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Early Years in Philadelphia
37

married artificers" who had served their apprenticeship.

In the Philadelphia and the Mercantile libraries, the newcomer could find attractions, as well as in the collections of the Philosophical Society, the Philadelphia Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Academy of the Fine Arts. At the fore stood the University of Pennsylvania, the principal building then being situated on Ninth Street, where the Post Office now stands. Among the scientific organizations were the College of Physicians and the Philadelphia Medical Society, and the new Franklin Institute, just organized in 1824—to bring together exhibitions of the products of American workshops.

The theatres numbered five. Two of them were temporary summer theatres at Tivoli and Vauxhall Gardens near Centre Square. The old Chestnut Street Theatre was then one of the architectural features of the city. The editor of the "Guide to Philadelphia in 1824" remarks in this connection: "Such are the dramatic entertainments in Philadelphia. If they are not as numerous as in some other