The Athenæum Institute is legally incorporated as a Mutual Benefit Society,
and the rank and public status of its Vice-Presidents, Honorary Directors,
Trustee, and Treasurer, and the well-known character of its business
Directors, present a security to Authors, Journalists, and all connected
with Literature, that it is based on sound principles, and will be
conducted with fidelity and honour.
It consists of two classes of Supporters.
_Non-Participating or Honorary Subscribers_, who, it is hoped, may
include THE ROYAL FAMILY and great Officers of the state, on account of
the political and moral influences of Authors; NOBLEMEN and MEN OF
FORTUNE who have manifested a marked predilection for Literature;
AUTHORS OF FORTUNE and others sympathising with, and interested in the
labours of literary men.
_Participating Subscribers_, consisting of PROFESSIONAL AUTHORS, and
that large mass of writers who produce the current literature of the
age in Works of Science, Imagination, Education, and the Periodical and
Newspaper Press of the Empire.
The Constitution of the Society is such that the general body of its
members hold the directing power. The Board of Business Directors is
elected by it, and their powers and duties, as well as those of the
officers, are clearly defined by the laws and rules of the Institute, which
are in strict conformity with the elaborate requirements of the Friendly
Societies' Act (14th and 15th Victoria, chap. 115.).
THE QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP is authorship in some shape, but a large
and liberal will be the most just interpretation of the term. As close a
definition as can be given perhaps is, that it intends to include all who
use the pen with an intellectual aim, women as well as men. The printed
forms (which can be had on application) will show more minutely what is
required to constitute membership.