The Express.
London, England, 1864-09-28 00:00:00

MR. ADDERLEY, M.P., AT BIRMINGHAM.

The inaugural address at the opening of the Mid-
land Institute for the autumnal session was delivered by
Mr. Adderley, the president.
Mr. ADDEILIY said, I cannot but feel that an
address to the Midland Institute has to follow great
antecedents even already ; but all who have had to
follow the speech of the Prince Consort in 1855, in
laying the foundation stone of this building, have had only
in various ways to illustrate the one great fundamental pro-
position which he laid down ea wisely and as deeply as
the foundation stone he was laying, and of which all insti-
tutions of this kind are but a national acknowledgment—
namely, that science is necessary to all human progress.
(Applause.) The words of the Palace were these, itar7:
" That there is no human pursuit which can make any ma-
terial progress until science is brought to bear upon it." The
other day I met the same ecintinnot expressed in another way,
in" Help's History of America." Is discussing the
of Columbus's discovery, he said, "Invention iirneniTi
from laud to land, but not from nothing to something.'
The fact is that God has given nothing to man but by a
laborious process of acquisition ; and human acquisition is
not by mere will urination, but by the study of the laws
of the Creator, sad by applying them. Theron the study and
the application. Science should always be made rub-
servient to action; but action not based upon science is
mere accident, or an intelligent routine. (Applause.) I
think these were the words of the Prince, that " there is
no human pursuit so insignificant as not to be capable
both of • science and an art." We all have some pur-
suit ; we all have some work to do. It is the essence
of • probationary life. There is no pursuit which can be
intelligently followed but by study. All men have some
penult.. It follows, as a oneelusioa, that there are none
who are independent of study. (Applause.) The first
studies of life—the first step of general education, drawing
out the first faculties of the mind—are common to all
classes of society, The elementary A B C of all learning is
identical in every line cf life, but the lines of life soon
diverge. Manual labour takes away its class very early from
! school ; even in earliest childhood. Those earned in arta,
trades, and manufacture, though they can prosecute general
studies to the period of youth, yet at that time become
urauersed in the business of life. It is only the richer clam
whoa's) afford to devote the whole period of Dooms to general
studies, and postpone to adult age the practical occupations
of life. The principal intention of an Institute like this is
to offer means of cootinued general mental culture to the
second of these three classes—namely, those whom busi-
ness has celled off in early youth from school ; and also to
promote the studies venal to that business which has early
called them off from school and engaged them. Such,
then, are the general studies, and such are the special
studies, of this institution—of the general Audios, as died°.
mashed from the special, end in that distinction I am not allu-
ding to the two departmeo ts of the Institute, but to two means
of study. The general study, the pursuit of knowledge and
of literature for the purpose of mental culture ; the sciences
of the art of thinking and of judging wisely, end of high
appreciation in matter of taste—of these general studies in
this Institute, and M all places like this, I would say in the
words of &coo, they are a first-rate national comers. Bacon
farther says "that the delicacy and the luxury of the richer
I classes would soon deteriorate the civilisatith of any coon-
try, but for," what he calls, "the poverty of learning keeping
uP the honour of life." (Applause.) It is the permeation
