Campbell, whom he had the pleasure of knowing as a man of small stature, with perceptive faculties largely developed, eyes unusually lustrous, and a mouth whose movements were extremely nervous. At the conclusion of the lecture the chairman (P. O. Callaghan, Esq.) also made a few remarks on the late poet Campbell, and said he had found out, after much searching, that for five years he had resided at a house in the South Colonnade now occupied by Mr. Parks. The audience comprised several members of the nobility, and many of the gentry and principal inhabitants.
Lectures Continued - Mechanics Institution
“Geology” was the next lecture, hearing of which attracted a good audience of members of the Institution and other inhabitants of the town on the 21st of November, the subject being well handled and the lecturer being Mr. Macintosh.
Eastern Habitations, as a lecture, and the last of the year in connection with the Mechanics’ Institution, attracted a large audience on the 12th of Dec. Nearly forty lectures were delivered in the two towns during the year, notwithstanding the absorbing interest manifested in the war with Russia.
The Hastings lectures are dealt with in the next chapter.
The St. Leonards Mechanics Institution
The full details of this association and its rise and progress from its commencement in 1848 to its jubilee in 1898, are intended to be given in a separate History, its successful survival of several kindred institutions in the borough being deemed worthy of such distinction. The associative items which follow are, consequently, an enumeration merely of sundry occurrences. On the 31st of January the Committee purchased at an auction sale, for £505 an unfinished house in Norman road, that had been the property of Mr. Jas. Smith, an early member of the Institution.
A quarterly meeting was held on the 9th of February, when an encouring(sic) report was read by the secretary, Mr. R. F. Davis.
At the quarterly meeting on the 11th of May, another long and interesting report was read, showing the number of members to be 184, and the financial position to be better than at any time since its formation.
On the 20th of September, the Institution being installed in its new premises, extended its advantages by passing a resolution to admit subscribers at 6d a week, and visitors at 1d. a day.
The 6th annual soirée was held on the 14th of November, but owing to unfavourable weather there was a loss of a few pounds, which amount some of the members voluntarily drew from their own pockets.
{At a general meeting on the 23rd of Nov. the number of members was reported to be 193, and the balance of cash to be £15 6s. 8d. in favour of the society. With three exceptions the president and twelve vice-presidents, were all gentlemen of independent means.
