The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-28 00:00:00

H.ANWELL MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT

SOCIETY.

WRECK OF THE BRIG CANADIAN. ALDBOROUGH
SUFFOLK, JAN. 24. —The brig Canadian, of South
Shields, was stranded this morning, during a gale of
wind from S.W., near this place. The new lifeboat (on
Peake's design), recently placed here by the National
Institution for the Preservation of Life from Ship.
wreck, was immediately manned by fourteen gallant
fellows, and put off to the rescue of the brig's crew,
and nobly succeeded in taking them off and in land,
ing them in safety. This was the first time the services
of the lifeboat, since she has been placed here, were
called into requisition, and now most effectually used
in rescuing nine men and boys from a watery grave.
Hitherto the boatmen of Aldborough have had an objec-
tion to enrol themselves as a crew of the lifeboat, which
the regulations of the institution require them to do ;
but now that every one who went off in her has given a
most favourable opinions of her qualities as a sea boat,
it is to be hoped that the objection will no longer pre-
vail, for much of the success in saving life from wrecks
depends on the skill with which the boat is handled,
and this can only be accomplished by practice.
Except being of longer dimensions, this is a sister boat
to that stationed by the above institution at Lyme
Regis, and other places on the coast, where their ser-
vices during the late awful gale have been eminently
successful in saving scores of poor souls from perishing.
STRIKE OF SHIP CARPENTERS AT HAMBURG.— A. letter
from Hamburg, of the 20th, says :—" The strike
of the ship carpenters here causes considerable un-
easiness, because it paralyses an important branch
of business. The Senate caused the head of the cor-
poration of ship-carpenters to be arrested, and imme-
diately the men signed a petition praying for his re-
lease. No disturbance whatever has occurred. The
men have held a public meeting, and
The discus sed theihas
r
interests at it calmly and momoderately.y. Senate
had the sign removed from the house of the ship. car-
penters' corporation, and given leave to the ship-builders
to employ whom they please. The only consequence
which these measures have had up to the present time
is that a number of these workmen have quitted Ham-
burg."
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.—At the annual meeting of
the Birmingham Reformatory Institution, held on Tues-
day in the school-room of the establishment at Saltley' it
was stated that Mr. Jonas Mason, of the firm of Elking-
ton and Mason, had made an offer of a munificent dona-
tion of 1,0001., and a subscription of 1001. per annum
for the erection and support of a girls' reformatory este:-
blishment. Miss Burdett Coutts and Mr. W. Chance
had also each offered the sum of 100 guineas towards
the same specific object. A girls' reformatory school,
lis therefore, to be built as soon as possible.

At a large meeting recently held in the School-room of
Hanwell College, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of this
excellent institution, a very able and interesting address,
which we have great pleasure in transferring to our columns,
was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Emerton, the worthy and
learned president. The observations of the reverend gen-
tleman deserve attentive perusal, as they show how, even
in a 'small town like Hanwell, much may be done for the
education and improvement of the working classes by a few
well-directed efforts. There is one part of his speech which
cannot be strongly impressed on the minds of the public,
especially at the present moment, when, notwithstanding
the ardent desire evinced by the people for the acquisition
of knowledge, the most praiseworthy attempts to supply it
by means of such institutions as this often turn out to be
abortive, simply because the true principles on which they
ought be founded are not correctly understood. We
allude to his declaration that these societies must be self-
supporting; that the elements of success are to be found
within their own body, and that too much dependence ought
not to be placed on extraneous aid ; that by the interchange
of knowledge a man loses nothing and gains everything ;
and that the humblest individual is capable, if so disposed,
of adding something to the general stock of information.
The institution is greatly indebted to Dr. Emerton for his
active and efficient support, and we cordially wish the
example he has set, no less by his determination to sink
all religious and political differences, than by his zeal to
promote its objects, may be followed by his brethren of
different denominations throughout the country, for in all
educational movements of this description a great deal
rests with them. The ;tame- exertions with the same en-
larged views have only to be made, and every town village
and hamlet in the three kingdoms might boast of its mu-
tual improvement society.
