balance to £8 1s. 11d. The Institution continued to progress in numbers and funds, the latter at the next quarter showing a balance in hand of £10 18s. 2d. In the mean time £21 4s. had been realised by two lectures by Dr. Darling on “Electro-Biology”, with manifestations, less ten guineas paid to the lecturer. Two guineas were also presented to Mr. Banks towards the expense of his lecture. The laws of the Institution were now revised and printed, and a committee appointed to search for a site for more commodious premises.
On the 21st of July it was resolved to join the Society of Arts, and the following declaration was sent: —
- “The Managers of the St. Leonards Mechanics’ Institution hereby declare that they desire to place the said Institution in union with the Society of Arts, on the basis proposed by the resolutions adopted at the Conference held on the 19th of May, 1852. They engage that the required yearly payment to the Society of two guineas in advance shall be made by Alfred Burton, Esq., of 36 Marina, the President of this Institution, who desires to be elected a member of the Society of Arts.”
On the 4th of August, it was resolved that Mr. Decimus Burton be thanked for his offer to lease a plot of ground for building a new Institution, but that the Committee were not in a position to accept his offer.
The annual Soirée was held in October, and was an intellectual as well as an enjoyable reunion. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. W. Hume and other talented speakers; the music was provided by members of the Institution, assisted by Messrs. Wood and Elford, the latter two gentlemen receiving 10s. each for their services. Tea was supplied by Mr. Godden to 190 persons; the money for admission and refreshments amounted to ten guineas, and the surplus ten shilling[1]s.
The next winter session opened with an excellent lecture by Mr. Selway, of London, on “Wonders of Vision”, and the financial year closed with a balance of £10 18s. 2d. in hand.
The National Schools
On Sunday, March 7th, sermons for the schools of the united parishes of St. Leonards and St. Mary Magdalen, were preached by the Rev. G. D. St. Quintin and the Rev. T. Sproule, realising a sum of £42. School-aid sermons were also preached on Sunday, the tenth of October, when £30 10s. was collected at the St. Leonards Church, and £24 1s. 0 at St. Mary Magdalen’s.
Lectures (Not already enumerated)
Dr. Darling’s two lectures on the so-called new science of Electro-Biology, under the auspices of the St. Leonards Mechanics’ Institution were delivered in the Assembly Rooms, the first in the afternoon and the second in the evening. At the conclusion of the lectures, the experimentor called for subjects from the audience, which was responded to by about a dozen -
- ↑ An explanation of old currency and coinage may be found at the following website Pre-decimal currency, accessdate: 16 June 2022
