The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-03-12 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

The half-yearly meeting of the members of this institution
was held in, their rooms, in Slater-street, on Wednesday even-
ing last. In consequence of its being expected that Dr. Traill
would deliver a farewell address on the occasion, previous to
quitting a town in which he will leave as many friends as ac-
quaintance, and not a single enemy, the assemblage was uncom-
monly large; and every one appeared so highly gratified with
the proceedings that, we are convinced, it requires but one short
inspection of this establishment to dispel prejudice from every
sensible mind, and excite within it a generous anxiety for its
continued prosperity, effecting, as it does, such inestimablebene-
fit to the community, in fostering native talent, however humble
may be its possessor, and affording encouragement to the efforts
of the industrious. '
Dr. TRAILL took the chair, and was greeted with immense
applause. He spoke to the following effect :—Friends and fel-
low-townsmen,—There is no part of my life upon which I look
with more satisfaction than upon the humble share which I have
had in the establishment of this institution. In justice to others
I must state, that my ideas on the subject were derived from
arguments strongly urged on 'my attention by Mr. Ben. A.
Heywood and Mr. Gladstone, to which two individuals the pub-
lic are mainly indebted for the establishment of a Mechanics'
Institution in this town. I cannot convey to you the pleasure
I feel in having been the parent of the Liverpool Mechanics'
Institution, (loud applause,) and, having with anxiety and sus-
pense watched its feeble infancy, 1 now glory in its expanded
prosperity. When Dr. Birbeck first devoted his time and
talents towards the happiness of his fellow• creatures, his ideas ,
were contemned by those who looked merely at the surface of
things; but when he had disclosed his ideas to the public of the
better education of the poorer classes, they found an able advo-
cate in an individual who, by his ability, has arrived at the highest
station to be obtained by a subject,—it obtained the aid of Lord
Brougham, through whose fervid eloquence and generous exer-
tions it excited the attention of all classes, who eagerly united in
the pursuit of so desirable an object. Fears and jealousies di-
vided, for a time, the public opinion on the subject, but they
are now nearly disarmed; knowledge is spreading like a mighty
river over the land, and lam happy in being able to class this
amongst the most flourishing of similar institutions throughout
the united kingdom; I am happy to say, that the press, in
general, has done its duty in bringing the subject before the
public, for which all classes owe it a large debt of (gratitude.
I shall now direct your attention to the report, which Mr. Ley-
land will shortly read to you, by which it appears the number
of members is 771; the number of new ones since our last
meeting is 450; the mathematical class includes 100; the
drawing class 177: and since that time, new classes have
been instituted for the cultivation of foreign languages,—
French, Italian, Spanish, and German. It is unnecessary
for me to say anything of the importance of these to the
working classes in countries to which many of them might
be called I know many who have gone to South America,
and have bitterly regretted their ignorance of the language,
and I call upon you who may have one day to live in foreign
climes, not to neglect the opportunity now afforded you for
the cultivation of languages. The French language is the
most useful of all, for it is a passport to every nation ; but
let it not be imagined, that, because Spanish is confined to a
small part of Europe, a knowledge of it is unimportant, as
it is spread over the greater portion of the new world, par-
ticularly Mexico, so that, from our increasing commerce with
that country, it will be of considerable importance to a Bri-
tish subject. German is known all over the north of Europe.
Italian is less generally useful, but even a possession of that
language is not without its utility to those engaged in the Me-
diterranean trade, as one dialect of it is spoken in Greece and
on both sides of the Mediterranean: Therefore they are all
useful acquirements, and you ought to feel deeply grateful
to those gentlemen who have placed them within your grasp.
You have had seven courses of lectures delivered to you this
half year, upon which it will be unnecessary for me to dwell,
as they all were valuable. You have had courses from Dr.
Ritchie, Mr. Nixon, Rev. Mr. Stokes, Mr. John Smith, Mr.
