The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-26 00:00:00

A LLSOPP'S PALE ALE, genuine and in fine
condition, as recommended for Invalidea and the table by
BARON LIEBIG The pretensions of certain parties to any exclu-
sivenessin regard to these Ales compel the undersigned to assure the
public that a ,iupply can alw y, be obtained from his STORES, of
the finest quality and character, both in cask and bottle.
Apply to NATIIINIEL EASTY, Wine, Beer, and Brandy Mer-
chant, 132, Upper Thames street.

JOZEAIT'S COPAHINE-MEGE, or Saccharatt,
C tPSULES, approved by the French College of Physicians,
successiblly administered in the Pails and London Hospitals, and
acknowledged by them to be the best remedy for the cure of
certain diseases (see " Lancet " 6th Nov., 1852.) Price, per 100,
4s. 6d. ; 50, 2s. 9d.—To be had of the Inventor, Gabriel Jozeau,
French Chemist, 49, Haarket, London, whose name is printed on
the Government stamp and all the principal chemists.

TRIESEMAR, protected by Royal Letters
Patent of England, and secured by the Seals of the Ecole de
Phannacie de Paris, and the Imperial College of Medicine, Vienna.
TRIESEIIe I,
is a remedy for Relaxation, Spermatorrhcea, and Exhaustion of the
System

TRIESEMAR, No. 2,
effectually, in the short space of three days, completely and entirely
eradicates all traces of those Disorders which Capivi and Cubebs
have so long been thought an antidote for, to the rain of the health
of a vast portion of the Tpopulation.
RIESEM AR, No. 3,
is the great Continental Remedy for that clash f
Disorders, which
unfortunately the English physician treats with Mercury, to the in-
evitable destruction of the patient's constitution, and which all the
sarsaparilla in the world cannot remove.
TRIESEMAR, No. 1,2, and 3, are alike devoid of taste or smell.
and of all nauseating qualities. They may lie on the toilet table
without their use being suspected.
Sold in tin cases at I Is. each, free by post, 2s. extra, divided into
separate doses, as administered by Valpeau, Lallemand, Roux,
&c., &
illc.—To be had Wholesale and Retail in London ofJohnston, 68,
; Hannay and Co., 63, Oxford-street ; and Sanger, 150,
Oxford-street.

ALLSOPP'S PALE or BITTER ALE.—
Messrs. S. ALLSOPP and SONS beg to inform the TRADE
that they are now registering orders for the March Brewings of
their PALE ALE, in Casks of 18 Gallons and upwards, at the
Brewery,
Establishments ; and at the undermentioned Branch
Establishments:—
LONDON, at 61, King William-street, City ;
LIVERPOOL, at Cook-street;
MANCHESTER, at Ducie-place ;
DUDLEY, at the Burnt Tree ;
GLASGOW, at 115, St. Vincent•street ;
DUBLIN. at 1. CramPton•guay ;
BIRMINGHAM, at Market Hall;
SOUTH WALES, at 13, King-street, Bristol.
Messrs. ALLSOPP and SEWS take the opportunity of announcing
to Private Families that their Ales, so
instrongly recommended by the
medical profession, may be procured Draught and Botthis Genuine
from all thefmsion,
most respectable Licensed Victuallers, on " ALL iOPP'S
PALE ALE" being specially asked for.
When in bottle, the genuineness of the label can be ascertained by
is having "ALLSOPP and SONS" written across it.

-------
THIRD EDITION.—WITH ADDITIONS. •
Just published, Bvo., in cloth, price 55., by post tree, ss. 6d.
O
N TRUE viewALSE SPERMATORRHCEA,
with the to the Correction of wide-spread Erroll
in relation to the Treatment and Cure of the Impuissant and Sexual
Hypochondriacs,
Translated from the German of Dr. PICXFORD.
To which is added, an ESSAY en SEXUAL DEBILITY, by the
Editor.
- Dr. Plckford 4.8 known to English readers by his frequent practi- '
cal contributions to German medical literature. This is the first
time, he informs as, that he has addressed himself to the noa-tnedi-
cal reader. We trust this may not be the last, if he shall ietect any
other equally flagrant evil which it may be in his -ower to correct.' '
—London Medical Gazette, May 30, 1851. The tribe of 'Quiet Sympa-
thisers,' and • Medical Friends,' are mercilessly exposed ; and if this book
could find its way into the hands of those who saffsr from the com-
plaint of which it treats, we are satisfied that many hundreds would
be saved much needless suffering of body and mind, and what is of
less importance, though it is that which the quacks most prize—
much money ...... This volume is well qualified to put an end to the
empirical system of treating Spermatorrho3a, and to place the treat-
mitnt upon a more rational and physiological basis. It is, therefore,
likely to do much good."—Madical Circular, June 16, 1852.
London: U. Tialliere. 219, Regent-street.
------

