The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-04 00:00:00

Z

iNE`v. SPAPER
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LORDS I:IL M 13 ERSTONAND %. ses. slr-1
AT T E UNIVERSITY CO
•
On Saturday, the Right Hon. Lord Palnigtonil S
K.G., M.P., presided at the distribution of prizes
in the Faculty of Arts and Laws, at University
College, when the large theatre was crowded to
excess by a most fashionable assembly. The noble
Premier on entering was loudly cheered.
Among those present we observed Lord Brous.-
ham, the Earl Fortescue, Lord Belper' Sir Francis
Goldsmidt, Mr. W. Evans, M.P., Mr. George
Grote, Dr. Booth, &c.
After the Usual formalities had been gone through
the noble viscount delivered the prizes.
Lord PALMERSTON then rose, and was most
loudly cheered. He said the observations he should
make might be addressed, not only to those who
leacdoiensn.teleletnedprwesi
et hn t th e(
HUena
ri
hearersi ty. bHu
et
assured
the ladies
that it had been to him a source of the highest
gratification that he had been allowed to
preside on an occasion so interesting, and in such a -
place as that in which they were assembled. (Hear.)
There was nothing more interesting, to his mind,
than to see one's-self surrounded by that generation
upon whose conduct in their future course of life
must depend the prosperity, power, and wealtiliudof
this great country. It was most gratifying to
on the occasion that it had been his good fortune to
witness so many instances of successful study of the
development of talent and the exercise of industry,
all giving high promise for the future welfare of
that institution. It was also most pleasing to see
that those who had been honoured with the rewards
of the University for their industry and talent were
not confined to the metropolis or the United King-
dom, but that our colonies had contributed a great
share to the number, and that other nations had
sent hither their promising youth to gain know-
ledge from the. University, and to take it back to
those countries to which th 4 belonged. (Hear.) And
it was also most gratifying to know that the doors of
the University were thrown Open, and that so large
a scope of human knowledge was found written on its
walls. If he might address those who had been
competitors in the recent examinations, he would
congratulate those who had succeeded in the dis-
tinction theyhad acquired, and he would urge those
who had not been successful not to be discouraged
by their temporary failure, for many of them would
no doubt, be successful on future occasions. (Ap-
plause.) It was well said by Fox, that great
master of human nature, when he was told of a-
young man having distinguished himself by his
first speech, that he might get on, but he would
rather see the young man not so successful at the
first, but who was persevering, and he would back
him against the one who had his triumph at the
first. (Applause.) He (Lord Palmerston) would
request that those who had received rewards would, •
not be too much elated with the success they had
gained, for they must all feel that the struggles and
contests they had gone through would only better
fit them for their future life, and cause them to use
that perseverance which was the peculiar character ;.
of the English nation, and which would develope
those talents with which nature had endowed them.
If they did that, they might be-sure of success in
the end. (Cheers.) There was one thing—per-
haps the most important—which he wished to
carnestiy impress upon them. Every man, he pre-
sumed, intended to devote himself to some course
of business or profession. Let him make that
his chief study, but at the same time he must ob-
tain a knowledge of matters of other kinds. (Hear.)
It had been said that a little knowledge was a dan-
gerous thing, but he held that a little knowledge
was a useful thing. As his noble friend (Lord
Brougham) just reminded him, a little knowledge
was better than great ignorance. (Cheers.) The
important thing was, that whatever a man learnt,
let him learn it thoroughly, having distinct ideas,
and embracing a clear knowledge of what he did
learn and, to do this, he must go to principles, and
not rely en abstract notions. (Cheers.) It must
be impossible for any one to be present on. that oc-
casion, and compare the results of the present exa-
mination with what took place a few years back,
and not to see that great progress had been made in
the advancement of knowledge and science. It
was Itvith the greatest delight he saw that the
study in that University embraced the highest
range of human knowledge, a system which had
proved to have been attended with the greatest suc-
cess. Referring to the advancement of human
knowledge, he could not refrain from embracing
that opportunity of saying that there was no man
living who had done so much to adweuee..the •
pnsi
4ses • - ••
ciples he gave that wide improvement necessary.to
their practical utility. (Cheers.) University in-
stitutions were calculated to produce advancement
in every department, and that was one of the most
striking instances of that system which he (Lord
