and attention of the society. 
 At the time of his decease he was employed in the office of the Public Ledger. 
 He was one of the most amiable men I have ever known. 
 
 John D. Fetters. 
 
 Mr. Fetters was a very active member, though not a debater. He studied 
 medicine and graduated at one of the Philadelphia Colleges, but did not long 
 practice that honorable profession. I do not know when he died. 
 
 Edmund Sterry. — Died August, 1849. 
 
 It sometimes happens that mere words cannot convey the intensity of the 
 heart’s emotions. It was so in the case of the untimely decease of the beloved 
 Sterry. His was a nature frank, generous, and confiding — all who knew him 
 loved him. The disease which terminated in his death did its work rapidly, 
 requiring but three days for its triumph. I did not enjoy the mournful pleasure 
 of uniting with the members in rendering the last tribute to his memory. The 
 newspapers of the day spoke of his funeral in very favorable terms. “ He 
 being dead, yet speaketh.” 
 
 William Dunn. — Died August, 1849. 
 
 The same year that deprived us of Edmund Sterry, took from our midst 
 William Dunn. Mr. Dunn was a native of Ireland. For a number of years 
 he was a constant attendant of the Company before he became a member. 
 Finding that his health was failing, he left the city for Ireland, in hopes that 
 he might be benefitted by the air of his native country. In this, however, he 
 was disappointed. He died in Ireland in the year above noted. He was an 
 educated man, well read, witty and courteous, as well as modest and retiring. 
 
 Rev. Timothy Clowes, LL. D. 
 
 Dr. Timothy Clowes entered the Company about the period of the Frazee 
 Episode. He came to this city from the State of New York, where he had 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 29 
 
 been a Professor of Greek. It was shortly before, or after, the debut of Gou- 
 raud the famous teacher of Mnemonics. Mr. Clowes invented a system which 
 he called “ Tachymathy,” designed to help the memory in respect to dates, 
 figures, &c. The Company aided him as far as it could in bringing him into 
 notice, but unfortunately he did not succeed. He died, if I remember rightly, 
 somewhere on Long Island. 
 
 J. Hart Conard. 
 
 Born at Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1818. Died November 28th, 1852. 
 
 In all respects Mr. Conard was the most eccentric man we have had among 
 us. He was originally a clerk, and such was his employment when he united 
 himself with the Company. In person he was thin, and short in stature, though 
 the extreme buoyancy of his spirits made ample atonement for his apparent 
 weakness. I never knew him to be dejected. He possessed a military turn, 
 and held at one time an appointment in some official capacity among the citi- 
 zen soldiers. His name appears constantly upon the records of the association. 
 Several years before his death he left the city, and edited a newspaper in Mil- 
 ford, Delaware, where he died. He was fully aware that he was soon to close 
 his career, for in conversation with a fellow member, he said, “ the Doctor tells 
 me I cannot live, and I am taking it easy, walking about to see the fashions !” 
 These words, falling from the lips of any other man would have appeared like 
 levity, but it was not so with him ; he was incapable of deliberate folly. He 
 was interred in the Odd-Fellows’ Cemetery. 
 
 Robert M. Kerrison. 
 
 Mr. Kerrison was a man of vigorous mind, and his views were, in many re- 
 spects quite original. He was a watch and clock maker, and an excellent me- 
 chanic in his way, having invented a method of marking time which was brought 
 to the notice of the government officials, though I do not know whether it be- 
 came a source of profit or vexation. 
 
 Thomas H. Fenton. 
 
 Born in Philadelphia, November 2, 1821. Died May 11, 1856. 
 
 The name of Thomas H. Fenton is identified with the history of the Company. 
 He was one of the original band who were concerned in establishing it, and his 
 career while connected with it was in every way honorable to himself. By 
 referring to the list of members it will be found that he joined on the 12th of 
 April, 1836, one week after the organization. He filled, in the course of his 
 connection with the Company, nearly if not all the various offices, and at a 
 time, too, when it was considered an honor to be elected to fill them. As a 
 
30 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 mark of his popularity, I will mention that he appeared as a speaker at the 1st, 
 3d, 4th, and 6th anniversary celebrations— a distinction eagerly sought for in 
 those days. In addition to this, he delivered the eulogy upon Alfred L. Porter, 
 of which I have elsewhere spoken. At the time of his decease he was engaged 
 in mercantile pursuits. 
 
 Stephen English. — Died 1857. 
 
