Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser – Saturday 03 February 1849
IPSWICH.
At the meeting of the Utilitarian Society on Sunday last, at the house of Mr. J. Cook, Upper Orwell-street, Mr. Spilling delivered an able address on the Life and Writings of Thomas Paine, when the following resolution was adopted:—”That the members of the Ipswich Utilitarian Society desiring upon this, the eve of the anniversary of the birth-day of Thomas Paine, to express their admiration of his genius and character, as having been the first in modern times to ignite the torch of freedom and raise the standard of political truth.” After which, Mr. Spilling delivered an excellent lecture upon the first book of Thomas Cooper’s “Purgatory of Suicides,” being the first of a course to be delivered every alternate Sunday evening till the conclusion of the work, one book being taken for each lecture. The lecture gave general satisfaction, and was received with much applause. The meeting terminated with the formation of a lecture fund for the purpose of securing the services of some popular gentleman to lecture in Ipswich.
OLDBURY.
The birthday of Thomas Paine was celebrated on the 29th ult., by an excellent supper, after which the usual patriotic toasts were given and responded to, and the meeting dispersed.
MERTHYR-TYDVIL.
The birthday of Thomas Paine was celebrated by a supper in the Land Company’s room on Sunday last, and after the usual patriotic toasts had been given and responded to, the meeting separated.