SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE ATHENEUM TO THE PROPRIETORS: SUBMITTED, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1841. PROVIDENCE: Library REPORT. THE Board of Directors of the Athenæum, at this sixth annual meeting of the Corporation, present their "detailed report of the state of the Library, and of the general concerns of the institution," as required by the 5th Article of the Constitution. The books have been examined by the Librarian within the past week, under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board, and are reported to be in good condition. Ten volumes are missing, of which no account is found on the record; it is hoped, however, that they will be recovered by means of this notice, and other diligence which will be employed to find them. The whole number of volumes in the Library at the last annual report war 8485. During the year just ended, there have been added 617 volumes by purchase, viz: 21 folio, 29 quarto, 316 octavo, 146 duodecimo, 105 18mo; and 85 volumes by donation, viz: 1 folio, 35 octavo, 49 duodecimo. The whole number therefore, added to the Library in the past year is 702 volumes, consisting of 22 folio, 29 quarto, 351 octavo, 195 duodecimo and 105 18mo. The pamphlets presented are 14: and an original Siamese manuscript treatise on the small-pox, a curiosity in form and substance, the gift of the Rev. John Taylor Jones, a missionary stationed at Bianca, in Siam; and the original manuscript list of the inhabitants of the city of Providence, taken in making up the United States' census of 1840, by John S. Harris, Esq., and presented by him to the Athenæum. The whole number of volumes now belonging to the Library is 9187, viz: 350 folio, 697 quarto, 5195 octavo, 2119 duodecimo, 836 18mo., exhibiting an increase of 702 volumes in the past year. Were the number of volumes annually added to the Library the only, or the best criterion of its prosperity, the Board would hardly be justified in using the cheering language of congratulation to the Corporation, in representing its condition, with which all former Annual Reports have been animated; for the addition in the year just elapsed is small compared with previous years. The number of volumes, at the First Annual Report, made February 27th, 1837, was 4162; at the Second Report, made Sept 25, of the same year, (seven months after, to which time the annual meeting had then been changed,) it was 5000 volumes, being an increase of 838 volumes in the seven months; at the Third Annual Report, in Sept. 1838, the increase was 1041 volumes, at the Fourth, it was 1254 volumes; at the Fifth, it was 1190 volumes; while it is only 702 volumes during the past year; and the proportion of donations is still smaller, less than one third the number named in the last report. An unfavorable conclusion from these circumstances is, however, entirely rebutted by other considerations; so that the Board report the state of the Library, during the past year, to be that of continued prosperity; having increased in extent, attractiveness, and utility, under a steadily progressive and most healthful growth; while a portion of the interest created by, and mainly concentrated upon that, has been shared with other kindred objects within the institution, thereby promoting general improvement, and stimulating, by its fostering influences, to redoubled exertions to enrich the Library with that patronage which d f should be considered its peculiar property, and which it rewards with grateful returns. Although the number of volumes added, is less for the past year, than usual, their aggregate intellectual value is probably as great; and the cost of those purchased, somewhat exceeds in amount, that of the year next preceding. ; Among the Donations, is the Boston edition of Scriptores Romani, in Latin, in 23 volumes; presented by Dr. Thomas H. Webb, now of that city; who is remembered by us, as one of the projectors of this Institution, an efficient Director and officer of it, whose interest in its welfare is still repeatedly manifested by substantial tokens ; the first 23 volumes of the Edinburgh edition of the Naturalist's library, with beautifully engraved and colored illustrations, presented by Mr. Hosea Ballou, Jr., of Smithfield; the Revised Statutes of the State of New York in 3 volumes, published in 1836, and the Laws of the State of New York from 1837 to 1841 in 5 volumes; presented by Alexander Duncan, Esq. The Board take pleasure in referring to evidences of the increasing interest and usefulness of the Athenæum during the year just ended. Among these may be mentioned accessions (slow and few though they are) to the number of its Proprietors, which number at present is 406, being 10 more than the last Report. Another is, the increased use of the Shares, of which 394 were used, 36 more than the year previous. But a more cheering proof is found in the augmented circulation of the books. In the year 1839 the circulation was 10,236 volumes, of which 5,876 were works of standard literature, and 4,360 other works. Last year the circulation was 15,152 volumes, (an increase of 4916 volumes,) 8915 of which were works of standard literature, and 6237 other works. The value of a moral and intellectual fountain, such as |