 The lectures on Geology, Astronomy and kindred subjects, delivered before 
 the. society by this gentleman, attest his usefulness. He was a native of Ireland, 
 though a cosmopolitan in the just sense of that word. Educated, refined, cour- 
 teous, tolerant,, he sought, more than anything else, how to live without offence, 
 and how to do the largest amount of good in his power. He was a man of large 
 information, a pleasing lecturer, a ready though not extremely logical debater, 
 fond of repartee, and good natured. In common with other citizens he visited 
 California in quest of fortune, but returned without accomplishing his desires. 
 He died in this city of disease contracted in that distant country. 
 
 Benjamin F. Newport.— Died Jan. 18, 1858. 
 
 Of Mr. Newport I have not much to relate. He was a very frequent visitor 
 at the meetings, but never engaged actively in the concerns of the Company. 
 
 Amos P. Hughes. 
 
 Born March 17th, 1821. Died January 28th, 1858. 
 
 When I began the preparation of this sketch, I little supposed that it would 
 devolve upon me to chronicle the departure of my beloved friend. For a period 
 of nearly twenty years it has been my privilege to be near him, to see him, and 
 to talk with him almost constantly. My acquaintance with him began October 
 31st, 1839, when his name was inscribed upon our books as a member, and our 
 intercourse was ever of the most affectionate character. He was a great favor- 
 ite with the members of the Company. He was by profession a piano-forte 
 key maker, but his ingenuity led him into other branches of art. Several years 
 before his decease he invented a dovetailing machine of remarkable simplicity 
 and efficiency, for which he obtained a patent. Afterwards he invented a ma- 
 chine to cut the keys or tongues for the grooves, which was also patented. He 
 was likewise the inventor of a stop for the melodeon, and was at the time of his 
 death engaged in projecting a new sewing machine. I never encountered any 
 one who possessed a more inventive mind. His mechanical perceptions were 
 exceedingly quick and accurate ; in short, if he had lived under circumstances 
 more favorable to his genius, if he had received a scientific education, he would 
 have been foremost in the rank of public benefactors. This is not idle praise, 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 31 
 
 but deliberate conviction, formed by a close observation of his character. He 
 was sick but two or three weeks, and was confined to his bed but little more 
 than one, when he died. His funeral was largely attended by Masonic brethren, 
 Odd- Fellows, and by some of the old members of the Union, together with the 
 friends and relatives of the family. 
 
 I have thus given an account of such members as are known to be dead. It 
 is probable that a large proportion of the whole number have gone to “ the 
 place appointed for all the living,” but who they are none can tell. Trusting 
 that the few observations offered will be acceptable, I quit this mournful topic, 
 hi order to complete a table of lectures and lecturers. 
 
 Lectures and Lecturers. 
 
 I have already remarked that the policy pursued confined the lecture pro* 
 vince almost exclusively to our own members, and hence I shall only mention 
 such as were delivered by them ; premising, however, that these were not the 
 only lectures read by our companions before the Company. 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Lecturer. 
 
 Origin of Things,” ..... Furman Sheppard. 
 : Career of Mahomet,” - « 
 
 Alexander the Great,” - « 
 
 A Defence of the Ancient Poets,” ... “ 
 
 Knowledge,” « 
 
 : Atheism and Socialism,” - « 
 
 The Literary Works of the Ancients considered ns Models,” “ 
 
 The Eye,” — Three.Lectures, .... « 
 
 : Milton and his Times,” .... « 
 
 : Constitutional Law,” - .< 
 
 The Law of high Treason in England,” - « 
 
 : The Philosophy of History,” .... « 
 
 ' The Dignity of Human Nature,” ... “ 
 
 Astronomy,” - 
 Woman,” 
 
 The proper Distribution of Time,” 
 
 The Nations of the East,” .... 
 
 The Origin of Written Language,” ... 
 
 The Organic Structure and Growth of Plants,” — Two Lectures, 
 
 William Y. McKean. 
 
 Commerce,’ 
 
 The Introduction of Christianity into the World,” - 
 Hope,” 
 
 Influence of Truth,” .... 
 
 : Poetry,” 
 
 The Progress of Civilization,” ... 
 
 George W. Brown. 
 Alfred L. Porter. 
 J. K. Helmbold, Jr. 
 
 it 
 
 David Boyd, Jr. 
 William E. Ward. 
 
32 
 
 A SKETCH OP THE 
 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Lecturer. 
 
