The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-26 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE BRISTOL ATHENJE UM.

BRISTOL, Wednesday Afternoon.—The handsome new
building recently erected in Corn-street, for the purpose
of the Bristol Athenaeum, was inaugurated this day ;
and the ceremony acquired additional interest from the
fact that the Right Hon. Lord John Russell, Lord
President of her Majesty's Council, the Right Rev, the
Lord Bishop cf Gloucester and Bristol, the Earl Ducie,
the Right Hon. Sir A. Cockburn, her Majesty's
Attorney General, and other emiient and distinguished
persons assisted at it.
The chair was taken by the president of the institu-
tion, P. W. S. Mills, Esq.
Among the distinguished guests on his right and left
were the Right Worshipful the Mayor, J. G. Shaw,
Esq. ; Lord John Russell, Earl Ducie, the Bishop of
Gloucester and Bristol, the Hon. F. H. F. Berkeley,
M.P., W. H. G. Langton, Esq., M.P., the Very Rev.
the Dean. Dr. Elliott ; Captain Scobell, M.P., T. Phinn,
Esq., M.P., Sir Arthur Elton, &c.
At the close of the repast, and the loyal toasts having
been drunk,

The Right Worshipful the Mayor, in an eloquent ad-
dress, proposed " The Ilealths of Lord John Russell,
and the distinguished Visitors."
Lord John Russell, who was loudly cheered, in re-
sponding to the toast, said---I rise to return my grateful
thanks for the honour you have done me. Your mayor
has said that this is a moment of very great anxiety to
me. No doubt it for every member of the Government.
But all we, who have to depend upon the exertions of
our countrymen, may feel a full reliance that our confi-
dence in them may not be misplaced. My noble friend
at the head of the army and my right hon. friend at the
head of the navy may feel a full and steadfast reliance
that any service which British soldiers—that any service
which British sailors—may be called on to perform, will,
however difficult that service may be, be performed with
that courage and skill which have distinguished our
country at all times. (Cheers.) And so likewise I may
say with regard to my own department, that this country
having resolved in its various branches and in various
manners that the people shall be educated, that that
task will be adequately performed ; and that in a few
years we shall, I trust, be able to say that the remain-
ing defects will be amended and the remaining de-
ficiencies be supplied. For my part, as your mayor,
who has done me the honour of proposing my
health, has said, I have- always looked for further
security for our justly-venerated institutions to the
knowledge, the examination, and the cordial support
of an enlightened people. (Cheers.) I was to-day shown
in looking cursorily over your building, a building
which does so mach honour to your liberality and
your taste, and to the knowledge and genius of your
architects—l was shown a part of that bedding of which
it is said that there had been doubts respecting its sta7
bility. But it has been subjected to the severest tests—
it has tone through those -tests with success, and its
supporters were found to remain unshaken. (Hear,.
hear.) In the same manner is the support-of a free Go-
vernment like oars unshaken when its rests are an en-
lightened people. (Cheers.) I believe, therefore, that
in furthering in my office to the best of my power
the efforts which the people themselves are prepared to
make for their education, I am not preparing means by
which the Government of her Majesty the Queen or of
her successors will be impaired ; but I am preparing
means by which their rule will be perpetuated and
strengthened. (Cheers.) With these words I beg
again to thank you, and to assure you that it has
afforded me the greatest happiness to assist you in the
performance of this day's duties, and to encourage the
cause in which we have all embarked. The noble lord
resumed his seat amidst loud cheers.

" The Health of the President," "Prosperity to the
Bristol Atlienmum," &e., were drunk and responded to,
and the meeting was addressed by Sir Arthur Elton, the
Hon. F. H. Berkeley, W. H. G. Langton, Esq., and
other gentlemen.
The inaugural address will be delivered by Lord John
Russell this evening, at a soiree, at which all the leading
men of the neighbourhood and many eminent persons
will be present.