Transcribed from the 1869 Marylebone Penny Readings edition byDavid Price,
AN ADDRESSTO THE PATRONS AND FRIENDS
OF THE
Marylebone Penny Readings,
BY
HENRY TAYLOR,
HONORARY CONDUCTOR.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY THE MARYLEBONE PENNYREADINGS,
The Harrow Road Hall, Cromwell Terrace,W.
1869.
[PRICE ONE PENNY.]
My Lords and Gentlemen,
As Certain statements have appeared in the Local Journalsreflecting upon my character as the Honorary Conductor of“The Readings,” and upon the Institution, I deem itmy duty to send this statement to you, with the request that youwill give it your kind and impartial consideration. Ishould not have adopted this course had the Editors of thosejournals, viz.: “The Marylebone Mercury” and“The Bayswater Chronicle,” inserted my lettersaddressed to them, giving a denial of themisrepresentations. I think it may not be out of place togive you a sketch of the progress of the Institution, and tomention from what cause I was induced to commence the series ofPenny Readings first known as “Praed Street PennyReadings,” but afterwards more appropriately termed“The Marylebone Penny Readings.” I had attendedmany Penny Reading meetings within the metropolis and wasthoroughly convinced that such meetings were not only p. 4calculated todo much good, but would be very acceptable to the working classesif properly conducted; but, unfortunately, in many instances theprogrammes abounded with Vulgar Comic Songs, while in others areligious spirit was infused, rendering the programme monotonousand unattractive. Having a little time at my disposal, Idetermined upon founding a series of Penny Readings, having forits objects—“presenting a counter attraction tohaunts of vice and of creating and improving the tastes for pureand standard literature.” With this view, I gave aninaugural meeting at the Foresters’ Hall, on Thursdayevening, November 21st, 1867, when our esteemed member, Mr.Thomas Chambers, M.P., Q.C., presided; through the kindness ofthe Rev. John Clifford, LL.B., I was permitted to hold a seriesof twenty-seven meetings in the small room beneath “PraedStreet Chapel;” the first meeting was held there on the24th November, under the Presidency of Mr. F. Berridge,F.R.G.S. The first four meetings were thinly attended, butthe attendance gradually increased until they acquired apopularity as the first of their class.
Encouraged by success, another branch was opened at “TheLecture Hall, New Church Street.” This branch,unfortunately, proved a financial failure. At the end ofthe series I found we were in debt to the extent of £25: ofthis I paid £15, and with the consent of the creditors,about £10 was allowed to remain until another season; underthese circumstances I did not feel justified in increasing ourliabilities by publishing a report. Being now practicallyconvinced that although these meetings could not be a financialsuccess, they would accomplish their object and be veryacceptable to the working classes—knowing that there were