The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-02-21 00:00:00

MECHANIC'S INSTITUTION.

A itleeting of this useful Institution took place yesterday even-
ing at the Presbyterian Chapel in Itlonkwell-street, Criprlegate-
street. .

Dr. Birkbeck, Mr. Brougham, and Professor Millington, were
received upon their entrance with the loudest acclamations.
Dr. Iltaxiiece took the (lair and addressed the Meeting.—
He said that it was with unutterable, with warm, with beanie!'
sensations he had to congratulate himself upon the realization of
the hopes which he had long cherished ;--he meant the establish-
ment of the 3leclianies' Institution in the Emporium of the world.
When he considered how small the number of the mechanics was
;hat tint appeared disposed to take a part in this institution, and
when he looked upon the crowded assembly before him, he was
bound to say that he felt the most lively enthusiasm, Ile saw with
the most unaffected and unfeigned satisfaction and delight, that
the spirit of the age had made this institution necessary. That
spirit had fructitiid and spread itself over the mass of intelligence
which lay as in the slumber of death, and had awakened it into acti-
vity and life. The day was at length come which he had long expect-
ed, when the doors of the Temple of Science were thrown open,
without reference to age, condition, or profession. This act was
required and called for by the spirit of the age in which we lives'.
The result of the efforts which led to the present institution was
such as could not, as ought not, to be forgotten. It had been said
by the wisest ard most sagacious of men, that there was a time for
ail things : in his opinion the present was the time, without dn..
pute, for the diffusion of knowledge. A great genius of our own
country had written, that
" There is a tide in the affairs of men,
" Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
Of this flood there was now a splendid example; the tide which leads
to fortune was now rolling on ; the elevation they so loi.g sought
for would to now attained. if it were not neglected by thetestives,—
if they did not renounce the glory of acquiring intellectual success.
It was not his intention to lay before the 'fleeting the varied corn-,
binations and divisions ci arts and !wieners, as they affected and
operated upon the human mind, and as they were brought into mo-
tion by liberal institutions : this would be better done by the
Learned Professor who bad applied his attention to the subject.
He would be content to add, that the acquirement of knowledge had
difficulties and obstacles to encounter ; but when these were gotten
over, it was like virtue—it had its own reward. In the words
of the eloquent Doctor Hall, whose voice was at one period
hoard witinti those very walls. " the acquirement of knowledge,"
with all its labours and difficulties, was attended with the greatest
advantages. It expanded the mind, it enlarged the intellect, it
exalted the faculties, it caused us to feel the superiority of our
mental faculties over our corporeal power; it mode us independent
.if our material t,,rmssion, and proved to its incontestably the infe-
riority of grosser pleasures : it made the mind depend upon its own
resources, (and taught it to despise the gratifications of sense,)
which, though perhaps less intense, arc of infinitely more value,
and of a much greater duration. The mind, by the pursuit, be-
came dependent upon itself, and did nnt hang upon external events;
ti:e very labours and difliattties that intervened were convened
int.' enticements, and it felt more pleasure in the attainment of
its object than in the noise and tumult of the chase. Could
Archie. edes, who was so involved in scientific pursuits, an abstract-
ed front everything mound hint, that he was utterly unconscious of
the sacking of his native city, and who was put to death as he was
endeavouring to arrive at toe solittion of a problem—could he,
when upon the t:II/COIRTy of a scientific truth he exclaimed " I have
found ! I have :•,tind it !" feel more genuine transport if he had
been, he giblet of a most brilliant victory ? For a satisfactory
account of these mien 'es, he would refer the assembly to the Pro-
fessor siiiii2gLin. lie w, uhf confine 1 • self to give a brief sketch
of the design of tke Instit.u.'on. It was not his intention at pre-
sent to make any statement of their financial circumstances,
as that would be slime more before the next meeting.—
Tle diffusion of knowlm've amorqb, • the mechanics was now of
more importarce than ever, and woo: be attended with *Tat
their peedecesw ss. Warta g
iniportm.t results, from the like of conduit: adopted by the leffiga.
tore Jinn the last session ,In • repealing 1.1" ala mentlan, thial
but by some. 'ling of an inier.in
dwmegeTrnibtaiorttieds,ubbmtc
~,ytedthefoTwitailoit mby,
the exportatioos of n. inert', the conslonation nil si."lfliaen, anti
the emigration of artisans, from the exertions of all t'oe sp:co.
4.d (Alerts or both parties the attainment of this object, it
would be impossible to doubt at !hnrepeal 'of those laws to which
be annelid. The repeal of one of t..'se regolations had been ob.
jecisd to, as it would be the means of "aurae& atl flatenake
grunion of artiamis. This lie denied. Ile was not theiithmeate
of the emigration of mechanics, foe he en s ~smarmed that
wealth and strength of the country would with tits.rl depart from
its einem. There was, en hi. opinion, no such (hinges 'a be
acs-
• rdlcJ. The artisan won sflialienstely atlas-hal to the dense efi
Isis fathers, and if he were not allured by scene great temptation.
he would not feel disposed to wander. lie dung to the spot of •
his nativity with the most ardent aflistion ; and he might exclaim,
in the worils of Cowper, who iawacwed the honest and most unso-
phisticated feelings of an English poet, who wits to Ise heist in re-
spect a herener English mind was to he Miami—
" England, I love thee still I"

