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    Sept. 21, 1850.] €tt$ 3Lt*itVX+ 6 °9 ' ¦...

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    Equity Law Life Assuranck Society.—The s...

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    The Icarians.—The latest intelligence fr...

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    Letter To Robert Dale Owen. London, Sept...

    tinder such combined arrangements , as will ensure to each individual for life the greatest amount of advantages , or of permanent happiness . ? 'These scientific arrangements of society to be called townships , and at their maximum , not to exceed , from twD to three thousand . ' The townships to be devised to secure the health of all ; to give the greatest facilities for the production , preservation , distribution , and consumption of wealth most beneficially for all ; to ensure the best formation of character for all , from and before birth to death . ; to well govern all . locally , and to give the highest enjoyment through life to each . To effect these results , the arrangements must exclude all viciotis , injurious , or inferior circumstances ; and include those only which , are superior in all these departments . This combination of all that is good , to the exclusion of all that is evil , in their influences upon humanity , can be accomplished only through , a knowledge of * the science of the influence of circumstances over human , nature . " But this science has been hidden froni man , and could not be discovered until now ; for the knowledge Of the true formation of his character was requisite to develope the science . But now , by the aid of this science , these townships , may be so laid out and constructed , that all that influences man to evil may be . easil y excluded , and those circumstances alone be introduced throughout every department of each township , which are calculated to have an influence only for good over every one placed vyithin them . " A model of a township thus arranged will be necessary , to make it comprehended by thoSe Who have hitherto seen and known only vicious , injurious ; inferior , or irrational combinations of circumstances to surround every class of human beings , in all countries over the world . " You , as well as all who desire to elevate nian out of his present low and degraded state , will have to learn this science of the influences of surrounding circumstances—animate and inanimate , physical and mental—over man and all that has life upon the earth . This science is the tree of knowledge of good and evil , and will enable man to dispense either the one or other at his plea § ufe ; but with this new knowledge he will acquire a new mind and hew feelings , and will desire good only for all ; and will accomplish it to the extent of the new power thus created . «* The external arrangements being formed in accordance with the science of the influence of circumstances over human nature , so as to have the most desirable influence over all , the internal condition or the mind of each member of the township will be created on the base that the character is formed for , and not by , each individual . " A rational-formed mind will be a growth of ideas from this root , extending through all the ramifications of thought and feeling . Each idea will thus be consistent with every other idea . These separate ideas will naturally form the association of ideas of a well-constituted mind ; well constituted , because the association of ideas will be as consistent with each other as the separate ideas , and jarring or conflicting ideas will be unknown in any mind . And then will man become in harmony with all nature , and contests among men will cease for ever . 11 The many efforts of reformers over the world are all tending to these general results , and these comparatively blind efforts will continue , for they cannot stop , but will increase , until governments and people shall discover the necessity for this re-creation of character and reconstruction of society . " Being deeply impressed with the knowledge of the extended , severe , and intense physical suffering and mental misery now daily created by this irrational system in which the world has been so long involved , it is my intention so to direct the proposed new weekly cheap journal that all parties shall become ashamed of longer upholding the present system , and of its continuance in any part of the world—ashamed of not using every effort to terminate its evils , and of not acting like rational beings to introduce a plain , simple system of truth that would unsure the well-being and happiness of all . " Your affectionate father , HouEitT Owen . "

    Sept. 21, 1850.] €Tt$ 3lt*Itvx+ 6 °9 ' ¦...

    Sept . 21 , 1850 . ] € tt $ 3 Lt * itVX + 6 ° 9 ' ¦ - ¦ - | | ' '' -Ill fcI !¦ I 111

    Equity Law Life Assuranck Society.—The S...

    Equity Law Life Assuranck Society . —The surplus of this Society lias just been appropriated in the proportion of one-fifth to the proprietors , and four-fifths to the assured entitled to participate in the profits . An addition of !) . s . 2 d . will be made to each share , and thc > dividend piiyuble thereon during the current period of five years will be at the rate of 4 4 per cent , per annum on the amount of the deposits . The amount of the reversionary bonus declared will vary according to the number of premiums paid prior to the commencement of the present year , the time at which the policy was effected , and the age of the life assured , thus : —On a policy for £ 500 , effected in 1815 , where the present age of the life assured is oO years , and £ 98 have been paid in premiums , the addition to the amount assured will be £ 4 'Z 10 s ., or above 43 per cent , on the premiums paid . On another policy for the same amount , where the present age is 38 , and the premiums paid amount to £ G 8 10 . * ., the addition will be £ 36 10 s ., or above 52 . J per cent , on the nmount paid . Aad on a third puliuy for £ 500 , where the ugc is

    27 , and the premiums paid amount to £ 51 , the addition to the policy will be £ 32 10 s ., or about 65 per cent , on the gross amount of the premiums paid . The almost unexampled success which has attended the proceedings of the Society , and the position of stability which it has attained , notwithstanding the comparatively brief period of its existence , will be less surprising when it is stated that while £ 57 , 000 have been received in premiums , and assurances have been effected to the amount of nearly £ 700 , 000 , the whole sum paid in claims is £ 5900 , reduced to £ 4900 by a reassurance for £ 1000 effected with , another office .

