The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-17 00:00:00

EVENING SCHOOL PRIZES.

Algebra, Geometry, and Mensuration : Walter Bathgate,
prize. English Grammar and Composition : C. Loftus,
prize.) ;J. Davies, certificate. Geography : W. Humphreys,
certificate. Proficiency in Arithmetic : Galletti, certificate.
Improvement in Arithmetic : G. Trimble, prize. Profi-
ciency in Penmanship : R. Jones, prize. Ornamental draw-
ing from the round : Clitherall, prize. Perspective Draw-
ing : Corkhill, prize. Landscape Drawing : E. Young,
prize : certificate, Smith.
On announcing the successful competitor for the Brown
scholarship,
The Rev. Mr. Howsox regretted the absence of Mr.
Brown (who had not at this time arrived). He stated this
was the fourth scholarship which had been founded.
The CHAIRMAN regretted that his amiable friend, Mr.
W. Brown, was not present. (Hear, hear). Every one
knew him ; he was a man of the most splendid liberality
(cheers), as they well knew in this community, he having
recently given no less a sum than £6,000 for the advance-
ment of useful knowledge amongst us. (Cheers). Like-
wise, in connection with that institution, he had been a
most liberal benefactor and active friend. (Cheers). He
had given every encouragement and material pecuniary
assistance in relieving the institution from its debt of £B,OOO.
He was deserving of all praise. (Loud applause).
When delivering the prizes for penmanship,
The CHAIRMAN observed they might very possibly re-
member what the Bishop said on a former occasion relative
to the embarrassment caused him by not being able to de-
cipher letters sent him by his clergy. This was a sad
stumbling-block in the way of reading letters ; and good
I writing was of the utmost importance to correspondence.
I He hoped they would all study good clear penmanship, so
as to make themselves clearly understood.

[At this stage of the proceedings Mr. William Brown
came on the platform and was loudly cheered.]
The CR/LINA/di, in presenting the prizes to the pupils
who attend evening schools, observed that the great defect
of their educational institutions was that they so soon lost
sight of young persons. (Hear, hear,) Unhappily in a great
commercial community like this—and indeed in all commu-
nities in this busy bustling nation—young persons were too
soon taken from the valuable course of training theyjunderwent
in their institutions, and were plunged into danger in a
dangerous world before they had sufficient wisdom to know
how to guide themselves ; and it was satisfactory to them to
perceive that those who had been trained in this institution
retained a disposition to continue the knowledge they had
acquired. (Hear, hear.) It was very satisfactory indeed
to find the young men who were engaged in the same occu-
pations during the day, had the spirit, and resolution, to devote
time to the continued acquirements of knowledge. (Hear,
hear.) He (the chairman) was glad to find there was such
a number, and it is with the greatest possible satisfaction
he was enabled to present those prizes. (Cheers.)
The hymn commencing " Almighty God, in humble
prayer to thee our souls we lift," was then sung.
The Rev. Mr. Howson said their next business was an
endowment of a different kind. For some two or three
years past the old pupils of the upper school had been in
the habit of giving prizes to the successful writers of
English essays ; but until the present year this arrangement
had not assumed a legitimate form. The kindly
feelings of the old pupils of the upper school
towards this institution, with a view of instituting a valu-
able prize, had caused them to raise a tolerable fund.
(Hear, hear.) He held in his hand a book of the rules
agreed upon, and he would just read two or three rules
which would be sufficient to put the meeting in possession
of the general purposes of the fund. Rule 2. That the in-
come arising from the fund or such part thereof, as to the
trustees shall seem proper, shall be applied in the purchase
of a medal, books, or other suitable testimonial, which shall
annually at Christmas be given to a pupil of the upper cel-
legiate school as a prize for the best essay in English l
com-
position, whetherin prose, or verse, upon a subject to be
approved by the trustees. And the trustees may, if they
think it expedient, print any prize essay at the expense of
the fund. Rule 4. That in case the fund shall at any time
hereafter accumulate, so as to produce an annual income
adequate for the purpose, the trustees shall instead of ap-
plying the income as directed by rule 2, apply such income
in the maintenance of a scholarship at the upper school, such
scholarship to be given as a premium, in the place of and in
like manner as the annual prize mentioned in rule 2. Those
old pupils had thus shown a marked regard to the institu-
tion, very honorable to themselves, and respectable towards
those who might come after them. Nothing, then, remained
but the reading of the list of prizes and honourable distinc-
tions.

