to receive a rather smaller sum for it as a certainty, than to pay a smaller sum and receive a larger return for it as an uncertainty. We know, say they, that we cannot meet our engagements, but neither can we persuade our members to accept of reform. The second question is, if the existing societies should prove to be unsound in constitution and incapable of reform, would it be wrong to establish a model society on sound principles? The only grounds on which the answer ‘Yes’ can be returned to this question are that such a proceeding would prove injurious to existing societies, which would be an unwarrantable interference with the rights of property. The same objection might be taken to the formation of every fresh society. I know that I shall be told that there is a distinction between societies established by working men for their own benefit and others established by men in a different class of life. This seems plausible enough; but I assert that it is impossible to separate the interests of the different classes in this country; and nothing is more mischievous than an attempt to do so. ‘If one member suffers all the members suffer with it’. I do not believe that there is any natural jealousy between different classes; on the contrary, I believe that the more one class sees of another, the more the two learn to respect each other. As to bolstering up anything which we know to be wanting in efficiency, I have no sympathy with such a sentiment. I am not prepared to say that the existing Benefit Societies in Hastings are all unsound, but I think we have sufficient grounds for doubt on the subject to make an examination desirable. If, on competent enquiry they should prove to be unsound or fall short of their just requirements; and if, moreover, from internal or external causes they should prove to be incapable of reform, in justice to the rising generation, let us not hesitate to establish something better, merely from a morbid feeling of wishing to protect that which we know to be unworthy of protection. I am sir, your obedient servant. E. Vernon Harcourt, Mar. 26, 1860.”
The Rev. T. F. Crosse appears next upon the scene with views of a somewhat different character, which he expounds thus:- “It is a principle of true liberality and true conservatism that where existing institutions either do the work required or can be made to do it, we should not subject them to an injurious competition. Neither is it to be desired that time, money, influence, zeal, energy and kind intentions, all of which are powers for good, should be invested in new undertakings which can be little more than a reduplication of already existing machinery. In such towns as ours, pru-
