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London, England, 1854-04-26 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 26, 1854.

trict. By far the most flourishing and successful of
these popular bodies, is to be found in Yorkshire,
the central institute being that of Leeds, which I
had lately the honour to visit. (Hear.) Well, here no
no less than 16 towns, many of them great tna,nufactur-
ing communities, are associated in one union, and to
that union their paramount success is owing. Now if
for towns so populous and wealthy, an union be found
thus practically effective, how much more would it be so
in a county like ours, comprising comparatively small
institutes in comparatively small towns, and needing all
the help each can afford to the other. The first advan-
tage of such union would be in the collection of libraries
common to the use of all—the books being lent out.
One society would thus have a collection of one kind ;
another society a collection of another ; and by the
mode of general temporary interchange, one complete
library for the use of all the institutions throughout
the country might be formed. (Hear, hear.) By
this means, too, you might gradually attain to itine-
nerating libraries throughout the villages ; you would
attract a large body of new subscribers amongst the
laity and clergy in remote rural parishes, looking upon
such an united body as the best available book club
for themselves and their parishioners ; and the utilities
of the institutes generally would not be confined only
to towns, but permeate throughout those parts of the
county that really require instruction most. (Cheers.)
Next, by such an union, each institute might confer
with the other as to courses of lectures which should
be yearly pursued and delivered successively at each
of the various institutes. It is clear that you would
thus gain much in economy : a distinguished lecturer,
who has perhaps five lectures to deliver on some chosen
subject, would require much less, for instance, if he
were engaged at all the towns conveniently within one
district, to deliver the same course of lectures. Secondly,
you would gain much more in the method and continuity
that belong to sound practical instruction. At present
great fault is to be found with the system of lectures
generally pursued at these societies ; they may serve to
amuse, but are too vague and desultory for any sound
information. It is no use, except for diversion, to have
one .lecture delivered on sortie scientific subject with
which the mass of the audience algaverilittle acquainted,
to be followed up, perhaps at the next meeting, by a
laudatory criticism upon some popular poet—such infor-
mation is never remembered ; it goes in at one ear and
out at the other. There is no branch of solid instruc-
tion which can be despatched in a single lecture—only
crude and superficial ideas can be so given. You require
on such topics a course of lectures ; and the course, if it
were given successsively at the different towns in Hert-
fordshire would leave behind it a common stock of as-
quired knowledge which would equalise and lift up the
intellectual wealth of the whole county. (Cheers.) Now as
all the different towns in a county like this not divided
by contending interests, such as manufactures in one
place, and agriculture in the other--would probably have
much the same tastes and perception of what would most
please and benefit the common audience, so I think you
would have little difficulty in agreeing as to such lectures
as would suit each of your towns. I don't mean that all
lectures delivered should be of this more serious and con-
tinuous character—each town might occasionally indulge
in single lectures of a lighter nature. But I think it
highly important if you mean to make lectures really
instructive, that some one or more courses should be
annually selected and devoted to special purposes of general
information. In such lectures, the lecturer ought always
to distribute private syllabuses of the heads -and divi-
sions of his subject to be in the hands of his' audience ;
and which would serve to refresh their memory after the
lectures were concluded. (Hear.) Now as lam very
anxious that as much benefit as possible should be de-
rived from lectures, and as I see that lectures well chosen
and well attended would really render these institutes
colleges for the people, so in order to increase their effi-
cacyl would recommend that at the close of each course
of lectures, or at the end of the year upon all the lectures
given, the lecturer or lecturers should -,:be hound to
hold an examination of such members as desired to
pass that examination ; that those members who ac-
quitted themselves with most credit should be noticed
with honourable distinction and rewarded with prize
books, and that at the end, say of every three years, such
members as had reflected the greatest honour on themselves
and the institute, should be supplied with certificates
answering the purpose of a collegiate degree, which
might constitute theta members of the institute for life
upon payment of a very small annual sum—a much
smaller sum than they would otherwise pay. (Cheers.)
By this system, you would naturally enforce a continued
and useful course of lectures, which at the close of every
three years might comprise the outline of an excellent
general education for the adult tradesmen or intelligent
mechanic ; you would sustain the attention and excite
the emulation of the listeners, and you would offer both
local distinction, and some Practical advantage to those
who had most availed themselves of the facilities for self-
improvement. Ideas caught from lectures, instead of
being fugitive would then become permanent, enrich the
minds of the listeners themselves, and pass into the wider
range of all their acquaintance and friends to whom in
common talk the ideas would be communicated. For
the great advantage of improving even one human mind
