第3章

Someyearsago，beinginScotland，Iwentwithoneofthemosthumanemembersofthehumanemedicalprofession，onamorningtouramongsomeoftheworstlodgedinhabitantsoftheoldtownofEdinburgh。Intheclosesandwyndsofthatpicturesqueplace-I

amsorrytoremindyouwhatfastfriendspicturesquenessandtyphusoftenare-wesawmorepovertyandsicknessinanhourthanmanypeoplewouldbelieveinalife。Ourwaylayfromonetoanotherofthemostwretcheddwellings，reekingwithhorribleodours;shutoutfromthesky，shutoutfromtheair，merepitsanddens。Inaroominoneoftheseplaces，wheretherewasanemptyporridge-potonthecoldhearth，witharaggedwomanandsomeraggedchildrencrouchingonthebaregroundnearit-where，IrememberasI

speak，thattheverylight，refractedfromahighdamp-stainedandtime-stainedhouse-wall，cametremblingin，asifthefeverwhichhadshakeneverythingelsetherehadshakenevenit-therelay，inanoldegg-boxwhichthemotherhadbeggedfromashop，alittlefeeble，wasted，wan，sickchild。Withhislittlewastedface，andhislittlehot，wornhandsfoldedoverhisbreast，andhislittlebright，attentiveeyes，Icanseehimnow，asIhaveseenhimforseveralyears，lookinsteadilyatus。Therehelayinhislittlefrailbox，whichwasnotatallabademblemofthelittlebodyfromwhichhewasslowlyparting-therehelay，quitequiet，quitepatient，sayingneveraword。Heseldomcried，themothersaid;heseldomcomplained;“helaythere，seemin\'towoonderwhatitwasa\'

aboot。”Godknows，Ithought，asIstoodlookingathim，hehadhisreasonsforwondering-reasonsforwonderinghowitcouldpossiblycometobethathelaythere，leftalone，feebleandfullofpain，whenheoughttohavebeenasbrightandasbriskasthebirdsthatnevergotnearhim-reasonsforwonderinghowhecametobeleftthere，alittledecrepidoldmanpiningtodeath，quiteathingofcourse，asiftherewerenocrowdsofhealthyandhappychildrenplayingonthegrassunderthesummer\'ssunwithinastone\'sthrowofhim，asiftherewerenobright，movingseaontheothersideofthegreathilloverhangingthecity;asiftherewerenogreatcloudsrushingoverit;asiftherewerenolife，andmovement，andvigouranywhereintheworld-nothingbutstoppageanddecay。Therehelaylookingatus，saying，inhissilence，morepatheticallythanIhaveeverheardanythingsaidbyanyoratorinmylife，“Willyoupleasetotellmewhatthismeans，strangeman？andifyoucangivemeanygoodreasonwhyIshouldbesosoon，sofaradvancedonmywaytoHimwhosaidthatchildrenweretocomeintoHispresenceandwerenottobeforbidden，butwhoscarcelymeant，Ithink，thattheyshouldcomebythishardroadbywhichIamtravelling;praygivethatreasontome，forI

seekitveryearnestlyandwonderaboutitverymuch;“andtomymindhehasbeenwonderingaboutiteversince。Manyapoorchild，sickandneglected，IhaveseensincethattimeinthisLondon;

manyapoorsickchildIhaveseenmostaffectionatelyandkindlytendedbypoorpeople，inanunwholesomehouseandunderuntowardcircumstances，whereinitsrecoverywasquiteimpossible;butatallsuchtimesIhaveseenmypoorlittledroopingfriendinhisegg-box，andhehasalwaysaddressedhisdumbspeechtome，andI

havealwaysfoundhimwonderingwhatitmeant，andwhy，inthenameofagraciousGod，suchthingsshouldbe！

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，suchthingsneednotbe，andwillnotbe，ifthiscompany，whichisadropofthelife-bloodofthegreatcompassionatepublicheart，willonlyacceptthemeansofrescueandpreventionwhichitisminetooffer。WithinaquarterofamileofthisplacewhereIspeak，standsacourtlyoldhouse，whereonce，nodoubt，bloomingchildrenwereborn，andgrewuptobemenandwomen，andmarried，andbroughttheirownbloomingchildrenbacktopatteruptheoldoakstaircasewhichstoodbuttheotherday，andtowonderattheoldoakcarvingsonthechimney-pieces。

Intheairywardsintowhichtheoldstatedrawing-roomsandfamilybedchambersofthathousearenowconvertedaresuchlittlepatientsthattheattendantnurseslooklikereclaimedgiantesses，andthekindmedicalpractitionerlikeanamiableChristianogre。

