The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-24 00:00:00

INASTEIUTION,s.

A meeting of delegates from these in4titutions
was held yesterday morning, at the Mechanics' In-
stiution, Manchester.

AirLE M.P., presided, and in opening the
proceedings
BAZal'
alluded to the loss this society had
snsalined by the death of the president, his late
Royal Highness, the Prince Consort, who was ever
the advocate of all that was calculated to improve
and benefit mankind and his fellow subjects.
Mr. J. W. GREGORY read the annual report,
which states that the association now numbers 143
Mechanics' Institutions, being an increase of 18 in
the year. For Hyde, Stockport, Ashton, and
Staleybridge fine structures were in course of erec-
tion by the institutions there. During the last five
years upwards of 5,300 male and female candidates
had undergone a preliminary examination in the
class rooms of the several institutions in spelling,
writing, grammar, and arithmetic. Last year 912
papers were presented at the public examinations
by those who had successfully passed the public
test. The numbers voluntarily examined during
the five years were 5,361. Altogether, since these
examinations were commenced, 7,967 individuals
had been examined in subjects ranging from spell-
ing to mathematics. The itinerating library has
been increased by a contribution of £2O worth of
books. This library occasions embarrassment, as it
requires 120 boxes (six times the present number) and
an income of £4OO to work properly. An incorn eof
about £5O a year is derived from the institutions in
association, being ss. each. At 20s. each all diffi-
culties could be overcome. After alluding to the
death of the Prince Consort and to the interest he
had taken in the itinerating library, the report says
that despite the prevailing distress the members
of the institutions in general had increas'ad their
attendance upon the classes.
The following letter from the Re-,r. S. G. Osborne
was read during the piio...dings:
" uw, obliged to you for your Mod in-
vitation, but 1 fear there is little chance of my
profiting by it. It is an expensive journey from
hence, and the pulls on my limited means are
incessant. I confess I should like to have wit-
nessed a mechanics' institute meeting with me-
chanics present, a thing never saw yet, although I
have spoken and lectured at a great many. You
manage these things better in the north. At our
meetings, unless the working men are con-
cealed under crinoline, I confess I never see
them at the meetings. I have grave doubts
whether real workers get much benefit from our
institutions, though I have no doubt the small
tradesmen profit by the rooms and books. I am very'
sick of the humbug which preaches from the plat-

form that these institutions are so much machi-
nery for the creation of Herschells and Stephen-
sons, that a thirst for knowledge will be begotten.
of them, and that being well read, the working
men will become patterns of propriety. Whfen
see public schools, universities, and rich private
libraries and clubs making my own class moral,
honest, &c., I will believe in the miracle of read-
ing rooms begetting a race of rising, highly
moral, &c., working men. I advocate such plans
as yours as giving opportunity,' not as insuring
results.' I wish to see what knowledge a work-
ing man can get applied to making him happier
as such ; if he can rise lam glad. If he is
made happier at his present task I am content.
Your account of what you are doing and have
done, is to me most interesting. I hope God may
continue to bless your efforts.—Yours, &c.,
" SIDNEY GODOLPHIN OSBOUNE."