The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-28 00:00:00

THE PROVIDENT CLERKS'
JATI, )Nr.

The ninth anututi meeting of the donore, inbscribers,
and friends of the Benevolent Department cf this asso-
ciation was held last evening, at the London Tavern;
John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., in tl» chair.

Ana,-mg those present h, sides the chairman, we ob-
served Baron Rothschild, M.l'.; Thomas Baring, Esq ,
M.P.; ThomsongHankey, Esq.; H. Augarde, Esq.; F.
DL,are, Esq.; S. Wood, Esq.; W. Langdon, Esq.; Mr.
R. H. Jones, Eq., chairman; and Mr. J. W.ffelch, de-
puty chairman; and the Board of Management.
After reading the advertisement convening the meet-
ing, the Secretary, Mr. P. H. BYRNE, read the report of
the directors, of which the following is an abstract:—

Received from 62 new subscribers ... £67 4 0

399 old "
2 life "

... 441 5 6
... 21 0 0

£529 9 6
And for donations ... ... 111 13 0

£641 2 6
14 gratuities have been given to 11 members, to the
extent of 83/.
79 members hare been granted loans, amounting to
1,487/. 105.
In accordance with a resolution of Vie last annual
meeting-
-4 widows were elected to annuities of 15/. each,
making together
3 clerks and 11 widows of clerks annuitants on the
fund of this department, at a permanent charge of 2401.
per annum.
The trustees and treasurer met according to annual
cuEtom on the 21st inst. at the office of the association,
and inspected the balance-sheet of both departmeats of
this association, with which they expressed themselves
entirely satisfied. The balance-sheet, duly audited, was
read, showing an increase ut the funds of this department
of 263/. 19s. ld. _ _

fheboardreeommend that on the 29th of May nex

one clerk and two widows bo elected to annuities—the
former of 25/., and the latter of 151. each, and if no clerk
should apply, then that three widows of clerks be
elected to annuities of 151. each.

The board regret that a diminution has taken place in

the number of subscribers, owing to the association not
receiving that support from the general body of clerks
to which it is entitled from its benevolent object.
The CHAIR3IAN said it was his duty to propose that
the report and balance-sheet which they had just heard
read should be received, adopted, and printed at the
di'cretion of the board, and if any persons had any oh-
nervations to make with reference to them, that was the
time at which it would be most. expedient and judicom,
to address the directors or the meeting.
Mr. R. H. JONES, the chairman of the board of
management, then rose and said—l am anxious to offer
a few observations, in order that this meeting may full)
understand the sentiments of the board of management,
in respect of the present position of this branch of the
association. Sir, it was my happiness on the 21st ult. to
preside over a meeting held in this place of the members
of the assurance department, very numerously attended.
On that occasion we bad little to do but to congratulate
each other on the very great increase in the business of
the past year. and which, although it did not exceed
our hopes, did certainly extend beyond our expectations.
I wish 1 could say as much for the benevolent depart-
ment,—the source whence emanates all immediate bene-
fits to members. While the assurance branch provides
or the future, the benevolent fund is intended for pre-
sent benefit, to aid and assist those in temporary dis-
tress by gratuities or loans, to relieve the aged
clerk and the sorrowing widow by permanent am
nuities. These are some of the benefits of this
branch of the association ; and up to the
present time no applicant has been disappointed. But,
sir, unless there is a better spirit manifested by the body
of clerks than, I regret to say, has hitherto appeared,
the benefits of this department will become circumscribed
in their operations. I confess that I am greatly disap-
pointed in my expectations, but I do not yet despair.
There is abroad in this country such a spirit of philan-
thropy, that if the cause be good it will sooner or later
meet with support.—(Cheers.) It is possible that the
managers have not yet hit upon the right method of
bringing the subject home to the clerks; if this be so, I
hope that during the present year a plan may be devised
and adopted to relieve us of this doubt. I fear, however,
that this is not altogether the cause of the lukewarm-
ness of the clerks. Two objections, I know, are ad-
vanced. One is, I may get nothing in return for my
annual guinea. Another is, that our benefits are so
small as to be beneath notice. Now I ask whether these
are good and valid objections? Had all thought in this way
where would have been our present annuitants, and how
should we have been able to have granted loans to 349
members, and have relieved many others by casual aid?
But, sir, I do not look to those clerks to aid us who sub-
scribe expecting a return. I want to see subscriptions
flow in from those who give them from the noble desire
to benefit their fellow-creatures, and especially their own.
class, and from others who, from prudent forethought,
deem it advisable to make this provision in case of need.
As an answer to those who despise the small-
ness of our aid, permit me to refer to the cases
which have been assisted during the past
year. Of course I avoid mentioning names.
The first case is that of a person aged 53, whose hus-
band was an assurer for six years; he died after a lin-
gering illness, leaving her with five children dependent
upon her, one afflicted with deafness. The annuity
granted in this case could not be purchased fur less than
1901.—(Cheers.) In the next the age of the annuitant
is 39. Her late husband was a subscriber to the Bene-
volent Fund, and died after a lingering illness, leaving
her with one child dependent upon her for support—
means limited and uncertain; value of annuit)
2501. The next is the widow of a clerk, who
was an assurer for six years. The annuity in
her case would cost 2701. Again there is a widow
aged 62, whose husband was an assurer for four
years, to whom an annuity of the value of 1501. has
teen given.—(Cheers.) Now, with what delight must
we reflect upon the feelings of those annuitants when
they received this generous assistance from the associa-
tion.—(Cbeers.) Out of these four cases lam happy to
say two are those of country members, and I wish to
accompany this fact with the observation that counts)
members have as great a chance to assistance from the
association as the London members.—(Cheers.) I now
come to the statement of gratuities, omitting, as usual.
the names of the parties. A person who had been out
of employment for more than two years, and
was nearly ruined by becoming security for
another individual, received a gratuity of 101.
A widow whose husband died suddenly, leaving her with
a young family in great distress, and without the means
of obtaining a livelihood, received 101. Another widow,
who was left with a daughter and a lunatic son unpro-
vided for, was assisted with a gratuity of Si. To a mem-
ber who was reduced to great distress by a long and
expensive illness in his family, by having been unem-
ployed for a long time, and by having his furniture
seized, a gratuity of 101. was given. The next was that
of a party who was laid up from November to April
with congestion of the lungs, and whose expenses were
very heavy; he also received a gratuity of 101. To
another who was laid up for seven weeks with
rheumatic fever and had his expenses greatly increased,
a gratuity of Si. was given. The widow of a member
who was left with three children solely dependent upon
her exertions for support, without a relative or friend
capable of rendering her the least assistance, received a
gift of 10/. The last he would mention was the case of
a widow, whose husband died of cholera, leaving her with
three children totally unprovided for, and without the
means of meeting the expenses of the funeral ;
to her a gratuity of 101. was awarded. Now,
these are cases of relief during the past year, and if after
hearing them, any one should say that this association
is not worthy of support, I certainly will not envy him ,
his feelings.—(Cheers.) But, in order to complete
my statement of the benefits conferred by the associa-
tion, I will just read a few of the answers which have
been returned, showing in what way the assistance given
was received:—

