Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-08 00:00:00

our government

society to the highest, they must be convinced that it was
vitally important that our large schools should be
really and completely °nen forthe attainment of honours

.by those who had sufficient talent. It was much to be re-
gretted, that in past times large numbers of the community

who were

of raising themselves to the position which tlieir talent's
warranted,:and making themselves valuable members of
society, 'solely in consequence of the absence of those
advantages which this_ institution now held out. It
had been said that there were three classes of aristo-
eracy in this country—the aristocracy of wealth, the
aristocracy of title, and the aristocracy of genius and
talent. Give him, the aristocracy of genius and of
talent, and he was sure the others would follow. (Hear,
and cheers.) He felt that on the present occasion it
would be bad taste on his part to say much more.

or to take up more of their time, because there were
others to follow him, who were practically much better
acquainted with the details of, the important question
on which they were met than himself. He would only
say that he felt particularly gratified, and particularly
happy, to see so large an assembly of ladies and gentle-
men present .to hear the speeches, which would be
made to them by those present, who were so well
able to do it. He felt, for himself, that education not
only promoted the moral good, but the stability of
the country. He felt, indeed, that we were one
of the most happy nations in the world ; we
had more of the comforts of quiet and domestic life than
any other country in the world, and this was induced
by the opportunities for education which we now
possessed.- Those opportuuities were eminently afforded
by this institution, and if the rising generation did not
avail themselves of them, it would be deeply to be
deplored. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. T. DANSON next came forward, and entered
into an explanation of what was proposed to be done
by the institute in connection- with the evening.
schools, for the purpose of preparing parties for receiving
university honours at University College, London.
The Liverpool Institute had progressed from small begin-
nings to its present position, and now they had added
their Queen's College, connected by royal charter with
-the university of London. He explained how it was
proposed to give 'the working classes the benefit of a
classical education in the evening schools of the institute,
so as to prepare them for university honours. Under
the arrangements at the institute, in connection with
the evening schools, it would not be necessary for any
man to go out of Liverpool in order to obtain the degree
of Bachlor of Arts, and he believed that it was the
first time in the history of the world that such advan-
tages had ever been offered.
The Rev. Professor GRIFFITHS next addressed the
meeting on the same subject which had been referred to
by the last speaker, but remarked that Mr. Danson had
so entirely gone over the ground which he intended to
have occupied, that he had left him scarcely anything to

