The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

[ PRICE 4D. STAMPED 5D

MECHA,VICS' INSTITUTE SOIREE.

(From the Carlisle human
The members of the Carlisle Mechanics' Institute held
a soiree in their lecture hall. on Wednesday evening last.
The attendance was numerous, and the whole of the
proceedings passed off with great spirit and eclat. After
tea the chair was taken bs the Mayor of Carlisle (Dr.
Elliot), who was accompanied by P. 11. Howard, Esq.,
of Corby Castle ; R. Firgueon, Esq., of Morton ; W.
Browns-, Esq., of Victoria place ; Alex. Davidson, Esq.,
the Rev. J. F. Simpson, and Mr. J. A. Cockburn, &c.
. The MAYOR said they had met to-night at the Soiree
of the Mechanics' Institute—an institution which de-
servedly stood at the head of all the literary institution's
in the town, and that was saying a good deal when they
remembered that Carlisle boasted of about 15 or 16 in all.
When Mechanics' Institutions were first proposed by
Dr. Birbeck, then a physician in Glasgow, the plan
was thought to be impracticable. However, under
his auspices the Mechanics' Institute of Glasgow pros-
pered so well that in the course of a few years Edin-
burgh followed the example of her sister city, and in a
few years more the example was followed by the Metro-
polis of Great Britain. lie (the Mayor) inclined to the
same opinion, because in Carlisle the experiment had
been reduced to practice and found to work remarkably
well. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor concluded by requesting
Mr. Davidson to give them a little information on the
present position and future pr ispecte of the Mechanics'
Institute, both of which he believed were very satisfac-
tory.
Mr. DAVIDSON, in the course of his observations, said
he was happy to observe that the institution was in a
prosperous state. By the last report it appeared that
the number of full members was 365 ; and of reading
members (under 21 years of age) 216 ; making a total of
531. Tne library contained 3,829 volumes, and he was
glad to find that the members had availed themselves of
them to a very great extent indeed. The number of
volumes taken out last' year was 12,558. A few years
ago a much greater proportion of light reading was
taken out. The number of volumes on history, biography,
and science, taken out during the year was 5,767;
novels, poems, and lighter literature, 5,543 ; and perio-
dicals, 1,248. As to the newspaper department, it was
as complete as the funds would permit. He believed
although they bad devoted much money to purchase
newspapers they had had an increase of meruhers in
consequence, and of course had more funds to devote
to the buying of books. (Cheers.)
Mr. P. H.loWaltri was the next speaker, and was re-
ceived with loud cheers. He said he was very much re-
joiced to hear that the institution was progressing so
favourably. It must be very satief actory to hear that
not only was light reading a steemed, but that a majority
of the readers applied themselves to more solid and sub-
stantial literature. (Hear.) He was delighted to see be-
fore him so large and respectable an attendance, and to
find that the Mechanics' Institute had now a room of its
own—an apartment inferior to none in Carlisle. He was
sure that they would look back with melancholy satis-
faction to the efforts of those who had gone before, and
had advocated that institution. They would look back to
the memory of Mr. Steel with melancholy regret, and they
should remember on beholding those wells that the first
stone was laid by a predecessor of his honourable friend
Dr. Elliot—by Mr. Rome, then mayor of Carlisle, who
was unfortunately now no more. As this was a literary
institution he might be allowed to pay a pessieg tribute
of regret to the memory of a distinguished poet, wlio,e
existence had just closed; he alluded to Mr. Rogers, the
talented author of the " Pleasures of Memory," and
other poems. (Hear.) That gentleman, whom he had had
the honour of slightly knowing, was endeared to all who
knew him by his kind genial manners and by his refined
taste. Though this was rather the age of the exact
sciences than of poetry, he left behind him one or two
poets. He left Mr. Tennyson, and he left a lady of dis-
tinguished talent and power—Mrs. Norton. But at the
same time while we could not beast of many bards in
the land, one of their kinsmen across the Atlantic—the
talented Mr. Longfellow—might perhaps be esteemed
one of the most popular poets of the day, and he was
happy to be able to pay him this tribute. When they
met last, about the period of the Great Exhibition,
all Europe seemed slumbering in repose. How different
was the present aspect of affairs. Even at agricultural
meetings he saw that most peaceable and placid of anis
male, a well-fatted beast, turned into a war horse.
