The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-09 00:00:00

A GRAND HALL,

for Public Meetings, (te„ whereto, in the easiest manner, and
under the cheapest terms the circimstances will allow, " The
people" should be admitted to all the comfort, gratification,
and conveniences that the West-end Club affords to the aris-
tocrat,
Mr. E. T. Smith, to whom the merit of this patriotic pro-
ject belongs, is determined to carry it out by means of a Joint-
Stook Company, established on the principle of Limited Liabi-
lity. He has **wady secured the assistance of several mon,
whose position, talents, and national feelings will be of the
greatest service to the project, and who, looking far beyond
the immediate results, see iu such a project an effective
means of advancing the true civilisation of all within the
pale of au artificial community.
As it is a project whisk has for its aim national advantages,
by aiding in the improvement of the manners and morals of
the people, it is one which may claim assistance from men
(and women) of all professions of religion and all classes of
society.
The Company will commence its operations by building a
spacious, handsome, and well-ventilated Hall, capable of
holding at least 7,000 persons at one time, which will be de-
corated in an artistic style, and will have in it a large an.
well-selected Library, Maps, Plans, and Engravings, and all
that can illustrate the great public events of the day.
Music and concerts will be occasionally introduced as mat+
tors of recreation ; and also, at certain seasons, explanatory
lectures, from men of the very highest position in their va-
rious professions. In this respect it will seek to stand in the
same relation to the working, that the Royal Society does to
the aristocratic classes.
Everything that can soothe the weary worker and relieve
the toiling man, and at the same time invigorate the mind,
will be devised. It is intended essentially to be a place of
recreation and relief, but still conducted so that a great deal
of indirect and useful information shall almost unconsciously
be obtained; a place where conversation may be enjoyed,
intelligence acqaired, and that social intercourse take place
necessary to all sorts and conditions of men.
It is estimated that for a subscription of ono shilling weekly,
the payment of which will suit the convenience of all classes,
&working man shall have access to the Library, News-room,
and Lectures, and the occasional concerts, balls, and celebra-
tions which will be given.
The funds requisite, for the erection of the necessary
buildings, &c., are proposed to bo raised by means of a Joint-
Stock Company with limited liability, having a capital of
115,000/., consisting of 6,000 shares, of 21. 10s. each; 105. to
be paid on allotment, and the remainder by suitable instal-
ments during the progress of the works ; or by a subscription
of one shilling weekly, at the end of twelve months a work-
ing man will become proprietor of a share in the building,
and a vote in the direction and management of the Club.
The amount of the shares is purposely fixed at so low a
sum as to give working men an opportunity of becoming
shareholders, and participating in the profit which, on the
safest data, it has been computed must arise to the proprie-
tors. A per centage not exceeding 101. per 1001. will be paid
to the shareholders, and all profits above that amount will be
expended upon the extension of the Institution itself and its
Library.
Every holder of five shares will be entitled, in addition to
the above per centago, to the same privileges as if ho were
a personal subscriber to the Institution. Arrangements will
also be made by which the wives and children of members
will be admitted to all the advantges of the Institution,
both for the purposes of recreation and education, on the
most easy terms,
A code of rules and regulations will shortly be issued by
the Managing Committee, and plans of the building will be
exhibited by the architects engaged. In the meantime, all
applications for shares and other information are requested to
bo made to Mr. E. T. Smith, Theatre Royal, Drury-lane.