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The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
The existence of this society is first recorded in a letter to the editor of
the Manx Sun, published in the paper of 29 December 1845. 'A member'
outlines its purpose and mode of operation and asks for support, hinting at
the time-honoured rivalry with Douglas, the emergent new capital to be.
The society,in existence for some time in Castletown 'possesses a small library,
and the members of it assemble weekly, for the purpose of, as the name of the
society indicates, 'mutual improvement. This they endeavour to effect by occasional
lecturing on literary or scientific matters, by debating--- in which religious,
political, or any subject that would tend to promote discord, is carefully excluded,---and
by judicious conversation, thus seeking, by agreeable variety and adaptation
to capacity, to interest, to engage, and improve all. There is one shilling
paid on admission, and a weekly contribution of a penny, which goes towards
the purchase of periodicals of approved worth, circulating among the members
in rotation.
'The good such a society is capable of doing !s obvious; In fact, it would be a reproach in any town, at the present day, to be without the like; but as the good might be increased by more extensive co-operation, those who compose the society are desirous that its existence and purport should have publicity given them. And in order that any who feel desirous may avail themselves of the opportunity of joining, a meeting will be held in Mr. Cain's schoolroom, on Thursday next, December 4th, at eight o'clock in the evening, for the purpose of enrolling names. The success which attended at Douglas upon a similar notification, it is to be hoped, will not be lost sight of by our Castletown residents. The society is designed for all classes; its aim is the improvement of the mind, by means that are easy and accessible to most persons'.
The Isle of Man Examiner of 25 January 1890 reports the meeting of a society of the same name.:
M.N.H.L.,Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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