第2章

NowI，entertainingsomelittlelingeringkindnessfortheroad，madeshifttoexpressmyconcurrencewiththeoldgentleman\'sopinion，withoutanygreatcompromiseofprinciple。Well，wegotontolerablycomfortablytogether，andwhentheengine，withafrightfulscreech，divedintosomedarkabyss，likesomestrangeaquaticmonster，theoldgentlemansaiditwouldneverdo，andI

agreedwithhim。Whenitpartedfromeachsuccessivestation，withashockandashriekasifithadhadadouble-toothdrawn，theoldgentlemanshookhishead，andIshookmine。Whenheburstforthagainstsuchnew-fanglednotions，andsaidnogoodcouldcomeofthem，Ididnotcontestthepoint。ButIfoundthatwhenthespeedoftheenginewasabated，ortherewasaprolongedstayatanystation，uptheoldgentlemanwasatarms，andhiswatchwasinstantlyoutofhispocket，denouncingtheslownessofourprogress。NowIcouldnothelpcomparingthisoldgentlemantothatingeniousclassofpersonswhoareintheconstanthabitofdeclaimingagainstthevicesandcrimesofsociety，andatthesametimearethefirstandforemosttoassertthatviceandcrimehavenottheircommonorigininignoranceanddiscontent。

Thegoodwork，however，inspiteofallpoliticalandpartydifferences，hasbeenwellbegun;weareallinterestedinit;itisadvancing，andcannotbestoppedbyanyopposition，althoughitmayberetardedinthisplaceorinthat，bytheindifferenceofthemiddleclasses，withwhomitssuccessfulprogresschieflyrests。OfthissuccessIcannotentertainadoubt;forwhenevertheworkingclasseshaveenjoyedanopportunityofeffectuallyrebuttingaccusationswhichfalsehoodorthoughtlessnesshavebroughtagainstthem，theyalwaysavailthemselvesofit，andshowthemselvesintheirtruecharacters;anditwasthiswhichmadethedamagedonetoasinglepictureintheNationalGalleryofLondon，bysomepoorlunaticorcripple，amerematterofnewspapernotorietyandwonderforsomefewdays。This，then，establishesafactevidenttothemeanestcomprehension-thatanygivennumberofthousandsofindividuals，inthehumblestwalksoflifeinthiscountry，canpassthroughthenationalgalleriesormuseumsinseasonsofholiday-making，withoutdamaging，intheslightestdegree，thosechoiceandvaluablecollections。Idonotmyselfbelievethattheworkingclasseseverwerethewantonormischievouspersonstheyweresooftenandsolongrepresentedtobe;butIratherinclinetotheopinionthatsomementakeitintotheirheadstolayitdownasamatteroffact，withoutbeingparticularaboutthepremises;andthattheidleandtheprejudiced，notwishingtohavethetroubleofformingopinionsforthemselves，takeitforgranted-untilthepeoplehaveanopportunityofdisprovingthestigmaandvindicatingthemselvesbeforetheworld。

Nowthisassertioniswellillustratedbywhatoccurredrespectinganequestrianstatueinthemetropolis，withrespecttowhichalegendexistedthatthesculptorhangedhimself，becausehehadneglectedtoputagirthtothehorse。Thisstorywascurrentlybelievedformanyyears，untilitwasinspectedforaltogetheradifferentpurpose，anditwasfoundtohavehadagirthallthetime。

Butsurelyif，asisstated，thepeopleareill-disposedandmischievous，thatisthebestreasonthatcanbeofferedforteachingthembetter;andiftheyarenot，surelythatisareasonforgivingthemeveryopportunityofvindicatingtheirinjuredreputation;andnobetteropportunitycouldpossiblybeaffordedthanthatofassociatingtogethervoluntarilyforsuchhighpurposesasitisproposedtocarryoutbytheestablishmentoftheBirminghamPolytechnicInstitution。Inanycase-nay，ineverycase-ifwewouldrewardhonesty，ifwewouldholdoutencouragementtogood，ifwewoulderadicatethatwhichisevilorcorrectthatwhichisbad，education-comprehensive，liberaleducation-istheonethingneedful，andtheonlyeffectiveend。

IfImightapplytomypurpose，andturnintoplainprosesomewordsofHamlet-notwithreferencetoanygovernmentorparty(forpartybeing，forthemostpart，anirrationalsortofthing，hasnoconnexionwiththeobjectwehaveinview)-ifImightapplythosewordstoeducationasHamletappliedthemtotheskullofYorick，Iwouldsay-“Nowhietheetothecouncil-chamber，andtellthem，thoughtheylayitoninsoundingthoughtsandlearnedwordsaninchthick，tothiscomplexiontheymustcomeatlast。”

Inanswertoavoteofthanks，Mr。Dickenssaid，atthecloseofthemeeting-

“Ladiesandgentlemen，wearenowquiteeven-foreveryeffectwhichImayhavemadeuponyou，thecomplimenthasbeenamplyreturnedtome;butatthesametimeIamaslittledisposedtosaytoyou，\'goandsinnomore，\'asIamtopromiseformyselfthat\'I

willneverdosoagain。\'SolongasIcanmakeyoulaughandcry，Iwill;andyouwillreadilybelieveme，whenItellyou，youcannotdotoomuchonyourpartstoshowthatwearestillcordialandlovingfriends。Toyou，ladiesoftheInstitution，Iamdeeplyandespeciallyindebted。Isometimes[POINTINGTOTHEWORD\'BOZ\'

INFRONTOFTHEGREATGALLERY]thinkthereissomesmallquantityofmagicinthatveryshortname，andthatitmustconsistinitscontainingasmanylettersasthethreegraces，andthey，everyoneofthem，beingofyourfairsisterhood。

Astoryistoldofaneasternpotentateofmoderntimes，who，foraneasternpotentate，wasatolerablygoodman，sometimesbowstringinghisdependantsindiscriminatelyinhismomentsofanger，butburyingthemingreatsplendourinhismomentsofpenitence，thatwheneverintelligencewasbroughthimofanewplotorturbulentconspiracy，hisfirstinquirywas，\'Whoisshe？\'

meaningthatawomanwasatthebottom。Now，inmysmallway，I

differfromthatpotentate;forwhenthereisanygoodtobeattained，theservicesofanyministeringangelrequired，myfirstinquiryis，\'Whereisshe？\'andtheanswerinvariablyis，\'Here。\'

ProudandhappyamIindeedtothankyouforyourgenerosity-

\'Athousandtimes，goodnight;

Athousandtimestheworsetowantyourlight。\'

SPEECH：GARDENERSANDGARDENING。LONDON，JUNE14，1852。

[TheNinthAnniversaryDinneroftheGardeners\'BenevolentInstitutionwasheldontheabovedateattheLondonTavern。Thecompanynumberedmorethan150。Thedessertwasworthyoftheoccasion，andanadmirableeffectwasproducedbyaprofusedisplayofnaturalflowersuponthetablesandinthedecorationoftheroom。ThechairwastakenbyMr。CharlesDickens，who，inproposingthetoastoftheevening，spokeasfollows：-]

FORthreetimesthreeyearstheGardeners\'BenevolentInstitutionhasbeenstimulatedandencouragedbymeetingssuchasthis，andbythreetimesthreecheerswewillurgeitonwardinitsprosperouscareer。[THECHEERSWEREWARMLYGIVEN。]

OccupyingthepostInowdo，Ifeelsomethinglikeacounselfortheplaintiffwithnobodyontheotherside;butevenifIhadbeenplacedinthatpositionninetytimesnine，itwouldstillbemydutytostateafewfactsfromtheveryshortbriefwithwhichI

havebeenprovided。

ThisInstitutionwasfoundedintheyear1838。Duringthefirstfiveyearsofitsexistence，itwasnotparticularlyrobust，andseemedtohavebeenplacedinratherashadedposition，receivingsomewhatmorethanitsneedfulallowanceofcoldwater。In1843itwasremovedintoamorefavourableposition，andgraftedonanoblerstock，andithasnowbornefruit，andbecomesuchavigoroustreethatatpresentthirty-fiveoldpeopledailysitwithintheshelterofitsbranches，andallthepensionersuponthelisthavebeenveritablegardeners，orthewivesofgardeners。Itismanagedbygardeners，andithasuponitsbookstheexcellentrulethatanygardenerwhohassubscribedtoitforfifteenyears，andconformedtotherules，may，ifhewill，beplaceduponthepensioners\'listwithoutelection，withoutcanvass，withoutsolicitation，andashisindependentright。Ilayverygreatstressuponthathonourablecharacteristicofthecharity，becausethemainprincipleofanysuchinstitutionshouldbetohelpthosewhohelpthemselves。ThattheSociety\'spensionersdonotbecomesuchsolongastheyareabletosupportthemselves，isevincedbythesignificantfactthattheaverageageofthosenowuponthelistisseventy-seven;thattheyarenotwastefulisprovedbythefactthatthewholesumexpendedontheirreliefisbut500poundsa-year;thattheInstitutiondoesnotrestrictitselftoanynarrowconfines，isshownbythecircumstance，thatthepensionerscomefromallpartsofEngland，whilstalltheexpensesarepaidfromtheannualincomeandinterestonstock，andthereforearenotdisproportionatetoitsmeans。

SuchistheInstitutionwhichappealstoyouthroughme，asamostunworthyadvocate，forsympathyandsupport，anInstitutionwhichhasforitsPresidentanoblemanwhosewholepossessionsareremarkablefortasteandbeauty，andwhosegardener\'slaurelsarefamousthroughouttheworld。Inthelistofitsvice-presidentstherearethenamesofmanynoblemenandgentlemenofgreatinfluenceandstation，andIhavebeenstruckinglancingthroughthelistofitssupporters，withthesumswrittenagainstthenamesofthenumerousnurserymenandseedsmenthereincomprised。IhopethedaywillcomewheneverygardenerinEnglandwillbeamemberofthecharity。

