1826.] Remarks on Friendli/ Societies. 587 



in the evening ; when the poor are very urgent, and deny the possibility 

 of procuring employment, we grant thorn piece-work, of which we 

 always contrive to possess a staple supply ; by these means, and by a 

 firm, just, and frugal administration of the poor laws, we revive those 

 virtuous feelings and provident habits which constitute the natural and 

 legal basis of independence among the laborious members of the com- 

 munity." 



It appears from facts, obtained by experiment, that tlie prejudices of 

 the lower orders are not insuperable obtacles to the establishment of 

 societies for their comfort : it now only requires exertion, similar to 

 that displayed by the great philanthropists who have espoused this sys- 

 tem, to extend them to every county, and to urge, b^' patient explana- 

 tion of their uses, the poor to enter into these associations. 



In the mining and manufacturing counties, some dislike has been ob- 

 served to exist to the establishing of great societies from an ill-founded 

 apprehension that the members will use these associations for the pur- 

 pose of devising means of combining against their employers. Was this 

 suspicion well founded, it would be just ground for great vigilance, but 

 there is no foundation for apprehension. In the first place the regula- 

 tions of the County Benefit Society do not permit its members to 

 assemble, to feast, and spend the money in useless profusion, and too 

 often in riot and drunkenness. In the second place, it is maintained by 

 the testimony of many witnesses, before the committee, that very few 

 societies have ever been used to facilitate combinations among the 

 working classes. The number does not amount to more than three or 

 four. One society is known to have used between three and four 

 hundred pounds for such nefarious purposes. One item amounted to 

 one hundred and twenty pounds, a gift to the Bradford weavers. If any 

 apprehension existed in a district that a society was formed for such 

 purposes, the remedy is always at hand : the justices m quarter sessions 

 can refuse to sanction its establishment. The way, yet more certain, to 

 allay such apprehensions, is to form Coiuity Societies on the principles 

 of those of Hampshire and Southwell, ani\ so obtain two great ends, 

 the amelioration of the condition of the poor, and the seciuity against 

 combinations through smaller benefit clubs. 



It is not to be wondered at in this trafficking, calculating countrjs that 

 some keen speculations have been entered into by individuals too solici- 

 tous for gain. A company, who considered their data sufficieutlj' accu- 

 rate, subscribed a large sum, and undertook, for proportional payments, 

 to provide the insurer with the same benefits as other Friendly Societies, 

 but with the intention of sharing the profits among the subscribers. Of 

 the legality of this proceeding we shall say nothing : we have heard that 

 they were unwilling to permit a distinguished individual to examine their 

 books. We have not heard of the existence of any more of these dis- 

 graceful speculations, but warn our readers, who intend to become 

 members of Friendly Societies, to be certain that they are not of the 

 st<imp of that established in Threadneedle Street. 



We must now say a little on the nature of the calculations on which 

 this refined system rests. The great actuaries and others who have 

 studied this complicated question, consider that data, sufficiently accu- 

 rate for practical purposes, have been obtained. The Northampton 

 tables, which form the basis of most of the calculations of this country, 

 underrate human life to a great degree. The Swedish tables are not 



4 F 2 