(Laughter.) He had seen lately the great agricultural
meeting at Darlington, and there the farmer, like every
one else, was occupied by that subject which now en-
grossed the attention of the world—the war in which
we were now engaged in the East. (Cheers.) It mast
be the wish of every one, that if negotiations were really
going on they should eventuate in an honourallo and
lasting peace. (Cheers.) That must be the wish of
every patriot, and every friend of humanity. (near.)
lie could not, of course, say how far these nee )tia.tions
were in progress. He trusted, however, that some effort
would be made to define the object of the war. He
trusted that when the integrity of Turkey was secured ;
that when the rights of the Christian population of
Turkey were vindicated, and when freedom of corn
merce was guaranteed and secured, that we should not
b 3 tempted, in a spirit of cruel rancour, to launch into
objects not defined when we cominerieed the operations
of the war. (Cheers.) Ho hoped that if, unfortunately,
we should still continue to be engaged in war efforts
would be made to secure a national force. We had
already been near the brink of war with our kinsmen
across the Atlantic by trenching on their inter nutional
rights. The King of Prussia had lately pardoned a per-
son who was engaged, against the law of nations, in en-
hating men, and, though that might be honourable en
the King of Prussia, we should not place any of our
consular or other officers in a position to be psi-done].
(Cheers.) He trusted that we should be able to secure a
national force, and that while we might not reject the
offers of foreigners, we might see that we could net with
impunity defy the law of Europe. He begged leave to offer
a few remarks upon what had fallen from a talented
member of the House of Commons ; and lie should not
have alluded to-it had that person not been a member of
the Adniinistratioa—he referred to the speech of Sir R.
Peel at Taniworth. He bad heard with regret that Sir
[t. Peel had launched some invectives—some rather ill-
timed invectives—against the only power who could bp-
come the herald of peace—against the ancient ally of
England, and the only power that could bear the olive
branch between contending parties. He trusted that
members of the Administration wool] see tile solemn
doty of not perplexing negotiations, and would allow
them to go forward without interrupting their course.
Let them trust to the honour of the Government to se-
cure terms which would be favourable and honourable
to Englishmen, but let them not shackle the hands of
the only power now in the position of arbitrator between
the contending nations. (Cheers.) He was not going
to say more at this moment. He hoped the time would
shortly arrive when we might see a rivalry in the arts,
and a rivalry in literature, as well as a rivalry in arms.
The war might perhaps have the effect of bringing our
rivals into more immediate contact with the Western
Powers, and the alleviation of the se, liken of Russia
might perhaps emanate from her present difficulties.
He returned his thanks for their kindness in listening to
his remarks with attention. He had taken the liberty
of making his remarks, confident that whilst we not
wish to see the bright honour of England tarnished, yet
at the same time we and every other commercial coun-
try wished to see hostilities brought to a happy conclu-
sion. If such was the object and aim, as he believed it
was, of the talented monarch who was now the ally of
England, and of the chivalrous king who leads the Sar-
dinian power—(loud cheers)—he trusted we should not
allow difficulties to intervene ; that we should secure
our commercial interests, but not make the vain effort of
humbling, for the sake of humbling, our enemy. For they
would all be aware that nations in the state of Russia—
in a state of semi civilisation—were capable of gigantic
efforts and of sustained enthusiasm. At the -same time
it must be the interest of Russia as well as of England
and France and Sardinia to bring this desperate strugg e
to a happy and honourable conclusion. (Cheers.) Mr.
Howard concluded by expressing a hope that they
should often meet on similar occasions to the present.
