“ There are 27 religious societies, a domestic missionary society with two free chapels, a young men's Christian association, a Roman Catholic hospital, an orphan asylum, and a “Union for Good Works.” New Bedford has long been the chief seat of the American whale fishery, which was pursued here as early as 1755. ”

“ The school system includes a high school and 23 grammar and primary schools, with 99 teachers and 3,500 pupils. The public library, established in 1803, was assumed by the city in 1852, and became the first free public library in the United States. ”

“ The loss occasioned by the decline of the whale fishery has been partly compensated by increased attention to manufactures. The principal establishments are the Wamsutta cotton mills, with a capital of $2,000,000, running four mills with 86,000 spindles, and producing in 1873 goods to the value of $2,500,000 ”