EARLY SUMMER and EARLY FASHIONS.
The evidences of the senses are never disputed—to see and
teel the influences of the sun and the atmosphere at once betokens
the existence of winter or summerchange trom the former to
the latter is this year immediate, and changes in attire to correspond
with the season should be accessible to all classes. The magnificent
stock prepared by E. MOsES and SON furnishes every facility for
the attainment of this purpose, and the very economical prices they
charge are advantages which cannot be secured at any other house.
The New Styles of SUM MER ATTIRE for JUVENILES and
ADULTS at E. Moses and Son's City Establishment and their
end
Bra
Branch excels all previously exhibitedelegance, variety, rich-
ness, neatness, and economy being magnificently combined, the desi-
deratum in dress has been successfully attniained, wh
hi most
most talentedh is no velty,
fashion, oomfort, and durability, and the uon of t
artists and the best workm, n in the world will render the Summer
Attire manufactured by E. Moses and Son the encomium of every
circle in Society. The most novel and elegant materials are displayed
in the Summer Vest and in Trousers made
Coats Pae by E
tots, &c., Ikoses and Sone., are, and
an endless variety of New Styl
offered at the most economical prices.
The HAT, CAP, PO3IERY, and BOOT and SHOE Departments,
are replenished with every elegant article for the summer season,
which will surpass all other productions in brilliancy, excellence and
cheapness.
The WHOLESALE CLOTHING, SHIRT, and BOOT and SHOE
Departments present advantages to Chippers and emigrants to be
found at no other house in the world.
OUTFITS for all classes of emigrants are provided by E. Moses
and Son in the most suitable and economical manner, and full lists of
Outfits for Ladies and Gentlemen, with ship-sailing information, may
be had on application, or post free.
CAUTION.—E. MOSES and SON regret having to guard the
oublic against imposition, having learned that the untradesman-lik
falsehood of " Being connected with their Establishment," or " It's
the same concern," has been resorted to in many instances, and for
,bvlous refootts, they beg to state that they have
No CONNEXION WITH ANT OTHER HOUSE IN OR 017 T OF LONDON,
except their own Establishments, as follows :
London City Establishment, e
154, 155. 156 card 157, M ins inorles, 84
85, and 86, Aldgate, opposite ti Church, allmmunicat.
London West-end Branch, 506, 507, 508, New Oxford-street, 1,2,
and 3, liart-street, all communicating.
Bradford (Yorkshire) Branch, 19 and 20, Bridge-street.
Sheffield Branch, 36. Fargate.
Colonial Branch, Melbourne, Australia.
Merchant Tailors Clothiers, Hatters, Hosiers, Furriers, Boot and
Shoe Makers, and General Outfitters for Ladies and Gentlemen.
IMPORTANT —Should any article not give satisfaction, it will be
exchanged if desired, or, if preferred, the money will be returned
without hesitation. All goods are marked in plain figures, the lowest
price, trom which no abatement an cbe made t
on Fridays to sunset
The Establishments are closed from sunse
on Saturdays, when business is resumed
till 12 o'clock.
nioAn,n„esevonßtaoolnic,itwitg ttuih illustrations,
of csiensti, Hoedur"sTyshteemEchoto ofseif P.umbleasic Ourpet
lis
onAhaudsome Almanac for the year ending
application.
Sc.. may be had on application,loBrs4pocastn-frbeee
h.
adt
gratis,
ment,
FT01109.11. QUI sl parla Italian°.
Id I'on parle
Hier opriat utempoutsoh. Mu le !alga Ispano.

pURS SELL' S. _BALL SUPPERS and
WEDDING BREAKFASTS SUPPLIED in the first style
public breakfasts, dinners, and promenadesuppers supplied by con-
tract ; a large stock of bride cakes for immediate use, from one to
twenty guineas each ; a handsome cake for five guineas, packed and
sent to any part of the country if required,
and warranted to keep 12
months.—JonN R. PIIIISSELL, 162, Regent-street, and 20, Ludgate-
hill, only.