With it11..).1 to the diffusion of arts and sciences, ke was not the
adviwo:e letoniito, them within the inclostire tit the island in
which they heed. ile was most anxious that they should be
spre,ed abroad, and in particular that they should be diffused
amongst the inhabitarts Soutl. America, to nitke something like
an atonement for the crimes and ravages which followed in the
train oft ileauthus. Yes ; let flume enrich the Ray IIIVAIIIIIII/1. 4 let
Mein visit these distant regions, distinguished for the stupendous
and hermit:a ie..reirrances of nature ; let everything except Euro-
pean eat. and Ettnyean warriors 6..4 threw climes, where
" Andes, giant of the western star
meteo- stordarti to the winds nnfurrd,
latoks from Me throne of elonds o'er half the world."
it slim now et lame to that errtcia relations, even close alliances'
'rived between this country and till parts of the habitable globe t
that there bat ticw but one large Ismik.—that there was a constant
interelin-mi• of getup a. it was lumpily exintstici,! by .o;if
elis;tient .-Iceretary r.t. For Affair,. a, a ftstive meeting. that
it should not be forgotten that the sea wets the natural field of our
11:1,1 this sca •etiarautil and iliviii.ll 0111. T conntries ,
fro.it each tr:lter, connected and joined them with llrgland." lie
would upon the ii:itit•nec itt the n.eeting, merely fat the
trrpisn of n.pdliug .emiror rai!ler insionations,
which we re thrown cut against lh m -. n kit,' of lie.itating
Well had b..en hil.nd by those who that no: know them. They aid
110 t get CI% slit tor single:, •sit lioria,c. li hail been mamma they
did not decline their designs—thou there was more amongst them
I ban :hie the the tar. For himself, ail Itinlcindi.

