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

_ is bravery-.
devotion than those - who preceded them ? (Cheire.) • e :i r--4
The history of the w srld does not recordinstarices of 4 ;le7
greater bravery or el 'durance than the liattle/:e the , .)..„,;y.:e
A 1...,, 7,1, -- _ Balaklava ; and whetileit -Ti• ' '11%:
aof stern fortitude and Olarist:au - S .
intained in letters written from
the seat of war by men of all grades ? (Cheers.) But a
few centuries ago the proudest nobleman in the land
could hardly sign his name, but now those who at least
cannot read or write form the exception to the rule, and
there are men in this room who have more knowledge
than Plato, Cicero, or Socrates had. There is not ono
here who does not know the blessed truths of religion,
while the learned whom I have referred to reasoned but
dimly of an unknown God. (Cheers.) There never ws•
a time in our history when so much depended on the cha-
racter and education of the youth of this country. I
think it was Mr. Disraeli who, on an occasion like the
present, said that the youth of nations are the trustees
of posterity. They are specially so at this time ; and if
improvements in liberty of sentiment have distinguished
the first half of the present century, and the same pro•
greys be made through the last, mankind will be ele-
vated to a pitch of civilieation which it is scarcely pos-
sible to have been antioipated. It rests with the
youth of this country to determine whether those
mighty changes shall be for good or for evil—whether
they s'mll tend to the benefit or deterioration of the
country. It depends mainly on the education which
the youth of this country receives whether this country
shall rise or fall in its position among the nations
of the earth. But wherever these institutions are
established an e-lucated man can be in no want of
innocent as well as wholesome amusement. There is no
history, however ancient, that books will not teach him ;
there is no country, however remote, that books will
not bring before him ; no discovery that books will not
convey to him ; no a-t or science that books will not
disclose clearly to him. (Applause.) I believe that the
progress of every class depends much on each other, and
that, as the poorer and the middle classes rise in know-
le and civilisation, so will the upper classes find them-
sdn•es obliged to keep their relative position, and main-
tain that superiority and rank which ignorance and bad '
conduct would inevitably lose for them. We all know
how many humble men have risen from obscurity to be
the ornaments of the bar, the pulpit, and the Senate,
and who have gained for themselves that worldly immor-
tality which mere wealth and rank can never approach ;
and allow me to take this opportunity of impressing
upon my younger fellow-countrymen whom I see here
' that with the advantage' afforded them their destinies
lie very much in their own hands. Genius, I know, of
the highest order is rare, but men have risen to eminence
without that, and there are few who are not able to attain
to fame and position who will resolutely determine to
make the best use of those abilities with which Providence
has endowed them. (Cheers.) After the eloquent dis-
sertations to which I have adverted, and particularly
that from the Duke of Argyll, it is unnecessary for me
to go into the subject cf the different branches of litera-
ture placed here for the choice of the student, even if
I considered I were capable of giving an advice. I
can only say to you, neglect no study which either time
or ability will enable you to master. Give up nothing
as hopeless because it requires serious consideration and
is difficult to understand. Avoid licentious and inflam-
matory publications, which I believe are strong in the
hands of the spirit of evil; and, above all, study the
tenets of morality and of our holy religion, which not
only show the way of immortality, but are the surest
guides to temporal properity. (Cheers ) I have hitherto
addressed myself almost entirely to 'l3se who, to a cer-
tain extent, are dependent on the bounty of others. I
trust I may be pardoned if I turn for a moment to those
by whom that bounty can be well afforded. I address
myself to the rich merchants who have given Glasgow a
name celebrated over the world. I would ask some of
those who have raised themselves from obscurity by
their energy, talent, and integrity to look back to the
time when they, too, perhaps, were struggling under
privations and want of good and wholesome instruction.
I would ask them to remember the thousands of their
fellow•citizens who at the present day are similarly
situated, and to remind them that by affording the
means of instruction they may perhAps raise many
youths in after time to the same position which they
themselves now occupy, and by the withholding of which
they may be doomed to a life of misery. I would ask
them to remember that it is not only the tall chimneys,
the extensive manufactories and the broad streets that
constitute a city's greatness ; it is not because it can
boast of a rapidly-increasing population, of a commerce
that has extended almost beyond precedent, of riches
that are wafted over every sea from States in which she
has acquired the greatest fame ; vice and misery, we are
bound to believe, exit in every great city, and in none,
I fear, more than in this ; mere almsgiving will not stop,
but, I fear, increase the evil. Full occupation will not
stop it ; it is only by educating the people that you can
permanently reform their lives and improve their condi-
tions, and I call urou the rich and the influential of this
city to put their shoulders to the wheel, to leave no stone
unturned, to leave no means untried which are calculated
to have the effect of providing good and adequate in-
struction for the poorer fellow-citizens. (The noble Earl
sat down amid e-ithusiastic applause.) '
The LORD-ADVOCATE, who was received with cheers,
proposed the following resolution --" That institutions
founded with a view to advance the education of the
people, and provide them with the means of pleasantly
and profitably occupying their leisure hours, are deserv-
ing of patronage and support." His Lordship delivered
a highly effective address, which was repeatedly ap-
plaudeo,

