The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-25 00:00:00

MINES.

ATIIEN.ZUM.

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DandLpeu
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8 32
firynneegirdl
Wednesday
the
of the
persona,
oeeysuhsn:Bdnasiya:mdtdiuyaraty.
bet largeo
Grundy,eevt A.
ene oant
fbmhioenperei
gpannrri
ifewgnoot
yyl
faptaetnerhn,et
i:weinuoadawtnasusehtoddyoeeci
rfietLtdaélooteetoei
ibtt
attended
supersede
ehrdptmnaei celebrated
sdsdaepi
Bishop
pe
ygns.
BEsoWevaFidr
anobeslfyei
ladies. The foundation stone was laidinlBso by thepresent
.terA, mmorn.g
jtohhen,gtechhneteßl eemetvhe.aimipw,rh.m.vo.aptuoo.,ghkmarn.,
one of a similar character which had been in existence at
of tMheanthchwens
proceedings
trd
ofe t Rev.heinstitution.
Rie 8 partofiMan-
chester, Richardtahue.
Lord STANLEY, M.P., who was in toduced by Mr. Grundy,
the president of the institution, was received with the
warmest demonstration of applause. He said, Ladies and
gentlemen, I thank you heartily for this
welcome, and the
first words which I speak shall be to express the high gra-
tification which I feel in addressing you for the first time
face to face—inhabitants of that town of Bury, between
which and myself there exists an old hereditary connexion.
(Hear.) I rejoice the more because we are not assembled
here for any purpose of political contest or social strife, nor
for mere unmeaning amusement and festivity—pleasant in-
deed at the moment, but barren of results for the future—
but we are met together here for a purpose, the highest
and the noblest which can bring together the citizens of a
' free State • because we are met here to do what in us lies
to remove from this country the reproach under which we
too justly lie—the common reproach of national ignorance;
because we are met here to accomplish a work which we
hope and trust will be not for this generation only, but for
our children and our children's children. (Hear.) I have
spoken of this Athenaeum as an educational institution, and
I believe in so spsaking lam correct. I am well aware that
it is language used by some that education is a thing which
properly belongs only to the season of youth ; but I main-
tain that idea is erroneous. I hold, that for me and for
every one of us education is a thing which must continue
to the very end of our existence. It is a law of our nature.
Our minds are so constituted that we must necessarily and
always be either learning something or forgetting some-
thing ; and it is with the matters of instruction as with
many others, there is no standing still ; you must go for-
ward or backward. And not only is this the case as regards
acquired knowledge, but also in reference to the powers of
the mind itself, which, like the body, can only be kept in
proper vigour and health by a succession—a series of efforts
and exertions. Those exertions, let them assume what-
ever form they may, are, in fact, an educational process.
(Applause.) I apprehend it will not be necessary to de-
tain you long by any reference to the circumstances under
which this Athenaeum originated. You are well aware
that there has existed for a considerable time in this
town—l believe for a period of not less than 15 or 16 years
—an instsiution intended substantially for the same educa-
tional purposes—an institution concerning which I confess
I know very little—an institution which, I believe has
been productive of excellent results, so far as it went, but
which was of late felt to be inadequate and insufficient to
the wants of this great and growing population. About five
years ago—l think it was in 1848—the first public proposal
was issued to establish this institution. Only two years
had elapsed from the time of that proposal being issued
when sufficient, funds had been collected to justify the pro-
moters in commencing the building itself. In 1850 the
first stone was laid, and now, towards the close of 1853, we
are met here to celebrate le completion of the under-
taking then begun. Five years only have, therefore,
elapsed from the projection of this institution to its final
completion. One word I must say with reference to those
who have taken an active part in promoting and carrying it
out. There is, indeed, one person whose name is connected
with this building to whom I alone am not at liberty to
advert ; but this I will venture to say, in my father's name,
and I am sure I may say it with truth, there is no man in
public life, let him belong to what political party he may.
