488 Remarks on Friendly Societies. [Mat, 



to satisfy themselves that the persons by whom the tables are signed 

 really answer to the description of skilful calculators ?" These are very 

 pertinent questions. As more than a million of the people have entered 

 into these associations, we presume, with diffidence, to say, that a 

 board should be appointed, composed of at least three such men as Mr. 

 Finlaison, the actuary of the National Debt Office, the Rev. Mr. Becher, 

 Mr. George Glenny, Mr. Frend, Mr. Morgan, or Mr. Dean, under the 

 supervisorship of the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; who should be 

 bound to examine, and approve or reject, all tables remitted to them from 

 justices in quarter session, and who should each receive a remunerating 

 salary. Tliey should also be bound to examine all tables of existing 

 societies remitted to them, and give a written opinion on them, 

 duly signed, and which should be recorded, with such particulars as 

 might be deemed necessary. The societies should each pay three pounds, 

 or even five pounds, which should go towards liquidating the expense 

 of their salaries. We do not apprehend that the people would object to 

 such a board ; and we do not think that the most penurious statesman in 

 the kingdom would have the cold-heartedness to oppose so beneficial 

 an institution, more particularly when the great future good is pro- 

 perly considered. 



There is much difficulty in reducing information on such complicated 

 subjects within the number of pages that can consistently be granted 

 to one article in a Magazine ; we will, however, try to make the 

 snbject intelligible to our readers, because we feel its importance, 

 and are well aware of the degree of excitement the matter has caused 

 among the people. 



Legislators have, from time to time, indistinctly hinted at the 

 great results which some system, wisely and extensively adopted, would 

 produce : but it was left for Mr. Fleming to adopt this scheme of great 

 friendly societies, and to found with skill and diligence that society, 

 which will be the parent of others throughout the empire. The act of 

 Parliament before referred to contains these memorable words : " The 

 habitual reliance of poor persons upon parochial relief rather than upon 

 their own industry, tends to the moral deterioration of the people, and 

 to the accumulation of heavy burthens upon parishes ; and it is desira- 

 ble, as well with a view to the reduction of the assessments made for 

 the relief of the poor, as to the improvement of the habits of the people, 

 that encouragement should be afforded to persons desirous of making 

 provisions for themselves or their families out of the fruits of their own 

 industry, and that by the contribution of the savings of many persons to one 

 common fund, the most effectual provision may be made for the casual- 

 ties affecting all contributors ; and it is therefore desirable to afford 

 further facilities and additional security to persons who may be willing 

 to unite in appropriating small sums, from time to time, to the formation 

 of a common fund for the purposes aforesaid ; and it is desirable to 

 protect such persons against the effects of fraud or miscalculation." 



It is, without doubt, impolitic to trj^ and force individuals to become 

 members of any great society ; the attempt would be properly resisted, 

 and would not expend the great association, but only prevent the 

 formation of smaller ones. The best method of establishing the County 

 Societies is to follow the example of Mr. Fleming. He had tracts 

 published and distributed, stating the objects and the superiority of the 

 great associations. He called meetings in all the principal towns, and 



