THE WORKING-MEN'S CLUB AND INSTITUTE UNION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your article on this society last week, you say that "when it began its work fifteen years ago, there were fifty-four clubs in existence." Allow me to correct the statement, by ex- plaining that when we first got the society to work in the autumn of 1802 (its formation was begun in 1861, but.not really effected till the summer of 1862), there were only three workmen's clubs in existence, as far as I could ascertain,—one formed in 1858, by the Rev. E. B. Chalmer, in Manchester ; another in 1860, by Miss Adeline Cooper, in Westminster ; and a third in 1861, by Mrs. Bayley, in the Kensington Potteries. Time "fifty-four" you speak of, with these exceptions, were all called into existence during the first year of our society's labours, and directly or in- directly, nearly all of them through our action. This, by refer ring again to the annual report just published, you will see to be the statement it contains. For your notice itself, setting forth as it does vital truths in relation both to the Clubs and the Union, hearty thanks are due from all interested in the movement.—I am,
Sir, &c., HENRY SOMA'.
Artisans' Institute, Castle Street, St. Martin's Lane, TV.C.
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