 1. “ Hydrostatics,” - 
 
 2. “Agriculture and Rural Life,” - 
 
 3. “Music,” - 
 
 4. “Honor,” - 
 
 5. “ Hydraulics and Hydrostatics,” - 
 
 1. “ The Study of Nature,” - 
 
 2. “ The Theories of Deluges,” - 
 
 1. “Ambition,” ------ 
 
 2. “Love of Country,” - 
 1. “ Human Happiness,” - 
 
 1. “ Our Country,” 
 
 2. « The Moral Sublime,” - 
 
 1. “Power,” ------ 
 
 2. “ Moral Improvement,” - 
 
 4. “ Pneumatics,” — Two Lectures, - 
 
 5. “Intellectual Improvement,” - - - - 
 
 6. “The Character of Washington,” 
 
 1. “ Signs of the Times,” - 
 
 2. “ Life and Public Services of Arthur Lee,” 
 
 3. “ The Early History of Pennsylvania, 
 
 4. “ The Influence of Literary Societies in disseminating Re- 
 
 publican Opinions,” - 
 
 5. “Friendship,” ------ 
 
 6. “ Justice and its Administration,” - - - 
 
 9. “ Steam Engine,” — Three Lectures, - 
 
 10. “ The Capabilities of Human Nature,” 
 
 13. “ The Jesuits,” — Three Lectures, - - - - 
 
 14. “ The Pathway of the True Reformer,” 
 
 15. “ Popular Fallacies,” - 
 
 16. “ The Cultivation of the Memory,” - 
 
 17. “Titles,” - ' - 
 
 18. “Names,” . 
 
 19. “ On the Evidence of the Existence of Deity,” - 
 
 1. “ Improvement of the Mind,” - - - - 
 
 2. “ The Literary Merits of the Book of Job,” 
 
 1. “ England and America,” - 
 
 2. “ Frederick the Great,” - 
 
 3. “ The Alliance between France and America,” 
 
 4. “ Review of the Doctrines of the Native Americans,” 
 
 5. “Freedom,” - 
 
 6. “ The Influence of Literary Societies upon the Political Rela 
 
 tions of the Country,” - 
 
 1. “ Character of Patrick Henry,” - 
 
 2. “ Roman History,” - 
 
 3. “ The Importance and Influence of Education,” 
 
 4. “ The Study of History,” - 
 
 1. “ The Value of Time,” - 
 
 2. “ Animal Magnetism,” - 
 
 3. “ The Dictator of Paraguay,” - 
 
 4. “The Jewish People,” - 
 
 5. “ Popular Errors,” - 
 
 Jacob H. Bechtel. 
 
 Alexander Bond. 
 
 U 
 
 J. H. CONARD. 
 
 Daniel 0. Blood. 
 Samuel M. Shute. 
 
 Henry M. Morriss. 
 
 William S. Morriss. 
 
 Henry D. Moore. 
 
 Henry A. Gildea. 
 
 Thomas II. Fenton. 
 
 Ewin E. Hulfish. 
 
UNION' LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 33 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Lecturer. 
 
 1. “ The Present State of Society/’ - 
 
 2. “ Benevolence,” - 
 
 1. “ Astronomy and the various Phenomena of the Heavens,” 
 
 3. “ Irish History.” — Two Lectures, - 
 
 6. “Geology,” — Series, - 
 
 7. “ Millerism,” ------ 
 
 8. “ Grammar,” ------ 
 
 9. “ Arithmetic,” - - - - 
 
 10. “Punctuation, Figures of Speech and Versification,” 
 
 12. “The Sun,” — Two Lectures, - 
 
 13. “ The Fixed Stars,” - 
 
 14. “ California,” ------ 
 
 15. “ Geological Phenomena,” - 
 
 16. “Metaphors and Figures of Speech,” - 
 19. “Astronomy,” — -Three Lectures, - 
 
 1. “ The tendency of the Drama,” - 
 
 1. “Virtue the noblest energy of Mind,” - 
 
 2. “A Defence of the Drama,” - - - - 
 
 3. “ Christianity,” ------ 
 
 4. “ Duties of American Youth,” - - - - 
 
 1. “ Rise and progress of the United States,” 
 
 1. “ Physical, Intellectual and Moral Improvement,” 
 
 2. “Health,” - 
 
 1. “ The Law of Kindness,” - - - 
 
 2. “ The Cause of War and the best Means of avoiding it,” 
 
 3. “A Variety,” 
 
 1. “ Our Country and its future Prospects,” - 
 
 2. “ Language — its probable Origin,” _ 
 
 1. “ Relative Position of Parent and Child,” 
 
 2. “Property,” ------ 
 
 3. “ Slavery,” ------- 
 
 4. “ The Rights and Wrongs of Children,” 
 
 1. “ Inducements for Unprofessional Young Men to study,” 
 
 2. “Habit,” 
 
 3. “ Patriotism,” ------ 
 
 1. “ The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott,” < - 
 
 2. “ The Naval Heroes and History of the United States,” 
 
 3. “ The Poems of Mrs. Sigourney,” - 
 
 4. “ The Life of Tasso,” ----- 
 1. “The Utility of Eloquence,” - 
 
 1. “ Grammar,” ------ 
 
 3. “ Arithmetic,” — Two Lectures, - 
 
 4. “ Tachamathy,” - 
 
 1. “ Education,” ------ 
 
 1. “ A Glance at Science and Philosophy,” 
 
 2. “Woman,” ------- 
 
 1. “The Necessity of Intellectual Liberty for the Cultivation 
 
 of Thought,” - - - - 
 
 1. “ The French in Algiers,” - - - - - 
 
 Edmund Sterry. 
 
