The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-16 00:00:00

TO WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ.

Sir,---the Conned and Senate of Oieen's College.
tiverpeol, recognising the beneficial influence exerted
upon society by the Cultivation of the intellectual and
moral powers Of its members, desire to express their deep
sense of obligation for your' munificent donation to
this town, in furtherance df so noble e.n object. This
princely gift, on your part only one of a long series,
will, by the erection of a museum and library adapted to
the wants of the public, materially contribute to plebe
within the reach of all classes of society, especially of the
less wealthy, vast literary treasures hitherto all but inac
cessible, while the rich and varied domains of , natural
history will henceforward be thrown open to the student.
With intense satisfaction, sir, we embrace this oppor-
tunity of conveying to you, thus publicly, our personal
acknowledgement of those increasing exertions in behalf of
education generally, which have long since elicited the
grateful feelings of its friends, and most cordially we unite
with our fellow townsmen in requesting your acceptance
of our thanks for this additional proof of the special in-
terest you continue to take in the welfare of the large and
influential community, whose lasting gratitude you have so
deservedly won.
The address was signed by the following gentlemen :
Thomas Thornley, M.P. ; William Rathbone, Henry
Booth, H. M. Haylock. E. S Samuel. members of the
council ; Rev. Henry Griffiths, Donald Cameron, Rev.
Jam-es Cranbrook. George Hamilton,Alex ander 11I'Ilveen
Isaac Byerley, profess ,rs ; and Astrupp Cariss, secretary.
Mr. Brown delivered the following reply :
Gentlemen —I can assure yen, howevPr little d-serving
I am of all that you are pleased to say, that it is impossible
for me not to feel the honour the council and senate of
Qeeen's College have conferred on me, not only by present-
ing this highly flattering and cemplimentary address, but
by calling me'to the very high position of president of
your senate. I am afraid that any talent I possess ill
qualifies me for such a situation. I must, therefore,
attribute this act to your personal friendship, more than
to my deserts; As you have not vet instructed me
as to the duties of my office and the nature of your
institution, I am not able to enlarge upon the
prospective advantages of the Queen' College. Bet
from your taking an active lead in its establish-
ment and management, it will, no doubt, confer im-
portant advantages on our rising and prosnerous town.
My views are in perfret aecordanel with yours—that, free
libraries and museums open up treasures of the mast
valuable 'kind, which might otherwise be lost to the
world, and this we are all called upon, as far as lies in
our power, to prevent. My townsmen are placing me in
a position that was t ,tally unexpected by me. When I
proposed building the Library and Museum, I considered
that I was only performing an act of public duty which
kind Providence had placed within my power; and which
deserved very little thanks. I have been honoured with
so many addresses, rather at variance with my views on
this subject, I feel at a loss to express my obligations to
my friends in suitable language. When laying the
foundation stone, it will probably become me to address
you at length, which renders it -less necessary for me to
say more at present than to return you my sincere thanks
for the honour you have done me in presenting this
address.