ThegardenerparticularlyneedssuchaprovisionasthisInstitutionaffords。Hisgainsarenotgreat;heknowsgoldandsilvermoreasbeingofthecolouroffruitsandflowersthanbyitspresenceinhispockets;heissubjectedtothatkindoflabourwhichrendershimpeculiarlyliabletoinfirmity;andwhenoldagecomesuponhim，thegardenerisofallmenperhapsbestabletoappreciatethemeritsofsuchaninstitution。

Toallindeed，presentandabsent，whoaredescendedfromthefirst“gardenerAdamandhiswife，“

thebenefitsofsuchasocietyareobvious。Inthecultureofflowerstherecannot，bytheirverynature，beanything，solitaryorexclusive。Thewindthatblowsoverthecottager\'sporch，sweepsalsooverthegroundsofthenobleman;andastheraindescendsonthejustandontheunjust，soitcommunicatestoallgardeners，bothrichandpoor，aninterchangeofpleasureandenjoyment;andthegardeneroftherichman，indevelopingandenhancingafruitfulflavouroradelightfulscent，is，insomesort，thegardenerofeverybodyelse。

Theloveofgardeningisassociatedwithallconditionsofmen，andallperiodsoftime。Thescholarandthestatesman，menofpeaceandmenofwar，haveagreedinallagestodelightingardens。Themostancientpeopleoftheearthhadgardenswherethereisnownothingbutsolitaryheapsofearth。Thepoormanincrowdedcitiesgardensstillinjugsandbasinsandbottles：infactoriesandworkshopspeoplegarden;andeventheprisonerisfoundgardeninginhislonelycell，afteryearsandyearsofsolitaryconfinement。Surely，then，thegardenerwhoproducesshapesandobjectssolovelyandsocomforting，shouldhavesomeholdupontheworld\'sremembrancewhenhehimselfbecomesinneedofcomfort。

Iwillcalluponyoutodrink“ProsperitytotheGardeners\'

BenevolentInstitution，“andIbegtocouplewiththattoastthenameofitsnoblePresident，theDukeofDevonshire，whoseworthiswritteninallhisdeeds，andwhohascommunicatedtohistitleandhisrichesalustrewhichnotitleandnorichescouldconfer。

[Laterintheevening，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]

MyofficehascompelledmetoburstintobloomsooftenthatI

couldwishtherewereacloserparallelbetweenmyselfandtheAmericanaloe。ItisparticularlyagreeableandappropriatetoknowthattheparentsofthisInstitutionaretobefoundintheseedandnurserytrade;andtheseedhavingyieldedsuchgoodfruit，andthenurseryhavingproducedsuchahealthychild，IhavethegreatestpleasureinproposingthehealthoftheparentsoftheInstitution。

[InproposingthehealthoftheTreasurers，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]

Myobservationofthesignboardsofthiscountryhastaughtmethatitsconventionalgardenersarealwaysjolly，andalwaysthreeinnumber。WhetherthatconventionalityhasreferencetotheThreeGraces，ortothoseverysignificantletters，L。，S。，D。，Idonotknow。Thosemysticlettersare，however，mostimportant，andnosocietycanhaveofficersofmoreimportancethanitsTreasurers，norcanitpossiblygivethemtoomuchtodo。

SPEECH：BIRMINGHAM，JANUARY6，1853。

[OnThursday，January6，1853，attheroomsoftheSocietyofArtists，inTempleRow，Birmingham，alargecompanyassembledtowitnessthepresentationofatestimonialtoMr。CharlesDickens，consistingofasilver-giltsalverandadiamondring。Mr。Dickensacknowledgedthetribute，andtheaddresswhichaccompaniedit，inthefollowingwords：-]

GENTLEMEN，Ifeelitverydifficult，Iassureyou，totendermyacknowledgmentstoyou，andthroughyou，tothosemanyfriendsofminewhomyourepresent，forthishonouranddistinctionwhichyouhaveconferreduponme。Icanmosthonestlyassureyou，thatitisinthepowerofnogreatrepresentativeofnumbersofpeopletoawakensuchhappinessinmeasisinspiredbythistokenofgoodwillandremembrance，comingtomedirectandfreshfromthenumbersthemselves。Iamtrulysensible，gentlemen，thatmyfriendswhohaveunitedinthisaddressarepartialintheirkindness，andregardwhatIhavedonewithtoogreatfavour。ButI

maysay，withreferencetooneclass-somemembersofwhich，I

presume，areincludedthere-thatIshouldinmyowneyesbeveryunworthybothofthegenerousgiftandthegenerousfeelingwhichhasbeenevinced，andthisoccasion，insteadofpleasure，wouldgivemenothingbutpain，ifIwasunabletoassurethem，andthosewhoareinfrontofthisassembly，thatwhattheworkingpeoplehavefoundmetowardstheminmybooks，Iamthroughoutmylife。

Gentlemen，wheneverIhavetriedtoholduptoadmirationtheirfortitude，patience，gentleness，thereasonablenessoftheirnature，soaccessibletopersuasion，andtheirextraordinarygoodnessonetowardsanother，IhavedonesobecauseIhavefirstgenuinelyfeltthatadmirationmyself，andhavebeenthoroughlyimbuedwiththesentimentwhichIsoughttocommunicatetoothers。

Gentlemen，Iacceptthissalverandthisringasfaraboveallpricetome，asveryvaluableinthemselves，andasbeautifulspecimensoftheworkmanshipofthistown，withgreatemotion，I

assureyou，andwiththeliveliestgratitude。Youremembersomething，Idaresay，oftheoldromanticstoriesofthosecharmedringswhichwouldlosetheirbrilliancewhentheirwearerwasindanger，orwouldpresshisfingerreproachfullywhenhewasgoingtodowrong。Intheveryimprobableeventofmybeingintheleastdangerofdesertingtheprincipleswhichhavewonmethesetokens，Iamsurethediamondinthatringwouldassumeacloudedaspecttomyfaithlesseye，andwould，Iknow，squeezeathrobofpainoutofmytreacherousheart。ButIhavenottheleastmisgivingonthatpoint;and，inthisconfidentexpectation，Ishallremovemyownolddiamondringfrommylefthand，andinfutureweartheBirminghamringonmyright，whereitsgraspwillkeepmeinmindofthegoodfriendsIhavehere，andinvividremembranceofthishappyhour。

Gentlemen，inconclusion，allowmetothankyouandtheSocietytowhomtheseroomsbelong，thatthepresentationhastakenplaceinanatmospheresocongenialtome，andinanapartmentdecoratedwithsomanybeautifulworksofart，amongwhichIrecognizebeforemetheproductionsoffriendsofmine，whoselaboursandtriumphswillneverbesubjectsofindifferencetome。Ithankthosegentlemenforgivingmetheopportunityofmeetingthemhereonanoccasionwhichhassomeconnexionwiththeirownproceedings;and，thoughlastnotleast，Itendermyacknowledgmentstothatcharmingpresence，withoutwhichnothingbeautifulcanbecomplete，andwhichisendearinglyassociatedwithringsofaplainerdescription，andwhich，Imustconfess，awakensinmymindatthepresentmomentafeelingofregretthatIamnotinaconditiontomakeanofferofthesetestimonials。Ibegyou，gentlemen，tocommendmeveryearnestlyandgratefullytoourabsentfriends，andtoassurethemofmyaffectionateandheartfeltrespect。

ThecompanythenadjournedtoDee\'sHotel，whereabanquettookplace，atwhichabout220personswerepresent，amongwhomweresomeofthemostdistinguishedoftheRoyalAcademicians。Tothetoastof“TheLiteratureofEngland，“Mr。Dickensrespondedasfollows：-

Mr。MayorandGentlemen，Iamhappy，onbehalfofmanylabourersinthatgreatfieldofliteraturetowhichyouhavepledgedthetoast，tothankyouforthetributeyouhavepaidtoit。Suchanhonour，renderedbyacclamationinsuchaplaceasthis，seemstome，ifI

mayfollowonthesamesideasthevenerableArchdeacon(Sandford)

wholatelyaddressedyou，andwhohasinspiredmewithagratificationIcanneverforget-suchanhonour，gentlemen，renderedhere，seemstomeatwo-sidedillustrationofthepositionthatliteratureholdsintheselatterand，ofcourse，“degenerate“

days。Tothegreatcompactphalanxofthepeople，bywhoseindustry，perseverance，andintelligence，andtheirresultinmoney-wealth，suchplacesasBirmingham，andmanyotherslikeit，havearisen-tothatgreatcentreofsupport，thatcomprehensiveexperience，andthatbeatingheart，literaturehasturnedhappilyfromindividualpatrons-sometimesmunificent，oftensordid，alwaysfew-andhastherefoundatonceitshighestpurpose，itsnaturalrangeofaction，anditsbestreward。Thereforeitisrightalso，asitseemstome，notonlythatliteratureshouldreceivehonourhere，butthatitshouldrenderhonour，too，rememberingthatifithasundoubtedlydonegoodtoBirmingham，Birminghamhasundoubtedlydonegoodtoit。Fromtheshameofthepurchaseddedication，fromthescurrilousanddirtyworkofGrubStreet，fromthedependentseatonsufferanceatmyLordDuke\'stableto-day，andfromthesponging-houseorMarshalseato-morrow-

fromthatvenalitywhich，byafinemoralretribution，hasdegradedstatesmeneventoagreaterextentthanauthors，becausethestatesmanentertainedalowbeliefintheuniversalityofcorruption，whiletheauthoryieldedonlytothedirenecessityofhiscalling-fromallsuchevilsthepeoplehavesetliteraturefree。Andmycreedintheexerciseofthatprofessionis，thatliteraturecannotbetoofaithfultothepeopleinreturn-cannottooardentlyadvocatethecauseoftheiradvancement，happiness，andprosperity。Ihavehearditsometimessaid-andwhatisworse，asexpressingsomethingmorecold-blooded，Ihavesometimesseenitwritten-thatliteraturehassufferedbythischange，thatithasdegeneratedbybeingmadecheaper。Ihavenotfoundthattobethecase：nordoIbelievethatyouhavemadethediscoveryeither。Butletagoodbookinthese“bad“timesbemadeaccessible，-evenuponanabstruseanddifficultsubject，sothatitbeoneoflegitimateinteresttomankind，-andmylifeonit，itshallbeextensivelybought，read，andwellconsidered。

