PEOPLE'S PALACE. An institution at End, London, established to furnish the peo ple of East London with facilities for education and recreation. In 1840 John B. Beaumont left a sum of money, the income of which was to be spent in promoting education and entertainment for the people in the neighborhood of Beaumont Square. This bequest was badly managed until Sir Edmund Hay Currie took the work in hand and witted to the 860,000 which remained the quarter of a million he had raised for its exten sion. In ltiti2 Walter Besaut published his story. All Sorts and Conditions of Men, describ ing a "Palace of Delight." This novel suggested the name for the new enterprise, created a wider interest in the work, and emphasized the recre ation idea, for the further development of which the means soon offered. Besant, as trustee, was closely connected with the work. A central loca tion was chosen and Queen's Hall was formally opened by Queen Victoria on May 14. 1887. Technical classes had already been started in temporary buildings in October. Other buildings were gradually added. The institution contains, in addition to Queen's Hall, with its large organ and stage. and a seating capacity of 4000. a libra ry, elass-rooms, laboratories, machinery rooms, social rooms. reading rooms, a gymnasium, a swimming tank, and a winter garden. The activi ties are educational and social. The only religious work is that carried on by voluntarily formed branches of the Young Men's Christian Associa tion. The main object is to furnish boys with a technical training, an opportunity to learn a trade, and wholesome entertainment. There is a day school for boys, limited to 51)0, which prepares for the technical courses; evening polytechnic classes, scientific classes, language and commercial class es The technical courses include music, dress making, and training for the civil-service exami nation. A school of art teaches design in relation to the crafts. Its aim is to elevate the taste and improve the skill. Social rooms provide sewing, music for the girls, and reading and billiard rooms for the boys. Debating, athletic, cycling, and rambler clubs are formed among the mem bers. Balls have been given with success. Re freshments are served at a small charge. The library is open to all during the day, to members only in the evening. It is also open on Sundays from 3 to 10 P.M. Several concerts are given
during the week to which a small admission fee is charged. There are also Sunday con certs of sacred music at half-past twelve to one o'clock, when the saloons open, and at half past four and eight in the afternoon. The choral societies of the Palace sometimes give con certs. Exhibitions of pictures have greatly inter ested the people; as well as 'shows' of chrysan themums, poultry and pigeons, dogs, cats and rabbits, donkeys and ponies, and exhibits of the work of London apprentices, where prizes and premiums are awarded. The Palace is primarily for the young, membership being limited to per sons from sixteen to twenty-five years; a junior section includes those from thirteen to sixteen. There is a small membership fee for which is received the privilege of attending concerts and other entertainments, the use of the library in the evening, and admission to clubs and classes. The membership the first year was 4200. In 1890 the Drapers Company took the management of the educational work and two years later de cided to contribute f7000 annually. while the Charities Commission give £3500.
The Maisons du People of Belgium have a similar purpose. They are, however, an outcome of the socialistic movement for cooperative pro duction. They provide a gathering place open to all, where concerts, lectures, and entertainments are given, and books and companionship can be obtained. They are the people's temples.
Jersey City, N. J., has a People's Palace in connection with the People's Tabernacle. A day nursery, baths, swimming tank, a gymnasium, industrial training, and amusements (bowling, billiards, theatricals, dancing) are provided.
The social settlement of to-day is a later de velopment of the People's Palace idea. Institu tions like the Educational Alliance and the Uni versity Settlement of New York City are organ ized to meet the need for a more intimate ac quaintance with the home life and interests of the poor.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. Besant. .111 Sorts and CondiBibliography. Besant. .111 Sorts and Condi- tions of lien. (London, 1882) : Century, 18, 163 (1890); Nineteenth. Century, 27, 344: Contempo rary, 51, 226; North American Reriew. 147, 56. For 31aisons du People, consult Hab!•'vy, Essais sur le mouvement ourrier en France ( Pa ris, 1901).