Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-14


On Wednesday evening last, Sir Edward
Bulwer Lytton was inaugurated into the office.
of president of the associated societies Of Edin-
burg University, at meeting assembled for
the purpose in Queen-street hall, of that city.
The honorable baronet was the first elected to
the office, which is an extra -academical one, Gre
ated by the associated societies last summer.
The large hall was quite crowded on the occa-
sion by ladies and gentlemen, and among the
gentlemen on the platform we're the lord adj
vocate Lord Robertson, Lord Curriehili, Sir
Archibald Harrison, bart, Mr.. Stirling, of
| Keir, M. p, Mr.. Cowan NJ. p, the professors
of the university, and numerous well-known
| clergymen and gentlemen.
| The lord advocate, in q few words, intro
duced the honorable baronet to the meeting.
Sir E. B. Lytton then delivered an address
4 replete with polished phrases and beautiful
imagery. 4 He commenced by alluding to the
/ poets Of Scotland, and said that the FIRST poets
| who charmed him from play in the holidays of
school we're Campbell and Scott, and the first
historians who clothed for him with life the
shadows of the past we're Robertson and Hume.
! In long vacation from his studies at Cam
| bridge, he contracted the habit of selEreliance
| by solitary excursions on foot, and it was to-
wards Scotland that he instinctlvely bent his
way, as if to the nursery-gronnd from which
| had been waited to his mind the first germs of
! those fertile and fair ideas, which, after they
have come to flower upon their native soil, re-
turn to seed, and are carried by the winds
they know not whittier, calling up endless d.
versions Of the same plant, according to the
1 climate and the ground to which they are
borne by chance.
Sir Edward then referred to the distinguish
ed individuals of the University Of Edinburg,
II 49, 49, IL, Gn,t o.~I os.1
spoke Of the learned fame Of its capital. He
paid an eloquent tribute to Macaulay, and then
spoke of the points which were essential for
excellence in study. His leading proposition
in this respect was, that whether in active life
or in letters and research, man would always
be eminent according to the vigilance with
which he observed. He was, he said, no be-
/ lever, in genius without labor. Sir Edward
then spoke of books, and said it was well in
youth to acquire the habit ofreading with con-
scientious toll for special purpose. His next
topic was the importance of classical studies.
Every professor who encouraged the young, be
said, would tell them how the ancient master
pieces of classic writers have served modern
Europe with models to guide the taste and ex
cite emulation. After dwelling upon the beau
| ties of the ancient Greek writer's, Sir Edward
| proceeded to give his opinion, that from mod
1
the light of philosophy and learning. He then
glanced at religion, observing that, in his opin.
| ion, no man would ever go very far wrong who,
by the mere habit Of thanksgiving and prayer,
was forced TO examine his conscience even but
| once q day and remember that the eye of the
| Almighty was upon him. The honorable baro-
net concluded in these terms: III would i'll be-
come me to enter into the special grounds of
i debate now at issue; but permit me to remind
You that, while pressing with your accustomed
spirit for whatever you may deem to be equal
rights, you would be untrue to your own fame
If you did not feel that the true majesty of Scot
i land needs neither the pomp Of courts nor the
blazonry of heralds What though Holyrood
be desolate--what though no king holds revel
| in its halls? The empire of Scotland has but
extended its range; and, blended with Eng
land, under the daughter Of your ancient kings,
peoples the Australian wilds that lay beyond
the grasp of Columbus, and rules over the In
dian realm that eluded the grasp of Alexander.
| Loud applause. That empire does not suf
| fee for you. 1t may decay; it may perish.
More grand is the domain you have won over
human thought, and identified with the eternal
progress of intellect and freedom. Renewed
| applause.] From the charter Of that domain,
no ceremonial can displace the impression of
| your zeal. In the van OF that progress, no bla-
zon can haunt before that old lion. of Scotland,
(pointing to the flag suspended opposite.)
(Great cheering.] This is the empire that you
will adorn in peace; this is the empire that, if
need be, you viii defend in war.
1t is not here that would provoke one diff
| ference in political opinion; but surely you,
the sons Of Scotland, who hold both fame and
| power upon the same tenure as that which
secures civilization from lawless force-surely
you are not the men who could contemplate
with folded arms the return of the dark ages,
and quietly render up the haven that commands
Asia on the one side and threatens Europe On
the other to the barbaric ambition of some
Alaric of the north. Loud applause But
whether in reluctant war or in happier peace,
and in your various callings, continue to main
tain for Scotland her sublime alliance with every
power Of mind that can defend or instruct,
soothe or exalt humanity. Sir Edward re-
sumed his seat amid loud and continued ap-
i plause.
AT the conclusion, Lord Robertson moved
q that the societies tender their warmest thanks
~ their president for his visit, and for his un.
\ riyalled address which proposal was warmly
responded to. ,ss So
1 Sir e. B. Lytton returned thanks.