WhydoIsaythis？BecauseIbelievethereareinBirminghamatthismomentmanyworkingmeninfinitelybetterversedinShakespeareandinMiltonthantheaverageoffinegentlemeninthedaysofbought-and-solddedicationsanddearbooks。Iaskanyonetoconsiderforhimselfwho，atthistime，givesthegreatestrelativeencouragementtothedisseminationofsuchusefulpublicationsas“Macaulay\'sHistory，““Layard\'sResearches，“

“Tennyson\'sPoems，““TheDukeofWellington\'spublishedDespatches，“ortheminutesttruths(ifanytruthcanbecalledminute)discoveredbythegeniusofaHerscheloraFaraday？ItiswithallthesethingsaswiththegreatmusicofMendelssohn，oralectureuponart-ifwehadthegoodfortunetolistentooneto-

morrow-bymydistinguishedfriendthePresidentoftheRoyalAcademy。Howeversmalltheaudience，howevercontractedthecircleinthewater，inthefirstinstance，thepeoplearenearerthewiderrangeoutside，andtheSisterArts，whiletheyinstructthem，deriveawholesomeadvantageandimprovementfromtheirreadysympathyandcordialresponse。ImayinstancethecaseofmyfriendMr。Ward\'smagnificentpicture;andthereceptionofthatpicturehereisanexamplethatitisnotnowtheprovinceofartinpaintingtoholditselfinmonasticseclusion，thatitcannothopetorestonasinglefoundationforitsgreattemple，-onthemereclassicposeofafigure，orthefoldsofadrapery-butthatitmustbeimbuedwithhumanpassionsandaction，informedwithhumanrightandwrong，and，beingsoinformed，itmayfearlesslyputitselfuponitstrial，likethecriminalofold，tobejudgedbyGodanditscountry。

Gentlemen，toreturnandconclude，asIshallhaveoccasiontotroubleyouagain。ForthistimeIhaveonlyonceagaintorepeatwhatIhavealreadysaid。AsIbegunwithliterature，Ishallendwithit。IwouldsimplysaythatIbelievenotrueman，withanythingtotell，needhavetheleastmisgiving，eitherforhimselforhismessage，beforealargenumberofhearers-alwayssupposingthathebenotafflictedwiththecoxcombicalideaofwritingdowntothepopularintelligence，insteadofwritingthepopularintelligenceuptohimself，if，perchance，hebeaboveit;-and，providedalwaysthathedeliverhimselfplainlyofwhatisinhim，whichseemstobenounreasonablestipulation，itbeingsupposedthathehassomedimdesignofmakinghimselfunderstood。Onbehalfofthatliteraturetowhichyouhavedonesomuchhonour，I

begtothankyoumostcordially，andonmyownbehalf，forthemostflatteringreceptionyouhavegiventoonewhoseclaimis，thathehasthedistinctionofmakingithisprofession。

[Laterintheevening，Mr。Dickensgaveasatoast，“TheEducationalInstitutionsofBirmingham，“inthefollowingspeech：]

Iamrequestedtopropose-or，accordingtothehypothesisofmyfriend，Mr。Owen，Iaminthetemporarycharacterofawalkingadvertisementtoadvertisetoyou-theEducationalInstitutionsofBirmingham;anadvertisementtowhichIhavethegreatestpleasureincallingyourattention，Gentlemen，itisrightthatIshould，insomanywords，mentionthemoreprominentoftheseinstitutions，notbecauseyourlocalmemoriesrequireanyprompting，butbecausetheenumerationimplieswhathasbeendonehere，whatyouaredoing，andwhatyouwillyetdo。IbelievethefirstistheKingEdward\'sGrammarSchool，withitsvariousbranches，andprominentamongthemisthatmostadmirablemeansoftrainingthewivesofworkingmentobegoodwivesandworkingwives，theprimeornamentoftheirhomes，andthecauseofhappinesstoothers-Imeanthoseexcellentgirls\'schoolsinvariouspartsofthetown，which，undertheexcellentsuperintendenceoftheprincipal，IshouldmostsincerelydesiretoseeineverytowninEngland。Next，Ibelieve，istheSpringHillCollege，alearnedinstitutionbelongingtothebodyofIndependents，foremostamongwhoseprofessorsliteratureisproudtohailMr。HenryRogersasoneofthesoundestandablestcontributorstotheEdinburghReview。ThenextistheQueen\'sCollege，which，Imaysay，isonlyanewly-bornchild;but，inthehandsofsuchanadmirableDoctor，wemayhopetoseeitarriveatavigorousmaturity。ThenextistheSchoolofDesign，which，ashasbeenwellobservedbymyfriendSirCharlesEastlake，isinvaluableinsuchaplaceasthis;and，lastly，thereisthePolytechnicInstitution，withregardtowhichIhadlongagooccasiontoexpressmyprofoundconvictionthatitwasofunspeakableimportancetosuchacommunityasthis，whenIhadthehonourtobepresent，undertheauspicesofyourexcellentrepresentative，Mr。Scholefield。Thisisthelastofwhathasbeendoneinaneducationalway。Theyarealladmirableintheirkind;

butIamgladtofindthatmoreisyetdoing。AfewdaysagoI

receivedaBirminghamnewspaper，containingamostinterestingaccountofapreliminarymeetingfortheformationofaReformatorySchoolforjuveniledelinquents。Youarenotexemptherefromthehonourofsavingthesepoor，neglected，andwretchedoutcasts。I

readofoneinfant，sixyearsold，whohasbeentwiceasmanytimesinthehandsofthepoliceasyearshavepassedoverhisdevotedhead。Thesearetheeggsfromwhichgaol-birdsarehatched;ifyouwishtocheckthatdreadfulbrood，youmusttaketheyoungandinnocent，andhavethemrearedbyChristianhands。

Lastly，IamrejoicedtofindthatthereisonfootaschemeforanewLiteraryandScientificInstitution，whichwouldbeworthyevenofthisplace，iftherewasnothingofthekindinit-aninstitution，asIunderstandit，wherethewords“exclusion“and“exclusiveness“shallbequiteunknown-whereallclassesmayassembleincommontrust，respect，andconfidence-wherethereshallbeagreatgalleryofpaintingandstatuaryopentotheinspectionandadmirationofallcomers-wherethereshallbeamuseumofmodelsinwhichindustrymayobserveitsvarioussourcesofmanufacture，andthemechanicmayworkoutnewcombinations，andarriveatnewresults-wheretheveryminesundertheearthandundertheseashallnotbeforgotten，butpresentedinlittletotheinquiringeye-aninstitution，inshort，wheremanyandmanyoftheobstacleswhichnowinevitablystandintheruggedwayofthepoorinventorshallbesmoothedaway，andwhere，ifhehaveanythinginhim，hewillfindencouragementandhope。

Iobservewithunusualinterestandgratification，thatabodyofgentlemenaregoingforatimetolayasidetheirindividualprepossessionsonothersubjects，and，asgoodcitizens，aretobeengagedinadesignaspatrioticaswellcanbe。Theyhavetheintentionofmeetinginafewdaystoadvancethisgreatobject，andIcalluponyou，indrinkingthistoast，todrinksuccesstotheirendeavour，andtomakeitthepledgebyallgoodmeanstopromoteit。

IfIstrictlyfollowedoutthelistofeducationalinstitutionsinBirmingham，Ishouldnothavedonehere，butIintendtostop，merelyobservingthatIhaveseenwithinashortwalkofthisplaceoneofthemostinterestingandpracticalInstitutionsfortheDeafandDumbthathasevercomeundermyobservation。IhaveseeninthefactoriesandworkshopsofBirminghamsuchbeautifulorderandregularity，andsuchgreatconsiderationfortheworkpeopleprovided，thattheymightjustlybeentitledtobeconsiderededucationaltoo。IhaveseeninyoursplendidTownHall，whenthecheapconcertsaregoingonthere，alsoanadmirableeducationalinstitution。Ihaveseentheirresultsinthedemeanourofyourworkingpeople，excellentlybalancedbyaniceinstinct，asfreefromservilityontheonehand，asfromself-conceitontheother。

Itisaperfectdelighttohaveneedtoaskaquestion，ifonlyfromthemannerofthereply-amannerIneverknewtopassunnoticedbyanobservantstranger。Gatherupthosethreads，andagreatmarrymoreIhavenottouchedupon，andweavingallintoonegoodfabric，rememberhowmuchisincludedunderthegeneralheadoftheEducationalInstitutionsofyourtown。

SPEECH：LONDON，APRIL30，1853。

[AttheannualDinneroftheRoyalAcademy，thePresident，SirCharlesEastlake，proposedasatoast，“TheInterestsofLiterature，“andselectedfortherepresentativesoftheworldofletters，theDeanofSt。Paul\'sandMr。CharlesDickens。DeanMilmanhavingreturnedthanks。]

MRDICKENSthenaddressedthePresident，who，itshouldbementioned，occupiedalargeandhandsomechair，thebackcoveredwithcrimsonvelvet，placedjustbeforeStanfield\'spictureofTHE

VICTORY。

Mr。Dickens，aftertenderinghisacknowledgmentsofthetoast，andthehonourdonehiminassociatinghisnamewithit，saidthatthoseacknowledgmentswerenotthelessheartfeltbecausehewasunabletorecognizeinthistoastthePresident\'susualdisinterestedness;sinceEnglishliteraturecouldscarcelyberememberedinanyplace，and，certainly，notinaschoolofart，withoutaverydistinctremembranceofhisowntastefulwritings，tosaynothingofthatotherandbetterpartofhimself，which，unfortunately，wasnotvisibleupontheseoccasions。