READING SAUCE,
FOR FISH, GAME, GRAVIES, RASHES, STEAKS, tic.
JOHN & CHARLES COCKS, the Sole Pro-
prietors and Manufacturers of the celebrated READING
SAUCE, beg to Clamors the Public against the daily frauds prac-
tiied by many Persons, who are offering their spurious Imitations
as the GENUINE READING SAUCE.
This SAUCE 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 & Char es Colcks, at their anufac-
tory, Duke-street, Reading.—All others are counterfeits.— MObserve
the name, "J. & C. Cocks, Reading," on the Seal and Label of each
Bottle : without this none are Genuine.

LAURENT'S CASINO, ARGYLE Rooms,
(Lessee; CHAS. C. LAURENT, Onslow-house, Fulaam-road),
—The above Rooms are now OPEN FOR THE SEASON.
and will continue open every evening, with LAURENT'S
CELEBRATED BAND. Two Quadrilles on subjects of Meyerbeer a
Opera—L'Etoile du Nord; also, by H. Laarent, the following Waltzes
La belle Frangaise, Leonora, Villikins and his Dinah, and L'Etoile
du Nord Polka. Admission, Is. Doors open at half-past 8. Dancing
to commence at 9 o'clock, and terminate 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, WIDDIN, GIURGEVO, SEBASTOPOL, the entrance
to the BLACK SEA, BATTLE of SINOPE, and DESTRUCTION
of the TURKISH FLEET, and other scenes (kindly supplied by
the proprietors of the " Illustrated London News"), EXBIRITED
in a NEW SERIES of DISSOLVING VIEWS.
LECTURES by J. H. PEPPER, Esq., on the CHEMISTRY of PAPER
MAKING, and its decoration with Colours, and on VOLTAIC
ELECTRICITY, and the ELECTRIC LIGHT, by Da. BECRROFF.-
NER. Explanations of MODELS, MACHINERY, &c., &c.
Open Mornings and Evenings. Admission, is.; Schools and
Children under Ten years of age, Half-price.

ANECDOTE OF THE CZAR NICHOLAS.

Nicholas has been justly reproached with his antipathy
to foreign tastes, and with his endeavours to infuse the
same amongst all classes of society ; an amusing illus-
tration of which is found in the following anecdote :
It is customary in all the regiments of the Guards to
entrust the purchase of the horses to young men of for-
tune, as an economical means of getting the finest ani-
mals at a cheap rate. These young officers have a year's
leave of absence granted them, and usually, at the expi-
ration of this time, are promoted ; but they are expected
to bring back no animals which are not worth about
double the regimental price ; so that an undertaking of
this nature usually costs them from one to several thou-
sand roubles. A certain Yakovloff acquitted himself
much to the satisfaction of his colonel; butAnevertheless,
was not promoted. As soon as it was possible he left
the service, but was at the same time—and has been
ever since—refused permission to travel. Obliged to
remain in idleness at home, Yakovloff consoled himself
by going the full length of Anglo and Gallo-mania; and
whilst in this state of mind was one day disporting in
the Neffsky.ProsPect, in all the glorious foppery of the
most outre Parisian costume. On his head was a little
peaked hat, resembling a flower-pot reversed—a hand-
kerchief, with a gigantic bow, was tied around his neck
—a cloak, so short that it seemed a cape, was thrown
over his shoulders—on his chin he wore a beard "h la
Henri Quatre." He had an enormous oaken cudgel in
his hand, a glsss stuck in the corner of his eye, and a
bulldog following at his heels. As he was sauntering
complacently along the broad pavement of this St.
James's Street of St. Petersburg, the Imperial carriage
drove past, and, abruptly stopping short, the Emperor
himself leaned out and beckoned the beau to approach
him.
" Pray," said Nicholas, eyeing him with humorous
curiosity, " who in God's name 'are you, and where do
you come from 1"
" May it please your Majesty, I have the honour
to be your Majesty's faithful subject, Save Saveitch
Yakovloff."
" Indeed !" replied the Emperor, with mock gravity ;
"we are enchanted to have the opportunity of making
your acquaintance, Save Saveitch. Oblige us by just
stepping up and taking a seat beside us."
Yakovloff slyly let drop his cudgel, and with some
misgivings took his seat.
" But stop, said the Emperor, who had not at first
noticed this proceeding, when they had driven ona little
way, " where is your stick, Save Saveitch ?"
" Never mind the stick, your Majesty 1"
" But I do mind it, Save Saveitch Yakovloff 1"
The carriage was turned back, the stick picked up,
and orders given to drive on straight to the palace.
When there, the Emperor alighted, and beckoned the
dandy to follow him,
" Oh ! no, Save Saveitch, don't take off your cloak ;
we must have you just as you are, hat, stick, cloak, and
all."
The Emperor led the way to the apartments of the
Empress.
" Pray, my dear," he inquired of her, " do you know
this animal?'
" No," replied the Empress, bursting into a fit of
laughter at the extraordinary figure before her.
" Then allow me to inform you that this is our faith-
ful subject, Save Saveitch Yakovloff. What do you
think of him ?" said the Emperor, turning him round
" is he not a pretty fellow ?"
The unfortunate beau, whose feelings may be con-
ceived, after affording the royal couple much merriment,
•was dismissed, half-dead with terror and confusion; but
before he departed he was assured that the Emperor did
not always punish the foolery of his subjects so
leniently.—The Life of Nicholas 1., Emperor of All the
Russias : by Edward Michelsen.