Mr. R. FERGUSON said their old friend Mr. Howard,
whom they were delighted to see on this occasion, had
made some remarks on that topic which was still the
prominent one in men's minds, and in most of those re-
marks he most cordially concurred. It was in some re-
spects a sorrowful reflection, that eighteen centuries
after Christ came to bring peace upon earth and good
will towards men, some of the principal nationss
Eu-
rope should be in a state of warfare. It was melancholy
when they considered the inevitable burdens which
hemust
n
fall on men who were little able to bear them, and when
they reflected on the manner in which the war mustof
considered the sufferings and prival
tlion
weresubjected,
necessity interfere with social pro,gresss.
toWwhheiteihthoeuyr
soldiers and those of our gallant asloirersowoo
account of
they could not but feel cause of
of those Russian hordes who h
not one
their enemies also, when they reflecatdendotthaatlittltielereciurc'ales
ehodtiditnwotasthpionsk.
we had any ouSrsoelfavresh,
darkened byrheaissofaollio
r(Cephreoearcsh.)
Bible that too warlike a spirit might arise in the nation,
and he cordially concurred in the remarks of Mr. Howard
that we ought to guard ourselves that no considerations
but a desire for the security of Europe should prevail in
dictating the terms of peace. (Cheers.) Some allusion
was made by Mr. Davidson to the newsroom. He thought
the institution bad no alternative but to do as it
had done, for now when all institutions, even those
which were poorer than this, had provided newsrooms, the
Mechanics' Institute must either do the same or shut
up shop altogether. (Cheers.) It was satisfactory to
know that the number of volumes read had increased
in proportion to the increase of members, for it showed
that whatever might be the object with which members
had joined, they had read the books when they had joined,
and that was all that was required. He believed that the
only things which this institution required were money
—which every institution wanted that ever he heard of
—and members. They already had some lady men'-
hers, and they should be exceedingly glad to have some
more ; in fact he did not think the ladies line‘v how
exceedingly glad they would be to have them. (Laugh
ter,) There were provided for their especial delectation
some of those inapertant periodicals containing those
wonderful p.ctures of ladies with impossible waists,
which it was necessary for all ladies to look at some-
times. (Laughter.) But he should be very sorry to
Appeal to the ladies on such a low ground. They had

a fair library containing works of all sorts ; and if the
ladies only knew what they could show them and bow v.
very glad they would be to see them, more of them : ----,=-,&q
....--'Th
would join. (Cheers.) As he knew they did not care' ~,';:; 4.**Gei
bow short the speeches were h© would not detain theiii '' f'i.
any longer. (Cheers.) 'T.. , .L.,, lee, _ ~
1.;b"., ;-,... ,
Mr. W. BROWNE dwelt at some length on the duty V',
).i ' ' --I.'..`c ).-:]-1 t!
all to support such institutions as this, and to exercised!. •I'.-'
,et:: ,1
moral ii,fluence over the minds of their fellow-creature em-4,
.'l,Ol. , :4!'
The Rev. J. F. SIMPSON dilated at some length _ 1.,
_si:,c,k,
I ,
the general benefits arising from Mechanics' Institu ',,,-•;4e.:1-:
which, he said, by increasing the intelligence, increas ' • -.„---e:...1.' r;
\:. the morality and the religious feelings of t' I p mple. 4: .Ni, "
Mr COCKBURN next addressed the mewing in a keg
and ( loquent speech. He congratulated the members
on the prosperity of their institution. In atluding to • .
the benefits which had been c inferred on the s enmunity
by the bequests of large sums of money to such institu-
tions as the Cumberland Infirmary, he expressed a hope
that some eccentric individual would remember in his
wills the claims of the Mechanics' Institute and leave
them 1,0001. He had always been an advocate for the
news room, and was rejoiced to hear of its success, bat
th( y must remember that the:newspaper department wa I
merely an appendix to the great feature of the institu-
tion— the library. Ile c mcluded with some general oh-
iereeti ms on the value of Mechanics' Institutes, which
were loudly cheered.