Brougham) had extended. His noble friend had
the good fortune to combine with his experience and
age great bodily and mental vigour, and yet he
upset the greatest obstacles and dealt with the
minutest details. He (the noble Premier), there-
fore, entreated the young men he was addressing to
take the example of his noble friend as their future
line of conduct. The system which his noble friend.
had extended was one which he hoped they would.
all endeavour to emulate, making the study of that.
particular profession in which they intended to eta-
bark their chief aim ; also to obtain a knowledge of
other matters, for on this the prosperity of their
future life depended; and let them depend upon its
that every little added tended to invigorate their
faculties, and in the end they would become useful
members of society. He repeated, he was glad that
the doors of the University were opened to all
classes to receive every branch of human know-
ledge, and any mind endowed with that which con-
stituted the character of genius of any kind, that
man would find ample opportunities of satiating
himself with that knowledge—rendering himself
not only useful to his friends, but also a great and
lasting ornament to the country to which he be-
longed. (The noble Premier resumed his seat
amidst loud cheers.)
Lord BROUGHAM then rose to move a vote of
thanks to the noble chairman, and was received
with repeated rounds of applause. He expressed
his pleasure at meeting them once more, espe-
cially with his noble friend, who was his col-
league in former years, and said that if any proof
were wanted of the intrinsic value of having his
lordship in the chair, it could be found in the talent
and sagacity shown by the excellent advice he had
given to the members of that university. The chief
point put for their guidance was that it was im-
possible they:could too closely attend the studies o
that profession to which they intended to devotef
themselves—be it a profession, a trade, or handi-
work. That ought to be the first object of a
stud
but then he ought, as his lordship had said,his
mind, increase his wealth and positions
for further acquirements which would improveo
to his faculties, and make him better fittedi addition
to
intended station in life. It could not be too often
was
to
repeated that in all study the principletrue
avoid all superficial knowledge and superficial mat-
ter, and go to the thing at epee
They had often
an ex-member
office, others not, but never ye they had the
statesmen presiding over theirt n'hwaeatings, some in
naethe-ialiertuagneiso-efebsietiyngof presided
Cam b r d of; erblyt would be use-
less, nay, it would be impertinent for him to pro-
nounce a panegyric on a man so well known as his
lordship in the chair ; therefore he would spare the
meeting that pain. (Hear, hear.) His lordship had
spoken of his (Lord Brougham's) experience and
age being combined With vigour of mind, but he
thought the same might be said of Lord Palmerston
himself; and that still there was none more fitted in
body and mind for the performance of those arduous
duties now devolving upon him. (Loud applause.)
He (Lord Brougham) had been asked by the noble
chairman to become the Chancellor of the Univer-
sity of London ; but he felt, as president of Uni-
versity College, he should have been placed in an
inconsistent position, and have conflicting duties to
perform. The University of London was a good
•
0110,
declining the offer of his noble friend. In 1 r ande
a o tnhe offer s
he had wasaSsinigialdede wwietit atlhlepoolnitlyenoenase,safid
for
conclu-
siont his lordship moved the thanks of the meeting
to Lord Palmerston for presiding, also for his able
address and the useful advice he had tendered.
The motion was agreed to amidst loud applause.
Lord PALMERSTON briefly acknowledged the
a compliment, p
randese
present
plea-
sure
threw open the competition for
o
ex-
eluded. sky occasions
t system of examination, am expressnaht ieoenhe,jus which
shaienh„
" TantaQueen
appointments to many who lap.eurbelioetherwise
Three cheers were then given for
the as-
" The Chairman," and
sembly dispersed.
" The Ladies,"

:~ ~~~~~ ~

VIOLENT STORM AT GRAVESEND.--Loss or FOUR.
fatalGg c tenso
oonnb s elf.: uhr e
foulingi ees to
at
nhoot
hsplendider
Lives.—Yestard ay morning, between two and three o'clock,
en, the property
a violent stonn broke over Gravesend and the surrounding.
country, the effects of which xie in many
places—the storm doing: considerable damage to the corn,
Ftoxis,'ich vessel lay off the Clifton Baths Her.
&c., and injury to shippnig on the river. TheofsAtorm.
Bww.nas.
attended -with
risegthlietn,g/s,Egl bsotatt,r
vessel, new
she was thus pulled down to the water's edg in E
tide, and sank with all on board "W - e a stroll
-
e could not ascertair.
the number on board the . Albatross, but vM regret to q.y
that three, if not four persons (three gentlemen and troy)
have met with a watery .
grave. Some of the crew saved
their lives by swimmino• k gentleman who wr,s in his
berth at the time the,ve's. 1
only his night clothes
ense went down, was r9,,icued with