The Express.
London, England, 1850-12-05 00:00:00

EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

Yesterday evening, a reunion of members of the
various committees of the able/ essoefation, took playa at the
Baster Hotel; Mr. Joint Thwart's's in the chair. The
roost wee quite full.
- - -- • . .

The CHAIRMAN in opening the proceedings, referred to
the difficulties with which the, association bad bad to con-
tend in the earlier stages of its career. Many obstacles had
been thrown in their way by the obstinacy of employers, but
much more by the prejudice existing in the minds of cus-
tomers in favour of shopping in the evening, and thus ask-
ing
their purchears by a fictitious light. Gina then, how-
ever, much bud been done to enlighten the public mind.
They (the association) bad at last, by reiterated attacks,
caught the public ear, sad the hearty 00-operatioa of many
employers, but still they had many and considerable obstacles
to overcome before they could expect the ultimate triumph
of their great principle. He believed—and he trusted he
should not offend by his candour—that the great °Wade
lay in the backwardoess of the employed themselves.
Toe Chairman reminded by calling on the Society to con-
sider equitably the important services of their Secretary.

Mr. LILLWALL (Secretary) wished to make a few I
observations. He said he feared that the affairs of the
society bad necked • crisis, and that if not better supported
during this winter it must certainly go down. (Hear, hear.)
The society had already done much good, having led to very
general early closing. (Hear, hear.) When the society
came Ant into exhume, the general hours for closing were
9, 10, 11. and in summer the young men seldom went to bed
at all on Bondy morning, but went off to bathe. (Hear.)
Now things were very different. Nine was considered a late
hoar, while many closed at B and 7, and one great establish-
ment, that of Mr. Hitchcock—a name that should be
mentioned without honour —(loud cheers) deem each
evening at 6 o'clock. (Hear hear) Improvements had
I els) been effeeted in the relations between employers sad
their young men. Formerly employers treated their
'assistants as it they were at inferior nes ; bet now they
I took them by the hand, attended their meetings, and
showed every anxiety to assist in their improvement.
(Hear, hear.) Many relights amodations had been
eetablished and wen fieurisitieg, which soul not
have existed but for early doing, bemuse the yang
men could an attend to them. The pulpit befriended them,
end as for the mess there was set a angle papa which was
an is been of the early doing monmeet (Hear, bear.)
In feet, evesything_was is their favour bet *earthy of the
”tmg men ebsesselvet (Hear, hear.) He thought It his
luny thus le he his auditors know the elate of their affairs,
and that the soolety must go down it they did not exert them-
selves. If it did gotown they would have themselves to
thank for having slip • glorious opportsaity. (Hen,
beer.) B. felt bound to inform them that if they did not
iamet themselves mere strenuously it would be impossible for
him le endow his services as secretary. Base. sitting
AIMS. he wished to mention the important hot that they had
mew • mmileal staff sonsistlng of 27 of the meet eminent
eteihrl men la London, wise would always, fres of thugs,
POMO* for members of the moiety. (Hear, haer.)
Several eater ruff su ian bsequently addressed the mat-
ins and mess of "seatimeate" were proposed in harmony
gift the objects of the aseesiatin, all of which wen most
lisortlly responded to, and she moat* sopotatoi at about
n OW&