The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-11 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMI3En 11, 1855.

LONDON and NORTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY. -BIRMINGHAM CATTLE SHOW.—Decem-
ber 11, 12, 13, and I4.—Return Tickets taken on the three last days
will be available for the return journey on either day.

SUN LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
LONDON.
Policies effected with this Society now will PARTICIPATE IN
FOUR-FIFTHS, or 80 per cent. of the Net Profits of the Society,
according to the conditions contained In the Society's Prospectus.
The Premiums required by this Society for insuring Young Lives
are lower than in many other old-established offices, and Insurers
are fully protected from all risk by an ample guarantee Rind, in
addition to the accumulated funds derived from the investments of
Premiums.

Policy stamps paid by the Office.
Prospectuses may be obtained at the Office in Threadneedle-street,
London, or of any of the Agents of the Society.
CHARLES HENRY LI DDERDALE, Actuary.

PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL LIFE
ASSURANC g % SSOCIATION.

Estabii•hcd IA4O.

MUTUAL LIFE ASSUITA7C-Nnn- all 1:o; branches, for all glasses.

Assurances- may be effected daily.
Invested capital.... • •• ........ • • £73,000
Present annual Income
By order •t the Board.
WM. THOS. LINFORD, Secretary.
15, Aloorgate-street, London.
N.B.— most important advantages are offered to Clerks assuring
with this Association from the Benevolent Fund attached thereto.

ESTABLISHED 1803.

GLOBE INSURANCE,
CORNHILL AND FILL-MALL—LONDON..
JAMES W. FRE HFIELD, Esq , M.P., F.R.S., Chairman.
Fowler Newssm, Esq., Deputy-Chairman.
George Carr Cityn, Esq., M.P., Treasurer.

Full security to parties Assured -by means of a Capital of ONE
MILLION STEELING, for the last fifty years all paid-up and In-
vested;

Premiggins partiotglarly favourable ..to tha younger and middle
Ifet'drof Life.
Two-thirds of Profits as Bonus.
Life Tables according to various plans, to suit the special clrcum-
tances of Insurers.
No CHARGE FOR STAMPS ON LIFT. POLICIES. .
Fire insurance Proposals' entertained to any amount.
Liberality and promptitude in the settlemrnt of claims.
Prospectuses, with f ill rabies and Details and Forms, may be had
at the Company's Offices, or of the Agents.
WILLIAM NEWMARCII, Secretary.
N.B.—Life Insurance Premiums are allowed as deluctions in In-
come Tax Returns.

-Flo COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS and
Others.—The TRAVELLERS' and MARINE INSURANCE
COMPANY grant Policies of Insurance against EVERY DESCRIP-
rioN of ACCIDENT, whether occurring whilst travelling or other-
wise.

CAPITAL, 250,0001.
TRUSTEES.
The Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam, N.G.
Matthew Marshall, Esq. (Bank of England).
William Since, Esq. (Bank of England).
Sir Charles Fox.

EXAMPLE OF RATES.

Annual Premium. I Sum at Death.

A.D. 1720.

i Weekly Allowance.

MEAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE
CORPORATION,
"._

(Established by Charter of his Maje;ty George the First),
For SEA, FIRE, LIFE, and ANNUITIES.
OFFICES—ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON.
BRANCH OFFICE-29, PALL-MALL.
Octavius Wigram, Esq., Governor.
George Pearkes Barclay, Esq., Sub-Governor.
Sir John William Lubbock, Bart.. Deputy-Governor.

DIRECTORS.

Henry Bainbridge, Esq.
Edmond S. P. Calvert, Esq.
'ohn Garrett rattley, Esq.
%lexander Colvin, Esq.
Edward Maxwell Daniel. Esq.
William Davidson, Esq.
Alexander Druce Esq.
Riversdale Wm. Grenfell, Esq.
Robert Amadeus Heath, Esq.
William Tetlow liibbert, Esq.
. -

Tames Stewart Hodgson, Esq.
Lancelot Holland, Esq.