" An unexpected God-send has been given to me by
the benevolent committee of the Provident Clerks'
Society. lamat a loss to find words or sentiments to
convey my gratitude for so noble, generous,
and spontaneous a gift—yes, a gift which
has emanated from the inmost recesses of the human
heart, towards alleviating unforeseen difficulties which
have been inflicted by the wise and merciful hand of
Divine Providence, its causing the illness of my partner
in life."
"Allow me to return my grateful acknowledgments
for your kind donation of 10/. from the benevolent fund,
granted to me under circumstances of peculiar trial and
distress. I shall ever feel thankful that my late hus-
band was induced to become a member of your associ-
ation."
" I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
25th ult. conveying to me the kind consideration of the
directors of the Provident Clerks' Mutual Association of
my long illness, and their resolution to give me the liberal
donation of 10/., which to me is of great service and be-
nefit just now, and for which I beg you will give them
my most grateful acknowledgments."
"I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your cheque
for 5/, the amount of donation awarded to me by the
board in consequence of my recent severe illness and the
expenses incident thereto; I cannot but feel grateful for
this liberal act, and I shall express my obligation by
letter to the board."
Surely, after these examples a higher value will be set
upon this department than has hitherto been the case.
1 feel, sir, that I have trespassed somewhat upon your
time and patience; I hope not unprofitably so. I need
not assure you of my hearty zeal in the came iu which I
have laboured with my colleagues for ten years past.
We are a united board, acting from purely disinterested
motives, and solely with the desire to do good. Now, I do
hope that we way this year be encouraged by a decided
movement in the right direction—nay, I shall be disap•
pointed if we separate this evening without receiving
some tol“ n s f approvd from several gentlemen present.
Depend upon it you will never regret the sacrifice you
may make, and in making it you will gladden the hearts
of the managers, and stimu:ate them to continue their
exertion'.—(Cheer;;.)

The CrtaismAN then rose, and in proposing the adop-
tion of the report, said—l will take the liberty of very
strongly seconding, as I have so often done betore, when
filing a similar situation to that which I occupy this
evening, the claims which I think this benevolent por-
tion of the Provident Clerks' Association has on the
notice of those present as well as those absent, who are
engaged in similar occupations. The success of the as-
surance department has been remarkable; it has gone
certainly far beyond my expectations as to the rapidity
of the increase which we have witnessed during the last
few years ; and I certainly do look back
upon the share which I have taken in
promoting that establishment with the liveliest feelings

