club of young men was formed by | top of the basement story with six beau-: Franklin, and used to meet in Pewter- tiful Corinthian columns; the capitals Platter alley, for reading and debate, worked by the best Italian artists. This and commenced the collection by giving their own books. Several of the members afterward became distinguished men, particularly Thomas Godfrey, the inventor of the mariners' quadrant. Fifty new members were added in 1730, and, in 1742, Thomas Penn incorporated it. The colonial legislature, in 1769, comprehended several other libraries with it, under an act conferring upon it its present name. "This," says Franklin, "was the mother of all the North American subscription libraries, now so common." The American Philosophical Society, opposite the Philadelphia Library, is another of the principal institutions of the city, which claims Franklin as its founder. In 1743, he formed a small society for the purpose of pursuing curious experiments and inquiries; and, after its decline, and that of a second, commenced in 1750, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. These two societies were combined, in 1769, under a common title, and Franklin was elected president. Provision was made, by David Rittenhouse, to observe the transit of Venus. Several subjects of great public importance were early considered by this society, which show the science and benevolence of the members. The American Historical Society, which has distinguished itself by the publication of the writings of their late president, Mr. Duponçeau, was formerly only a department of the Philosophical society. The Exchange is situated at the corner of South, Third, and Walnut streets, and on the angle formed by the intersection of Dock with Walnut and Third streets. It was built in 1833, by the merchants and citizens of Philadelphia. It is constructed entirely of marble-is a rectangular parallelogram in form, ninety-five feet front on Third street, by one hundred and fifty on Walnut street. On Dock street, however, is a semicircular projection, ornamented from the Two portico is of the height of two stories, and communicates with the "exchangeroom," by means of nine separate windows, which may be used as doorways. A hall passes through the centre of the building, from Dock to Third streets, and another likewise communicates with this from the north side. The basement story is fifteen feet in height, is arched throughout, and has twelve doorways on the Third-street front and flanks. On the right or north side of the hall, is the postoffice, seventy-four by thirty-six feet, and on the left are several insurance offices and banks, and the session-room of the chamber of commerce. flights of stairs, one on each side of the hall, ascend to the second floor; at the head of these is the entrance to the exchange-room, which is on the east front, extending across the whole building, and occupying an area of 3,300 superficial feet. The ceiling, extending to the roof, is of the form of a dome, and supported by several marble columns. Its pannels are ornamented with splendid fresco paintings, representing Commerce, Wealth, Liberty, &c., beautifully executed, appearing to have as striking a relief as sculptured work. The roof of the building is oval, and surmounted by a circular lantern that rises forty feet. The Customhouse, located in Chestnut street, is a splendid edifice of white marble, on the plan of the Parthenon of Athens, except that the side colonnades are wanting. The Girard Bank is a marble building, with six beautiful Corinthian columns. A portion of it is represented in our engraving of the exchange. The Bank of Pennsylvania, opposite the Girard bank, has two fronts, on Second and Dock streets, each with six Ionic columns. The Statehouse, containing the halls of the old Congress, is interesting from its associations with the important period of the Revolution, and especially with its commencement. Independence hall, the apartment east of the entrance, |