The list of prizes &c., were then read in extenso.
Mr. T. B. HORSFALL, M.P., said : The proceedings hav-
ing now been brought to a close, I have been requested to
discharge a very brief, but a very pleasing duty, one in which
lam sure you will all most cordially unite. Those who
know the value of the assistance and advice of our excellent
rector, in any undertaking, will, I am sure, appreciate the
good services which he has rendered to this institution from
its very commencement. And, I am sure we have all lis-
tened with the greatest satisfaction to the observations
with which he has favoured us to-day, not only in the an-
nouncement of the fact that the institution, which last
year was £B,OOO in debt, is this year entirely free from debt.
(Applause.) But, lam sure, we must have heard with in-
finite pleasure and delight the admirable observations with
which he has favored us on the subject of education gene-
rally. (Applause). It only remains for me to ask you to
thank our excellent rector, not only for his services on this
day, but for the valuable and efficient services which he has
ever rendered to the Collegiate Institution. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. W. BROWN, M.P., in seconding the motion, said :
In every word which has been addressed to you by Mr.
Horsfall I most cordially concur, and it gives me great plea-
sure to be called upon to second a vote of thanks to our
excellent chairman. (Cheers.) It has been my misfortune
not to be here sufficiently early to listen to what he said,
and to take part in the interesting proceedings which have
taken place ; but I have always felt confident it was the
duty of every man in whatever position of life he may be
placed, to endeavour, as far as possible, to promote educa-
tion amongst all classes in this country. (Applause.) It
makes them better citizens, better subjects ; it contributes
greatly to their own happiness and to the safety of the
country. (Cheers.) And I am exceedingly happy to find
that our excellent rector, and your excellent principal are
both men who are desirous of availing themselves of every
improvement in education that can simplify it, and make it
easy to the master and to the scholar. (Hear, hear.) You
can hardly sufficiently appreciate the advantages that you,
young gentlemen have over those of half a century past.
(Hear, hear.) I trust then, you will avail yourselves of
them, in order that you may be an honour to the position
in society in which you are placed, and a comfort to your
parents and relatives. (Hear, hear.) I have therefore
great pleasure in seconding the motion of thanks to the
chairman. (Applause.)

The motion was carried by acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN : I am much obliged to you, Mr. Horsfall
and Mr. Brown, for the kind manner in which you have
spoken of me; and to you for the favour with which you have
received it. At the same time, without any affectation of
humility, I do not consider myself entitled to any praise for
promoting the success of such an institution as this, so valu-
able in itself, and so interesting to me, as promoting the
cause of sound religious education amongst the population,
in which lam bound to take such a deep interest. (Hear,
hear.) I agree most perfectly with Mr. Brown, in thinking
education is that to which we ought to direct our most earnest
and undivided attention in the present day. (Applause.) We
ought not—we cannot hope for social comfort without it. It
is, I believe, to the advancement and the improvement of
education in every mode, particularly in connection with re-
ligion, we are to look for the peace and permanent prosperity
of the empire ; and as Mr. Brown says, the advantages
offered to you all in the present day are inestimable. (Hear,
hear.) It is wonderful what an increase of advantages there
is offered to young men in the present day, in the acquisition
of knowledge. (Hear, hear.) With respect to one of the
branches of history, to which much attention has been paid
during the last session, I allude to the history of the Anglo-
Saxon period, one of the earliest ages of this nation, and I
will refer with reference to the history of Alfred the Great,
one of the greatest men history presents to our view. (Hear,
hear.) One of the anecdotes related of him is, that he was
12 years before a schoolmaster could be found capable of
teaching him his alphabet. What an inestimable advantage
it is that all of you possess, when you consider how many
good schoolmasters you have, that are capable of teaching
you almost all the alphabets of the known world. (Applause.)
And when you consider Alfred, as a warrior, and see that
he was one of the most learned men of the an, the pursuit of
knowledge under difficulties was never more exemplified than
in the career of that illustrious man. I hope you will set
this great man before you as an example ; and all those great
men who under the greatest difficulties and opposition de-
voted their undivided attention to the pursuit of knowledge
connectionin . with religion. (Applause.) I thank you for
the compliment you have paid me ; but think it is merely
my duty to promote the success of the institution. (Loud
applause.)

