The idea occurred to us of carrying on, by reading and conversation, a joint study of several of the branches of science which we wished to be masters of.

We assembled to the number of a dozen or more.

Mr.Grote lent a room of his house in Threadneedle Street for the purpose, and his partner, Prescott, one of the three original members of the Utilitarian Society, made one among us.

We met two mornings in every week, from half-past eight till ten, at which hour most of us were called off to our daily occupations.

Our first subject was Political Economy.