who is more deeply and sincerely interested in this great
question—the great question of the age—the question of
national instruction. There is no man more sincerely de-
sirous to raise the working class in the social scale. (Ap-
plause.) Gentlemen, I.have looked through the subscrip-
tion lists which were opened at the time when this under-
taking was commenced, and I must say I think it reflects
credit upon the wealthier inhabitants of this town that
a very large portion of the total amount required should
have been contributed in sums comparatively large by the
principal employers of labour in this neighbourhood. A
sum of something like 1,2001. has been raised in 12 single
contributions. (Hear, hear.) I have observed, further,
that of the whole sum hitherto required and expended
—a sum of about 5,000/.—scarcely less than one-half
has been subscribed in sums exceeding 51. and a very
large part of that amount has been subscribed in sums
considerably larger. I think, therefore, we have here
a gratifying proof that an institution founded, indeed, for
the benefit of all classes, but founded especially for the
benefit of the less wealthy class, has met with the cordial
and disinterested support of the more wealthy classes in the
community of this town. (Hear, hear.) This is a kind of
assistance which no man may be proud of offering, and
which no man need be ashamed to receive. It is not elee-
mosynary, it is not degrading to any one, it cannot injure
any man's self-reliance, it cannot wound any man's just
feeling of independence ; it is simply a recognition of a ,
solemn duty, the discharge of an obligation by those who,
under the laws of this country, have risen, and prospered,
and grown wealthy—an obligation which they owe to their
country and to those classes of their countrymen by whose
labour their wealth has been raised. There is just one
other point connected with this institution on which I
wish to say a word. You are probably aware that by an
act passed in Parliament a few years ago, I think in 1848,
it is in the power of any town or borough to charge a part
of the expense of maintaining an institution like this upon
a public rate. I think it is nourable and creditable to
you that you have not done so. It is not that to adopt
that mode of raising a sum for the purpose of establishing
a free library is not perfectly proper and legitimate. I
think there is none more so. (Hear.) In the United States,
where I am afraid I must say they are considerably in ad-
vance of us in matters of education—in the United States
their is no heavier rate than the rate they pay for school-
ing, and I believe none more willingly paid. I think,
therefore, other means failing, any inhabitant of any
borough would be perfectly justified in applying for that
public aid which the Legislature has placed it in your
power to obtain ; but it is of course more honourable
in you, and it shows a greater reliance upon your own
resources, that you have not chosen to avail your-
selves of that aid, but have been content to found
this institution, leaving it to tbe public spirit of the
community to support and maintain it. (Great applause.)
I apprehend that the principal objects of this institution
are threefold. There are the evening classes, respecting
the advantages and benefits of which I need say nothing.
There are the lectures, which will, occasionally, perhaps,
frequently—l almost hope regularly—be delivered ; and
there is the free library, which it is intended to open, and
I believe you have actually opened, to all persons whatever.
