The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-23 00:00:00

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE.

The funds for the establishment of the Institution having
at this length reached an amount which justified steps being
taken for the erection of the structure without further un-
necessary delay, yesterday was appointed for the laying
of the foundation stone. Had that simple ceremony alone
been performed in a comparatively private manner by the
immediate friends of the institution in Liverpool, without
any accompanying celebration, the event would have been
hailed by thousands of the right thinking portion of our busy
community ; but it having been announced that it would be
preceded by a sermon by the Lord Bishop of the diocese,
and followed up by a grand entertainment at the Amphi-
theatre, which would be honoured by the presence of many
of the nobility and gentry of this and other counties, to-
gether with the elite of our town ;—when this became known,
the excitement became great and universal, and the occasion
was looked forward to as a grand jubilee, demonstrative of
the growing triumph of those principles which have placed
this country in her present proud position, and which have
tended to spread religion and civilization over the habitable
world. The committee availed themselves of the noble feel-
ing thus displayed, and assiduously strove to make every
arrangement that could add solemnity to the ceremony, or
enhance the blameless enjoyments of the day. The anxiety
to obtain tickets to hear the sermon, to witness the laying
of the stone, or to listen to the eloquent addresses of
the distinguished individuals at the Amphitheatre in the
evening became intense, and far beyond the means, though
• within the will, of the directors, to gratify—the accommoda-
tion at each point, though extensive, being altogether inade-
quate to the demand for places. Tickets to the church were
distributed gratuitously, as were those (for ladies exclusively)
to the ground ; and sad were the disappointments, particu-
larly in the latter instance. The tickets for the dinner were
sold at a guinea each ; all were disposed of, to the full com-
plement of the guests that could be accommodated ; and
double the number could have been sold had the " house
(large as it is) been sufficiently spacious to contain them.
The tickets for the boxes (for ladies only) were sold at four
shillings each, including refreshments, and so great was the
demand that all were quickly taken up, and on Wednesday
morning, the committee decided, with a view to gratify as
many of the gentle sex as possible, to issue 2s 6d dtickets, for
the admission of ladies to the lower gallery, which commanded
an equally rapid sale. No stronger proof of the avidity with
which the tickets were sought, need be adduced, than the fact
that yesterday noon, on the Exchange, the sum of one guinea
was offered for a lady's four-shilling ticket.
The following description of the building is drawn up by a
young gentleman who has had means of studying the design,
and is, moreover, possessed of considerable architectural
taste :

By the terms of the instructions, the competing architects
were restricted to the Tudor style, not only because it was
considered to be the most appropriate for such an institution,
but because the town does not at present contain a single
specimen worthy of consideration belonging to that period,
of which King's College Chapel, Cambridge, and King
Henry the Seventh's Chapel, Westminster, are such inimi-
table specimens. The first premium was awarded to Mr.
Elmes, of London, a rising young architect, of great talent.
It seems an extraordinary circumstance that he should have
successively carried away the first premiums in this town for
St. George's Hall, the Assize Courts, and the Collegiate
Institution. The two former were in the Grecian style, the
latter in the Gothic ; and it may truly be said, that in both
he has established a fame for purity of taste which will endure
as long as the buildings themselves. In his design for the
Collegiate Institution he has preserved a simplicity of gene-
ral outline, and kept the parts large and few in number, by
which, although not so rich in ornament as the best samples
of the Tudor period, owing to the insufficiency of the sum
allowed, a grandeur of effect is produced which cannot fail
to strike every beholder, and the eye dwells with pleasure
upon the coup d'ceil. The principal front presents, in the
centre, a lofty arched recess, supported on either side by oc-
tagonal turrets, the lower part of the archway being occupied
by the entrance porch, over which is a balcony and a parapet,
pierced with quatrefoils. On either side of this centre is a
range of buttresse's and lofty four-centred windows, affording
light to two stories : the facade is terminated with slightly
projecting wings, with rich and lofty oriel windows. The
effect of these entirely relieves the design from its otherwise
ecclesiastical character, and stamps it as collegiate. They
also form a connecting and very appropriate link between
the ecclesiastical and more domestic examples of thd period.
The whole is raised on a lofty basement, which gives height
and importance to it as a public building. The parapet is
embattled, and in the wings it is finished with a rich pro-
jecting eanopy, and statue in the centre. The internal
arrangements of the building will be extremely simple, con-
venient, and well adapted for the purposes of the institution.
A corridor, the whole length of each floor, affords an access
to the various class-rooms on either side, and is approached
by a grand central staircase, as well as by one at each end.
The building is upwards of 96 yards in front by 70 feet deep.
Behind is placed the theatre, which is an octagonal building,
capable of accommodating upwards of 2000 persons with
seat room, and no individual in it will be at a greater, distance
from the speaker than 45 feet. It is divided into three por-
tions, namely, body and two galleries, and each of these di-
visions can be approached by separate entrances. Behind
the theatre is a spacious music-room, capable of being thrown
into the theatre or shut off at pleasure, in which it is intended
to erect a powerful organ, superior to any at present in Liver-
pool.
There will also be musical class-rooms adjoining, as well
as apparatus-rooms, a iaboratory, &c., well adapted for the
purposes of the lectures, which it is proposed to give in the
theatre. Beneath the theatre are capacious dining-rooms,
kitchens, &c., for the three schools. The attic floor of the
main building contains large rooms for the purpose of a
museum, picture and sculpture gallery, as well as apartments
for the drawing-classes of the institution, all of which are
ample and conveniently lighted from the roof. The school-
rooms are so arranged that each school will be kept totally
distinct from the others, as well as have a separate entrance
to that portion of the theatre which may be appropriated to
its use.

