[ ... back to main menu for this book]

 Philanthropic Societies. —The following are the principal Philanthropic Societies, with their objects and terms of subscription, according to official returns furnished, at the Editor’s request, by their respective secretaries. The societies omitted are those from which his request for information has failed to elicit any reply:
ABORIGINES PROTECTION SOCIETY, 17,  King William-street, Charing-cross. — Subscription: 10s. 6d. per annum. Object: To protect the rights and promote the civilisation of aboriginal races, especially in British colonies or the adjacent territories.
AGED PILGRIMS’ FRIEND SOCIETY  and AGED PILGRIMS’ ASYLUM (at Camberwell and Hornsey-rise), 9, Finsbury - pavement. Subscription: Subscribers of £3 3s. per annum qualified to nominate one case. Votes are given also for subscriptions of 7s. and upwards. Object: To grant life pensions of 5, 7 and 10 guineas per annum to the aged Christian poor of both sexes, and of every Protestant denomination, who are eligible by the rules and approved by committee. The asylums are for the reception of 160 pensioners of the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society.
ANGLO-ORIENTAL SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE OPIUM TRADE, 8, Buckingham-street, Strand. — Subscription  (no information).
ANTI-VIVISECTION, 180, Brompton-road.—(See LONDON ANTI-VIVISECTION SOCIETY, p. 198.)
ARMY RESERVE FORCES’ PROVIDENT AID AND BENEFIT SOCIETY (Registered under 38 & 39 Vict. c. 6o), 6, Finsbury-chambers, 88, London-wall.— Subscription: annual, £2 2s.; honorary, £5 5s. Object: For the purpose of securing a better provision than allowed by the State for the wives and families of the army and militia reserve men, in the event of being called to serve with the colours. The society, although a young one, now numbers 5,000 members, and is self-supporting.
ARTISTS’ ORPHAN FUND (established 1871), 24, Old Bond-street, Piccadilly.—Subscription:  (no information). Object: For the support and education of the orphan children of painters, sculptors, architects, and engravers.
ASSOCIATE INSTITUTION FOR IMPROVING AND ENFORCING THE LAWS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN, 30, Cockspur-street. —Subscription: Entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Object: The suppression of improper houses. The detection and punishment of parties who commit indecent or other assaults upon women and children. To afford to women and girls counsel and help, with a view to shield them from the temptations and dangers to which they are exposed.
ASSOCIATION FOR THE SUPPLY OF PURE VACCINE LYMPH, 3, Hemmings-row, Charing-cross (temporary). — Annual Subscription: £1 1s. for four charged tubes quarterly, &c. Object: The object of this association is to supply pure calf or humanised vaccine lymph.
BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS’ SOCIETY.—Communications to be addressed to Secretary, Sailors’ Institute, Mercers-st, Shadwell, E. Subscription: £1 1s and £10 10s. life member. Object: Is the religious, intellectual, and social elevatiOn of British and foreign seamen.
BRITISH LADIES’ FEMALE EMIGRANT SOCIETY FOR PROVIDING MATRONS, BOOKS, AND EMPLOYMENT FOR EMIGRANTS DURING THEIR VOYAGE, 23, Fitzroy-st, Fitzroy-sq.-— Subscription: Optional. Object: To provide visitation for emigrant ships at the various ports of departure, forming the female emigrants into industrial classes, and supplying them with means for their instruction and employment during the voyage, through the agency of the secretary, or of a local visiting committee. To find judicious and efficient matrons for the office of superintending the young women on the voyage, and induce the emigration commissioners to appoint them to that office. To form corresponding societies in the Colonies, for the protection and assistance of the female immigrants on their arrival.
CAB DRIVERS’ BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, 15, Soho-square.  Subscription: Donations of £1 constitute a life subscription, entitling the donor to one vote, and one additional vote for every £1 so subscribed. Annual subscriptions of 5s. entitle the subscriber to one vote for each 5s. so subscribed. Objects: To grant annuities of £12 per annum to aged or infirm cabmen who can no longer earn their living, and to grant loans without interest to members requiring such aid, on the security of another member of the association.
CABMEN’S SHELTER FUND, 15, Soho-square.—Object:       To provide “shelters,” with refreshments at the lowest prices, under the charge of attendants, for metropolitan cabmen when on the ranks. Each “shelter” is supplied with periodicals, and a stove for cooking purposes.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION AGENCY, 10, Blomfield-street.—Object: To. engage and send out to the Cape of Good Hope artisans, mechanics, recruits for Cape Mounted Riflemen for the service of the Colonial Government; artisans, mechanics, farm and domestic servants for the service of colonial employers; and to supply information on all sub jects connected with the colony of the Cape of Good Hope.
