The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-21 00:00:00

The Chancellor of the Exchequer on
Eiening Classes.

raes distribution of prizes and certificates in the
department of Evening Classes, in connexion with
Xing's College, took place last night in the large
hall of the College, under the presidency of the
Right Hon. W. R Gladstone, M.P., the Chancellor
if the Exchequer.
On the platform there were, beside the chairman,
the Bishop of Lichfield, Sir Thomas Phillips, the
Rev. Dr. Jelf, the Principal of the College, many of
the professors, and a considerable number of ladies.
The body of the hall was crowded to excess, and the
proceedings were marked by the greatest en-
thr.siasm.

The Rev. Dr. JELF, in opening the proceedings,
said that these evening classes were among the
most reuiarkable in Europe, because the members
of them had for six months, after the toil of their
daily avocations was over, devoted their evenings
to the pursuits of literature and science; and he
challenged any educational institution to produce
more self-denying or more indus.rious students.
During the six or seven years the classes had been
in existence the conduct of the members had been
such as to excite his admiration, and one important
feature was the strong and deep feeling which per-
vaded all in favcur of the College principle. (Cheers.)
The Rev. Mr. PLUMPTRE, the Dean of the Col-
lege, addressed the meeting on the subject of the
evening classes, which he said were established in
1855 through the instrumentality of Mr. J. W.
Cunningham, the secretary, and those who took
counsel with him en that occasion. Their object
was to meet the wants of the class of young men in
the-offices and warehouses of this great city, who
desired to spend their leisure hours in improv
ing their minds and strengthening their charac-
ter, but who up to that period had been
little thought of. The classes opened with
only five matriculated students, who increased to
seven and 15 the two following years. At the end
of the three years they determined to admit them
to the privileges of the college ; and in 1858 the
number of matriculated students rose to 104, but
since then there had been a slight deflection in the
number. On the other hand, there were the non-
matriculated students. They began with 177 of

those students, and in the years following the num.

bars were respectively 177, 147, 323, 445, and 555;
bat last winter there was a downward tendency, in
consequence of the general commercial depression,
the number being 523. Altogether, however, the
number of students attending the evening classes last
winter was 604, and they included members whose
ages varied from 14 to 45, and even 50. (Hear,
hear.) After specifying the different branches of
knowledge taught, the rev. gentleman said that
an important feature of the classes introduced
this session was that schools with a large number of
students were allowed to enter and form a separate
class, and to have special examinations. Of this
privilege Dr. Yates, of the upper and middle schools
at Peckham, had availed himself, and as the result
he would have the pleasure of introducing, for a
certificate of honour, Mr. Edward McDermott, one
of that gentleman's pupils, who had earned that mark
of distinction in the division of " the principles of
commerce." (Hear, hear.)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer then proceeded
to deliver the prizes and certificates to the success-
ful competitors, addressing a few appropriate words
of encouragement to each.

The following are the names of those to whom
prizes and certificates of honour were awarded.
Prizes and certificates of honour are of equal value,
and are given to the student who stands first in the
examination for each subject, provided he has
gained at least three-fourths of the full num-
ber of marks. We omit, for want of space, those
who received certificates of merit, which are given
to all students who gain, in the examination for
each subject, at least three-fifths of the full num-
ber of marks :

Divinity—Henry William Atkinson—certificate of honour;
Edward Stainton—prize ; William David Ground—prize ;
William Farreu—certificate of honour; George Gathers—
prize.

- Latin—George Galliers—prize ; Henry William Atkin-
son--prize; Joseph Heptinstall Marshall—prize; George
Butler—prize ; James Golding--prize.

Greek—George Galliers—prize; James Bower—prize;
Henry William Atkinson—prize; James Golding—prize.
French—Frank Bretherton—prize; James Robert Cole
--prize; Francis Medland Phillips—prize; James Brether-
ton--cerlificate of honour ; James Bower—prize; Frede-
rick Heather—prize ; Henry Wicks—prize.
German—Edward George Pearse—prize ; Samuel B.
Flagman—prize; Henry Temple—prize; Thomas Adams
Phillips—prize.

Italian—Edward Forbes Gaitskell--prize ; Horace Hope
Bloxham—prize.
Spanish—Llandaff Watson and Edward George—certifi-
cates of honour ; Francis Medland Phillips—certificate of
honour.

English Literature—George Butler,certificate of honour.
English Composition—George Galliers—prize ; James
Kirkwood—certificate of honour.

Grammar and Composition—William Honey—prize;
Henry King—prize.
History—Walter Miller Taylor—prize.

Geography—Thomas William Green—prize,

Mathematics—Carlton John Lambert—prize; Frederick
Toshua Whitworth—prize ; William James Wood—certifi-
cat® of honour; Edward Stainton—prize ; James Bower

—prize.

Arithmetio and Bookkeeping—Stephen Henry Emmens
—certificate of honour.

The Principles of Commerce—Llandaff Watson—prize,
"On the best means of improving mercantile morals ;"
Frederick William Groves—prize; Edward AlDermott—
cettificate of honour.