is not so much to that mind itself—as to all with which
the mind comes in contact—every well-informed Mae of
social habits is in himself an unconscious schoolmaster,
and teaches in every less instructed circle to which he
transports his knowledge. As it is the property of
light to travel each ray that leaves the sun propelling
as it were another—thus spreading over 'the universe,
and clothing all things with the pomp and loveliness
of colour—so it is the property of thought once ema-
nating from a living soul--to pass onward from its
present source—kindling beam after beam as it takes its
way—(cheers)—and as those rays of light that warmed
the atmosphere this day or will break the darkness of to-
night may have parted from their parent orbs hundreds
of years ago, so the thoughts which animate us at this
moment may originally have been suggested by some
luminous intellect in distant ages, that we can no more
distinguish now,—than we can distinguish the rays of
the planet Jupiter from those of any of its fellow stars
which blend their lustre in the common atmosphere we
breathe. (Hear.) Thus when we kindle intelligence in
one fellow than, we know not to what flowers not yet
sown it may give the colours, or in what cavern now
veiled in darkness, it may discover the jewels for kings
unborn. (Cheers.) Such, to sum up, are the suggee
tions that I presume to offer for the better development
of these grand but hitherto imperfect sources of popular
instruction. Firstly—Union of all the institutes in the
county, or at least within a convenient distance, with a
central committee to arrange the most generally inte-
resting course of lectures, and the best modes to make
their several libraries useful to the widest range of sub-
scribers. Secondly—Certain lectures given in a con-
tinuous series, and comprising the collegiate principle
of examination and honorary certificates of merit. I
might dwell on other suggestions for improvement—both
as to class-rooms for adults and children's schools—but
as such suggestions would all hinge upon the general
elementary propositions I have laid before you—so
they will keep for a future occasion, and I don't desire
to divide your attention by attempting too much at once.
My lord and gentlemen, it would be a great and last-
ing honour to this our county of _Hertford, if, by such
means as I here suggest—or by others which a wiser
experience may devise—we could be among the first to
prove that districts flourishing chiefly by agriculture
and retail trade, are not less zealous. and not less suc-
cessful than the stirring and wealthy community of
manufacturing towns, in promoting the cause of popular
instruction. (Much cheering.) This county is rich in
historical and intellectual associations, which may well
increase our pride to belong to it ; and as the memories
which we store by knowledge come across us all in those
excursions throughout the shire to which we are called
by business or pleasure, so a thousand objects of inte-
rest start up at every different locality, serving still
more to embellish the scenes of nature, and still more to
augment that generous patriotism which attaches us to
our native soil. For instance, suppose some tradesman
or farmer driving to a distant town or market, a friend,
or perhaps his young wife by his side, as he passes by
the quiet village of Abbott's Langley, he may pause and
say—" there was born, the son of a servant, that Ni-
cholas Breakspeare, who being refused priests's orders
from his-neglect of school education, so set to work to
improve the opportunities he had lost, that by his learn-
ing he rose to be Cardinal and Pope of Rome—the only
Englishman who ever attained to that dignity, not now
very popular in England. (Laughter, and hear, hear.)
Here it is not the eminence itself that we covet,
but it is the enegy and perseverance which achieved
it, that we admire. (Cheers.) As our farmer
or tradesman pursues his way, lie may pass by a
pleasant lane, with a secluded house on one side—
Mackary End, which Charles Lamb has made the sub-
ject of one of his charming essays in Elia. (Hear.)
Or, perhaps, as he drives through Ayott St. Lawrence,
he may pause to survey, in the green fields around him,
the possessions of Harold, the last of the Saxon kings.
At Welwyn, he will point to the square white house,
opposite the church, in which Dr. Young composed his
famous "Night Thoughts ;" and in which, in our own
time, resided the most profound scholar of modern times,
my lamented friend, Mr. Fynes Clinton. To the right
he will see Danesbury, in which Saxon England rose
against the usurpation of the Danes ; so, as he jogs on
towards Hitchin, he sees to the left what was. mice the
demesnes of the Knight Templars ; and not far from
thence lies Preston, in which it is said there resided the
original of Uncle Toby in Sterne's "Tristram Shandy ;"
certain it is that Sterne often visited that old house, and
when I was a boy, mimic fortifications like those erected
by Major Shandy, were still existing. At Offiey, the
great Saxon King Offs, sometimes held his court ;
and in that sequestered village, he closed his stormy
life. At Hitchin those streets now perambu-
lated by peaceful quakers—were formerly seen the
gown and cowl of the St. Benedict monks ; and
there was transplanted, from Calais, in the reign of
Edward the Third, the most flourishing wool staple
in ancient England. Again, if you pass in another
direction, you see the fair park of Brocket, which our
posterity will find historical as the favourite residence of
one who, if not amongst the greatest ministers who have
swayed this country, was one of the most accomplished
and honourable men who ever attained to the summit of
constitutional ambition. (Cheers.) And it is a striking
anecdote of Lord Alelhoure, that he once said in my own
hering, "He rejoiced to have been Prime Minister, for
he had thus learned that Men were much better, much

ONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN
RAI LWAT. —OLDHAM BRANCI-1 CONTRACT.
Lie Directors are prep •red to RECEIVI TENDERS for tte
EXECUTION of the WORKS of the above Contract, which includes
the • onstruction f a Tunnel (1,200 }anis in length', an i all the re-
qw,ite Excavations, Embankments, Bridges, + ulverts, Retaining
Walls, Fencin •, Approach Roads.
he Weepers, Ballasting, and Laying of the Permanent Way, and
all the contingencies of every desert Ilion.
The ital. and Chairs will be furnished by the Company.
Drawings and Specificatio: s are now ready for inspection, at the
office of the Engineer, 13, Duke-street, Westminster, where printed
forms of Tender may be obtained, and any requisite explanations as
to the intended works will be given.
Tenders, marked " Tenders for Works, Oldham Branch," addressed
to the Secretary (under sealed covers), must be delivered at the
Company's Offices, London-road Station, Manchester, not later than
Ten o'clock a.m. on the 15th day of May.
The Directors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest Tender.
By order,
CHARLES E. STEWART, Secretary.

OXFORD, WORCESTER, and W
HAMPTON RAILWAY.—On arid after SAT'
Ist of April, 1854, Passeiners will be booked and cone
oat without break of gauge or change Of carriage, bet
Station, London, ant Stations on the Oxford, Worcesi
verhampton Railway, by the following 'trains:—
WEEK DAYS.—DOWN TRAIN'S.

TOLVER-
'URDAY, the
eyed through-
tween Euston
iter, and Wol-

Ex press
1 st and 21
Class.

Ordinary
tst a`l•t'2d
Class.

Etprees
Ist and 2cl,

Class.

Leave Loudon •• ....,.. •

Arrive at Worcester • •• •
Kidderminster •
Stourbridge
D❑dley •• .... •

WEEK

Leave Dudler...• • ..... ••
Stou ridge......••..
Kidderminster .....

Worcester • .. •• • .

Arrive at London •• • • • • ••

TAE

A.M.
9.30
P.M
1. 0
1 38
1.50
2. 5

AYS.-LIP

Expre:s
Ist and 2d
Class.

By order.

A.M.
6.30
6.45
6.58

11.15

ItA INS.

Ordinary
Ist and 2d
Class.

A.M.
10 25
10.45
11. 5
NOON.
12. 0
F.M.
5. 0

8.50
9.30
9.43
10. 0

Express
Ist and 2d
Class.

W. T. ADCOCK.

URSSELL' S. —BALL SUPPERS and
WEDDING BREAKFASTS SUPPLIED in the first style;
public breakfasts, dinnirs, and promenade suppers supplied by con
tract ; a lar4e stock of bride cakes for immediate use, from one to
twenty guineas each; a handsome cake for five guir:eas, packed and
sent to any part of the country if required, and warranted to keep 12
months.—JouN R. PcassELL, 162, Regent-street, and 20, Ludgate-
hill, only.