CENTRAL SHOEBLACK SOCIETY, 2, Saffron-hill, Farringdon-road.
— Subscription:  (no information). Object: To employ and find employment for homeless, friendless, and destitute boys.
CHARITY VOTING REFORM ASSOCIATION, 30, Charing-cross.— No subscription necessary for membership. Object: Reform of the abuses connected with the election of beneficiaries to charitable institutions, such as “public polling days,” “traffic in votes,” “canvassing by cards and circulars,” &c.
CITY OF LONDON TRUSS SOCIETY, 35, Finsbury-square (Instituted 1807).— Subscription:  Annual, £1 1s.;  life, £10 10s., or £5 5s. Object: To relieve poor ruptured persons recommended by governors; by furnishing (under surgical direction) trusses for every kind of rupture, and bandages and necessary instruments for all cases of prolapsus; and by performing every necessary operation.
DECORATIVE NEEDLEWORK SOCIETY, 73, George-street, Portman-square. — Object: The instruction in, and production at moderate cost of, the higher classes of decorative needlework.
EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION (Established 1842), 100, Fleet-street. Subscription:   No fixed amount. Object: An abridgment of the hours of labour in all departments of industrial life, wherever they are unduly prolonged; the adoption of a Saturday half-holiday where practicable the early payment of wages; the rescue of shopkeepers and their assistants from the drudgery of Sunday trading.
EAST LONDON (BLUE) SHOEBLACK HOME AND BRIGADE FOR DESTITUTE BOYS, 96, Mansell-street, Whitechapel. — Self-supporting. Object: The reclamation of destitute boys, and providing them with a means of honest livelihood.
FEMALE MISSION TO THE FALLEN (Woman’s Mission Women), 435, West Strand.—Object: The work of the mission is entirely carried on by means of Christian female missionaries, who labour in the streets of London among the fallen of their own sex. The fallen reasoned with; hospitals visited; tracts distributed; and temporary lodgings provided for those who are desirous of reforming.
FREEHOLD COTTAGE DWELLINGS COMPANY LIMITED, 35, Spring-gardens Charing-cross.— Subscription:  (no information). Object: To improve the dwellings of the poor and of the working classes.
GREENWICH SOCIETY FOR THE ACQUISITION AND DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, Lecture Hall, Royal Hill, Greenwich.— Subscription:   Life membership (transferable), £10; life membership (not transferable), £5 5s.; annual subscription (adult), 10s.
annual subscription (minors, under 14 years of age)_{1 5}s. Object: See title of the society
HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND, 10, South-place, Finsbury.— Subscription:   (no information). Object: To enable the working classes of the metropolis to contribute to the support of the hospitals and dispensaries of London.
HOUSE-BOY BRIGADE, PIMLIC0 BRANCH, 63, Eaton-square-— Subscription:  £5 entrance fee. Object: To train poor boys for domestic service ; while in the home they are sent out to assist the servants of private families in the neighbourhood, at a charge per hour.
IMPARTIAL, 92, Hampstead-road. — Subscription:  Various. Object: To ameliorate the condition of the industrial classes and minimise pauperism by judicious pecuniary aid to the deserving poor.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE TOTAL SUPPRESSION OF VIVISECTION, 25, Cockspur-street. — Subscription:   10s. 6d. annually constitutes membership. Object:
The repeal of the Act of 1876, and the enacting of a law absolutely prohibiting the practice of vivisection.
IRISH PEASANTRY SOCIETY OF LONDON, 61, Stamford-street.— Subscription:  (no information). Object: The improvement of the condition of the peasantry of Ireland, with which object in view grants are made, under certain conditions, to local agricultural and gardening societies in Ireland.
LADlES’ DRESSMAKING AND EMBROIDERY ASSOCIATION AND SCHOOL OF DRESSMAKING, 42, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Subscription:  Annual (amount not stated) and donations. Object:  To afford thorough training in dressmaking to the daughters of professional men with limited incomes; to arrange classes for needlework for amateurs; and to give daily employment in embroidery to a limited number of poor gentlewomen.
LLOYD’S PATRIOTIC FUND, 14, Cornhill.— Subscription:   Fund invested, no subscriptions solicited.  Object: To grant assistance to such soldiers, seamen, and marine, as well officers as men, or their widows, orphans, or dependent relatives, as in the opinion of the trustees shall be fitting objects for such aid, having special regard to sufferings and losses arising during services in action.