The rev gentleman spoke as follows :—lt is with feelings
of the highest gratification that I see you here this evening
to join in commemorating the fourth anniversary of an in-
stitution which has from the first moment of its formation
been a subject of the warmest interest to me, assured as I
have ever been, that if its object could be properly carried
out, it would prove of the utmost importance in the pro-
motion of the intellectual and moral, not to say the reli-
gious, advantages of Hanwell and its neighbourhood ; and
with our numbers continually increasing, with the talents
of our members continually improving, and with the addi-
tion of gentlemen of science, and ladies of taste and intelli-
gence, who are from time to time joining us, our prospects
are becoming daily more cheering, and our anticipations,
ardent as they might have been, are already partly, if not
entirely, realised. It will be for your secretary, in his re-
port, to enter into the details of that which the society has
effected during the past year ; and when you have heard it
I feel assured that you will come to the conclusion, that
although your committee may not have accomplished great
things—for this may be impossible where the sphere is so
limited—if even they may not have done little things at
all times with a great mind, still they have done what
they have attempted to do, well ; and that they deserve
that which I am sure they will receive from yon—the
warmest thanks for their exertions on our behalf. (Loud
cheers.) This seems a proper occasion for us to look
back to the formation of the society, and to consider
how far we may have accomplished, and to consider how we
may in time to come be able still more to advance the
cause in which every individual of this neighbourhood is
most deeply interested ; for the object of the society is to
promote the intellectual and moral welfare of Hanwell and
its neighbourhood; and this no one can doubt must be of
importance to every one, from the highest to the lowest—
from the magistrates and the clergy to the poorest widow
who may be looking to you for assistance, or the youngest
child whose education and training may be more or less
dependent on your bounty and exertion. The effect of a
society like this, consisting of one or more members of the
families of the village, must ever indirectly be very im-
' portant ; and we can none of us tell how much the moral
bearing, to say nothing of the intellectual advancement of
our iseighbourhood, may depend upon the exertions that
we are from time to time enabled to make. In contem-
plating the advantages of the society, however, we must
not forget the peculiar principles on which it is formed,
that of mutual instruction and improvement. It is from
this circumstance, that we go upon the principle of helping
and assisting one another, that from the first, I have
augured so favourably of the ultimate progress of our
society. We have our strength in ourselves, a strength
continually increasina, too. Thus, if we are desirous of
information on the structure of our frame, on the wonder-
ful mechanism of our bodies, we have no necessity to go
beyond our own society for improvement on this point.
We have a member of our society, Mr. Ashbrook, to whose
lectures on the human frame you listened with so much
satisfaction and delight. (Hear, hear.) If we are desirous
of analysing the various bodies of nature which surround
us, of separating the drops of water, or weighing the air
in a balance, of understanding the laws of nature, we
have two of our members, Mr. Quick and Mr. Ridge, who
are, early again, as theyhavedonebefore, to afford us instruc-
tion on these points. If we are desirous of voyaging with
Parry, Ross, and Franklin, into the Arctic regions, of
taking an overland trip to India, or of visiting the plains
of Wallachia, and bivouack with the bravo Tusk at
Kalafat or Oltenitza, here is our friend and brother
improver, Mr. Stocqueler, whom the Timm, has pro-
nounced the prince of lecturers, and the very Briareus of
literature, ready to convey us there in the most easy and
delightful manner that can possibly be conceived. (Cheers.)
Whilst, if we wish in an evening of social enjoyment to
add the charms of music to our other recreations, we have
our kind friends here, Mrs. and Miss Sinclair and Mrs.
Williams—(cheers)—and other members of our society,
always willing and ready to contribute to our gratification.
(Cheers.) And should, from any unexpected calamity, tout
funds prove deficient, or our finances become disordered—
which, I am happy to say, is not at all likely whilst your
present committee and treasurer are in office—we have no
less a person than the Comptroller of the National Debt
himself—(loud cheers)—another member of our society,
ready, if necessary, to examine our accounts, and place us
on a right footing again, whose annual subscription I have
this evening the pleasure of being the medium of handing
to your treasurer. Thus, my friends, it is gratifying and
must be most satisfactory to you all to know that although
we are ready cordially to receive every one who may wish
for instruction, or willing to assist in the various objects
we have in view, still we can find all that we most want
in our own circle ; and whilst we are true to one another
we have no absolute necessity to seek aid from any
one beyond us. In this respect our motto may truly
be—God and ourselves. But let me not in this observation
be misunderstood. Ido not wish by these words to ex-
press either selfishness or foolish independence ; this would
be indeed sadly to misinterpret the objects of our society.
So far from our object being selfish, we are, as I said be-
fore, desirous of enrolling all around under our banners ;
and as for independence, it has always appeared to me that
any one who claims to be independent of those around him
must be either an idiot or fully determined to act in oppo-
sition to the dispensation of that Providence who has for
his own wise purposes brought Am all into the same neigh-
bourhood—that he who does not, as far as in him lies,
promote the well-being of those around him in the manner
his conscience may tell him is best, is guilty of a moral
crime in the sight of God, and deserves, if he does not meet
with, the disapprobation of every right-thinking and right-
feeling man. (Cheers.) We have different views of Church
government, we may have opposite opinions as respects po-
litical parties, but these distinctions, however natural they
may be in a general society, have no place here. We ask
no one whether he is a Churchman or Dissenter, whether
he is a Whig or Tory. All we want to know is, whether
he wants improving, or is willing to improve, and thus
benefit others ; and we gladly avail ourselves of his ce-ope
ration, and willingly enrol him among the members of the
Hanwell Mutual Improvement Society. The importance
of a society like this for the young men of the village can
scarcely be calculated. There is perhaps no age which is
more difficult to manage than that between boys leave na-
tional and other schools' and the time when they arrive at
maturity, and become, in some measure, amenable to rea-
son and a sense of their true interest. With passions
swaying them on ono side, fancied independence on
another, let loose from the authority of a master,
not able to guide themselves, they are peculiasly
liable to fall into the snares which are placed within
their path, and to follow the bent of their own head-
strong appetites and passions. Their greatest dan-
ger, however, arises from non-occupation. " Satan,"
says Dr. Watt, " finds some mischief still, for idle hands
to do," and with the hope of doing something for the wel-
fare of the young men of the place, your committee
have formed classes for drawing, and offered other at-
tractions of various kinds to induce them to improavne,i
In this object, we may fairly claim the good w
the active co-operation of all. lam particul iiyshaensssious
whether' actual
to impress this point upon all of you,
n the vast im-
FATAL ACCIDENT members of the society or not.
