654 MERCANTILE LIBRARY OF CHARLESTON. Messrs. Haywood & McViccar, the eminent cotton brokers, close a long circu lar upon the subject with this language: "If to speak of the future is at all times hard, it is upon the present occasion more than ordinarily difficult. It is upon issues not now to be foreseen that rea soning is to be based. These issues are not altogether in our hands, and though the means employed are of a character which ought to insure success, yet so much depends upon chance that he would be bold who, amidst so many contin gencies, should venture to predict. There are, in addition to great political questions, conflicting statements as to the crop of cotton. The estimates at one time were as high 3,500,000 bales. They have since been diminished, but the general assumption is still that 3,150,000 bales will be made. But if prices should fall below the present rates, or even remain where they now are, who can say how much of the present crop the planters may keep back, and what effect the large existing consumption may have upon a reduced supply, whilst if peace should happily be again re-established, who can set a limit to the manufacturing powers of Great Britain?" MERCANTILE LIBRARY OF CHARLESTON. This association has established a most excellent reading room in Charleston, and is much indebted to the public spirit of the chamber of commerce, the banks, and merchants of that city for such ample success. From a report before us, we learn that the Board have taken measures to supply the room with appropriate furniture, fixtures, &c. The president of the association, at the request of the Board, has visited the various establishments of a similar character in the different cities, with the view of examining their arrangements and selecting that which would best promote the object of the Board in convenience of arrangement and facility of reference. After a careful examination, the system adopted by the Young Menl's Mercantile Library Association of Cincinnati has been preferred, and is the model selected, so far as regards the desks for newspapers and the register of the same. A sufficient number of these desks have been procured from that city. They are of the same form as those of the Cincinnati reading room, and are partly made of iron bronzed, the pattern of which is the property of the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association, and could not be used without their permission. On application to that Board the permission was cheerfully given, and a vote of thanks has been tendered them by a resolution of your Board. The arrangemnents, in point of convenience, comfort, and usefulness, will not it is confidently believed, be surpassed by those of any similar establishment in the country. As a means of providing funds for the payment of thie liabilities thus incurred, it was proposdd that subscriptions for five years, in advance, should be solicited from several banks and insurance companies in the city, and such application has been made. Some of the banks have subscribed $200 each, and paid the same in advance, to make their presidents and cashiers, respectively, members of the association for five years, and entitled to all the privileges of the reading room and library. Two of the insurance companies have given donations, and some private donations for the same purpose have been received. It is hoped that the rest of the banks and insurance companies will also aid us in our endeavor to supply a want long felt by the mercantile community, and to establish an institution not only desirable, but, to them, indispensable. Measures have been taken to subscribe for a sufficient number of American and foreign newspapers to supply the room. As soon as the furniture is received, additions will be made, from time to time, as circumstances may require. The officers of the present year are W. R. HERIOT, President. JNo. B. DE SAUSSURE, Vice President. JAMES CONNER, Corresponding Secretary. E. HoaRRY FRosT, Recording Secretary. Directors. CONqRAD WIENGIES. ROBERT MURE. C. WILLIMAN, Jr. GUSTAvUS STREET. A. M. LEE. JORN H. HOLMES.