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    PKGOBES? OF ASSOCIATION. tmON OF MECKAlS...

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    Mm^>W21 ^ T ^ ^ H *¦' . '. ' #*

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    Pkgobes? Of Association. Tmon Of Meckals...

    PKGOBES ? OF ASSOCIATION . tmON OF MECKAlStlCS' INS ^ f WTIONS . The progress Of the Associative ideaf > now very frequently manifested in our chronicle pf current vents . The latest instance and iUustra , Y on w 1 found in the Transactions of the Society v ^ Arts on Tuesday , May 18 th , 1852 . ' ¦ . Our readers will remember that we men won ©! a project , which , it now appears , originated iv / vfch Mr . Harry Chester , for consolidating all the Mechanics ' Institutions in Great Britain , under the central direction of the Society of Arts . The metropolitan and provincial institutions were consulted , and promp t replies were obtained to a query as to what adyanta . ^ es they supposed would arise out of such an union . Thiase replies , condensed , are interesting . They run > qp

    follows :-- - ¦ ¦ , ,. ¦ ¦ , « Facilities for making engagements , on known . terms , at a cheaper rate , and in greater variety , with eminent lecture rs , in whose principles confidence may be placed ; for conferring respecting the comparative merits of lecturers , and for creating a fresh supply in such departments as ma y be requisite . ' Systematic courses of lectures , and lectures having the character of progressive lessons . Circulation of MS . lectures . Occasional exhibitions and circulation of works of art , diagrams , natural objects , drawings , models , and specimens of useful inventions , Loans of expensive books . Interchange of natural objects of different localities . Interchange of reports and practical suggestione .

    Supply of instructions and materials for drawing classes , and circulation of models for such classes . Purchase of books , casts , specimens , and illustrations at wholesale prices . Advice and assistance in selection and purchase of books , & c . Communication of new discoveries and facts . Exact information of events interesting to institutions . Regular and complete statistical returns . . Joint action for the benefit of institutions , and for promotion of science , literature , fine arts , & Ci Direction of attention to facilities for investigating practical subjeets . Knowledge and experience of the working of the plans of kindred institutions . Annual or other conferences of the representatives of institutions . Inventions rewarded by the Societyof Arts—ra valuable

    nucleus of exhibitions . Copies of transactions and weekly papers of Society of Acts . Circulation of class teachers of singing , drawing , & c . ' Development of local resources ; and local talent . The strong institutions might assist the weak . The cards of meniberslwp of an institution might admit the member , under certain restrictions , to the exhibitions and lectures of the Sopiety of Arts , and to the lectures and reading-rooms of institutions combined in the tnBpn . The publication of an institutional periodical . ' The . publication of an annual report , embracing the principal experience of the institutions . Occasional arbitration to

    heal differences . Assistance in formation of new institutions . A higher tone and new life to many institutions An increased jyrestige , calculated to excite an increased interest , and to command increased support . The cultivation of an esprit de corps , and of a kindly spirit of co-operation among tha officers and -members of institutions . The more effectual publication of the existence , objects , and advantages of institutions . Facilities for improving advantages of institutional visits to the metropolis , by providing competent persons to accompany 'the members to scientific exhibitions and institutions , and familiarly explaining the 'objects , 4 c . " '

    These replies , so readily obtained , encouraged the Society to call a conference of delegates from all the institutions . One hundred and thirty ' attended on Tuesday , some being representatives of already united localities . The names of the towns sending delegates are theset-r-Slough , Portsmouth , © uildford . Newton-Abbot , Bunmow , Winchester , Halutead , Holbeck , Gloucester , Warwiok , Chatham , Battle , Biggleswade , Bacup , Jews and General Institutipn , BarnstapTe , Bristol , B ^ xWrheath , Islington , Chichester , SeyenQi £ kSj iNorwpod , JTordingbridge , West London , Ely , Basingstoke , Horaham , Highgate , Margate , Wanthiun ' nhiuimot .... T OoWotAII « + AriHyanrV NT *

