§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD BROUGHAM,in moving the second reading of this Bill, said it simply extended to libraries and book societies the principle of the art unions act, which had been found very useful in cultivating the taste of the working classes. Every subscriber would receive a book of the value of his subscription and a chance at the end of the year of gaining by a raffle a choice of books of specified value from a catalogue. No money would be given, and every precaution would be taken that, in encouraging reading, they should not encourage gambling. The Bill came from the other House, where it was unopposed, and, was supported by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
§ Moved, that the Bill he now read 2a.
§ EARL GREYsaid, he doubted whether in respect to art unions the principle legalized by Act of Parliament was a wise one. But there was this reason in their favour—that it was impossible for many persons fond of art to purchase pictures for considerable sums, and as purchasers were found for them by the system of combination art was encouraged. The same reason did not apply to books, because there was no difficulty in printing any book which was worth it. If the principle that they ought not to encourage lotteries or games of chance were a sound one, no reason could be assigned for departing from it in the case of books. It was highly inexpedient to depart from the recognized principle of our law without a proved necessity, and he should, therefore, move that the Bill be read a second time that day three months.
§ Amendment moved, to leave out ("now") and insert ("this Day Three Months.")
§ EARL GRANVILLEwas sorry to oppose any Bill proposed by his noble and learned Friend, but if the noble Earl pressed his Amendment to a division he should feel compelled to support him.
LORD BROUGHAMsaid, that when the Bill was in the other House, the Home Secretary not only voted for it but spoke in its favour. He did not bring the measure forward as one of necessity, but of expediency, and of great advantage, not to booksellers, printers, or authors, but to readers. It would tend very much to encourage reading among a class who, at present, were not much given to it. He wished it to be distinctly understood that it was not owing to any fault of his that the Bill was lost.
§ On Question, That ("now") stand Part of the Motion?
§ Resolved in the Negative; and Bill to be read 2a this Day Three Months.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Eight o'clock, to Monday next, Eleven o'clock.