is just after the closing of the theatres; but all
through the night, till three o'clock in the morning, they are receiving
such of the outcast population as can offer the price of a bed. To any
one interested in the misery of the city, the array presented on such an
occasion is very striking. One sees every variety of character, runaway
boys, truant apprentices, drunken mechanics, and broken-down mankind
generally. Among these are men who have seen better days. They are
decayed gentlemen who appear regularly in Wall street, and eke out the
day by such petty business as they may get hold of; and are lucky if they
can make enough to carry them through the night. In all lodging-houses
the rule holds good, "First come, first served," and the last man in the
room gets the worst spot. Each one sleeps with his clothes on, and his
hat under his head, to keep it from being stolen. At eight o'clock in
the morning all oversleepers are awakened, and the rooms got ready for
the coming night. No one is allowed to take anything away, and if the
lodger has a parcel, he is required to leave it at the bar. This
prevents the theft of bedclothes.

XLI. THE LIBRARIES.

The Libraries of New York are large and well patronized. The various
collections, including those of the institutions of learning, number over
500,000 volumes.

The oldest collection is the "Society Library," which is contained in a
handsome brick edifice in University Place. In 1729, the Rev. John
Wellington, Rector of Newington, in England, generously bequeathed his
library, consisting of 1622 volumes, to the "Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." To this was added a collection of books
presented by the Rev. John Sharp, Chaplain to Lord Bellamont. The whole
collection was sent to New York, and opened for public use in 1731, under
the name of the "Corporation Library." The death of the librarian
occurred soon after, and the library was suffered to fall into disuse.
In 1754, a number of citizens of means and literary taste, founded the
"Society Library," to which, with the consent of the city, they added the
old "Corporation Library." In 1772, the Society received a charter from
King George III. It is one of the wealthiest and most flourishing
institutions in the city. The annual subscription is $10. The
collection of books is very valuable and interesting, and comprises over
50,000 volumes.

The "Astor Library" is the b