The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-10-14 00:00:00

THE SPEAKER AT THE LEWES ART
SCHOOL.

The Right Hon. the Speaker, in presenting the prizes
received from South Kensington at the Lewes School of Art
on Tuesday, in the course of his speech said
We live in an age which has many aspects, among
other aspects it may be regarded as an age of eom-
petition. There is competition between individuals,
classes, and nations, and the prizes are awarded among
them, as they will be to day, to the successful competi-
tors. Between nations, every loyal Englishman must
desire that England shall carry off her full share of
prizes ' • but this end cannot be attained unless she excels
in the higher arts cultivated in such schools as these.
Foreign nations are pressing us very hard in industrial
pursuits, and we should not maintain our high position
unless we exert every faculty and skrain every nerve.
It would be happy for mankind it nations confined
their competitions to fields of industry; but unhappily
nations are too proud to compete exeept in works of
foolishness, of which we have the conspicuous example
at the present day. The competition in monster
armaments among the nations of Europe is the
striking folly of this age, and we should probably have
the peace of Europe constantly disturbed if it were
not for the fortunate circumstance that war is a costly
game, which few nations can afford to play—a pon-
sideration which gives ground for hope that the
Eastern question may yet be solved without further
bloodshed. If it were not for the costliness of war
we should be in constant peril for the peace of
Europe, from this insane competition in monster
armaments. The competition displayed here is of a
higher aim, being directed to the welfare of mankind;
and let us hope that England will always excel in
such fields of enterprise, not neglecting, however,
the art cf war for a good cause. I an not given to
preaching sermons, or to making long speeches, for of
long speeches I hear too many. (Laughter.) But I
may be permitted to say to the successful competitors,
do not be puffed up with your little knowledge, the
true lesson of knowledge is humility, for the more we
acquire so much the more are we impressed of the vast
store of knowledge which remains to be acquired and
which in truth are to some extent above and beyond
our reach. I may be permitted also to add a word of
comfort and encouragement to the unsuccessful com-
petitors. Do not be cast down by this present failure;
persevere, and you will prosper, for it is perseverance
which generally carries off in the long run the highest
prins. The right hon. gentleman resumed his seat
amidst loud applause. t. • -Am_ 72.

A French paper (remarks the Court Journal) in a
muddle about September 1 and October 1, no such distinc-
tion being known to French sport, says that in England
there are separate licenses for every kind of game, and that
a man authorised to kill pheasants may not shoot at a hare
which gets up between his legs. To this wise legislation the
writer attributes the great abundance of pheasants which—l
trust truly—he says you enjoy in London. Pursuing his
theme, he anticipates that the Paris price of pheasants, now
the exhorbitant one of twelve and fifteen francs each, will
shortly be reduced by large Importations from England.
• .1. _ usiaetttli.