scriptions of the working classes, in order to secure the permanency of the institutions, and to avoid the feeling of dependence. These are the true fundamental principles of this important, system. They are all recognised in the rules of the Ashton establishment now before us; and the last of the three is well commented upon in Mr. Hindley's address. 'You are not' (says he) 'to imagine that this institution is, in the common acceptation of the word, a charitable one; that it is an offering on the part of the rich and the learned, to the poor and the ignorant. No! it is an institution which requires from all its members value received in return for the advantages it offers. The higher classes of society come forward at first to extend the hand of encouragement, not of charity; and the feeling with which that encouragement is received on the part of the poor, needs have no mixture of the dependence and the shame which is always the companion of the almsman on the rich man's bounty.

'The example of the original London institution has, as might be expected, been followed in the metropolis. Under the auspices of Mr. Gibson, and other most respectable individuals, an institution has been formed for the eastern parts of the city, in the Spitalfields district; and we believe that steps have been taken to establish one in Southwark.

'Among the remoter parts of the country, Northumberland certainly stands conspicuous. Mr. Losh, the zealous and enlightened friend of every good work, himself a man filled with various and useful knowledge, and whom an habitual love of classical literature has only made the more anxious for the education of the people-Mr. Turner, who, among the first, years ago opened the doors of his lecture-room to the mechanics, and who is not more distinguished as a pious and learned divine, than as an acute natural philosopher; with others whose names would, had we space, adorn our pages, have so strenuously exerted themselves in this great labor, that we understand there is not now a single market-town in the country without a mechanics' institution, excepting Afton; and there, proceedings have been commenced for founding one. The gratuitous lectures of Mr. Turner at Newcastle are very numerously attended by the mechanics, whose attention and regularity are highly commended by the learned professor. How truly pious is this discharge of his duty! How greatly to be esteemed, beyond the waste of temper, as well as of precious time, in bootless controversy! How infinitely to be prized, before the base and sordid spirit that seeks emolument by affecting a zeal about civil or ecclesiastical distinctions, or licking the dust trodden under the feet of those who hold the keys of preferment!

'The suggestions that had been circulated from London through the country, have been effectual to another good purpose; the extension of similar associations to country laborers as well as artisans. Farmers' book-clubs have been formed in several places; and we trust that the excellent plan of circulating libraries, adopted in East Lothian, that is, libraries which are transferred from one village to another in succession, and used by the inhabitants both of the villages and the neighboring country, will be imitated elsewhere.

'The system indeed appears to be working in every direction, and in remote and inconsiderable places. In spring, a beginning was made at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, a town of very moderate size, containing only about 4000 inhabitants. A Tradesman's and Mechanic's Library was formed, under very judicious regulations; the subscription being six shillings a year, or 1s. 6d. per quarter. The number of members soon exceeded 200; and by means of donations, the library in a few months consisted of 500 volumes. There is nothing more useful than to promote the practice of such donations. Almost every man who has a few shelves full of books, has some volume or two useless to him, either as duplicates, early editions, or works the contents of which others present in a better form. The movers in founding an institution, should bestir themselves to obtain gifts of these books, which are invaluable as the beginnings of a library, and of no value to the owners. Lectures have been added at Newport, by the worthy and enlightened secretary, Mr. Abraham Clarke; and others have signified their intention of taking a similar part. In truth, it requires no professional lecturer to perform this important office. He who has learnt— even he who is learning chemistry, natural philosophy, or natural history himself, may render the greatest service in explaining those sciences to others who have not the same leisure, or the same command of teachers, books, and apparatus. In the Newport Society, all subscribers are members; and two-thirds of the Committee of Management are mechanics, according to the just principles.

'Meanwhile the central establishment in London has flourished beyond the most sanguine expectations of its enlightened supporters. The foundation of the theatre was laid about Christmas; and on the 8th of July it was completed and opened by the distinguished founder, Dr. Birkbeck, supported by his royal highness the Duke of Sussex, the Marquis of Lansdown, Sir R. Wilson, Messrs. Brougham, Wood, Hume, Martin, and other zealous friends of popular education; some of whom addressed the meeting, after the Doctor had closed his admirable lecture. The premises are spacious, and elegant, though perfectly simple,-consisting of a commodious house, in which there are large apartments for the library, appara

tus, reading-rooms, and the secretary and other officers. The theatre is a fine and lofty hall, where above a thousand students can easily be accommodated. The lecture of the learned President was a most interesting dissertation upon the advantages of intellectual pursuits, and contained many anecdotes of the shameful ignorance which in former times pervaded all ranks, even the highest in the state. It is to be wished that this discourse, or the substance of it, should be published, both in remembrance of the occasion upon which it was pronounced, and for its intrinsic usefulness. We have called Dr. Birkbeck the founder of this building; and well we may, for he advanced the money (several thousand pounds) which purchased the house and erected the theatre. Other magnificent donations, (especially Sir Francis Burdett's of a thousand pounds, and that of his able, accomplished, and excellent colleague, Mr. Hobhouse, of a hundred,) have been duly appreciated by the country. It is, however, only just to the working mechanics themselves to state, what we have good reason to know, that had no such helps been at hand, they were firmly resolved to raise the needful sums among their own body; and from their numbers and respectability, there can be no doubt that, in a few months, they would have accomplished this favorite object.

