The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-22 00:00:00

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE,
AT MORPETH, NORTHUMBERLAND.

(Specially. reported for The SUN.]

. .
On Thursday last, a numerous and.highly -re-
spectable meeting took place in the' Town Hall, Morpeth;:to
take into. consideration the propriety of forming a Mechanics'
institute for that town and. neighbourhood. On the 'motion,of
Sir Tito mas BURDON, of West Jesmond, the Chair was•taken
by Mr. Woodman, the Senior Bailiff of the borough. ,Shortly
afterwards, Sir Thomas Burdon rose, and opened the business
of the Meeting with an highly appropriate speech, to thefol-
lowing effect :
Gentlemen—Having been .favoured with the circular of the
Committee, who have in' the first instance charged themselves
with the measure of organizing a Mechanical and Scientific In-
stitution for the town of Morpeth, n9y, perhaps, stand ex-
cused, if I come forward to say a few words upon the 'present
very interesting occasion. And,in the first place, Gentlemen,
permit me to observe, that I most heartily concur in the senti-
ment proclaimed by that Coimnittee, which most unquestion-
ably does infinite honour to -ihem' namely—that " the bene-
ficial consequences of a general and, extensive System of:Edu-
cation, cannot be too highly. appreciated." And it is further
the impression of my mind, that the industrious part of society,
whose means are limited, have, to a certain degree, a-sort of
claim upon their more affluent brethern for those aids
.whiCh
may enable them to acquire higher intellectual improvement,
and at the same time advance their skill in those particular arts
or trades, by which they have to maintain themselves and their
families. Science, in the opinion oCsome, is at present only
in its infancy ; and, certainly, when we look around us, • and
perceive the great discoveries - and improvements. in our own
day—both in regard to the wonderful power in steam 4 as well
as the superior adaptation of machinery in the great manufac-
turing districts—we are almost bound to declare, that all these I

things go far to demonstrate, that, in point of fact, the arts and
sciences are now only developing themselves, beforeahe active
ingenuity and persevering industry of man.
We are all much indebted to
.the labours of the mechanic and
the artizan for what constitutes the convenience and comfort of
life. And it has particularly fallen under my own eye to notice
the progressive improvements in the mechanical arts, that have
taken place within the last forty years, with regard to the supe-
rior conveniences that have from time to time been introduced
in various matters connected with my own manufactory. Hence
I would argue that a great deal remains yet to be done in the
way of advancing the science of mechanics, &c. And, surely,
nothing can be better calculated to promote emulation among
the operative classes, which generally leads to success, than the
establishment of Institutions similar to that under our immediate
consideration. The town of Morpeth and its' neighbourhood,
besides a 'considerable population, possesses facilities which I
trust may hereafter be turned to better account: at a compa-
ratively short distance from the navigable River Tyne, in this
great age of improvement, I see nothing to prevent its assuming
in a considerable degree the commercial -character; so that
where the grass now grows, warehouses and other valuable
buildings may be called into existence, to hold the wealth and
property of the merchant and factor ; and whatever augments
the riches of the town, will necessarily have the beneficial effect
of promoting the welfare of the industrious classes generally.
We all know how many great men, in this free country have,
had their origin in the very humblest walks of life. I need only
mention the . late learned Dr. Hutton, the great mathematician,
who, in our own neighbourhood, worked, when a lad, down a
coal pit. And in the present day, we have very near us an in-
dividual who has raised himself by his industry anti abilities,
to an 'envied point of eminence—l mean Mr. George Stephen-
son—who; as an engineer and a man of science, is now consulted
by all the great railway companies of the kingdom. I fear I
may be thought trespassing somewhat too long on your patience;
but really, Gentlemen, I am so impressed with a sense of the
importance of a Mechanics' Institute to the town of Morpeth,
that this consideration must be my apology if I at all appear
tedious. I will not conclude, however, -without taking leave
to state, in the most distinct manner, my opinion, that it com-
ports with the truest notams of patriotism and sound philoso-
phy, .to elevate the views and refine the character of the great
mass of mankind ; anti with this conviction upon my mind,
the system which is now being so generally introduced in this
Country shall I,:_ve my hearty concurrence and support. Indeed,
were it necessa.- ; to make the sacrifice, I would cheerfully re-
nounce some or my own personal comforts, rather than not sub-
scribe liberally to the Mechanics' Institution of „this town—an
establishment, which I fondly anticipate will hereafter be pro-
ductive of immense advantage to the interests of that respect-
able body, generally distinguished by the name of the operative
classes. I sit down, Gentlemen, with my most hearty prayers
for the success and prosperity of the proposed Institution, which
I trust, will be voted unanimously.—(Sir Thomas Burdon's
speech was most loudly applauded in the course of its delivery;
and when he7sat down he was honoured with loud cheering,
which continued for some time, by a large body of Mechanics,
&c. who occupied the fore part of the Hall.)
When silence was restored, the Rev. E. Otter (Rector of
Bothal), rose to address the meeting; he observed, however,
that his task would be comparatively a light one, as they had
just been favoured with so excellent and luminous a speech by
the distinguished personage opposite to him. Mechanics and
the arts, generally, were justly entitled to the patronage of the
higher classes.—And from what was going on in various parts
of this great and flourishing country, it was quite evident that
'every encouragement was given to promote scientific inquiry
among those who, it was to be hoped, would ultimately derive
the greatest benefit from establishments such as they then had
under immediate consideration. What mainly constituted our
far-famed national greatness, but the superior skill of our work-
men in manufactures, and -their surprising efficiency in every
thing connected with scientific labour.? .

