meetings were thinly attended, but the attendance gradually increased until they acquired a popularity as the first of their class. Encouraged by success, another branch was opened at “The Lecture Hall, New Church Street.” This branch, unfortunately, proved a financial failure. At the end of the series I found we were in debt to the extent of £25: of this I paid £15, and with the consent of the creditors, about £10 was allowed to remain until another season; under these circumstances I did not feel justified in increasing our liabilities by publishing a report. Being now practically convinced that although these meetings could not be a financial success, they would accomplish their object and be very acceptable to the working classes—knowing that there were many noblemen and gentlemen who would willingly assist such a good and really charitable cause, I appealed to many I knew to be interested in the welfare and progress of the working man, and had the pleasure of receiving many affirmative and encouraging replies. In November last I wrote to the Rev. J. Moorhouse, (Vicar of St. James’s, Paddington), for permission to hold meetings within the St. James’s National Schools,—this was granted for a period of thirteen meetings; the series were duly inaugurated at the Schools, and well attended. After the seventh Reading, I received an intimation from the Secretary of the School Committee to the effect that they had resolved to withdraw their permission on the ground that such Readings were not in conformation with the objects for which the Schools were built, viz.: National Education. I must confess I was greatly surprised at this declaration, inasmuch as many gentlemen of eminence who had presided at the meetings, including the Rt. Hon. A. H. Layard, M.P., and Thomas Chambers, Esq., M.P., had publicly stated that they believed such meetings to be a certain and valuable channel for the conveyance of learning. Such being the decision of the School Committee, however unjustified they may have been in withdrawing the permission before the expiration of the stated time, I had no alternative but to submit to that decision. I then engaged the large and commodious Hall known as “Providence Hall,” and this was presided over by our esteemed patron the Hon. Lord Fitzmaurice, M.P., for Calne. We were again successful until a clique was formed against us by members of a similar institution and others to disturb our meetings. After vainly attempting to hold meetings, I called a private meeting, at which Mr. Edmond Beales presided, and we decided upon holding no further meetings for the present; at the same time a committee was formed at my request to audit and investigate accounts, and to publish the report.