    tflymouth , Greenwich , Workington , Ashton , Yorkshire Vnion , Cpjcheeter , Westminster , Yorkshire , Portsmauth , ^ « d ge W « y 8 , Bedford , Tonbr % e , Yeovil , . London , fwwd , City pf London , I > ovor , Peterborough , Hastings , O xbridge , Glasgow , Newport , Newbury , Kem / ieh-town , Hudbury , Cheltenham , Southampton , Harveian , Ooggeshall , r ttorncantlo , Lowes , WoolViqh , Northampton , Woburn , tunhoo , Frome , Warminater , Hythe , Reigato , Maiden * w > W , Paliflbury , Folmoufch , Brighton , Windsor and Eton , ^ ftBtbpurne , $ a » 6 London , Lynn , Grftveaend and Mjlton , » t . Leonarda , Brentford / Loeda , Braintree an . d Booking , Liverpool , Lancaster , Bghora , Trowbridge , Eomford , Ipawach , Wrpxhann , Sussex , Stamford , Manningtree , Btaffordyw , Kolmfirth , Gjwnsboroujrh , Dwtford , Camborwell ,

    r * vj > Hopkney , Stainaj , W ^ worlk Bpy « ton » WQtrtingT nwa , Htoke , 3 Fayer ^ iam , Ctatesjioad , Manchester , W * "en , Ohetiter , Bury , Burnley , Wollingboroughj ^ Exetor , « are , Bawtenstall , Cholmsford , Canterbury , Horeford-Bttiro , Liekoard , Tiverton , Whittington Club . To meet theep representatives there wore the Earl of Harrowb y , Earl Granvillb , Earl of Carlisle , Bishop of Word , Xtoa of St . Pawl ' s , Lord Ebrington , Si * John fjpiloau , Sir Cw Eostlake , F . R . A ., Sir . 3 > . Brewter , Bi gj hf } 5 j <^ - B , St ru ^/^ P ^ Right ? , Hon , T , Mftnor Olbsoa ^ Mr , Moft ^ tt , ]^ . P ^ . g WftW t , M . Pw Sir CVftyOlV ©^ * % & W , Profieaacw Moieliw , Mx . B . 1 ^ ebainger , Frofwwor Sully , Mr . BubbWM * . Topko / Mr . a Wen ^ r Jorth Dilke , Mr . Leonard Homer , Mr . . ty . £ » £ *&& ^• , QP ^ 0 ^ Mr % « arrv ( Jheji ^ ^ Pr , « oo ^ h #

    Captain Qwen > R . iE ., Mr . . Winkworth , Lieutenant Pasley , R . E . j Mr . Bedgrave , Eev . H . Mackenzie , Eev ^ Professor Maurice , Rev . Professor Harris ; and the whole meeting under the presidency of the Marquis of Lansdowne * Thespeakingwasnotremarkable , exceptfor its brevity ; Lord Granville distinctly stating its intention to be not oratorical display , but practical discussion . In Lord Lansdowne ' s opening speech , however , there are some points note-worthy . First , he eulogized the Society of Arts , as the parent institution , for its activity , and the

    number of eminent and noble persons who had belonged to it . He then adverted to the extent over which the desire of acquiring knowledge , of cultivating the intellect , and seeking refined amusements , had spread . There were no less than 440 institutions , representing 70 , 000 persons , in England , and of these 350 had responded to the queries which the Society itad addressed to them . It was their object to form a jinion of all these—^ -which , without giving a centralized | ipw € 3 * to tihe Sodety of Arts , should give a centralized neefuln ^ ss .

    ( "I theWore beMeve that , by puttmg these .. societies , scattered aa t ^ Jiey are in different parts of the country , in cor umunication w ~ ith the parent society here , great goodwill be e fiected , and fib i , " > convenience will be suffered—that there may be created herb a fund of information and of knowledffe ^ upon which all these societies may be constantly and usefully drawing , without affecting theu ? own independent action , j and that whereas' all institutions in this country have Ibeen from time to thiie accused of a desire to fortny and support themselves , pt ^ uniarily speaking , out of ^ consolidated fund , you will h ^ create a consohdated fund of knowledge , upon which ah parties may draw without the least risk of fts becoming a bankrupt . ( Cheers . ) The xesblutiona were then moved and seconded seriatimin very brief speeches . .

