The History of the Fabian Society | Page 8

October 24th, 1883, was held the first of the fortnightly
meetings, which have been continued with scarcely a break, through
nine months of every year, up to the present time. The company that
assembled consisted in part of the Davidsonian circle and in part of
friends of my own.
The proceedings at this meeting, recorded in the first minute book of
the Society in the handwriting of Percival Chubb, were as follows:--
"THE NEW LIFE"
"The first general meeting of persons interested in this movement was
held at Mr. Pease's rooms, 17 Osnaburgh Street, Regent's Park, on
Wednesday the 24th October, 1883. There were present: Miss Ford,
Miss Isabella Ford [of Leeds], Mrs. Hinton [widow of James Hinton],
Miss Haddon [her sister], Mr., Mrs., and Miss Robins, Maurice Adams,
H.H. Champion, Percival A. Chubb, H. Havelock Ellis, J.L. Joynes,
Edward R. Pease, Frank Podmore, R.B.P. Frost, and Hamilton Pullen.
"The proceedings were begun by the reading of Mr. Thomas
Davidson's paper 'The New Life,' read by him at a former assemblage,
and after it of the Draft of a proposed constitution (Sketch No. 2). [This
has not been preserved.]
"A general discussion followed on the question as to what was possible
of achievement in the way of founding a communistic society whose
members should lead the new higher life foreshadowed in the paper just
read. The idea of founding a community abroad was generally
discredited, and it was generally recognised that it would not be
possible to establish here in England any independent community.
What could be done perhaps would be for a number of persons in
sympathy with the main idea to unite for the purpose of common living
as far as possible on a communistic basis, realising amongst themselves
the higher life and making it a primary care to provide a worthy
education for the young. The members would pursue their present

callings in the world, but they would always aim to make the
community as far as practicable self-contained and self-supporting,
combining perhaps to carry on some common business or businesses.
"It was eventually arranged to further discuss the matter at another
meeting which was fixed for a fortnight hence (Wednesday, 7th
November). Mr. Podmore consented to ask Miss Owen [afterwards Mrs.
Laurence Oliphant] to attend then and narrate the experiences of the
New Harmony Community founded by [her grandfather] Robert Owen.
"It was suggested--and the suggestion was approvingly received--that
undoubtedly the first thing to be done was for those present to become
thoroughly acquainted with each other. A general introduction of each
person to the rest of the company was made and the business of the
meeting being concluded conversation followed,"
On November 7th, the second meeting was held, when a number of
new people attended, including Hubert Bland, who, I think, had been
one of the original Davidson group. Miss Owen was unable to be
present, and a draft constitution was discussed.
"A question was then raised as to the method of conducting the
proceedings. The appointment of a chairman was proposed, and Mr.
Pease was appointed. It was suggested that resolutions should be
passed constituting a society, and, as far as those present were
concerned, designating its objects. Some exception was taken to this
course as being an undesirable formality not in harmony with the free
spirit of the undertaking, but meeting with general approval it was
followed.
"After some discussion ... the following resolution was proposed and
agreed to:--
"That an association be formed whose ultimate aim shall be the
reconstruction of Society in accordance with the highest moral
possibilities"
A Committee consisting of Messrs. Champion (who was not present),

Ellis, Jupp, Podmore, and Chubb, and, failing Champion, Pease was
appointed to draw up and submit proposals, and it was resolved for the
future to meet on Fridays, a practice which the Society has maintained
ever since.
The meeting on November 23rd was attended by thirty-one people, and
included Miss Dale Owen, William Clarke, and Frederick Keddell, the
first Secretary of the Fabian Society.
H.H. Champion[8] introduced the proposals of the Committee,
including the following resolution, which was carried apparently with
unanimity:--
"The members of the Society assert that the Competitive system assures
the happiness and comfort of the few at the expense of the suffering of
the many and that Society must be reconstituted in such a manner as to
secure the general welfare and happiness,"
Then the minutes go on, indicating already a rift in the Society: "As the
resolution referred rather to the material or economic aims of the
Society and not to its primary spiritual aim, it was agreed that it should
stand as No. 3, and that another resolution setting forth the spiritual
basis of the Fellowship shall be passed which shall stand as No. 2."
It proved impossible to