If，likethenobleLord，theCommander-in-Chief(ViscountHardinge)，he(Mr。Dickens)mightventuretoillustratehisbriefthankswithonewordofreferencetothenoblepicturepaintedbyaverydearfriendofhis，whichwasalittleeclipsedthateveningbytheradiantandrubicundchairwhichthePresidentnowsohappilytoneddown，hewouldbegleavetosaythat，asliteraturecouldnowherebemoreappropriatelyhonouredthaninthatplace，sohethoughtshecouldnowherefeelahighergratificationinthetiesthatboundhertothesisterarts。Heeverfeltinthatplacethatliteraturefound，throughtheirinstrumentality，alwaysanewexpression，andinauniversallanguage。

SPEECH：LONDON，MAY1，1853

[AtadinnergivenbytheLordMayorattheMansionHouse，ontheabovedate，Mr。JusticeTalfourdproposedasatoast“Anglo-SaxonLiterature，“andalludedtoMr。Dickensashavingemployedfictionasameansofawakeningattentiontotheconditionoftheoppressedandsufferingclasses：-]

“MR。DICKENSrepliedtothistoastinagracefulandplayfulstrain。Intheformerpartoftheevening，inreplytoatoastonthechancerydepartment，Vice-ChancellorWood，whospokeintheabsenceoftheLordChancellor，madeasortofdefenceoftheCourtofChancery，notdistinctlyalludingtoBleakHouse，butevidentlynotwithoutreferencetoit。Theamountofwhathesaidwas，thattheCourthadreceivedagreatmanymorehardopinionsthanitmerited;thattheyhadbeenparsimoniouslyobligedtoperformagreatamountofbusinessbyaveryinadequatenumberofjudges;butthatmorerecentlythenumberofjudgeshadbeenincreasedtoseven，andtherewasreasontohopethatallbusinessbroughtbeforeitwouldnowbeperformedwithoutunnecessarydelay。

“Mr。Dickensalludedplayfullytothisitemofintelligence;saidhewasexceedinglyhappytohearit，ashetrustednowthatasuit，inwhichhewasgreatlyinterested，wouldspeedilycometoanend。

Iheardalittleby-conversationbetweenMr。Dickensandagentlemanofthebar，whosatoppositeme，inwhichthelatterseemedtobereiteratingthesameassertions，andIunderstoodhimtosay，thatacasenotextraordinarilycomplicatedmightbegotthroughwithinthreemonths。Mr。Dickenssaidhewasveryhappytohearit;butIfanciedtherewasalittleshadeofincredulityinhismanner;however，theincidentshowedonething，thatis，thatthechancerywerenotinsensibletotherepresentationsofDickens;butthewholetoneofthethingwasquitegood-naturedandagreeable。”

SPEECH：BIRMINGHAM，DECEMBER30，1853。

[ThefirstoftheReadingsgenerouslygivenbyMr。CharlesDickensonbehalfoftheBirminghamandMidlandInstitute，tookplaceonTuesdayevening，December27，1853，attheBirminghamTownHall，where，notwithstandingtheinclemencyoftheweather，nearlytwothousandpersonshadassembled。TheworkselectedwastheCHRISTMASCAROL。ThehighmimeticpowerspossessedbyMr。Dickensenabledhimtopersonatewithremarkableforcethevariouscharactersofthestory，andwithadmirableskilltopassrapidlyfromthehard，unbelievingScrooge，totrustingandthankfulBobCratchit，andfromthegenialfulnessofScrooge\'snephew，tothehideousmirthofthepartyassembledinOldJoetheRagshop-

keeper\'sparlour。Thereadingoccupiedmorethanthreehours，butsointerestedweretheaudience，thatonlyoneortwolefttheHallpreviouslytoitstermination，andtheloudandfrequentburstsofapplauseattestedthesuccessfuldischargeofthereader\'sarduoustask。OnThursdayeveningMr。DickensreadTHECRICKETONTHE

HEARTH。TheHallwasagainwellruled，andthetale，thoughdeficientinthedramaticinterestoftheCAROL，waslistenedtowithattention，andrewardedwithrepeatedapplause。OnFridayevening，theCHRISTMASCAROLwasreadasecondtimetoalargeassemblageofwork-people，forwhom，atMr。Dickens\'sspecialrequest，themajorpartofthevastedificewasreserved。Beforecommencingthetale，Mr。Dickensdeliveredthefollowingbriefaddress，almosteverysentenceofwhichwasreceivedwithloudlyexpressedapplause。]

MYGOODFRIENDS，-WhenIfirstimpartedtothecommitteeoftheprojectedInstitutemyparticularwishthatononeoftheeveningsofmyreadingsherethemainbodyofmyaudienceshouldbecomposedofworkingmenandtheirfamilies，Iwasanimatedbytwodesires;

first，bythewishtohavethegreatpleasureofmeetingyoufacetofaceatthisChristmastime，andaccompanyyoumyselfthroughoneofmylittleChristmasbooks;andsecond，bythewishtohaveanopportunityofstatingpubliclyinyourpresence，andinthepresenceofthecommittee，myearnesthopethattheInstitutewill，fromthebeginning，recogniseonegreatprinciple-stronginreasonandjustice-whichIbelievetobeessentialtotheverylifeofsuchanInstitution。Itis，thattheworkingmanshall，fromthefirstuntothelast，haveashareinthemanagementofanInstitutionwhichisdesignedforhisbenefit，andwhichcallsitselfbyhisname。

Ihavenofearhereofbeingmisunderstood-ofbeingsupposedtomeantoomuchinthis。Ifthereeverwasatimewhenanyoneclasscouldofitselfdomuchforitsowngood，andforthewelfareofsociety-whichIgreatlydoubt-thattimeisunquestionablypast。

Itisinthefusionofdifferentclasses，withoutconfusion;inthebringingtogetherofemployersandemployed;inthecreatingofabettercommonunderstandingamongthosewhoseinterestsareidentical，whodependuponeachother，whoarevitallyessentialtoeachother，andwhonevercanbeinunnaturalantagonismwithoutdeplorableresults，thatoneofthechiefprinciplesofaMechanics\'Institutionshouldconsist。Inthisworldagreatdealofthebitternessamongusarisesfromanimperfectunderstandingofoneanother。ErectinBirminghamagreatEducationalInstitution，properlyeducational;educationalofthefeelingsaswellasofthereason;towhichallordersofBirminghammencontribute;inwhichallordersofBirminghammenmeet;whereinallordersofBirminghammenarefaithfullyrepresented-andyouwillerectaTempleofConcordherewhichwillbeamodeledificetothewholeofEngland。

ContemplatingasIdotheexistenceoftheArtisans\'Committee，whichnotlongagoconsideredtheestablishmentoftheInstitutesosensibly，andsupporteditsoheartily，Iearnestlyentreatthegentlemen-earnestIknowinthegoodwork，andwhoarenowamongus，-byallmeanstoavoidthegreatshortcomingofsimilarinstitutions;andinaskingtheworkingmanforhisconfidence，tosethimthegreatexampleandgivehimtheirsinreturn。YouwilljudgeforyourselvesifIpromisetoomuchfortheworkingman，whenIsaythathewillstandbysuchanenterprisewiththeutmostofhispatience，hisperseverance，sense，andsupport;thatIamsurehewillneednocharitableaidorcondescendingpatronage;butwillreadilyandcheerfullypayfortheadvantageswhichitconfers;thathewillpreparehimselfinindividualcaseswherehefeelsthattheadversecircumstancesaroundhimhaverendereditnecessary;inaword，thathewillfeelhisresponsibilitylikeanhonestman，andwillmosthonestlyandmanfullydischargeit。I

nowproceedtothepleasanttasktowhichIassureyouIhavelookedforwardforalongtime。

[AtthecloseofthereadingMr。Dickensreceivedavoteofthanks，and“threecheers，withthreetimesthree。”Assoonastheenthusiasmoftheaudiencewouldallowhimtospeak，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]

Youhaveheardsomuchofmyvoicesincewemettonight，thatI

willonlysay，inacknowledgmentofthisaffectingmarkofyourregard，thatIamtrulyandsincerelyinterestedinyou;thatanylittleserviceIhaverenderedtoyouIhavefreelyrenderedfrommyheart;thatIhopetobecomeanhonorarymemberofyourgreatInstitution，andwillmeetyouoftentherewhenitbecomespracticallyuseful;thatIthankyoumostaffectionatelyforthisnewmarkofyoursympathyandapproval;andthatIwishyoumanyhappyreturnsofthisgreatbirthday-time，andmanyprosperousyears。

SPEECH：COMMERCIALTRAVELLERS。LONDON，DECEMBER30，1854。

[ThefollowingspeechwasmadebyMr。DickensattheAnniversaryDinnerincommemorationofthefoundationoftheCommercialTravellers\'Schools，heldattheLondonTavernontheabovedate。

Mr。Dickenspresidedonthisoccasion，andproposedthetoasts。]