    , Earl < 3 ranville moved the first resolution . There was not the least desire felt by the Society of Arts to consiitufce tlieniselyes a governing body , but they sought to become a medium of communication , and to act in an adminastrative « apaei 1 y among the different inatitutions . ( Cheers . ) In different parts of the country wuons Aad ak-eady ^^ taken place , and the system of co-operation now proposed was only an extension thjerepfi so th ^ t it anight become national hi its character . ( Cheers . ) The noble Earl concluded , amidst loud approbation , tyy proposing the following resolu

    tipn : —— ' ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦' .:. ¦ ¦¦ ' . , ¦ " That the success « of literary and , scientific institutions and mechanics' institii tes in the cultivation of literature , science , and art , and izi the diffusion of useful knowledge , might be powerfully promoted by the combmatwnof many institutions in an union with the Society of Arts , on the basis of perfect security to the continued independence ot the institutions and the freedom of their self-government . Mr . Strutt , M . P ., \ seconded the resolution , and , (^ peaking as a delegate , bore testimony to the advanti » ge « which had already ^ resulted from the partial coaperaiion of local instil itions . The resolution was carried unanimously . In moving the second , ihe Bishop of Oxford disclaimed , on the part of religion , »» y antagonism to

    literature and science i-r-. w Bm was not one of those wh » o had any secret suspicion tbatany antagonxamexisted betwe , enroligionand the highest development of literature , science * and art . He protested againsi the idea that to be religion * , it was necessary to be ignorant . ( Cheers . ) If it was des igned by the heavenly infb of God that man ' s intellect sho \ Bd be cultivated , that he should possess an informed conacit nee and a reasonable spirit , the just development of his nal uro must depend on the eauol application of education to . his general powers . ( Cheers . ) ft was true that knowledge , and literature and ecionce might , be allied with what was en' and mischievous , but would ' they heaitate on that ground to communicate instruction ft " The resolution , seconded by the Earl of Harrowby ,

    was as follows : .. j « ' That this meeting ia of opinion that Wexax j and scientific institutions and mechanics' institutes a » calculated to promote thftintereate . of reUgioniand ^ f ^ . S diffusion Won of Uterature , science , and art , and , iAadittusion of uaefui , knowledge j and thAt this meeting ' «*»!»* £ » - vitos all classes to unite inauppbrting and ampawing aucu institutions , and extending thott powers of < doi » ££ « oa . Mr . MUner Gibson , m ! . P ., and Mr . JosqpU Hume , M . R , appropriately moved and seconded the . pecuniary resolution—Mr . Hume insisting very strongl y * * mid great cheering , on the necessity of these institutions being made self-Bupjportitag : —• "That the , pecuniary conditions of union s ^ t £ «» foulfttedto protoqtlhe society from loaa , and to afford to ^ ho ni 8 titwtion 5 theinU valuoofthe paymenta which they may makftto tho aooiefey *»< ftindt . " '

    , . Mr . Grainger and Mri Tufhell , M . P ., moved and seconded tho next resolution : — f « That thiB . meeting- accepts tho ' momoranda of repHos , & o ., as a . euffioi « mfc statement in general terms of tuc aayautagw wl ) icl » : W be , expeotod to ^ fl »» W " posod combination ^^ v ^ on , tmd , m ^^^^ BjW Sf . Arta wiU appoint ^ apeoial comnuttoo to ^ y . " * JJn foregoing rewfutioiM , ond that every ^' ^» fe ^^ WtttoWofoly will aowmto a wwuwWw totom ono

    of a representative council , wiich shall have quarterly or other conferences with' the awd special committee . A short discussion followed , a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman , and the company adjourned until the evening , when , with Lord Carlisle in the chair , they dined together , 200 in number , at the Freemason ' s ' Tavern . Lord Carlisle , in proposing the toast of the evening , " The Literary and Scientific Institujbiona , and the Mechanics * Institutions of the" United Kingdom ; and success to the happy union this day founded" ( coupling 1 with it in terms of deserved compliment the name of Mr . H . Chester ) , made some allusions to France , which created a great sensation in the audience :