    Institute of Progress , Sloane-square . — -On Sunday evening there was a tea-party at this Institution , 1 , George-street , Sloane-square , Chelsea , Mr . G . J . Holyoake presiding . . The entertainment vvas most agreeably diversified by songs , recitations , and short dramatic selections , in the intervals between which several speakers addressed the meeting . Mr . Holyoake ( having read a letter from Mr . Julian Harney ); offered several observations for the guidance and encouragement of the members of the Institution . ' There is always abundance of good intention in these institutions , but the misfortune is that that good intention is not always manifest . Much of the evil in the world results from

    not making it plain to others that we intend well . Much taste had already been shown by the members in the embellishment of their meeting-rooms , and he trusted , on removing to a new hall , they would carefully cultivate association as an art also . In Catholic countries such especial attention has always been paid in this way to the temples and accessories of religion , that men have been unwilling to dispense with superstition lest they should have to part with refinement with it . The pioneers of progress must not be discouraged at the slowknowledis

    ness of human nature in recognizing that ge not only power but also property . __ By and bye ; that recognition always comes , and with it ceases the miserly spirit , so invariable . an attendant on young Dissent , and such a formidable difficulty in its path . " Messrs . Nash , Nicholls , Baker , Empson , and others , also delivered addresses . The members of the Institution are anxious to get into a larger hall , for which purpose they want a hundred £ 1 shares taken up , and they appeal to all , far and near , interested in the improvement of the working classes , to aid them in this way .

    City of London Mechanics' Institution , Gouldsquare , Crutched Friars . —On Monday last Mr . CDobson Collet ' s entertainment , entitled Rubin Hood and Maid Marian , arranged from Peacock ' s legendary novel , afforded two hours of delightful pastime to a numerous audience . Mr . Collet ' s excellent arrangement of the songs , each preceded by well-considered explanatory remarks , deserves especial commendation . Miss A . Hincks , though labouring under a severe cold , delighted her hearers with a sweet melodious execution . She was deservedly encored in the " Maypole , " and would doubtless have been so in Schubert ' s " Ave Maria" ( which she sang with great plaintiveness ) , had it not been already her seventh song . The entertainment was conducted throughout with excellent taste , and was fully appreciated by the audience .

    Needlewomen ' s Association . —We are anxious to draw the attention of our readers to this most interesting cooperative experiment , the state and prospects of which will shortly be described in the Leader . An effort is being made in this Association to improve the condition of persons whose sufferings under the competitive system , when once ascertained , will lie heavily on the hearts of all philanthropists , until by combined exertion they are put an end to . The friends of cooperation are more especially bound to support those who are thus labouring for the distressed seampstresses of the metropolis , and who only need that support in the shape of custom to find the fruit of their labour in assured success .

    New Work by Mr . Owen . —By a letter from Mr . Owen to his son in America , and by an advertisement in our paper , we learn that this veteran , who we had thought was going to repose from his labours , is about to publish a penny weekly paper to instruct the public , as he states , in a * true knowledge of the principles and practices which he has so long advocated . What he can now say to interest the public more than he has already said is a problem that puzzles us ; but we will wait for its solution when the publication shall appear . New Cooperative Store . — We understand that the Council of the Promoters of Christian Socialism are about to open a large Cooperative Store in Charlottestreet , of which Mr . Lloyd Jones is to be the manager .

    Friendly Association of London Costehmonokrs . —At the meeting of this body which took place lately in the Literary Institution , Carlisle-street , Portmanmarket , Mr . Charles Cochrane being absent from illness , Mr . Howden was called to the chair . Letters from Mr . G . H . Holyoake and Mr . George Cruikshank were read , regretting their inability to attend . The Secretary produced to the meeting the prospectus of the Association , and explained in detail the necessities of Coateririongers and the objects of the present movement . lie dwelt on the bent-fits of temperance , pointed out how a provident and benefit fund would obviate old age in the poorhouse ,

    and each man ' s trifling self-denial of a daily half-pint of beer would create this fund . They would procure furniture , coals , clothes , barrows , and education on the associative principle , instead of existing iti ignorance and misery , by depending each one solely on his individual resources . Mr . Ramsay moved the first resolution : — " That the members of this meeting highly approve of the objects of this Association , and will give it their utmost support . " Mr . JJoot . h moved the second resolution : — " That the meeting ' s best wishes are due to Henry Mayhew , Esq ., for his exertions on behalf of the Costermongors . " CoorivitATiON ix BAMiuriY . —A numbnr of friends of the associative principle arc desirous of obtaining

    information from any secretary or manager of a cooperative store , as they intend commencing one in Banbiiry immediately ; they will feel much obliged for a copy of rules or the address of any manager , directed to William Bunton , news-agent , Banbury . Thomas Cooper . — . author of The Purgatory of Suicides has just returned from the provinces after a highly-successful and publicly-useful tour . He has recommenced his metropolitan lectures at the Literary and Scientific Institution , John-street , Fitzroy-square , and at the Hall of Science , City-road . He was greeted by a very numerous and enthusiastic audience on bunday evening . 1 - — . —^____^—^——^——— . , . . ^