portance of taking care of those inernlbemrrof
d , and here, I
your families TAT PIMLICO.—A fatal accident took
which are just advancing into manhoosot
portant one, place yesterday on the premises of Messrs. Belk and
think, we may take a lesson, and a Co., at Eccleston-bridge, Pimlico. A number of men
ber of our society
have for some time been engaged in erecting a massive
from the course pursued by another-mnitoemo
rateful—l mean
for whose co-operation we can
hmanagement of the excel- machine at the wharf. Directions have been given to
Dr. Conolly—(cheers)—in e .
lent and admirable institution, which, although not in the have some heavy stones weighing several tons, unloaded.
parish of Hanwell, and. therefore, not really belonging to Fore this purpose three men were sent yesterday upon
been named the Hanwell the scaffold to work the machinery, and others were
us, has, from its
Now what method did he adopt, and
Lunatic Asylum.
Sir William and Lady Ellis, in a en gaged in the barges fixing the chains round the
those who preceded him, stones. While they were so occupied, and when a stone
great degree,.if not entirely, when they dispensed with
t weighing about six tons was being lifted, the frontage
the strait-waistcoat and the other coercive methods which
increased a thousandfold the miseries of the poor creatures of the scaffold, and an iron box containing three men,
whom the dispensation of Providence had placed in the came down. The men in the barges were not hurt, but
those who fell from the scaffold were imbedded among
most distressing of all situations, by depriving them of
What do we see as we walk around? The car- the mass of stone and the shattered iron-work, which
reason.
pouter of the Establishment aided by those whom formerly fell upon them. A man named David Connor fell into
the chains would have encompassed, and relieving their the barge, and was crushed by the heavy machinery
distress whilst instructing and einployine; them in his which fell upon him. A man named Ilatherway bad
trade; the garden full of labourers whom a skilful gar- his thighs broken, and was otherwise seriously injured ;
dener is superintending, giving each his occupation, and a thirdlinan was also much hurt. A long time
and instructing each in his various duties. You elapsed before the body of Connor could be extricated
move into the cattle yard, and see others employed from the mass of iron which had fallen upon him. Con-
under an experienced and honest cowman, who in-
structs and etn:.loys them, and makes them happy by nor has left a wife and two children. The inquest is to
their very take place on Monday.
occupation. Nor is this all—yon see them
engaged in various amusements. Bowls in the open air, COLLISION ON \THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—.
chess and the bagatelle board, the piano and other collision occurred on this lino of railway at Knottingley
instruments within each and all of immense impor- yesterday (Fti,lay) morning to the Edinburgh night
tance to the comfort and well-being of the occupants. mail, leaving London at 9.15 p.m. on Thursday evening,
But, in addition to these, you see the well-selected library, An empty coal train, consisting of engine and tender,
the monthly, weekly, or daily journal, for the improve- and fifty-three waggons, was proceeding to York, and
ment and instruction of those able to avail themselves had stopped at the Knottingley station, to take in water,
thereof, whose minds, although infirm, are still capable of
The express, which was over-due, followed on
imminent
e msi same
appreciating those advantages, when out door occupations
line, and ran into the rear part of the mineral train,
are not to be obtained; and what is the result ? The strait smashing
are all destroyed, coercion is a thing almost, if smashing the break van and a waggon. The guard was
not in his van, and consequently escaped the
not entirely, unknown; the calamities of their state is in
an amazing degree relieved, and you walk amongst hue- danger he wolild have been exposed to had he remained
dreds of those who formerlY were an object of so much in it. None of the passengers were hurt, and but little
dread, with a secret satisfaction and inward thankfulness, delay occurred. This morning Mr. Aslett, of York, the
that God has raised up men, who, uniting intelligence with district inspector, held an investigation into the circum-
humanity, have thus ameliorated the condition which was stances of the accident. It was shown that the signals
formerly so hopeless ; but had these men, whilst they were properly exhibited, but that in consequence of the
withdrew the shackles, given no occupation for the mind, extreme length of the train, and the distance from it and
but left it to corrupt. in idleness, nay more, had they at the signals, combined with the slippery state of the line,
each corner of their institution allowed the sale of atimu•
At Tfaff almost impossible to avert the collision.