The donations already received amount to £12,000.
The expense of the erection and its interior fittings,
the purchase of the land, and other contingent ex-
penses, will require a sum of, we learn, £30,000 ; but
two-thirds of that amount will be sufficient in the first
instance ; and the demonstration of yesterday gives us
the strongest assurance that long before the " rearing"
we shall have the gratification to announce that all the
" shares" in this admirable institution are taken up,
and that (even in the absence of all mercantile specu-
lation) they are, amongst " good men and true," at a
large premium. Our noble representative Lord San-
don, has, we learn, doubled his suioscription towards
the funds of the institution, and we trust that before
we have to close this our report of the day's proceed-
ings, written seriatim, we snail have to announce that
others have " done so likewise," and that a near ap-
proach has been made towards the full amount of the
funds required to carry out,. to its full extent, " the
generous purpose in the glowing breasts" of the origi-
nators of " The Liverpool Collegiate Institution."

PROCESSION FROM THE TOWN-HALL.
The nobility, the clergy, and gentry and other friends
of the institution began to assemble at the town ball at
half-past ten o'clock, and were received by his worship
the Mayor with his accustomed attention and urbanity.

f nova Wflll proxont, Lnrii atinley, cianridn, An ti
alba 13obletnon, a large number of clorgymeni, ilcar to
tiwir respeetivo flocks, and a still larger amount of the
most respectable and influential merchants and traders
of our modern Tyre. The anxiety to witness a pro-
cession composed of individuals who, distinguished in
rank, were necessarily few in number, was great, and
the whole continuous line of Castle-street, Lord-street,
and Church-street, became crowded with spectators.
The British ensign was hoisted in front of the town-
hall, and several British flags, streamers, &c., were dis-
played from the buildings on either side of the streets.
The occasion being more of a solemn than a festive
nature, no attempt was made at display ; but the effect
was not the less effective and impressive. The Mayor,
with Lord Stanley on his right hand, and Lord Sandon
on. his left, headed the procession, which consisted of
thirty clergymen of the town and neighbourhood, and
fifty gentlemen, amongst whom were many of the first
merchants of the town. - They passed along the west
foot-walk of Castle-street, and the south foot-walk of
Lord-street to St. Peter's Church—around the whole
quadrangle of the enclosure of which, dense crowds had
assembled. We need scarcely say that the greatest
decorum was observed throughout, and that, party or
political feeling being merged, the procession was regarded
throughout with that respectful attention, which men
bent on a conscientious purpose for the general good, will
ever command from true-hearted Englishmen.
The Church, in front of which were many splendid
equipages, had befBre the arrival of the procession been
pre-occupied almost to the exclusion of the gentlemen
forming the procession.
THE SERMON.
The congregation at St. Peter's Church was extremely
numerous and highly respectable. His worship the Al ayor,
Lord Francis Egerton, Lord Stanley, Lord Sandon, &c. &c.
were present, as well as an immense body of the local clergy.
The singing by the pupils of the Blue Coat Hospital, and the
performances on the organ, struck us as peculiarly excellent.
During the time that the service was read, the Lord Bishop
of Chester sat, together with the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the
senior Rector of Livtrpool, at the communion table. After
the service, which was read by one of the curates of Liver-
pool,
The LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER having ascended the pul-
pit, delivered an impressive prayer. He then selected the sub-
ject of his discourse from part of the 19th verse of the 3rd
chapter of the Lamentations, of the Prophet Jeremiah :
" Lift up your hands unto God for the life of your young
children." His Lordship then delivered the following
sermon :
Such was the council of the prophet as he looked forward
to the desolution approaching the Jewish people, under the
power of a victorious enemy.
In all public calamities we feel especially for the helpless-
ness of infants ; and that distress, by which none can be un-
moved, falls with especial severity upon parents in conformi-
ty with the wise dispensation which has given to parents an
instinctive tenderness for their children.
But, as that instinctive tenderness is not confined to a
season Of impending danger, like that which, when the pro-
phet spoke, he had in mind as threatening Jerusalem, so,
nether, indeed, may the prayer be so brief. It is, in truth, the
prayer which every parent is disposed in his heart to offer in
the moment of gratitude in the moment that a child is born
into the world ; and it is a just object of prayer that the life
which has been given might be preserved. Whether a child
be considered as a fruit of that mutual love, which a gracious
God has ordained to sweeten the cup of life, or be considered
as a requital of suffering, or as a recompense of long anxiety or