Charles John Manning, Esq,
Hen. John T. Leslie Melville.
Henry Nelson, Esq.
Edward Howley Palmer, Esq.
Sir John Henry Pelly, Bart.
Alexander P. Prevost, Esq.
Abraham George Roberts, Esq.
Charles Robinson, Esq.
William Soltau, Esq.
Thomas Tooke, Esq.

William Wallace, Esq.
Charles Baring Young, Esq,

MEDICAL REFEREE—SamueI Sony, Esq., F.R.S.
Notice.—The usual fifteen days allowed for payment of Fire Pre-
miums falling due at Michaelmas will expire on the 14th October. ,
FIRE and LIFE ASSURANCES may be effected with this Cor.
noration on advantageous terms.
Ttie Assured are exempt from the liabilities of partnership, and
ayment of their claims is guaranteed by a large invested capital.
stock.

Tn the Life Department, assurances are granted with participation
in profits, or, at lower Premiums, without such participation.
The Reversionary BONUS on Life Policies has averaged 2 per
rent. per annum on the sum assured, or 46 per cent. on the Premiunip

Any sum not exceelirw 10,0001. may be assured en one Life. '
The Corporation bears the cost of Policy Stamps and Medical Fees,
and requires no entrance-money. The Assured are subject to no
expense but the Premium. No extra charge is made for service in the
militia within the United Kingdom.
LO ANS are granted on Life Polilles to their full values.
This Corporation affords all the advantages of modern practice,
with the stability of an office safely constituted under Royal CharteT
and Special Acts of Parliament, and tested by the experience of
nearly a century and a half. There is but one older life office in
existence.

ROYAL EXCHANGI, LONDOW.
JOHN A. HEGHAM. Actuary and Secretary.

RE AND LIFE
COMPANY,
street, London.
MILS.
Esq., Chairman.
g, Esq., Deputy-Chairman.
:tewart Marjoribanks, Esq.
John Martin, Esq., M.P.
Rowland Mitchell, Esq.
James Morris, Esq.
Henry Norman, Esq.
Henry R. Reynolds, Esq.
John Thornton, Esq.
James Tulloch, Esq.
Henry Vigne, Esq.
AUDITORS.
A. W. Robarts, Esq. I Henry Sykes Thornton, Esq.
Lewis Lloyd, jun., Esq. I John Henry Smith, Esq.
George Keys, Esq., Secretary.

GUARDIAN FI
ASSURANCE

No. 11, Lombard

DIBEC
FRANCIS HART DYKE,
HENRY HULSE 13EREN
John Dixon, Esq.
Sir W. M. T. Farquhar, Bart.
Sir Walter R. Farquhar, Brt.
T. Hankey, Esq., M.P.
John Harvey, Esq.
John G. Hubbard, Esq.
George Johnstone, Esq.
John Labouchere, Esq.
John Loch, Esq.

BANK of L O N D O
(Incorporated by Royal Chatter.)

Capital, 600,0001.
HEAD BANKING-HOUSE—Threadneedle-street (late the Hall of
Commerce).
CHARING-GROSS 13naNcu-450, West Strand.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
CHAIRMAN.—Sir JOHN VILLIERS SEIELLEY, Eart., br•l'•, 25,
Park-lane, and ,laresfleld-park, Sussex.
VICE-CHAIRMAN.--JOIIN GRIFFITH FRITH, Esq. (Frith, Sands,

and Co.), Austin-friars.
John Edmund A nderdon, Esq., Devonshire-terrace, Hyde-Park.
Major William Elsey, H. t. I.C. 4., Bank House, Acton.
Thomas Gooch, Esq. (Gooch and Cousens, London-wall), Brixton-
rise.
Jeremiah Greatorex, Esq. (Bradbury, Greatorex, and Co., Alder-
rnanbury), Spring-hill House, Upper Clapton.
Alexander Constrntine lonldes, Esq. (firm of lonides, Sgouta, and
Co.. Gracechnrch-street), Tulse-hill.
Charles Joyce, Esq. (firm of Charles Joyce and Co., Moorgate•street),
Gloucester-gardens, Hyde-park.
Thomas Luce, Esq., M.P., Albemarle-street, and Malmesbury,

Wilts.
Henry Morris, Esq., late of the Madras Civil Service, 25, Mark-lane,
City.
Sir Henry Muggeridze, Alderman and Sheriff of London, St. Andrew's-
hill, City, and Streatham-common, Surrey.
Alfred Wilson, Esq. (Tenable', Wilson, and Tyler, Queenhithe),
Flrgrove, Weybridge, surrey.
TERMS OF BUSINESS.