MEETING OF CREDITORS.-At an adjourned meeting,
held yesterday afternoon, of the creditors of Messrs.
Benjamin Elkin and Sons, who failed on the 20th ult.
for 133,0001., a resolution was passed recommending
that the estate should be wound up under inspection,
and it was agreed to grant a letter of license until the
beginning of August, to allow time for the development
of the West India assets. The only parties objecting to
this arrangement are the representatives of the London
Joint-Stock Bank, the directors considering that the
accommodation transactions with which Messrs. Elkin
Ihave been connected constitute their case a fit one for
t investigation in the Court of Bankruptcy.

(From the Hertz Guardian.)
On Tuesday evening last, Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart.,
M.P., delivered an address to the members and friends
of the St. Albans Literary and Scientific Institution.
It will be remembered that Sir Edward was prevented
attending the recent soiree of the institute owing to
the pressure of Parliamentary duties ; but he then
promised to attend and deliver an address in Easter
week. That promise Sir Edward has now fulfilled.
On Tuesday evening, a numerous assemblage were
congregated in the Assembly-room of the Town-hall.
On the platform were the principal gentry of the neigh-
bourhood, and near were the ladies of their families and
visitors, and the body of the hall was crowded with
residents of St. Albans and the locality, comprising a
fair sprinkling of the working classes.
At half-past seven precisely, the Earl of Verulam and
Sir E. B. Lytton entered the Hall. His Lordship took
his seat as president of the meeting, and immediately
after proceeded to introduce Sir Edward to the meeting,
and after some preliminary remarks as to the time ap-
pointed for the address,
His LORDSHIP said it was his plessing duty to intro-
duce Sir E. B. Lytton, whose address they had doubt-
less been looking forward to with feelings of great in-
terest, and the pleasure he then felt was greatly en-
hanced—not because the gentleman who was about to
address them was their political representative, a
member for Hertfordshire, but from the fact that he
belonged to the county as one of the Lyttons, of Kneb-
worth, who he believed were amongst the very oldest
residents in the county. (Hear, hear.) But there
were reasons beyond those of Sir Edward's ancient
family, and old pedigree which math him now feel a
pride in introducing Sir Edward, and he was sure that
gentleman would excuse him for sayng that the repu-
tation of his family had become grmtly enhanced by
the speeches and writings of its present representative ;
for while the Lyttons of Knebworth were well known
in the county, the literary works of Sir Edward were
read and admitted in every country in the world ; and
he was sure all who knew Sir Edward's writings would
agree with the statement that his magnificent series of
works shewed a regular gradation of improvement, and
that his last published works were the best. Let them
take his wonderful book My Novel,' and see the
many extraordinary, and yet life-like characters there
introduced ? There was not one present who would not
gladly have Dr. Riccabocco for a friend if they could,
and next to knowing him, he (Lord V.) would be glad
to have his picture at Gerhambury ; he would not say
more, but merely introduce Sir Edward Lytton, and
would request their best attention to what he had to
say.
Sir E. B. LYTTON then came forward, and was loudly
cheered. When silence had been restored, he said—
My Lord, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—l must begin by
offering an apology to the members of this Institute for
not attending their annual evening reunion in February
last. The fact, is, that at the opening of Parliament,
her Majesty s admiration put forth a crop of such exu-
berant and variegated legislation, upon all matters,
foreign and domestic, Church and State, fixing such
early days to take into discussion the expediency of
momentous changes, that I could not disengage my
mind from the contemplation of subjects so excit-
ing, and apparently so imminent, sufficiently to enjoy
the thought of a holiday, devoted to the tranquil I
pleasures of a Literary Institution. It did indeed
happen, as it often does to the buds and blossoms
of a premature spring, that a sudden frost nipped
the prodigal vegetation of the Ministerial announce-
ments, and that by the postponement of measures for
the consideration of which the eagerness of a Govern-
ment had led us to believe not a day was to be lost—l
might with perfect freedom from all political anxieties
and perfect safety to all party interests have come down
to your assembly. Indeed I thought of coming on the
very day fixed for your meeting, but as your programme
of proceedings was then determined, as you had secured
an ample attraction in the eloquence of that excellent
speaker my hon. and learned friend, the member for
Hertford ; and as then a later period for my own appear-
ance amongst you was settled and arranged, I thought,
on the whole, it would be better to do in this case what
the wisdom of our Government had decided to do them-
selves, and subscribe to the general policy of postpone-
ment. (Laughter.) Ladies and Gentlemen—I feel when
I look around me that all further apology is superfluous
—my excuse that you are called together on a second
occasion is to be found in the numbers and respectability
of the assembly itself—in the occupation of your chair
by a noble neighbour, too justly esteemed and beloved
not to attract a brilliant company wherever he presides--
in the distinguished guests which attend him, and in that
display of female attractions which must entitle me not
to your pardon, but your thanks, for contributing, how-
ever humbly, to any occasion which may please your
eyes and delight your taste by an exhibition of the
fairest flowers of St. Albans. Gentlemen—ln the re-
marks which I shall offer to your attention, it occurs to
me that I shall best serve your object if I abstain from
a set address upon the more dec.amatory topics which