care—in whatever light it be regarded, the laudabl desire is,
that the child may live to reward its parents, that it may be
preserved 'through the weakness and accidents of infancy.
and grow in strength and wisdom. These feelings, implanted
in the heart, we need not and we cannot restrain. If they
ever fail to operate, their operation is only checked by some
violent, unnatural, counteracting cause.
Yet, if we look forward beyond the days of infancy, and
consider the progress of the life for which we pray, we find
something beyond this natural life, for which every wise pa-
rent will lift up his hands to God. For, what is the natural
life alone and in itself ? To the rest of the creation is im-
parted together with the natural life, all the powers that it is
designed to have. The case is otherwise with man ; it is his
peculiar character that his powers may be improved and en-
larged. With the faculty of improvement comes the duty ;
and in this, as in other things, the duty neglected is followed
by an attendant penalty. The natural man, unimproved by
cultivation, and without understanding, is compared to the
beast that perisheth ; for, " that which is born of the flesh
is flesh ;" it is tainted with the corruption which the sin of
Adam entailed upon his descendants ; it is " of the earth
earthly :" all its tastes are low and degraded. We find it so
in too many, and we judge of it from what we find. Those
whose thoughts have never been raised above the things which
their eyes see and their hands handle—they perform the na-
tural functions of men—their animal powers are fully de-
veloped ; but those powers which alone distinguish man—
by which he holds his rank in the scale of creation have ne-
ver been brought out and extended. These men follow their
blind appetites, they fulfil the desires of the flesh and the
mind, but they know not the • purpose for which life was
granted them—they know not him in whom they live, and
move, and have their being.
Such is the unhappy state of multitudes ; and of course,
were we to look at them with an eye of reason, or judge by
the clear eye of reason, or judge by the clear light of revela-
tion, we might feel disposed to say, once more, it would have
been good for them if they had never been born.
And here let all parents reflect upon the responsibilities
which they had incurred. They have bestowed upon their
children an existence. That existence may be a curse, and
not a blessing. There are countries where parents, having
given birth to a child, will expose it upon a bleak and barren
heath, with no provision for its food, no protection from the
elements, and no defence from ferocious animals. A brighter
light has shone upon us, and taught us to shudder at such
enormities. Yet, is it a less evil, or should it be accounted
a lesser crime, to be the author of the being of a child, and
then, expose it unprotected by parental duty, undisciplined
in the way that God has prescribed it should walk in, in the
dangers of a world like this, so filled with temptations, so
abundant in iniquity.
I come now to speak of a second species of life, grafted
upon the animal life, which greatly exalts the nature and
character of man. You will perceive lam speaking of the
intellectual powers.
When God created man, he made him in his own image,
after his own likeness. This, as we know, must relate to
the intellectual faculties—to the power which the mind has
of learning and knowing—of thinking and reasoning, of
judging and comparing. It is in these faculties that man
differs from the beasts of the field. By the possession and
the improvement and the exercise of these powers, men are
raised above their fellows, they are exalted in the opinion of
the world, are praised, admired, or envied, or enriched, and
it is far more that they are enabled to benefit their species,
lessen the evils of the world, and to increase the mercies
that belong to them. It might justly be, therefore, a parent's
prayer, that intellectual life should be added to natural exis-
tence, ; that the Lord should put into the minds of their
children, as he did into the mind of Immanuel, the spirit of
instruction, that he would be pleased to give them under-
standing.
It is upon this conviction that we ask for the divine bless-
ing upon that institution, which is to take its beginning from
this day.
We do not undervalue secular learning. On the contrary,
we desire to extend it, to advance it, to diffuse it upon every
side. All knowledge must be sanctified to the better fulfil-
ment of those purposes for which man is created, that it may
render the man snore useful to himself, and more valuable
to those around him ; and in proportion as the gospel stand-
ard of knowledge is raised, the whole community gains a
step in the scale of being.
Still, it is a humbling thing that all, in spite of intellectual
learning, we must be forced to say that, at any moment, all
may vanish ; for what is our life ? It is even as a vapour
which appeareth but a little time and then vanisheth away.
Man springs up and is cut down like a flower, at the very
season when he has become most worthy of praise and ad-
miration to his contemporaries, and when he is most able to
be useful to others. At that very season it may happen, nay
