The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-03-08 00:00:00

TRADES GUILD OF LEARNING.

At a mall preliminary meeting of skilled workmen,
convened by the Rev. H. Solly, at the Working Men's
Club and Institute Union Offices in London, on Satur-
day afternoon, it was resolved—

" That in the opinion of this meeting it Is desirable to
form a Trades Guild of Learning, with the view of pro-
moting the delivery of lectures, and the formation of
classes, to assist members of trade societies and other
skilled workmen in acquiring a knowledge of history,
political economy, and techntcal education, as well as
literature, science, and art generally. That the various
trade societies in the United Kingdom be invited to con-
nect themselves with this Guild by a small annual payment
olitch should give all their members admission to certain
inurses of lectures and to classes, either without payment
or on reduced terms ; also to libraries, reading.roonui, dis-
cussions and social meetings, where these cam be pro-
vided by the Guild ; and that if the requisite funds can be
obtained an agent commanding the confidence of trade
societies be engaged to visit their lodge meetings, by per.
mission, and invite their support for the foregoing objects.'

It was further resolved— -
That in order to bring within reach of members of the
Trades Guild of Learning the advantages of University teach-
ing and of such educational endowments as were intended
for the less wealthy portion of the community, it is im
portent to obtain the co-operation of the authorities of the
Universities and other governing bodies at present adminia
ening such endowments.'
Speeches were made by Lord Lyttelton, Mr. Solly,
Mr. Muir, Mr. James Stuart, M.A., of Trim. Coll.
Cain. (advocating the extension of University teaching
to the lipver ranks of life), Dr. Yates, Mr. Hodgson
Pratt, Mr. Harrison, paper stainer, Mr. Buckmaster,
Mr. Shipton, Secretary of London Trades Council.
Mr. C. Lamport, Mr. C. Webster Mr. Patterson, and
others, and a provisional committee was formed to
carry out the objects of the meeting.
In the observations made by various speakers, it was
represented that the barons and the middle clagses had
both had their reign of power in this country, and that
now, when the working classes were about to have
their innings, ingwas highly important that they should
fit themselves for their position by following the course
indicated in the programme.
Mr. Shipton did not think the trades would take it
up until they could get a more clearly defined scheme.

THE PREMIER ON CURATES.
The following letter laas been recently addressed by
Mr. Gladstone to the bon, secretary of the Curates'
Augmentation Fund :
.• 16, Downing-street, Whitehall. Rev, air—My attention
has been called to the effort which is about to be made for
enlarging the pecuniary means of action now possessed by
the Curates' Augmentation Fund, and I beg to offer a con-
tribution of Eel) in sad of this effort. The 'shout of 611 in-
telligent and devoted curate is certainly among the cheapest
descriptions of labour in this country • and even if at times,
from a rapid growth of demand as compared with supply,
there may be some tendenor to an increase in the rate of re-
muneration for this valuable class of men, I cannot antici-
pate any considerable permanent change in that rate. It is
always to be borne in mind that, while the Immense growth
of our commerce has produced a powerful upward move-
ment in wages, the extension of education makes continued
and large additions to the classes who compete for mental
rather than for manual employment, and that there in there-
fore, much leas likelihood—perhaps no likelihood at all—of
their experiencing a similar advantage. I to not overlook
the fact that motives far above the desire of temporal reward
operate on very many, if not on the whole, of those who seek
and obtain holy orders ; but these motives do not obviate the
social necessity of their having the means of at least decent
support, or the obligation of others to assist them In obtain.
Ina it. I hope the rules of the fund may be found effectual
for directing it. aid into the proper quarters—l have the
honour to be sir, your faithful servant, W. E. GLADSTONE,.
The Rev. J. J. lialcombe."