The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-04 00:00:00

DINNER TO LORD SEYMOUR.

TOTNES, TUESDAY.—Some time since Lord Sey-
mour purchased the Gate House, in the High-street
of this town, for 7001., and having expended 3001.
more in alterations, he devoted it to the purposes of a.
mechanics' institute, a library, and a reading-room ;
newspapers of different shades of politics being ad-
mitted, and the advantages of the whole being open to
the inhabitants of Totnes, without distinction of sect
or party. In consequence of this it was determined
by a large number of the principal residents to give
his Lordship a dinner, and Mr. G. S. Cary—a magis-
trate of the county, a gentleman of ancient family,
one of the most influential constituents, and the inva-
riable propuser hitherto of the Noble Lord on the
hustings—was invited to preside ; but feeling greatly
dissatisfied with the vote of Lord Seymour in favour
of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, Mr. Cary felt bound
to decline.

The dinner was laid to-day in the new room of the
Gate House, and Captain Mitchell, R.N., occupied
the chair. About 120 sat down, fully three-fourths
of whom were Conservatives, and Mr. T. Bryett, the
agent of the Conzervative party, was one of the vice-
chairmen.

After the usual loyal and complimentary toasts had
been given,

The CEI:',IMILN proposed the health of Lard Sey-
mour in complimentary terms, dwelling on the ser-
vice the Noble Lord had rendered T'
res-
cuing the Mechanics' Institute from the
deayby w ic;
had commenced and the destructionic
which htchreatened
before his Lordship's kind attention was directed to
its encouragement and support.
The toast was loudly applauded.
Lord SEYMOUR, having first expressed his acknow-
ledgments, proceeded to assure the company that he
had taken great interest in the promotion of education
and the advancement of knowledge in Totnes ; and
for this reason—no one could watch the present pro-
gress of society without seeing the necessity of
making every effort to keep pace with the general
advancement of the age. The rapid progress which
knowledge wes making, and the greater intercourse
between men from distant parts, tended to increase
the mighty impetus which civilization had of late
years received, and those who lived not within the
sphere of the capitals of the world, or of the great
marts of commer#e, must still follow that progress by
reading books, by watching every opportunity, and
by using every exertion to qualify themselves to take
part in the race with their fellow-men.—(Cheers.) It
was propheciad in the Book of Daniel, 'Many shall
run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased ;"
railroads and Lord Bacon, quoting that passage, observed that
the more men could communicate with each other,
would increase.
seen ou
Lived
to the
the more
pkrne oewrilted e
dgay,
to iv
our steamers connecting distant parts with a and
ra-
pidity of intercourse impossible for him to have
conceived, Lord Bacon would have said th
of Daniel was about to be fulfilled. But I'e prophecy
we should
be blessed with another twenty-five
the most remote corners of the earth years of P. a e,
be brought into closer connexion . would prot toly
experience, we could now just] than, with a our
lie, however, regarded the bye estimate.—(Call,enents n
from the cheaper and more rapid now springing
by railroads ,Ind steam-boats system of travel ng
con-
ferred since the invention ofas greater than any
(Hear.) One effect of railroadsthe printing prcs.e—
has
been to give lai a
new branch of literature.
Every station held opt
see the standard publications, so that he hoped soon to
of the country, atr works penetrate the remotest parts
a
price which would bring tnem
within the reach of all. For it must
membered literature was of no that party—that it
..
oi
l
not attach itself to one side or the other—that all
books ought to be fairly read, and all newspapers to
be looked at that did not attack good morals or inter-
fere with the social tendencies of life. Whilst per-
sonal controvelsy might lead to angry disputations,
the study of literature was free altogether from that
grave objection. Bcoks might combat cherished
opinions without giving offence, and might rivet at-
tention when striking at the root of the most stubborn
prejudices. As the world advanced we must advance
with it, and as knowledge increased we must increase
our knowledge, being fully assured, from past experi-
ence, that we should thereby promote our physical as
well as our morn well. being.—(Cheers.) The Noble
Lord concluded by giving " The Health of the
Chairman.
Captain MITCHELL responded, and proposed " p
- ros.
parity to the town of Totnes:' Then followed
other
touts, and the company did not separate until a late
hour. All political questions v,ere scrupulously
avoided, and ha %mu+
, unanimity prevailed.