the lives and health of
the brave men now in the field for the defence of the country, and
grateful that they may repose in the certitude that every cent
contributed will be used in the surest manner to effect the results
required. To aid in sustaining this beneficent institution, New York is
about to inaugurate a great Metropolitan Fair. She asks in the sacred
name of freedom and humanity that her children come together with the
works of their hands, the results of their enterprise, the achievements
of their talents, the bloom of their genius, to do her honor in a Great
Exhibition of Art, Industry, Commerce, all devoted to the cause of human
progress. She begs of her children to do the work which is given them to
do, with a spirit of love and patriotism, remembering no private griefs,
no unworthy animosities; remembering only the bleeding sons of the
Republic, who threw themselves, in their youth and strength, into the
yawning gulf which opened before them, hoping that, propitiated by such
a sacrifice, it might close again--willing to die, or live maimed and
suffering, that a happy, peaceful and united people might again possess
the fairest land which God has given to mankind. Chicago, Cincinnati,
and Boston have already done nobly in this direction, and New York
should contribute in proportion to her means and advantages. The
Atlantic seaboard should make great exertions, seeing that more than one
half of the money received by the Commission has been contributed from
the shores of the Pacific--California having sent more than five hundred
and twenty-five thousand dollars.

The Managers of the Fair invite all Merchants, Manufacturers, and
Artisans to contribute of their wares to its stores, giving such goods
as they make or deal in--such goods as are made profitable to them by
the prosperity of the country which our soldiers are fighting to
maintain.

Painters and Sculptors, who have done so much for the honor of their
country, all who are connected with the Fine Arts, either as creators,
as dealers, or possessors of Art Treasures, are asked to send their
contributions for _exhibition_ or _sale_.

Farmers are invited to bring to the Fair gifts from their barns, stalls,
dairies, and poultry yards.

Publishers and Booksellers are confidently looked to for aid. A
_Second-hand Book Stall_ will be attached to this Department, to which
contributions are asked from the shelves of those who are cumbered with
duplicate cop