SELECT DISCUSSION SOCIETY, HELD AT THE FOUNTAIN HOTEL, RED CROSS STREET, CRIPPLEGATE.-This Society, which was established many years since for the purpose of Free Discussion, held a general half-yearly meeting on Friday, August the 19th, to receive the Report of its Committee of Management, and to consider and form a code of laws suitable to its increasing importance.

Mr. J. SNELGAR took the chair, and after congratulating the Society upon its prosperous and improving condition, called upon Mr. R. Smith, the zealous and talented Secretary, to read the Report of the Committee.

It gives us very great pleasure to be enabled to present this document entire, for it is a most interesting and eloquent composition.

"Gentlemen,-The Report of a Society so unique in its object and operations as your Discussion Society, must necessarily be barren in incident; yet it is impossible to enter upon the consideration of its annual memorials, without being afresh aroused to a deep sense of its importance.

To the

"During the past year it has had to struggle against difficulties, the pressure of which in an embryo state of existence would have sunk it to rise no more. want of an eligible place of meeting, your Committee attribute, in great measure, that absence of entire success which they fondly anticipated; and they cannot, even now, congratulate their brother members on the possession of a room wholly suitable for the purposes of debate: the locality being objectionable to some members, and its size a bar to any considerable augmentation of numbers.

"The discussions have not proceeded uninterruptedly, the apology for which must be found in the uncertainty of the tenure of more than one of the rooms in which the Society, during the past year, has prosecuted its labours, and in the occasional absence, from unavoidable causes, of gentlemen upon whom the introduction of subjects of debate devolved. Your Committee have, however, the very great satisfaction of stating, that, with very slight drawback, the discussions have been prosecuted with a freedom and vigour which remind them of the most palmy days of the Society's existence. The subjects of discussion have, in accordance with the spirit of your laws, been unrestricted in their character, and drawn from many departments of the region of thought. Theology, Politics, Metaphysics, and general Literature, have severally contributed to vary and invigorate the inquiries of your members, and have left a more deep and permanent conviction of the indisputable maxim that 'knowledge is power.'

"The funds of your Society have not kept pace with its expenditure, although there is little reason to fear, your Committee are happy to say, that a moderate addition to the number of members, and a prudential disbursement of its revenue, will remove any cause of obstruction, of a financial character, to their future progress.

"Your Committee beg to call the attention of the members to the state of the existing regulations, the adaptation of which to the present condition of the Society is a matter of primary importance. In the course of the last year the proceedings of the meetings have not unfrequently been interrupted by the want of specific regulations for cases of difficulty, or such general rules as are applicable to a diversity of exigencies. The deficiency of such laws must be apparent to those who are conversant with the existing code; besides which much inconvenience has been felt from the scattered position of many of the regulations and their corrigenda, a difficulty which, it is true, your Committee could have overcome by grouping them, but which, from their general imperfection, in relation to the present movements of the Society, they were unwilling to address themselves to. Your Committee beg therefore to state, that having carefully considered the changing phases of the Society, they have constructed a series of regulations which, to the best of their judgment, they believe to be suitable for the future direction of the Society's operations. Your Committee would solicit especial attention to the proposed increase of subscription, and multiplication of meetings-subjects of much importance to the well-being of the Society, and the calm decision upon which, by the general body of members, is indispensable. "At a less annual payment than that which is at present made for the place of meeting, your Committee consider it would be impracticable to obtain a commodious Debating-room; and to meet this expense the income of the Society is inadequate.

An increase of members to the number of 40, and an alteration of the subscription to 2s. 6d. per quarter, would raise its annual income to £20, and this sum would enable your Committee with perfect ease to provide a place of meeting, with every facility in respect of locality and internal accommodation.

"In reference to the present fortnightly meetings, your Committee are informed that the protraction of a debate through two or three meetings, and extending by consequence over a period of six weeks, is a source of annoyance to many members; to such as speak on the first evening of debate, because their absence, or silent attendance, is necessitated for two or three meetings afterwards; to others, because the subject under discussion may be one with which they cannot sympathise; and to the Society corporate, becauce the absence of members, from the causes just stated, reduces the audiences, and disheartens the speakers. For these reasons your Committee are induced to propose, that the Society meet weekly, which it is urged will tend to enliven and preserve the continuity of the remarks of the various speakers in the course of debate.

"Having thus touched upon two of the principal items of the code of regulations, proposed as substitutive of that at present in existence, your Committee leave the consideration of the series in the hands of the Society, feeling assured that their verdict, whilst it may not approve all they have done, will justify the motive in which their attempt originated, and affirm many of the items of alteration.

"In the hope that the Society might be benefitted by a more systematic announcement of its existence and object, your Committee resolved to issue a card, under the signature of its Secretary, containing a brief sketch of its aim and advantages; and they have the satisfaction of stating, that several gentlemen have entered themselves as members in consequence.