LONDON ANTI-VIVISECTION SOCIETY, 180, Brompton-rd.— Subscription:  5s. and upwards. Object: Total abolition of vivisection.
LONDON LABOURERS’ DWELLINGS SOCIETY LIMITED, 5, Eldon-street, Finsbury— Subscription:  Shares, £100 each, fully paid. Object: The improvement of existing dwellings for the bona fide working classes, and the erection of new dwellings as opportunities arise.
LONDON PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY, 17, Ironmonger-lane, Cheapside. — Subscription:  Optional. Object: To relieve the poor with bread and coals throughout the metropolis during the winter, the tickets for which are distributed by subscribers.
MARYLEBONE ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIAL CLASSES, 65, Marylebone-road.— Subscription:  (not stated). Object: Improving the dwellings of the working classes.
MENDICITY SOCIETY, 13, Red Lion-square— Subscription:  Life governor, £10 10s., or £1 1s. annual, entitles to 100 tickets’ and for the further privilege of referring to the Begging Letter Department: Life governor, £21, or £2 2s. annual. Object: The apprehension of impostors and vagrants, and relief of the deserving poor.
METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR BEFRIENDING YOUNG SERVANTS, 7, Great College-street, Westminster. — Subscription: (no information). Object: To befriend young girls from 13 to 20 years of age who are in or entering domestic service, and are exposed to peculiar dangers and difficulties from the want of home protection.
METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUSTRIOUS CLASSES, 8, Finsbury-circus.- Subscription:  (not stated). Object: Improving
The dwellings  of the working classes of the metropolis.
METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL SUNDAY FUND, 1, Queen Victoria-street, Mansion House.—Subscription: By collections made at places of divine worship. Object: To relieve as far as possible the current annual expenses of hospitals and dispensaries of London which remain periodically unprovided for.
MIDNIGHT MEETING MOVEMENT, 8a, Red Lion-square.-— Subscription:  Voluntary. Object: The rescue of fallen women by holding midnight meetings in London and the provinces.
NATIONAL DWELLINGS SOCIETY LIMITED, 35, Spring-gardens, Charing-cross.— Subscription:  (no information). Object: To improve the dwellings of the poor and of the working classes.
NATIONAL TRUSS SOCIETY (Instituted 1786), 3, Crooked-lane, Cannon-street. — Subscription:  £10 10s. donation constitutes a life governor; £5 5s. a life member; annual from 10s. 6d, Object: For the relief of the ruptured poor of both sexes throughout the kingdom, and also provides many other surgical appliances in addition to trusses. The governors and subscribers are entitled to letters for recommending cases in the proportion of four for each guinea.
PURE LITERATURE SOCIETY, 11, Buckingham-street, Strand.— Subscription:  (no information). Object: The increased circulation of pure and healthy literature.
ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY, 4,  Trafalgar-square. — Subscription:  £1 1s. per annum, annual governor; £2 2s. per annum, annual director; £10 10s. donation, a life governor; £20 donation, a life director. Object: To collect and circulate the most approved and effectual methods for recovering persons apparently drowned; to suggest and provide suitable apparatus for saving life; and to bestow rewards on all who risk their lives for the preservation and restoration of human life. Supported by voluntary contributions.—(See also HUMANE SOCIETY.)
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION (Established 1824; incorporated by royal charter in 1860), 14, John-street, Adelphi. Supported solely by voluntary contributions. Object: Planting lifeboats on the coast, and granting rewards for saving life from shipwreck. Number of lives saved, 26,051.
RUPTURE SOCIETY, 27, Great James-street, Bedford-row.— Subscription:  Annual subscribers of £1 1s. can recommend three patients within the year; of £2 2s. six patients; and for every larger subscription a greater number of patients may be recommended in similar  proportions. For every life subscription of £10 10s. at one payment, three patients may be recommended in each year; of £I5 15s. four patients; and of £21 six patients in each year. Object: To supply trusses gratuitously to the poor of both sexes all over England.
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION, St. John’s-gate, Clerkenwell—(See special heading under “S.”)
ST. MARYLEBONE FEMALE PROTECTION SOCIETY, 157, Marylebone-road — Subscription:  Voluntary contributions. Object: The society, founded in 1838, seeks to reclaim young women from all parts of the country who have, by one false step, fallen from the path of virtue. They are cared for in their trouble if expecting to become mothers; and after suitable training, are placed in service, where needful help is given them in supporting their infants, lest, through want, they should fall again. This is the more necessary from the extreme youth of many of the applicants, which prevents their earmng sufficient to maintain their infants.