ITHINKitmaybeassumedthatmostofusherepresentknowsomethingabouttravelling。Idonotmeanindistantregionsorforeigncountries，althoughIdaresaysomeofushavehadexperienceinthatway，butathome，andwithinthelimitsoftheUnitedKingdom。Idaresaymostofushavehadexperienceoftheextinct“fastcoaches，“the“Wonders，““Taglionis，“and“Tallyhos，“

ofotherdays。Idaresaymostofusremembercertainmodestpostchaises，draggingusdowninterminableroads，throughslushandmud，tolittlecountrytownswithnovisiblepopulation，excepthalf-a-dozenmeninsmock-frocks，half-a-dozenwomenwithumbrellasandpattens，andawashed-outdogorsoshiveringunderthegables，tocompletethedesolatepicture。Wecanalldiscourse，Idaresay，ifsominded，aboutourrecollectionsofthe“Talbot，“the“Queen\'sHead，“orthe“Lion“ofthosedays。Wehaveallbeentothatroomonthegroundfloorononesideoftheoldinnyard，notquitefreefromacertainfragrantsmelloftobacco，wherethecruetsonthesideboardwereusuallyabsorbedbytheskirtsofthebox-coatsthathungfromthewall;whereawkwardservantswaylaidusateveryturn，likesomanyhumanman-traps;wherecountymembers，framedandglazed，wereeternallypresentingthatpetitionwhich，somehoworother，hadmadetheirgloryinthecounty，althoughnothingelsehadevercomeofit。Wherethebooksinthewindowsalwayswantedthefirst，last，andmiddleleaves，andwheretheonemanwasalwaysarrivingatsomeunusualhourinthenight，andrequiringhisbreakfastatasimilarlysingularperiodoftheday。Ihavenodoubtwecouldallbeveryeloquentonthecomfortsofourfavouritehotel，whereveritwas-itsbeds，itsstables，itsvastamountofposting，itsexcellentcheese，itsheadwaiter，itscapitaldishes，itspigeon-pies，orits1820port。Orpossiblywecouldrecalourchasteandinnocentadmirationofitslandlady，orourfraternalregardforitshandsomechambermaid。Acelebrateddomesticcriticoncewritingofafamousactress，renownedforhervirtueandbeauty，gaveherthecharacterofbeingan“eminentlygatherable-to-one\'s-armssortofperson。”Perhapssomeoneamongstushasborneasomewhatsimilartributetothementalcharmsofthefairdeitieswhopresidedatourhotels。

Withthetravellingcharacteristicsoflatertimes，weareall，nodoubt，equallyfamiliar。Weknowallaboutthatstationtowhichwemusttakeourticket，althoughwenevergetthere;andtheotheroneatwhichwearriveafterdark，certaintofindithalfamilefromthetown，wheretheoldroadissuretohavebeenabolished，andthenewroadisgoingtobemade-wheretheoldneighbourhoodhasbeentumbleddown，andthenewoneisnothalfbuiltup。Weknowallaboutthatpartyontheplatformwho，withthebestintentions，candonothingforourluggageexceptpitchitintoallsortsofunattainableplaces。Weknowallaboutthatshortomnibus，inwhichoneistobedoubledup，totheimminentdangerofthecrownofone\'shat;andaboutthatfly，whoseleadingpeculiarityisnevertobetherewhenitiswanted。Weknow，too，howinstantaneouslythelightsofthestationdisappearwhenthetrainstarts，andaboutthatgropetothenewRailwayHotel，whichwillbeanexcellenthousewhenthecustomerscome，butwhichatpresenthasnothingtoofferbutaliberalallowanceofdampmortarandnewlime。

Irecordtheselittleincidentsofhometravelmainlywiththeobjectofincreasingyourinterestinthepurposeofthisnight\'sassemblage。Everytravellerhasahomeofhisown，andhelearnstoappreciateitthemorefromhiswandering。Ifhehasnohome，helearnsthesamelessonunselfishlybyturningtothehomesofothermen。Hemayhavehisexperiencesofcheerfulandexcitingpleasuresabroad;buthomeisthebest，afterall，anditspleasuresarethemostheartilyandenduringlyprized。Therefore，ladiesandgentlemen，everyonemustbepreparedtolearnthatcommercialtravellers，asabody，knowhowtoprizethosedomesticrelationsfromwhichtheirpursuitssofrequentlyseverthem;fornoonecouldpossiblyinventamoredelightfulormoreconvincingtestimonytothefactthantheythemselveshaveofferedinfoundingandmaintainingaschoolforthechildrenofdeceasedorunfortunatemembersoftheirownbody;thosechildrenwhonowappealtoyouinmutebuteloquenttermsfromthegallery。

Itistosupportthatschool，foundedwithsuchhighandfriendlyobjects，soveryhonourabletoyourcalling，andsousefulinitssolidandpracticalresults，thatwearehereto-night。Itistoroofthatbuildingwhichistoshelterthechildrenofyourdeceasedfriendswithonecrowningornament，thebestthatanybuildingcanhave，namely，areceiptstampforthefullamountofthecost。Itisforthisthatyouractivesympathyisappealedto，forthecompletionofyourowngoodwork。Youknowhowtoputyourhandstotheploughinearnestaswellasanymeninexistence，forthislittlebookinformsmethatyouraisedlastyearnolessasumthan8000pounds，andwhilefullyhalfofthatsumconsistedofnewdonationstothebuildingfund，Ifindthattheregularrevenueofthecharityhasonlysufferedtotheextentof30pounds。Afterthis，Imostearnestlyandsincerelysaythatwereweallauthorstogether，Imightboast，ifinmyprofessionwereexhibitedthesameunityandsteadfastnessIfindinyours。

Iwillnoturgeonyouthecasualtiesofalifeoftravel，orthevicissitudesofbusiness，ortheclaimsfosteredbythatbondofbrotherhoodwhichoughtalwaystoexistamongstmenwhoareunitedinacommonpursuit。Youhavealreadyrecognizedthoseclaimssonobly，thatIwillnotpresumetolaythembeforeyouinanyfurtherdetail。SufficeittosaythatIdonotthinkitisinyournaturetodothingsbyhalves。Idonotthinkyoucoulddosoifyoutried，andIhaveamoralcertaintythatyouneverwilltry。

Tothosegentlemenpresentwhoarenotmembersofthetravellers\'

body，IwillsayinthewordsoftheFrenchproverb，“Heavenhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves。”TheCommercialTravellershavinghelpedthemselvessogallantly，itisclearthatthevisitorswhocomeasasortofcelestialrepresentativesoughttobringthataidintheirpocketswhichthepreceptteachesustoexpectfromthem。

Withthesefewremarks，Ibegtogiveyouasatoast，“SuccesstotheCommercialTravellers\'School。”

[InproposingthehealthoftheArmyintheCrimea，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]

ITdoesnotrequireanyextraordinarysagacityinacommercialassemblytoappreciatethedireevilsofwar。Thegreatinterestsoftradeenfeebledbyit，theenterpriseofbettertimesparalysedbyit，allthepeacefulartsbentdownbeforeit，toopalpablyindicateitscharacterandresults，sothatfarlesspracticalintelligencethanthatbywhichIamsurroundedwouldbesufficienttoappreciatethehorrorsofwar。Butthereareseasonswhentheevilsofpeace，thoughnotsoacutelyfelt，areimmeasurablygreater，andwhenapowerfulnation，byadmittingtherightofanyautocrattodowrong，sowsbysuchcomplicitytheseedsofitsownruin，andovershadowsitselfintimetocomewiththatfatalinfluencewhichgreatandambitiouspowersaresuretoexerciseovertheirweakerneighbours。

Thereforeitis，ladiesandgentlemen，thatthetreehasnotitsrootinEnglishgroundfromwhichtheyardwandcanbemadethatwillmeasure-theminehasnotitsplaceinEnglishsoilthatwillsupplythematerialofapairofscalestoweightheinfluencethatmaybeatstakeinthewarinwhichwearenowstrainingallourenergies。Thatwaris，atanytimeandinanyshape，amostdreadfulanddeplorablecalamity，weneednoproverbtotellus;

butitisjustbecauseitissuchacalamity，andbecausethatcalamitymustnotforeverbeimpendingoverusatthefancyofonemanagainstallmankind，thatwemustnotallowthatmantodarkenfromourviewthefiguresofpeaceandjusticebetweenwhomandushenowinterposes。

Ladiesandgentlemen，ifevertherewereatimewhenthetruespiritsoftwocountrieswerereallyfightinginthecauseofhumanadvancementandfreedom-nomatterwhatdiplomaticnotesorothernamelessbotherations，fromnumberonetoonehundredthousandandone，mayhaveprecededtheirtakingthefield-ifevertherewereatimewhennobleheartsweredeservingwellofmankindbyexposingthemselvestotheobedientbayonetsofarashandbarbariantyrant，itisnow，whenthefaithfulchildrenofEnglandandFrancearefightingsobravelyintheCrimea。Thosefaithfulchildrenaretheadmirationandwonderoftheworld，sogallantlyaretheydischargingtheirduty;andthereforeIproposetoanassembly，emphaticallyrepresentingtheinterestsandartsofpeace，todrinkthehealthoftheAlliedArmiesofEnglandandFrance，withallpossiblehonours。

[InproposingthehealthoftheTreasurer，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]

IfthePresidentofthisInstitutionhadbeenhere，Ishouldpossiblyhavemadeoneofthebestspeechesyoueverheard;butasheisnothere，Ishallturntothenexttoastonmylist：-“ThehealthofyourworthyTreasurer，Mr。GeorgeMoore，“anamewhichisasynonymforintegrity，enterprise，publicspirit，andbenevolence。HeisoneofthemostzealousofficersIeversawinmylife;heappearstometohavebeendoingnothingduringthelastweekbutrushingintoandoutofrailway-carriages，andmakingeloquentspeechesatallsortsofpublicdinnersinfavourofthischarity。LasteveninghewasatManchester，andthiseveninghecomeshere，sacrificinghistimeandconvenience，andexhaustinginthemeantimethecontentsoftwovastleadeninkstandsandnoendofpens，withtheenergyoffiftybankers\'clerksrolledintoone。

ButIclearlyforeseethattheTreasurerwillhavesomuchtodoto-night，suchgratifyingsumstoacknowledgeandsuchlargelinesoffigurestowriteinhisbooks，thatIfeelthegreatestconsiderationIcanshowhimistoproposehishealthwithoutfurtherobservation，leavinghimtoaddressyouinhisownbehalf。