READING SAUCE,
FOR FISH, GAME, GRAVIES, DASHES, STEAKS, &c.
JOHN & CHARLES COCKS, the Sole Pro-
prietors and Manufacturers of the celebrated READING
SAUCE, beg to CAUTION the Public against the daily frauds prac-
tised by many Persons, who are offering their spurious Imitations
SLS the GENUINE READING SAUCE.
This AU! 'E is patronised and recommended by most Families in
the Kingdom, and for general use it stands unrivalled. It is sold by
all respectable Fish Sauce Venders. Be particular in asking for
"COCKS'S READING SAUCE."
which is prepared ONLY by John & Ch.irles Cocks, at their Manufac-
tory, Duke-street, Iteadin.t.—All others are counterteits.—Observe
the name, "J. & C. Cocas, Reading," on the Seal and Label of each
Bottle : without this none are Genuine.

LAURENT'S CASINO, ARGYLE Rooms,
(Lessee,' Cites. C. LAURENT, Onslow-house, Ftbaam•road),
—The above Rooms are now OPEN FOR THE SEASON.
and will continue open every evening,with ALT lt E NT'S
CELEBRATED BAND. Two Quadrilles on subjects of Meyerbear s
Opera—L'Etoile du Nord; teso, by H. Lalr !nt, the following Waltzes
La belle Francaise, Leonora, Villikins and his Dinah, and L'Etoile
du Nord Pulka. Admission, Is. Doors open at half-past B. Dancing
to commence at 9 o'clock, and ter ninate at half-past 11.

ATTRACTIVE NOVELTIES.
ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
PATRON—H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT.
The SEAT of WAR, showing the principal places on the DANUBE,
KALAFAT, WI D DI N, GIURGEVO, SEB ASTOPOL, the entrance
to the BLACK SEA, BATTLE of SIN OPE, and DE,TRUCTION
of the TURKISH FLEET, and other scenes (kindly supplied by
the proprietors of the " Illustrated London News"), EXIIIIIITED
in a NEW SERIES of DIS.;OLVING VIEWS.
LECTURES by J. H. PEPPER, Esq , on the CHEMISTRY of PAPER
MAKING, and its decoration with Colours, and on VOLTAIC
ELECTRIC ITY,. and the ELECTRIC LIGHT. by Da. BRCNROFF-
NER. Explanations of MODELS, MACHINERY, &c.. &c.
Open Mornings and Evenings. Admission, Is.; Schools and
Children under Ten Tears of age, Half-price.

more swayed by conscience and honour, than he had
before supposed''—(hear)---A saying honourable to the
minister, and honourable still more to the public virtue
of Englishmen. (Cheers,) Further on, there will rise
before you the stately towers of Hatfield, built by the
immortal ancestor of an illustrious line, round the site
of the old palace in which dwelt the princess afterwards
so illustrious as Queen Elizabeth. (Hear.) There from
the shadow of those venerable trees, still existing, the
the last and greatest of the Tudors passed to the throne,
amongst anxious crowds, doubtful what form of religion
the royal authority would proclaim. And when after-
wards in solemn procession through the streets of Lon-
don the clamorous thousands beheld the new sovereign
--with that commanding countenance which seemed
formed for a regal crown—clasping to her breast the Bible
for which martyrs had perished in the flames, all knew
that the Reformation was secure, and the Book of Life
had become the heir-loom of the English people. (Cheers.)
Going on towards Barnet, you pass the great battle-field
which closed the war of the Roses, and by breaking up
the feudal power of the barons, made the first epoch of
our modern political system—while you see at Hadley
the church by which the unfortunate Henry the Sixth
stood to learn the defeat of his cause, and to pass again
to the prison which he only left for his grave. Thus—
not to weary you with countless instances of the asso-
ciations which adorn the history of our county—you
may see how a little effort of knowledge and memory
serves to give interest and charm to places we might
otherwise pass with indifference ; and how much such
recollections can increase the pleasure of our common
existence. (Cheers.) But you, at St. Albans, are doubly
bound to cultivate all recollections that justify the pride
of Hertfordshire men, andunite themselves to intellectual
occupations and resources. Here, before the time in
which Caesar invaded the island, stood the old city of
Verulare ; here, the Most powerful of the kings of Bri-
ton held their court. Here your predecessors resisted
the Roman legions, and finally were enrolled amongst
Roman citizens. Here marched the heroine Boadicea,
conquering, for a while, even civilised discipline by the
energies which freedom and the love of country lent even
to the first barbarians who trod this soil of Britain.
Here, too, dawned over these islands the mild Christian,
there heed, preach,d, an l died the dauntless saint, from
whom your town now receives its name; here, to, a hum-
ble schoolmaster established one of the earliest printing
presses in England—and close by this city, in possession
now worthily held by the noble earl who presides over
us this day—dwelt the very man whose authority is con- '
stantly quoted in favour of the knowledge we are met to
disseminate—Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam ; and this
wonderful man—who was to philosophy what Shakspere
is to poetry, who traversing a range of learning that may
almost be called universal—brought into all its recesses
the boldest imagination and the most original concep-
tions, we are yet more entitled to demand as a son of
Hertfordshire by. descent, for my noble friend's allusion
to my family permits me to say that Lord Bacon's grand-
mother was a Lytton of Knebworth. (Hear.) This morn-
ing I wandered from the hospitable roof of my nobly
host, now in your chair, towards the oldfisliponds, which
had been Bacon's favourite haunt, and lying there on
the grass over which his very footsteps may have gone,
I revolved what I should say to you about him this
evening ;—and the thoughts that occurred to me are
briefly these :—Lord Bacon is to us, and to all students,
at once an example and a warning—an example as to
the earnest perseverance, the careful observation, the
inductive process which arrives at truth, not from
theories, but the collected evidence of facts ; an ex-
ample as to the eternal obligations, which one intel-

