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subject had been previously discussed by Messrs. Brett and Hook in a private manner by Messrs. Brett and Hook at a time when the latter was receiving music lessons from the former. Each had been a member of the Hastings Institution, then in High street, but had not sufficient leisure to walk three or four miles (to and from) to attend the meetings. Mr. W. Chamberlin, of the Victoria hotel, who was a valuable member of the Hastings Institute, being spoken to on the matter, promised his influence and membership if some two or three few persons could be got together to take the initiative. A private meeting was quickly held at Mr. How's residence which was attended by Mr. Messrs. C. J. How, T. B. Brett, Philip Hook and Frederick Gausden. The use of the new National Schoolroom was granted by the for a public meeting, which was convened by circular, and on the 3rd of October, as above stated, a large attendance was the result. Mr. Chamberlin was voted to the chair, and in his opening remarks, said observed that knowledge was the greatest safeguard of property (doubtless, having in his mind the revolutionary tendencies of the period), for, whilst it was the wisdom of the poor man to get knowledge, it was the interest of the wealthy to facilitate the work in all possible ways. Mr. J. J. Ryall, in proposing the first resolution, remarked that the great distance of the Hastings Institution operated as a serious drawback to the enrolment of young men in that very useful society. He would therefore move that a kindred society be formed, to be called "The St. Leonards Co-operative Institution for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge among the Working Classes," which classes he affirmed, included not only those day labourers, so-called, but also such as depended on their hands or their head for the means of subsistence. Mr. T. B. Brett, in response seconding the resolution, held himself to be a working-man, under Mr. Ryall's description and felt a deep interest in the movement, but being no orator, claimed the indulgence of the company while he read to them an address which he had prepared for the occasion. (This address will be found in the separate "History of the Mechanics' Institution").

A lengthy discussion followed on the name proposed by Mr. Ryall, Messrs. Smith, Putland, Nicholas and others advocating the propriety of calling it a "Mechanics' Institution" that there might not be any ambiguity. Mr. Ryall consented to alter his proposition accordingly, and it was then carried without dissent. Mr. W. Walter congratulated the assembly on its unaminity, and remarked that it was 21 years since Mr. Burton laid the foundation-stone of the town, whilst for 15 years nothing had been done for the people's intellectual improvement. He proposed that a committee of twelve be formed to carry out the views of the meeting. This being was seconded by Mr. Gausden, and carried unanimously, the appointed committee were Messrs. Chamberlin, Putland, Brett, Gausden, Ryall, Smith, Neve, Walter, How, Hook, Mann and Carey. Mr. H. Sinden presented "Turnbull on Education" as a first volume for the library. On the proposition of Mr. -