The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-10 00:00:00

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LORD STANLEY AT BLACKBURN.

, An inaugural meeting of the members of the Black-
burn Mechanics' Institution took place in the Theatre
Royal, on Thursday evening.
Lord Stanley was unanimously voted chairman, amidst
loudapplause. His lordship on addressing the audience
said—With regard to their means of supporting such an
institution the question admitted of a simple reply. They
had a population of nearly 50,000 persons—a population
which, within the last 20 years, had nearly doubled in
number. He was told that the rateable annual value of
property there was, two years ago, about 100,0001., and
that it had since risen to 112,0001. ; thus showing, not
only the possession of a large amount of wealth, but also
that that wealth was steadily on the increase. And,
as regarded the position of the labouring population,
ho (the chairman) was informed on the best authority
that the wages of high-skilled labourers varied from
15s. to 18s. per week, which was about the average
price of that district, but half as much more than was
paid in the agricultural districts of England. There
was no question, therefore, but the members of the in-
stitution had the means of existing as an institution if
they thought proper. In the next place, what was the
necessity for the existence of such an institution ? He
found, however, by evidence not absolutely conclusive,
but upon which he was inclined to rely, that the amount
consumed in drink in Illaekburn was 400/. a day, or
rather more than 140,0001. per year. In that respect
their condition was higher and better than that of many
neighbouring communities. (Cheers.) At the same time
it was evident that such a consumption—a consumption
sufficient to maintain four hundred public-houses and
beer-shops—was still a great anomaly. Amongst those
present who took an interest, and had shown a pe-
cuniary interest in the institution, were masters em-
ploying some 12,000 or 13,000 hands. He thought that
was a proof that the institution was intended for the
operative classes, and that it would be supported both
by the employer and the employed. He would state in,
few words the circumstances under which they met.
If it were possible, he would recommend the estab-
lishment of a free library ; but if that were not possi-
ble, and he thought it was not—for it implied not only
the possession of funds sufficient to establish, but also
to maintain it—if it were not possible to maintain such
a library, as the next best alternative he would re-
commend the library of the institution to be thrown
open to all parties who were not members, on payment
of a small charge. Look at Manchester ; the free library
in that town cost something like 12,0001.—it is free to
all classes, and at all hours. He would venture to say
that no private individual in Manchester had in his
library a collection of books half so valuable as that
which was brought together in the free library of that
town. We in England were very much behind hand in
this matter. There was no large town in France that
had not also its 'collection of books, generally large, and
pretty well chosen. If they considered what was a
well-attested fact, that 50,000,000/. were spent annually
in this country on intoxicating drinks, and in Blackburn
alone something like 140,0001., he would say that the
sum required to establish a public free library, which
would be open to all, and a source of pleasure, interest,
and instruction for years, was not much more than the
receipts at the public•houses and beer-shops of Black-
burn for one single week. (Cheers.) He was con-
vinced that what had been done in Preston, Bolton,
and other towns, Blackburn would also be able to
do. He looked back upon their past, and found that
even amongst other industrial communities Blackburn
bad still held a place. It was there, 90 years ago, the
ingenuity of Hargreaves added millions of wealth to the
nation, and shed a lustre on the place of his birth and
his labours. (Great cheering.) He was confident they
would not let it be said they were now resting upon
their past triumphs and success. I am still more
confident (his lordship continued) that you will not let it
be said that, amidst the bustle of business, and the
excitement of commercial competition, you have for-
gotten the higher and more ennobling claims of human
intelligence, and of moral and mental progress. (The
noble chairman resumed his scat araidrit loud Applause.)

i MILITARY CONVENTION BETWEEN
AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.

For some days past the German papers have been
speaking of a military convention concluded be-
tween Prussia and Austria, which the latter Power
had called upon Prussia to fulfil. The version
which the papers give of this convention being
erroneous, we are glad to be enabled to lay the text
of the article before our readers. It is as follows :
" MILITARY CONVENTION ANNEXED TO THE CONVEN-
TION CONCLUDED BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA,
ON THE 20TH OF APRIL, 1854.
" Art. 1. Austria engages herself to add to the
150,000 men who are assembled in Hungary, on the
Danube, and on the Saur, 100,000 men, who will
together compose a secondarmy—and that as soon
as the necessity of the measure shall be felt, and at
periods which she will appoint in accordance with
Prussia. The troops mobilised in Galficia, in Tran-
sylvania, in Moravia, and joined in Gallieia, as a
corps d'ariac, or in separate bodies, will remain in
intimate relations with the military forces of
Prussia.

" Art. 2. Prussia engages herself, on her side, to
concentrate, according to the circumstances, 100,000
men within the apace of thirty-six days ; to wit,
one-third of these forces in Eastern Prussia, and
the two others at Posen or at Breslau. Besides
this, she binds herself to raise her army to the
number of 200,000 men, if the circumstances should.
require it, in coining to an understanding each time
in that respect with Austria.
"Art. 3. The military convention of the Ger-
manic Confederation preserves all its force as re-
spects Prussia and Austria.
" Art. 4. The Minister of War in Prussia and
the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial army
engage themselves mutually to make to each other
all the communications necessary 1 o insure the
maintenance of the troops at the amount deter-
mined on above, their organisation, and their
meeting at the periods fixed, as well as the places
of their meeting.
" Art. 5. Austria and Prussia will reciprocally
accredit superior officers to the two contracting
States, as soon as Prussia shall have commenced
placing her army on a war-footing, in order to
arrive at a complete understanding with respect to
the measures which they will have to adopt.
Superior officers will be afterwards accredited to
the two armies.

" Art. 6. The direction to be given to these
armies when united shall be based on this prin-
ciple, that the object of the support which the tw•
Powers are to afford each other reciprocally is
merely to repulse an attack.
" The present convention has been passed at
Berlin on this 20th of April, 1854.
(Signed) "O. Ts. DE MANTEUFFEL.

HENRY BARON DE HESS,
General of Artillery."