The Rev. Dr. 31‘1'sTEILE then rose and was loudly cheered.
He said :—My young friends, ladies and gentlemen, it is my
privilege now to give you a further opportunity of showing
how you value the encouragement to be derived from the
countenance given by the presence, on this occasion, of gen-
tlemen of station and position in the town. (Hear, hear.)
I admire the manner in which your principal has managed
to give a practical exhibition of the union of church and
state here. (Laughter.) He has selected our two statesmen
to propose a vote of thanks to our Rector, and now he calls
on a churchman to propose a vote of thanks to the Mayor.
(Cheers and laughter.) Our excellent chief magistrate, as
you know, is amongst us ; and I wish just to observe that
he presides over the administration of the laws in our town.
But I hope, and I may say to you, those laws were not made
for you, on the apostolical principle that "the law is not
made for righteous men, but for the lawless and dis-
obedient." One of our great statesmen has said, that "no
man is qualified for the enjoyment of political liberty who
has not learnt to put a willing restraint on his personal
liberty." (Hear, hear.) Unfortunately there areindi-
viduals in all communities who have not learned to put the
necessary willing restraint on their personal liberty. On
the boundary line between those persons and the mass of the
peaceful community, our chief magistrate, and those
under his command, preside, for coercion on the one
side, and preservation on the other. (Hear, hear.) I
hope you will always be on the side claiming pre-
servation for peace, and never requiring coercion to guard
you against a breach of the peace. (Applause.) And if
you ask me how far I think you should keep from the boun-
dary line, I'll tell you a story about a gentlemen engaging a
coachman. (Hear, hear.) There were three who came to
him, and he asked the first, " How near can you drive to
the wheel of a waggon, and not feel afraid ?" " Well, sir,
I think I would go within two inches." He asked the
second, " What do you think ?" " I think I would go
within an inch and a half of it." And he asked the third,
" What would you do ?" " Please, sir, I would keep as far
away as I could." "You are the man for me. (Loud ap-
plause and laughter.) And now, in conclusion, I wish you
to have an opportunity to express in a way suitable to the
mayor of Liverpool to receive, and in a way congenial for a
set of school boys, on the first day of the holidays, to give,
not a show of hands, but with heart and mouth, a vote of
thanks to the mayor. (Immense applause.)
Mr. .ADAM HODGSON had cordial pleasure in seconding
the motion. They were deeply indebted to the mayor for
his kindness in coming up here to-day. (Hear, hear.)
But he could not but think there would be many opportu-
nities during the present year in which they should have to
tender him their warmest thanks for more arduous duties
and self-denial than he had exercised in being present on an
occasion so gratifying to them all. He had come to see a
number of youths assembled on that platform to receive the
reward of merit, and he would sympathise most cordially in
the gratification of those who by their exertions obtained
the rewards they had received. They had all sympathised
with them, but there was a large class among the boys to
whom their sympathies were equally extended. He meant
that large class who had had the determination and courage,
after they had seen there was no chance for them, from