- Sir M. S. STEWART seconded the resolution, and it was
carried unanimously.
Profess, SWINTON proposed the second resolution
" That the Glasgow Athenreum being specially instituted
to furnish the means of self-improvement to young men
engage 3 in mercantile pursuits, it is incumbent on them
to avail themselves of the advantage it aff e-ds."
Mr. ALEX HASTIE, M.P., seconded the adoption of
the resolution, and congratulated the directors of the
Atherueurn on the very excellent and splendid meeting
which hail taken place that evening.
Prof(e ir MACKIE moved the third resolution, which
was as follows :—" That, in addition to the mere direct
advantages resulting from literary institutions, they ne-
cessarily tend to elevate the taste of their members,
and lead them to an appreciation of the high and enno-
bling influences of literature, the fine nit', and science."
The learned Professor, in the course of an eloquent ad-
dre,;s, remarked that it was literature and not science
that cultivated men's humanity. Too much time and
attenti(;n was given to polities and money-making, and
too little to the study of literature. Men who could
keep their souls in their shops for six days, and go once
a•week to church, were very shabby Christiaw. He
urged them to study literature, and get out of their shops
and expand their human souls.
Professor NICHOL seconded the resolution, which was
unanimously approved of.
Mr. WALTER BUCHANAN moved—" That, as the mer-
cantile, manufacturing, and commercial progress of a
city like Glasgow is materially influenced by the infor-
mation and intelligence of its citizens, the Athenfeurr.
possesses peculiar claims on the community at large,"
which was seconded by Mr. James Gorrlay, and unani-
mously approved.
Sir A ecursALP ALISON, in moving a vote of thanks
to the 110ble chairman, observed that his lordship was
no stranger to that city. He had been known in early
life as the restorer of ancient chivalry (applause). and
recently as the intrepid and able advocate of Scottish
rights, and be was alse the able advocate of mental cul-
tivation and the elevation of the people. After a few
other eulogistic remarks, Sir Archibald concluded by
proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was
responded to with acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN, in brief terms, acknowledged the
compliment, and the proceedings terminated.

DEATH
-
DEATR OF AN ACTRESS.

gTV dat the the oe , e
the peiforniance of the Good !•
11Thniat',1 expired on Sunday
Mademoiselle Julio, whet
ofcloti;escau ht fire durine.
Plymouth Theatre, on the 20th un .
o.37s,tuheg,vavi,rywho was only
of the Lake"
morning last. This ill fated
18 years of age, bad the part f.
assigned to her, an
Fad accident occurred. The back
the first act that the :Try
lake,
and it was during the ballet which closes
in front of which was
scene represented f
• art that colour .
and to give a transparent
placed a row of arganda burners, with chimneys of green
glass, to Imp To hide the burners from the
audience, there was in front what is technically called a
,
~ set,' or ground piece, about 22 inches high, on which
appearance to the water.
itnhetwslLorraev.o.nf,the lake is painted. The corps de ballet stood
four on each side, with scarfs which were
thrown up in the air, where, from their extreme lightness
they kept poised, and formed an arch, under which the
principal performer walked down to the front on her toes.
In order to obtain a greater effect, Mademoiselle Julie,
who did not correctly measure her distance, stooped
over the burners, when her green tarlatan dress became
ignited. Unconscious of the fact, she made two or three
pas towards the audience, whose exclamation, " You're
on fire," she applied to something unbecoming about
her dress, which she modestly endeavoured to smooth
down, and then, for the first time, discovered her peri-
lous position, and rushed off to the wings. The scarf of
one of the young girls, Miss Higgins, took fire, but it
was let fall on the stage, or the calamity might have
been much worse, the whole corps having dresses of
very infiammabie materials. Mr. Fox, Mr. Whipple,
the surgeon of the 58th Regiment, and Dr. Moore, were
constantly attending the sick room, which was 6,reay. J.
ously supplied with every nourishment, and the Rev.
ilatehard, the Vicar of St. Andrews,
assidlincal ad-
ministeredatten-
dants religious consolation.
ascribe death more to the shoHckeronin
of superficial
system than to the burns, which wereyoung brother
:the nervous
a eubscrip-
character. Deceased partly supperorrh her day and night
and their mother, who had befen
o_
manager of
stiinoncehtahsebeaecncidermtm. / ; Mr. Wigan, of the
the Plymouth Theatare, givesd Captain Goodridge, of the South
Olympic, 31. 3s. ; a
gathered about 71. Mademoiselle
has
Devon Militia,
dancer, but had considerable ability
commenced. aMl,2ro. E.the Newcombe,family
Julie excelled as a
r er ; she came from Exeter to Plymouth.
a occurred on the second night of her
whichengage-
was for three weeks, when she intended to
Dublin, where she had been
engaged,. on
I proceed to
Tmasheenat, accidentl ?f
fimble terms, to take the part of Columbine.
pro

"'Alarm IT COOLLY.—A. Chinese legend records a
singular instance of coolness in a mandarin. When hie
beloved Lee-Chee was, by a sun stroke, reduced to a
heap of ashes, " Sweep away your mistress," said the
dignitary to his servant, "and bring us clean pipesl"
The following shows the number of officers !Ibleni;
from regiments in the Crimea, and the reasons
,aveet'eueto
absence :—On leave on private affairs, 26 ; on
0' lleaveretire, 7 ; on leave on account of wounds, 101; 0
04 account of ill health, 216.