PROVINCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES. 
87 
PROVINCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES. 
“ Lectures don’t answer,” is a remark which we have heard so frequently, 
that we have almost been induced once or twice to think that they do not 
answer. 
A little reflection, however, has shown us, that although some lectures do 
not, and never will succeed in attracting popular attention, yet there are 
others, adapted to the tastes and requirements of the public, which have 
always been tolerably successful and will become more so year by year. 
We cannot, in this place, enter upon the reasons for the failure of so many 
lecture societies, variously known as “ Mutual Improvement ” societies, 
“ Literary,” “ Scientific,” or “ Philosophical ” institutions ; but it may not be 
out of place if, before commenting upon some of the numerous reports which 
lie upon our table, we point out a few of those causes of declension (not of the 
societies to which we shall refer) that are overlooked by “ indefatigable ” 
honorary secretaries, and which dishearten so many zealous promoters of our 
literary or scientific establishments. 
Should any of our remarks be unpalatable to persons who are interested 
in such societies, we trust that no light or unworthy motives may be imputed, 
but that credit will be accorded to us for desiring to see the efforts of the 
young and earnest philanthropist successfully directed. 
The courses of lectures that we have found to be the most ephemeral are 
amongst those desultory ones which are offered to the dwellers in the suburbs 
of large towns, and villages possessing a commodious school-room. 
Lectures of this order have generally for their object the withdrawing of 
the mechanic or day-labourer from the public-house, and the enlightenment 
of the sober and industrious artisan. 
But let us inquire of any thoughtful person, who is initiated into the 
working of such societies, in how many instances they are really calculated 
to effect their object. 
To speak within bounds, we think that one half, at least, of all the dis- 
courses delivered by inexperienced amateur lecturers are treated better than 
they deserve when they are “ listened to throughout with attention by a 
respectable auditory ; ” and it is not a matter of surprise to us that they so 
frequently afford suitable food for the satirist and novel writer. They represent 
the waste steam of men whose whole time is spent in worldly pursuits, and 
who see, or imagine for the time being that they see, in some favourite hero 
or imperfectly-studied subject, a theme with which they will be able to 
electrify their neighbours and reform all idlers and dissolute characters in 
their parish. But such persons know nothing of the character and pursuits 
either of the intelligent or of the intemperate working classes. 
Amongst the former, it would not be difficult to find many who are better 
able to compose essays upon the subjects treated by our amateur lecturers 
than are these themselves ; and, still more, who, after a hard day’s work, 
prefer staying at home at the season when such lectures are usually delivered, 
there to enjoy, in the society of wife and children, a “ spell ” at the Leisure 
Hour or some other cheap “ weekly ; ” a pipe and glass of ale or cup of 
coffee ; or a laugh at the sallies of Punch or Lord Palmerston ; to the dis- 