and cordial Omura as to have iialieeKolo4-111a.; Iff t.,*
coming the representative of so ma - .i Aliai,ex‘tellent
friends in the county. (Hear.) I . •...frat4-441fre were .
1
of course differences of opinion ; b >)r. everriothel, re-
spect he trusted they would all, of e: .:ier party, con-
eider him as desirous to advocate . i'best interests of
all classes in the county. (Hes ''‘,ll2 bad, alreadY .'t
ilkeklii
addie;sed them too long to ventur tct:.,spals 'more, on
a subject on which no man could ape we3l--11iirelf;
but he desired to contrast the reception & .h.,;
rienced to-night from that in another room about two
years ago, on which occasion, whatever claims he had
to a pritient hearing on the ground of literary z=etities,
were entirely lost sight cf. (Laughter.) He bsAeved,
however, that the interruptio, arose from gentlemen
nit resident here ; for all the inhabitants of St. Albans
seemed extremely anxious to disclaim any share in a
disturbance so great that he found it impossible to
di liver three sentences consecutively. (Cheers and
laughter.) He hoped next time to have an equally
kind and patient hearing as on this evening, and gz•Ate-
fully bade them farewell. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. J wax BROOK proposed " that the best thanks of
the meeting be given to the Right Hon. the Earl of
Verulam, for his kindness in presiding at the meeting,"
and observed, that his lordship had recently given two
additional reasons for the high respect and esteem with
which he was deservedly regarded in famed St. Albans.
The first was the purchase of the Verulam Hills Estate,
and this secured that interesting place from the desecra-
tion with which it had been so long threatened. The
second was for his lordship's munificent gift of a new
school to St. Nicholas parish. (Cheers.)
Mr. 'PITKIN seconded the proposition with a few ap-
propriate remarks, and the motion on being put was
carried by acclamation.
The Earl of VERULAM said—l am scarcely deserving,
the panegyrics which have been given me by the gentle-
man xsho proposed the vote of thanks, but if, ladies and
gentlemen, I as a country gentleman have endeavoured
to do as much as I can to the locality in which it has
pleased Providence to cast my inheritance and my lot,
there are no thanks to me, for it is no more than an
English gentleman should do. I have a strong feeling
in favour of this institution, and I once recollect hearing
Mr. John Wilson Croker say there were three things
necessary to carry on a war—money, money, and
money. You have had the author of "Money" before
you to-night, and he will tell you that money is the
great requisite for the success of this institution. Con-
sider it therefore as the beginning. the middle, and the
end of your exertions. We have had an eloquent ad-
dress from your county member, and I am sure you
all feel deeply indebted to him. For myself, I owe that
gentleman many thanks for his kindness in coming
amongst us ; and great as were my anticipations, they
have been more than realised by his eloquent address,
m hch which you, also, must lam sure been highly
delighted.
The meeting then broke up,

COURT OF ALDERMEN.