Groupedaboutthelittlelowtablesinthecentreoftheroomsaresuchtinyconvalescentsthattheyseemtobeplayingathavingbeenill。Onthedoll\'sbedsaresuchdiminutivecreaturesthateachpoorsuffererissuppliedwithitstrayoftoys;and，lookinground，youmayseehowthelittletired，flushedcheekhastoppledoverhalfthebrutecreationonitswayintotheark;orhowonelittledimpledarmhasmoweddown(asIsawmyself)thewholetinsoldieryofEurope。Onthewallsoftheseroomsaregraceful，pleasant，bright，childishpictures。Atthebed\'sheads，arepicturesofthefigurewhichistheuniversalembodimentofallmercyandcompassion，thefigureofHimwhowasonceachildhimself，andapoorone。Besidestheselittlecreaturesonthebeds，youmaylearninthatplacethatthenumberofsmallOut-

patientsbroughttothathouseforreliefisnofewerthantenthousandinthecompassofonesingleyear。Intheroominwhichthesearereceived，youmayseeagainstthewallabox，onwhichitiswritten，thatithasbeencalculated，thatifeverygratefulmotherwhobringsachildtherewilldropapennyintoit，theHospitalfundsmaypossiblybeincreasedinayearbysolargeasumasfortypounds。AndyoumayreadintheHospitalReport，withaglowofpleasure，thatthesepoorwomenaresorespondentastohavemade，eveninatoilingyearofdifficultyandhighprices，thisestimatedforty，fiftypounds。IntheprintedpapersofthissameHospital，youmayreadwithwhatagenerousearnestnessthehighestandwisestmembersofthemedicalprofessiontestifytothegreatneedofit;totheimmensedifficultyoftreatingchildreninthesamehospitalswithgrown-uppeople，byreasonoftheirdifferentailmentsandrequirements，tothevastamountofpainthatwillbeassuaged，andoflifethatwillbesaved，throughthisHospital;notonlyamongthepoor，observe，butamongtheprosperoustoo，byreasonoftheincreasedknowledgeofchildren\'sillnesses，whichcannotfailtoarisefromamoresystematicmodeofstudyingthem。Lastly，gentlemen，andIamsorrytosay，worstofall-(forImustpresentnorose-colouredpictureofthisplacetoyou-Imustnotdeceiveyou;)lastly，thevisitortothisChildren\'sHospital，reckoningupthenumberofitsbeds，willfindhimselfperforceobligedtostopatverylittleoverthirty;andwilllearn，withsorrowandsurprise，thateventhatsmallnumber，soforlornly，somiserablydiminutive，comparedwiththisvastLondon，cannotpossiblybemaintained，unlesstheHospitalbemadebetterknown;Ilimitmyselftosayingbetterknown，becauseIwillnotbelievethatinaChristiancommunityoffathersandmothers，andbrothersandsisters，itcanfail，beingbetterknown，tobewellandrichlyendowed。

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，this，withoutawordofadornment-

whichIresolvedwhenIgotupnottoallowmyself-thisisthesimplecase。ThisisthepatheticcasewhichIhavetoputtoyou;

notonlyonbehalfofthethousandsofchildrenwhoannuallydieinthisgreatcity，butalsoonbehalfofthethousandsofchildrenwholivehalfdeveloped，rackedwithpreventiblepain，shornoftheirnaturalcapacityforhealthandenjoyment。Iftheseinnocentcreaturescannotmoveyouforthemselves，howcanIpossiblyhopetomoveyouintheirname？Themostdelightfulpaper，themostcharmingessay，whichthetenderimaginationofCharlesLambconceived，representshimassittingbyhisfiresideonawinternighttellingstoriestohisowndearchildren，anddelightingintheirsociety，untilhesuddenlycomestohisold，solitary，bachelorself，andfindsthattheywerebutdream-childrenwhomighthavebeen，butneverwere。“Wearenothing，“theysaytohim;“lessthannothing，anddreams。Weareonlywhatmighthavebeen，andwemustwaituponthetediousshoreofLethe，millionsofages，beforewehaveexistenceandaname。”“Andimmediatelyawaking，“hesays，“Ifoundmyselfinmyarmchair。”Thedream-

childrenwhomIwouldnowraise，ifIcould，beforeeveryoneofyou，accordingtoyourvariouscircumstances，shouldbethedearchildyoulove，thedearerchildyouhavelost，thechildyoumighthavehad，thechildyoucertainlyhavebeen。Eachofthesedream-

childrenshouldholdinitspowerfulhandoneofthelittlechildrennowlyingintheChild\'sHospital，ornowshutoutofittoperish。Eachofthesedream-childrenshouldsaytoyou，“O，helpthislittlesuppliantinmyname;O，helpitformysake！“