video', he Instill affirm that, though not the originate, of the Irt-
stitution, he kept counsel with those woo did originate it, and he
would declare that he had but one object in view—the improvement
of the minds of the mechanics of the metropolis. As for Messrs.
Roberts and Iludgkins. their worthy Seararies pro tempore,
he need not mention their seal and exertions for the success of
the plan. It was, in truth, unnecessary to bring forward any
vouchers for them ; they were always before them ; they were the
intelligent Editors of the Mechanic's ilfagariite, the most valuable
present that wit ever put into an artist's hands. It had been also
asserted that the object of the Institution was not the instruction of
the mechanics alone ; they had a political object. This he so-
lemnly disclaimed. lie made an avowal against the charge—be
disclaimed politics; he resigned them, not with less satisfaction
than safety, to the patriotic eloquence of the gentleman who sat at
his side—an eloquence which at once shook the Senate and flashed
thunder upon his country's foes. (Loud applause.) Ile was an
humble individual, and possessed no influence, but education was
extending itsiefluence in all directions ; and he would venture to
say, that this Institution would invigorate a good government ; and
those who had the advantages of education did not approve of
force and violence in politica. It was well said by the great political
unknown, that the submission of a free people wasobedience to laws '
of their own enactment ; and the obedience of the English was of a
cheerful and willing nature; the loyalty of Englishmen was a rational
attachment to the guardian of the laws. There was an allegation
of a still more important and vital nature—he meant religion. He 4
would aver that the Institution did not interfere in the most remote
degree with that system which rested upon moral sanctions, which
taught the mild and beautiful principle of doing to others as you
would wish to have done by yourself ; which assured us that mar- .4
tality should become immorality ; which reminded us of things
above; which inculcated that after our trials and sufferings te
this transitory sphere, we would he removed to a state where
felicity and the acquirement of knowledge would be in a state
of endless progression. A religion of this description would
never he defrauded of its hold on the heart of man, by the en.
lergernent of our intellectual possessions. The pure system of
religion would rather be advanced by the frequent contemplation
and reverential survey of the stupendous works of nature, in re-
lation
to final crows; and by this mode of reflection every per-
son would be filled with feelings of gratitude and venersooo for
i the omniscient Creator. It was remarked by that excellent phi.
loopher and divine, Dr. Paley, that every man had a peculiar
turn of thinking, according and proportional to the difference of
his character; hut that in a moral point of view nothing could 1
be more useful, nothing could be more desirable, than if all
were taught to contemplate the wonders of nature with reference
jto their Author: and if such habits of the mind were acquired,
founded upon religion, the world would heroine a temple, and
J life itself an act of continual adoration.—The Doctor sat 'Jowls
amidst loud applause.
Mr. Professor 31'1.1.1NC:70N said, the object of the meeting
was so fully explained, and he made no doubt so clearly under-
stood by all those assembled, that he would say but little on the
subject. It wan admitted on all hands that England had come
nearest to perfection in manufactures and the arts ; it was also ad.
mitted that those who approached nearest to excellence, were the
first to be dissatisfied. The labour which their acquirements had
coat them had served to chew them how little they had done, and •
how much more was to be learned. The improvements making
every day in the arts proved haw lunch still remained, and
that perfection, if ever attuinable, was still remote. This
improvement was to be effirted by means of institutions Ike
the present ; by the conihinat ion of arts and sciences, and throwing
the doors open to all, without distinction of profession or station.
Here was an opportunity given to all of books, instruments, and
japparatus. Petty quarrels were stifled in their birth, and no op..
portunity was lost of exciting enitilaiiim. As to the station which
be himself tilled, he lamented it was not held by a more deserving