Iproposetoyou，therefore，thehealthofMr。GeorgeMoore，theTreasurerofthischarity，andIneedhardlyaddthatitisonewhichistobedrunkwithallthehonours。

[Laterintheevening，Mr。Dickensroseandsaid：-]

SomanytravellershavebeengoingupMontBlanclately，bothinfactandinfiction，thatIhaveheardrecentlyofaproposalfortheestablishmentofaCompanytoemploySirJosephPaxtontotakeitdown。Onlyoneofthosetravellers，however，hasbeenenabledtobringMontBlanctoPiccadilly，and，byhisownabilityandgoodhumour，sotothawitseternaliceandsnow，asthatthemosttimidladymayascendittwicea-day，“duringtheholidays，“withoutthesmallestdangerorfatigue。Mr。AlbertSmith，whoispresentamongstusto-night，isundoubtedly“atraveller。”Idonotknowwhetherhetakesmanyorders，butthisIcantestify，onbehalfofthechildrenofhisfriends，thathegivestheminthemostliberalmanner。

WehavealsoamongstusmyfriendMr。PeterCunningham，whoisalsoatraveller，notonlyinrightofhisableeditionofGoldsmith\'s“Traveller，“butinrightofhisadmirableHandbook，whichproveshimtobeatravellerintherightspiritthroughallthelabyrinthsofLondon。WehavealsoamongstusmyfriendHoraceMayhew，verywellknownalsoforhisbooks，butespeciallyforhisgenuineadmirationofthecompanyatthatendoftheroom[MR。

DICKENSHEREPOINTEDTOTHELADIESGALLERY]，andwho，wheneverthefairsexismentioned，willbefoundtohavetheliveliestpersonalinterestintheconversation。

Ladiesandgentlemen，Iamabouttoproposetoyouthehealthofthesethreedistinguishedvisitors。Theyarealladmirablespeakers，butMr。AlbertSmithhasconfessedtome，thatonfairlybalancinghisownmeritsasaspeakerandasinger，heratherthinksheexcelsinthelatterart。Ihave，therefore，yieldedtohisestimateofhimself，andIhavenowthepleasureofinformingyouthathewillleadoffthespeechesoftheothertwogentlemenwithasong。Mr。AlbertSmithhasjustsaidtomeinanearnesttoneofvoice，“Whatsongwouldyourecommend？“andIreplied，“Galignani\'sMessenger。”Ladiesandgentlemen，IthereforebegtoproposethehealthofMessrs。AlbertSmith，PeterCunningham，andHoraceMayhew，andcallonthefirst-namedgentlemanforasong。

SPEECH：ADMINISTRATIVEREFORM。THEATREROYAL，DRURYLANE，WEDNESDAY，JUNE27，1855。

ICANNOT，Iamsure，betterexpressmysenseofthekindreceptionaccordedtomebythisgreatassembly，thanbypromisingtocompresswhatIshalladdresstoitwithintheclosestpossiblelimits。Itismorethaneighteenhundredyearsago，sincetherewasasetofmenwho“thoughttheyshouldbeheardfortheirmuchspeaking。”Astheyhavepropagatedexceedinglysincethattime，andasIobservethattheyflourishjustnowtoasurprisingextentaboutWestminster，Iwilldomybesttoavoidaddingtothenumbersofthatprolificrace。ThenoblelordattheheadoftheGovernment，whenhewonderedinParliamentaboutaweekago，thatmyfriend，Mr。Layard，didnotblushforhavingstatedinthisplacewhatthewholecountryknowsperfectlywelltobetrue，andwhatnomaninitcanbypossibilitybetterknowtobetruethanthosedisinterestedsupportersofthatnoblelord，whohadtheadvantageofhearinghimandcheeringhimnightafternight，whenhefirstbecamepremier-Imeanthathedidofficiallyandhabituallyjoke，atatimewhenthiscountrywasplungedindeepdisgraceanddistress-Isay，thatnoblelord，whenhewonderedsomuchthatthemanofthisage，whohas，byhisearnestandadventurousspirit，donethemosttodistinguishhimselfandit，didnotblushforthetremendousaudacityofhavingsocomebetweenthewindandhisnobility，turnedanairyperiodwithreferencetotheprivatetheatricalsatDruryLaneTheatre。Now，Ihavesomeslightacquaintancewiththeatricals，privateandpublic，andI

willacceptthatfigureofthenoblelord。IwillnotsaythatifIwantedtoformacompanyofHerMajesty\'sservants，IthinkI

shouldknowwheretoputmyhandon“thecomicoldgentleman;“nor，thatifIwantedtogetupapantomime，IfancyIshouldknowwhatestablishmenttogotoforthetricksandchanges;also，foraveryconsiderablehostofsupernumeraries，totriponeanotherupinthatcontentionwithwhichmanyofusarefamiliar，bothontheseandonotherboards，inwhichtheprincipalobjectsthrownaboutareloavesandfishes。ButIwilltrytogivethenoblelordthereasonfortheseprivatetheatricals，andthereasonwhy，howeverardentlyhemaydesiretoringthecurtaindownuponthem，thereisnotthefaintestpresenthopeoftheircomingtoaconclusion。Itisthis：-Thepublictheatricalswhichthenoblelordissocondescendingastomanagearesointolerablybad，themachineryissocumbrous，thepartssoill-distributed，thecompanysofullof“walkinggentlemen，“themanagershavesuchlargefamilies，andaresobentuponputtingthosefamiliesintowhatistheatricallycalled“firstbusiness“-notbecauseoftheiraptitudeforit，butbecausetheyAREtheirfamilies，thatwefindourselvesobligedtoorganizeanopposition。WehaveseentheCOMEDYOFERRORSplayedsodismallylikeatragedythatwereallycannotbearit。Weare，therefore，makingboldtogetuptheSCHOOLOFREFORM，andwehope，beforetheplayisout，toimprovethatnoblelordbyourperformanceveryconsiderably。Ifheobjectthatwehavenorighttoimprovehimwithouthislicense，weventuretoclaimthatrightinvirtueofhisorchestra，consistingofaverypowerfulpiper，whomwealwayspay。

Sir，asthisisthefirstpoliticalmeetingIhaveeverattended，andasmytradeandcallingisnotassociatedwithpolitics，perhapsitmaybeusefulformetoshowhowIcametobehere，becausereasonssimilartothosewhichhaveinfluencedmemaystillbetremblinginthebalanceinthemindsofothers。Iwantatalltimes，infullsincerity，todomydutybymycountrymen。IfI

feelanattachmenttowardsthem，thereisnothingdisinterestedormeritoriousinthat，forIcannevertooaffectionatelyremembertheconfidenceandfriendshipthattheyhavelongreposedinme。

Mysphereofaction-whichIshallneverchange-Ishallneveroverstep，furtherthanthis，orforalongerperiodthanIdoto-

night。ByliteratureIhavelived，andthroughliteratureIhavebeencontenttoservemycountry;andIamperfectlywellawarethatIcannotservetwomasters。InmysphereofactionIhavetriedtounderstandtheheaviersocialgrievances，andtohelptosetthemright。WhentheTIMESnewspaperproveditsthenalmostincrediblecase，inreferencetotheghastlyabsurdityofthatvastlabyrinthofmisplacedmenandmisdirectedthings，whichhadmadeEnglandunabletofindonthefaceoftheearth，anenemyone-

twentiethpartsopotenttoeffectthemiseryandruinofhernobledefendersasshehasbeenherself，Ibelievethatthegloomysilenceintowhichthecountryfellwasbyfarthedarkestaspectinwhichagreatpeoplehadbeenexhibitedformanyyears。Withshameandindignationloweringamongallclassesofsociety，andthisnewelementofdiscordpiledontheheavingbasisofignorance，povertyandcrime，whichisalwaysbelowus-withlittleadequateexpressionofthegeneralmind，orapparentunderstandingofthegeneralmind，inParliament-withthemachineryofGovernmentandthelegislaturegoingroundandround，andthepeoplefallenfromitandstandingaloof，asiftheyleftittoitslastremainingfunctionofdestroyingitself，whenithadachievedthedestructionofsomuchthatwasdeartothem-Ididanddobelievethattheonlywholesometurnaffairssomenacingcouldpossiblytake，was，theawakingofthepeople，theoutspeakingofthepeople，theunitingofthepeopleinallpatriotismandloyaltytoeffectagreatpeacefulconstitutionalchangeintheadministrationoftheirownaffairs。Atsuchacrisisthisassociationarose;atsuchacrisisIjoinedit：

consideringitsfurthercasetobe-iffurthercasecouldpossiblybeneeded-thatwhatiseverybody\'sbusinessisnobody\'sbusiness，thatmenmustbegregariousingoodcitizenshipaswellasinotherthings，andthatitisalawinnaturethattheremustbeacentreofattractionforparticlestoflyto，beforeanyserviceablebodywithrecognisedfunctionscancomeintoexistence。Thisassociationhasarisen，andwebelongtoit。Whataretheobjectionstoit？Ihaveheardinthemainbutthree，whichIwillnowbrieflynotice。Itissaidthatitisproposedbythisassociationtoexerciseaninfluence，throughtheconstituencies，ontheHouseofCommons。IhavenottheleasthesitationinsayingthatIhavethesmallestamountoffaithintheHouseofCommonsatpresentexistingandthatIconsidertheexerciseofsuchinfluencehighlynecessarytothewelfareandhonourofthiscountry。IwasreadingnolaterthanyesterdaythebookofMr。Pepys，whichisratherafavouriteofmine，inwhichhe，twohundredyearsago，writingoftheHouseofCommons，says：

“MycousinRogerPepystellsmethatitismatterofthegreatestgrieftohimintheworldthatheshouldbeputuponthistrustofbeingaParliamentman;becausehesaysnothingisdone，thathecansee，outofanytruthandsincerity，butmereenvyanddesign。”