of pleasure and satisfaction.—(Cheers.) But I must
beg again ti) draw your attetaitin to the fact, ;het while
one is a mutual assurance against the croinces of life,
this--the Oenevolent department—is a mutual assurance
against the chances of cffliction, illness, and distress in
all its shapes; and I firmly believe it deserves your at-
tention es strongly as the other. It de-se:yes, in one
sense, if possib'e, more, because it is by small contri-
butions, not generally felt to be onerous .you assure
those who are not able to take care of themselves against
those various contingencies to which persons in your
occupation are so peculiarly expose. lam confident
there is something wanting—l don't know what it is—
to make this portion of the Provident Clerks' Associa-
tion as much an object of interest to clerks as I am quite
certain it some day or other will become.—(Hear,
hear.) Whether or not those who have been engaged in
its management have failed in making its advantages as
generally known as they ought to be, I do not know, but
perhaps something or another may have occurred which
has produced a different effect from that which was in-
tended, and that a character may have been given to the
association which those who have been engaged in f)r-
warding and promoting it have done their best to avoid.
—I mean that of being a common ordinary charity.—
(Hear.) It would be very easy, certainty, fur several of
those gentlemen who sit on my right and left to go about
the city with a begging• box to solicit aid on
behalf of the Provident Clerks' Aseociadon, and I
am certain if they did so that their efforts would be at-
tended mote or less with success, but I know they would
refuse to take such a step, and I would be among the
first to instigate them to that refusal.—(Hear.) I have
never myself wished to put this before you as a charity,
but my desire has been, and is now, earnestly to impress
upon you the facility with which, by a small annual con-
tribution made among those vast numbers of persons
employed in the occupations of clerks in this city, every
one if you may have an assurance against those often-
times sudden misfortunes, illness, distress, and want of
employment, to which you must in your position be
subject. I am speaking, perhaps, more strongly
than some of you think expedient, but it is because I do
most earnestly and most honestly feel that this is a point
most strongly deserving of your attention. It is one
which, if you felt as I feel, you could not allow to alum-
bar as it has unfortunately done. But I do hope that, now
and henceforward, every one, in his own locality and in
his particular sphere of influence, will exert him-
self to make the institution known, and to instigate
others to give it their support.—(Loud cheers )
I do not think one word I have said as to the growing
and future importance of the Provident Clerks' Institu-
tion has been misplaced.—(Hear.) I am confident my-
self that the assurance department is going to be one of
the largest, most influential, most useful establishments
in this City—(Cheers)—and I shall most sincerely
lament if the benevolent department of the establish-
ment is left behind, and if we fail in attracting to it that
same degree of public favour, that same degree of per-
sonal exertion on the part of the clerks, which has
secured the flourishing condition of its twin relative.—
(Hear.) I sincerely unite with our most excellent
and meritorious chairman of the committee of manage-
ment, in expressing a hope that we shall not leave this
room to-night without finding that that which we have
taken the liberty of saying to you has made a deep im-
pression on your minds, and without hearing some as-
surance from you that you will earnestly and zealously
co-operate with the board in giving that stimulus to this
department which I cannot too often say I most honestly
believe it thoroughly deserves.—(Cheers.)
The motion for the adoption of the report was then
put and carried.
Mr. WELCH said it was his pleasing duty to propose
the following resolution:—
" That on the 29th May next, or such other day as
the board may appoint, of which due notice shall be
given, a special general meeting be held for the purpose
of electing three additional annuitants duly qualified ac-
cording to the rules, viz.:—One clerk, being a member,
to an annuity of 251.; and two widows of members to
annuities of 15/, each; and in the event of no qualified
member offering himself, then to elect three widows of
members to annuities of 151. each."

