The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 1, 1861.

BOSTON WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE

SOIREE.

(From the _Lincolnshire Herald.)
The second annual soiree iuconnectionwith this'
flourishing college, was held
,in the Exchange-hall,
on Monday evening, and we never remember to have
seen such a large and successful gathering for any
similar institution on any previous Occasion.' This
was" doubtless owing to the' attractive bill of fare
provided by the committee, the, great feature of,
which was the expected presence of G.. F. Train,
Esq., the introducer of street railways, who, on a
previous visit, 'created such -a great sensation. -Tea
was provided at five o'clock in the spacious hall;
and about
.700 sat down to. enjoy the pleasant meal.
The tables, were presided over, by a number of the
principal, ladie's of the town, and every exertion
was used to ,ensure the comfort of the guests. . The
provisions were ample in quantity and excellent in
quality.',, Before tea, grace was sung by a party of
glee singers, 'and also after tea. The Artillery.
Corps band was in attendance, conducted by Mr..
Kellar, and While the tea tables were being removed
it played a lively,air`in good style. When thebill
had been re-arranged the company was considerably
augmented, and during the evening near upon 900
pbrsons must have been admitted. The chair was
taken by the Principal of the College, theltev. G.
B. Blenkin, supported by the ReVs. E. Parri (Sur-
fleet), J. IL Oldrid, .C. Lamb (lion: sec.),, T. B.
Sale, and J. C. Isara (Boston), Dr.-Adam. , C. Yeat-
mam; Esq., 'W. Gee' Esq.; &c.., and a bevy`, of fair
ladies. Mr. Train and other invited,guests had not
then arrived, but a messenger shOrtly afterwards
entered the room to 'sa!y_ that he and hisladyihad
reached_ Bbsion .by the 6 O'ClOck .train, and large.
posterswere quietly distributed throughout the
town—" Mr. Train has arrived." This convinced

the doubters and disbelievers in his corning, and a
rush was made to the Exchange-hall. As however
he required some little rest after the fatigue of a
journey, it was announced that he would not reach
the hall before 8 o'clock.

The proceedings of the evening were consequently
commenced by the chairman, who called upon the
Rev. E. Parry, who had kindly undertaken to de-
liver a short reading from Pickwick. The rev. gen-
tleman stepped forward, and after expressing his
sympathy with the objects of the institutionr,pro-
ceeded to recite the Trial scene in Pickwick—Bar-
dell v. Pickwick. The openingremarks of the Coun-
sel, and the amusing address of Sergeant Buzfuz
were delivered in admirable style keeping the whole

audience in constant laughter. At the Close of the
address of Sergeant Buzfuz, the learned gentleman
sat down, and J. W. Malcolm, Esq.,:M.P., and M.
Staniland, Esq., M.P., accompanied by S. Lewin,
Esq., (Mayor), and T. Wise, Esq., entered the hall
and took their seats on the platform amidst loud