Mr. JOHN FERGUSON proposed in suitable terms a
vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had addressed the
meeting.
Mr. DAVIDSON seconded the motion, which was eer-
ie I by acclamation, after which Mr. P. H. HOWARD
bri, fly returned thanks.
Mr. W. BROWNE proposed a vote of thanks to the
Mayor for his courtesy in presiding.
Tue 'notion was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN vacated the chair, and the room was .
cleared for 4'ancing, which was kept up with greet
spirit and excellent order until four o'clock in the morn-
ing.

THE WARDMOTES.
Yesteiday being St. Thomas's Day, the annual elec-
tion fur common councilmen took place in tke several
wards. There were only five alterations from last year,
and only one contest. The following are the returns for
the various wards :

ALDGATE.—Mesers. Whiteside (deputy), Turnley,
Rucknall, Osmond, Burnell, Hudson, Stephenson, and
Hill, re-elected without opposition.
ALDERSeATE.—The whole of the council re-elected.
BDSHOPMGATE.—Messri. Peacock (deputy), Stevens
(deputy), Lambe, Edmiston, Patten, Win. Jones, War.
ren, Stopgood, W. 11. Pitcher, Carr, Ashby, T. 8. Crow-
den. C. Gipin, and G. Taylor, were elected.

BILLINGSGATE.—Mr. G. Barns, one of the late mem-
bers, having resigned, Mr. Bousfield was elected in his
place. The following gentlemen were then elected :
Messrs. B. Bower, deputy; Roberts, Phillipps,
Causton, Graves, Slowrnan, and Bousfield.
BREAD-STREET.—In consequence of the resignation of
Mr. Grimwode, Mr. J. Smith was returned, and the
f allowing seven memb,rs were re-elected :—Messrs. W.
Hawtrey, deputy; N. Maughen, D. Laurie, J. P. Snell,
J. J. Millard, F. Maynard, W. Patten, and J. Smith.
BRIDGE.—Mr. Easty, one of the members, resigned,
and Mr. W. Dray, of the firm of Dean, Dray, and Co.,
London-bridge, was elected in his place. The following
gentlemen were re-elected :—Messrs. T. Pewtress, J.
Hill, J. Low, H. Matthews, C. Whethem, J. Arnold,
and J. Johnson.
BROAD-STREET.—The following osntleinen were unani-
mously re-elected :—Messrs. W. Hartridge (deputy), W.
Cox, W. Foster, H. Brown, T. Corbey, J. Humphries,
C. Wharton, and T. Abraham.
BASSISHAW WARD.—The following gentlemen were
elected :—Messrs. Britten (deputy), W. Lister, C. E.
Tuller, and A. Locke.
CANDLEWICK.—Mr. Blades having given in his resig-
nation, is consequence of ill-health, there were three
candidates—viz., Messrs. Rowe, Marratt, and Tozer
Upon a show of hands, the Alderman declared the fol
lowing elected :—Messrs. Dakin, T3wse, Elliott, Fria
neb, Matthews, and Rowe.
COLEAfIN-STREET.—The following gentlemen were re-
elected, viz. Messrs. Warren S. Hale (deputy), T. H.
Hall, J. Davies, J. Perkins, W. Webster, H. W. Val-
iance. C. Hogg, and T. Westall.
CASTLE BAYNARD.—The following gentlemen were
elected : Messrs. Deputy Hicks, F. Ferrer, Alfred Ad-
lard, C. Hawkins!, G. J. Cockerel!, T. Parker, C. Odell,
and W. Willey (the latter gentleman in place of Mr.
Barber, who has resigned on account of indisposition).
CHEAr.—Mr. W. Connell, of 83, Cheapside, chrono-
meter maker, was elected in the room of Mr. Oliver, re-
signed ; also Messrs. Fenning (deputy), Hickson, R. G.