chat resolution would be the means, if adopted, of
carrying out the principal object of this association,
viz., that of benevolence—assisting and relieving those
who were not so fortunate as themselves. He always
looked upon this branch of the association as a means,
if extended, of doing a vast amount of good ; and
though their Chairman, with his usual kindness, bad, in
the course of his allusions to it, observed that he was
always desirous of avoiding the word " charity," he
begged rather to differ from him, because he considered
that all benevolent institutions of this kind were of a cha-
ritable character ; and he could see no reason why
clerks should be ashamed to belong to a charitable
institution, and to receive assistance from it if misfortune
should overtake them, the same as other individuals.—
(Hear, hear.) They were all liable to misfortunes, from
the highest to the lowest in the land, and he believed
the highest classes had their benevolent and charitable
funds. The clergy, the army and navy, the liberal pro-
fessions, professors of the fine arts, persons in all
branches of trades, and even the higher classes of mer-
chants, had their benevolent institutions, which were
supported to an extraordinary extent. ; and when
he looked to the small number of subscribers who
annually contributed to the Provident Clerks' Associa-
tion and Benevolent Fund he could not refrain from ex-
pressing his astonishment and regret. Reasons had been
assigned by many gentlemen why they did not belong to
the association, and among them was one which had already
been alluded to by the Chairman, viz., that they did not
get enough fir their money. Now, the Chairman had
told them what the advantages absolutely were—that
they get advances when in need of assistance, and that
an annuity of 251. was given to a distressed clerk,
and an annuity of 15/. to the widow of a clerk;
and the chance of obtaining those great boons,
ho would remind them, would be made almost
a certainty, provided the clerks themselves would come
forward and support the institution as it ought to be
supported.—(Hear, hear.) Though he was well aware,
having been a clerk himself for a great number of years,
that owing to the position of a clerk, and the appear-
ance which he was obliged to keep up, he could not
spare a great deal out of his income, yet there were very
tew who could not spare a little; and calculating upon a
graduated scale, commencing with the chief clerk, and
doing down to the junior clerk in an office, and varying
the subscription between the sum of two guineas and 55.,
he did think, looking at the number of clerks inLondon
alone, they might have a fund amply lsufficient to answer
every claim for assistance which might be made on the
nenevolent department of the association.—(Cheers.)
Aid from other sources would then be no longer neces-
sary. What was the support which this department had
,net with? At the annual meeting on the 31st of Decem-
ber, 1841, there were 257 annual subscribers, and that
number continued up to 1845, when they had their first
public dinner, which created a certain degree of interest
in the association, and the clerks responded to the call
which was made upon them by the gentlensan who pre-
sided on that occasion to exert themselves to
promote its welfare, The number then increased to 372,
and in the following year, from similar ceases, again
increased to 475. In 1847 the number was 507, but in
1848 it decreased to 490 ; and in 1849 to 463. Now,'
that was a very small number, taking into account the
great body of clerks who were employed in the
City alone. They would, perhaps, be surprised to find
that, as regarded both the assurance branch and the be-
nevolent fund, the clerks in the country were more pro-
vident than those in London, and that they had
a greater amount of support from country than
from London clerks.—(Hear, bear.) Now, look-
ing to the large establishments in London, and to the
gentlemen who were sitting at that table who had taken
such an interest in the association, who bad given up their
time and exerted their influence in its behalf, and in-
duced some of the first men in the country to preside at
their festivals, in order to keep the undertaking alive,
he could not but think it extraordinary that the clerks
in London should not have supported the association to
the same extent as the clerks in the country. He had
the pleasure of visiting Manchester a short time ago,
on behalf of the asscciation, and in conjunction with
some of his colleagues, he called upon some of the
principal houses, and he found, that in Manchester the
feeling very generally existed among the principals, that
a benevolent institution of this kind ought to be self-
supporting. They considered if such a principle were
adopted it would redound more to the honour and
independence of the clerks. When the question was
put to himself and colleagues, how it was that the in-
stitution was not supported:by the clerks, they found it
extremely difficult to give an answer, and an impediment
was thus thrown in their way which prevented their
making that progress which otherwise they would have
obtained. But he was happy to say that the result of
the meeting which they held in that city was extremely
favourable, and he hoped as the association became
tmore generally known in the coantry they would have a
much larger accession of members. If this hope were ful-
filled the result would tend very much to operate
with the London clerks, on whom a kind of reflection
would be thrown. It had occurred to him, that it every
member were to take the trouble to make the institu-
tion known in his particular sphere or office, he might
induce his brother clerks to become subscribers, and in
the course of next year the funds in that case would be
considerably augmented. They must bear in mind that
the present invested capital was only only 10,800 L, and
that they had already on the books eleven widows who
received the annual sum of 1651., and three clerks who re-
ceived the annual sum of 751. They proposed now to add
one more clerk, and three widows, which would make a
total permanent claim on the invested funds of the asso-
ciation of 2951., consequently a very small margin would
be loft for those who might come hereafter. Their duty
was not to give everything away at present, but to
make a reservation for those who might become dis-
tressed or unfortunate, and who would have an equal
right to the funds of the association ; and what
he urged upon them was, to exert themselves
to the utmost to make known the excellent
advantages which resulted from the association,
and to see if they could not by next year have a groat
increase I f merubers. 11e was satisfied if they obtained
a larger amount of. support that they might do away
with all feelings of repugnance as to the association
being a kind of charity, because as soon as the funds
tvere in a prosperous state a member would
simply have to come and say, "I have been suffering
from illness, and I require assistance," and it would be
readily and cheer fully eccorcn d to him.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. Welsh then alluded to the success which had at-
tended the movement lately made by the body
of commercial travellers to establish a charity.
Being desirous to have a school for the orphan children
of deceased members they met and laid down a plan.
They divided themselves into sections, and by each going
about and collecting subscriptions and donations, they
were soon enabled to erect a fine building at Wan-
stead—(Chcers)—but not satisfied with that, they were
now collecting more, not exactly to establish almshouses,
but to purchase small detached cottages, which might
afford a place of shelter and comfort to those of their bre-
thren who might become unfortunate
10,0001, Wight
riarilaust not
(sue. Novi he did uot see why their 00

be doubled, and why they might not have an orphan
school, and also detached cotteges as places of comfort-
able retirement tor aged and oecayed clerks wlv n vis t!cl
with misfortunes.--(Cheera.) He concluded by proposing
the. resolution as given above. _ _ _

