The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-21 00:00:00

MECHANILS' INS I'!TU 10N.

This useful institution is daily increasing its
numbers, and proportionately extending its influence and ad-
vantages amongst that important portion of our fellow-subjects,
for whom it was specially intended. The advantages deriva-
ble to society from institutions having for their object the im-
provement and extension of knowledge are now so generally
felt, that it would be superfluous to enter into an enumeration
of them. That the proud rank which Great Britain holds
amongst nations, in literature, in arts, in sciences, is chiefly
owing to her public institutions, cannot, we think, be doubted
by those who take the trouble of inquiring -into the rise and
progressive improvement in arts and science, which have cha-
racterized this country during the last century. The develop-
ment of man's intellectual powers has been the aim of the
philosophic inquirer in all ages of the world, but it is the
proud distinction of England, goat the government and people
are united in this great aim, and that the rewards and honours
heretofore lavishly bestowed upon and confined to the desolator:4
of the earth, are now granted by her to those who, from their
discoveries and improvements in arts and sclencee, are justly
ranked among the benefactors of. mankind. Of all the institu-
tions of the present day, we know of none Which in its results
will be more beneficial to the country, and to mankind in gene-
ral, than the Mechanics' Institution. The facility which it
affords to the Mechanic of acquiring a scientific knowledge of
his art, is in itself a strong recommendation of this establish-
ment; but the higher recommendation is, that it presents the
tradesman with a pleasing and profitable moral occupation for
his leisure hours. The mechanic, heretofore unacquainted
with the principles of his art, is, by this institution, furnished
with the means of acquiring a scientific knowledge of his pur-
suit; his mind enlarged, and his faculties improved by know-
ledge, soon enable him to combine his experience with the
theory of others, and become in the end an inveltor and im-
prover in his turn.
But the aim of this Society is not confined to the acquirement
of science alone, it embraces a wider field ; and from the trans-
action of their last meeting, it would seem as if they intended
to take in the whole ranee of human knowledge, and bring its
benefits, like those of the laws, " as it were," home to every
man's door. As a necessary step towards this grand and univer-
sal information, it was suggested that a knowledge of the French
language would be requisite, and a Philanthropist was not
wanting to improve upon the hint accordingly.
Mr. Black, Author of the Paidvhilean Systcm of Education,
generously offered to give a gratuitous course of weekly lessons
to fifty members. Such was the anxiety expressed to partake of
this kind offer that more than double the number applied for
admission to such lessons, a difficulty which Mr. Black
remedied by saying if they divided into two classes,
he would give two lessons in the week, and thus give
all an opportunity to avail themselves thereof. It is a gra-
tifying spectacle to behold men of talent gratuitously devoting
their labours to the dissemination of knowledge. It was the
welfare of mankind that induced Dr. Birbeck, and his learned
coadjutors to give Lectures at this Institution ; and the senti-
ments delivered by Mr. Bla':k, convinces us that he is actuated
by the same praise-worthy ono ive.
He commenced his Lecture by referring to the speech of the
worthy President, upon laying the first stone of the Mechanics'
Theatre, and after quoting a passage explanatory of the objects
of the Institution, he proceeded nearly in the following words :
" Some of us, Gentlemen, are destined to labour with the hands,
and others with the head, but we are all born brethren, children
of the same Almighty Parent, who has appointed each of 11,1 to
our respective stations in life, and who has not left one single
link deficient in the grand chain of creation, but has made each
dependent on the other. It is the paramount duty of every
individual to endeavour to contribute to the happiness of the
general body, and the duty of the general body to contribute
to the good of every individual. For my own part, I. feel fully
conscious how touch I ant indebted to your united labours for
the several comforts I enjoy, for the roof which protects me
from the storm, the clothing which shelters me from the cold,
the various machines which prepare my food, the cup which
holds my drink, and the bed on which I nightly repose; in-
. deed I may assert, that the greater number of wed), enjoy-
ments uny man possesses, so much the more does he become
your debtor." •
After stating that it was these considerations which induced
hint to offer up his mite in the diffusion of knowledge, he stet.
ed, that years of experience in this country, anti upon the Con-
tinent, enabled him to simplify and perfect a system by,
which he would be able, in a few easy lessons, to COM.
mrtnicate a better and a more correct knowledge of the
French language than is usually acquired in months
of unpleasant labour. The plan consists in presenting
to the student a choice selection of extracts from the most
esteemed French writers, accompanied by an interlineary ver-
sion, upon a plan entirely differing from all previous inter-
lineary versions, and of illustrating the principles of the lan-
guage etymolegicelly considered, and the rules of Syntax. from
such extracts. He pointed out the great advantages of studying
our vernacular tongue in conjunction with other modern lan-
guages, and called our attention to numerous words, which
we, in common with the French, have derived from the Latin.
The manner in which he analyzed the single French words,
which we are compelled to render by two, three, or more, was
to us perfectly novel, philosophic, and satisfactory. The
study of languago thus considered is one of the most high-
ly interesting occupations the human mind can have, and
not that toilsome, tedious labour one generally finds it.
Upon the merits of his plan he permitted all to remain sceptics
uutil he prodaced something more convincing than assertion ;
it was gratifying to perceive the earnest attention with which
he was listened to even in those parts of his Lecture which
must necessarily be dry and uninteresting to all who are not de-
termined to surmount those rude frontiers of grammar, and
penetrate at once into the beauties of the language.
Dr. Birbeck paid the Lecturer a high compliment, and said
the Committee regretted extremely, they had it not at present
, in their power to accommodate all those who wished to take
lessons in the French language; in the necessity of precluding
some applicants from the present lessons, the Committee had
felt considerable embarrassment, but had come to a resolution,
which they hoped would not be disapproved of, of selecting those
for present admission, who were earliest in their appli-
cations. • •