applause. When the applause had subsided,
The CHAIRMAN said the real business of the even-
ing would now commence. He was glad to meet
them again on such an auspicious occasion. It
showed that the town sympathised with them in
their good work. Dnring the past year 500
members had passed through the College and
every effort had been made to render it of the
greatest service to them. Classes in almost every
branch of education had been opened, and were
fairly attended ; and six lectures on popular and
entertaining subjects had been delivered to the
members. Thus much had been done for the mem-
bers, and he believed it had performed a consider-
able amount of good in the town. He trusted there-
fore that all would unite to the utmost in promot-
ing its welfare and usefulness. He should not further
detain them, but would call upon their senior repre-
sentative to move the first resolution. (Cheers.)
M. STANILAND, Esq., M.P., who was warmly re-
ceived, then came forward and proposed the first
resolution, to the following effect :—"The education
of the working classes in the arts, sciences, and
other departments of knowledge, is of great practi-
cal utility to themselves and the country generally."
He apologised for not arriving earlier, but had been
detained by important business. He said the resolu-
tion he proposed affirmed a fact, and therefore re-
quired but little at his hands. He looked upon edu-
cation as the foundation of the prosperity of every
country; for without civilisation men remained in a
savage state, and even in civilised society education
was essentially necessary, as it was the basis of
happiness and prosperity. (Cheers.) To the work-
ing
man education was particularly important, as
the greater amount of skill and industry he exhi-
bited the greater was the amount of his gains; it
improved his social position, and in moat eases'
brought wealth and position in its train; it elevated
the working man to a level with the great people of
the land, and enabled him to enjoy intellectual
communion with those who were his superiors by
birth ; it also improved his moral position as a man,
making him more enlightened, and ashamed of all
those degrading and debasing habits which lowered
him to the brute creation. (Cheers.) Not only was
man individually improved, but the country at large
was benefitted, and it was this which had made
England stand forth preeminent amongst the na-
tions of the earth, for the skill and industry of her
working classes, and had gained for herself\ the
world as her market. In engineering as well as in
mechanical skill reference had also to be made to
ehad
etro
abne
Ecnagr
lriisehdm oaun
antinlraisnl
England, for whatever works of vast magnitude
yimapna,rot
roaf
stchoeteghlmobaen,
was sure to be at the head of the engineering and
contract departments. England ought, indeed, to
be proud of her working men, when they were con-
trasted with those of other nations of the earth. In
Spain, for instance, the working classes were in a
dreadful state of degradation, from the want of edu-
cation, and were little better than beggars, and it
was well known that whenever any works required
to be executed there, they first employed an Eng-
lish contractor, then sent to England for the money
to carry out the works, and lastly for labourers to
execute it. Looking at the result of education too,
in this country, in regard to its effects upon the
development of genius and talent, there was much
ground for encouragement to working men, and he
pointed to many bright examples. Robert Stephen-
son, Sir Wm. Cubitt, and Mr. Hawksley, the engi-
neer of waterworks, had all risen from the ranks of
the working men. (Cheers.) The day had now
arrived when the difficulties which beset the up-
ward progress of the working men had been cleared
away, and the course was open before them. But
it was not education alone that was required; other
things were necessary; it was important that they
should have self-reliance, industry, perseverance,
and a religious determination to do their duty in
the station of life in which they were placed.
Erskine, a middy in the Navy, managed by perse-
verance and industry, to raise himself to the rank
of Lord Chancellor; the glorious Franklin, the in-
domitable M'Clintock, and the valiant Havelock—
(cheers)—were all bright examples to follow. It
was a curse to a man to have a patron, it was far
better to have a honest pride in himself, and a
honest determination to succeed in the station of
life in which he was placed. The great Canning
had said, " that the greatness of the country was
owing to the indestructible industry of English-
men." So long as they encouraged temperate habits
and education—so long would they succeed. Every
variety of schools were provided for educational
purposes, there could, therefore, be no excuse for
bringing up children in a state of ignorance.
While for those more advanced in years, good edu-
cational opportunities were offered in the schools
of Art, the British Museum, and the Ken-
sington Museum; and Government, fully recog-
nising the claims of education, had abolished to a
great extent, the iniquitous system of patronage, and
thrown open its various offices in the civil service,
for public competition (cheers)—an d these valuable
appointments were now in the grasp of the working
men. Parliament, also anxious to promote frugality
and industry amongst the working classes, and to
induce them to save their hard earnings, had de-
cided to extend the system of savings banks, by
making the post-office the medium of receiving and
depositing in safe keeping, with Government secu-
rity, the smallest sums. At present there were 600
savings banks in existence, but to show how their
value was appreciated, in these there was deposited
20 millions of money. The Government now proposed
to increase the number to 2,000, and allow interest on
the deposits at the rate of £2 103. per cent.
A long interruption here brought the speaker to a
Stop, and, on turning to the door, we perceived the
Mayor leading in a most charming lady, beautifully
attired, and from the fact of Mr. Train following
close behind, there appeared no doubt that it was
Mrs. Train. Cheers loud and long rang throughout
the hall, until the audience appeared almost ex-
hausted by their tumultuous plaudits. Mrs. Train
having been duly introduced to the ladies on the
platform, and Mr. Train to the gentlemen, something
like order was restored. All eyes were fixed upon
Mrs. Train, and many compliments were passed
abailt the room upon the fair American beauty.
Mr. STANILAND resumed—He was glad that his
friend Train," Special Train"—(cheers)—if he might
be allowed to call him so, had arrived ; they might
prepare themselves fora good amount of amusement.
Ile would not detain them longer, and continued to
remark upon the increased opportunities afforded

the working -clasies for enjoyment. People's Parks
and-recreation 'grounds were being laid out; and
another and tt-greftter sanitary improvement was in
progress--4hecoAstruction of baths and washhouses.
He had recently, had an opportunity in London of
seeing the working, of these, and he was greatly
straOr' with their utility. It was a vast relief in
crowdedil wellih gs to have the washing removed, and
done where everything was convenient for it. He
did not: see why.hAhs and washhouses should not
be established in Boston. They had in abundance
the first great essential eleraent—water—(cheers)—
and he felt 'therefore that they would not on that
head. encounter any difficulty in their establish-
ment: It might well be carried out by voluntary
contributions. •At their first soiree Mr. Garfit had
*very liberalk,stepped forward to utilise water, by
presenting a drinking fountain ; and he (Mr. Stani-
land),.at this soiree; should be happy to present a
donation of XlOO to the establishment of baths and
washhouses in the town. (Loud cheers.) He had
not tithe himself to carryout the project, but he had
little'doubt; in the:hands of the chairman and his
friends; it might: be brought to a successful issue.
(Loud cheers.) -• He!..had very great pleasure in pro-
posing the tesolution.
Mr.BIIRRELL in ah admirable and practical speech,
-seconded the tesOlution. Although but a common
pebhle among. so: many diamonds, he was glad to
have the.opportnnity.of congratulating the meeting
upon having,got.their ship over a successful second
year's, voyage is Apite of great opposition, and hoped
the working•xnen would. still push it forward. Edu-
cation had Aione. much for the country ; it had added
wealth to her commerce, And greatness to her posi-
tion and madeher a star to illumine the whole
earth. • Jiosteil, ;I)J:teaming a wonderful place,
through the instrumenaßly of the College ;.it set an
example to other places. If their minds were empty
they should join the College and get them filled. If
men were not educated now, it was their own fault,
the facilities were great and ready at hand. He re-
ferred to the glorious present of books from New
Boston, to show how much their efforts were appre-
ciated even on the other side of the Atlantic, and ex-
hibited three handsome volumes presented by Mr.
Train. He read the very excellent letter of the Mayor
of Boston to the Mayor of New Boston (which has
previously appeared in our colamns), and called for
three cheers for the noble expressions it contained,
which was heartily responded to. He concluded by
exhorting all to avail themselves of the advantage of
education, which he said would make them better
men, better fathers, better husbands, better mem-
bers of society, and better and more patriotic sub-
jects of their dearly beloved Queen. (Loud cheers.)
A glee was here sung with good taste by the
singers—
" Come where my love lies dreaming,"