Mr. ALIITLAN-1) rose to second the resolution. He

acid it was with mingled feeling's of pleasure and pain
that he appeared before them that night, le:dings uf
pleasure that they had been able to do so much, and
feelings (f pain that they had not been able to do more.
Twe've months ago he bad had the honour of appearing
befure them in that very room, when it was resolved
that fiur annuitants should be elected on the funds of
that institution. On that occasion they had to con-
gratulate themselves that th.y had not a greater num-
ber of applicants than they were able to elect. 13ut, on

the present, occasion, it was proposed to diet three aunui-
. tants—one clerk to 251. per annum, and two vridOws to an-
nuities of 151. each; or if circumstances should so happen
three widows to annuities of 15/. each; but he was not
able to tell the meeting whether there would be no more
pplicsnts this year than they would be able to satisfy—
he should rather say thst there would be more come for-
ward than could receive support from the funds of the
institution. Ho was afraid that they would not be able
to say that on this occasion they would send away no
aching heist that had come to them for consolation and
support. But he could only trust that the progress of
the institution during the next year would be such aud
so great that on a future occasion they would be able to
elect as many applicants as presented themselves. lie
quite agreed with the last speaker on the subject of
the report with regard to the funds of the institution,
and regretted that while the other department of the
institution was progressing rapidly and favourably, this
department was not advancing to the same extent. If
they thought that this department was not calculated to
work the same amount of good as the other, he could
only call the attention of the meeting to the benefits
which it had already conferred. He found that the
society had granted 6,900/. in loans, and 570/. in an-
nuities.—(Cheers.) The board of management knew
that much good had been effected by this institution, but
how much no one did know, and no one ever
could know. They could only regret that they
had not been enabled to do more. It was
so far satisfactory to them to know that, beginning in
the year 1840 with 10,000/., they had been able so far to
meet every application which had been brought forward,
and turned a deaf ear to none. There was only one:case
at least of an applicant being refused, but was elected
on the followinglyear ; so that the board could safely
say that no person had been ultimately unsuccessful in
obtaining relief from this society. It would have been a
source of much regret to the board if they could not
have been able to do so. They bad been able to do good
to that extent, that they had met every application which
had been made to them. The capital stock was now
10,800/,, so that they could say they had in..
creased their stock, and they had met all claims
upon them. A great improvement had taken
place in the assurance part of the institution,
and he need not remind them that two-thirds of the
profits of that department were contributed to the bene-
volent department. They now numbered 2,000 members,
and they hoped at the next division of profits to hand
over a large amount to this benevolent department. He
should very much regret if one word which he had said
of the flourishing condition of the funds should. have
the effect of leading any of the meeting to think that
they were better off than they really were, and in
consequence to relax their efforts for the advance-
meet of the institution, for he felt that the con-
dition of this department of the institution
was far from being what it ought to be. He
could only urge each and every one of them to
exert themselves to- the utmost, as far as they were
able. When they considered the munificent manner
in which the institution was supported by the mer-
chants and bankers of London, he thought that the
clerks themselves had not supported it as they ought to
have done. He was sure they would see the urgent ne-
cessity under which they were of supporting an institu-
tion like this in a more liberal spirit, and then the board
would be able to meet them with a more favourable re-
port of the condition of the institution on a future occa-
sion.—(Cheere.)
be-
fore rt.heLoremlhatigeenne
wtlarnn s aadeipntethe
adopted
he
meeting,
hned,sahyid
tthheat beper-
mission of the Chairman, to address a few words to the
meeting. He thought that it was necessary that they
should know the real state of that society. Some years
ago he had taken occasion to make some remarks on
the desponding tone which had been adopted by the
board of management; and on this occasion also he
should he sorry if any person were to judge of the state
of the society from their tone. He did not believe that
they would get any additional subscribers by putting it
forth that they were in a failing state, when in point of
fact they were in a most flourishing state—when, instead
of losing members, they were actually on the increase.
He thought it was impossible to separate the two
branches of the institution. They said that
they had lost 50 members from the benevolent fund,
when in-another place they said they had had 508 poli-
cies of assurance taken out. Two-thirds of these
were clerks, who, of course, would release the other
branch of the society from all claims, fur the great ma-
jority of the policies were payable to the widows, while
the benevolent fund was liable to the claims of subscri-
bers. Thus they had lost 50 annual guineas, but they
gained 250 members, on the other hand, who released
the society from all claims to be provided for. He
thought, therefore, that this society was in a most
flourishing condition. Had it sent away any
applicants ? Had they elected one child out of 50,
as was often done in the room below, with an amount
of anxiety and trouble only to be paralleled by the
election of a Member of Parliament? No, by the bless-
ing of Providence, they had been enabled to relieve
every one who had come forward with a claim upon
them. No other institution could say that, and they
had no :right to despond, or let it go forth to the world
that they were in a failing condition. He thought that
the truth should be stated—he meant that; an enlarged
view of the question should be put forth to the world.
From all that he could see he thought they were in a
position -for self-gratulation, and he did hope it would
not be stated that the clerks had not supported the
institution which had so great a claim upon them.
The CHAIRMAN said before be put the resolution he
should trouble them with a few remarks. He could
not take the same view of the question as the Hon.
Gentleman did for this reason. In 1848 there were 417
life policies taken out, in 1849, 550 policies were taken
out, but in both years the number of subscribers had
diminished, and he could not reconcile those facts with
the view which the Hon. Gentleman took.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
_ .