and useful person; but lie would assure his heaters that he was
called upon twice lay the Committee. This he mentioned lot he
should be deemed vain or arrogant. There was an error common
amongst those who were anxtou% to learn, that the attafansent of
knowledge was a work of such difficulty as to make success hope.
leas. This was not the case: the temple of Science was open to all,
and the sanctuary was to be gained by labour and perseverance.
The misfortune was, that beginr era were in ge eral too greedy
of knowledge; they wished to jump at acquirements. This
could not be effected, and wee productive of perplexity and
confusion. lie had not the advantage of an academic education,
to fit him for the situation lie filled ; hut it was well known that he
was principal teacher for many years at one of those scientific semi-
naries with which the metropolis abounds. There was another cur.
cumstence which was not en well known, and with which he was
not only satisfied, but of which he was proud ; he was a working
mechanic, and had also employed many men under him. He ob.
tained by his own labour and industry whatever attainments he pos-
sessed, and he mentioned this in corroboration of his argument.
From the circumstances of his life he was well acquainted with the
wants, the feelings, and the embamessusente of the working classes
of artisans. The L. arned Professor here emceed into a brief outline
and doeriptioriof the origin and progress of science. Ile chewed that
its oral conininniration must It re been trifling and unimportant,
and it wra to writing alone that its advancement was to be traced.
Ile then touched upon the division of sciences in subordinate chasm,
such ae astronomy, chemistry, pneumatics, /le. He adverted to
the improvement of ntatetial, or as it was me r.• p.opetly styled, ex-
perimental philosophy, and he traced them from the lith century,
when Lord Bacon shewed the necessity of's jeering mere hypothesis,
and of admitting nothing as a truth in phileeophy, if .t !id not Fur d
the test of the argument a poteriori. He then Lame to the bush.
teas of the lecture. Ile discussed in a brief but lucid manner,
the five properties of matter, its occupation of spare, its infini e
divisibility, its hardness, mobility, and faculty. or power of attract-
ing and being attraced. Ile alluded to the microscopic discoveries
of Lewenhoeke, and the various degrees of affin'ty subsisting be-
tween different substances ; and he eoo 1. de.l a clear, lucid, and
satisfactory explanation of the elementary parts u( science, hy ar.
nouncing to his hearers that the Course of lectures would be
continued every Friday night, and they would commence precisely
at eight o'clock.
At the tenninstion'of the Lecture there was an unanimous cry
for Mr. Itnitigham ; anon which
Dr. B 1 BECK informed the Meeting that Mr. Brougham was
o'sliged to retire and tt•erefore it was impossible for hint to comply
t'i their request. Ile then stated that the house in Which they
were assembled was the most converient that could be pmeured,
but the course of sciences kenos d upon would be much enlarged.
Many, he said, had joined the Institution : their 'umbers sere
I .300, and their funds at present amounted to PM Load a Ideate.)
Therefore they might be looked upon as prospering, and they
might venture to proceed boldly in their course. Books, appa-
ratus, and specimens, had been given them by various persons,
particularly by Mr. It. Taylor. cf the Architectural Library ; and
by Misses. Priestley. of Holborn. They had not appear,* he
said. flinch before the public; their publications were not, nor
would they be, more rapid than their actual performances ; they
did cot wish to appear in the light cf adventurers, who remind
that to which they were incompetent. He would noirdetain them
by any further detail.
A Member of the Institution rose to make some remotes.
lewsicau
a lecture, o
to annd, informed ealspetthacL
thet he meeting had been
convened
The !limiter? mid his object RIM to propose that the speech
delivered by Dr. Birklieck wo *ld he printed. (Loud aprl fuse.)
Dr. Bin►nettle informed the 'Member that no person was war.
ranted in moving a liesolutitm at the Meeting. 14e might swat
to the Cotrraitter, where his request would be immediately taken
under entedieeration.
The pirestiety of the Poctor's remark was assented to, end t e
Meeting asijourned.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