it does happen, so commonly as scarcely to excite surprise,
that man returns to his earth, and all his thoughts perish.
A breath ,of wind may fever the brain that should command
intelligence that should instruct mankind, and should leave
eloquence and knowledge to future ages.
But it is a still more important and more awful truth-that
intellectual power, raised even to its highest use, is not moral
power, and that he who is the wisest of the wise, in man's
judgment, may be lower than the simplest in the sight of in-
finite wisdom. The proofs are abundant. The man who may
have instructed or delighted his fellow-creatures, who in ge-
nius or in talent may seem fittest to command the world, may
be a slave to his appetites and passions. It is an universal
truth, " his servants are ye whom ye obey ;" and it is a hu-
miliating fact that the lord of the intellectual world is too
often the slave of sin. Still more surely do we find that the
cultivation of the intellectual faculties alone does not impart
to men that knowledge which alone is truly precious—the
knowledge of himself, the knowledge of his Maker, the know-
ledge of his Redeemer. What shall the wisdom of the world
profit a man, without that wisdom which is unto salvation ?
Man is soon gone from his place upon earth, and his body is
mingled with the dust from which it came, and what becomes,
of his intellectual part, that sublime and imperishable soul
which God breathed into him ? That does not expire too ;
it returns to God who gave it ; it retains its existence and its
consciousness ; and there is only the more to account for in
his sight, because " where much was given much will be ex-
pected"—an account must now be rendered of that talent
which was only lent, and it must be received again with usury.
Parents, seek to direct your children's minds, and you will
do well. A noble testimony is given to day that we consider
it an imperative duty to provide for such cultivation. This
ought ye to do, so that ye leave not the others undone. Be
very mindful of the comparative worthlessness of mere intel-
lectual advancement or earthly knowledge. What will it
avail in the end ? What would it avail if God were to say
unto thee, according to the words of the parable, " my son,
this night thy soul shall be required of thee ?" What would
those things profit which thou bast provided, those mental
qualifications which have begun and ended with this present
world ?
But I proceed to show, in the third place, that there is a
life of which man's nature is capable, compared with which
every other endowment sinks into insignificance—a life which
ennobles the natural life by all which infinity can add to it,
and which is exalted above intellectual life, as far as eternity
is exalted above time.
Such is the spiritual life. As " that which is born of the
flesh, is flesh, • so that which is born of the spirit, is spirit ;"
and where it exists it is known by its effects, and is discerned
by its tongue. Supported by the natural life, and united
with the intellectual, still it is distinguished from both by
characters of its own. While the natural man knows not,
nay, rejects the things of God, the spiritual man seeks first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness. While the
natural man follows the appetites and passions belonging to
him, and satisfies the wants which he has in common with
the brute animal, the spiritual man mortifies the flesh, with
the affections and the lusts thereof, and brings them into sub-
jection to the will and commandment of God. The intel-
lectual man rises higher than the natural,rthe mind is superior
to the body, and he has cultivated the mind : but lie must
not be confounded with the spiritual man. The intellectual
man seeks knowledge for the pleasure which attends it, or for
the temporal advantages which it may procure him ; whilst
the spiritual man seeks a higher and a better knowledge, and
for a greater purpose—he seeks acquaintance with God, that
he may partake more and more of his grace and holiness—
may conform to his character, and to go on to be " perfect,
even as his father, who is in heaven, is perfect." With the
natural man, as with the man whose mind alone is cultivated,
whilst his heart remains unrenewed, this world is the great
object. Temporal gain, professional advancement, the good
opinion and the praise of men, this world, in short, and the
things of tbe world, hold permanent dominion over the mind.
—The spiritual man is not insensible to earthly things, or
to man's opinion ; he desires "to provide things honest in
the sight of all men ;" he is thankful for the mercies which
God may give him richly to enjoy ; but with him these are
not the primary, they are secondary, in his pursuit, because
they are secondary in his desire. Like David, he sets God
always before him. Like Paul, he lives not unto himself,
but unto him who died for him. He does not pamper and
indulge, but mortifies his members, which are of the earth, and
sets his affections on things above. He is led by the Spirit,
and does not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, knowing that if we
live after the flesh, of the flesh, we shall reap, but that we
shall find if we, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of
the body, we hall live.