Well！-Andimmediatelyawaking，youshouldfindyourselvesintheFreemasons\'Hall，happilyarrivedattheendofaratherlongspeech，drinking“ProsperitytotheHospitalforSickChildren，“

andthoroughlyresolvedthatitshallflourish。

SPEECH：EDINBURGH，MARCH，26，1858。

[OntheabovedateMr。DickensgaveareadingofhisChristmasCarolintheMusicHall，beforethemembersandsubscribersofthePhilosophicalInstitution。AttheconclusionofthereadingtheLordProvostofEdinburghpresentedhimwithamassivesilverwassailcup。Mr。Dickensacknowledgedthetributeasfollows：]

MYLORDPROVOST，ladies，andgentlemen，IbegtoassureyouIamdeeplysensibleofyourkindwelcome，andofthisbeautifulandgreatsurprise;andthatIthankyoucordiallywithallmyheart。

Ineverhaveforgotten，andInevercanforget，thatIhavethehonourtobeaburgessandguild-brotheroftheCorporationofEdinburgh。Aslongassixteenorseventeenyearsago，thefirstgreatpublicrecognitionandencouragementIeverreceivedwasbestowedonmeinthisgenerousandmagnificentcity-inthiscitysodistinguishedinliteratureandsodistinguishedinthearts。

YouwillreadilybelievethatIhavecarriedintothevariouscountriesIhavesincetraversed，andthroughallmysubsequentcareer，theproudandaffectionateremembranceofthateventfulepochinmylife;andthatcomingbacktoEdinburghistomelikecominghome。

Ladiesandgentlemen，youhaveheardsomuchofmyvoiceto-night，thatIwillnotinflictonyoutheadditionaltaskofhearinganymore。Iambetterreconciledtolimitingmyselftotheseveryfewwords，becauseIknowandfeelfullwellthatnoamountofspeechtowhichIcouldgiveutterancecouldpossiblyexpressmysenseofthehonouranddistinctionyouhaveconferredonme，ortheheartfeltgratificationIderivefromthisreception。

SPEECH：LONDON，MARCH29，1858。

[AtthethirteenthanniversaryfestivaloftheGeneralTheatricalFund，heldattheFreemasons\'Tavern，atwhichThackeraypresided，Mr。Dickensmadethefollowingspeech：]

INourtheatricalexperienceasplaygoersweareallequallyaccustomedtopredictbycertainlittlesignsandportentsonthestagewhatisgoingtohappenthere。Whentheyounglady，anadmiral\'sdaughter，isleftalonetoindulgeinashortsoliloquy，andcertainsmartspirit-rappingsareheardtoproceedimmediatelyfrombeneathherfeet，weforetellthatasongisimpending。Whentwogentlemenenter，forwhom，byahappycoincidence，twochairs，andnomore，areinwaiting，weauguraconversation，andthatitwillassumearetrospectivebiographicalcharacter。Whenanyoftheperformerswhobelongtothesea-faringormaraudingprofessionsareobservedtoarmthemselveswithverysmallswordstowhichareattachedverylargehilts，wepredictthattheaffairwillendinacombat。Carryingouttheassociationofideas，itmayhaveoccurredtosomethatwhenIaskedmyoldfriendinthechairtoallowmetoproposeatoastIhadhiminmyeye;andI

havehimnowonmylips。

ThedutiesofatrusteeoftheTheatricalFund，anofficewhichI

hold，arenotsofrequentorsogreatasitsprivileges。Heisinfactamerewalkinggentleman，withthemelancholydifferencethathehasnoonetolove。Ifthisadvantagecouldbeaddedtohischaracteritwouldbeoneofamoreagreeablenaturethanitis，andhisforlornpositionwouldbegreatlyimproved。Hisdutyistocalleveryhalfyearatthebankers\'，whenhesignshisnameinalargegreasyinconvenientbook，tocertaindocumentsofwhichheknowsnothing，andthenhedeliversittothepropertymanandexitsanywhere。