Writing-6eorge Flack—prize.
Chemistry—Stephen Henry Emmens —prize.
Mechanics—William Fernie—prize.
Experimental Physics—John Simonet Scott—prize.
Political Economy—Joseph ileptinsta/1 Marshall—prize.
Logic—Thomas de Courcy Atkins—certificate of honour;
hates Russell Tunks—prize.
Physiology—Robert Shaken. Knight—prize.
Drawing—Arthur ebenham—prize.
Botany—Lewis Angell—certificate of merit.
Zoology—Arthur Pye Smith—certificate of merit; John
Simonet Scott—certificate of merit; George Butler, certifi-
cate of merit.
Prizes to the Five Students who Gained the Highest
Aggregate Number of Marks in all the subjects respectively
brought up for examination.—George Galliers—Divinity,
Latin, Greek, English, History ; Joseph H. Marshall--
Divinity, Latin, Greek, Physiology, Political Economy ;
Francis M. Phillips—Divinity, French, Greek, German,
Spanish; James Bower, Divinity, Latin, Greek, French,
Mathematics; Thomas W. Green—Latin, German, Geo-
graphy, Physics.
At the conclusion of the ceremony,

Dr. JELF expressed his thanks to the Rev. M.
Plumptre, and other professors and teachers who
had assisted in conducting the classes.
On the motion of the Bishop of LICHFIELD, who
was formerly Principal of King's College, seconded
by Sir THOMAS PHILLIPS, a vote of thanks was
Paased.by acclamation to the Chancellor of the Es-
cher—
ricr for his kindness in officiating on that oc-
casion.
The
CHANCELL
OR of the EXCHEQUER on rising to
address the
cheering, meetingi was received with most enthu-
siastichaving subsided, ho said,—
Illy Lord Bishop, ladies,aud gentlemen, if indeed it
were true that I have
conferred
markable favour by my
presence, and b my share
in the proceedings of this
evening,
received much more than a s y hould have
adequate
in the kind and cordial manner in reward
been welcomed among you ; but, as
which I have
the Bishop of
Lichfield has very well observed,
it has become
almost a law of our political and som •
al condition
that those who are charged with the responsibility
of public situations should from time to time take
the opportunity of bringing themselves into con-
tact, outside the walls of Parliament, with various
classes of their fellow-countrymen. And permit me
to say that I believe none are more willing to sub.
mit to that law than we, whose duties, whose
habits, and whose privilege it is, as far as our
limited opportunity allows, thus to seek occa-
sion of meeting face to face those with whom we
sympathise, and those with whom we desire to
sympathise—those upon whose cultivated minds
and intelligent convictions the Government of this
free country in the main depends. For we feel
that a great portion of the strength we may posses,
of any capacity that may be accorded to us to
serve our country, must depend upon our living and
acting in the light of day, and upon our making our-
selves thoroughly acquainted with the studies and
the progress of mind and intelligence among our
fellow-countrymen. (Cheers.) It is a matter, in
another view, of the greatest interest to me to come

to King's College. In the first place, I never can
forget hove important has been the part which this
institution has taken in the general movement of
the age. Most of us think in this country that,
whatever be the special designation under which
we may be ranged by others, or under which we
would like to range ourselves, the greatness and
strength of England consists in reconciling and
harmonising together what is old in our laws and
institutions with what is new in the real Cemands
and in the real civilisation of the time in which we
tive. If other countries have been less happy in their
destiny—if they be precipitated upon violent and
even bloody changes—if even these violent and
bloody changes have failed for them to issue in
stable order and extended freedom—it is because
they have not had the secret of reconciling those
various elements of their constitution and their con-
dition ; but they have come into violent collision
one with another. In that work of reconciling and
harmonising which is the great characteristic of
this country
King's College has borne a distin-
guished part. It was founded with one hand, as
it were, laid upon the tradition of the past—upon
the laws, the religion, and institutions of the coun-
try—and with the other hand pointing and beck-
oning onward, and announcing the intention of
those who founded it and those by whom it was
conducted, to offer within its walls to the intelli-
gence of their countrymen the means of meeting
and satisfying every demand society was likely to
make upon its resources. We have now, I ven-
ture to think, reached a time when it is no longer a
question so far as this institution is concerned,
whether that reconciliation can be happily effected.
I know that much has been due to the labours of
the excellent Principal who now so worthily occu-
pies that place—l know that much has been due to
the ability, self-denying zeal, and unwearied as-
siduity of the teachers and professors of this col-
lege; but not even these powerful agencies would
have availed to effect the results which have been
actually achieved unless the principle had been
sound, and unless the plan of the college had been
found to combine a just relation to practical ex-
perience. (Cheers.) But I must say to those who
occupy positions such as that which I unworthily
fill, opportunities like these are the means of afford-