Jevons, Mr. Lacon, and at this moment are receiving the ad-
vantage of one from Mr. Sweetlove. The attendance at a
public lecture is, probably, the most easy means of gaining
knowledge, as, to use a common expression, we " suck the
brains of the lecturer," and have conveyed to us, in a short
space of time, what must have cost him an immensity of trou-
ble; and I would strongly recommend a constant attention to
the lectures brought before you by the directors. The sum of
one hundred and six pounds has been expended on the Li-
brary in six months already. The providing more adequate
rooms has been thought of, as the present are too small for
the number who attend, and it is a subject never to be lost
sight of by those connected with the institution. For this
purpose a sum exceeding £BOO has been collected among
folly-four gentlemen, and if the zeal the directors have al-
ready shown continue to animate them, I have no doubt they
will accomplish speedily the end they have in view. Gentle-

inert, a 3 this is PrObahly, the lait tiiiib I Shall have the 11°5710
of appearing beTore you is yourPreildeht, it only reinal nier,
me to state, that I shall ever recollect, with the g!eate!l_4lo
sure, the connection I have had, collectively and indiraftte
with' the members of the Liverpool Mechanics' Inst:t4ei
It is twenty-eight years since I settled in Liverpool. I'loo
extremely well. I have received and enjoyed great halt co
in it, and leave it with regret; but wherever I go, I shaV
ry with me the strongest feelings of attachment to this de/
which I shall ever regard as my native place. (Trey,"
applause.) 001
Mr. LEYLAND then read over the Treasurer's report LI-otioto
and list of donations towards the proposed new roant
which were heard with every demonstration Of satisfactiol,'",eol
Dr. TRAILL then rose and said,—You have now laid fed
you the present state of the institution, and from the reilt,'ed
with every word of which I agree, you see that my state::i
of the schools was fully warranted. The importance e
branch lam fully aware of. I am delighted that the gdi
and lectures are so well attended, and that the institutioLd
a flourishing state ; and I leave you with the hope, 1700
will be the most flourishing of any in this part of the
kingdom.
1
Mr. JOHN SMITH had great pleasure in rising to innce.t,
the report, which he had now heard read with the uttnetild
tisfaction, should be adopted, and that the accounts She
passed.
The CHAIRMAN hoped, that the formality of seconds 8.
motion would be unnecessary, which was agreedp to, and
carried unanimously.
Mr. URQUHART moved the first resolution, which 410
found in our advertising columns, and it was carried
mously.
Mr. Trios. WYLIE proposed the second resolution, vi
carried unanimously.
Mr. JOHN FIELD, jun., next rose to propose the ft
solution. He was received with the most enthusiastic 4
and after it had somewhat subsided he said, that he hi
position placed in his hand to offer them that would be
with satisfaction by all, that of thanking Samuel Hopei
for his valuable services as President of the Institution'
was carried by acclamation.
Mr. OWEN moved the fifth resolution, which was
unanimously.
Mr. JOHN JONES, jun., said,—l have a most grab
perform, but regret that it has not fallen into more a,
it is to move the thanks to Mr. Leyland for his in,
services as Secretary, and to hope he may be prevaile'
remain longer in office.—(The announcement was rect.
the most deafening applause, which continued for soca'
and the Chairman humorously remarked, that he -
trouble them to hold up their hands in its support.)
Mr. LEYLAND said,—lt can scarcely be supposes
that I was unaware of the honour intended me unt
ment, yet such is the fact, and I receive it with ple
pride • but let it be considered that there is compare.'
meriedue to me, and I do not stand in need of this -
my exertions, for the conviction that I feel in doing
sufficient recompense for me, as it ought to be to eve:
has at heart the welfare and happiness of his fellow
With respect to my continuance in office, as I have
quested so strongly, I shall promise to do so without 8'
of affectation; but if I find, in the course of the ens'
year, that my health, which has suffered by staying
will not permit me doing so throughout the winter
would be folly. for me to attempt it, and I shall be
necessity of giving it up, otherwise I shall continue;
obliged to retire, I hope it will be attributed to the t•
tive, and not to any relaxation in my zeal or wishes to
carrying into effect the objects of the institution. Cr
cheering.)
Mr. JOHN S. RADCLIFFE moved the seventh
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. JOHN SMITH said, he had the honour to propose
tion of a very comprehensive nature, as it included.tbf
of the officers, and if they should prove equal to those
year, there would be no reason for regret, as the gent
now retired had proved themselves to have at heart tt
of the institution and the welfare of mankind ; he
among them many friends of science, whom lie vain,.
that account than if they were his own personal frte'
then read over a list of officers, which was carried in.
Mr. R. V. YATES, on being appointed President,
could not but feel gratified by the honour they had d(
yet,when he considered its value, he could not
vinced that they might have chosen one better
himself for the important duties of that office; how,
had thought proper to elect him, he would take it,
knew he should be assisted by their strenuous efforts
yours, and because Mr. Leyland had promised to
(Cheers.)
