The Express.
London, England, 1859-11-02 00:00:00

HR. DISRAELI AT RANCEISTIL

Yesterday, a conferenoe of the delegates from the
. . .

Institutional Association of Lancashire and Cheshire mot
In the Looture Hall of the Blanchette? Mechanics' Indite-
don, under the presidency of Mr. TROIIAS Bssiry, M.P.
The annual report of the associated bodies wee reed, con-
veying the gratifying intelligence c 4 a general becomes In
educational prosperity; and after eesse other formal bad-
ness the meeting reperated.

.... r
In the evening,Mr. Die RAIL', M.P., presided at the meet-
ing of the institutions in the Free-trade Ball, and distributed
the prizes which had been awarded to the esetadal candi-
data in the examinations. This meeting was a most bril-
liant one, and an address of charectedetio power was
delivered by the chairman. In the course of his speech
the right hon. gentleman said:—" I pat it to any
man who is are—and I suppose I eddies' those who
more or lees represent all those societies that ere in unity
and in unison with the association over which las
presiding to-night—l ask him from hie personal expe-
rience, has he or has he not found that the posseakm of
knowledge has benefited him in him course and cares, in
life ? Well, I think it is an affair that ought to be settled
by facts. I speak es far as you aro concerned with great
deference and diffidence ; but I never yet was in any of
the towns of the north distinguished for their industry,
where there have been many men who, from their cha-
racter, from their general intelligence and activity, and
their accumulated wealth, were qualified to take • lead in
society, to become members of parliament and persons of
1 consideration, that I have not found that at least one of
them was a man who had risen from the ranks. (Applause.)
I cannot doubt myself that the very fact that • mechanic
or an operative in the mills obtain a price for algebra or
foe arithmetic, that eves that comparatively alight event
does not work considerably In his favour. I know whet I
should feel If I were • great miliowner ; I should fecl
that if I found there was • boy in my employ at five 'Mil-
lie's* a week who had won tha first prim for algebra at this
institution, I should have my eye upon that boy. (Loud
applause.) And that would tell in every branch. That is
not favour, that is not patronage ; that is knowledge of
human nature—(hear, hear)—and • course of conduct
which would act beneficially for both parties con-
cerned. (Rear, hear.) I remember—though I quote
instances connected with a district with which I am not
personally concerned with great reluctance, for Ido not
wish to appear to speak second-hand—l was always
very math struck by a circumstance which was mentioned
in • public speech by my noble friend on my right (Lord
Stanley), who has always sympathised with me in this
cease—(her), and with whom I have often conferred and
consulted as to the means we should take for Its promotion,
and for the advancement of its noon& I remember hie
pointing out • gentleman in the House of Commons to me
who had been recently returned there, and he said . That is
• man who is a very able men, and wbo I think something
may be expected from.' I won't mention his name, not be-
Icause I wish to avoid pereoaalities, for, alas: he is no
longer among us—a terrible, an unforeseen accident took
him from this world; but he said, . That bre man who has
one of the greatest establishments in England'—l believe it
was the making of machines—' and that man has three in-
dividuals in his employ who have all risen from the mike
who are engaged at • salary each of 1,6001. • year.,
(Applause.) And, as my noble friend remarked to
se, it was on the benches of the House of
Commons, when we were venturing to enjoy our-
selves with • little private conversation during a dull
spesch—(laughter)-1 think, ha said, ' You see how that
gentleman in endeavouring to become an wider-secretary of
state ; why this manufacturer has got three men in his em.
ploy at the same salary as an under-secretary of state.' (Ap-
plause and laughter.) Now, Ido not mean to say that every
man who obtains a certificate at our institution will be em-
ployed by • master at the same salary; but these are fact.
whither* not to be passed over with negligence, and I want
to know what country in the world offer' such a reward and
salt a premium for intelligence and integrity as the one to
which lam alluding ? (Applause.)
Lord Stanley, the Marquis of Chandoe, and Mr. Massey,
M.P., were also amongst the speakers.