SIR-1 was present in Court on Thursday week, when
a rule nisi was granted by the Court of King's Beach, in
the case of " The KING. on the relation If Lewis srit-
hun!i, against GroIIGE CUE:7W% D, En.. fors pro war-
rant° information, calling upon George-Chetwynd, Esq.,
to spew on what ground he claims to by a Burgess of the
borough of Statlhrtl." TWs motion was made very late in
the evening of the last day of Term, after the reporters
had left the Court, and in contrquenee of this it has never
appeared in any of the London papers. Thinkinz it im-
portant that it shoull not wholly escape observation, I
transmit you this info: nation of it.—Ymtrs, &c.
AMICUS CURIE.

BUNTING APPOINT3IENTS FOR NEXT WEEK.
07C ttol'N DS.
Mr. H. Esq. Fox Ilminds, meet on Tuesday, Feb. 24,
May• Feb. Box
at Tiihaerik.a.lijilcil: at Yeldhant, White nut, at half-
Past ter. "winds will meet at lirlan
Mr. Smith's (lierefoidshirw) Fox n, o'elock..-IThis bout
Camp, on Tutelar. the :.Ph Instant, at sera. da ye, whoa
of mett.ng reminds us of the Int-hunting in ots- vert side
the lormi of the 'mart never thoujet of Wing at the ts.
.0 late as 9 or 10 u'el.wk in the day.]
The Earl of l l arewoisi's covet on Meiriday, at *Win min `{'Sp..
needay, at Pool; and Friday, at lesililoy; at tem.

i-

No. 6,621,

THIIB 18"tEvillENE1NtimiCHI,1

PRINCI
Claudius, Mr. Powell ;
Terry; Una, Mr. Mercy
d , Mr. Dawtaii ; btec
trade, bliss Boyce ; Ophel

THE CATAIL
Or, THE H
Aekbaz Mr. Powell;
Peaky; Jack Robinson,
bps; Zombie, :Hiss L. he
To-morrow, bodoiaka;
sato; and The Cataract.

fIiBATRE-ROJ
THIS EVENING,
pafor

PRINC

Claudia', Mr. Chapman
Mr. Blanchard ; beaus
First Grave-digger, Mr.&
Gertrude, Mrs.l' ;

s.tu=

To-morrow. Native Lai
On Wednesday (For th
lien, Mile End), John 111

EXHIBITION ROC
The oaly Carr*
FOUR EXHIBITNION
AD PR
NOW EXHIBIT'
CARRIAGE, wl
to London, propelled with
admiration by the rapiditi
lately been said In the
ethers that have preceded
able difficulty of ascend
eight miles an hour. Tb
may now gratify their CUT
Prince 3laxlmilian'l
INDIAN VENUSh , an
was discovered, wit Spe
*meats, Bows, Arrows
The SCIENTIFIC I
very extraordinary Feats
very Curious Machinery,
Open evM, Da
Admittance, ie.rataic
•.• A small Collectio

WALTZING, cl
t of
LESSONS,IGii
4ence, No. 7, EUI4OII-4
persons of any age ma
sufficient numhn alway
An Academy for Lad
A Select Quadrille Psi
tlgy Evenings, front Ey
Wanted a Voting 313
Apprentice; one that a
reared.

THE ARTofB
Ztlidd HOU
poly real 'Mercantile Wi
Domestic, Reap. Fat
we completely finished
Oust Britain, and into
•se fires LESSON
a ienttfiadly, which ens
w:th one-tenth of the
hitherto published. C
pressed point, and the c
N.B. The REAL. 31
iNG is sold by the Aui
This work is capon
!By, and clear withuu
the student. The oat
branch rally explained.

LANcuAE Gs.-
lessor of ancicn,
ladies and Gentlemen
ages, that. at hit
=assistance. to t:
and Greek Its%
winch, adapting itself
theory. Any mnde of
avat be. fallaeious: it
forth by intere.ted k
duped imbecility.
seised by those he hal
the severest tau of t
ettuetor.
Dr. B. hopes, there
charge of ostentation,
testimonials of the at
ligent persons of both
wrn, being resident

TRULY INTEL
Fit
MR. W., Auti
mar, and Pat
highest distinction, I
sirous of acquiring
GUAG ES, that he t
log them, by wh;eh
eottal, to teach Perm
in Three .Monthst
Twelve Lessons.

Appljily letter,
Exeter Change.

D. P. of the Roy
maketh oa:h and
vas enabled, witbou
man language, to
Burgher's celebrate
Sworn at the
this 12th day

TePtimor

_ ......
I, G. T. of the I
coition, I was mat
French Language,
French Prose, but ,
Numerous other
lies, may be seen b 3

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