and was much applauded.
The CHAIRMAN next called upon Mr. Malcolm.
J. W. MALCOLM, Esq., M.P., who on rising was
very heartily cheered, said the following resolution
had been entrusted to him to propose :—" The suc-
(less which had hitherto attended the Boston Work-
ing Men's College, while it proves the need of such
an institution in the town, is at the same time a
stimulus to its friends and supporters to future ex-
ertions in its behalf." He thought the largely at-
tended meeting bore the best testimony to the suc-
cess of the College, and showed that the efforts of
its founders had been crowned with success,
(Cheers,) He looked upon the College as a practical
demonstration of their observance of the principles
of his proposition. They had just heard from the
beautiful glee something about dreaming, but about
this there was no dreaming; it was a pleasant
reality ; they had been alive and stirring, and had
established an institution which would enable the
working man to raise himself in, the social scale of
society. (Cheers.) One great object of the institu-
tion was the self-education of those who had been
previously neglected ; and in agricultural districts
this supplied a great want long felt. Children were
taken away from schools, in the ease of girls, to go
out to domestic service, and in the case of boys, to
assist their fathers in the labours of the field ; their
education naturally suffered, and it was not until
opportunities, such as were offered by these insti-
tutions, presented themselves, when they had grown
up, that they were enabled to any extent to retrieve
the neglect of their youth. It was of great value
that they had these places to resort to; here their
evenings might be well spent in study of books,
and gaining knowledge, which would be produc-
tive of much good to them in after life, and it
was upon the notice of the young he would
enforce the us fulness of these institutions, as
by their meals such valuable stores of in-
formation might be gained by diligent application.
(Cheers.) He was himself a member of the Society
of Arts, which had originated the Exhibition of 1851,
and was now actively engaged in promoting the
Exhibition of 1862, and with it were associated 95
institutions similar to their own, which from this
union derived much mutual good. He had placed in
the Principal's hands information on the subject,
and if it was thought beneficial to join their insti-
tution to the union, he would undertake to have it
accomplished. (Cheers.) The parent society
awarded prizes for successful examinations to the
members of societies in union with it, and also cer-
tificates of merit, and these certificates were found
of great service to young men seeking situations
and appointments. Much had been said about the
skilled labourer and the mechanic, but the agricul-
tural labourer had been somewhat overlooked, he
required to be as skilled in his department as the
other two, he required to eut a hedge neatly, trim a
ditch in a straight line, and plough a furrow evenly,
and though he had not the same advantage of rising
to eminence, he might still become from a labourer
a farm bailiff, and thence a tenant farmer, and a re-
spectable and useful member of society. Education
was as good for one as for another, and the agricul-
tural labourer had as much reason to strive after it
as the skilled mechanic. Was it not a lovely picture
illustrated in Burns's " Cotar's Saturday Night,"
where the honest labourer, returning home in the
evening, after the toil of the day, to his frugal meal
is met by his toddling wea things, who welcome
him so cheerily, and when the meal is ended, he
gathers them all round him, and after giving thanks
to the great God, who haE showered his blessings
upon him and his family, he takes down the sacred
volume and reads from it the words of love and
'mercy. (Cheers.) Things appeared to be going well
with the college, and he trusted they would go on
improving. Like Mr. Train he had come some dis-
tance to enjoy the pleasurs of being amongst them,
having left Plymouth the previous night, and as he
had to be in the House of Commons at 12 o'clock
the following day, he could not longer remain, and
therefore proposed the resclution, and wished every
prosperity to the college. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. G. F. TRAIN then rose, but for some time the
hall so rang with the deafening plaudits of the as-
sembled audience, that re was unable to utter a
word ; at length order being restored, he proceeded
to say that his first duty was to thank the audience
for the hearty reception They had given him. He
scarcely knew why he \las there, except, because
like themselves he was a working man, and he
assured them that during the past two years be had
indeed worked hard to introduce the street railway
for the benefit of the working men. He had been
asked to second a resolution, but he scarcely knew
how to do it--(laughter)—he had never seconded
one in his life. He felt overpowered by the kindness
'with which they had received him, a young man
born 3,000 miles away; but this welcome proved—
" Though oceans roll between us
Though our lands are far apart—
Though rival mothers bore us,
We are Brothers still at bent 1"

He supposed he had bent invited because he was a
native of the New Boston across the Atlantic. It
certainly had been his lot to be born in that distant
land, but as he S as not responsible for the place of
his birth, he could not help it. (Laughter.) A man's
nationality was the resul of an accident. (A laugh.)
He had been told if he came he might swell the
funds of the Working Men's College. He was glad
to do so, and he assured them it had been no incon-
venience for him to come down ; he would have tra-
velled all night to be present. (Cheers.) But now
he had come he did not know what to talk about,
but he supposed it must be about working men.
He felt that they were not quite sufficiently taken
care of. Was it not working men who constructed
the grand and noble and beautiful buildings in Lon-
don, and who filled the mills and factories in Lan-
cashire and Yorkshire ? Was it not working men
who built their grand old church with its transcend-
ent steeple towering to the heavens? Was it not work-
ing men who toiled night and day to build up the im-
mense wealth and grandeur which made England's
name respected in every corner of the earth ? (Loud
cheers). A working nien's college was a new idea.
He never went to a college. They scarcely under-
stood in America what was meant by the imposing
name of a Working Men's College. He had never
had but three months' schooling • in leis life, and it
was at home in the family circle, where they had
a spelling-class, and used to give each other diffi-
cult words to spell, that he learnt to read and spell.
He had to study by night and work by day—some-
times slyly setting traps to catch rabbits, a game he
was fonder of than digging potatoes and hoeing corn.
(Laughter.) But it Was a question of will—strong,

unswerving will. With a college such as this
he might have gained more than he had, and
the working men of Boston might gain
much. Grain upon grain made the moun-
tain. The acorn sown in the ground pro-
duced the oak. Water added to water, drop by drop,
made up the ocean ; and by strong, persevering,
and unflagging will were the vast and mighty py-
ramids erected by some very ancient working men.
(Loud cheers.) It was also a question of work, work,
work, getting up in the morning with the determi-
nation of learning something ; and over the labour
of the day thinking of it still, until by night it was
almost accomplished.

" Little by little, an acorn said,
As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,
I'm improving every day--
Deep hidden in the earth away.
Little by little ii sipped the dew—
Little by little each day it grew :
Downward it sent out a any rook
Upward there sprang a threadbare shoot.
Day by day, and year by year,
Little by little the leaves appear,
And the slender trunk spreads tar and wide,
Till the giant oak is the forest's pride."

(Cheers.) Working men of Boston might gain in-
formation little by little, and there was nothing in
this free, liberal, and enlightened country to prevent
them rising to the first positions in the realm.

" Far down in the depths of the deep blue sea,
An insect train works ceaselessly :
Grain by grain it is building well—
Each one alone in its little cell.
Moment by moment, and day by day,
Never stopping to rest or to play,
Rocks upon Rocks it is mounting high,
Till the top looks out on the sunny sky ;
And the gentle winds and the balmy air,
Little by little bring verdure there,
Till the summer sunbeams gaily smile
-On the buds and flowers of the coral Isle."
(Loud applause.) This was simply the question
which carried them a step higher than sovereigns,
admirals, and statesmen, little by little might they
advance in all that was good, and holy, and just.
Little by little was the nation made, and all its
glory developed. Little by little Hugh Miller
gained all that vast store of knowledge which had
benefited his fellow-men so greatly. (Cheers.) The
Pilgrim Fathers who sailed from this district, and
founded that vast and flourishing city of which
Plymouth Rock, was the corner stone on the other
side of the Atlantic were all working men. (Cheers.)
They landed with axes upon their shoulders and
entering the depths of the mighty primeval forest
they felled a tree, another quickly followed, a little
space was cleared, a log hut erected, a little corn
planted and garnered in, a few more squatted down
around them, and little by little they have hewn
out an empire of 30 millions of souls. (Loud
cheers.) This was what working men could do.

" One constant element in luck
Is genuine old Teutonic pluck,
Stick to your aim, the mongrel's hold will slip;
But only crowbars lose the bulldog's grip.
Small as he looks, the jaw that never yields,
Drags down the bellowing monarch of the fields."
(Applause.) It was a question of the three P's
Patience, Perseverance, and Pluck. He did not,
however, believe that everybody could be Lord
Palmerston, nor did he believe in the old proverb
" When a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing
well." When at Jerusalem he met an English
banker (Mr. H. Kennard), who inquired how long
he intended staying, as he (the Englishman) thought
he should be able to do Jerusalem in six weeks ; to
which he (Mr. Train) replied he had only arrived
the previous evening, and had already been to the
Mount of Olives, the Vale of Jehosophat, the Mosque
of Omar, and the other notable sights, and intended
to start the next day over the Jordan and bring up
at Jericho. (Loud applause.) He had visited Egypt,
the Pyramids, the Nile, the principal places in the
Holy Land, and should run over to Damascus,
Joppa, the Crimea, Sebastopol, Constantinople, and
a number of other places, all in that time, and this
he accomplished ; whereas if he had been tied to see
them all well, he could not have got half round in
the time : and in further illustration continued—lf
he saw 50 ducks in a pond he should fire at the lot,
and run the chance of how many he killed,
and not go sneaking round and try to shoot
one well. (Laughter.) He believed in assump-
tion—a good and strong amount—for he felt as-
sured when a man went into the world he would
quickly find his level. His stock simile was; it was
like a lot potatoes being driven along over some
rough road in a spring cart ; the big. ones would
rise to the top, and the little ones get jolted to the
bottom. (Cheers.) A man was either a diamond
or not a diamond ; if he was a diamond lie would
'get rubbed by tho Selle came in contact with, and
become brighter and brighter, and shine forth with
more resplendent beauty ; but if not, the contact
would cause him to sink to the bottom like a pebble.
(Cheers.) If he could not speak well that evening,
it was because his wife was present. (Loud
laughter, and cheers for Mrs. Train.) It generally
happened that people did not succeed well if they
looked at themselves through other people's eyes.
(Hear.) A man who looked at his own work and
prospects through the eyes of his father, mother,
brother, sister, or wife, seldom suceeded ; they
mostly failed to see his cleverness. (Yes, and cheers.)
But men should look to themselves, and determine
ttt ooh
ledmt ma
eeomatth, enomrhsiietsl
wvGeosruesleudnc
weei ec dh ,
Lecture— quicklynd e
cgt
utrarakes tht
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m;world
i
as by
e

