The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-15 00:00:00

FAIRFIELD WORKS PROVIDENT

SOCIETY.
The works of the Messrs. Adams and Ralston, rail-
way carriage builders on the Eastern Counties Railway,
became the scene last night of an interesting•, though
unpretending, demonstratiun. The evening was de-
voted by the mechanics belonging to the establishment
to joyous and mirthful festivity, but festivity of a nature
as far removed from what is vulgar and degrading as the
mutual feeling of interest and kindness which existed,
and was expressed between masters and men was un-
usual, and anticipative of incipient changes in the social
condition of the people, which promise better things to
those who come after. The Provident Society, which
has existed for some three years among the workmen,
numbers about 200 out of the 300 mechanics employed

in the establishment, and has for its objects the usual
benefits proposed by friendly societies. But the mem
bers of this society at a late meeting deter-
mined almost unanimously to establish a library
in connexion with it ; and, in order to put
themselves in the way of making a fair start,
resolved to have a tea party and ball, with admission by
ticket, the surplus from which, after paying all expenses,
should go to lay the foundation of a good mechanics'
library. Accordingly a booth was erected on ground
belonging to the works, on the edge of the Eastern
Counties Railway, upwards of 300 feet long ; and ar-
rangements were made under the superintendence of the
Messrs. Stevens for 400 ; but scarcely fewer than 600

could have been present on the occasion, consisting en-
tirely of the workmen and their female friends. It must
be gratifying to know that this movement, as well as the
society in connexion with which it sprung, originated
spontaneously with the men themselves, who from the
time that their number was but three till now, when

their increase emboldens them to think of greater things,
have continued to act independently. But it must also
be told to the praise of the Messrs. Adams and Ralston,
that from the momcnt that this movement on the part of the
men assumed a definite form they nobly opened up
every facility; and last night, by way of paying for their
tickets—for nothing is done by them as a charity, or
even in the spirit of patronage—the three of them con-
tributed 101. each towards the proposed library.
By four o'clock the arrangements were completed, and
the booth presented an interesting appearance. One
long table ran down the centre for nearly two-thirds of
the whole length of the booth, which was flanked on
either side by short transverse tables, abutting from the
sides of the booth, and having ample space between them
and the eentre table for all the purposes and pleasure of
festivity. From the centre beam of the tent hung co-
loured oil lamps, disposed in decorative figures along the
length of the booth ; and behind the chair Ras
stretched a transparency with these words on it,
made visible from behind : " Fairfield Works Pro-
vident Society, established August Ist, 1843." Between
four and five o'clock, an assembly, to the number of
about 600, most respectably dressed, and all wearing
that honest, hearty congenial look which testified there
was good fellowship as well as good fare, sat down
to tea.
William B. Adams, Esq., tho senior partner of the
firm, and President of the Society, took the chair, and
was supported on the right and left by his brother,
Samuel Adams, Esq., and Gerard Ralston, Esq., the
other two partners, and by Dr. Stewart and Dr. Jones.
The Chairman's lady, and other relatives, were present
at tea.

Tea having been concluded,
The CHAIRMAN, after a few words, gave " The Queen,
the representative of order and rule in. Great Britain;"
which was received with three time three, followed by
the national anthem, by an instrumental band in at-
tendance, who were accompanied by a ♦ocal choir. The
Chairman gave " Prince Albert and the Royal Family,"
which was received with all honour ; song, " Mynheer
von Dunk."
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said he had to introduce
to them what was more immediately the business of the
evening, " the Fairfield Works Provident Society."—
(Cheers.) He said that scarcely three years had elapsed
since the ground on which they stood was first selected
from a scanty field, whist was then mere potato ground.
The scene, he was glad to say, was now altered as would
best be seen in the crowd of smiling faces about him.—
(Laughter and cheers.) It was a proud thing to be a
captain of industry, better far than to be a captain of
war ; but it was better still to be surrounded by a set of
generous and intelligent operatives. As to what their
prospects might be, he said they could gather that from
the name of the establishment which had been chosen,
not altogether without design; for " a fair field and no
favour" was always their motto. They recognised
no claims except personal claims, skill, ability, intel-
lect ; if a man had these, no matter where he might
have been brought up, or had learned the first rudiments
of his trade, he would meet with justice and equal treat-
ment at their establishment. (Hear, hear.) The
Provident Society began. with three members; it was
begun by one to whom he and they were all under great
obligation, he meant that kind-hearted individual
Edward Corry.—(Cheers.) He felt that if their aim in
instituting that society were properly understood and
carried out, it would not • remain a mere Pro-
vident Society, a mere savings' bank for the
receipt of their surplus earnings, but much more—that it
would become a teaching society—that lectures and
classes fur information and education would be grafted
upon it ; when to be connected with the Fairfield Works
would be deemed an honour in every workshop in
Great Britain. But though he spoke thus, he said
they had made it a principle with themselves
always to act so towards their workmen as
to leave their independence unaffected. Th,)
furthest they had gone was to give hints, and, jie Ims