Mr. LEYLAND thought too much stress had been 11
services, as it would have been impossible for hir
much but for the very active co-operation of Mr.
he delicately requested that they would not again
services. cHear.)
Mr. R. . YATES, in continuation, said, that since
land choose to be modest, he should forbear wound'
any allusion to his spirited exertions.. It was a /1 t
for him to tread in the footsteps of his predecessors, hu
larly in those of Mr. Hope, whose mind was so well t
animated with benevolence to such a degree, that he
nerously wish his own knowledge imparted to every
ing ; and he hoped they would still continue to have ,c
ble assistance. But although they would not lose
of the gentleman alluded to, there was one whose abF
be an irreparable loss: he alluded to the intended
Dr. Traill to Edinburgh. As he was present helo,.
much ; but he felt a similar regret at the prospect °'
ration from him as when he saw the sun sinking int.d°al
after having shed its glorious light throughout the
only did it shine upon the evening clouds, but like'
morning dews; not only did it shine upon the surnr];'.
Blanc, but also darted its genial warn.th into the ef
and called forth to life those humble seeds which, bud
tering aid, would have remained dormant for ever.
Dr. Traill ; and wherever lie went he would he loth.
good wishes, and, he hoped, would always etperience
attachment which was felt towards him by all
town. They must, however, endeavour to draw
from the loss they would sustain, by exerting their
more strenuously than ever.
Dr. TRAILL said—l am extremely obliged to 019,
Yates for his eulogium upon me ; but he knows that
overrated my exertions in the cause of science.---
no !") Though you contradict me, and it is the
have done so, I must state that the selfish pleasure
my exertions is more than an adequate reward fi
of mine. I shall always be happy in bestowing IA
the benefit of my fellow-creatures, at every per'
istence.
Mr. JOHN JONES, sen. said, that being one
society for which the institution had been est,
.no.reat pleasure in proposing the thanks of the
those forty-four individuals who had come for
with subscriptions to a new institution.
Mr. JOHN WELDER seconded the resolution, Obi
tied unanimously. '"
After the resolution had been passed, (IP
Dr. TRAILL said, the last part of the business the oe
pleasant that could fall to any chairman; it wag °f
~ett
ton of the prizes to those who had been desert/11 ~,te°
The CHAIRMAN then distributed the prizes, Oa s'of
propriate remark to each fortunate individual,
lu
they were the suggestion of Mr. Hope, who ha°,. r
£5.55. towards them; the rest, it was needlessA,
had been taken from the funds of the instituu°
continued, o' 1
" The business of the meeting is now closed' once,
great pleasure in witnessing so numerous an a"'„th ab 01

is still more gratifying to me, as I shall depart !fare")
nion of the prosperity of an institution in the 'lolls '
I shall ever feel a decided iuterest."—(Trernev-- leJ
,
i having left the chair,
Mr. Jos. B. YATES rose, and said he had a gra suit
bound
endearedoro out
knowledgment to their late Chairman, not tecausecy
his
slbfynt
oacrotohomemwmaesbr commercial pursuits;
ospwukuri
kind
thin:
taing:gtoe
unst:ejohntlesori)3,l
Europe as tha patron of literature; not becau-st eve,y,
pnobdseientaoguthsaheiemrmesolution that they should
played his learning by communications to alw,,°o 00,4
throughout Europe; but because he had been `;‘,o 34 toi
stores, and had poured out their blessings e welhorj
nity at large, because he communicated th w the s° Cl
6
in the higher spheres as to those who were would e
ones. it. was for this that every one prese,
his memory in their hearts, and, so long
vane
find a name in Liverpool, so long should the r
associated with it. He then moved, that
.t,,Que gooLV
presee&
ecaoe
meeting be presented to Dr. Traill, and that t_ue with
the members of the Mechanics' Institution fta the_ i
health and prosperity in whatever part of tnc;e; 10
his public and private undertakings, trusting I.l_ toile
Obj
please to sojourn. (Loud applause.) solution
• Mr. ROGER. lIUNTEIt seconded the re jo
carried unanimously.
:1(ti: ,
Dr. TR then rose,
AILL deep thly affected, tini„" " ber
low tone, that he was deeply sensible of
e
reelea'
0
conferred upon him, and he should alway
over he might hereafter be.