Literary Society. A Religious Circulating Library was formed in 1824, probably by the Methodists. There was also a Stanhope Debating Club; the sole reference to this was found in the school minutes for 1877. We could find no mention of the Stanhope Institute after 1855; in 1851 the officers were: President, George Bovyer ; Vice- Presidents, Alex Shaw and George Foster ; Secretary - Treasurer , George H. Douglas . Committee ??? David Douglas , John C. Leitch , James J. Lawson , John Shaw , William Auld , David D. Lawson and William, Bovyer. There was a branch of the Orange Lodge , No. 156 "Blooming Heather", which met at the Stanhope Hall during the years 1894-96. 165