"Your Committee have thus briefly detailed their reminiscences during the year they have been in office, and with diffidence ventured to state their opinion of the prospective movements of the Society. In resigning their trust they have to crave the indulgence of their brother members for the imperfection of their services, and to hope that they may be succeeded by a Committee more alive to the interests of the Society than any of their forerunners. The present aspect of the Society is auspicious; it contains many gentlemen possessing more than ordinary powers of debate; and has not a member who, either in disposition or action, is not intensely interested in its welfare. With such a constitution it must flourish. The work of progression and elevation may be slow, but it is certain. Starting from a point, it is destined, nevertheless, your Committee are sure, one day to attain to merited celebrity. It possesses all the qualifications of a potent instrument for unfastening the iron bonds of prejudice, and unlocking the gates of the fair temple of truth; into which many a mind now driven by every wind of doctrine,' and captured by the 'craftiness of such as lie in wait to deceive,' shall be introduced, and tread as upon a 'pavement of adamant.' The mind is an essence of a vast, we had almost said, illimitable capacity. Further than the eye can reach, or footstep move, it is in active operation. Not content with fixing its eyry among the stars, or carrying its profound inquiries into the bowels of nature, it makes the attempt, in its reflex strivings, to reach the centre of its own being. It is, then, unquestionably imperative upon all to be deeply interested in its welfare. As a stone cast upon the glassy surface of a lake produces a motion which propagates itself in circles to its circumference,' so the reception of an opinion or principle operates upon every portion of our mental being, and elevates or depresses, as it is true or false. When the mind rises to the sublime conception of its own unfathomable existence, and almost boundless capacity, it is time to make the inquiry, 'What do I know, what do I practise?' 'Are my principles, is my belief, a shadow that lies on the surface of my understanding, or is it a part of myself, regulating all my thoughts and operations?' This is what every man must do who would be more than nominally different from the non-intelligent creation; and every member who responds to such sentiments, will at once perceive the immense importance of our Discussion Society, and bring to bear upon every subject under consideration, the powers of a vigorous and chastened understanding. Let no one despise its present limited capacity. In every association founded upon the dicta of truth, there is a renascent principle, which shall preserve it from decay; and this principle, like the compact acorn, with proper nourishment, shall expand into a noble tree, lifting its majestic head to the skies, and spreading its branches far and wide, affording food to the hungry, and 'to the weary rest.'

RULES OF THE SOCIETY.

1. That this Society be called "The Select Discussion Society," and that its object be the discussion of propositions in every department of human knowledge. 2. That every candidate for membership be nominated by two members, and elected by ballot, after the discussion of the ensuing evening of debate, by a majority of the members present.

3. That every member be entitled to introduce a friend, who, on permission from the chair, may address the meeting.

4. That the subscription be 2s. 6d. per quarter, payable in advance.

5.-That the management of its affairs be vested in a Treasurer, two Secretaries, and a Committee of four other members, who shall be elected by ballot; and that the acts of the Committee be sanctioned by a quorum of not less than three members, including the Treasurer and Secretaries.

6. That at all the meetings of the Society, a Chairman for the evening shall be elected by a majority of the members present, who shall not participate in the discussions, and whose decision on all points of order shall be final.

7. That the meetings for discussion be held every Friday evening, to commence at eight o'clock, and terminate not later than a quarter past ten o'clock.

8. That there be a general half-yearly meeting of the members on the first Friday in January and July, when a Report of the proceedings for the preceding halfyear shall be read, the Treasurer, Secretaries, and Committee elected, and other general business transacted.

9. That no addition to or alteration in the laws be effected except at the general half-yearly meetings, previously to which a fortnight's notice, in writing, of motions for such purposes shall be given to the Secretary.

10. That every proposition for discussion be nominated by two, and sanctioned by a majority, of the members present.

11.-That half an hour be allowed to the opener of a subject, and twenty minutes to other speakers, and for the opener's reply.

12. That there be a class of honorary members, consisting of gentlemen who have been connected with the Society, but removed by distance or otherwise, and that such gentlemen be elected at half-yearly meetings, by ballot, by not less than three-fourths of the members present.

Treasurer - Mr. Snelgar.

Secretaries-Messrs. R. A. March, and R. Smith.
Committee-Messrs. Goodliff, Smart, Walls, and Warwick,

The MECHANICS' INSTITUTION, MANSFIELD, was commenced in 1831, at a time when the people were thirsting for knowledge as a means of improving their condi⚫ tion, both social and political. Soon after its formation it was honoured with the patronage of most of the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood, which it has continued to enjoy in an eminent degree to the present time; and to their generous support must be attributed its success in surmounting obstacles which have been fatal to many similar undertakings.