Now，howitcomestopassthataftertwohundredyears，andmanyyearsafteraReformBill，thehouseofCommonsissolittlechanged，Iwillnotstoptoinquire。Iwillnotaskhowithappensthatbillswhichcrampandworrythepeople，andrestricttheirscantenjoyments，aresoeasilypassed，andhowithappensthatmeasuresfortheirrealinterestsaresoverydifficulttobegotthroughParliament。Iwillnotanalysetheconfinedairofthelobby，orreducetotheirprimitivegasesitsdeadeninginfluencesonthememoryofthatHonourableMemberwhowasonceacandidateforthehonourofyour-andmy-independentvoteandinterest。I

willnotaskwhatisthatSecretarianfigure，fullofblandishments，standingonthethreshold，withitsfingeronitslips。Iwillnotaskhowitcomesthatthosepersonalaltercations，involvingalltheremovesanddefinitionsofShakespeare\'sTouchstone-theretortcourteous-thequipmodest-

thereplychurlish-thereproofvaliant-thecountercheckquarrelsome-theliecircumstantialandtheliedirect-areofimmeasurablygreaterinterestintheHouseofCommonsthanthehealth，thetaxation，andtheeducation，ofawholepeople。IwillnotpenetrateintothemysteriesofthatsecretchamberinwhichtheBluebeardofPartykeepshisstrangledpublicquestions，andwithregardtowhich，whenhegivesthekeytohiswife，thenewcomer，hestrictlychargesheronnoaccounttoopenthedoor。I

willmerelyputittotheexperienceofeverybodyhere，whethertheHouseofCommonsisnotoccasionallyalittlehardofhearing，alittledimofsight，alittleslowofunderstanding，andwhether，inshort，itisnotinasufficiencyinvalidedstatetorequireclosewatching，andtheoccasionalapplicationofsharpstimulants;

andwhetheritisnotcapableofconsiderableimprovement？I

believethat，inordertopreserveitinastateofrealusefulnessandindependence，thepeoplemustbeverywatchfulandveryjealousofit;anditmusthaveitsmemoryjogged;andbekeptawakewhenithappenstohavetakentoomuchMinisterialnarcotic;itmustbetrottedabout，andmustbebustledandpinchedinafriendlyway，asistheusageinsuchcases。Iholdthatnopowercandepriveusoftherighttoadministerourfunctionsasabodycomprisingelectorsfromallpartsofthecountry，associatedtogetherbecausetheircountryisdearertothemthandrowsytwaddle，unmeaningroutine，orworn-outconventionalities。

Thisbringsmetoobjectionnumbertwo。ItisstatedthatthisAssociationsetsclassagainstclass。Isthisso？(CRIESOF

“No。”)No，itfindsclasssetagainstclass，andseekstoreconcilethem。Iwishtoavoidplacinginoppositionthosetwowords-AristocracyandPeople。Iamonewhocanbelieveinthevirtuesandusesofboth，andwouldnotonanyaccountdepriveeitherofasinglejustrightbelongingtoit。Iwilluse，insteadofthesewords，theterms，thegovernorsandthegoverned。ThesetwobodiestheAssociationfindswithagulfbetweenthem，inwhicharelying，newly-buried，thousandsonthousandsofthebravestandmostdevotedmenthatevenEnglandeverbred。Itistopreventtherecurrenceofinnumerablesmallerevils，ofwhich，unchecked，thatgreatcalamitywasthecrowningheightandthenecessaryconsummation，andtobringtogetherthosetwofrontslookingnowsostrangelyateachother，thatthisAssociationseekstohelptobridgeoverthatabyss，withastructurefoundedoncommonjusticeandsupportedbycommonsense。Settingclassagainstclass！Thatistheveryparrotprattlethatwehavesolongheard。Tryitsjusticebythefollowingexample：-Arespectablegentlemanhadalargeestablishment，andagreatnumberofservants，whoweregoodfornothing，who，whenheaskedthemtogivehischildrenbread，gavethemstones;who，whentheyweretoldtogivethosechildrenfish，gavethemserpents。WhentheywereorderedtosendtotheEast，theysenttotheWest;whentheyoughttohavebeenservingdinnerintheNorth，theywereconsultingexplodedcookerybooksintheSouth;whowasted，destroyed，tumbledoveroneanotherwhenrequiredtodoanything，andwerebringingeverythingtoruin。Atlasttherespectablegentlemancallshishousesteward，andsays，eventhenmoreinsorrowthaninanger，“Thisisaterriblebusiness;nofortunecanstandit-nomortalequanimitycanbearit！Imustchangemysystem;Imustobtainservantswhowilldotheirduty。”Thehousestewardthrowsuphiseyesinpioushorror，ejaculates“GoodGod，master，youaresettingclassagainstclass！“

andthenrushesoffintotheservants\'hall，anddeliversalongandmeltingorationonthatwickedfeeling。

Inowcometothethirdobjection，whichiscommonamongyounggentlemenwhoarenotparticularlyfitforanythingbutspendingmoneywhichtheyhavenotgot。Itisusuallycomprisedintheobservation，“HowveryextraordinaryitisthattheseAdministrativeReformfellowscan\'tmindtheirownbusiness。”I

thinkitwilloccurtoallthataverysufficientmodeofdisposingofthisobjectionistosay，thatitisourownbusinesswemindwhenwecomeforwardinthisway，anditistopreventitfrombeingmismanagedbythem。IobservefromtheParliamentarydebates-whichhaveoflate，by-the-bye，frequentlysuggestedtomethatthereisthisdifferencebetweenthebullofSpainthebullofNineveh，that，whereas，intheSpanishcase，thebullrushesatthescarlet，intheNinevitecase，thescarletrushesatthebull-I

haveobservedfromtheParliamentarydebatesthat，byacuriousfatality，therehasbeenagreatdealofthereproofvaliantandthecounter-checkquarrelsome，inreferencetoeverycase，showingthenecessityofAdministrativeReform，bywhomsoeverproduced，whensoever，andwheresoever。IdaresayIshouldhavenodifficultyinaddingtwoorthreecasestothelist，whichIknowtobetrue，andwhichIhavenodoubtwouldbecontradicted，butIconsideritaworkofsupererogation;for，ifthepeopleatlargebenotalreadyconvincedthatasufficientgeneralcasehasbeenmadeoutforAdministrativeReform，Ithinktheynevercanbe，andtheyneverwillbe。Thereis，however，anoldindisputable，verywellknownstory，whichhassopointedamoralattheendofitthatI

willsubstituteitforanewcase：bydoingofwhichImayavoid，Ihope，thesacredwrathofSt。Stephen\'s。AgesagoasavagemodeofkeepingaccountsonnotchedstickswasintroducedintotheCourtofExchequer，andtheaccountswerekept，muchasRobinsonCrusoekepthiscalendaronthedesertisland。Inthecourseofconsiderablerevolutionsoftime，thecelebratedCockerwasborn，anddied;Walkinghame，oftheTutor\'sAssistant，andwellversedinfigures，wasalsoborn，anddied;amultitudeofaccountants，book-

keepers，andactuaries，wereborn，anddied。Stillofficialroutineinclinedtothesenotchedsticks，asiftheywerepillarsoftheconstitution，andstilltheExchequeraccountscontinuedtobekeptoncertainsplintsofelmwoodcalled“tallies。”InthereignofGeorgeIII。aninquirywasmadebysomerevolutionaryspirit，whetherpens，ink，andpaper，slatesandpencils，beinginexistence，thisobstinateadherencetoanobsoletecustomoughttobecontinued，andwhetherachangeoughtnottobeeffected。

Alltheredtapeinthecountrygrewredderatthebarementionofthisboldandoriginalconception，andittooktill1826togetthesesticksabolished。In1834itwasfoundthattherewasaconsiderableaccumulationofthem;andthequestionthenarose，whatwastobedonewithsuchworn-out，worm-eaten，rottenoldbitsofwood？Idaresaytherewasavastamountofminuting，memoranduming，anddespatch-boxing，onthismightysubject。ThestickswerehousedatWestminster，anditwouldnaturallyoccurtoanyintelligentpersonthatnothingcouldbeeasierthantoallowthemtobecarriedawayforfire-woodbythemiserablepeoplewholiveinthatneighbourhood。However，theyneverhadbeenuseful，andofficialroutinerequiredthattheynevershouldbe，andsotheorderwentforththattheyweretobeprivatelyandconfidentiallyburnt。ItcametopassthattheywereburntinastoveintheHouseofLords。Thestove，overgorgedwiththesepreposteroussticks，setfiretothepanelling;thepanellingsetfiretotheHouseofLords;theHouseofLordssetfiretotheHouseofCommons;thetwohouseswerereducedtoashes;architectswerecalledintobuildothers;wearenowinthesecondmillionofthecostthereof;thenationalpigisnotnearlyoverthestileyet;

andthelittleoldwoman，Britannia，hasn\'tgothometo-night。

Now，Ithinkwemayreasonablyremark，inconclusion，thatallobstinateadherencetorubbishwhichthetimehaslongoutlived，iscertaintohaveinthesoulofitmoreorlessthatisperniciousanddestructive;andthatwillsomedaysetfiretosomethingorother;which，ifgivenboldlytothewindswouldhavebeenharmless;butwhich，obstinatelyretained，isruinous。IbelievemyselfthatwhenAdministrativeReformgoesupitwillbeidletohopetoputitdown，onthisorthatparticularinstance。Thegreat，broad，andtruecausethatourpublicprogressisfarbehindourprivateprogress，andthatwearenotmoreremarkableforourprivatewisdomandsuccessinmattersofbusinessthanweareforourpublicfollyandfailure，Itaketobeasclearlyestablishedasthesun，moon，andstars。Tosetthisright，andtoclearthewayinthecountryformeriteverywhere：acceptingitequallywhetheritbearistocraticordemocratic，onlyaskingwhetheritbehonestortrue，is，Itakeit，thetrueobjectofthisAssociation。

