[London Mechanic's Institution.] Rules and Orders of the Mechanic's Institution, for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge among the Working Classes. Established November 11, 1823, 19pp., first edition, small stain to blank verso of final leaf (slightly showing through), stitched in modern marbled wrappers, [Goldsmiths' 23927], 8vo, 1823.

⁂ The origins of Birkbeck College, University of London. Mechanics' Institutes were (and still are) educational establishments, originally formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. George Birkbeck had first instituted free lectures on arts, science and technical subjects in Scotland in 1800. The first Mechanics' Institute was opened in Edinburgh in 1821 and the first in England at Liverpool in July 1823. The London Mechanics' Institute (later Birkbeck College) followed in November 1823, its promoters including Francis Place, Henry Brougham, Jeremy Bentham, and J.C. Hobhouse.

This first edition appears to be of some rarity, Library Hub locating only a single copy (Goldsmiths' Library as part of Senate House Library), although there were several later issues.