Current or drawing accounts are received, and interest allowed on
balances.

DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.—The rate of Interest now allowed on depo,
sits at ten days' notice of withdrawal is 5 per cent. on sums of 101
and upwards.

English and Foreign Agency and every description of Banking
Business undertaken.

ADVANTAGES OFFERED TO CUSTOMERS BY THE BANK
OF LONDON.
Pnorrr.—Receiving a fixed rate of interest on their balances, the
customers participate in the profits without incurring the risk of
partnership.
SECURITY.—A capital of 600,0001., of which 300,0001. is paid up and
invested.
This capital, or any portion thereof, cannot be withdrawn.
Further security is afforded by four hundred partners, whose lia-
bility is not limited to the amount of the capital or of their respec-
tive shares.
rIIBLICITY.—The assets awl liabilities of the Bank are published
monthly in the " Gazette."
Auditors to examine the accounts are appointed by the share-
holders.
• Bill account of the position of the !tank, attested by the Audi-
tors, must be punished at least once in every year.
SECRECL—WhiIe complete publicit, as regards the position of the
Bank is provided for, the pecuniary affairs of the customers are pro-
tected by declarations of secrecy executed by the Directors, Mana-
ger, and the officers of every grade.
(By order).
MATTHEW MARSHALL, jun., Manager.
BENJAMIN SCOTT, Secretary.
Threadneedle-street, December 6, 1855.

NEW LABEL.—In consequence of the great
variety of counterfeit labels of A. ROWLAND & SONS'
MACASiAR OIL, now in circulation, and which so nearly resemble
the original as frequently to deceive the unwary—they have em-
p'oyed those eminent artists Messrs Perkins, Bacon, As Co., who,
at great cost, and by a peculiar process of their own, have succeeded
in producing from steel" A MEWL ABEL," which cannot be forced.
It is composed of a section of an engine-turned circle, repeated one
hundred and thirty times—and forms an original lace-work ground,
upon which is engraved in white letters,
"UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE COURTS OF EUROPE,"
with an embossed profile of her Majesty "THE QUEEN." lately
specially token for the purpose, and which surmounts the words
(es() in white letters)
" ROWLANDS' MAC A.SSAR OIL,
Ton THE GROWTH, RESTORATION, AND FOR BEAUTIFYING THE

HtTMAN fLus."
Under which is the Signature of the Proprietors in Rea hit
" A. ROWLAND & SONS."

Sold by them at 20, Hatton-garden, London, and by Chemists and
reriillll9ll4

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW.

