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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
'A Lover of knowledge' in the correspondence columns of the Manx Sun of 15 November 1845 sought to publicise a Literary Society about to be formed in Douglas. After a lengthy introduction in which he pointed out 'the innumerable mental advantages and pleasures which may be derived from education' for every class of the community, he welcomed the letter of the Secretary of the Ramsey Literary Society, published in the Manx Liberal of 8 November 1845., the paper published by John Pioneers and Joseph Ritson Wallace from 1836 to 1850, in which he described the operation of his society, similar to that about to start up in Douglas, which had been founded over a year before, in 1844.
A typical week started with the free discussion of any desired subject on the first evening. Individual instruction was given, and public discussions ,well attended , were held from time to time in order to raise money, particularly for the purchase of books. All members contributed 1d. per week expressly for this purpose and occasional gifts, for example the gift of 60 books by Mr. Teare, the druggist, had been welcomed.
Ramsey's head start over Douglas was hoped to shock the capital into action as it was obviously intolerable that Douglas 'with its population of 10,000' should be 'outstript' by Ramsey 'much smaller in extent and population'.
Membership of the Douglas Literary Society, for men only, could be obtained by giving in names at the Mechanics Library-room, Odd-Fellows Hall, Douglas, any Saturday evening from six to eight o'clock. I have found no later records of this worthy 'useful Knowledge' society.
Manx Newspapers, Manx Sun and Manx Liberal, ut supra et passim.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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