Peal, Barnes, Thorpe, Houghton, Tegg, and W. Connell.
ConnweneEne.—essrs. Crowder, Lott, Joyce, H.
L. Taylor, Chaffey, end Tress were elected common
councilmen for the ensuing year.
CORNHILL.—Tho following gentlemen were unani-
mously re-elected :—E. Harrison, R. C. Randell, R.
Johnston, D. Nicoll, end H. Heppe.
CRIrPLEGATE WITHIN.—The following were elected :
—Messrs. Hoole (deputy), Brass, Parker, Edtnonds,
Spilsburg, Lloyd, Burkett, and Brown.
CRIPPLEGA.TE WITHOUT.—The following were re-
elected : —Messrs. G. Mead way, Esq. (deputy), Messrs.
Johnson, Septimus Read, W. King, G. Cuthbert, John
Sewell, J. Pickering, and R. Spencer.
DOWGATF.—Messrs. il. Kibbol ( teputy), T. White,
G. Harker, 11. H. Mortimer, T. Gandell, and G. Fox,
' were re-elected.

FARRINGDON WITHIN.—The following were re-elected :
—Messrs. T. J. Holt, G. Virtue, D. J. M.`Laughlan, H.
BI ikr, B. S. Phill pe, J. Morris, C. Young, C. Phillips,
C. Nicholson, J. Heaps, W. S. Wheeler, J. Kelday, C.
Reed, and E. Dulland. The latter gentleman has been
elected in the room of the late Deputy E. Eagleton, E,q.
PARRINGDON WiTuour.—The following gentlemen
c‘er, elected : —J. T. Bedford (deputy), J. M. Barnard,
C. E. Batter, G. Ross, G S ammell, IL. Williams, W.
Gr sham, J. F. Longhorn, J. Anderton, T. Pearce, E.
Rod, so, , H. J. Lias F. Clemow, R. Obbard (deputy),
T. Cott •rell, mid Gualter.
LatiouounN.—The folio sing were returned :--Messrs.
F. lin AT:u (d p ity), T. Snolling, E. Howard, E. Shaw,
R. C. B wile, C. Sully, T. Webber, R. BA,
PORTSOKEL—The following were proposed :—Mr.
Christie (deputy), Mr. Annis, Mr. Thomson, Mr. Ray-
mund, Mr. Haywar3, Mr. Davis, Mr. Venables, Mr.
Vile. Mr. King proposed and Mr. Wilson seconded
Mr. George Bone. Sir F. G. Moon then put the names
to the meeting, and declared that the show of hands
was in favour of Messrs. Christie (deputy), Haywar 1,
Annis, Davis, Ttioins,m, Venables, Raymond, and Vile,
the members for the past year. Mr. King demanded a
poll on behalf of Mr. George Bone, which was appointed
to take place this day, to commence at 10 o'clock and
close at 4. S,vera,' gentlemen of the Jewish persuasion
appealed to the chairman to have the hours of polling
altered, as they could lof vote on their Sabbath. Sir F.
G. Moon said that the hours of polling could not in any
ay he altered, as they were fixed by act of Parliament.
The I r .ceedings were then adjourned.
TowFat.—Tae following gentlemen wtra re-elected :
Messrs. G. Ai chison (deputy), Simpson, Barkley, Red•
head, Nissen, Cowell, Verry, and Smith.
QUEENLIITIIE.—The Common Council for the past year
were re-elected, toe only alteration being that Mr.
Terry was elected in lieu of Mr. M`Dougall, resigned.
YINTRY.—The members of the Common Council were
re-elected. Messrs. W. Archer (deputy), W. D. White,
Geo. Mason, Sprague, J. Colman, and Chas. Gammon.
WALBROOK.—D. W. Wire, Esq., alderman, presided.
The following mcmhers of the Common Council were
unanimously re-elected :—Messrs. E. Conder (deputy),
Ford, Hale, William Da WBOll, Thomas Rowley, H. E.
Murell, and T. E. Fry.