47 



decomposition may be arrested artificially to the preservation 

 of health without the destruction of vegetation, and that in 

 these facts we have not only a surer basis in our reasonings 

 on the origin of malaria, but an almost certain process for its 

 ultimate and total extermination. 



SECTION FOR STATISTICS AND SOCIOLOGY. 

 March 27th, 1860. 



A Paper, " On Scientific Philanthropy, or the Best Means 

 of Promoting Social Reform," by Mr. Thomas Ballantyne, 

 communicated by Dr. R. A. Smith, was read. 



This great problem may be thus briefly stated. A fearful 

 amount of moral and physical wretchedness exists in Man- 

 chester and the neighbourhood ; is there wisdom and energy 

 enough among the wealthy and intelligent classes of this city 

 to remove or greatly mitigate that wretchedness ; and if there 

 is, how can we best organize these two elements of power in 

 the most efficient manner ? The great point is to combine 

 ardent philanthropy, which gives strength of will, to scien- 

 tific knowledge, which gives practical insight as to the best 

 mode of working. Before we can hope to see a healthy and 

 vigorous movement for the social improvement of Manchester, 

 we must bring the science of our most intelligent reformers 

 into harmony with the warm-hearted sympathy of our self- 

 devoted philanthropists. 



Mr. Ballantyne was of opinion that it was the peculiar 

 province of a Society, such as this, to illustrate the best means 

 of treating this most desirable object. 



October 24th, 1860. 



Dr. R. Angus Smith, F.R.S., read a Paper entitled, 



'* Some Thoughts on the Relation of Work and Workers." 



He said the want of attachment to its leaders was not found 



