PROVINCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES. 
535 
but the enterprise of a few intelligent men has filled up the void, and on 
Monday, the 12th January last, the Rotherham Literary and Scientific 
Society was inaugurated in the Lecture Room of the Mechanics’ Institute, 
with an able address from the Rev. H. Master White, one of the Vice- 
Presidents of the new society. 
This gentleman, along with Mr. Percy Smith, Mr. Beale, Mr. Haywood, 
the “ Greave of the Feoffees” (the leading functionary in Rotherham), 
and a few others, had been at work some time previously, as a provisional 
committee for drawing up rules and obtaining subscribers ; and they had 
succeeded in enlisting the support of most of the friends of literature and 
science in Rotherham and its vicinity. 
The opening address was upon “ Literary and Scientific Societies,” in 
the course of which the lecturer ably reviewed the history of these societies 
from the earliest ages. In Ancient Greece, he said, there were, strictly 
speaking, no literary societies ; the followers of the various philosophers 
met rather as pupils than as equal members of a society. The Roman law 
was jealous of all voluntary associations. After touching upon the monastic 
institutions, and expatiating upon their value in the preservation of 
learning through the dark ages, the lecturer stated that the first “ Literary 
Society,” in our sense of the term, was founded about the year 1 572, by 
Archbishop Parker ; that it flourished during the reign of Queen Eliza- 
beth, but was suppressed by James I. About the year 1718, however, its 
meetings were resumed at a tavern in London ; but in 1750 it obtained a 
Royal Charter, and was placed on a firm footing. 
After giving a sketch of the origin and growth of the Royal Society, 
and illustrating from its earlier papers the ignorance which generally pre- 
vailed in the 17th century, Mr. White said that two principles had led to 
the formation of most “ Scientific Societies.” One was that, as the field 
of knowledge had been enlarged, it had been found impossible for single 
individuals to explore more than a small part of it thoroughly. Societies 
were therefore required, composed of the workers in special subjects. 
Such societies were the Botanical, Zoological, &c. The other was that the 
connection of the various parts of the natural world became more striking 
as the more abstruse laws of each were discovered. Societies were, there- 
fore, wanted to bring together the students of different branches. Such a 
society was the “ British Association for the Advancement of Science.” 
But while he had been speaking of “Literary Societies” and “Scientific 
Societies,” he said nothing of those which, like their own, professed to be 
both literary and scientific. He trusted, however, that he had said enough 
to show the boundless field before them, and the way in which even humble 
contributions may be serviceable to the general store. 
Having concluded his review of kindred societies, the lecturer referred to 
the social and moral benefits to be expected from the one they were met to 
inaugurate ; and at the conclusion of his address, one of the Secretaries. 
Mr. Percy Smith, announced the mode in which the proceedings of the 
Society are to be conducted. There will be monthly Lectures, to be de- 
livered by private individuals residing in the town, which will be followed 
by discussions ; and occasional paid lecturers will be engaged to deliver 
courses of lectures on literary and scientific subjects. The Secretary 