Thisobjectitseekstopromotebyunitingtogetherlargenumbersofthepeople，Ihope，ofallconditions，totheendthattheymaybettercomprehend，bearinmind，understandthemselves，andimpressuponothers，thecommonpublicduty。Also，ofwhichthereisgreatneed，thatbykeepingavigilanteyeontheskirmishersthrownoutfromtimetotimebythePartyofGenerals，theymayseethattheirfeintsandmanoeuvresdonotoppressthesmalldefaultersandreleasethegreat，andthattheydonotgullthepublicwithamerefield-dayReviewofReform，insteadofanearnest，hard-foughtBattle。Ihavehadnoconsultationwithanyoneuponthesubject，butIparticularlywishthatthedirectorsmaydevisesomemeansofenablingintelligentworkingmentojointhisbody，oneasiertermsthansubscriberswhohavelargerresources。Icouldwishtoseegreatnumbersofthembelongtous，becauseIsincerelybelievethatitwouldbegoodforthecommonweal。

SaidthenobleLordattheheadoftheGovernment，whenMr。Layardaskedhimforadayforhismotion，“Letthehon。gentlemanfindadayforhimself。”

“Now，inthenamesofallthegodsatonce，UponwhatmeatdoththisourCaesarfeedThatheisgrownsogreat？“

IfourCaesarwillexcuseme，Iwouldtakethelibertyofreversingthatcoolandloftysentiment，andIwouldsay，“FirstLord，yourdutyitistoseethatnomanislefttofindadayforhimself。

Seeyou，whotaketheresponsibilityofgovernment，whoaspiretoit，liveforit，intrigueforit，scrambleforit，whoholdtoittooth-and-nailwhenyoucangetit，seeyouthatnomanislefttofindadayforhimself。Inthisoldcountry，withitsseethinghard-workedmillions，itsheavytaxes，itsswarmsofignorant，itscrowdsofpoor，anditscrowdsofwicked，woethedaywhenthedangerousmanshallfindadayforhimself，becausetheheadoftheGovernmentfailedinhisdutyinnotanticipatingitbyabrighterandabetterone！Nameyoutheday，FirstLord;makeaday;workforadaybeyondyourlittletime，LordPalmerston，andHistoryinreturnmaythen-nototherwise-findadayforyou;adayequallyassociatedwiththecontentmentoftheloyal，patient，willing-

heartedEnglishpeople，andwiththehappinessofyourRoyalMistressandherfairlineofchildren。”

SPEECH：SHEFFIELD，DECEMBER22，1855。

[OnSaturdayEveningMr。CharlesDickensreadhisChristmasCarolintheMechanics\'HallinbehalfofthefundsoftheInstitute。

AfterthereadingtheMayorsaid，hehadbeenchargedbyafewgentlemeninSheffieldtopresenttoMr。Dickensforhisacceptanceaveryhandsomeserviceoftablecutlery，apairofrazors，andapairoffishcarvers，assomesubstantialmanifestationoftheirgratitudetoMr。DickensforhiskindnessincomingtoSheffield。

HenceforththeChristmasof1855wouldbeassociatedinhismindwiththenameofthatgentleman。]

MR。CHARLESDICKENS，inreceivingthepresentation，said，heacceptedwithheartfeltdelightandcordialgratitudesuchbeautifulspecimensofSheffield-workmanship;andhebeggedtoassurethemthatthekindobservationswhichhadbeenmadebytheMayor，andthewayinwhichtheyhadbeenrespondedtobythatassembly，wouldneverbeobliteratedfromhisremembrance。ThepresenttestifiednotonlytotheworkofSheffieldhands，buttothewarmthandgenerosityofSheffieldhearts。Itwashisearnestdesiretodorightbyhisreaders，andtoleaveimaginativeandpopularliteratureassociatedwiththeprivatehomesandpublicrightsofthepeopleofEngland。Thecaseofcutlerywithwhichhehadbeensokindlypresented，shouldberetainedasanheirloominhisfamily;andheassuredthemthatheshouldeverbefaithfultohisdeathtotheprincipleswhichhadearnedforhimtheirapproval。Intakinghisreluctantleaveofthem，hewishedthemmanymerryChristmases，andmanyhappynewyears。

SPEECH：LONDON，FEBRUARY9，1858。

[AttheAnniversaryFestivaloftheHospitalforSickChildren，onTuesday，Februarythe9th，1858，aboutonehundredandfiftygentlemensatdowntodinner，intheFreemasons\'Hall。LaterintheeveningalltheseatsinthegallerywerefilledwithladiesinterestedinthesuccessoftheHospital。Aftertheusualloyalandothertoasts，theChairman，Mr。Dickens，proposed“ProsperitytotheHospitalforSickChildren，“andsaid：-]

LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Itisoneofmyrulesinlifenottobelieveamanwhomayhappentotellmethathefeelsnointerestinchildren。Iholdmyselfboundtothisprinciplebyallkindconsideration，becauseIknow，asweallmust，thatanyheartwhichcouldreallytoughenitsaffectionsandsympathiesagainstthosedearlittlepeoplemustbewantinginsomanyhumanisingexperiencesofinnocenceandtenderness，astobequiteanunsafemonstrosityamongmen。ThereforeIsettheassertiondown，wheneverIhappentomeetwithit-whichissometimes，thoughnotoften-asanidleword，originatingpossiblyinthegenteellanguorofthehour，andmeaningaboutasmuchasthatknowingsociallassitude，whichhasusedupthecardinalvirtuesandquitefoundoutthingsingeneral，usuallydoesmean。Isupposeitmaybetakenforgrantedthatwe，whocometogetherinthenameofchildrenandforthesakeofchildren，acknowledgethatwehaveaninterestinthem;indeed，IhaveobservedsinceIsitdownherethatwearequiteinachildlikestatealtogether，representinganinfantinstitution，andnotevenyetagrown-upcompany。Afewyearsarenecessarytotheincreaseofourstrengthandtheexpansionofourfigure;andthenthesetables，whichnowhaveafewtucksinthem，willbeletout，andthenthishall，whichnowsitssoeasilyuponus，willbetootightandsmallforus。

Nevertheless，itislikelythatevenwearenotwithoutourexperiencenowandthenofspoiltchildren。Idonotmeanofourownspoiltchildren，becausenobody\'sownchildreneverwerespoilt，butImeanthedisagreeablechildrenofourparticularfriends。Weknowbyexperiencewhatitistohavethemdownafterdinner，and，acrosstherichperspectiveofamiscellaneousdesserttosee，asinablackdosedarkly，thefamilydoctorloominginthedistance。Weknow，Ihavenodoubtweallknow，whatitistoassistatthoselittlematernalanecdotesandtableentertainmentsillustratedwithimitationsanddescriptivedialoguewhichmightnotbeinaptlycalled，afterthemannerofmyfriendMr。AlbertSmith，thetoilsomeascentofMissMaryandtheeruption(cutaneous)ofMasterAlexander。Weknowwhatitiswhenthosechildrenwon\'tgotobed;weknowhowtheyproptheireyelidsopenwiththeirforefingerswhentheywillsitup;how，whentheybecomefractious，theysayaloudthattheydon\'tlikeus，andournoseistoolong，andwhydon\'twego？Andweareperfectlyacquaintedwiththosekickingbundleswhicharecarriedoffatlastprotesting。Aneminenteye-witnesstoldmethathewasoneofacompanyoflearnedpunditswhoassembledatthehouseofaverydistinguishedphilosopherofthelastgenerationtohearhimexpoundhisstringentviewsconcerninginfanteducationandearlymentaldevelopment，andhetoldmethatwhilethephilosopherdidthisinverybeautifulandlucidlanguage，thephilosopher\'slittleboy，forhispart，edifiedtheassembledsagesbydabblinguptotheelbowsinanapplepiewhichhadbeenprovidedfortheirentertainment，havingpreviouslyanointedhishairwiththesyrup，combeditwithhisfork，andbrusheditwithhisspoon。Itisprobablethatwealsohaveoursimilarexperiencessometimes，ofprinciplesthatarenotquitepractice，andthatweknowpeopleclaimingtobeverywiseandprofoundaboutnationsofmenwhoshowthemselvestoberatherweakandshallowaboutunitsofbabies。

But，ladiesandgentlemen，thespoiltchildrenwhomIhavetopresenttoyouafterthisdinnerofto-dayarenotofthisclass。

Ihaveglancedatthesefortheeasierandlighterintroductionofanother，averydifferent，afarmorenumerous，andafarmoreseriousclass。ThespoiltchildrenwhomImustshowyouarethespoiltchildrenofthepoorinthisgreatcity，thechildrenwhoare，everyyear，foreverandeverirrevocablyspoiltoutofthisbreathinglifeofoursbytensofthousands，butwhomayinvastnumbersbepreservedifyou，assistingandnotcontraveningthewaysofProvidence，willhelptosavethem。Thetwogrimnurses，PovertyandSickness，whobringthesechildrenbeforeyou，presideovertheirbirths，rocktheirwretchedcradles，naildowntheirlittlecoffins，pileuptheearthabovetheirgraves。Oftheannualdeathsinthisgreattown，theirunnaturaldeathsformmorethanone-third。Ishallnotaskyou，accordingtothecustomastotheotherclass-Ishallnotaskyouonbehalfofthesechildrentoobservehowgoodtheyare，howprettytheyare，howclevertheyare，howpromisingtheyare，whosebeautytheymostresemble-I

shallonlyaskyoutoobservehowweaktheyare，andhowlikedeaththeyare！AndIshallaskyou，bytheremembranceofeverythingthatliesbetweenyourowninfancyandthatsomiscalledsecondchildhoodwhenthechild\'sgracesaregoneandnothingbutitshelplessnessremains;IshallaskyoutoturnyourthoughtstoTHESEspoiltchildreninthesacrednamesofPityandCompassion。