I%ls, thni, is Os ttfi wt 6h Asa! bs Ant snA Alston in
the mind tit' every wias and pious MOM, when pitying far
OtiWon with wlneii h4s blossod lfa win
up his hands unto the Lord, that the spirit of him who"
raised Christ Jesus from the dead may dwell on them ; that
they may put off the natural man, escape the corruptions of
the flesh in the world, and out on the new, the spiritual man,
after the image of him who created them : so that when Christ,
ho is their life, from whom they derive this spiritual life,
shall appear again, in power and great glory, they also may
appear with him, and be partakers of the kingdom for which
he has prepared them.
Such will be the fond and fervent desire of every parent
who has himself been brought to discern natural things from
spiritual, by the grace of God shining into his own heart.
For what shall the natural, what shall the intellectual life
avail, unless the spiritual life he superadded ? " What shall
it prcfit a man if lie should gain the whole world and lose his
own scul?" And as this will be the subject of the parents
chief di sirs, so will it be the subject of their first and latest
prayer ; be :ause it is net with the spiritual life as with the
natural ; it does not come within their own control or power.
Parents, i i the ordinary course, bestoW the natural life upon
their !ren, and afterwards they can also greatly promote
their intellectual life. By the use of certain means they call
calculale upon their excellence in human learning, and their,
expectat ons will not often le disappointed ; but with regal",
to spiritual Ife the case is very different; " as the win('
bloweth where it listeth, and ye cannot tell whence it
cometh and whither it gceth, so is every one that is born
again ; lie is born not of the will of the flesh nor of the
will cf man, but of Gt d." We do not, therefore, presume
to say Cult when we provide religious education we can
seethe a religious principle ; but we provide that religion
shall be the basis of education, because it is that which'
educat on, we value most, and because we know that
unless it is inculcated we cannot expect to have educe'
tion at all. Though the gift of God, be bestows it
through certain means. Though the work of the Holy
Spirit, there are agencies through which the Spirit acts, and
those means and agencies we mean to employ. Sometimes,
indeed, like the wind, to which it is compared, it baffles our
expectations, and disappoints our hopes. We cannot trace
its course, though we cannot be mistaken in its effects. We
know there is a spiritual life. for we perceive its vital warmth,
its heavenly breath, its godly motion; but we may finally
venture to defeat the Divine Spirit that brought out such g
wonderful existence.
But the means by which the blessing of spiritual life is
commonly vouchsafed are clear and Manifold, and they are
means which we may confidently use, because they are mean°
which God has himself appointed.
The history of the Israelites acquaints us with the means',
The Israelites were enjoined to teach the commandments ot
God diligently to the people ; to bring them up in the know'
ledge of the Scriptures. And these things are written for
our example, on whom the ends of the world are come. Thu.s„
has God shewn the important obligation of training the Yount
in the wisdom of righteousness, to cherish spiritual life within
them by Christian instruction and Christian education.
Therefore I may justly say, of you, my brethren, who are
assembled to day for the purpose of promoting Christie°
education—to those especially may I say, who have provided
the means by which it may be more generally diffused, that
it was in your hearts to do this to the honour of God's name.
It is well it was in your power. It is well it was in your
hearts to secure, as far as in you lies, that the young persona
growing up around you may grow up in the principles of that
church which is the pillar and ground of the truth,—that
church which is the appointed instrument through which men
may become wise unto salvation through faith that is in
Christ Jesus. And great indeed will be the blessing, if G°'
should in his mercy vouchsafe to us that a work commence
in his name, Mid designed to fulfil his will—" I will take
pleasure in it and 1 will be glorified saith the Lord." Greet
will he the blessing if, whilst our natural life which is bette
invigorated, the intellectual life is here cultivated, the 513'.;
ritual life being part of it, by the author of every good an
°
perfect gift. For truly, brethren. we cannot reflect upon
education, without remembering the frailty of our being'
without remembering how soon all education may become
vain and unprofitable which has not extended to the world
beyond the grave. How often is it with the young ac with
the flower of the field ! It blooms for a short day, and beau'
tiful is its bloom ; we love it the more because we know hat
soon it may pass away. Suppose then, and if the supppaittli
were not too often realized how many aching hearts might ''''
at ease—suppose one whom you had loved and fondly chei
rished should be early stretched by that hand which no fiat
can stay or skill avert, and the most reluctant eyes first seej
that his days upon earth are numbered. You have watehfrt
his natural life, and it was right to watch it, for life is aV'
that deserves all care. Now God asserts his sovereignty
and the time is come when the natural life can be preset*/
no longer. You have cultivated the intellect, and this, 04
so well, that as a fond parent you may have delighted in tP„
development of mental power, or as an admiring friend Ye'
may have, anticipated a successful progress towards the
nours by which science and talent and learning are rewarded'
Now the thought occurs, and before us is the remembrance!'
" there is no. knowledge or understanding in the grave.
But when, through the blessing given to Christian edu":,.;
Cation, the youthful heart is brought to a knowledge of 11.10
God and Saviour, a new life, as it were, springs up Wit
him, even a life of God in his soul. Principle is introduce,
which proves to the natural man, that he should follow 1,411„...
soever things are honourable, and just, and true, and lovelYt j
a principle which enlightens the intellect, which looks beYuant
things seen to things unseen, which walks by faith and 13"
by sight, as seeing him who is invisible.se,
And when the grave closes over so much youthful proa3l 0
that, which to the unwise, seems to be death, is in truth, at
entrance to immortality. The soul has been educated 'o°
that bourne to which it must belong. The spiritual life the
been begun, and the spiritual part now released from `sv.,
incumbrances of a carnal nature, and soaring towards knPro
ledge beyond the reach of mortal intellect, is aspiring to regr,t
of perpetual light, to the company of spirits made pene",;
and to the presence of that God, in knowledge of
standeth our eternal life. Who would recal the spirit bae„'o
that it may be disciplined in the things which pertain
this present world ? • 15
My brethren, sonic of those for whom an institutio.,of
now prepared, in which education is to be the handrail!" c,
religion, some perhaps of those, except through the instritike
tion so received, might have nothing to raise them above.,;,
life of animal nature, to bring them to spiritual knowiTeaio
These may be enabled, through the agency which is 'lont
employed, to rise higher in the scale of humanity, to 113°_"0„
above things temporal to things eternal, to put off the euic,
rupt nature, and become partakers of the divine natuee'oe
be renewed in the spirit of love, and hereafter in the pe"emay
of him who sits upon the throne, and of the lamb, they
declare of you, " this education is for eternity."
Now to God, &c. , and
The Right Rev. Prelate then pronounced the WOOD'
the congregation dispersed.