through every class of the community of • loved knowledge
and of true principles of thought that maintains the spirit
sod the worth of any nation. (Loud applause.) In a free
country this is doubly tree. It is essential in afros coast's
to raise the whole tone of society constantly to a level with
and growth to its present requirements ; and a free nation
is always tending to rise above the comparative rudeness
of former times. Without it the very secret of freedom,
the distnbution of the administration of public affairs
amongst all classes, would become of itself a natural weak-
ness and danger. (Applause.) But for men who have to act
sad think for themselves, as the citizens of a free country
like this have to do, the practice of study, the power of
thought is necessary to supersede the natural tendency to
act from prejudice or routine, by • habit of acting from
intelligent perception. And to maintain public spirit and
patriotism in • country which acts for itself, it is
necessary that the partners in common freedom should
have sympathy with one smother, think alike, speak a com-
mon language, have their ideas running on a common basis,
clear the evil eye of narrow minds, which are apt to con-
template whole classes of their fellow subjects with aver-
sion, merely because tiy are unacquainted with them.
se (Applau., I would appeal teeny one who has studied history
whether more than h f the injustice, the animosities, the
persecutions, the mutual hatreds, which have galled sad
stunted the growth of nations, have not arisen from oar.
' row views, blindness, and hindrances, on. of soother, and
'those films which seem to hang about the purblind eye
of • cootioed idiosyncrasy. Elevate, expand the mind, and
these disappear. (Applause.) I would appeal to all pre-
sent who, I dare say, within the last fortnight were collected
in the great Town Hall close by-1 would appeal to those
who there sympathised with great and mixed assemblies,
in the grand and comprehensive bologna of the Jlesaialt,
whether they were not—at least, for the time—wholly un-
conscious of the many differences which merged in the high
and common devotion! (Applause.) It is when that uni-
versal source of light is obscured by lower vapours
which hide and disturb mutual relations that men fight
with imaginary shadows of offence, which vanish as
the light prevails and reveals • better understanding,
(Applause.) Institutions like this not only raise their owe
members to higher thoughts, more liberal feelings, and
greater capacities of citizenship, but they spread a whole-
some influence all around. For amongst the darkness and
the evils which must congregate in a large town like this, an
institution such as this shines as • beacon light and rallyiog
point to those that are willing, and is a constant witness
to those who are unwilling, of their highest destiny.
(Applause.) I heard the other day of • clergyman in this
town, who by • similar individual influence, managed to
cull out of the idlers and the loiterers of the streets
constituency for his night schools ; and in the same way
an institution like this, with like attractions, tends from age
to age to draw within its civilising influence all that is cape-
ble of such attraction. I am glad to see that In the report '
of this year. In Mr. Williams's report, that that desultory
curiosity which keep, flitting about any sign of life—though
let me not at all depreciate even that, for it is often the Bret
stirring of a true spirit of inquiry—but I am glad to see
that, by a remit regulation, such desultory curiosity aboat
the classes of the iastitute has been made to pans through a
Dort of novitiate in the peony lectures, where certainly may
be got sound and good gratilleatioo without checking or di.
verting the more serious studies of the claims. The general
undies to which I bare been alluding are certainly, la the

