The Sun.
London, England, 1838-02-19 00:00:00

PHILALETHEAN SOCIETY.

On Tuesday evening a meeting of this Society was held at
Tessier's Rooms, in Drury-lane; on which occasion, Mr.
James Rees delivered a lecture on the Power and Progress of
Knowledge. The Learned Lecturer commenced his observa-
tions by a rapid and eloquent glance of the original state of
the population. It is not (he said) the absence of materials
that would constitute poverty, but the absence of mind—the
absence of power to perceive the relations of objects, and the
adaptation of means to ends. And while plunged in this state
of destitution, of ignorance and poverty, we have invariably
found that it was a state of unhappiness. This fact proves to
us a startling truth, that if we would make mankind happy—if
we would make the savage a sage--and the wild man a philo-
sopher—it must be only accomplished by pouring the light of
science round his pathway. Knowledge in every age has se-
cured happiness ; and wherever the man of genius has pursued
his studies beneath the blight of poverty—by the glimmering
light of his solitary taper—passing through the wide world
unnoticed and unknown—he has insured for himself an eter-
nal and ever-enduring boon—he has lighted a flame which can
never be quenched—he has given forth an impetus which must
for ever be felt, is the progression and advancement he has made
in science and truth. But not alone in happiness is it felt and
acknowledged, but also in its glory : where its truths have been
propagated, and its influence felt, it has never failed to raise
the character of individuals and nations. Contemplate in the
mirror of history those mighty cities:where now reigns nothing but
the sorrow of desolation and the silence of the dead. Rome,
eloquence,
ce
Greece, Athens, have left behind names of imperishable
splendour ; these names, emblazoned on the banner of truth,
must incite us onward to victory—to a triumph, bloodless, but
yet sure, slow, but yet enduring, whose influences will be felt
In a total renovation of society. The lecturer, with great
took a glance of the state of England, and the
of
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looked forward to the period when knowledge should cover the
earth. We have seen the first glimmerings of the sun as it
rose in its unborrowed glory, and tinted the scenes around, till
the hill and the valley, the mountain and the dale, glowed
with living fire ; and we have watched its progress till it burst
in its full effulgence on the landscape. Even so shall that sun
of knowledge travel hi the greatness of its strength, diffusing
beams of happiness around, scattering its light to illume and
reanimate, and pour a precious balsam on the wounded and
suffering spirit. And this knowledge can never die : it is a
quenchless flame, an unwasted legacy, in the possession of
which man burst the fetters of ignorance, and stands forth in
all the majesty of a God. The lecture was well attended, and
appeared to give general satisfaction. We understand that
the Society purpose holding a discussion on Phrenology in the
course of this week. During the lecture, Mr. Rees appeared
to labour under severe indisposition.