Divine Service concluded at one o'clock, and
the noblemen, clergy, and gentlemen who had attended, lia:
of tba'
mediately afterwards assembled in the front area
admirable institution, the Blue Coat School, where severe
of the directors of the foundation, and many ladies, A&
also present. The names of the most distinguished ja_tice
duals present will appear in our report of the dinner. Sal"
the whole of
it here to say, that the area presented a most animated al;
pearance, and that the persons of the noblemen. dignitarl
of the church, and other distinguished individuals, ast° thie
clf
conversed together, were eagerly sought out, and respe
remarked upon by the assembled throng of spectators.

PROCESSION TO THE GROUND.
Soon after one o'clock, the procession moved to'
wards the scene of action from the Bluecoat School
"--
the route being up School-lane, along the end of
nover-street, up Ranelagh-street, Lime-street, C°l/10-
mutation-row, Islington, to Shaw-street. It was Pr;;;
ceded by a beautiful large silk " Standard of Engla,n;r
carried on two poles, with the inscription in gold, r
God, our Queen, and our Country." Next calne,„
well-built stone waggon, on which was carried the cb`,
ritable " foundation-stone" of the new building, weigvn
ing from two-and-a-half to three tons. This was dra' e
by five strong and stout English draught horses, °Alf,
in the shafts and four. (two abreast) in the van. An
the " stone" were seated six fine-looking youths► tll5
at each end, with white leather aprons bound tele
blue, and who, though juvenile, will doubtless becorn
on the completion of their apprenticeships, " true anri
accepted masons." The four occupying the collo
of the vehicle carried handsome national flags. ,1%.11
middle youth in front carried the silver trowel, et
was to be presented to Lord Stanley as `' 11135;i01
mason" of the day. A very beautiful and caPt 0
flag bearing a perspective view of the new institute ji°e
followed. Then came the Block Makers' flag, with ';e
Liverpool Arms. Next were the male children of t
Blue Coat School, in their peculiar and uniform Attire
all so arranged that they appeared like a juvenile ref;
ment of equal stature. They looked remarkably Iv
and the modest manner in which they comported theta(salves, while they kept time in marching, was a them ,a
general admiration. They were followed by the gaL°(l
state carriage, in which were the Lord Bishop, 1j,./i
Stanley, the Earl of Wilton (we believe), and his woes
the Mayor. Then came the clergy of the town 741
neighbourhood, in canonicals, about sixty in number;iii
behind them a long train of gentlemen, walking gene
four a-breast, and numbering, as nearly as we could
mate, about one hundred and seventy. Several carrier
with ladies closed the procession.
Throughout the whole line dense crowds were ase'etbe
bled, flags were displayed from many of the houses, ;til
windows and balconies of which were crowded
spectators. As noticed in reference to the first Prc'ee,,h)
sion of the day, (that from the Town Hall to the Chtir7,s:
there was no attempt at what may be termed popular
ts' ,
play ; yet the utmost respect was evinced by the sPeco
tors, many hundreds of whom after once seeing the whter
ran off by crossing streets to take another and snot
view,

LAYING OF THE STONE.
At about a puarter past two o'clock the head of bee
procession reached the ground. The site of the interw.to
erection is on the east side of Shaw-street, near t°
southern extremity, and about twenty yards south of tbat
railing enclosing the high ground on which stands ds
Augustine's Church. The "land " (one hundred }'se
ed
fronting Shaw-street, and running eighty yards back),!'
previously been excavated to the extent of the build
leaving, from its hilly position considerable heights 00'0
north and east sides, on which many hundreds of Pers°o
obtained a good view of the proceedings, though•• g
comparatively few could hear the eloquent and fee:sl
addresses that were made. The area of the prio-by
building will be 275 feet by 65, and the theatre jo
90. We may add that there are 2000 yards of land
reserve, for future purposes. dreg
The immediate site of the building, and many huPLS,
yards of the land around it, held thousands of spects_tio-
and presented a scene at once animated and afre'to
The whole line of march, from the end of Moss-streeito.,
the church of St. Augustine, with the exception of a • 0
row space in the middle, was thronged ; and whell_e.lter,
considered that there are but few houses in this o"7.tbe
and a large space for standing room, the immensity (:"
assemblage may be guessed at if it cannot be defined.,ere
should think—but this is a rough guess--that there 1,,g
present in the street, on the site, and in the neighb°l/11
fields, from eight to ten thousand persons. of
The brass pieces of artillery belonging to the 110115eole
Industry were placed in a field between the site bet
Everton-road, and when the procession " hove in stiff,
a feu-de-joie was fired which shook the very We'‘,/ell
and, at first, shook also the nerves of the ruder as ;00,
as the feebler sex. Mr. Whitty was present, with
of his ,men, and performed an arduous, and occasOnitig
when ladies were in question, a painful duty, in keepers
anxious individuals from breaking through the bar.„l"ere
that enclosed the ground appropriated to those Wh°.-ods
to take an active part in the ceremony, and their frteee
who bad followed them in the procession. A 11,4,04
ever, was conducted with the greatest efficiency and

4
•
a

. ,

1
ti 1

13

i
s

1

Humour, There w 4; awe within the mile far many
more than 0p.% who had legitimate access; but bad the
discipline of the day been relaxed so far as to admit of
ONE, a general ingress and rush would have been the
consequence, and a disturbance of the whole proceedings.
Galleries were erected on the east and north sides of the
excavation, for the accommodation of ladies who had re-
ceived tickets. These were calculated to contain about
900 persons, and they were completely crowded by an
assemblage of well-dressed and genuine " Lancashire
Witches."

