22 



ABEKDEEIsr ASSOCIATION. 



The formation of the Aberdeen Association was suggested 

 on October 19th, 1890, in the first address given by the Coun- 

 tess of Aberdeen before a Winnipeg audience. During a trip 

 taken by Lord and Lady Aberdeen through Southern Mani- 

 toba, they were struck by tlie lonely aspect of the prairie 

 homes, and the dearth of reading matter everywhere apparent 

 seemed to them a great privation, particularly for those who 

 had been well educated and accustomed to read. The result 

 of Lady Aberdeen's words on this subject was the formation 

 of the parent branch of the association, at a meeting called on 

 K'ovember 12th, 1890, at the Clarendon Hotel, where a num- 

 ber of ladies undertook to supply the lonely homes of the 

 ISTorthwest with instructive and entertaining literature. Lady 

 Taylor was appointed president. 



The task of supplying the whole of the ISTorthwest with 

 reading matter was found too much for the Winnipeg ladies 

 to attempt and there are now twelve branches of the associa- 

 tion throughout Canada, with headquarters in Ottawa. Even 

 the literary resources of Canada were found too limited for 

 the required supply, and a branch association was formed in 

 England, with the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava as presi- 

 dent, and with free rooms in the Canadian Institute, London. 

 Through the influence of Lady Aberdeen, the association is 

 indebted to the post office authorities, the Dominion and 

 Allan lines of steamers, and the Canadian Paciflc and Grand 

 Trunk railways for free transportation of parcels. The 

 English railways give half fare rates. 



But it is the work of the Winnipeg branch that we have 

 chiefly to sketch on tliis occasion. 



The local Government have kindly given the use of rooms 

 in the Lands Titles Office for the reception and distribution 

 of literature and from 300 to 400 parcels are sent out month- 

 ly. The secretary keeps up a correspondence with the re- 



