1826.] Hanarh on Friendly Societies. -ISO 



tliere, with dignity, energy, precision, and uncommon clearness, recapi- 

 tulated the benefits which would ensue, and pointed out the errors and 

 »buses prevailing among the common societies. By pursuing this en- 

 Ughtened course, he awakened the attention of the higher order of the 

 cppmunity, and considerably weakened the prejudices of the working clas- 

 ses, and at length triumphantly founded the society, in which he was nobly 

 Seconded by the Duke of Wellington, Lord Palmerston, and other spirited 

 ii^dividuals, who perceived the truth of his reasoning, and the nobleness 

 of his views, and subscribed -nearly^ie thousand pounds to put this great 

 machine in motion. 



We have stated some of the abuses prevailing in the common societies, 

 aild which are all verified by the evidence of the actuaries, and other 

 persons examined by the connnittee. These abuses we must now enu- 

 merate, that the necessity of the establishment of the great associations 

 may be more apparent. The calculations on which the contributions and 

 benefits depend, are erroneous, and must inevitably end in ruin. The 

 security of the money is not, in many instances, sound, since treasurers 

 may abscond, and other officers neglect their duty. Much money is' 

 irrecoverably squandered in feasting, and encroachments on the capital 

 are too often made, particularly when publicans are connected with the 

 society, and at whose inns they assemble. The medical attendance is not 

 always what it should be ; and the sick, after a time, have a diminished 

 allowance. To these may be added the anguish which nmst be endured 

 by the members of these societies, when they find the certain results of 

 their errors. All these evils the great County Society is guarded against ; 

 the security is much greater, and under the observation of those who 

 can and will guard against robbery, or peculation, or misapplication. The 

 security is greatly increased by the numbers which such society %vould 

 consist of, and, by the accuracy of the calculations which regulate the 

 contributions and the payments in sickness and old age. As the whole 

 would be under one great system of management, there would be no 

 unnecessary expenditure for feasts, and no encroachment on the funds 

 by the instigation of publicans. If any member wished to retire he 

 would have the power of doing so : not with loss, not subject to the 

 over-reaching of others, but on a just calculation of his rights. The 

 medical attendance and the medicine would be as good as could be pro- 

 cured, and without limitation, and the regularity and simple manner of 

 obtaining it, and the weekly allowance, would do away with all bickering 

 and ill-will. 



Who cannot see that when this system is general, every poor man will 

 be independent in the time of sickness ; that his former earnings will not 

 be reduced or spent in procuring medicine for himself and food for his 

 family, that the spirit of independence will no longer be a waning fire in 

 his bosom, but a leading feature of his character ; and that when the 

 hoary crown of age is upon his brow, that he will no longer be a parish 

 pauper, receiving the wages of humiliation, but a man conscious of 

 possessing an honourable support, earned in his youthful strength, and of 

 being a joint-stock proprietor of the great fund of his society — Where, 

 then, will be the poor rate ? This cancer will no longer exist. 



We must stop here. In our next number we shall continue the sub- 

 ject, and give all that has been brought to light on the duration of human 

 life, and the other points referred to in the commencement of thts 

 imppr^^., f, ., ,^ .i- N. O. 



M. M. Neiv Series.—YoL. I. No. 5. 3 R 



