104
NOTES AND QUERIES. [n s. xn. AUG. 7,:i9i5.
the subject in the first volume, as well as
numerous other articles iD the volumes
following.
One of the resolutions read by Mr. Robertson on the formation of the London Mechanics' Institute was as follows :
" That the establishment of institutions for the instruction of mechanics, at a cheap rate, in the principles of the arts they practise, as well as in all other branches of useful knowledge, is a measure calculated to improve extensively their habits and condition, to advance the arts and sciences, and to add largely to the power, resources, and prosperity of the country." (Mechanic's Magazine, vol. i.
p. 181.
A. WEIGHT MATTHEWS.
60, Rothesay Road, Luton.
In reply to the inquiry respecting the above, I have a pamphlet entitled 4 A Series of Papers on the Nature, Objects, and Advan- tages of Mechanics' Institutions,' by Henry Dircks, Hon. Sec. of the Liverpool Literary and Scientific Institution, and published in Liverpool in 1840.
This pamphlet seems to me to answer all the questions asked by your correspondent, and I give a few extracts ; these will, perhaps, be sufficient, but if not, I shall be happy to lend m.y pamphlet to MB. HAND if he will ] et me know.
Mr. Dircks said :
" The history of the origin of Mechanics' Institutions may be traced back to the year 1800, when Dr. Birkbeck established the first Mechanics' Class in the Andersonian Institution at Glasgow. But the earliest body separate and apart from the learned aid of a kindred establishment was, per- haps, that founded in London, August, 1817, when a society actually calling itself ' The Mechanical Institution ' was originated by Mr. Timothy Claxtpn, a most worthy man, and him- self at that time a hardworking mechanic. It was not, however, until 1824-5 that much was effected in the establishment of these popular seminaries of useful and practical information. Every large town then seemed desirous of vieing
in the contest Scotland decidedly took the
lead the Glasgow Mechanics' Class in 1800,
the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution 1823. In 1821 the Edinburgh School of Arts was founded for the education of mechanics in such branches of physical science as are of practical application. A Mechanics' Institution was founded in London in 1823 ; Liverpool, Newcastle, and Sheffield in 1824 ; Manchester, 1825."
The principal object which Mechanics' Institutions have in view is the education of the working classes in such branches of useful knowledge as may prove most service- able to them in the daily affairs of life.
The benefits were : 1, attending Institu- tion lectures ; 2, attending classes, of which there were a variety for youth as well as adults ; 3, a good library of books.
A. H. ABKLE.
The 'N.E.D.,' defining " mechanic," gives
under heading B 2, " One who is employed
in a manual occupation ; a handicraftsman, "
and continues :
" Mechanics institute or institution : the desig- nation adopted by a class of societies, established (in 1823 and subsequently) in London and most other towns of England to afford their members- facilities for self -education, by classes and lectures. In many of these institutions only a small propor- tion of the members now belong to the ' mechanic r or artisan class."
This definition leaves out of consideration one of the most important activities of these institutions the provision of libraries of wholesome and technological literature. The Society of Arts, before its incorporation in 1847, used to offer facilities in the way of cheap textbooks to these societies. Byl84&' there were about 400 of these institutions in. the country, with a composite stock of books of between 300,000 and 400,000. Since William Ewart's Act the Public Libraries Act of 1850 these useful institutions have been superseded by the modern public library. They were to a large extent philan- thropic in very few cases did the subscrip- tions cover th,e cost of administration and were founded with the object of uplifting the artisan class. They were parallel to the Literary and Scientific Institutions which were run on co-operative lines to meet similar needs of the professional classes, though many of these latter offered advantageous terms to artisans. Many of the Mechanics' Institutions existing at the time of th,e adoption of the Public Libraries Act handed over their libraries to the local 7 library authority to form the nucleus of the public library.
One of the best remaining examples of a mechanics' institute in London is the Birkbeck College, whose classes are recog- nized by London University. An account of the opening of this institution, which, was founded in 1823, appears in Hone's < Every- day Book,' vol. i. 1549, under the date December 2. THOMAS WM. HUCK.
38, King's Road, Willesden Green, N.W.
In the year 1800 Dr. Birkbeck founded a class for journeymen mechanics at Glasgow. The idea developed, and in 1824 the first Mechanics' Institute was opened in London, The term " mechanic " was then applied to operatives of every class. These institutions proved so useful that they spread throughout England, and did good service till the volun- tary system was superseded by legislation. They were built out of money subscribed by members and the public who supported
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