The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1829
(Edinburgh Review (Oct. 1829), pp. 181-193; in A. Aspinall and E. Anthony Smith, eds.,
English Historical Documents, XI, 1783-1832, New York: Oxford University Press,
1959,.pp.720-22. Henry Brougham founded the Society in 1829. Its purpose was the
promotion of self-help and improvement through the publication of inexpensive books.)
......The great objects of the Society are to furnish the means of instruction to those
who are desirous of acquiring it, and to excite the desire of those who are indifferent
about it. A vast proportion of the community are now sufficiently educated to be
able to read, but of these there are great numbers who can hardly be said to derive
much benefit from this power. They read but little, and what they read is of little use
to them. This arises, in some, from want of time and money; in others, from want of
inclination; in not a few, from both causes. Many of the poor are anxious for books
of useful learning, but they cannot afford to buy them; or, when they have made a
shift to procure them, they find them too abstruse for their understanding, in the
limited time they have to bestow on their perusal. Many, in easy circumstances, have
money and time at their command, but want books in which they can learn
branches of useful knowledge without the help of a teacher. But many are also to be
found, both in the wealthier and the poorer classes, whose minds are listless, or
engrossed with other pursuits, occupied with business, enervated by indolent habitsand who regard the effort of gaining knowledge as a toil, the pain of which is
inadequately recompensed by the acquisition. To supply what is wanted by all these
portions of the community, has been the purpose of the Society's operations.
The Library of Useful Knowledge is intended to furnish treatises on every branch of
science and history, at the lowest possible price, and suited to every reader's capacity;
from him who is ignorant of the first elements of science, to him who would reach its
greatest heights. Sixty of these treatises have now been published: among these are nine
containing the History of Greece, which, with the Chronology and Index, is sold in a five
shilling volume, containing as much matter as is usually contained in three volumes at
four-and-twenty shillings. Another volume, containing one half of Natural Philosophy, is
also now completed, and only two or three treatises are wanting to finish the second
volume, which will complete the whole of Natural Philosophy. It is stated in the Yearly
Report that popular introductions to the subjects of astronomy, mechanics and optics, are
preparing, for the purpose of teaching as much of these sciences as can be communicated
to persons wholly unacquainted with the mathematics. And, in the meantime, the truly
admirable Glossary and explanation of scientific terms, which has been published to the
first volume of Natural Philosophy, of itself almost supplies this desideratum as to two of
the three subjects....
Supposing the remaining parts of physical and mathematical science to require sixty
more treatises, while their applications to the arts occupy [an] other sixty, and 120 are
given to the other sciences, and ten to history, the whole Library, consisting of 400
treatises, and containing matter equal to that of forty common octavo volumes, will be
sold for ten pounds; or for eleven guineas, including an Atlas of sixty maps; while
complete works on each separate branch of knowledge may be obtained for four or five
shillings; and upon subdivisions of these branches, for a shilling or even sixpence.
There will also be a gradation in the treatises upon subjects of difficulty, so that
readers of every class, in respect of previous acquirements, may be suited; and those who
have all to learn, may teach themselves, provided they can only read.... It is certain that if
you make anything, valuable in itself, cheap, you increase the demand for it; and as the
difficulties of acquiring knowledge are another impediment in the way of indolent
persons, whatever lessens these, will encourage them to think of learning; so that, by
making science at once cheap and easy, a considerable stimulus is given to the desire of
attaining it.
This, however, we are well aware, is not sufficient encouragement for the love of
useful information; and accordingly, the Library of Entertaining Knowledge has been
instituted, for the purpose of turning to some account the reading of that large class, in
every rank of the community, who are not averse to all reading, but will consent only to
read what is amusing. So large a portion of important information may be conveyed in
this shape, that the greatest benefit is to be expected from this Library. Since we last
mentioned it, there have been published five parts; that is, a second on Menageries; two
on Vegetable Substances used in the Arts, comprising timber-trees and fruits; one upon
the Pursuit of Knowledge in difficult circumstances, including Anecdotes of self-taught
men; and one upon Insect Architecture, a subject of the most curious and interesting
nature, full of science, and yet as amusing as a novel. These works are illustrated with a
profusion of the most beautiful cuts. It is not wonderful that the circulation should be
extensive; it is said to be twenty thousand monthly. The price is two shillings a part, or
four for a volume of above 400 pages-some of the volumes containing above seventy
cuts. . . .
We hear in some quarters a charge made against the labours of the Society,
originating, as it appears to us, in great want of reflection. The condition, it is said, of the
working classes in this country is so wretched, that knowledge is the last thing they
require. They are ground down by want and misery of every kind; they have no heart to
improve their minds; let them first be better lodged, clothed and fed; and when you have
provided for these necessaries, it is time to think of furnishing them with the luxury of
learning.
To this we make answer, first, that the Society does not profess to confine its labours
to the working classes. Its publications are adapted to an ranks of the community; and as
it must be well aware that improvement always begins at the higher, and descends from
thence to the humbler classes, so its efforts, in all probability, are likely to be more
effectual at first with the upper and the middle, than with the lower ranks....But we should
give a sufficient answer to the remark we have cited, were we to say that the distresses of
the working classes, which are unhappily severe almost beyond all former experience,
afford no reason against providing for their better education. No association of
individuals, however zealous in their benevolent intentions, can pretend to relieve those
prevailing distresses. But is this any reason for neglecting the good work which
individuals, combined like the members of the Society, have it in their power to
perform?...