the second part, as such executor has hereto set his ha seal for the purpose above recited the day and year mentioned. EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ASTOR LIBRARY TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR THE YEAR 1857. DATED 27 JANUARY, 1858. In former communications to the Legislature, accompanied by the reports of the superintendent, the trustees deemed it their duty, to express their convictions, that not only the convenience of the public, but the preservation and safety of the library absolutely demanded, that the books should not be lent out or taken from the library building, under any circumstances. Several years of practical experience in the management of the institution have fully confirmed them in this opinion. In a library of reference, intended for students, properly economical of time, and often coming from a distance for consultation, the necessity for every book required being always ready for examination without delay, must be apparent. The trustees have therefore deemed it proper and necessary, to prevent any further agitation of the subject by entering on their records a stipulation expressing those views in such a form as to furnish a pledge, not only to the public, but to every friend of learning, who may hereafter feel disposed to aid the library by donations or endow ments. A reference to their minutes will show, that at their meeting on the 29th of July, 1857: "Mr. Astor stated, that the donations by him made, and some intended to be hereafter made, were on the understanding, that it was the settled and unchangeable basis of administering the library, that its contents should remain in the library rooms, for use by readers there, and should not be lent out or allowed to be taken from the rooms; and he requested, that the views of the board be freely and fully expressed." It was thereupon "Resolved, That the settled and unchangeable plan of administering the library is the one above expressed and understood by Mr. Astor; and that the donations in money, land and otherwise, received from Mr. Astor, and to be hereafter received from him, and from other friends of learning, are received and will be administered according to such plan, and not otherwise." ACTS FROM THE WILL AND CODICILS OF WILLIAM BACKHOUSE ASTOR. WILL DATED, 17 JUNE, 1856. CODICIL I. DATED, 25 APRIL, 1862. CODICIL VII. DATED, 19 DECEMBER, 1868. CODICIL VIII. DATED, 28 MAY, 1869. CODICIL IX. DATED, 2 JUNE, 1871. ADMITTED TO PROBATE IN NEW YORK, 29 NOVEMBER, 1875. WILL. With the intent of furthering the purpose of my he establishment of a Public Library, which Library is porated by the name of The Trustees of the Astor had determined to add to its endowment two hundred thousand dollars; and I have in pursuance of such given to it lands adjacent to present site to the thirty thousand four hundred and seventy-six dollars, also at several times heretofore advanced to it for the of books, the improvement of the existing building wise, considerable sums of money, and I contemplate Ivances in the erection of an additional building, (which I hope to complete in my life), and also in adding to the books forming the Library; Now I do further direct that it be ascertained by my executors what sums of money shall have been advanced by me towards the said Library, (of which entries in my books will give sufficient and authentic notice), without computing interest thereon, and if the amount of such advances including what may have been paid for the land and the new building shall fall short of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, then I direct that the deficiency or balance short of that sum shall be made up to the said Library, first applying the same to complete the building and edifice now contemplated, if it shall not have been completed and paid for at my decease; and I give to the Trustees of the Astor Library such unpaid amount necessary to make up the full sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to be applied to the purposes of that Institution as expressed in the Codicils to my father's Will. CODICIL I. Ninth. The balance of the legacy intended by me for The Astor Library in the Tenth Clause of my Will, I declare to be fifty-four thousand dollars; which, or the balance which shall be unpaid at my decease I direct to be paid in three equal annual instalments commencing the first payment one year from my decease. CODICIL VIII. First. I declare that the amount of balance now remaining unpaid of the bequests made to The Trustees of the Astor Library by the tenth Clause of my said original Will and referred to in the ninth clause of the said Codicil of April 25, 1862, is fortynine thousand dollars, and in addition thereto I now give and bequeath to the Trustees of the Astor Library the further sum of two hundred thousand dollars payable in United States legal tender paper currency, or its equivalent, according to the direc |