various circumstances, of obtaining first distinctiots Iri
the shape of prizes, still were pursuing with ateadi
ness and resolution those exertions by which they
were to attain that knowledge for which they were as-
sembled in those schools. (Hear, hear). He remembered
it was said by one of their most eminent divines, and one
who had been much connected with the education of young
men, that he could take off his hat to the boy who with an
honest industrious purpose, with !poor abilities, had still
gone on labouring to the best of his ability, and who some-
time obtained the same proficiency in those studies for which
others ,were receiving more distinguished rewards. (Hear,
hear). lie (Mr. Hodson) could take off his hat to those
hundreds of boys, who although not signalised by any
commendation or prize, had still gone on labouring indefati-
gably in their several classes, night after night, and day
after day, pursuing their tasks, uncheered by any hope of a
prize, but for the simple desire to acquire that substantial
benefit which their education could confer upon them—from
the desire of enjoying the deep gratification of giving
pleasure to their parents and domestic circles, and above all
from a desire to please God in the discharge of that, which
at this period of life, was one of the most prominent and
obvious duties. (Applause). In reference to this Mr.
Hodson remarked that it was not at all improbable that
the position of mayor of Liverpool, and that of rector,
might be filled by some of those boys who were now un-
distinguished. He next alluded to the principal, who had
been labouring to attain those great advantages, especially
the great advantage of being brought out of debt. (Hear,
hear). He was not then going to express his sentiments
as to the qualifications of their esteemed principal. They
were deeply felt, and extensively acknowledged (hear. hear) ;
but this was not the time or place to enter into the subject.
He could not sit down without tendering to him his warmest
thanks for the prodigious efforts he had made, he feared at great
expense and discomfort. (Hear, hear.) He knew well at
great expense to his health to redeem the institution from
the debt under which it was labouring. (Cheers). They
could not, therefore, separate without taking the opportu-
nity of tendering their warmest thanks to the principal for
his extraordinary and successful exertions in liquidating
the debt of the institution. (Loud applause).
The vote of thanks having been carried by acclamation to
the mayor,
His Woasnip thanked the learned doctor for the kind
manner in which he had presented his name to the assembly,
and also to his young friends for the kind manner in which
they had received it. He assured them it afforded him much
pleasure to be present on this occasion, and he must con-
gratulate those who had taken so much interest in the boys'
welfare, that was the principal and those connected with
him, in advancing the prosperity of the institution at the
present time. (Hear, hear.) Nothing was more convinc-
ing of its prosperity than the increase of numbers that had
flocked into the institution, as referred to by the rev. chair-
man at the opening of the proceedings. (Hear, hear). It
was gratifying to himself, and he was sure it would be to the
inhabitants of this great commercial emporiumn that foreign
languageswere now more attended to. He could only give
an instance that had occurred to himself within the last few
days to show that rapid communication between countries
brought them into very frequent contact with foreigners.
On Wednesday last a young friend of his from Frankfort, in
Germany, came to Liverpool merely to see its docks ; and
he (the mayor) had also with him a couple of young friends
from Naples, who had been over in America, and who had
arrived byithe last packet; and he (the mayor) had the gratifi-
cation of seeing at his table, onWednesday ;evening, his young
friends, the one from Frankfort, and the other from America,
who had been previously acquainted at Frankfort. This only
showed that the study of foreign languages was most essen-
tial, and particularly to those in a great commercial com-
munity. (Hear, hear.) It would be interesting to parents
to see so many boys obtain prizes at the hands of the chair-
man. (Hear, hear.) He could not sit down without thank-
ing them, and offering his warmest acknowledgments to
the principal of the institution, who had kindly invited him
on this interesting occasion. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN rejoiced that the labours and services
which the principal and his masters had rendered during
the last half-year, had been referred to by Mr. Hodson,—ser-
vices most important, most embarrassing, full of anxiety, and,
only to be rewarded by the answer of a good conscience to-
wards God ; and by the satisfaction they must experience in
finding so many young -persons committed to their care,
striving to benefit by the good instruction they have given
them. (Hear, hear.) His services were most valuable, and
more particularly so, as Mr. Howson first instigated the
exertions which had been attended with such success in re-