The mechanical arrangements for the ceremony were
ably made by Mr. Tomkinson. Two bulks of timber
were laid horizontally from the high ground over the
north gallery, supporting a railway and movable winch
for the raising and depositing of " the stone," so that
the whole of the machinery being overhead, no inconve-
nience was sustained by the company. Numerous flags,
including the standard of England, were on the ground ;
the children, male and female, of the Blue-coat School
occupied the prominent bank on the east ; every point of
elevation, even to the dizzy top of the tower of St. Au-
gustine's, held its anxious, and we may add, approving
spectators ; and the whole scene was at once national
and animated.
The Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the senior Rector of this
Parish, was appointed to present the trowel to Lord
Stanley, and was seen at the head of the Procession in
proximity to the Lord Bishop, Lord Stanley, the Earl of
Wilton, Lord Sandon, and other individuals of distinc-
tion.
The day (as we should previously have noticed),
Was exceedingly propitious, considering the advanced
period of the year. Heavy rain had fallen over night,
but the sun shone out in the morning, and there being a
fine breeze, the streets became comparatively dry. , Just
. before the ceremony, a shower of rain came on, which
Put into requisition all the umbrellas and parasols on the
ground ; but it was of short continuance ; the sun again
shone out in his glory, and the weather continued favour-
able throughout the rest of the day. Lord Stanley spoke
in a very manful and clear tone, and was heard distinctly
by many hundreds near him. We never saw the noble
lord appear to greater advantage.
The stone being elevated preparatory to its being filially'
deposited in its resting place.
.The Rev. ItEcTon then said,—Though I am really con-
-etc:us, my lord, that the office I have undertaken might
easily have been confided to abler hands, I cannot but feel
gratified in having been made the instrument of conveying to
your lordship the warm acknowledgments of the committee of
the Collegiate Institution, for the kindness with which you
have consented to become its patron, and to assist in the
ceremony of this day by laying the first stone of its intended
building. I believe you are aware, my lord, that the main
object of this institution is to furnish to the middle classes of
society au education which shall be commensurate with their
wants, and which hitherto they have not had the opportunity
or the means of obtaining in such a way as it is desirable they
should obtain it. (Hear.) If we look at the children of the
higher classes, we find ample provision made for them. The
list of able and distinguished men who adorn the annals of
our country, who were trained in the colleges of Eton, and
Winchester, and Westminster, and other schools of the same
description, and whose education has afterwards been com-
pleted at our universities, these afford a sufficient proof that
there is not much remaining to be wished for so far as they
are concerned. Looking, again, at the humbler classes, we
find a provision made for their wants also,. and though we
cannot boast, as in the sister country of Scotland, that we
have parish schools on foundations, yet, my lord, individtial
exertions has done a great deal for us, and we have scarcely
a church which has not the accompaniment of a school for the
instruction of the humbler classes of the population. (Hear.)
The children of the middle classes have hitherto been greatly
neglected. Their means will not enable them to reach the
schools appropriated for the higher classes, and their require-
ments are above the standard of those appropriated for the
lower. (Hear.) It was by the hope of supplying in some
respect this deficiency that the gentlemen who projected the
establishment of the Collegiate Institution of this town were
actuated. It must be considered that now, if ever, is the
proper period for establishing an institution of this kind, the
. circumstances of the times, and the acts of the legislature,
having placed in the hands of the middle classes a considerable
degree of influence, a larger share of power, and with it a larger
share of responsibility. (Hear.) Surely it must bean important
object to enable them to wield that power and to discharge
that responsibility in a way satisfactory in point of moral
principle, and to the well-being of the country at large. I
trust, my lord, that the object in which we are this day en-
gaged, will not be considered an insignificant one. (Hear.)
In speculating on the subject of education, or the training
. of the rising generation to the due performance of their pub-
lic and private duties, it was essential to consider carefully
the grounds on which we were to stand. The projectors of
the Liverpool Collegiate Institution have decided that the
opjy safe basis of their design was the revealed word of hod.
(Hear, and cheers.) It has been their conviction, that a
christian, if he be sincere in his profession, to whatever
sect or denomination he may belong, cannot be justified in
attempting to promote education, except on a religious founda-
tion, and conducted to a religious end. (Hear, hear.) I
hope it will be admitted that the founders of this institution
have done wisely in connecting it strictly with the Established
• Church. (Hear.) I hope it will be felt that it would have
been a dereliction of their duty as churchmen, in laying
down any line of edncation they might think proper to adopt,
not to have identified it with the principles, the doctrines,
and the discipline of the church to whichi they belong.
(Cheers.) It is one of the fundamental laws of this insti-
tution, that it shall be conducted on the principles of the Es-
tablished Church—that the instruction given within its walls
shall be in strict unison with the liturgy, doctrines, articles,
and catechism of our establishment. (Hear.) And whilst
those who are to be concerned in its future management will,
I trust, with uncompromising fidelity discharge the task en-
trusted to them, by adhering to those doctrines and princi-
Iles. I trust that they will also take care that all the in-
struction there inculcated shall be in the spirit of that reli-
"'" Which breathes nothing bu. t kindness, affection, and
broth
I 0 "lv charity. (Hoar.) It is not my wish to detain you
nger, hut I may be permitted, in compliance with the re-
quest of the committee, to say a few words with reference to
the structure itself. When the committee had satisfied them-
selves of the soundness of the principles on which the esta-