"Tender-banded clasp a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains,
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains."

(Applause.)

If they wanted to get into Parliament, they must
strike for the Premiership. If they wanted to hit a
mark they must fire above it, and ten to one but
what they would do it. " Where there's a will
there's a way." He might mention many instances
of what perseverance had done. But he need
only refer to their own town, which had pro-
duced a Herbert Ingram—(cheers)---whose Illus-
trated London News was read in every corner of
the globe; this was the result of a working man
of Boston. (Cheers.) He stood there as a repre-
sentative of the New Boston, and held out to them
the right hand of fellowship ; and it was a proud day
for him to be amongst them. He had heard with un-
bounded pleasure the eloquent letter, addressed by
their Mayor to the Mayor of new Boston, acknow-
ledging a present of books; it was a glorious letter,
which was calculated to cement more closely the
bond of fellowship which tied the hearts of the two
Bostons together. In the name of new Boston he
thanked their worthy Mayor, and he thanked them
all for the fraternal feeling they had exhibited.
(Loud cheers.) It was a great day on which he had
come amongst them. For

" We cannot gaze on England's page
Without a thrill of pride,
Her Poets are our heritage, •
Her Statesmen are'our guide— (Cheers.)
Then join the Stars, the Stripes, and Cross,
In one Fraternal band,
Till Anglo-Saxon faith and laws
Illumine every land I "
(Loud applause.)
Although at present there was a little difficulty in
his country, they were not going to break up; it
was only a bit of fun, and was well illustrated by,
Landseer's beautiful picture, " Dignity and Impu-
dence." (Laughter.) He was delighted to have
met them on such an occasion, and if he could do
anything for the working men of Boston, they might
draw upon him at sight. (Cheers.) With their
permission he would conclude with the beautiful
words :

64 Old England for Truth will stand,
And all the world shall know
That, girt by her children, one brotherly I and,
Riflemen swarming all over the land;
And plenty of Drakes in the Channel at hand :
Old England fears no foe I " .
(Loud and continued cheers.)
Dr. ADAM—I have much pleasure in proposing
the next resolution ; but at this late period of the
evening I will not detain you with any lengthy
observations. I entirely agree with all that has
been so eloquently stated by the speakers who have
preceded me, in relation to the advantages of the
Working Men's College. And while I heartily
congratulate you on the success of this, the second
annual soiree of the institution, I consider that the
present meeting, and all the rat history of the
college, exclusively prove this—that the institution
is productive of most important benefits in addition
to those which you have heard described. Institu-
tions of this sort not only afford to the working man
invaluable opportunities for self-eulture—they not
only educate his mind, purify his tastes, elevate his
desires, and render him a happier man—but they
do more than all this. They diffuse genial influences
which pervade the whole community ; they tend to
break down those partition-walls which old preju-
dices, party feelings, and the conventionalities of
society have raised up to separate one class from
another; they bring together men of different posi-
tions in life, end enable them to know and appre-
ciate each other better than before. lam thankful

to think that, in the present day, all those bitter
feelings towards the wealthier classes of society
which were sedulously instilled into the minds of
the industrial population, by the self-seeking dema-
gogues of a by-gone time, have waned away before
(Cheers.) I need hardly say that in a Slate like
the advancing march of education and intelligence.