414 
which I reside, there are many societies 
of this description; some of which have 
been long established, and others are 
continually rising up. ‘There is one fea- 
ture about most of them which, however, 
_in my estimation, detracts much from 
their merit; and yet it is an evil, which 
Tam aware it is difhcult of remedy ; and 
in this sublunary state of things, in which 
we tind the good and the evil so much 
blended together that there is no having 
the one without a mixture of the other, 
I hardly know whether it can be expect- 
ed to be otherwise. The circumstance 
J allude to 1s the meeting of these socie- 
ties at public-houses. JI have no doubt 
that in too many instances they tend to 
seduce the sober and industrious to the 
alehouse ; and frequently are the means 
of injuring instead of benefiting the indi- 
vidual, Indeed in some of the cases of 
these societies with which I have had to 
do, J] have had reason to believe that the 
grand and principal object in forming 
them, was to attract custom to the houses 
where they were to meet; and where 
this is the case, one cannct but be ap- 
prehensive of consequences. I> fear 
too much of this kind ef interest enters 
into the establishment of many of these 
societies, and though I cannot help see- 
ing that it 1s so often the primum mobile, 
that withgut it nothing would be done; 
I think, where a society springs from such” 
a source, but little, ifany, real benefit can 
be expected from it. 
The legislature might certainly do 
much more for the purpose of putting 
these societies on a-respectable aud pro- 
per footing. Amongst other regulations, 
if they were to direct that some place 
should he provided in every town where 
these societies might meet, sull leaving 
it to their option to do so, according to 
their own free will and pleasure; and, if 
the legislature were to encourage their 
formation, by holding out an addition to 
their funds in proportion to. the amount 
raised, such an act of leoislative bene- 
ficence would, I have no doubt, prove of 
infinite advantage to society in general. 
To come to the pot respecting which 
your correspondent enquires, 1 will in- 
. form him of the terms of admission of seve- 
pal of the societies in this neighbourhood, 
and the benefits proposed by them; and 
this, though not exactly answering his 
question, may be of some use to him. 
There is one society which I shall first 
speak of, whieh has been established 
many years, and is now in a. very flourish- 
ing state. It began m the year 1754 - 
Benefit Societies. 
[June 15 
with eight members, and is now increased 
to upwards of two hundred. This so- 
ciety has not only atforded pecuniary 
assistance to its members tu a large 
amount, (in 1788 up to the amount of 
£8870) but bas also on several occasions 
subscribed liberally to the relief of other 
objects beyond the scope and design 
even of the institution. Thug, in 1759, 
upwards of £40 were subscribed towards 
the relief of the British soldiers in Ger- 
many, and on several other occasions 
of distress, by fire and other misfortunes, 
the society lent its assistance to the suf 
ferers. These instances of bencyolence 
deserve mention, and it is certainly gra- 
tifying to see a society, that has been 
thus libera], in such a state of unexam- 
pled prosperity. 
In.the year 1785, the society purchased 
a piece of land, and erected a large hall 
and school-room, which cost them ups 
wards of £1400, which has been sce 
considerably enlarged. 
The means by which ,this society has 
been principally supported are these; 
the original terms of admission ;were: 
that if the member adinitted was under 
fifty years of age, he should pay hali-a- 
guinea; if fifty or above, one guinea; if 
sixty, one guinea and a half; but in 
1782 these distinctions were done away, 
and it was determined no persoa should 
be admitted above forty years of age, 
and that the adinission, money should be 
halfa-guinea. The monthly contribu- 
tion, originally one shilling from every 
member, was, in 1781, increased to one 
shiliing and sixpence; and, since 1793, 
the contribution of one shillmg on the 
death of a member, has been made two 
shillings. 
These payments go to a fund for a re- 
lief of the members when sick, Jame, 
or unable ‘to work, ten shillings and six 
pence per week, for the first year, (ull 
the year 1781, only seven shillings); and 
four shillings per week afterwards; and 
ten pound to the widow or representa- 
tive of a deceased member. 
_ Comnected with this society is a cha- 
rity school, supported partly by a distinct 
subseription of the members, and partly 
by the subscription of honorary mem- 
bers. | 3 
The other societies, which I shall speak 
of, are of recent date. 
In one, the number of members is 
limited to one hundred and one; no per- 
son to be admitted above twenty-five; 
nor any soldier, sailor, plumber, glazier, — 
nor several other trades considered dan- 
gerous, 