'Statements of a most cheering nature were at the same time communicated to the meeting, evincing the happy effects produced throughout the country by the example of the metropolis. Bath, which, from the composition of its population, might not have been expected to join so early as many other places, in this noble struggle for liberating the people from the thraldom of ignorance,' as Milton calls it, had established a mechanics' institution, under the happiest auspices. Liverpool had added lectures to her excellent mechanics' library and reading rooms. A beginning had been made at Birmingham, (where undoubtedly an earlier attention to so congenial a plan might have been expected,) promising the best results, in that wonderful resort of skillful and industrious workmen. Leeds too, under the influence of two most able and worthy men, though of different sects in church as well as state affairs, Messrs. Marshall* and Galt, had founded an extensive and thriving institution. And it was further reported, that almost daily accounts arrived of similar efforts in the same great cause, being attended with merited success. These articles of what may truly be termed philosophical intelligence, diffused the most lively satisfaction through that most numerous and respectable meeting; and we devoutly hope, that before another anniversary shall be holden of the parent institution, her offspring will have increased as the sands of the sea.

* Mr. Marshall has published an admirable summary of Political Philosophy for Artisans, in a cheap and compendious form.

To promote this most desirable end, it has been often announced by the promoters of the institutions already founded, and especially by those of the London institution, that they will most willingly lend every assistance in their power, giving whatever information may be required as to the steps best to be taken, and the difficulties which, in distant places, may obstruct such designs.'

PROPOSED INSTITUTION IN MASSACHUSETTS.

(Continued from p. 95.)

We now proceed to mention those provisions for the school, which will require expense, and which will of course involve an inquiry into the necessary funds; and here we may again remark, that as to many of these particulars, they must, in the first instance, be left to the discretion of that body, in whose hands shall be entrusted the organisation of the school.-There will be required,

1st.-A Site for building.

A farm and garden.-The quantity of land, we suppose to be fifty acres; certainly not more than one hundred. This land is not to be obtained at the expense of the State, but to proceed from the bounty of the town and vicinity in which the location shall be. -The commissioners have no doubt, that many towns in the State, would give a much larger boon, for the advantage of the location.

2d.-Buildings,

They propose, that there shall be one or two principal buildings, as shall be found most convenient, to furnish accommodation for lecture rooms, recitation rooms, public expenses of every kind, rooms for philosophical and chemical apparatus, for botanical and mineralogical exhibitions, and for the library, models, plans, drawings, &c. The expense of the principal building, or buildings, not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars, including the necessary workshops, out-buildings, and fences. Work-shops, in which the pupils may learn something of the common mechanical operations, are an indispensable part of the plan. These combine profit, pleasure, and health. This rejects the idea of buildings, to serve as dormitories, or to furnish accommodations for commons, neither of which are deemed necessary; on the contrary, the commissioners leave out so much of that system of supervision, which now prevails, as requires, that the pupils should be under the eye of the teachers, and for that purpose demands buildings, sufficient to fur

nish eating and sleeping apartments. They do not deem it applicable to these schools. There is much to be said, on both sides of this question. One thing, however, may be observed; and that is, that in those schools, which are resorted to, principally by young men coming out of the laboring classes, who are enured to habits of sobriety and industry, and who feel a deep conviction that industry is their only resource, there will be found the best discipline, and the best morals. Necessity has been said to be the mother of industry: decent, orderly behavior, belongs to the same family. The example of the morals of the school which is proposed, we do not believe, will be lost elsewhere.

3d. Books.-4th. Philosophical Apparatus.-5th. Chemical Apparatus -6th. Maps, Charts, Globes.-7th. Models, Plans, Drawings.-8th. Tools, and Mechanical Exhibitions.—9th. Mineralogical and Botanical Exhibitions and Specimens.

For these several items, the commissioners propose, an expenditure of fifteen thousand dollars. Thus far, we have an expenditure of thirty thousand dollars.

It is very obvious, that this appropriation for these various objects, is small; but will, we think, enable the school to go into successful operation. The commissioners in proposing an appropriation so limited, have a distinct view to an extension of the number of the schools,

10th. Teachers.

A school, like every other thing, must have a beginning. Though the commissioners intend to propose the plan of a school such as they think should be endowed by the State; still it must be obvious to all, that in an untried system, many things must be left to time, to develope its actual wants; to ascertain what revenues will be wanted, and how they shall be best applied. The truth of this observation can be nowhere more apparent, than in reference to the subject of teachers. That must be a bad school, where the teachers are incompetent, whatever other provisions may be made for it. For this school, the commissioners propose, as the very first object, the best qualified instructers and managers. This should be a sine qua non: the success of the experiment depends upon it. They believe that ultimately, and in a short time, the school will support itself. It cannot be expected, that this will be the case, upon its opening.

Gratuitous Instruction, is no part of the plan.-This would not be just, in regard to that portion of the community, who cannot avail themselves of the benefit of it, nor would it be expedient, in reference to those who may. The sons of respectable farmers, mechanics, and merchants, cannot expect to be educated at the ex