"'Tis Education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."

A FEW words in connection with the educational

department and the women's guild will bring to a close this brief and somewhat discursive record of the society's history.

The commencement of the reading-room in the attic in Newton-street; its removal to the shop in Bradshawgate, afterwards the old drapery shop, and again to the room over the grocery shop at the corner of Albionstreet; the incorporation of the books from the old Mechanics' Institution, and the arrangements made for the use of the reading-room and library by the general public, for a very nominal fee, have already been told. A statement of the yearly grants made from the general profits is given at the end of the book.

Up to 1895 the educational department was carried on by a sub-committee from the general committee. In 1900, and again in 1901, the rules were altered, and from this date the educational department has been managed by a separate committee elected by the members. Since the end of 1895 a fixed grant of I per cent has been allotted out of the profits to the educational department. For the year 1896 the total allowance amounted to £256, and for 1906, £494. As no

charge is made to the department for rent of rooms, rates, taxes and other expenses, which together will represent an amount of nearly £200, the total allowance to the department is equal at the present time to about £700 per annum.

With the gradually increasing grant from the general profits, the educational committee have extended the field of their labours. During the past two years about £120 has been spent on the library, which now contains about 3,000 volumes. Arrangements have also been made for supplying the members at the distant branches with books from the library.

In addition to the large reading-room at the central, there are also reading-rooms at the following branches, viz. :-Culcheth, Glazebury, Golborne, Hindley Green, Physic and Lowton; preparations are also being made for an additional one at Tyldesley.

A monthly Record is also published and given out free to the members at a cost of about £120 per annum. During the winter season, lectures, concerts, &c., are arranged for all the distant branches, as well as at the central. In the summer, botanical rambles, picnics, &c., are arranged, the result being a splendid propagandist work on behalf of the society, as well as helping to keep the members well in touch with the work of the society.

For some years, classes in dressmaking, ambulance work, &c., have been carried on very successfully; during the winter of 1906-7 the committee have been trying the experiment of paying half fees to students. attending classes at the Leigh Technical Schools, and about £60 has been paid in this way.

The following have been the librarians from the commencement :-Mr. Joshua Cleworth, up to 1865; Mr. James Abbott, September, 1865, to May, 1866; Mr. George Midgley, May, 1866, to March, 1879; Mr. Thomas Boydell, March, 1879, to February, 1884; Mr. James Dumbill, February, 1884, to October, 1891; Mr. James Howarth, October, 1891, to December, 1899; Mr. Alfred Lee, December, 1899, to present day. Mr. Lee has also acted as secretary to the educational

committee since 1899, and at the present time is editor of the Monthly Record.

The women's guild was commenced on October 13th, 1896. On that date Miss Reddish and Mrs. Child, of the Bolton Guild, and Mrs. Tootill, of Horwich, addressed a well-attended meeting, Mr. John Smith, the president, being chairman, and it was thereupon resolved to commence a branch at Leigh. Mrs. Oldham was appointed president, Mrs. W. T. Prescott treasurer, and Mrs. Peter Rimmer secretary; these, along with Mesdames Charleson, Makin, Lee and Fazakerly, formed the first committee.

It was arranged to pay a subscription of Is. per year and to meet fortnightly. Lectures, essays, sewing classes, concerts and children's parties are the principal features in the work carried on by the members of the guild.

Successive presidents of the guild have been Mesdames Oldham, Wetton, Charleson, Tonge, Walton, Southern, Hayes. Secretaries: Mrs. Rimmer, Miss Smith (Mrs. Thomason), Mrs. Isgar, Mrs. Urmston, Miss Hart and Mrs. M. Thomason. Treasurers: Mrs. W. T. Prescott, Mrs. Holt, Miss Hart, Mrs. Robinson.

On the marriage of Miss Smith, the members of the guild presented her with a handsome tea service, in recognition of her work as secretary. Branches of the guild are also held at Howbridge and Golborne.

It is an old saying that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world," and it would be equally true to say that the hand that carries the provision basket, to a large extent at any rate, rules the co-operative move

ment.

There are no suffragette agitations in connection with the co-operative movement; all members have equal. privileges in every department of the business of the societies.

And now, in conclusion, let the members see to it that they make the most of the grand institution which they have, after many and severe trials, built up. The possibilities for further progress and improvement are almost boundless. The whole matter rests entirely

with the members themselves, and the more loyal they are to their own institution, the greater will be the measure of success and the greater the benefits which will accrue to every individual member of the society.

"One ploughs, another sows;

Who will reap no one knows."

"We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons, from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience."