PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 151 



empire, stands prominently forward, both in utility, and, considering 

 its very recent formation, in promise of magnitude. Unfettered by 

 prejudice and party feeling, it occupies an intermediate position be- 

 tween the exclusiveness of the Royal Institution, and the operative 

 accessibility of the Mechanics' Institution ; and while it attracts, by 

 its varied arrangements, those who would otherwise pass away their 

 vacant hours'in inactivity or demoralization, it provides for the in- 

 telJectual wants of a class of society — the merchants' clerks — that, — 

 however limited may be their means of commanding those aids with- 

 out which study is a task of almost hopeless labour, — seem to require 

 a greater range of information than the votaries of any other human 

 pursuit. 



This society has only just completed the first summer session, and 

 its arrangements have been carried on chiefly with the view of test- 

 ing, by experiment, the means by which a more fully organized 

 winter session may be best conducted. Such, however, is the confi- 

 dence that has been placed in the steady perseverance of the mem- 

 bers, that it has obtained Lord Francis Egerton for its patron ; Lord 

 Sandon and Mr. Ewart, the two members for the town, for its vice- 

 patrons ; with the two rectors, and many of the most eminent mer- 

 chants, and other influential gentlemen, for its president and vice- 

 presidents. 



The contribution of the members is two pounds per annum. For 

 this they have the benefit of a library of reference and circulation ; 

 a reading-room, provided with the London and provincial papers, 

 and periodical publications ; a gymnasium, for occasional bodily ex- 

 ercise ; and the unrestricted liberty of attending the lectures and 

 classes. During the late session, lectures have been delivered on 

 the Early Literature of this Country, by Dr. Mackenzie ; on the 

 Properties of the Atmosphere, by Mr. Sweetlove ; on Botany, by 

 Dr. Thorburn ; and on Spanish Literature, by Mr. Du Lara. 



The classes have consisted of a French class, conducted by Messrs. 

 Black and Bekeart ; an English class, by Mr. Mc'Gowan ; and 

 mathematical and commercial classes, by Mr. Tate. All the lec- 

 tures, and a great portion of the direction of the classes, have been 

 gratuitously afforded. A class has, also, been formed amongst the 

 members, for the writing of essays and the discussion of subjects, 

 proposed by them and sanctioned by the committee ; it being among 

 the regulations that one of the vice-presidents should preside at 

 their meetings. We must close this article with the following brief 

 allusion to an able and eloquent *' Opening Address," delivered, 

 from the chair, by Thomas Jeffreys, Esq., M. D., one of the vice- 

 presidents. 



The learned physician, after descanting, at some length, on the 

 many advantages to be derived from this society, by young men em- 

 ployed in mercantile pursuits, proceeded to point out, in a very for- 

 cible and lucid manner, the benefits that would arise, more especially, 

 from the " Discussion Class." Few individuals have the power of 

 addressing public assemblies, in a manner calculated to arrest the 