Mr. RENNELL moved the third re solution :
" That this meeting tenders its warmest thanks to the
trustees and treasurer for their uniform patronage and
support."
It was with mingled feelings that he rose to propose
this resolution—feelings of pride, in the first instance,
because he had been selected to propose this resolution,
and gratification because it afforded him the opportunity
of telling the individuals how much he personally es-
teemed them. Setting aside their own feelings, he was
glad to have the opportunity of telling them his. The
meeting must be aware that the institution owed a deep
debt of gratitude to these persons, and he was sure they
would net refuse it. He should call upon the meeting
to give this vote such a reception as it merited, that they
should be amply convinced that the members of the in-
stitution were fully aware of the great consideration
which they gave to the institution. Be came now to
the disagreeable part, which was theirs as well as his.
There was one gentleman who had raised his expects.
tions to the utmost, but only to disappoint them. Ile
(Mr. Rennell) could not make his ideas parallel with
that gentleman's. It appeared to him paradoxical, that
with 480 members out of 40,000 clerks, that gentleman
could make up his mind to say that the condition of the
institntion was a flourishing one. And what was
worse, he (Mr. Rennell) could not see bow it
was to be altered. He had tried his best at various
times. He had tried cajolery, and flattery, and some-
times be had tried to insinuate himself with them, but
it was all of no avail.—(Laughter and cheers.) Still he
did not despair; nil desperundum, he thought. He was
glad to hear that there was seine one who could say
that the institution was flourishing, but s. d. did not
say so.—(Laughter.) He thought that they ought to
take into consideration the time of their treasurer and
trustees, as entitled to some little consideration in their
evening's amusement, and though the meeting might
be very comfortable with talking there, the treasurer and
trustees had not dined, they must recollect, and it was
next to a trespass to keep them there longer than was
necessary. But, about the prospects of the insti-
tution. It was impossible.. to make. provident
clerks if they would not make themselves, and it was im-
possible to get them there at the meeting if the adver-
tisement would not draw them. But what was the
benefit held out to them ? By a resolution passed that
night the sum of 45/. was to be given away in annuities,
and for that sum the society was reimbursed to the
amount of 9/. Was there any institution in London
where they could get a similar amount of benefit, and if
clerks were so blind, how could they help it ? For his
part, he hoped never to receive a shilling from that be-
nevolent fund, but he hoped to give many guineas.—
(Cheers.) It is not men only that should come here who
expected to be claimants of the benefits of the institu-
tion, but men who could put their hands in their pockets
and pull out their three or four guineas for the benefit
of their poorer brethren. Every richer clerk,-
who had the feelings of a man in his breast, must
come forward and bring his aid to the institution when
it was fairly pointed out to him that this
was done by only 480 members ! Ile should
dream of the number that night. Ho never
was called upon to speak of this society without excited
feelings, for he had been ono of its original founders, and
he should never die heppy unless he heard that it was in
a flourishing condition.—Cheers.)
Mr. JEres said it would be almost out of place for
him to trouble them with any observation of his own,
and lie should content himself with si condieg the resc-
lotion most heartily and sincerely.—(Cl'"6.)
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously
amid loud cheering from all parts of the room.
*Mr. THOMSON HArsx.Ey rose to return thanks in the
name of himself and fellow-trustrees. He said he was
sure both himself and his fellow trustees were fully sen-
sible of the kind expression of feeling which the meet-
ing had shown towards them, and he hoped that
they should ever continue to deserve.—(Loud cheers.)
, He had been selected to return thanks to the meeting
1 because, it was considered that from his situation he was

better able to say a few words to the persons present,
being for seven or eight hours each day in constant com-
munication with 700 or 800 clerks. He could confi-
dently say that it was his utmost ambition and endea-
vour to promote the interests of that numerous class of
individuals in the Bank of England who contributed so
largely to the well-working of that establishment. It
had always been his utmost endeavour to elevate the con-
dition of that class in public opinion, and to promote
their interests. He could only express the cordial thanks
of the trustees and treasurer to the meeting, 644 to

