New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-12
CHARLES DICKENS's ADDRESS.


On Sept. 81, Mr.. Charles Dickens delivered
inaugural address at the opening Of the Winter sess
OF the Midland Institute in the Birmingham Town Hall,
He said: 1t was suggested by Mr. Rabbage in his ninth
mere syabe thrown into the air-may 20 on reverber.
ating through illmitabe spacefor and for
no boundary which it possibly arrive Similarly it
may be sadnot as an ingenious speculation, but as
not limit the influence of atom of wholesome knowl
edge patiently acquired, modestly possessed, and
t te MS that it Is pro5able there are in the
universe innumerable solar systems besides ours.
everyman however obscure however far frem
the general recognition Is one Of the group OF men i'm
preble for good and impossible for evil, and that II is
1the external nature of things that he cannot really
men, And observe this rs especially the case when he
in maturity succeeding TO neglected or an
augt youth, in the few daily hours remaining to him
of life of TOLL for then his fellows aud companions have
assurance that ne can have known no favorng condi
ing enlightenment and sefrespect from what Lord
Lytton finely calls those twin jaers OF the daring
heart, low birth, and iron fortune" Mr.. Dickens
proceeded Your Institution, 16 years Old and in which
masters and workuen study together! has ongrOwn the
ample edaee which receives It's $500 or 1900 mem
bers students. 1t is most cheering sign OF its
vigorous vitality that of its industrial students almost
half artisans in the receiptOf weekly wages THINK
l am correct in saying that 400 others are clerks,
apprentices iradesmen, OF tradesmens sons. note
WITH particular pleasure tho auneIehce VI tuo o;
number OF the genter without whom no institution
whatever truly claim 10 be either clNlnZug OF n
civilized one: The Increased attendance at Your
educational classes is always greatest on the Tart OF the
reached ln any similar institutions, and whose name is
Of,enest and the constantly taken in VAIN But II Is
specially reached here not improbaOy because Ia as IL
should be- specially addressed the foundation Of the
industrial department in the allotment OF the direction
called its penny casses-a bold, and, am happy to
say. triumphanty- experiment which
enabs the artisan To obtain sound evening Instruction
| in subjects directly bearing upon MIS- daly
| adyancel). chemistry, physical
rapy, and singing, on payment OF the astounding low
beg emphatically 70 say look upon this Of the
remarkable schemes ever devised Tor the ednc-
ticna behoof OF the cheersland II your insti-
tuition had done nothing else In all its life. would take
NY stand by its having done this iCheers Apart
however. from its industrial department u mas us
general department. Offering all the advantages OF nst
class literary institution II has It's readlngrooms' lts
library, its chemical laboratory us museum lts arr
department It's lecture hail. and Its long list OF lectures
on subjects Of comprehensive interest, delivered 10y
! IL may be asked, what are the practical results
he; surS SPpnnEG at your shG have
educated those who now its teachers That would be
SO TO speak have educated education all around IT, by
sending forth and efficient teachers into many
and divers schools Suppose the young student reared
exclusively in its laboratory should be presently snapped
up for the laboratory Of the great famous hospitals sn
pose that years its industrial students should
| have carried off round dozen OF much competed iof
prizes awarded by the Society OF Arts and Government
departments besides two local prizes originating III the
generosity OF Birmingham man. suppose tha' lnS
dt 70 receive the Whitworth prizes, should lind him
here Suppose OF the industrial students should
tracing gold from waste color and of taking IL
into custody in the very act OF running away Win h9hd
reds pounds down the town drains. suppose anOher
should perceive in his book, III ms studiOus evening,
What aHss WIN 0@S e re- sn ien Sg c
annual saving Of masterand put right suppos-
ing should puzzle out the MEANS until then quite
| unknown, Of making certain description OF colored
glass Surprising another should qualify himself TO van
qush by one, as they daily arise all the itte ann,
culties incidental TO his calling an electrOlater ana
should be applied to by his companions IN the shop IN
all emergencies under the name OF the Encyclopedia
Laughter and applause. suppose long procession OF
such and then consider That these are not snppos
tons at all plain, unvarnished faCts hearI
eliminating IN the one special and sgnh ant TACT that
with "a single solitary exception. every one OF the nsu-
uons industrial students who have taken It's prizes within
ten have since climbed TO higher situations ID thtir
way OF life. Hear, hear As TO the extent 10 which tue
institution encourages the think and as for in
stance TO rise superior TO the little Stacking peludlces
perchaEce existing trade when they will not bear
the test Of inquiry that only to be equsled by the OK
which encourages him TO feel There certain
| which l have looked through which I found remark
ably Impressive. A decided objection on the part
| their working clothes breathes this tone as
fecty independent recognition OF the place aud OF one
another And this tone is admirably illustrated IN the
through the illness OF his family had consequently
been obliged TO part with his best clothes ana beng
therefore missed from his classes In which he had been
noticed very hard worker, was pursuaded to attend
them in his working clothes. He replied, No. 1t was
cOme into question for moment 1t would be supposed
might be thought that he did II 10 attract attention.
And the being offered by one of the officers
loan OF money TO enable him TO reha6tate ms appear
declined , 0n s pn5 NE o c Sae
/ himself, not otherwise 70 ask help, or TO re-
eeye help from any man Appa Hns, sra MT
length the assertion that this is material age and thus
concluded TO the students OF your re d
the short motto in two words "Courage-PeIseveIe.
because the eyes Europe them for don't in
the least believe 1t laughter nor because the eyes OF
eve it, not because their dongs will be proclaimed with
\ blast of trumpet Mt street corners, for no
teri; not because selflmprovement Is at all GER
tain lead TO worldly success but simply because II IS
il does assuredy bring with Its own resources and
IT'S own rewards would further commend 10 mem ne ma
understanding which was given more than nan cen,
OF the friends have lost lie says-and he is speaking,
you willplease understand as i speak, 10 sch0o Vi
perry which is TO cautiously guarded against, the fop
very of universally Of knowing all sciences and excel
dancing history reasoning riding fencing Low Dutch
| High Dutch and natural philosophy llaughter Ia
is, Take the Admirable Crichton for your model,
| 1 would have you ignorant Of nothing NOW"
says he "my advice, the contrary, Is TO have the
courage to be ignorant OF great number Of thngs,
order that y9a may aySa the calamity r OF pe'e gno
wcnd superadd little TRUTH which holds equally good
ever known The one serviceabie safe, certain remu-
nerative, aainabe quality III every study and In every
masnatOn saca as IT, can most truhfniiy assure
YOU would served me AS 1t has but for the
habit OF commonplace humble, patient, daily, tolng,
drudging attentions; genius vvaclty quckness OF pene
uaton, brilancy IN association OF deas-snch mental
qualities like the qualities of the apparition OF the
ternaliy armed head in Macbeth" will not be
tnapded; but attention. after due term VI submissive
service always will. Like certain plants which the poor
est peasant may grow IN the poorest SOIL II can be cul
tvaed by any aud 1t Is certain III hs own GOOD
season 10 bring forth flowers and fruit.
In acknowledging the vote Of thanks Mr. Dcxens said
Ladies and Gentlemen: AS hope 1t Is more than posi-.
BILE that shall have the pleasure OF meeting You again
before Christmas out cheers and sha nave tne Kieat
nj fnf.ae