At the formation of this Institution an opinion was very generally entertained by the higher classes that the diffusion of information on passing events amongst the great body of the people was not desirable, and this department of knowledge was accordingly excluded from the plan of the Institution. The absence of all intelligence on subjects more particularly interesting in these stirring times, naturally caused the operatives, for whose benefit the society was established, to look on it with indifference, and the advantages being confined to a circulating Library with occasional Lectures, did not appear sufficiently attractive to withdraw them from other habitual pursuits. The number of members was, in consequence, comparatively small, never exceeding 80 out of a population of 9,000, till within the last twelve months, the adoption of a more liberal system of management and extended accommodations have induced an increase of 40 members, making the total number at the present time, 120. These improvements consist principally of a Reading-room, supplied with the best periodicals, open to the members every evening, and a Class-room, with a good collection of philosophical apparatus, for the accommodation of classes and private parties. Numerous additions have also been made to the Library, and a Loan and Provident Society has been recently established amongst the members, which is now in a flourishing condition. Further improvements, in accordance with the recommendations

in Mr. Coates's late Report on the Associated Institutions, are also contemplated, and the members are anxious to learn how far the admission of in-door amusements and newspapers have been successful in other Institutions.

The taste of the Mansfield public for Lectures requires cultivation; hitherto they have not succeeded, and serious losses have been incurred in consequence. Upwards of £10 were lost by a recent engagement with Mr. Murray, for a course of Lectures on Chemistry; so that, until the public mind is better prepared to profit by this form of instruction, it would not be prudent to incur any further risk.

The classes are conducted by members of the Institution and are well attended. The subjects which at present engage their attention are Electricity, Galvanism, Electro-magnetism, Pneumatics, and Chemistry, but classes will be formed in other departments of science as soon as the necessary apparatus is procured. pays its own expenses, without interfering with the funds of the society.

Each class

The Library contains upwards of 700 volumes, and the terms of membership vary from 1s. to 1s. 6d. and 2s. per quarter, according to the privileges enjoyed, so that the benefits of the Institution are placed within the reach of all; and it is hoped that as soon as the contemplated improvements are effected, and means better adapted to the gratification of the operative, the advantages of the Institution will be more duly appreciated, and the germs of prosperity already existing will become fully developed.

YORK INSTITUTE OF POPULAR SCIENCE AND LITERATURE.-This Institute, which was established in June, 1827, still holds its prosperous course. The number of members at the last Report was 337; the cash account was in that pleasing and satisfactory state which is best described by the words "out of debt and a balance in hand;" the Lectures announced for delivery were of a highly interesting and instructive character; the classes were proceeding with spirit, and everything seems to have been satisfactory to the members. The manner in which this society is governed, and the zeal and energy displayed by all persons connected with its management, reflect the highest credit upon its supporters; and while so much is said about the general want of prosperity amongst Mechanics' Institutions, we cannot help thinking that were all such societies as well managed as the York Institute, they would all be as prosperous.

It gives us great pleasure to perceive by the Report, that the members of this Institute know how to estimate the exertions of those who have contributed to its prosperity; the testimonial presented by them to Mr. J. H. Fox, the Treasurer and Secretary to the Society, does as much honour to them as to him, and it shows that whilst he has been ever ready to employ his talents and powers in their service, they have not been slow to thank and to reward him for his exertions.

Notices to Correspondents,

It is just as we expected; we are overwhelmed with letters; our communications are so many, that we don't know how to begin to answer them. Many? aye that they are, and right various too. Epistles of all sorts, complimentary, deprecatory, fulminatory, explanatory, and exhortatory; contributions of all sizes-from the scented scrap of note-paper to the huge foolscap: philosophical, poetical, political, prosaical, physiological, polemical, and personal. Heaven help us! where shall we begin? and Fate preserve us! when shall we end? We stand trembling like a bather before his first plunge;

"We linger shivering on the brink,

We fear to launch away."

Courage, man, courage! There! one little jump-it's all over; we have dived into the stream, and away we go. The first pearl we pick up, is

"Tis edited by

P.P."

We like "P.P's." compliment much better than his poetry; nevertheless we quite agree with him in his opinion. But why did not he fill up the blank?

It is astonishing what a many letters of advice we have received: Mercy on us! if we were to attend to them all, we shall make a funny book of our Mag:

Oue correspondent says, "Sir,-A word in your ear; don't introduce POLITICS into your book, Yours, truly, WIDE-AWAKE." "WIDE-AWAKE!" indeed: our friend should have signed himself "FAST-ASLEEP AND DREAMING." What! forswear politics? rather would we forswear mustard to our roast beef! Another worthy writes, "My dear Sir,-Metaphysics murdered Mitchell's Monthly Magazine don't damn your's the same way, Yours truly, COMMON SENSE." "COMMON SENSE" ought to be ashamed of himself to alliterate the Queen's English as he has done in the above letter. As to our damning ourselves, he need'nt be afraid. We never swear. "A WARM FRIEND" wishes to know, whether we are not going to have "engravings, such as those in Mr. Ainsworth's Magazine?" To this query we beg to say "Yes! if our Warm Friend' will engage and pay George Cruikshank to furnish them."