    Potteries . —Mr . Walter Cooper , of London , delivered tHree interesting lectures in the People ' Hall , Shelt on , on Sunday and Monday , the 15 th and 16 th instant . The audiences , on the whblfe ; were satisfactory , and , frrirfa tHe feeling manifested on . each occasion , seemed highly gratified with the manner in which the speaker treated his subjects . Several hundreds of potters , are n & won «« strike" in these districts . How easy and how much better it would be for these men to form , themselves into a trade association ( as the tailors and . others have done ) , instead of starving themselves to death with strikes and turnouts ? At the close of the last lecture a , vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr . Cooper for his able services on that occasion , and for his anxious labours to improve the condition of the working classes generally . . _ ........

    , .. Glasgow . —The Eastern-division of the boot and shoe makers of this city have issued an address to the trade , signed by Messrs . Cadmaii , Augerty , Whitacre , Gilleri , and M'Keon . It is much too long for us to qNiiote , but we mention it as a matter of interest to the trade . A . Master Tailor . — A gentleman , who has favoured us with some strictures upon the management of the Working Tailors' Association , will find , in a short paper on Christian Socialism , " which we hope to give next week , authentic and probably satisfactory answers to his enquiries .

    Agricultural Education . —Agricultural education , as the principle upon which the social elevation of our people must be founded , having occupied your papery permit me to draw your attention to the system of agricultural education , as pursued in Ireland under the national board . The report of the Commissioners of Education , lately presented to both Houses of Parliament , strongly shows that the system is rapidly progressing . It is on the success of that art , that the advantages of domestic comfort and enlightened socialism can be felt . Do the rural poor of England share in the advantages of a liberal agricultural education ? Or , are the few agricultural colleges in conformity with the means of the hard-working farmer or cottier ? Would that some of our landlords had taken an honorary degree in agriculture , then we might be spared the differences between landlord

    recital of those unhappy and tenant , and have a more exalted adjustment of a tenant ' s rights . Agriculture is taught in the elementary schools of Switzerland and Prussia ; and Germany , and even the Russian capital , recognize its value , while in England we look for such instruction in vain . In Ireland the system of combining instruction in the theory and practice of agriculture with ordinary school education originated with Dr . Kirkpatrick ( the present Inspector of Agricultural Schools ) , and was practically carried out by his colleague , Mr . Donaghy . The efliflacy of such a system was practically tested by the examination of some of Mr . Donaghy ' s pupils , some time ago , before the Highland Society of Scotland , the result being the adoption of a similar method of instruction in the parochial schools of Scotland j and successfully pursued up to the present time . Pray advocate its extension to Us . Cork . O .

    The Icarians.—The Latest Intelligence Fr...

    The Icarians . —The latest intelligence from the colony at Nauvoo is to the 4 th of July . All is going on well ; there are about 250 or 260 acres of land in cultivation , growing wheat , oats , Indian corn , and potatoes and other winter vegetables , all of which promise abundant crops . The kitchen-gardens are the admiration of the Americans unaccustomed to the refinements in culture of the French gardeners . In one of thtse gardens there is a nursery of all kinds of fruit trees , which it is expected will in time furnish a large and productive orchard . A new farm of about 150 or 200 acres is being sought in order to sow with wheat in autumn . The bricklayers are engaged in constructing , in the vicinity of the temple , a large refectory with kitchen , & c , above which a number

    of sleeping-rooms are to be fitted up , the sleeping accommodation being at present rather deficient , three or four of the last arrived married persons having to sleep in double-bedded rooms . With this exception every married couple have their bed-room , with good necessary bedding , and curtains to the windows , but as yet only such furniture as is indispensable—a small table , a chair for each person , candlesticks , broom , washing utensils , & e . Each married couple and each single person has their separate bed , the boys sleeping in large dormitories .

    The new law against the press in France required that the sum of 18 , 000 francs ( £ 700 ) should be placed in the hands of the Government , or the publication of the Pqpulairo be discontinued . If this law was intended to suppress the liberal press it has had an opposite tendency in the case of the Pojmlaire , for , although the Icarians have been for some time straining their means to assist the colony at Nauvoo , they have promptly raised the required sum , and the Populaire , so far from being discontinued , will for the future appear weekly instead of monthly as heretofore . The last number contains a list of the

    clothing , & c , constituting the trousseau which each , applicant fur admission to the colony is required to bring witli him , in addition to his apport of 400 francs ( £ 1 GJ . There is also an interesting review or diary of the colony for the two weeks ending Juiie 20 , 1850 . T . C , Hon . Sec .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 21, 1850, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21091850/page/9/