SHIPWRECKED MARINERS SOCIETY, Hibernia-chambers, London-bridge. — Subscription:  Voluntary, from 2s. 6d. upwards; fishermen and mariners beneficiary subscription, 3s. per annum. Object: To board, lodge, clothe, and forward to their homes, or to their nearest consuls, if foreigners, all wrecked seamen, soldiers, or other poor persons of  all nations, cast destitute upon the coasts. To assist seamen, whether of the royal navy or merchant service, fishermen, coastguardmen, pilots, boatmen, and apprentices, subscribers to the society, to replace their clothes and boats, when lost by storm or other accidents of the sea; and to relieve their widows, orphans, and aged parents. To give gold and silver medals, and other honorary or pecuniary
rewards, for any praiseworthy endeavours to save life from shipwreck on the high seas or coasts of the Colonies. To give small gratuities to its old and necessitous members in extreme and special cases.
SHOEBLACKS HOME (N.W.L.), 241, Marylebone-road.- Subscription:  None, being self-supporting; all boys admitted free. Object: To employ homeless, destitute, and those in need of help; to educate and p lace out those who earn a good character into situations.
SOCIETY FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF NECESSITOUS GENTLEWOMEN, 48, Hunter-street, London.— Subscription:  (no information). Object: For the tuition and employment of gentlewomen in the arts of printing, engraving, bookbinding, - relief stamping m colours, music printing, &c.
SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE, 23, Lincoln’s-inn-fields. Subscription:  No fixed sum. Object: To suppress all outward exhibitions of vice and immorality ; more especially the suppression of exhibition and sale of immoral publications, pictures, or other representations.
SURGICAL AID SOCIETY, 16, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars.— Subscription: 10s.6d. per annum. £5 5s. donation, entities to two letters of recommendation per annum. Object: To supply spinal supports, leg instruments, elastic stockings, trusses, and every kind of surgical appliance gratuitously to the afflicted poor; air and water beds, invalid couches, &c., are lent to the poor on the recommendation of subscribers.
SURGICAL APPLIANCE SOCIETY, PROVIDENT (Instituted 1872, under the patronage of the Bishop of London, the Baroness Burdett Coutts), &c., 37, Great Ormond-street,  Bloomsbury. Subscription:  £5 5s. constitutes donor a life governor; annual subscription from 10s. 6d.
TRYON HOUSE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 115, Sloane-st.— Subscription: 5s. and upwards. Object: To provide a home for those engaged in house of business or seeking situation in the same.
UNITED KINGDOM BENEFICENT ASSOCIATION, 4, Berners-st, Oxford-st. — Subscription: contribution of 5s. will confer one vote at each election during 12 months; 10s. two votes, and so on in like proportion to any amount. All contributors of £5 and upward in one sum are, in the absence of any direction from them to the contrary, considered as life governors, and have two votes for life for each £5 at every election. Object: For granting annuities up to £25 to persons of the upper and middle classes in reduced circumstances who are above 40 years of age, and who are unable from bodily infirmities to earn their own livelihood; and for affording temporary help to candidates in urgent distress.
UNIVERSAL BENEFICENT SOCIETY, 15, Soho-square. — Subscription: Vice-president, patroness, or governor, 12 votes, £20 donation; 25 votes, £5 subscription. Life members’ donations: 1 vote, £2 10s. ; 3 votes, £5; 6 votes, £10, and so on, 3 votes for each £5 contributed. Annual subscribers: 1 vote, 5s. ; 2 Votes, 10s. ;  5 votes £1 ; and so on, 5 votes for each £1 subscribed. Object : This society has been founded to assist in various ways those in necessity of good character, without distinction of class, nationality, or sect; its operations are not confined to the metropolis, but assistance is given wherever needed in the following manner: 1. By pensions to aged or infirm person who are unable to gain their own livelihood. 2. By granting loan without interest to persons of respectability in need of temporary assistance. 3. By gifts of money, clothes, &c., to those seeking employment, or who require such aid towards emigration. 4. By payments for the admission of orphan and destitute, neglected, or ill-treated children into suitable home and institutions.
VICTORIA DWELLINGS ASSOCIATION LIMITED, 9, Victoria-chambers, Westminster Abbey, SW.—  Subscription: Shares £10 each, fully paid up. Object: The association was inaugurated at Battersea by the Prime Minister June 23rd, 1877, to provide healthy and comfortable homes for the labouring classes. The dwellings erected by the association are situate in the Battersea-park-road, and at Stroud-vale, King’s-cross.

Charles Dickens (Jr.), Dickens's Dictionary of London, 1879