But, as regards these lectures-- though I should be very sorry
to say anything in disparagement of them, believing them
very valuable as a means of instruction, for they are useful,
if attended regularly and consecutively, and in so far as they
serve to stimulate the curiosity and arouse the attention in
regard to subjects to which we might otherwise be indif-
ferent —and especially useful, inasmuch as they replace by
intellectual occupation, even though the lowest of intellec-
tual amusements, other occupations and amusements which
might be less deserving of approbation,—yet I must say I
attach far less importance to them than to the other princi-
pal feature of t'lis institution—the library which you have
opened—because I believe that any man who is really anxi-
ous to study can do so infinitely better by himself, with the
help of books, than he can possibly do by attending any
lectures that may be delivered. It is hardly possible for
any man, unless he attends a long course of lectures, which
a thoisand unforeseen accidents may prevent him from
being able to do—it is hardly possible for any man to study
in that manner any subject systematically and consecutively,
and, noreover, inasmuch as the lecturer has to address him-
self tc a very large number at once, and of different capaci-
ties, be must address him-self in such a manner as to be un-
derstood by all. But a man who studies and reads for him-
self can pick out for his reading that class of information
which, if I may be allowed to use the phrase, he is most ca-
pable if assimilating and digesting. I believe the evening
classes, if attended regularly, will also be productive of very
great good, but the one feature of the institution which I
dwell apon most, and the one which I most recommend to
your aotice, is that free library which you have opened
downstairs ; and I name it particularly on this account,
that although you have started it very well, and have a fair
collection of books to begin with, there is yet a good deal
to be done in that respect ; and I heartily hope we shall
not fad into the error of supposing that because we have
opened this institution well therefore allis done, and nothing
more is required - but that we shall continue to support
and maintain necessary to augment its funds—at all
events, to prevent their falling off—with as much zetlwerde
energy as you have displayed at first. (Applause.) If
isl
like this, I
con-
nected with the uses and results of institutionsof
your
time
am afraid I should occupy a great deal p
Imshreould imply than you could possibly spare, and that
the subject ;but
ex-
haust you and myself without exhausting
to enter upon the wide range of questions which
day—it is one of the them-
selves upon us. We hear every
It is
though commonplace,
com-
monplaces of the age - but,
material progress which
not the less true—of the wonderful
hs which daily and yearly
is being made, and of the triumphs
of the increased powers which
man is gaining over nature
Outward and natural world. We
there ore one or two reflections which naturally. force
we possess in regard to the
are all familiar with the w_
ndenders of railroads and tele-
graphs,almost instantaneous inter-
change of thought ; with the inventions which have almost
apace ; but it
erhai s not r
annihilated time and,
and p p
plausibility, that s not without uncommon
somfoe
some persons to
contrast,
progress which indisputably
belongs to
nt age, with our moral and intellectual
with the rapid a
P
progress. theN croousebt, there is some ground for contrast
world hardly
in the can keep pace with that
of any nation
rill progress of which our age is witness.
wonderful mate 'm rove
you cannot p human nature, you can-
notNo doubt,
between them, and, no doubt, the intellectual progress
and with the same certainty which
increase the powers of the human mind with the
same rapidity,can increase your power over nature by means
ofrsome mechanical discovery ; but this, I think, should
not be forgotten—in that material progress of which we
ere so justly proud we find a sure, although an indirect,
/seams for the increase and permanence of moral and intel-
lectual prow s. Ido not mean to say by that that there
is anything in the circumstances of the present age which
should tend to give greater power to intellectual minds
than that which was possessed by the minds of those who
preceded us. I don't suppose that is the case. I nave no
doubt that there have been men from the earliest ages of
the world—men like Aristotle, men like Bacon, men like
Newton—whose intellectual capacity is not exceeded, per-
haps is not equalled, by any who are likely to follow them
in the present or any future age ; but the difference
between the ages in which they lived and the ago in
which we live is this,—not that individual minds are
more powerful, but that the number of minds cultivated
and developed is infinitely greater than at any other time.
No man can read the history of the majority of those who
have made great discoveries in literature or science in for-
mer ages without a feeling at once of pride and pain— pain
at the laborious and often upward coursje, whichee
.h gditfi_
minds were compelled to take, and at
• 1 tobestaacleesso7which
culties thrown in their way by ins
I shall presently speak. The
known, but that what
that snore is
past ages is not merely
number of persons ; and this
is known is known by a larger
day,
it is scarcely pos-
also I will say, that in presentthe-whatever class of life it may
Bible that a great intellect, in
should be starved
arise, or under whatever_ circumstances,
diffe.treernmce between this and
of properthe artisan or operative in the pre-
sentContrastthe position
intellectual culture with what it was
day in regard
vtenan living by his own labour at that
100 years ago.
Att
have formed the design of prosecuting
culture and development.
period wnd extensive study- where must
E
systematic a
any deep au
E n for the first elements of all knowledge,
and. untheod
,:ro:widant of
such teaching as he could obtain at home ; for
upon thheebpeogwiner? vreeading and writing, he would have to de-
pendthere were scarcely any schools for the working classes