The Marylebone Penny Readings and Their Critics

by Henry Taylor

Transcribed from the 1869 Marylebone Penny Readings edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

THE
MARYLEBONE
PENNY READINGS
AND THEIR
CRITICS:

AN ADDRESS TO THE PATRONS AND FRIENDS
OF THE
Marylebone Penny Readings,
BY
HENRY TAYLOR,
HONORARY CONDUCTOR.

LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY THE MARYLEBONE PENNY READINGS,
The Harrow Road Hall, Cromwell Terrace, W.

1869.

[PRICE ONE PENNY.]

TO THE PATRONS AND FRIENDS
OF
The Marylebone Penny Readings.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

As Certain statements have appeared in the Local Journals reflecting upon my character as the Honorary Conductor of “The Readings,” and upon the Institution, I deem it my duty to send this statement to you, with the request that you will give it your kind and impartial consideration. I should not have adopted this course had the Editors of those journals, viz.: “The Marylebone Mercury” and “The Bayswater Chronicle,” inserted my letters addressed to them, giving a denial of the misrepresentations. I think it may not be out of place to give you a sketch of the progress of the Institution, and to mention from what cause I was induced to commence the series of Penny Readings first known as “Praed Street Penny Readings,” but afterwards more appropriately termed “The Marylebone Penny Readings.” I had attended many Penny Reading meetings within the metropolis and was thoroughly convinced that such meetings were not only calculated to do much good, but would be very acceptable to the working classes if properly conducted; but, unfortunately, in many instances the programmes abounded with Vulgar Comic Songs, while in others a religious spirit was infused, rendering the programme monotonous and unattractive. Having a little time at my disposal, I determined upon founding a series of Penny Readings, having for its objects—“presenting a counter attraction to haunts of vice and of creating and improving the tastes for pure and standard literature.” With this view, I gave an inaugural meeting at the Foresters’ Hall, on Thursday evening, November 21st, 1867, when our esteemed member, Mr. Thomas Chambers, M.P., Q.C., presided; through the kindness of the Rev. John Clifford, LL.B., I was permitted to hold a series of twenty-seven meetings in the small room beneath “Praed Street Chapel;” the first meeting was held there on the 24th November, under the Presidency of Mr. F. Berridge, F.R.G.S. The first four meetings were thinly attended, but the attendance gradually increased until they acquired a popularity as the first of their class.

Encouraged by success, another branch was opened at “The Lecture Hall, New Church Street.” This branch, unfortunately, proved a financial failure. At the end of the series I found we were in debt to the extent of £25: of this I paid £15, and with the consent of the creditors, about £10 was allowed to remain until another season; under these circumstances I did not feel justified in increasing our liabilities by publishing a report. Being now practically convinced that although these meetings could not be a financial success, they would accomplish their object and be very acceptable to the working classes—knowing that there were many noblemen and gentlemen who would willingly assist such a good and really charitable cause, I appealed to many I knew to be interested in the welfare and progress of the working man, and had the pleasure of receiving many affirmative and encouraging replies. In November last I wrote to the Rev. J. Moorhouse, (Vicar of St. James’s, Paddington), for permission to hold meetings within the St. James’s National Schools,—this was granted for a period of thirteen meetings; the series were duly inaugurated at the Schools, and well attended. After the seventh Reading, I received an intimation from the Secretary of the School Committee to the effect that they had resolved to withdraw their permission on the ground that such Readings were not in conformation with the objects for which the Schools were built, viz.: National Education. I must confess I was greatly surprised at this declaration, inasmuch as many gentlemen of eminence who had presided at the meetings, including the Rt. Hon. A. H. Layard, M.P., and Thomas Chambers, Esq., M.P., had publicly stated that they believed such meetings to be a certain and valuable channel for the conveyance of learning. Such being the decision of the School Committee, however unjustified they may have been in withdrawing the permission before the expiration of the stated time, I had no alternative but to submit to that decision. I then engaged the large and commodious Hall known as “Providence Hall,” and this was presided over by our esteemed patron the Hon. Lord Fitzmaurice, M.P., for Calne. We were again successful until a clique was formed against us by members of a similar institution and others to disturb our meetings. After vainly attempting to hold meetings, I called a private meeting, at which Mr. Edmond Beales presided, and we decided upon holding no further meetings for the present; at the same time a committee was formed at my request to audit and investigate accounts, and to publish the report.