sure it that they would do whatever lay in their power to
advance the welfare of the institution in which they felt
so great an interest.—(Cheers.)
Mr. PIIICE said that he should not take up the time
of the meeting, but should proceed at once to this part
in the proceedings. He cordially agreed with what hai
been said by the speakers, that the clerks themselves
did not support their institution as they ought. The
insurance branch promised to be one of the hest
businesses of the kind in the country, and yet he felt
that the insurance branch had not benefited as it ought
to have done. When he saw the support which it hal
received from gentlemen, such as their auditors and int -
dical officers, who had devoted their time, talents, and
money to it, he could not but express his surprise at the
want of support from the clerks.—(Ht-ar, hear.) Those
gentlemen gave their support, and yet they, the
clerks,did nothing. Surely the institution could scarcely
be called in a flourishing state when they had 560 mem-
bers of this department where they ought to have 25,000
at least. There was no class in London which would not
by this time have given 25,000 supporters. The Hon.
Gentle:nun then concluded by moving the fourth resolu-
tion :

" That the best thanks of this meeting be givt n to ti e
auditor:, mtdieal officers, both in town and country, nod
to the honorary solicitors, fur their valuable services
during the past 3 ear."
Mr. LINTOTT t)ri( fly seconded the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.
Mr. SAECTON WOOD moved—" That the best thanks
of the meeting be presented to the board ( f management
for their continued exertions on bwhalt of the u!sociation."
He said the meeting could not but sympat iise with the
board of management, that they had not been able to
present a snore favourable feature in the report than
they had done. He was sure they had done all they
could to redeem it. He himself had had the op-
portunity of witnessing their efforts in various parts
of the country, and if the meeting thought that
their time was not well spent, he could only say that it
was employed for the advantage of the institution.—
(Cheers.) He could not agree with the remarks
which had fallen from Mr. Loyd. He must remind the
meeting that this fund provided for various accidents
—for sickness, want of employment, and old age,
which a life assurance did not provide for.
—(Hear.) He was sure that it would be gratifying
to those who took an interest in the well-doing of that
institution that this meeting was disposed to furnish
them with a rate in aid for its support. He was not him-
self a participator in the benefits of this department of
the institution, or ever likely to be, but from that time
he should be very happy to become a contributor.
Mr. BELa., in seconding the resolution, said that he
could not agree with Mr. Loyd in his remarks, nor did
he know from what source he obtained his information;
but he knew that there were many persons in the institu-
tion who were not clerks. When ho looked at the man-
ner in which their institution had been founded by the
merchants of London, and the manner in which those for
whose benefit it was designed supported it, he did not
think that the clerks sufficiently set their shoulders to
the wheel.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. E. EL JONES proposed; " That the grateful
thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby tendered
to John A. Smith, Esq., M.P., for his kindness in taking
the chair this evening;" and in doing so announced
to the meeting that he had just received intimations
from Mr. Coleman, Mr. Wood, Mr. Augarde, and Mr.
Deare, all holders of policies, of their intention of be-
coming subscribers of one guinea each per annum.
Mr. WELCH seconded the resolution, which was car-
ried amid loud cheering.
Mr. HANKEY wished to mention a eircumstsnce which
he had been deterred from alluding to before from the
fear of keeping bis colleagues standing. Some time ago
he had received an anonymous letter, and he wished to
intimate to the writer of it, if he were by any chance
present in the meeting, that if he would call upon him
(Mr. Hankey) he would give him a full explanation of
kis motives; in supporting this institution, and endea-
vour to persuade the writer that they were not suck as
he had attributed to him.

The CHAIRMAN then rose to thank the meeting
for the kind manner in which they bad received the
last resolution. The best reward that he could have for
his services would be in seeing that institution prosper-
ous. He was unwilling that the meeting should teparate
with an impression that he had been the person to press
upon them the unfavourable state cif the institution; it
had been thought right that the true state of the case
should be laid before them, but ,he should be sorry tor
any man to go home with the impression on his mind
that he (the Chairman) in the least desponded of the
well-doing of the institution. So far from that being
the case, he was certain that that establishment had only
to be fully understood in a way which he an-
ticipator:lilt well deserved. Mr. Loyd had,certainly made
one statement which was well founded, and that was that
the benevolent part of the institution could not be said
to be in a bad condition when the assurance branch was
flourishing. But how few clerks could afford to contri-
bute to the assurance, while a great majority could afford
their guinea to this benevolent institution, which he had
always wished it to be understood was an assurance of
clerks effected among themselves against the casualties
of sickness and old age. He agreed with Mr. Price in
stating that this institution, instead cf 400 ought to have
2.5,000 members; and he hoped that each one present
would go home from this meeting with a full determi-
nation to make the merits and benefits of the institution
known among his fellow-clerks to a.; great en extent as
he could, and then he was sure the institution would
prosper, and the management would never be reduced
to refuse one deserving claim which might be brought
before them. In conclusion, he thanked them very sin-
cerely f,r the approbation which they had conferred
upon him.
The following subscriptions were given in the room:—
X. 5. d.
Mr. F. D. Deare 1 1 0
Mr. Sancton Wood ... 1 1 0
Mr. H. Augarde 1 1 0
Mr. Coleman 1 1 0
Mr. Toole ... 1 1 0
Mr. W. Langdon 1 1 0
Mr. G. Hewitt ... 1 1 0
This concluded the business, and the meeting then se-
parated.

