the object being to accommodate those who might assemble at the periodical district meetings.  Special attention was also paid to the loftiness of the building—­to the height of its ceiling.  One or two of the amateur designers having a finger in the architectural pie had serious notions as to the importance of air space.  They had studied the influence of oxygen and hydrogen, of nitrogen and carbonic acid gas; they had read in scientific books that every human being requires so many feet of breathing room; and after deciding upon the number of worshippers which the meeting-house should accommodate, they agreed to elevate its ceiling in the ratio of their inspiring and expiring necessities.  This was a very good, salutary, Quakerly idea, and although it may have operated against the internal appearance of the building it has guaranteed purity of air to those attending it.

The meeting house is a quiet, secluded, well-made place; but it has a poor entrance, which you would fancy led to nowhere.  A stranger passing along Friargate on an ordinary day, would never find the Quakers’ meeting house.  He might notice at a certain point on the north-eastern side of that undulating and bustling public thoroughfare a grey looking gable, having a three-light-window towards the head, with a large door below, and at its base two washing pots and a long butter mug, belonging to an industrious earthenware dealer next door; but he would never fancy that the disciples of George Fox had a front entrance there to their meeting house.  Yet after passing through a dim broad passage here, and mounting half a dozen substantial steps, you see a square, neat-looking, five-windowed building, and this is the Quakers’ meeting house.

Over the passage there is a pretty large room, which is used by the Friends for Sunday school purposes.  The attendance at this school on ordinary occasions is about 60; at special periods it is considerably more.  During the cotton famine, a few years ago, when the Quakers were manifesting their proverbial charity—­giving money, food, and clothing—­the attendance averaged 160; and if it was known that they were going to give something extra tomorrow it would reach that point again.  Speaking of the charity of Quakers, it may not be amiss to state that they keep all their own poor—­do not allow any one belonging their society ever to solicit aid from the parish, or migrate in the dark hour of poverty to the workhouse.  Reverting to the meeting-house, we may observe that just within its front door particular provision has been made for umbrellas.  There is a long, low stand, with a channel below it, and this will afford ample accomodation for about 160 umbrellas.  Taking into account the average attendance at the meeting-house, we have come to the serious conclusion that if every member carried two umbrellas on wet Sundays, the said umbrellas could be legitimately provided for.  It is not a pleasant thing for a man to carry a couple of umbrellas, and we believe it has been found very difficult for any one to put up and use two at the same time; still it is satisfactory to know that if ever the Friends of Preston decide upon such a course, there will be plenty of provision for their umbrellas at the meeting house.