PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 149 



We, the undersigned, John Horton and Thomas Tillay, declare that the 

 above statement, so far as regards ourselves, is true. 



(Signed) JOHN HORTON, Navigator, >^ his mark. 



(Signed) THOMAS TILLAY, Navigator, X his mark. 



(Witness) BARNARD DICKENSON, Engineer. 



The following are the Lectures which will be delivered to the 

 Members during the year 1835-36 ; — a course of five Lectures en- 

 titled *' Popular Illustrations of certain mental Phenomena/' by- 

 Mr. L. Parker, to commence on Monday, the IQth inst. ; and a 

 course of six Lectures " On the early English Opera," jjy Mr. 

 Edw. Taylor, to begin on Monday, November the 23d. This 

 course is to be illustrated by the aid of several able vocal per- 

 formers, under the direction of Mr. Munden. The Lectures after 

 Christmas will consist of two by Dr. Corrie, F. G. S., '• On the 

 Atmosphere;" one by Mr. Bloxham, of Rugby, "on the British 

 Antiquities of Warwickshire ; " two by Mr. Mainwaring, "■ On 

 Animal Mechanics ; " two by Mr. Hornblower " On Constructive 

 Carpentery ; " together with other Lectures by Mr. Ryland and 

 Dr. Ward. 



BIRMINGHAM MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. 



The number of Members of this Institution varies much accord- 

 ing to the season — an inconvenience and defect inherent in an 

 association where subscription is quarterly. The parties who com- 

 pose it have no efficient bond of union, and the expectation or 

 the absence of Lectures that possess attractive qualities will suffice 

 to make a difference of one hundred in four in the list of Subscribers. 

 The season also has its effect, evening meetings in the summer are 

 often interrupted by the naturally potent solicitation of out-door en- 

 gagements, and it requires strong determination in persons whose 

 employments give them but small leisure, to give up evening after 

 evening of the most attractive months, to the pursuit of knowledge. 



These consideiations act more strongly with the adults, who do 

 not avail themselves of the classes. The junior members consider 

 their classes as a school which they are more or less urged to attend. 

 There is, besides, the infiuence of emulation, and the prospect of 

 prizes, to induce them to continue their exertions. 



It were much to be wished that some additional motive could be 

 discovered, to give greater cohesion, — more feeling of membership 

 than at i)resent exists, — to the entire body. The erection of a re- 

 spectable building, arranged for the purposes of the Institution, and 

 xvhich should add to the existing establishment a well-supplied news 