the occasion might favour, and begin by suggesting
some practical hints as to the means of increasing the
utility of those popular societies, which pass under
the common, but not correct title of Mechanics' In-
stitutes. You have wisely not adopted that title, it has
long ceased to be correct ; for taero are few such so-
cieties even in manufacturing towns, in which mechanics
form more than a small portion of the subscribing mem-
bers ; and I doubt if there be a single one in which they
form more than half. When these Institutions were
first established—somewhere abort thirty years ago—
unquestionably the leading idea WSS to communicate the
facilities of scientific education to :he working classes in
great towns. How comes it that mechanics failed to
grasp the advantage thus held out to them ? How comes
it that the advantage has been seized at once and turned
to account by tradesmen, clerks, and persons, in short,
of a wealthier description, than the mechanic ? The rea-
son is clear. In order to comprehend the advantage of
these institutions, in order to profit by lectures and
libraries, a certain degree of preliminary education was
necessary. The mechanic had not received that educa-
tion, and the shopkeeper had. It was the design of these
societies to give an almost collegiate quality of know-
ledge to the adult population. Bat the adult mechanic
who had received little or no instruction as a child, was
not likely to find much interest in the higher degree of
learning thus suddenly offered to him ; while the young
clerk and tradesman, who had already been to school
and felt with regret the sudden cessation of all other
facilities to general knowledge the moment he betook
himself to the desk or counter, instantly recognised the
occasions for self-improvement, which libraries and lec-
ture rooms would afford him ; and thus in fact the
Mechanics' Institute has become what may rather be '
called the Tradesman's Athenaeum. (Hear.) Now, we
can find no fault with the fact that one class have the
intelligence to profit by what was intended to dispel the
ignorance of another. It is highly to the credit of
tradesmen that they should have felt how great an
element of good there is in these societies ; and I
regard them as holding an intellectual property in
trust for the working class against the time when that
class shall have come of age to enter into its own share
of the inheritance. (Hear, hear.) But still, if we meet
here for something better than vague compliments to
each other, we are compelled to consider the important
fact that whatever the benefit other classes may derive
from popular literary and scientific institutes that benefit
has been very sparingly shared by the class for which
they were specially intended ; and the conclusion to be
drawn from the fact is this—some national scheme for
infant education must reach the great mass of the work-
ing class, before a Mechanics' Institute can become an in-
stitution'for mechanics. Meanwhile, let us accept these
societies for what they are worth, and for what they
really are, and see how far they can be improved to the
utmost. The constituent features of a first-rate popular
intellectual institute are these—a school for children ;
class rooms for adults and grown up persons ; a
library, and a course of lectures—and if all these are well
managed, the whole presents a most useful and a most
noble agency of civilisation. But it is probably only in
the very large and wealthy towns that we can at present
expect that sufficient funds will be raised to carry
out to full development all these various objects.
Even in such towns there :s a complaint that the
funds do not suffice for the purpose. Now there are
only three modes to fill your exchequer. First, the
subscriptions of the members themselves ; second, do-
nations from wealthier persons ; third, aid from the
state. With regard to the first, if the working man is
ever to have his full share of the instruction offered,
you must continue to make the subscription as low as
possible ; and I doubt if these will suffice to do more
than keep the institutes alive, certainly not to effect all
their higher objects. Contributions from the wealthy
can't be relied on to any permanent extent. It becomes
then a question whether in any great and comprehensive
scheme for national education, the State should not give
some aid towards extracting from these institutions being
already established, some of the best means for diffusing
popular instruction. (Loud cheers.) You approve that
notion,—Then I think it would be well if the officers of
the various popular institutes throughout the country
would communicate with each other ; arrange as to what
form, to what degree, and for what special objects the
State might be induced to contribute, and then peti-
tion Parliament to that effect in well considered memo-
rials. In the present temper of the House of Commons,
such petitions would, in my opinion, be successful. (Loud
cheers.) We all know how prevalent a desire it is with
all parties in this country to place popular education
upon some systematic basis worthy the wealth and the
grandeur of that race which carries to the remotest re-
gion its noble language and its immortal name : and yet
leaves at this moment millions of its own native popu-
lation unable to read a single page of one of its own authors.
(Hear, hear.) But in any scheme for such education
that may hereafter be established, a statesman fit to
grapple with the subject should be rejoiced to see
already commenced, already developed, such means
and machinery for popular instruction as these insti-
tutes afford. Meanwhile, let us continue our own task
and strive all we can to improve the facilities and ad-
vance the objects of associations, that may hereafter
become the actual centres of general intelligence. Here
at once it strikes me that there is one mode by which
you would greatly advance all the objects of these insti-
tutes, and that is by a general union of all such societies
as lie at a convenient distance within one county or dis•