 Stephen English. 
 ( ( 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 E. T. Wills. 
 
 Charles H. Plummer. 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 John Murray, Jr. 
 Hiram Ward. 
 
 it 
 
 N. R. Evans. 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 II. J. Horn. 
 
 U 
 
 R. M. Kerrison. 
 
 (( 
 
 George Rugan, Jr. 
 
 it 
 
 a 
 
 Joseph M. Wilson. 
 
 it 
 
 U 
 
 Isaac Cox. 
 Timothy Clowes. 
 
 Jamjes D. Bennett. 
 Campbell Morpit. 
 
 it 
 
 J. H. W. Toohey. 
 A. C. Bradford. 
 
84 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Lecturer. 
 
 1. u The Influence of Fiction,” - 
 
 2. “ The Extension of Freedom,” - 
 
 3. “ Perseverance,” - 
 3. “ Gastronomy,” - 
 
 3. “ Inventions — their Influence on National Character,” 
 
 2. ** The Unity of Nature,” - 
 
 3. “ Labor,” ------- 
 
 1. “ The Influence of Moral and Mental Culture on National 
 
 Liberty,” - 
 
 3. “ Earnest and lofty Purpose the Power of Life,” - 
 
 1. “ The Errors of Historians and Wants of Historical 
 
 Readers,” ------ 
 
 3. “ Introductory Lecture,” - 
 
 2. “ Human Civilization,” - 
 
 3. “ The Poets,” 
 
 3. “ Oliver Cromwell,” - 
 
 2. “ American Humbugs,” - 
 
 1. “ Tobacco, Rum, &c.” - 
 
 3. “ The Drama,” - 
 
 3. “ The Progress of Science,” - 
 
 1. “ Eloquence,” - - - 
 
 3. “ The Improvement of Time,” - 
 
 3. “Literary Enthusiasm.” .... 
 
 2. “ Progress of Civil Freedom,” - 
 
 3. “ The Interest of Man or Virtue as connected with Hap- 
 
 piness, - 
 
 3. “Ambition.” - - - - 
 
 W. J. Jackson. 
 
 ii 
 
 Elwood Byert.y. 
 Joshua T. Owens. 
 
 a 
 
 P. H. Mulford. 
 
 Robert Thompson. 
 II. P. Carlton. 
 
 G. W. Heilig. 
 George Bertram. 
 
 J. M. Grier. 
 
 J. G. Hood. 
 
 (( 
 
 II. Brunner. 
 
 H. C. Watson. 
 James H. Bryson. 
 J. C. McConnell. 
 Samuel McNutt. 
 T. J. Mellish. 
 
 Thomas S. Speakman. 
 H. L. Van Meter. 
 
 Anecdotes. 
 
 The facts related in the preceding pages are not the life of the Company ; and 
 I could wish that all of the members might have been associated with us from 
 the beginning, in order that they might have felt and known its spirit. There 
 never was a group of young men more thoroughly attached to each other, than 
 the gentlemen connected with the “ Union and they understood each other 
 so well, that they knew exactly how far they could go in debate and in conver- 
 sation without giving offence. Frequently, in the course of discussion, scenes 
 occurred that tested the strength of this friendship, and the accuracy of this 
 knowledge. On one occasion Mr. H. A. Gildea, who had been speaking, took 
 his seat, when Mr. Thomas H. Fenton rising, said, quoting the lines of Goldsmith 
 in the Deserted Village, 
 
 “And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, 
 That one small head could carry all he knew.” 
 
UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 35 
 
 When he ceased speaking Mr. Gildea obtained the floor, and, altering the lines 
 to suit his purpose, he retorted, 
 
 “ — And still the wonder grows, 
 
 So large a head so little knows.” 
 
 At another time a lively tilt was run between Mr. G. M. Baugh and Mr. W. 
 Y. McKean. The latter made some observations which the former could not, 
 on the spur of the moment, reply to, and so, after the debate, he said to Mr. 
 McKean — “ I have it now — if I had only thought of it in time, I could have 
 smashed you !” 
 
 During one of our exhibitions of recitations Samuel L. Fowler, who was offi- 
 ciating as chairman of the meeting, made a mistake which gave rise to consider- 
 able merriment. A member of the name of Briton Corlies was to recite 
 “ Brutus’s Harangue,” and when Mr. Fowler announced to the audience the 
 fact, by some hocus-pocus his tongue refused to pronounce correctly, and he 
 gave out — “ Courtin Cholics will recite Brutus’ hanarangue !” 
 
 Alfred L. Porter and Thompson Westcott were talking together about a report, 
 and in course of the conversation Mr. Porter asked him if he intended to put 
 that report in his Waist-coat pocket. '‘No,” was the reply, “it is so heavy 
 that I must get a Porter to carry it home !” 
 
 The gentleman to whom, in the Pickwick Club, the name of Count Smalltork 
 was given, took offence at it. on account, principally, of the easy transition, in 
 sound and sense, from Smalltork to Smalltalk , and supposed it might be intended 
 as a personal allusion ; whereupon, in solemn conclave it was determined to 
 change his name, and substitute for it Lord Muttanhead. The ludicrous per- 
 version to which the latter was liable, made the former less objectionable to him, 
 and he bore it with a hearty laugh. 
 
 One evening during debate, H. A. Gildea entered the hall and took his seat 
 just as another member had concluded his argument ; but without waiting to 
 know the posture of affairs he rose to speak. A member who sat by him (E. 
 E. Huffish,) caught him by the skirt of the coat, and advised him to wait until 
 he had heard somewhat of the drift of the discussion, for as yet he knew nothing 
 about it. “ That ’s just the time I can speak the best,” said Mr. G., and he 
 forthwith began his speech. 
 
 “ The thing is true, in a measure , Mr. President,” said a gentleman, in the 
 course of debate, a number of times, when an opponent obtained the floor, and 
 with comic gravity inquired whether it was a pint or a quart measure that the 
 member alluded to ? 
 
 A number of members went to the Delaware one evening to bathe, and Wm. 
 Bradly, who was prepared for a dive, stood upon one of the posts to which 
 cables are fastened, in the attitude of Napoleon at St. Helena. Presently he 
 exclaimed, “Boys, see Bonaparte!” “ Bony-part !” said Alfred L. Porter, 
 “ you had better say fleshy part!” 
 
36 
 
 A SKETCH OP THE .UNION LIBRARY COMPANY. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 In concluding the task assigned to me, I must avail myself of this opportunity 
 of expressing my estimate of the usefulness of our society. According to the 
 table containing the names of the members, it appears that about four hundred 
 young men have been associated with us. With scarcely an exception worthy 
 of note, they were persons of very humble circumstances— mechanics, clerks, or 
 store keepers. With most of them I was personally acquainted, and I never 
 expect to associate with men for whom I shall have a more affectionate regard. 
 I am not conscious that any one of the number ever formed an evil habit while 
 connected with the Company, but, on the contrary, I know that many of them 
 acquired habits which have been largely instrumental in promoting their suc- 
 cess in life. This of itself, without more, is high praise ; this of itself would 
 show that our labor has not been in vain. Let us judge the tree by its fruits. 
 The Company received into its bosom young men of good morals, without re- 
 gard to the question of education, and by the facilities it afforded enabled them 
 to supply the defects of early training. In the course of time some of these 
 became Physicians, some Lawyers, some Legislators, some Preachers, some 
 men of business tact and energy, and some Mechanics of the first rank in their 
 vocations — self-reliant, useful and respected. What more could have been de- 
 sired or expected ? The community is indebted to societies like ours for much 
 of its conservative spirit, and to the “ Union” in particular, for its full propor- 
 tion. A glance at the topics discussed before it will evince a disposition for 
 inquiry, touching subjects of interest in history, politics, religion, literature 
 and art. The debates, though at times exceedingly animated, were always 
 tempered with discretion. It is a matter of regret that the Company could not 
 longer have maintained an actively useful existence ; but the inroads made 
 upon it by death, removals and business, could not be repaired. We must 
 therefore be content, for the present at least, to meet annually in commemora- 
 tion of the olden time. 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 [President, 
 
 WILLIAM Y. McKEAN. 
 
 "Vice [Presidents, 
 
 H. A. GILDEA, E. E. HULFISH. 
 
 Secretary-, 
 
 W. W. JENKINS. 
 
 Treasurer, 
 
 ALEXANDER BOND. 
 
. ' 7 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 V 
 
 t 
 
 K