The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-08-28 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGE.
MENT OF ART, SCIENCE, AND LITERATURE.

A meeVng with this obj,ct in v ow was held on
Tuesday seating at the Working Men's Inetitute,
Mitchell-street, there being a good attendance. Mr.
G. E. Eli d occupied the chair.
The CHAIVIILS, in opei ing the in-clinic, said they
were all aware of the object .4 this meeting, for they
had most of them read a letter which had appeared in
a 10..1 paper, setting forth the objects which such •
society hal in view. Tip•r, misht be many objections
to such a eoch-ty ae this. Ho had heard several.
Failures of like societies lied been pointed out, but
in his opini ii the of ther e-c'et,es ought to
be the means of eh rein.; Rola in sell .t p iota they
het failed, and thus strength., them in this matter.
The failure's in the past oughtn't t bin ler them from
going forswear tin the future. lie hoped they would
al wrk together to make the matter • success. A
town like Weym mth ought to go forward in
I' tellectual amusements, and they ought to see that
etch amusements were provided. The aim of the
society was to encourage the pursuit of art, literature,
an.l science. They did not propos to do much this
winter, there would b 3 some Learner and an industrial
exhibition for Weymouth. They would remember the
success of the county hold a few years since, and he
thought if such an one was he'd for Waym uth it
, would bring forth a lot of latent engineering chill.
They also intend d to hold damee for the study of
geology. botany, cookery, etc, and to do whet they
could to stimulate scientific end literary study
, amongst all chews of the town.
Dr. CHILDS then proposed "That • society be
formed for the encourage:nook study, and pursuit of
art, literature, and science, and other social work in
Weymouth." Ho should feel it great presumption to
now. before them almost a stranger in the town were
it not that this matter lay go near to his heart.
It was a national disgrace that in all their oommuoities
there was such a dearth of social union. They did not
suppose • society like this was going to remedy all the
social defects of the town, but that it would do much
towards effecting a closer feeling of fellowship amongst
them, and would serve to stimulate work. They pro-
rantto provide • number of entertainments and
..., and an exhibition of the work of the people
of Weymouth—work done by Weymouth hands and
hearts. With regard to the lectures, these were a
matter of difficulty ; good lecturers are not easily to be
caught, and, when they are, are generally ripen-ice,
so It was proposed to give some domestic ',acres—
lectures given on • small scale by members of their
own town. (Applause.) He should mention that this
society would start with a el.bt of Ell lis. 31., the
balanoeshest of the Lectareand Entertainumt Society
showing • deficit to that amount, and they could not
take the bread out of their mouths without taking the
debt also. Such • meeting as they had that night
showed there was • great deal of sympathy n ith them
in this matter. (Applaum.) Letters had been received
from Dr. Moorhead. Mr. S. Mille Igo, Canon Stephen.
eon, and Captain °Malmo, expressing their warmest
Interest in the movement.
Rev. J. Woon, in reconciles the resolution, expressed
his gratification at the liege response to this ,natter.
He thought the lectures would be a rather risky thing,
for if they didn't go well this year they would experi-
ence • difficulty in getting the people to attend the
following year. They must keep up enthusiasm to
keep the thing going. Be was not quite sure but that
the domestic lectures, as Dr. Childs called them, would
not be better for the present. (Applause.)
Mr. ',LUNING thought it wou'd be • very desirable
thing It they could put themselves under the Free
Libraries Act. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Howse') Bowes hoped the utility would
embrace a debating society, and referred to the great
success of one fo met In porch ster.
Mr. Cmclitil IT said he should like to say a word or
two in reference to the old Lecture Society. They
were not afraid of the debt of £lO ; they di 1 not went
to be helped out of it, but as Dr. Childs' seemed to
be • mere comprehensive scheme, they thought it
would be far better for the interests of the town
generally, and more in accord with the people of the
town, that they should stand wile, but they did not
do this for the sake of being h •Iped out of the debt.
He was quite sure that if they persevered In this
matter they would have a society to be proud of. Be
had great pleasure in mil porting Dr. Child.' resolution.
The Rev. W. S. SHUTTLZWOITH said he should like
to express a hope that this society would come to
something, and thought it would be a good thing if
they could rt a nucleus of members, which would be
a practice, outcome of this meeting.
The resolution was then put to the meeting, and
carried unanimously.
Mr. fluor proposed that the Mayor, Canon
Stephenson. Rev. J. Wood, Capt. Neter. Col. Scott,
and Mr. Groves, be vios-preeldente, Revs. Gilbert,
Miller, and Shuttleworth, General Peony, Genera
Morant Dr. Childs. Mr. Wheeler, Mr Barrett, Mr.
Crickmay, Mr. Esker, Mr. Russell. and Mr. Macs,
be the member. of the committee, with power to add to
their number. Mr. Z. Milledge as hon. sec , and Mr.
W. M. Thiselton as treasurer.
This was carried uutiohnouely.
Mr. Gwyn prop need that Mr. G. E. Edot be
president.
Mr. STUNS seconded, and it woe marled unani-
mously.
It was suggested that the name of the society be
" The Weymouth Mutual Improvem nt Society," but
nothing was deeded.
The meeting terminated with • vote of thanks to
Mr. G. E. Eliot for presiding, proposed by Mr
OAIILIT, and seconded by the Rev. J. Woon.