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tive society, and there is much more danger that the management may be entrusted to incompetent persons. Besides, there is always a chance, especially when a society has several branches, that losses may be incurred through fraud on the part of some of the salesmen. A prosperous society in Manchester was involved not long ago in considerable difficulties from this cause; but as soon as the deficiency was discovered, the directors had the courage to look their difficulties in the face, and have now entirely overcome them. There is also a very natural wish to make things pleasant by a large dividend, against which the managers should be on their guard. An error in the quarterly stocktaking, or an insufficient allowance for depreciation of plant, may at any time give a delusive appearance of prosperity; but I believe that most men engaged in the management of these societies are careful to avoid such errors, knowing that they must be paid for in the end.

But the grand sheet-anchor of the co-operative societies is the readymoney system, which is in most cases rigidly adhered to, and which, by simplifying accounts and preventing bad debts, renders the management far more simple and less hazardous.

In conclusion, I would call on all employers of labour, and others who take an interest in the welfare of the working classes, to examine the working of these societies for themselves, and draw their own conclusions. If, as I believe, they are the best means yet invented for enabling the labourer to maintain his independence, to keep beforehand with the world, and to lay by something for his support in old age, they surely deserve our sympathy, if not our assistance.

MR. RAMSAY of Kildalton made some remarks on a system of cooperation which originated in the neighbourhood of this city about thirty years ago, and inquired whether any of the members were aware of the causes of its failure?

MR. HARVEY mentioned that more than thirty years since a cooperative society was established at St. Rollox, by the work-people, but they fell into the mistake of giving credit, in consequence of which the funds were exhausted, and the store was shut up.

MR. W. M'ADAM inquired whether the co-operative system in Rochdale included the manufacture of goods, and whether the society went into the market with its manufactures ?

MR. CAMPBELL replied that although references to co-operative cotton mills in the north of England might have been frequently observed, there were only two that were really co-operative, giving a share in the profits to the workers employed, the greater number being

simply joint-stock companies, with small shares, held by a large number of persons, as was the practice in America. There was one such manufacturing company in Rochdale, and one had been recently started in Manchester. They had succeeded so far as to yield good returns when trade was prosperous; but it was doubtful whether they would stand against the pressure of bad times. The Rochdale company had divided five per cent. for the half-year ending December, 1861. In reply to another question, Mr. Campbell said that the co-operative societies made it a rule not to take credit, although in conducting a wholesale trade it was of course difficult to avoid it altogether.

MR. CROSSKEY remarked that the co-operative system enjoyed a legal protection against fraud under the Friendly Societies Act, such as did not exist under the old law. The effect of the system in improving the habits of the working people could not be over-estimated. By giving credit the small shop-keepers got them into debt, and it was their policy to prevent them from getting out of it. By ready-money payments at the co-operative store, the purchasers received better articles, and at the same time became accustomed to habits of economy. The interest in the societies was widely diffused. Nobody could have more than a hundred pounds of capital in the concern. Then the responsibility of the management was shared by the purchasers, who appointed independent committees to check the accounts. Every purchaser, besides, received checks corresponding to the number of his purchases. In short, the whole system was one of self-management and self-discipline, and was unquestionably producing a wholesome effect on the habits of the working classes.

MR. J. JEFFRAY asked Mr. Campbell if he had turned his attention to the working men's co-operative associations in France, which were believed to be prosperous?

MR. CAMPBELL said that these institutions had only casually come under his attention in the course of his reading; but he was led to understand that the system was successful in France.

The PRESIDENT observed that the subject was one of great practical importance. The success of the system afforded proof that working men do not need to be patronized in an undertaking of this nature; all that was necessary to induce them to establish co-operative societies was merely to furnish them with information as to what had been already done. This was almost the only plan for their benefit which had ever proved successful; and it originated with themselves and was managed by themselves. The economical advantages of the system were obvious. By purchasing on credit, the working classes not only got inferior provisions, but paid a higher price for all the necessaries of life than people

in the middle and upper classes. The co-operative system relieved them from this disadvantage; and, viewed in its effects upon their habits and condition, it was one of the greatest developments of social science. But one of the secrets of its success was, that, in working it out, the people had been left to themselves; and any attempt on the part of others to interfere with them would manifestly do harm.—The President moved the thanks of the Society to Mr. Campbell for bringing the subject under their attention; and thanks were voted accordingly.

February 26, 1862.-The PRESIDENT in the Chair.

Mr. William Sim, 13 Walmer Crescent, was elected a member of the Society.

Mr. James Napier, Chemist, read "Notes on Partick in Olden Times."