The Mechanical arts justly ranked high;- and any impulse
that could give to these additional life andyigour, was in every
respect deserving of attention. By-a proper arrangements the im-
portant science of chemistry- would doubtless not „be. overlooked
in the establishment they were now about forming.. And it
ought alWays to be borne' in 'mind, that: several of the most va-
luable arts, depended altogether upon an adeqv ..te knowledge
of that most comprehensive science.. for accurate results
and combinations. The illustrious labours •of a. Watt, a
Wedgegood, a Franklin, and anArkWright, should be ever be-
fore them, to stimulate them to deeds of a like nature, in the
prosecution of their scientific enquirieS. Great 'discoveries,
most assuredly, had been already made; and it Was not too
much to predict a rich harvest for the-future, provided the
powers of man were carefully and diligently directed to the pur-
suits of science and investigation. '
The worthy Rector continued toexpatia to at some length on
the manifold advantages that must accru'e to, all the working
classes of Morpeth and its vicinity„by tie establishment of a
Mechanics' Instititte: ht; therefore hoped nothing Would frus-
trate so desirable a consiiriamation. ',As -far as hd.himself was
concerned, he assured the Meeting, nothing should be left un-
done to promote a scheme, which, the'was convinced in his
own mind, would contribute very, materially to the intellec-
tual and moral improvement of the industrious portion of the
humbler classes of SOCiety. 'Before lie coneluded, the Rev.
Gentleman proposed three resolutions,.the.amwand substance of
which was—That it is deemed: highly exptdient to form, a Me-
chanical and Scientific institution at MOrpetlf, for the benefit
of the working mechanics. &.c. of that town and neighbour-
hood ; that Lord Morpeth I laving. kindly ,given his consent
thereto, his Lordship be th a patron oe Sociely ; arid Sir
John Edward Swinburne, 3art. the President ; and the fol-
lowing gentlemen Vice Pr rsidents, viz.: Lord liowick, Sir
Matthew W. Ridley, Bart. M.P., Sir Thomas Burdon, Wil-
liam Ord, Esq., M.P., Cha t. W. Bigge, .Esq„; A. Creswell
Baker, Esq., %V. Orde, Esq. (Nunnykirk), William Lawson,
Lawson, Esq., Rev. F. Eki us, Rev. E. Otter, H. Brumell,
Esq., and Matthew Potts, E Sq. The Resolutions were passed
unanimously, and the Rev. I i:.ector sat down amidst the most
deafening applause.
WILLIAU ORDE, Esq. (of Nunnykirk) rose, and said
he could not help offering his very sincere gratulations' to the
meeting on the unanimity an d kindness of feeling-that seemed
to actuate every one present. ' As an individual born in Mor-
peth, he was proud to witne is the good Work of that day, be-
cause he was fully convinced that a Mechanics' Institute must
be productive of essential benefit to that valuable class of
artisans, &c. for whose sci entitle and intellectual improve-
ment it was in fact establish, The hurnbler classes of so-
ciety would farther more be ettisfied that the rich- were neither
selfish nor illiberal. God forbid it Were so: We are all
the children of one common parent, who wills the happi-
ness of his creatures; and: in fact we all depend more
or less on one another : a n isolated interest is unknown
to humanity. Such works of ' benevolence, therefore,-as they
had. that evening been enga red with,-must naturally tend to
engender relations of kindnes j, and to beget mutual confidence
between both parties. The gentleman on his - left (Sir T.
Burdon), who had so ably and handsomely introduced the
business before them, had u pon all occasions, shewri 'himself
the steady friend and advo: tate of the interests of Alorpeth,
whether as a magistrate on the bencli,• or in- his mete private
capacity. lie (Mr. Orde) disci aimed 'the imputation of flattery ;
he spoke the language of trim. h. And this in like-manner re-
quired him not to be unrni
WO of' the merits of his worthy
Friend on the right (the Rev. R. Otter); who. at all times had
proved ,his entire devotion to t he cause'Of the' poor of the place
Where they were then assernb led. His 'zeal 'and aerivity in the
formation of the savings-hal lk in Morpettheh would long cause
him to be revered by all go( rd men : and
poor would perpetually be invoked upon this head. -The learned
Speaker concluded an excellc Tit aneedi, which was listened- to
with equal attention and sari, faction,( we regret that our report
scarcely amounts to an outiir 1.„1,3 and continued plau-