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 manufactur-
ing communities, are associated in oue 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 some scientific subject with
which the mass of the audience are very little 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 diffrent 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'l see that lectures well chosen
and well attended would really render these institutes
colleges for the people, so in order to increase their effi-
cacy I 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 bound 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 them 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 man 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 man, 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 sugges-
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
moans 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, he 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
ho 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 once 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 Offley, the
great Saxon King Offa, sometimes held his court ;
and in that sequestered village, lie closed his stormy
life. At Hitchin itself—in 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. Agaie, 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 Melboure, 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

more swayed by conscience and honour, than he had
before supposed"--(laear)—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 be 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 Ciesar invaded the island, stood the old city of
Verulam ;—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 lived, preached, and 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 noble
host, now in your chair, towards the old fishponds, 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-
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 the ignorant, and the infirmities of
the wise. (Hear.) 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 slnggish 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 ! 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 towns 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, and 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 scape-
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-
soner 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 parent
of ideas, the ideas that harmonise with one state might
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 little instruct 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 differ from 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 tons 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 maintaibn; a
reverence for our ancestors, because they were ouren e-
factors—an enlightened v
an attachment to institutions, which
lodvneeosfnceotunfterryb—id
their repair, but will defend them from destruction—
and a holy care to teach to onuerclhedilgder,enwbthtoste Gospel
i
e orbs
a l
truths, which are to human kw
of heaven are to the seasons of earth—when the Creator
called them forth "to be lights in the firmament of
heaven, to give light upon the earth—And it was so."
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. JOHN MITCHELL, 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. All who knew
his many and important engastements, must be aware
that his presence was no small'favor ; for himself he had
wished that his task had fallen into abler hands, but it
had been thought that as Sir Edward's object in being
present was 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 classes knew how to appreciate the kind efforts
and the sympathy manifested by noblemen and gentle.
men of the neighbourhood by aiding them in their efforts
for the acquisition of knowledge. Mr. M. then pro-
ceeded at some length with very appropriate and well
expressed remarks, and was followed by
Mr. S. J. SHRUBB, secretary of the institute, who se-
conded the vote of thanks, stating that the society felt
deeply 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
Edward's high reputations as a statesman, novelist,
orator, dramatist, poet, and translator ; of whom not
only Hertfordshire, but all England was justly proud.
Sir E. B. LYTTON expressed his thanks for the kind
manner in which they had received his address, and his
still greater thanks for their attention to the flattering
remarks 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-
vance the intellectual objects as well as the political in-
terests of St. Albans, it would be his pride and pleasure
to do so. And few events could give him such sincere