    " A neighbouring country , in the great capital of France , there was assembled last week what had been termed a great national festival on their Field of Mars , the splendour of which was insured by all that great military preparation and consummate artistic skill and complete despotic power could effect , and which was imperial in everything but the name . It must have been as rich and brilliant a scene to the eye as could well be conceived , but we might tell our gay and gallant neighbours that we did not envy them then * gleaming standards or their golden eagles , while we offered an asylum to the literature ( immense cheering ) and the genius which they had cast forth ( continued cheering ) : and while we make a home for the liberties which they had

    annulled ( cheers ) * while we pursued what we conceived to be the more legitimate ends and the more worthy aims of promoting the intellectual , the social , the moral , and the religious improvement of the whole bulk of the people . ( Great cheering . ) That was their motive for assembling on the present occasion . They felt that it was for the beat that they ventured to lay the foundation of another edifice , which they devoted to popular instruction and enlightenment . They hoped that it would lead to the cultivation of another portion of the great peaceful field , and around the altar which they raised they did not seek to pile military standards Or barren steel , but rather to crown it with the fruits and the flowers which illustrated the peaceful career of their national industry . ( Loud cheers , )"

    Mr . Chester replied . Other appropriate toasts were given and duly honoured , and with the customary ceremony , the party went their ways . A second meeting took place on Wednesday , where there was a good deal of discussion on matters . pf detail . The delegates from the following places took the most prominent part : —Ipswich , Portsmouth , Derby Bristol Blandford , Yorkshire Union , Gainsborough ,

    Barnstaple , Romford , Newhury , Leeds , Nottingham , Lancashire Union , Carlisle ; Frome , Winchester , Kent ^ ish-town , Shrewsbury , and Gloucester . At the close of the meeting , on the suggestion of the delegates , Mr . Chester selected half-a-dozen of their body to accompany the Marquis of Lansdowne , the Rev . Dr . Booth , and himself as a deputation to Prince Albert , president of the society . The prince expressed the interest which he took in the success of the new union .

    EEPEODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT AT MANCHESTEB . Uitdeb the presidence of the Mayor , and with the assistance of Canon Stowell . Dr . Watts , Mr . A . Watkin , Mr . T . Grey , and others , a meeting was held at Manchester on Thursday week , " to take into consideration the propriety of presenting a petition to Parliament in favour of such an alteration in the laws for the relief of the poor an will enforce the general adoption , as far as practicable , of reproductive employment of the destitute , in lieu of total idleness or useless taskwork , with the view of reducing the heavy burden of poor rates , and abating the demoralising consequences resulting from the present system . " The Rev . Canon Stowell moved the first resolution : —

    " That it is the dtaty of a Christian community , no leas than the interest of a wise one , to aeo that those who are reduced to want through causes over which they have frequently no control , be provided for in conformity with tho primeval law , that 'in the eweat of hia face man shall eat bread , ' and without demoralising or degrading their families—namely , by employing as usefully as poaaiblo those whom the public are bound to maintain . " Workhouses , ho said , ought to be called idle-housea ; paupers ought to bo self-supporting men , engaged

    reproductively , instead of wasting their time and losing their self-respect breaking stones , picking oakum , and auch-liko degrading taskwork . The system of vagrancy which existed at present in England and Ireland was a moat unmitigated evil . Thousands of individual * were going up and down tho country , living on ono parish after another , and eating the bread of idleness . They must put an ond to this system , and to the swarm of vagrants who were continually coming from Ireland , When a , poor man came flrom Ireland they , must give him work , and if ho would not take it , send him back

    to Ireland ; and If he would not work there , ho . hoped some legal provision would bo enacted to deal with auoh a man * ( Applause . ) The Rev . Mr . Traill , in seconding the' resolution , said , ho believed the system by which tho labour of paupers , was mode unproductive , wna one which wan contrary both to the law of tho Bible and to sound political economy . There , was tuet sufflcioat opposition from a Mr , J , fit

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 22, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_22051852/page/5/