first place, the elementary exercises in grammar and arith.
metic, and I hear that these classmate the most crowded,
and the best attended. In hearing that formy pert I received
an unsatisfactory but also a satisfactory impression; swots,
factory because at would seem to me some reflection on the
completeness of the schooling in the national schools of this
town, or in the natural sequel to it—the night school; but is.
tiafactory, inasmuch as it shows that those who are conscious
of that imperfection come here to supply that which they
feel to have been wanting in their previous attainments
(Applause.) I hope three who take theism, view with me
would feel it an absolute necessity to stimulate the night
schools, to supply that which the deficiency an this point
seems to show is wanting. I should be sorry if this great in.
statute were for any prolonged time to be made to undertake
the task which night schools ought to fulfil. (Applause.) The
general studies proper to this place are—the study
of history, the study of English literature, the study of
music ; and let me say of music that I have • satisfaction in
reflecting that I was one of those who helped to induce the
House of Commons, in the last session of Parliament,
to make the first public grant for the patronage of music
throughout this country. (Loud applause.) One need
say no more on that point, seeing bow the sentiment
is received. Looking acmes the street, I see those lighted
windows in the Town-hall, where we know the weekly
concert is now going on • and Birmingham, I may
safely say, without being accused of flattery, has placed
herself high amongst the towns of this country in the
patronage of music. (Applause.) I may be allowed to say
that, in my opinion, of all the general studies I have
alluded to, the most important study is that of
history. (Applause.) To have the mental stimulant
involved in a membership of the Institute, namely, the
conceit of knowledge which it implies, and yet to be ignorant
of history, and to have no appreciation of literature, would
be simply to cultivate the garden of the mind with
weeds, and to train the power of thought and the forma•
Coo of opinion on false and treacherous materials.
What en institute for the education of the in-
dustrious teach knowledge without the guide of history,
or imparting en acquaintance with its own antecedent'
To sharpen the intellects' of members only to be
the dupes of the ready eloquence of charlatans, despising
past experience, declaiming on the fictions of their own
ignorance, or design, colouring and confusing the true
materials of history and judgment! A school of political
power as this institution must be io an old and glorious
country, ready to deal with the sacred legacies of
peat generations in ignorance of their nature, their
character, their circumstances, sod their acquirements,
and with rash presumption, reedy for any experiment with
institutions that they have neither taken trouble
to understand, nor have the power to restore.
Heaven preserve us from an institution like that in
• town lake Birmingham. (Loud applause.) The study
of history must be the basis of all general studies
In an institution like this to make it of any use.
1 oiled say less of the study of English literature, because,
though I have ventured to speak strongly of the study of
history, through hearing of the small attendance at the
class, yet, with regard to English literature, I cannot think
that the class will be deserted in a town like this, where I
know the extensive knowledge, the high appreciation, the
love of our own immortal Shakespeare. (Applause.) As
to the special studies of this place, which are chiefly the
sciences of mechanics, physics, and chemistry, they are not
likely to be deserted in • town like this, since they so
obviously and so immediately bear upon the manufactures
and art of the place. If one wanted any proof of their
successful prow-attic, one has but to look at the report to
see, for latrine, the fact of Mr. Woodward's promotion
to Mr. Wdliami s vacant place—(applause)--• man who has
derived his scientific knowledge, I believe, wholly from
the dames of the Institute, and who has proved how
sound and good that acquisition has been, by his carrying
the highest honours to the examination in the government
department of science and art for teachers certiantes, and
also in the examinations of the London University. Or take
the case of his late pupil, Mr. Aoderton—(loud applause
—who has carried off the gold medal in the government
examinations against 263 competitors. (Applause.) When
one sees proof of the soundness and sum.s of these studies,
these special studies of the institute, ono only feels
wonder—nay, almost curiosity—to know why these classes
are not more largely attended by the artisans of this town.
and not more heartily encouraged by the great masters of
this town. (Loud applause.) Sorely they must know
their own interests, not only in reeling and training an in-
telligent class of artisans, but also is training the taste of
the town and population itself ; for what would be the use
of trained artisans and the advancement of art unless the
advance of art was equal amongst the customers of art, and
the taste arose in the place where the highest samples were
offered to custom' Such are the special studies of this place.
There is also an anecdote in the report which struck me
as showing the practical application of these studies—
scientific studies—in the advance of art itself in this town.
There is a statement by a Birmingham manager in his own
words, that 3s. worth of study in one of these classes set
him devising economy of fuel in the construction of his
furnaces—that is to say, by proportioning and adapting
hie chimney to his fires ; • very simple advance, but yet a
very important advance, io art. (Hear, bear.) I should
like to know how long, if it bad not been for this institu-
tion, that little progress in art would have tekeu plate.
Then I have heard the story—sod I believe it is perfectly
true—that in the art of architecture it is only recently,
through the influence of the department of art in London,
that our arebitecta have so far studied the scission of mocha.
nice, optics, and acoustics, that we have had any picture gal
lery in this country so built that a picture can be seen
. .
; or any monist-room so built, except by accident,
' that music an be beard in it. (Laughter sod applause.)
Now, it certainly is on the principle of the division of
labour that these may be called the special studies
of this iustitntioo. But I am rather here in the
name of the fellowship of labour and of sympathetic pro.
gram We certainly all have our work in life, but the ulti-
mate object of all these works is one and them:De. We
have all our specialities, but the very object of the variety
of these specialities is simply for the purpose of united
action, that we might be necessary one to another, sad that
we may work together for common ends. (Hear, hear.)
It seems to me thee, that the main consideration is that
the spirit and the intellect, the moral standard and
the sentiment, of this Nation should advance in all
classes together, equally sod in concert. I will not intrude
im your time further than simply to wish—and I think I
may say confidently to aoticiiiste, having seen the pro-
granime—s, brilliant opening to our, to your autumnal ses-
sion. (Prolonged cheering.)
On the motion of the MAYOR, seconded by the Rev.
Dr. MILLE; • cordial vote of thanks was given to the
right hOll. gentleman.—Birmingham Post.

REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)

LY, I 28, $ AUL

ii:

L. IL I-
S.
-..-