lieving the institution from debt. (Cheers.) They were
all most deeply indebted to him, and he took that opportu-
nity of returning him his (the rector's) grateful thanks for
the services he had rendered. (Loud applause.)
The Rev. Mr. HowsoN, who was loudly cheered, said he
came there that day determined to say as little as possible,
but he thought that it would be felt by all that it was neces-
sary he should endeavour to acknowledge the kind expres-
sions that had fallen from the mayor, the rector, and his
friend Mr. Hodgson. (Hear, hear.) If he returned his
acknowledgments in a very clumsy and awkward manner,
he hoped they would forgive a schoolmaster very tired at
the cud of half a yoar, who nova,. fnund it easi to make a
speech unless he had made some preparation, tiear,
and applause.) Now, with regard to the debt, e certainly
knew the success which had been achieved, was a great one ;
he knew the burthen that debt was—he believed no one
knew so well. (Hear, hear.) Therefore he was deeply sen-
sible of the relief. Instead of owing £B,OOO, they were now
in as free a position as any parson or institution could pos-
sibly be. (Cheers.) But, he thought, it would be wrong of
him to allow credit to be heaped on his own head, as if he
alone had done the work. He might, perhaps, take credit
to himself for two things 'When he came to the institution,
after his appointment, he learned the amount of the debt,
and he made up his mind that the debt should be paid off.
He entered on his duties with that resolution firmly im-
pressed on his mind, and if he were baffled in his first at-
tempt, he would make a second, and if that failed, so long
as he was honoured with the confidence of the directors, he
never would let the matter rest. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr.
Howson) did not mean to say that in any. boastful spirit, be-
cause that resolution was associated with a plain sense of
duty; and he hoped the success of this determination would
be an encouragement to pupils when they had difficult tasks
before them. (Hear, hear.) In the second place he took
credit for patient perseverance, and having said that, he ex-
pressed all that was due to him. He mild not express the
gratitude he felt to the trustees and life governors of that
institution; he must not mention names, but he could single
out three or four whose exertions had been immense in this
work. (Hear, hear.) His thanks, and the thanks of the
institution, were due, not only to them, but to a great num-
ber of wealthy citizens, who had come forward in a noble
way to relieve the institution. (Hear, hear.) Before he
sat down, he must express his thanks to three other classes
of the community. He had spoken of the directors, the life
governors, and the merchants. He was glad the rector spoke
of him only as one of the masters. It would be most pain-
ful to him to be singled out for such a public acknowledge-
ment, unless it were distinctly understood he was only one
of the masters, and that they were all co-operating together
for the same end; and whatever beneficial results had taken
place in the school, were due, not to him, but to those who
were co-operating together along with himself. (Applause.)
Without entering into the interior details of the schools, he
could fairly say there never was a time when the masters
were co-operating so heartily together for the good of the
boys committed to their care, and he was convinced a future
year would show the result of this disinterested and laborious
endeavour on their . parts. (Loud applause.) Might he
(Mr. Howson) be permitted, in the second place, to thank
the parents of the pupils in those schools. He had been
there now nearly five years, and he might say his intercourse
with the parents of the pupils had been always of the most
pleasing and encouraging kind. (Hear, hear.) Sometimes
it was said to him, " I suppose you find parents very unrea-
sonable ; they overrate their children, and give you perhaps
great perplexity by supposing you do not do them justice."
Now, he wished to offer his public thanks to the parents of
the boys in those schools, and to express his strong gratifi-
cation that the admirable discipline, the good conduct, and
progress of those boys was due to their homes as much as to
the exertions which were made here. (Loud applause.) And,
lastly, he really felt he would not be doing his duty, if he
did not offer his thanks, and the thanks of the
masters to the boys themselves. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
Boys were not always aware how much they might add to
the comfort of the master. (Hear, hear.) Now, he felt
there was a continual improvement in the discipline, good
conduct, and diligence of the boys in those schools. (Hear,
hear.) This had been expressed to him by many, and he
really believed it was just ; and he thought the credit ought
to be given where credit was due, not only to the masters,
but to the boys themselves. (Applause.) Dr. M'Neile
had told them an anecdote ; he only wished he could tell an
anecdote as he could. (Laughter.) When speaking on this
subject he was reminded of a conversation he had with a
general officer, who entered the army at the age of fifteen,
in the last century, and who had, consequently, been serving
their monarchs for some fifty years. He (Mr. Howson) said
to. him, "it often struck me as a surprising thing, consider-
ing the great variety of classes of people in various circum-
stances, from the midst of which the British army was
recruited, that they made the best soldiers in the world. I
suppose they must have admirable offi9ers." The general's
answer was, "you may say what you like of the officers, but
after all, the men ought to have the credit ; the officers
make blunders, and the men correct them." (Cheers.) It
would not do for him (Mr. Howson) to say that the masters
made blunders, and that the boys corrected them (laughter) ;
but he would say this—that in all which related to
the comfortable working of the school, the boys
had as much to do with it as the masters
had; and they could contribute to the credit of their insti-
tution, and to its name in town and in the country more
than they were individually aware of. He believed that
feeling was created in the scholars, and with few exceptions,
there was not a boy present who would do anything, or be
suspected of doing anything dishonourable to the Collegiate
Institution. (Loud and continued applause.)
The MAYOR : My friends I cannot part from you without
wishing you a happy Christmas, and many happy and pros-
perous years. (Cheers.) The National Anthem was then
sung, and the proceedings of the day terminated.

The British and North American royal mail steam-ship
Africa sails from the Mersey this forenoon, with the usual
mails and passengers.