Leeds Mercury (19/Dec/1846) - Huddersfield Female Educational Institute

The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

Huddersfield Female Educational Institute.

We are happy to learn that an institution with the above title is about to be established, having for its object "to provide for young Females of that town and neighbourhood increased facilities for mental improvement, by means of evening classes, a library, addresses, and such other methods as may from time to time appear suitable. The object of this institution is not to give instruction on religious subjects, thereby interfering with the Sunday schools at present in operation, where it can be more effectually and directly inculcated, but to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, history, and other branches of a sound, moral, and secular education." The Institute will consist of the following four classes of female members and subscribers:—

1st. Those females who subscribe 2d. per week (payable three weeks in advance) will be entitled to all the privileges of the institute, viz., attendance on the classes and addresses, to the use of the library, and to a voice in the management of the affairs of the institute.
2nd. Subscribers of 10s. per annum may nominate one member, who shall enjoy all the benefits of the institute.
3rd. Those who subscribe 15s. per annum shall, in addition to their own privileges as members, have the right of presenting one female to all the benefits of the institution.
4th. Those whose subscriptions exceed 15s. annually will have the privilege of presenting one member for each additional 10s. subscribed.

In addition to the above subscribers and members — gentlemen subscribing 10s. per annum and upwards will have the right of nominating, for each 10s. subscribed, one female, to enjoy all the benefits of the Institute, and will themselves be eligible to serve on the committee of management. Two lady visitors will be appointed to attend on each evening that the classes assemble, to ensure the order and regularity of the proceedings, and to report as they may find occasion to the managing committee. It is intended that the classes shall commence the first week in January, 1847.

We are happy to see this provision made for females who early education may have been imperfect, or who are laudably desirous to keep up and attend the knowledge they may have acquired at school. We see the name of S.C. Kell, Esq., as secretary pro tem, and on the Committee the names of the Rev. Messrs. Glendinning, Skinner, J.P. Dunn, B. Turnock, as also those of Messrs. T. Mallinson, T. Heaps, E. Ramsden, W. Cowper, Joseph Bairstow, G. Beaumont, E. Craven. R. Kell, S. Holroyd, W. Senior, James Jordan, and W.H.A. Roebuck. this Institution resembles that at Kirkstall near Leeds; and it is most gratifying to see the philanthropy of the age so active and ingenious in devising and establishing so many new methods of promoting the well-being of our population. We need not say that there is no class whose moral and intellectual well-being is more essential to the virtue and happiness of society, than these young females who are to become the mothers and trainers of the next generation. The Institute is receiving generous support in Huddersfield, and we hope it will be imitated in many other places.