The show of fat stock at the Baker-street Bizaar
this year is hardly se good as usual. Whether it is
that our agriculturists are too busy in realising their
profits on war prices, or that oilcake is too dear, or
that the energies of the club have been absorbed in
getting up a grand testimonial for their honorary
secretary, Mr. Gibbs, certain it is that the display
is not as fine as might reasonably have been ex-
pected. Perhaps the club has not recovered the
extinction of Smithfield-market, or it may be suf-
fering from the formidable rivalry of Birmingham,
or, more probably still, its own constitution may
be defective, and exhibitors may be weary of ar-
rangements monotonously repeated from year to
year, and affording no scope for that progressive
spirit which, ever since the repeal of the corn laws,
has been abroad over the face of the land. Fat
oxen, sheep, and pigs are still objects of the live-
liest interest, and, as far as this species of encou-
ragement and patronage can stimulate to increased
effort, the club has nothing to'complain of. During
the next few days the show will be crowded with
visitors displaying all their wonted curiosity and
enthusiasm—handling and poking the predestined
vistims of their appetites with remorseless perti-
nacity. But is it for this purpose only that the
exhibition is held, and aro we to get nothing out
of it beyond the mere gratification of a town-bred
hankering after fat animals fit for the butcher's
knife ? The Smithfield Club seems to be worked
by a clique for the special behoof of the great
breedera of stock, the-interests of the consumer
and the feeder being put in the background,
and made quite a secondary consideration.
If the Royal Agricultural Society did not pro-
vide amply for the former by its annual shows,
there would be less reason to complain of this.
That society, however, has always shown au exces-
sive jealousy in hedging round with its favours the
established breeds of the country, and it is too bad
that the Smithfield Club, in the management ofits
show, should travel slavishly in the same direction.
Common sense points out that in a show of fat
stock the awards should be made in the interest of
the consumer, without reference to breeds the ca-
pabilities of which have long been fullyascertained,
and that, as far as possible, the object should be
to establish what -can-be done by crosses, which
are now treated as of secouclary importance. It
will be observed by the list of prizes that a marked
preference is shown for the pure-bred animals ;
yet the display of cross-bred sheep is the finest
in the yard, as well as the largest. In cattle the
disfavour of the club falls so heavily upon cross-
breds that they make a very poor show, and in
this department the great breeders have it all their
own way. Yet here there is a wide field for judi-
cious experiment—such a field as it is highly dis-
creditable to an association of the kind not to have
occupied eagerly. Wo cannot, while on this sub-
ject, overlook the remissness of the Royal Agricul-
tural Society in not having taken advantage of the
excellent opportunity afforded by the Paris exhi-
bition of live stock in J uric to institute a compara-
tive examination of the continental and English
breeds of sheep and cattle. A deputation from the
society was sent over to represent it at Paris, but
we are not aware that any report whatever has yet
been made by that body. It included men of emi-
nence in their respective walks, such as Jonas Webb,
Fisher Hobbs, and others, than whom none were
more competent to form a trustworthy judgment
on the relative qualities of the different races of
cattle. The opportunity was of a kind which we
never meet with in England, for all the best
breeds of this country were brought into
juxtaposition with everycontinental breed of known
excellence. But no arrangements were made, so
far as we can learn, to turn this chance to account,
and the deputation came back with a mint of ac-
quired knowledge, but without any power of giving
it circulation. In Scotland Professor Wilson has
issued to his students, in an inaugural lecture, a
kind of inventory of what he saw, which may be
useful in the same way that a catalogue is useful in
telling the contents of a library. But the inter-
esting and instructive life pictures which such men
as the late Mr. Pusey or Mr. Gisborne could have
drawn would have been read throughout the
country with a very different degree of interest.
Lessons like these are only useful when made the
means of enlarging our knowledge ; but that is not
effected by deputing a few gentlemen to go, wonder
and admire for themselves, who return with a lively
appreciation of the - polite :attentions which were
paid to them, but with no intelligent report to the
Agricultural Society who sent them there of what
they saw and heard.
Descending more to details, we find that in the
present show the Devons, which used to be well re-
presented, aro this year inferior both in quality
and number. The Herefords, though there are not
many of them, include some fine specimens, and in
this breed the display made is above an average.
In shorthorns there are only two or three animals
worthy of much notice, the majority falling much
below the standard of former years. The Marquis
of Exeter's ox, however, which carries away the
gold medal, has some splendid points about him,
and will be much admired by the sight- seers
during the next few days. There aro some good
polled Galloways, and one remarkably fine \WWI
ox, exhibited by Colonel Pennant, and placing in '
a very favourable point of view the improve-
ment of which that breed is susceptible. As
already mentioned, the crosses in cattle are
not nearly so numerous as they ought to be in such
an exhibition, which must be looked at from the
butchers' and consumers' point of view, and not
from the breeders'. In sheep the Leicesters come
out well compared with previous years. The dis-
play of Southdowns and Cotswolds is inferior, but
there is a splendid show of crosses ; and here one
may readily recognise a genuine element of success,
for these annual displays of the club will only de-
velope it as it deserves. The cross between the
Cotswold and the Southdown is particularly worthy
of notice from the size and shapeliness of the stock
produced and its excellent marketable qualities.
The cross-breeds of sheep and pigs form the strongest
features of the present show. The latter are quite
as good as we ever remember to have seen them in
Baker-street, Mr. Coates's pen, which carries away
the gold medal, approaching perfection. There
are no monstrosities exhibited in any of the classes
—a fact upon which the club may be congratulated,
since, however much animals exceeding the just
limits of natural proportion excite the curiosity of
the ignorant, they detract quite as much from the
value and interest of the general display in the
eyes of the intelligent visitor. The former, never-
theless, will find their appetites for the wonderful
amply gratified by a pig weighing 66 stone, and by
a West Highland ox, the size and majestic appear-
ance of which are scarcely sufficiently recognised
by a simple commendation from the judges.
In addition to the show of stock the Bazaar
contains a fine and well-arranged collection of
agricultural implements and of roots. The ex-
tensions and improvements effected in recent
years by Mr. Boulnois have left little more to
be desired in the exhibiting space ; but, if the
club hopes to keep pace with the progress of
agriculture throughout the country and the just
expectations of the public, it must take wider
ground, and assert its usefulness more vigorously
than by the monotonous repetition of these annual
displays, leading to no valuable results, and ap-
pealing only to the same sight-seeing propensities
which take people to the adjoining collection of
waxworks. As Mr. Gibbs, the honorary secretary,
is about to receive a handsome testimonial for his
ratuitous services, the moment seems favourable for
the introduction of a paid officer to do the work--
one who has no interests of his own to promote by
his connexion with the club, and who will be able
to rescue it from that fatal influence of cliqueism
and patronage which has so long oppressed it. The
following is the list of prizes :
CATTLE.
DEVONS.

Class I,—First prize of 251. to the Earl of Leicester,
Holl6am-hall, Norfolk ; second prize of 10/, to his
Royal Highness Prince Albert.
Class 2.—First prize of 251. to Lady Elizabeth Hey-
nell, of Avisford•house, Arundel' ; second prize of 10/.
to his Royal Highness Prince Albert.
Class 3. —First prize of 151. to Mr. John Tusker, of
Yard Farm, Staplegrove Taunton ; second prize of Si.
to Mr. T. W. Fouracre, of Durston, Taunton.
Class 4.—First prize of SO/. to his Royal Highness
Prince Albert ; second prize of 101. to Mr. John Coate,
of Hammoon, Blandford.
HEREFORDS.

Class s.—First prize of 251. to Mr. Isaac Niblett, of
Filton, Bristol ; second prize of 101. to Mr. Edward
Longmore, of Adforton, near Ludlow.
Class G.—First prize of 251. to Mr. William Heath, of
Ludbam hall, near Norwich ; second prize of 10/. to his
Royal Highness Prince Albert.
Class 7.—First prize of 151. to Mr. Joseph Phillips, of
Addington, near \Vantage.
Cla,s 8. First prize of 201. to Mr. John Henry Gur-
ney, of Catton-hall, near Norwich ; second prize of 101.
to Mr. Joseph Phillipq, of Arlington, near Wantage.
SHORT HORNS.
. . _

Class 9.—First Prize of 251.tO—the Rev. J. Holmes,
of Brooke-hall, Norwich ; second prize of 101. to Earl
Spencer, of Althorp•park, Northampton.
Class 10.—First prize of 251, to the Marquis of Exeter,

of Burghley-park, Stamford ' • second prize of 101. to Mr.
T. Mortin, of Ashford.ford, Staines.
Class 11.—First prize of 151. to Mr. W. Aldwortb, of
Frilford, near Abingdon ; second prize of 51. to Mr. C.
P. Duffield, of Maicham-park, Abingdon.
Class 12.—First prize of 20/. to Mr. H. Ambler, of
Watkinson-hall, near Halifax ; second prize of 101. to
Mr. R. Stratton, of Broad Hinton, Swindon.
SCOTCU OR IRIS' BREEDS.

Class 13.—The prize of 101. to Mr. J. GroTe, of Ferne,
near Salisbury.
Class 14.—The prize of 51. to the Rev. J. Arkwright,
of Marshall, Harlow,_

WELSH MINEDS.
Class 15.—First prize of 201. to Colonel Pennant, of
Penrhyn Castle, Bangor ; second prize of 51. to Sir D.
Williams Bulkeley, of P.:wen-hall, Beaumaris.
Class 16.—The prize of 51. is withheld, not.being suffi-
cient merit. _

•
OTHER PURE BREEDS.
Class 17.—The prize of 101. to Messrs. C. Neame and
Sons, of Selling, Faversham, Kent.
Clasb 18.—The prize of 101. to Mr. W. Heath, of
Ludham-hall, near Norwich.
CROSS OR MIXED BREEDS.
Class 19.—The prize of 151. to the Earl of Radnor,
Coleshill•house, Highworth.
Class 20.-,-The prize of 151. to Mr. J. Taylor, of Nigg,
near Park-hill, ROM!, North Briton.
Class 21.—The prize of 10/. to Mr. E. Waters, of
Stratford-sub-Cantle, Salisbuiy.

SHEEP.
LONG-WOOLLED BREEDS.
Class 22.—First prize of 201., to Mr. R. Bradshaw,
of Burley-on-the. Hill, Oakham ; second prize of 101. to
Mr. G. S. FOljambe, of Osberten-hall, Worksop, Not-
tinghamshire ; third I:krige of 51. to Lord Berners, of
Key thorpe-hell, Tog y, -Leicester..
Class 23.—First prize of 201. to Mr. G. S. Foljambe,
of Osberton-hall, Worksop, Nottinghamshire; second
prize of 101. to Mr. It. L. Bradshaw, of Burley-on-the-
Hill, Oakham; . third prize .f Si. to the Marquis of
.of Burley-park, Stamford.
LONG•WOOLED BREEDS (NOT BEING LEIOESTERS.)
Class 24.—The prize of 101. to Mr. William Hewer,
of Seveuhamptoo, Highworth. ,

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

GLASGO W AT HEN./EUM SOIREE.

On Thursday, night the third grand soiree of the Glee-
gow Athenmum was held in the City-hall. The doors
Were thrown open at 7 o'clock, and before 8 the spacious
Place of meeting was crowded in every part by a bra-
ant assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. At that hour
the chairman, the Earl of Eglinton, appeared upon the
platform, and he was received with loud and reiterated
cheering.
Among the gentlemen on the-platform were the. Lord
Provost, the Lord Advocate, Sir Archibald Alison, Pro-
fessor Swinton, Professor Blackie, Sheriff Bell, and the
Rev. Norman Macleod.

The national anthem having been sung by the company
up-landing,
The CHAIRMAN said—Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot
but feel that, meeting on this occasion with such an as-
semblage of the talent, wealth, and respectability of
Glasgevv, I am placed at a considerable disadvantage,
more particularly when I call to mind the brilliant ore-
s tions which have been made to you from this chair, and
the genius and eloquence which have distinguished those
who have preceded me in addressing the members of
' this Athenmum. (Cheers.) When I remember the mag-
nificent oratory which I bad the gratification of listen-
' ing to from the learned and , highly accomplished noble-
man who reflects honour on the ancient line from which
he is sprung, and whose native-born eloquence and
, rare talents as a rising statesman are the theme
of universal admiration—of course I need not say
that I refer to the Duke of Argyll—(cheers)---when I
remember that at the opening of this institution you had
displayed the unexampled humour and high genius of
the inimitable Dickens—(cheers)--and know also that
upon other occasions similar to this you have been pre-
sided over by such men as the great historian of Europe,
whom I now see near me—(cheers)—and MI. Sheriff
Bell, whose vigorous eloquence none can have listened
to without pleasure—(cheers)---and when .I know that
I am about to be followed by such a man as the Lord-
Advocate—(cheers)—a man whose character and talents I
admire as much as any man can do, although I have
somswhat abused some of the duties of his office--(a
laugh)—when I know all this I cannot but feel that any
attempt at oratory on my part must be met almost with
distaste. Still Ido not respond with the less alacrity to
your call when I now redeem the pledge which I was
upon a previous occasion inevitably prevented from car-
rying out. (Hear.) Believe me, it is not to gratify any
feelings of vanity—it is not to gratify any love of oratory
or public display, that I have come here to-night. There
is no man to whom such things are less pleasing. I come
here because I feel it to be the duty of every man who
wishes well to his country to support such institutions as
this, and still more because I feel it to be the duty of
these whom Providence has placed in high station, and
who hive been blessed with the advantage of a liberal
education. (Cheers.) The reasons for getting up these
institutions are so well known over the country that it
is really hardly necessary for me to state the object of
this Athenzeum. I believe it is impossible for me to
put it in better or more concise terms than the words
which accompany the report. These are these :—" The
object of the institution is,to place within the reach of
the pulePc the fullest and most recent information on
all subjects of general interest, whether commercial,
literary or scientific ; to provide an agreable place of
resort in the intervals of business ; to excite, espe-
cially among young men, a taste for intellectual and ele-
vating pursuits ; to secure the means of its gratification
by affording the utmost facilities for systematic study in
the various branches of useful knowledge, and to corn
bine these with opportunities for the enjoyment of invi-
gorating exercise, and improving and refining relaxa-
tion." I feel that after that statement it is unnecessary
for me at length to descant upon the objects of your in-
stitution. I rejoice to find that it has met with great
success, and that the number of members is continually
increasing. When I say, however, that the members
are on the increase, I cannot help expressing a regret
that the persons for whom this institution was got up—
I mean the young men of Glasgow, those engaged in
mercantile and mechanical pursuits—have not.Savailed
themselves of its benefits to the extent which could hare
been desired. I sincerely trust that this night will he
the prelude to a better state of things, and that it will
go forth to the young men of Glasgow that they cannot
do better for themselves—that they cannot better avail
themselves of innocent amusement, combined with in-
struction that leads to happiness, than by joining this
institution. (Cheers.) There is one part of this in-
stitution which is perhaps less known, and conse-
quently less appreciated, than the rest—l mean the
gymnasium. It is an old adage,—" All work
and no play makes Jack a dull boy." I know, from my
own experience, that I can go to work with redoubled
activity and clearer head if I have ha 1 good, healthy ex-
ercise beforehand. But, ladies and gentlemen, if the
arrangements of the Athenaeum were to be the only
means of instruction afforded to the poorer and middle
classes, I should say they were vain and inadequate—
, they are only auxiliary, at the same time highly useful.
As the infant school is to the child, as the academy is
to the boy, as the University is to the youth, so is the
Atbentvim to the grown man, opening its doors not only
to those who have hitherto been uneducated, and afford-
ing them an opportunity to rise from their ignorance,
but also to those who wish to preserve that which they
may have already learnt. (Cheers.) It is in great and
populous cities that these institutions must prove highly
useful, because in them men are subjected to tempta-
tions of every kind ; and if we do not provide for them
healthfurand innocent recreation, inevitably they must
fall into sin and vice ; if you don't provide innocent
recreation and whelosome instruction they must fall
into dissipation, vice, and immorality ; and I believe
that no means are better calculated to wean them
from bad hahits than to prove to them that the
acquirement of knowledge is not only power, but also
pleasure. It is by this Athenaeum that Ulle lt ed men
are afforded an opportunity of placing themselves on
a level with those who have enjoyed greater Raven-
' tagcs in early life, and by it comparatively educated inert
may raise themselves to the highest branches of know-
ledge. By such institutions knowledge may be cldlused
among all classes of the community, and through their
instrumentality I her that immorality and drunken-
ness may speedily be repressed. (Great cheering.) There
is one thing in these institutions which should not be
lost sight of—l mean the total absence of all party and
sectarian differences, which are not only incompatible,
but unnecessary to the wellbeing of them. But when I
say that all religious and nasty differences should be ex-
cluile I from these institutions I am far from wishing to
advise the members of them not to take nognisauce of
any of the great political and international movements
that may from time to time occur. (Cheers.) I should
indeed regret, for instance, that any member should
fail to take an interest in the mighty war with which
Europe is now convulsed. T should regret that any
member of these institutions failed to glory in his
country's complete success. (Cheers.) Such a theme
as that should be encouraged ; and, although I well
know that I am now in the middle of one of the great
commercial cities of Europe, and war is always hateful
and peculiarly oppressive, I know that there is not one
here who has not resolved that so far as in him lies
this war shall be carried on firmly and resolutely to a
glorious conclusion. (Great applause.) I know that
this is a topic foreign to the peaceful object for which
this meeting has been convened ; but I trust that I may
be pardoned for alluding to it, nimble as I was to attend
a recent great demonstration which took place in
this city, and for assuring you, on my own part, that,
anxious as lain, in common with every humane man,that
the sanguinary struggle in which the three greatest na
tions in the world are engaged should be brought to a
speedy termination, I am equally anxious that no peace
shall be concluded which will not have the effect of secur-
ing the permanent tranquillity of Europe. (Cheers.)
The noble earl, proceeding to contrast the amusements
of the Athenaeum with the false allurements of the pub
lie-house, said the frequenter of the former does not re-
turn home with bleared eyes, throbbing head, and reck-
less heart ; for him there is no wife waiting ha dread
misery for the curse or the blow of him who should be
her natural protector; for him there are no children cry
ing bitterly for sustenance, the means of providing which
have been spent in the dramshop or the brothel ' • his
eyes may sparkle, but it is with new-born knowledge,
and his heart beat with feelings of exultation and hope.
(Hear.) His home may be humbler, but it is not the
abode of vice—his means may be scanty, but they are
spent on proper objects. On return to his home lie im-
parts happiness and instruction. Perhaps
nmum he may have learnt something to at
tble him to
rise in his calling—perhaps to overcome some difficulty
which bad impeded his progress—perhaps solved sonic
doubts under which he !laboured on religious belief—
perhaps made sense resolve to avoidirnfuatruarsetaerhroisrslaivnetdo
which lie had been ensnared, a
ad ho et
the happ
knowledge which be iness and the
ones, eager to impart to them
had learned at the Athenaeum,
(Applause.) And i
now let me argue the merits of the
Athenaeum, merely on the ground of expediency. The
Government of this country has long since abandoned,
and as long as a constitetional monarchy exists it never
an oligarchy. Whether
for good or
fcoarn
saysi i n become,
the power of the masses is becoming stronger
and stronger every day. Well, if the people are exer-
cising greater influence over the decisions of the Legisla-
t
and consequently over the destinies of the empire,
suarmes,say
that the line of policy has been too rash ;
others say that it is the only form of government com-
patible with the age, and that it tends to keep down in-
dividual domination. Whatever may be the views enter-
tained on that point, all must agree that those who have
the most influence should be well educated. We should
give the people education, teach them the holy truths of
Scripture, open to them the instructive page of history,
exhibit to them the marvellous discoveries of science,
and I, for one, do not fear that influence, and shall not
oppose it. (Cheers.) It is of no use for alarmists —who
would, if they could, attempt to stop all education. —what-
ever,—it is of no use for them to say don't over-educate
the people. I say you cannot over-educate the people
the danger lies in an imperfect education or the want of
it altogether. You may cram the head of a dull boy of
the upper classes with Latin and Greek, who is useless
for any purpose, but you cannot over-educate the man
who is to toil for his bread ; and if the
people are edu-
cated, the evil-counseller or the fiery demagogue at once
loses his power which ignorance. alone can give him.
(Great cheers.) Are our artizane, because they are
better educated now than in former days, less able