A Manchester reprint of Brougham's speech, the first edition of which was printed in London. Note that this pamphlet was distributed gratuitously by a newspaper publisher.
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A Manchester reprint of Brougham's speech, the first edition of which was printed in London. Note that this pamphlet was distributed gratuitously by a newspaper publisher.

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Brougham Emphasizes Cheap Informative Publications to Help Educate the Working Classes

1825
Brougham Practical Observations upon the Education of the People
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons

in 1825 Henry Brougham published Practical Observations upon the Education of the People Addressed to the Working Classes and their Employers (London: London: printed by Richard Taylor ..... for the benefit of the London Mechanics Institution, 1825). This pamphlet, which underwent about 20 reprints in London in 1825, and was reprinted elsewhere in England that year, represented a kind of call to arms to harness the new printing and papermaking technologies to produce editions of informative works that were affordable to any working person. Brougham intended the income from this pamphlet to support the London Mechanics Institute, which he had co-founded in 1823.

From the pamphlet I quote relevant sections, starting from the first paragraph:

"I begin by assuming that there is no class of the community entirely occupied with labour as not to have an hour or two every other day at least, to bestow upon the pleasure and improvement to be derived from reading— or so poor as not to have the means of contributing something towards purchasing this gratification, the enjoyment of which, beside the present amusement, is the surest way both to raise our character and better our condition.—Let us consider how the attainment of this inestimable advantage may be most successfully promoted....

"The difficulties may all be classed under one or other of two heads— want of money, and want of time. To the first belongs the difficulty of obtaining those books and instructors which persons in easier circumstances can command; and to the second it is owing that the same books and instructors are not adapted to them....The first method, then which suggests itself for promoting knowledge among the poor, is the encouragement of cheap publications; and in no country is this more wanted than in Great Britain, where, with all our expertness in manufactures, we have never succeeded in printing books at so little as double the price required by our neighbours on the continent. A gown, which any where else would cost half a guinea, may be made in this country for half a crown; but a volume, fully as well or better printed, and paper, which, if not as fine, is quite fine enough, and far more agreeable to the eyes, that could be bought in London for half a guinea, costs only six francs, or less than five shillings, at Paris. The high price of labour in a trade where so little can be done, or at least has been done by machinery, is one of the causes of the difference. But the direct tax upon paper is another; and the determination to print upon paper of a certain price is a third; and the aversion to crowd the page is a fourth. Now all these, except the first, may be got over...The repeal of the tax upon paper, which is truly a tax upon knowledge, and falls the heaviest upon those who most want instruction, would further reduce the price....

"The method of publishing in Numbers is admirably suited to the circumstances of the classes whose income is derived from wages. Two pence is easily saved in a week by almost any labourer; and by a mechanic sixpence in a week may without difficulty be laid by. Those who have not attended to such matters, would be astonished to find out how substantial meal of information may be had by twopenny-worths....

"Although the publication of cheap works is the most effectual method of bringing knowledge within the reach of a poor man's income, there are other modes serving our attention, whereby a similar assistance may be rendered, and his resources economized. Circulating libraries may in some circumstances be of use; but, generally speaking, they are little suited to those who have only an hour or two every day, or every other day, to bestow upon reading. Book Clubs or Reading Societies, are far more suited to the labouring classes, may be established by very small numbers of contributors, and require an inconsiderable funds. If the associates live near one another, arrangements may be easily made for circulating the books, so that they may be in use every moment that any one can spare from his work...."

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