Illustrated Guide to Sheffield
Pawson & Brailsford - 1862

COMMERCIAL, LITERARY, AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Chamber of Commerce is a valuable institution, of which many of the principal manufacturers and merchants are members. It takes part in the discussion and direction of all questions affecting the trade of the town, Mr. J. Jobson Smith is president, and Mr. W. Smith, jun., solicitor, of Campo-lane, is acting secretary.

THE ATHENAEUM

The Atheneum, which was established in 1847, is one of the most prominent institutions of the town, and combines within itself all the conveniences and attractions of a well-conducted club. The present building, which was purchased, and in a great measure rebuilt, three years ago, at a cost of about £4,000, is admirably adapted for all the purposes for which it was desigued, containing commodious and well furnished coffee, dining, smoke, and chess rooms, a capacious, light, and well-ventilated news-room, an extensive and well-assorted library,

THE SHEFFIELD CLUB

. The Sheffield Club is an institution for social purposes, similar to the clubs of London. It is supported by the elite of the town, and is carried on with great spirit. The club was first opened in premises at the lower end of Norfolk-street; but a new and handsome building (of which we give a sketch) has been erected at the corner of Mulberry- street and Norfolk-street, and will be opened in a few days after the publication of this work.

MEDICAL INSTITUTION.

The building belonging to this institution, for the instruction of students in practical surgery, is situated at the end of Surrey-street, near Arundel-street. It was erected in 1829. It bears in front the motto, " Ars longa vita brevis."

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

This association, the nature of which is indicated by its name, was established in 1822. The society is now carried on with great vigour. Monthly meetings are held, lectures of a high class are frequently delivered, and a conversazione of a very attractive character is annually given. The rooms of the society are at the Music Hall, in Surrey- street, where they have a museum of scientific objects. Mr. John Holland is the curator.

SHEFFIELD LIBRARY.

This valuable institution belongs to a body of shareholders, and the library contains about 80,000 books. The rooms are at the Music Hall, in Surrey-street.

PUBLIC FREE LIBRARY.

This institution, which is maintained by the Corporation out of the public rates, is located in Surrey-street, in premises rented from the Mechanics' Institute. The rooms have been recently reconstructed, and are now exceedingly commodious. Besides the library, there is a spacious and comfortable reading-room, where all the leading maga- zines and reviews are kept. The library contains about 19,000 books, which are free for the use of all the burgesses in the borough. Mr. Walter Parsonson, F.R.A.S., is the librarian.

THE VOLUNTEER FORCES

. Sheffield has not been backward in respect to the Volunteer move- ment which has become so popular throughout the country. There is a local squadron forming part of the 1st West York Yeomanry Cavalry -a body which has remained in existence ever since the great French Revolution at the end of the last century. Directly in connection with the recent movement, however, there are three corps, One of Rifles, another of Artillery, and the third of Engineers. The oldest is the body of Rifles, which was originated in May, 1859. They are called the Hallamshire Rifles. The total number belonging to the corps is about 480. Lieut.-Colonel Lord Wharncliffe is the commanding officer. The depot is in Eyre-street. The Engineers were established in connection with the School of Art. They number about 160. Captain Young Mitchell is the commander. The depot is in Convent-walk, Glossop-road. The Artillery Volunteers number about 200. Captain Nathaniel Creswick commands. The depot is in Tudor-street. The corps has received four guns from Government, and ground has been provided at Wadsley-common for a battery, magazine, and other appliances necessary for exercise. The above numbers comprise only the actual members of the corps, each of them having in addition a numerous and excellent band. Including the members of the bands, thenumber of the Volunteer forces in Sheffield approaches 1,000. The different corps vie with each other in attaining a high state of discipline and efficiency~ and they are not to be surpassed by any similar bodies in the kingdom.

This out of copyright material has been transcribed by Eric Youle, who has provided the transcription on condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

Any references to, or quotations from, this material should give credit to the original author(s) or editors.

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Last modified on: Monday, 31 May 1999