Mr. W. Keddie read a paper "On the Remains of a Vitrified Fort or Site in the Island of Cumbrae, with Notes on the Vitrified Forts of Berigonium, Glen Nevis, Craig Phadrick, and Bute."

The President reported that the following joint address of condolence to the Queen, on the death of Prince Albert, had been approved of by the representatives of the different Societies, and transmitted to Sir George Grey for presentation to her Majesty :

TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,-We, your Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects, the Members of the Scientific Societies established in the city of Glasgow, humbly approach your Royal Presence with the expression of our profound sympathy and heartfelt condolence on the irreparable loss which your Majesty and the British empire have sustained in the death of your Royal Consort,-in whose private and public character we had long been accustomed to recognize the habitual manifestation of every princely virtue, a faithful and affectionate husband, a loving and judicious father, the sagacious counsellor of your Majesty, and the tried and trusted friend of all ranks of the British people.

His Royal Highness came to this country a stranger, but he speedily acquired an intimate knowledge of our national character, and a not less clear perception of our national deficiencies. Impelled by the instincts of his noble nature, and guided by his highly cultivated mind and vig

orous understanding, he inaugurated and identified himself with many objects of social progress and national improvement, to which, with exemplary earnestness and persistency, he lent the influence derived from his exalted station, and the practical wisdom acquired by observation and experience. Nor did His Royal Highness confine his interest to the limits of the British Empire. In his comprehensive view, the wisdom of the patriot blended with the benevolence of the philanthropist; and the prosperity and advancement of the British nation were inseparably connected with a generous regard to the amelioration of mankind at large. Appreciating with rare sagacity the tendency of the age in which we live, he evinced a constant desire that the moral influence of his adopted country should prove instrumental in giving a wholesome direction to the social progress of the nations; and we recall with mournful satisfaction the memorable and weighty words on that subject, in which our wise and good Prince, though dead, will continue to speak with impressive authority to the men of this and the coming time :— “ Nobody who has paid any attention to the peculiar features of our present era will doubt for a moment that we are living at a period of most wonderful transition, which tends rapidly to accomplish that great end to which, indeed, all history points—the realization of the unity of mankind.”

Associated as we are, in our several spheres, for the advancement of abstract and practical Science in a great commercial and manufacturing community, we felt an ever-growing admiration of the efforts, alike skilful and successful, of His Royal Highness to encourage the study of Science, to develop the industrial resources of the nation, to stimulate the inventive ingenuity of its artizans and mechanics, to disseminate a love of the Fine Arts, and promote the spread of common education.

We have heard with thankfulness of the devout resignation with which your Majesty has been enabled to bear this heavy affliction; and we feel assured that, next to the consolation vouchsafed from the Source of all true comfort, is the satisfaction experienced by your Majesty in reflecting upon the unmingled felicity of past years, resulting from the interchange of the domestic affections, the faithful discharge of mutual duties and public responsibilities, and the pains unreservedly bestowed upon the training of the youthful members of the Royal Family; to whom your Majesty's loyal subjects will look with confidence, under the Divine blessing, to reflect the virtues which have so eminently characterized their Royal parents, and perpetuate the glory of a reign the most prosperous and illustrious in the annals of our beloved native land.

Signed by the President and Secretary of each of the following Societies, viz. :

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF GLASGOW.

INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS IN SCOTLAND.

ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

SCOTTISH SHIPBUILDERS' ASSOCIATION.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ASSOCIATION OF ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.

March 12, 1862.-The PRESIDENT in the Chair.

Mr. John Robertson, Coalmaster, 173 Great Eastern Road, was elected a member of the Society.

The following letter was received from Sir George Grey, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Home Affairs :—

WHITEHALL, 10th March, 1862.

SIR,-I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and dutiful Address of the Scientific Societies established in the city of Glasgow, on the occasion of the death of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort; and I have to inform you that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the Address very graciously.-I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

THE SECRETARY OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, GLASGOW.

G. GREY.

Mechanical Theory of the Predominance of the Right Hand over the Left; or, more generally, of the Limbs of the Right Side over those of the Left Side of the Body. By ANDREW BUCHANAN, M.D., Professor of Physiology in the University of Glasgow.

THE use of the right hand in preference to the left must be regarded as a general characteristic of the family of man. There is no nation, race, or tribe of men on the face of the earth, at the present day, among whom this preference does not obtain; while, in former times, it is shown to have existed, both by historical documents and by the still more ancient and authentic testimony of certain words, phrases, and modes of speaking, which are, I believe, to be found in every spoken

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