blishment was to be conducted, they were anxious that the
edifice they were about torear should be worthy of its object,
and an ornament to this great town. To enable them to
carry their views into effect, they had recourse to public corn-
petition. The plans selected, and which, I believe, have been
publicly exhibited, are those of a London artist, Mr. Elmes ;
and it must be a peculiar gratification to that young artist to
reflect, that though now only commencing his career, he has
been fortunate enough to carry off the prize in three public
competitions in this town during the past year, notwith-
standing he had those to compete with who were not only
old in their profession, but also adepts in their art. (Hear.)
It has happened, in the regulations since adopted, that it
does not fall to the lot of this gentleman to carry into execu-
tion the plans he has furnished. In justice to him I have
been requested by the committee to make this public state-
ment, that the reason why he has not been entrusted with
the future care of the building is, that the committee felt
that, as trustees of a building of this nature, and with the
means they possess of carrying their object into effect, they
would not have been justified in going to the extent of his
claims as a remuneration for his services. At the same time
they could not but acknowledge that his motive in making
that claim was one deserving of great commendation : he did
not feel authorised to break through the known rules of his
profession. He was influenced solely by a feeling of delicacy
towards his brother artists. (Hear.) Having said thus
much, I will only express the high pride the committee feel
in being associated in a work of this kind with a nobleman
who has directed his commanding talents to the improvement
of his feilow-men—who has exerted his powerful talents for
the defence and the protection of the religion of his country
—who has had the courage to prefer principle to expediency
—and who has made the painful, though noble sacrifice of
private feeling at the shrine of public duty. (Much cheering.)
The rev. Rector then presented to his lordship a handsome
solid silver trowel with an ivory handle, provided for the oc-
casion by Mr. Richard Doke, of Lord-street. Over the in-
scription is engraved in the finest style the crest of the Stan-
ley family, (The Eagle and Child) ; below it the coronet, and
below that the Stanley anus, quartered, with the motto—
" Sane changer." The following is a copy of the inscription :
Presented to
The Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M.P.,
On the occasion of his laying the
Foundation Stone
of the
Liverpool Collegiate Institution,
Oct. 22d, MDCCCXL.
The bottle having then been deposited into the cavity pre-
pared for it, (along with silver and copper coins of the pre-
sent and past reigns, report of the institution, list of donors
to the present day, rules, &c., report of the Diocesan Society,
w'th report of the meeting lately held at the Amphitheatre :
one of the circulars signed by Robertson Gladstone and
Samuel Holme, Esquires, convening the first meeting held
to consider the propriety of founding the institution, and a
copy of the Mail of the day,) and covered with a copper-
plate, bearing an inscription commemorative of the event,
the.stone was lowered into its place, Lord Stanley, according
to the prescribed form, applying a mallet to the four corners,
and ascertaining the level of its position by a plummet. His
lordship having then returned to his place upon the steps
facing the stone, the Bishop proceeded to offer up the follow-
ing prayers
Prevent us, 0 Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gra-
cious favour, and further us with thy continual help, that in
this and all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee,
we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy ob-
tain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God, the protector of all that trust in thee, with-
out whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, we beseech thee
graciously to receive the prayers of thy servants who now
call upon thee, and to prosper this undertaking to thy glory
and the good of thy creatures. We know, 0 Lord, that un-
less thou build the house, their labour is but lost that build
it ; and therefore we pray thee to grant, that those who may
hereafter be engaged in this place, in the important office of
instructing others, may themselves be taught of thee, and
that all who may here receive instruction in things temporal
may also be made wise in things eternal, and be instructed
unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus ; so that
they who teach and they who are taught may first prize and
' - value those things which thou hast declared to be honourable,
and just, and true, and pure, and lovely, and that those who
have remembered the wants of this community may reap the
ti fruits of their godly zeal by witnessing the increase of Chris-
tian faith and holiness of the gencratior. growing up around
them. These blessings, 0 Lord, we ask in the name and
mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour, saving, as he has
taught us, Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for
thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Mr. SAMUEL HOLME then read a copy of the inscription
on the plate, deposited with the stone. The impression in
Mr. Holme's hand was framed and glazed, and having been
previously handed about to the company, was much admired
for its appropriate and ornamental character. The engraving
was executed by Mr. M‘Galley, of Lord-street, from a
design by Bishop.
The inscription, surmounted by an allegorical device, was
as follows :
LIVERPOOL COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.

THIS
FOUNDATION STONE
OF AN INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE COM-
MERCIAL, TRADING, AND WORKING CLASSES,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOCTRINES AND PRINCIPLES
OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND,
WAS LAID DY
THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY, M.P.,
ASSISTED BY
THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER,
AND
THE REV. JONATHAN BROOKS, M.A.,
RECTOR OF LIVERPOOL;
• pn the 22nd day of October, in the Year of our Lord, 1840,
and in the Fourth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign
Lady Victoria, by the Grace of God Queen of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland.

PATROI4,
THE "WHIT HON. LORD STANLEY, M.P.
VISITOR.
THE: RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER.