two or three daily papers of different politics.... To ensure success, those who are to use it must have considerable control in it; and I believe it would be a great advantage if the promoters could obtain the opinions of some of the working-men themselves on the subject.” “A Well-Wisher, Nov. 23, 1860”
A Similar View to that of the Rev. J. A. Hatchard and “A Well-Wisher” was expressed by a correspondent signing himself “M. A.”, who said – “I cannot but think that your worthy correspondent, Mr. Rock is unwise in desiring to exclude from the proposed reading-room such amusements as chess, draughts and dominoes. These amusements are in themselves innocent, and consequently preferable to such resources as gambling and the public-house, from which, I presume, it is wished to attract the future frequenters of the reading-room. The reading of the Bible and good books, though the highest means that could be employed, would probably not prove attractive to so large a number as it is desirable to draw; and surely if there is any doubt of their success, it is better in the first instance to include other attractions than afterwards by stooping to lower means to admit that too lofty aspirations have produced a failure. These amusements are just the attractions for a class alluded to in Mr. Rock’s letter – the illiterate who are to be ‘read to’, and who would be very likely to come to play, and remain to listen and learn, whereas many if invited to listen only would probably never come at all. If I am not mistaken the suggestion which seems to have alarmed Mr. Rock was thrown out by a clergyman, and I believe that the experience of most clergymen would lead them not to despise the secular element in an undertaking of this nature. Recreation of mind as well as of body is good for all, and even if a minority of those for whom the reading-room is intended would not at first be likely to find recreation in the higher resources to which it is proposed to confine the undertaking, surely it is a good thing to attract them by innocent amusements in the hope that they may eventually appreciate the higher means of enjoyment offered them, and so be led to become better scholars, better citizens, and better Christians.” – “M. A.”, Nov. 27, 1860.
In the same strain is the following:- “Mr. Rock mentioned in the News last week that the various amusements, draughts, chess, &c., formed no part of his plan. This I regret to hear, for I do not believe that his idea (however valuable in theory) of supplying the working-man with reading of a purely religious nature, would prove, when applied practically, at all available. The hypothesis that either chess or draughts would prove demoralizing -