say.
Mr. GEORGE MELLY, on coming forward, was loudly
cheered. He proposed a resolution, to the effect " That
the extended scheme of evening instruction now imaugu-
rated here, is worthy of the support of all men who are wouk
interested in the progress and welfare of the people." prepareu _ Lilts blow -to my
The Rev. Mr. STALLYBRASS seconded the resolution, requested he would discolirse of their philosophy.
Which was carried unanimously. re-opened the volume, and read with becoming gravity,
Mr. T. M. MACKAY was next introduced, and was The most learned men are decidedly of opinion that
received with loud cheers. He said—Te those who are • the seat of human understanding is the stomach.'
not what I may call constitutionally devoted to public arriving at my quarters, I thought that
life, there are few trials greater than to address a large Young Hyson would prove fefreshing,
ft
public audience ; but there are occasions, and this is that,, in this, at least, I should Meet with nothing to
one of them, when personal feeling must succomb 'to surprise me ; imagine my astonishment when I observed
Social duty ; and. I therefore consider it a privilege to that the ' favourite leaf' the Chinaman was about
take a share in the proceedings of this evening. (Cheers.) to infuse, looked different to any I had ever seen, it
The subject of education is one that haslong occupied my being in colour, a. dull olive, having none of the usual
attention, and I may say with truth has often occasionedbloom on its surface. I remarked on its' appearance,
me much' anxiety, for I have been more than once in when my attendant quietly said- We never use painted
commuication with pUblic men relative to the difficulties tea ourselves, but as the foreign merchants will pay a
which surround every comprehensive scheme of national better price for it when the brown leaves are made of
education, owing to our unhappy sectarian differences at one uniform colour, we of course have no objection to
those periods (as at present). I was a large employer of i cover them with powders, especially as it Makes the
skilled labour, in connection with shipping, and I usee I common witheredd-104 lips the -best tea.' On drinking
often to discuss with the intelligent workmen, a simple the infusion made from the pure uncoloured leaf, lat
plan which arose in my mind, and may have done in many once resolved to
others besides, for getting rid of this bone of contention, leaving the other
and I will confess it met with very general approval. tion•"
(Hear, hear.) I must mention, however, that the sug-
gestion was first promoted by finding the workmen so
exceedingly anxious about etttinc, a trade for their boys,
and some occupation for their girls, as soon as possible ;
and when I used to inquire if they .could read and write,
I was truly shocked to find so many, children poorly, and
very many entirely, uneducated. Well, I determined
to probe the ulcer, and the invariable explanation
among even " well to do" people was, that the father
-had to leave home in the morning so early, and
came back so late, only dining with his family when
his work was within a reasonable distance, that the
training of the children was left entirely to the wives ;
while these again said, with some truth, that before the
eldest child was ready for school, there were usually
three or four young ones round the fireside; and
what, between looking after the house, washing no
end of clothes, and nursing " that blessed baby,"
the eldest of the group had got a little beyond
control, from want of looking after, and, as it was once
expressively figured, "the peas had got above thesticks,"
and although put to school, played truant and went idling
about the timber balks or the brickfields. Now these may
be very fair excuses, but they are very bad reasons for
parental negligence ; and when I pressed them as to the
effect of a law which would prevent their children being.
unless
they in any trade, or in any domestic service
they could read, write, and Cipher, they invariably
said they would be all the better for it, and would be
quite satisfied to have it put in force, notwith-
standing their negligence heretofore. Now, whence
arises the anxiety of the educated classes to promote
education ? Simply, from their own experience, they
know it to be the only process by which the untutored
mass of humanity can be ameliorated. and brought
within the pale of the highest civilisation. (Hear, hear.)
Let us take a restrospect of the last century or there-
abouts, and we find that all the most wonderful improve-
ments in science and art, which have altered the very face
of nature itself, are due not to those who, to use a
homely phrase, were born with a silverfrora the workingspOon in their
mouths ; but to men who have risen
classes, and are indebted to education for their ad
tacit
of
advance-
ment. It is really a dispensation of Providence for which
we ought not to be unthankful, that by a sort h
arrangement the aristocracy of rank and wealth rarely
y
enter the lists in those material occupations, enhi_ch.
w
the very existence of our national greatness depends
The scheme which we are met to inaugurate this evening
is not only for the simple stages of a plain education—
. our aims are much higher. We offer advantages so
conipiehensive and so collegiate in their character, yet
at so small a cost in money, and so admirably arranged
time,in that the student will find, in ..the very
tran,ition, from the labours of the day to the elevating
studws of the evening,
a relaxation and ,rebound
in his mental system, which in itself would be a rich
reward. (Applause,) God has not gifted us in vain.

link certain

become a convert to this

as Mon

nese customs for future considera-

LOUIS NAPOLEONT.:AND THE INVASION
• OF ENGLAND.

8,A.; a guitlea

long connected with si

3lr: J. A. Picton:tol

fore-armed.

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ffejer

eud a lecture on "The Policy

he .chai:

1; and the 'Profable

lin briefly,intro-

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ad ciid he wished f64lrftva• attentiOri

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o his Osigii

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sa did Napoleon

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said 'that.' th

despotism of

to. occupy an unwiel

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thy civilisation

eivilisatiOn• of the present

f will:do, Naool(

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ind kept not ;• so did
-A • fine public buildings
did Napoleon: They
pies ; so did
_Napoleon.

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to each-ot

the commissa.
i standaid,