THE DEATH OF ALDERMAN HOOPER.

The LORD MAYOR announced to the Court that he had
received a letter announcing the death of Alderman
Hooper, who had represented the ward of Queenbithe
so much to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens and the
public.
Alderman FAELBUOTHER rose under very excited feel-
ings to move a resolution of condolence to the widow
and family of his late highly respected friend, who had
distinguished himself by his eminent public' services, as
well as endeared himself to all who knew him, by his
numberless estimable qualities. The late Altiermsn had
manifested great zeal, judgment, and activityiil the per-
formance of the duties which devolved upon him as sheriff
and magistrate of the city of London, and his e.Kertions
for securing the public tranquillity at the particular
crisis when, in his mayoralty, the peace of the metropolis
was menaced, would not easily be forgotten by those. "who
considered the danger to which it was exposed. (Hoar.)
Alderman KELLY seconded the resolution in a Sow
words, expressive of his admiration of the conduct of
Alderman Hooper as a public and private man. Eve
alded, that he considered the course pursued by the de—,
ceased alderman upon the occasion of the apprehended
riot in the metropolis as having been, with the assistance
of his brother aldermen, a great means of giving an ef-
fectual check to dissension. (Elear, hear.)
The resolution was carried unanimously, after a short
speech from Sir JOHN MusGrtovE, who said he had
especial reason for regretting the melancholy event of
the death of Alderman Hooper, as he had been constantly
in the habit of seeking and receiving the great benefit of
his excellent friend's experience and judgment in a great
variety of matters.