ng many lessons. It is true that this ancient
community of which we are members is like-
wise in one sense a young community,
because it has about it the vigour, elasticity,
and growth of youth ; and while it expands
in power we rejoice to believe that it is likewise
growing more and more compact in internal solidity
and strength. The meeting of class with class to
which reference has been made, from several and
distinct positions, tends to unite us in mind and
heart. It is true I require to think that is the sphere
in which I ordinarily live and move, so much has
been done to consolidate the institutions of the coun-
try by improving its laws and by bettering the con-
dition of its people. But it is also true that if we
want to know what is the special security of our
social strength and national prosperity we must
look for it, not in what can be done by Parliaments
and legislatures, but by the earnest, patient in-
telligence of self-denying efforts of men and
public bodies, who do their duty each in
his own sphere. And I know no more
valuable instance of the success of such efforts
than in the case of the evening classes in King's
College. (Cheers.) There is no doubt a great want
to be satisfied—there is no doubt that the immense
commercial progress and material activity of the
age require not only stimulants but correctives.
They require not that they should be repressed, not
that they should be discouraged, but that they
should be balanced by the higher cultivation of our
nature—of our intellectual and moral and, above
all, of our spiritual nature. (Cheers.) There have
been made efforts, which I cannot characterise
otherwise than most gallant, to carry that higher
degree of cultivation into spheres which of all others

it was the most difficult for it to enter—l mean the
sphere of those who are already burdened with the
avocations which ordinary men may well deem to be
fully equal to their strength, and such as entitle
them when the ordinarylabours of the day are done
to retire to their repose. But it has been shown that
there is in society, even in the heart of this vast and
crowded metropolis, no inconsiderable portion of
men—an increasing portion, I hope, and venture to
believe—who are willing, even after the exhaustion
of the day, to enter on new efforts, f';r the purpose
of giving to their minds the immense advantages
that are to be derived from refined education. In
the profession to which I belong we do, for six
months in the year, at any rate, know something of
what it is, within the compass of 24 hours, to
finish one day's work and then to go down to
Westminster and begin another. (Cheers.) So far
I am able to sympathise with you, because that
which we do under the strongest obligations
—that which I venture to say we must do
almost whether we like it or not—you have done
by a free and spontaneous effort, and the result
is accorded in the marks of distinction which I
have just distributed. I for my part do not go
down as far as the lowest classes in this country
are concerned. It becomes a matter of increasing
difficulty to induce even young men among us to
make the efforts and exertions which are necessary
to achieve progress in the work of education. There
can be no doubt that we require in all classes of so-
ciety the stimulus of necessity in order to induce us
to labour and to reap through labour the reward it
produces. It is impossible not to see what immense
labour is required of the teachers of our schools and
our Universities, who have to do with the highest
classes of the country, and in how many cases it
happens that the most devoted labours bestowed in
the most intelligent manner and with a zeal and
self-denial not to be exceeded produce but slender
results ; but there is a broader strata of society, an
immense mass of intelligent material, which is sus-
ceptible of every kind and degree of cultivation;
anl if we have come to the time when, in certain
classes of society, the attractions of wealth and the
outer world prove too much for the more sober at-
tractions of learning, then it has become more then
ever necessary that we should look downwards into
those veins of rich material in which the English
nation abounds—(cheers)—and that by efforts such
as these new recruits should be continually brought
forth in increasing numbers to add themselves to
the body of those who are the followers of the Muses
or students in the inferior walks of letters and men-
tal cultivation. It is therefore a great work to
which the promoters of these evening classes have
addressed themselves, and the importance of which
cannot be measured even by the results attained
within these walls. Much may be done here, but
why should not that much be multiplied elsewhere ?
(Hear, hear.) You have had no advantages, you
have lied no powers, except what are possessed by
others. What a man has done a man may do ;
but you have lifted up a lamp in the face of the
country which I trust will serve to lead others
to
imitate the efforts here made, and to draw
forth from industrious
among youths—not ex-
cluding other periods of life,
forer
in nothing
whi
ch
has struck me more than the manner
varied ages are here combined in une affectionate
brotherhood and one generous emulation—to draw
forth the struggling energies of youth, to satisfy
its nobler aspirations, and to call away, not only
from vice and dissipation, but from sluggishness and
.
indolence, and to encourage every man to End
within himself, and to develops to the best of his
abilities, the gifts with which Providence has en-
dowed him. I rejoice to see that these evening
classes have been attended by no common success.
I need not say how cordially I wish the promoters
continued success to their meritorious labours, nor
need I assure those to whom I have had the honour
of distributing with ity own hands the prizes and
certificates, how earnestly I desire that the rewards
they have received, and the testimonials afforded to
not merely
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signals
done, but also much
more—namely, incentives and encouragement to
persevere in a continuing industry, to continues the
cultivation of their gifts, to consider themselves re-
sponsible before God and man, every one of them,
for applying and opening up to the best of their
ability all the faculties they possess, and to find in
the exercise of those faculties, and in their exertions
in every work that is for the glory of God and the
good of man, no small solace amid the difficulties of
life, no small pledge that when that life comes to its,