A correspondent who rejoices in the sweet name of "D. DAB" suggests that we should give portraits of distinguished characters, beginning with ourself, and offers to "do" the drawings. We are much obliged to "D. DAB," but gratified as we should be to sit to him for our portrait, we are not inclined to affix our likeness to our Magazine. We hold that an Editor should be concealed from public gaze as something sacred: that he should be regarded as an oracle, a thing to be heard but not seen; and so "D. DAB " has our thanks, but we decline his offer.

We confess that we cannot understand the following lines; but as we conclude that this must be the fault of our comprehension, and not of our correspondent's poetry, we insert them here: "Tis sweet at summer eve to hear the birds, "Tis sweet to list to love's enchanting words, 'Tis sweet to see the lambkin's dance in May'Tis sweet to hear the zephyr's roundelay, But oh! 'tis sweeter far to hear from you

Lucy! those blessed sounds-John how d'ye do?'"' As our correspondent signs himself "JOHN," we presume he is the John alluded to in the above piece of poetry. Well then, John, we are heartily obliged to you for your kind offer of "a poem of 200 stanzas, of which the above is a specimen," but as we cannot possibly see your real meaning in the foregoing lines, we are afraid there are concealed in your poem some deep philosophical or metaphysical subtleties, to which we should not like to pledge ourselves till we know a little more of you. Write again, John.

Mr. "J. SNOOK WALKER'S" elegant "Ode to the late Mr. Smith," is inadmissible, for this reason that as a good many Mr. Smiths have recently departed this life, we do not know exactly who he refers to, and we should not like to insert a complimentary elegy on a Mr. Smith, of whom we know nothing.

"LUCY JANE" addresses us as follows: "Sir,-I beg to enclose you a scrap of rhyme-I will not call it poetry-but my friends think it very good. I am, yours, sincerely, LUCY JANE.'" We have no doubt that Lucy Jane's friends are quite right, and we dare say that Lucy Jane's poetry is very good, but, darling, in your hurry you forgot to enclose it in your letter. Never mind! send it us next month.

"JOSEPH MAC P." is unquestionably a great genius, and a good fellow; we like to prove what we say, so we insert his letter to us :

་

"London, September 9th, 1842.

"Mr. Editor,-The world was created, A. M. 1.; the deluge took place, A. M. 2416; Julius Casar was the first conqueror of Britain; Henry the Eighth married six wives, the last of whom survived him; the plague visited London in 1666; and on the 18th June, 1815, the battle of Waterloo was fought; early on the morning of that eventful day, the gallant Wellington was aroused from his slumbers by the sound of the enemy suddenly firing,' and entirely disapproving of that proceeding, he quickly returned the compliment, and thereupon ensued the most tremendous conflict the world's annals ever had to relate. Three times did the French infantry charge with desperate strength the British cavalry, three times did the British cavalry drive back the French infantry. At last the Gallic Eagle was trodden to the dust, the Frenchmen were completely routed, and the Emperor sought for personal safety in ignominious flight. "Uuder all these circumstances, Mr. Editor, will you do me the favour to accept the accompanying leash of birds; they come from Sussex, and I know they are of good family.

"I have the honour to be, dear Sir, yours, truly, JOSEPH MAC P." "JOSEPH MAC P's " "birds " were excellent. We shall be glad to hear from our correspondent again.

Ninety-seven "WELL-WISHERS" predict our success. prophets.

We feel assured they are not lying

"MAX HOLLOWAY" must think we are out of our senses. His proposal is most ridiculous. We thank "A SLASHER for his kind offer to "review our new books," but we have Slashers enough at work thereon without him.

"MARY ANNA'S" poetry is pretty, but we are obliged (like the barber in "Nickleby") to draw the line somewhere, and "Mary Anna's " poem is unfortunately below the mark.

"M. E. M.'s" "Apostrophe to Time" is finely conceived, and full of poetical ideas, but the rhyme is exceedingly faulty. For instance, we have "dust" and "crush'd "-"time" and "brine," with others of the like sort. These won't do at any price.

"ANAX;" next month.

We have to request the indulgence of several correspondents, whose communications arrived too late for insertion. Their papers shall have our earliest consideration.

We have now only to say to our many friends, that we are exceedingly obliged to them for their kind and ready assistance, and that we hope to hear from them again without loss of time; to the world in general we say "Write," and send your writings to the "Editor of the City of London Magazine, 165, Aldersgate Street, London,"