MR. DE KONTSKI'S CLASSICAL CHAMBER MUSIC
PERFORMANCES IN LEEDS —All selected from the
works of one of the greatest, if not the greatest com-
poser, Beethoven.—The most extreme reluctance has
ever been evinced towards introducing music of this
kind into our concert rooms; but Monday evening last
has clearly proved that, if it is only put into really able
hands, its success is certain. We never head any per-
formances listened to by so large and miscellaneous an
assembly with deeper attention nor more generally and
more enthusiastically applauded. Though the concert
was prolonged by them to an unusually late hour, the en-
thusiasm of the audience rose with every successive per-
formance, and rarely has our Music Hall witnessed such
rapturous expressions of gratification. The gentlemen
who took part in them were Messrs. de Kontski, first;
Mr. Sykes, jun., second violin; Hausmann, violoncello;
Bowling, first, and Booth, second viola; and Mr. Hird,
piano. First and foremost stands Mons. de Kont.ki.
As one of the most distinguished solo players of the day
he was, from universal reputation, and from personal
knowledge, known to us before. But here he showed
himself no less great as a quartett player, a species of
performance which calls forth all the highest qualities
of the genuine musician. The masterly precision, the
perfect ease and grace of his play, merited and called
forth the most universal applause. And aided as he was
by the exquisitely beautiful and classical violoncello play
of Mr. Hausmann, and the truly ab'e performances of
our own townsmen, such a whole was produced as
probably has never been equalled in our town. We
have dwelt, on account of its novelty, so long upon this
part of the concert, as to have left ourselves but little
space for the remainder. Suffice it to say that in his
solos Mons. de Kontski showed powers of execution,
fertility of invention, a fire and passion, and such truly
wonderful variety of coups d'archet as have never been
equalled.—Leeds Intelligencer.
BARNSLEY, Fan. 27.—Two MEN SHOT.—Another
of those serious offences arising out of the pernicious
game-laws took place this morning, on one of Lord
IVharncliff's estates at Carlton, near this town, by which
a man named Timothy Moody was shot in the thigh by
a son of Joseph Hunter, the gamekeeper, who is em-
ployed by- Mr. Westmorland, of Wakefield, to preserve
the game on the above estate. It appears that the
keeper, his son, and another person, were watching in a
wood called Noroyds, when they met with four men;
upon seeing the keeper aad his men two of the
party ran away, and the other two had a fight with the
game preservers, who had a large dog with them,
which took a very prominent part in the affray, and
to master the poachers the son of the keeper :deli-
berately fired his gun at Moody, after one barrel
had missed fire, and wounded him so severely in
the thigh, as he was running away, that he had
to be conveyed to his home. It is said by the keeper
that those men were stealing some underwood which had
been cut, which they were watching. On Saturday
another person named Richard Cherry, of Barnsley, was
severely wounded in the same wood, by being shot at
by Joseph Hunter, the gamekeeper, while running after
the Badsworth hounds. Cherry was shot in the arm
and the ribs, and his jacket appears to have received the
whole charge of small shot. He is under medical at-
tendance. When this affair was named to one of the
police-officers, he said "it served them right, they
should stop at home." Had it been a gamekeeper that
had been shot, the police would have been scouring the
whole country, for the whole cf the magistrates in this
division are game preservers.
COMPETITION AND PREMIUMS.—As the policy of
granting premiums at the exposition of 1851 is much
discussed, it may not be amiss to inquire what success
has attended upon
prize competitions 4evot,'d to manu-
factures. During last year the well-known firm of
Padden. and Co., cloth-merchants, of Coventry-street.
offered two prizes for the best of two descriptions of
cloth. The result is gratifying, the first premium
which embodies au important
calling forth a black cloth,
advance in chemical science—a permanent dye, undis•
chargeable by steid, and improved by exposure to the
air—of a colour richer, the face of the cloth softer and
free from that cuir ny, glossy character, observable in
the ordinary finish; and, moreover, when worn to the
thread, retaining its original hue. In the other cloth
intended for frock coats and paletots, not the slightest
waste of wool occurs in its manufacture, aad conse-
quently may be sold very much cheaper—thus bringing
is very essential article of clothing nearer to the general
consumer. If, therefore, so much good has been eff,cted
by private enterprise, may not more that is valuable be
expected where the resources are great, the patronage
illustrious, the fame universal, and the profit beyond
present calculation ?
PRAGUE.—A society has recently been formed
here by Jews for the purpose of assisting poor emigrants
to America, without distinction of creed,—Jewish
Chronicle,