The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-09 00:00:00

Course of the Exchange.—This Day.

ikrusterdam
Ditto
Rotterdam .. 12 Of 12 1i
Antwerp.. .. 25 75 25 80
Brussels — 25 75 25 80
Hamburgh — 13 8 13 8
Paris .. Short. 25 30 25 40
Ditto .. 3 Months; 25 75 25 85
Marseilles
Frankfort on Maine —

1191 1191
12 40 12 55
12 40 12 55
32i 33k

Vienna
Trieste
Petersburgh
Berlin
Madrid
Cadiz
Leghorn — 25 tin 25 9 5
Milan — 25 87i 25 :15
Genoa — '25 87i 25 95
Naples
Palermo .. '25 90 25 195
Messina — 25 90 25 95
Lisbon — 511 524
3p0rt0...-
Foreign Gold in Bars (Standard), per 0z.... £3 17 9
Mexican Dollars - 0 5 3
Silver in Bars (Standard)

Battersea Working Mens' Club and Institutg

The opening of this club took place last night,
a public meeting being held in Lammas Hell,
under the presidency of the originator, Charles
Curling, Esq., who was supported by the following
gentlemen, who were present on the platform, and
spoke in explanation and approval of the objects and
uses of the Institution—The Revs. I. J. Jenkin son,
I. Milling, J. M. Soule, W. Evill, Esq., Junior, C.
Robins, Esq., Dennis Gaven, Esq., and Norman
Shairp, Esq. The meeting, which was a full one,
was also addressed by two working men, Air.
Fearn and Mr. Ward.
After a few introductory remarks by the
chairman, Mr. Norman Shairp, the honorary mere-.
tary, read the report of the Provisional Com,
mittee, from which it appeared that a house
in Church - road had been taken wad
ander the superintendence of Mr. E. C. Robins, the
honorary architect, had been thoroughly repaired
and fitted up for the purposes of the institute.
About £2OO had been expended, and as little more
than half was as yet subscribed, pecuniary aid
was desired from the wealthy to enable the
institute to start free of all liability. The
Reverend H. Solly, the secretary of the
Union, then delivered an eloquent address expli ana-
tory of the objects and advantages of worming
men's clubs, of which he himself had been ins true
mental in establishing some sixty during the last
two years. In the course of his address, Mr. E .oily
observed that the object of clubs and institutes t for
working men was to supply a great and ackt ow..
ledged want, and to satisfy the craving for social
intercourse which he believed to be divinely
inspired for a good purpose, and therefore intended
to he gratified. They sought to do this without
leading the working man into habits of intempe-
rance, but rather by offering him a helping hand
to enable him to resist the seductions of the gin
palace, and to be interested not only in his owzt im..
provement, but also in the welfare of his fellows.
He said it was not intended to draw away husbands
from their firesides, but rather to make them value
them the more ; and that until suitable dwellings
were provided for a reasonable sum, without the
miserable inconveniences which usually distinguish
the homes of the working classes; that until better
lodging could be had at lower prices, so that a large
family should not have to exist in a couple of
ill-
ventilated rooms, or run into debt for rent. Until
such time, it was obviously needful, and it was
intended to provide the working man a place of
resort, where he could meet his friends and enjoy
a few hours quiet recreation after his work till his
wife should be ready to receive him, and be able
to listen to the news of the day which he may
have gleaned from the papers at his club.
He said it was not intended to form temperance
societies, but rather associations, where the tempta-
tions to intemperance should be removed, amid n-
ducements to temperate habits and mutual. im-
provement provided instead. They were. not
engaged in a ;crusade' against innkeepers, but in
attempting to provide that which it is not
their interest to afford viz., a public
house without intoxicating drinks therein. Neither
was it intended that clubs should be made relig ions
societies, but rather social and moral, mutual b ene-
fit, improvement and recreation societies, pro-
moting the cultivation of those virtues without
which religion is soon brought into disrepute.
He wished it also to be understood that it was the
desire of the promoters of these clubs that the work..
ing men should themselves be in some sense re-
sponsible for its success. Two-thirds of the
managing committee would be composed of
working men, above the age of 18 years, with-
out distinction of class or creed, so long
as they observed the rules of the institu-
tions which they themselves would be requested
to take part in forming. It was the desire of the
in would be a
opbrioeinctost,earendofhethtreusßteadttetrhseeaunCdlearbtakto fgurther these
success. Mr. Solly was followed by the gentlemen
and working men before mentioned, and at the
close of the meeting a considerable number of work-
ing
of h
men
came
e club.frward to enroll their names
membersas