lect thus duly cultivated can bestow on remote gene
rations, and also, alas, a warning that no merely secu
lar and human knowledge can suffice to preserve even
its greatest master form error, and grief, and shame.
We must look to something beyond the reach of the
boldest philosophy, and, yet something to which the
humblest peasant on the simplest child may attain for
the only safeguard against those temptations which assail
alike the passions of ignorant, and the infirmities of
the wise. (Rear.) But who will desire to press hard
on the faults of an imperishable benefactor to our com-
mon race ? Some of those faults in Lord Bacon have
been harshly exaggerated, and all were most severely
punished. There is this fair advantage which all who
have so exercised their genius and intellect as to benefit
their species, have a right to claim over sluggish and
idle men ; that they may reverse the maxim of the poet,
which says, "the evil that men do lives after them, the
good is often interred with their bones." No l with men
like Bacon, the evil of temporary feelings is buried in
their graves ; the good of works that enlarge all our
ideas—augment all our intellectual wealth—lives for
ever and for ever--till the world itself shall pass away.
(Cheers.) You, the inhabitants and townsmen of this
ancient city which has identified its history with the
dawn of Christianity, with the invention of printing,
with the life and labours of the greatest of English
sages—you may well aspire to take a foremost lead
in the improvement of all institutions that extend
the boundaries of knowledge, and the lessons of
civilisation ; and hence, I rejoice, that it is in this town
that I have first put forth, however imperfectly, those
views for the increase and development of the utilities
of societies like the present, which are sanctioned by the
recommendation of those who have most considered the
subject, and the experience of to ams which have
already adopted the principle of district union, on which
all the rest must depend. You may thus enlarge, at
least, to household suffrage, I would willingly say to
universal suffrage—the sublime franchise of intelligence.
(Cheers.) A franchise far more valuable than that
which your town has been condemned to lose ! In poli-
tics if the national results are great and worthy, still the
local contests by which the results are gained, are too
often both passionate and mean. There the most ignorant
man thinks himself as good a judge as the wisest, and
his vote goes as far. We vex ourselves, arid quarrel
with our neighbours for things and persons that seem
all important one year, and are quite forgotten the next.
(Hear, hear.) But in the calm fields of literature and
science, we can produce no results for the public without
improving ourselves by the part that we take, and the
labour we undergo. If St. Albans exists no longer
as the Borough always getting into trouble—the sc.mpe-
goat of inquisitorial blue books, and the victim of aus-
tere committees—(laughter and cheers)—strive to win
for this ancient cradle of Christianity and learning—a
stainless fame worthy of its grand associations. Improve
your schools and your institute. Let St. Albans be
the Athens of a wider range than the map of Hertford-
shire can include. (Much cheering.) The greatest rea-
soc,er of ancient times, the one who has most brought
philosophy to bear upon politics, I mean Aristotle, says
well of education, that "it is a sort of cement, without
which the best political fabrics crumble into dust." But
mark this, that profound thinker, who had examined all
varieties of political constitutions, observes also that
education should suit the particular commonwealth into
which it is introduced, that education being the p trent
of ideas, the ideas that harmonise with one state inisht
not suit those of another. The education that suits a
new colony may not harmonise with an ancient state,—
and that education which becomes an ancient state might
very littleinstruct the new colony. We all feel this distinc-
tion as individuals ; the education that best fits a man
for the bar or for public life must differfrorn that we would
give to the physician or the artist ; what is best for
the manufacturer is not best for the farmer, and so on
through all subdivisions of mental labour. Thus with us
in England we should consider the great and leading
characteristics of our people, and of the institutions by
which they have attained to their eminence, and harmonise
our education to the commonwealth it should benefit and
instruct. Now, history has given to us as largely as to any
nation that ever flourished, a stock of magnificent recol-
lections - immortal deeds--noble thoughts. Education
should comprise that history of the past, which sustains
the emulation of posterity. By the deeds of patriots
and heroes—by the blood of freemen—and martyrs we
have secured, under monarchial institutions, civil liber-
ties which have lasted longer, and achieved a serener
progress, than those which Republics have won by fero-
cious slaughter, and resigned with ignominious terror.
(Cheers.) We have secured, too, a religion, differing
in its details amongst various sects, but lighted in all by
the eternal hopes of revelation. These great attributes
of Englishmen, English education should maintain ; a
reverence for our ancestors, because they were oils bene-
factors—an enlightened, yet vivifying love of country—
an attachment to institutions, which does not forbid
their repair, but will defend them from destruction—
ande a holy care to teach to our children thos G pe
truths, which are to human knowledge, what the orbs
of heaven are to the seasons of earth—when the Creator
called tnem forth "to be lights in the firmament of
heaven, to give light upon the earth—And it was so."
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. JOHN MITCIIELL, said—On behalf of the St.
Albans Literary and Scientific Institute, he begged to
move a vote of thanks to Sir E. B. Lytton for his kind-
ness in appearing amongst them that evening, and for
the excellent address he had given them. Ali who knew
his many :snd important engagements, must be aware
that his presence was no small favor ; for himself he had
wished thalt his task had fallen into abler hands, but it
had been thought that as Sir Edward's object in being
present asas to benefit the working classes, it would be
better for a working man to return thanks. He was
pleased to have the opportunity of stating that the
working'( :lasses knew how to appreciate the kind efforts
and the e ympathy manifested by noblemen and gentle-
men of tl ie neighbourhood by aiding them in their efforts
for the : icquisition of knowledge. Mr. M. then pro-
ceeded :it some length with very appropriate and well
expresso d remarks, and was followed by
Mr. :S. J. SIIREIBB, secretary of the institute, who se-
conded the vote of thanks, stating that the society felt
deepl y grateful in being honored with the presence of,
and ' with having heard an address from a gentleman who
was at the head of the literature of country. Mr. S.
then . paid an eloquent and enthusiastic tribute to Sir
Edy rardis high reputations as a statesman, novelist,
oral or, dramatist, poet, and translator ; of whom not
mils ' Hertfordshire, but all England was justly proud.
Kr E. B. LYTTON expressed his thanks for the kind
marts per in which they had received his address, and his
still greater thanks for their attention to the flattering
rem: irks of the two gentlemen who had proposed and
seconded the vote of thanks. He assured them that if
ever there should be an occasion when he could ad-
varit ce the intellectual objects as well as the political in-
terssts of St. Albans, it would be his pride and pleasure
to ski so. And few events could give him such sincere