He，however，hasmanyprivileges。Itisoneofhisprivilegestowatchthesteadygrowthofaninstitutioninwhichhetakesgreatinterest;itisoneofhisprivilegestobearhistestimonytotheprudence，thegoodness，theself-denial，andtheexcellenceofaclassofpersonswhohavebeentoolongdepreciated，andwhosevirtuesaretoomuchdenied，outofthedepthsofanignorantandstupidsuperstition。Andlastly，itisoneofhisprivilegessometimestobecalledontoproposethehealthofthechairmanattheannualdinnersoftheinstitution，whenthatchairmanisoneforwhosegeniusheentertainsthewarmestadmiration，andwhomherespectsasafriend，andasonewhodoeshonourtoliterature，andinwhomliteratureishonoured。Isaywhenthatisthecase，hefeelsthatthislastprivilegeisagreatandhighone。FromtheearliestdaysofthisinstitutionIhaveventuredtoimpressonitsmanagers，thattheywouldconsultitscreditandsuccessbychoosingitschairmenasoftenaspossiblewithinthecircleofliteratureandthearts;andIwillventuretosaythatnosimilarinstitutionhasbeenpresidedoverbysomanyremarkableanddistinguishedmen。Iamsure，however，thatitneverhashad，andthatitneverwillhave，simplybecauseitcannothave，agreaterlustrecastuponitthanbythepresenceofthenobleEnglishwriterwhofillsthechairto-night。

Itisnotformeatthistime，andinthisplace，totakeonmyselftoflutterbeforeyouthewell-thumbedpagesofMr。Thackeray\'sbooks，andtotellyoutoobservehowfulltheyareofwitandwisdom，howout-speaking，andhowdevoidoffearorfavour;butI

willtakeleavetoremark，inpayingmyduehomageandrespecttothem，thatitisfittingthatsuchawriterandsuchaninstitutionshouldbebroughttogether。Everywriteroffiction，althoughhemaynotadoptthedramaticform，writesineffectforthestage。

Hemayneverwriteplays;butthetruthandpassionwhichareinhimmustbemoreorlessreflectedinthegreatmirrorwhichheholdsuptonature。Actors，managers，andauthorsareallrepresentedinthiscompany，anditmaybesupposedthattheyallhavestudiedthedeepwantsofthehumanheartinmanytheatres;

butnoneofthemcouldhavestudieditsmysteriousworkingsinanytheatretogreateradvantagethaninthebrightandairypagesofVANITYFAIR。Tothisskilfulshowman，whohassooftendelightedus，andwhohascharmedusagainto-night，wehavenowtowishGodspeed，andthathemaycontinueformanyyearstoexercisehispotentart。Tohimfillabumpertoast，andferventlyutter，Godblesshim！

SPEECH：LONDON，APRIL29，1858。

[ThereaderwillalreadyhaveobservedthatintheChristmasweekof1853，andonseveralsubsequentoccasions，Mr。DickenshadreadtheCHRISTMASCAROLandtheCHIMESbeforepublicaudiences，butalwaysinaidofthefundsofsomeinstitution，orforotherbenevolentpurposes。Thefirstreadingheevergaveforhisownbenefittookplaceontheabovedate，inSt。Martin\'sHall，(nowconvertedintotheQueen\'sTheatre)。ThisreadingMr。Dickensprefacedwiththefollowingspeech：-]

LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Itmayperhapsbeinknowntoyouthat，forafewyearspast，Ihavebeenaccustomedoccasionallytoreadsomeofmyshorterbooks，tovariousaudiences，inaidofavarietyofgoodobjects，andatsomechargetomyself，bothintimeandmoney。

Ithavingatlengthbecomeimpossibleinanyreasontocomplywiththesealwaysaccumulatingdemands，Ihavehaddefinitivelytochoosebetweennowandthenreadingonmyownaccount，asoneofmyrecognisedoccupations，ornotreadingatall。Ihavehadlittleornodifficultyindecidingontheformercourse。Thereasonsthathaveledmetoit-besidestheconsiderationthatitnecessitatesnodeparturewhateverfromthechosenpursuitsofmylife-arethreefold：firstly，Ihavesatisfiedmyselfthatitcaninvolvenopossiblecompromiseofthecreditandindependenceofliterature;secondly，Ihavelongheldtheopinion，andhavelongactedontheopinion，thatinthesetimeswhateverbringsapublicmanandhispublicfacetoface，ontermsofmutualconfidenceandrespect，isagoodthing;thirdly，Ihavehadaprettylargeexperienceoftheinterestmyhearersaresogenerousastotakeintheseoccasions，andofthedelighttheygivetome，asatriedmeansofstrengtheningthoserelations-Imayalmostsayofpersonalfriendship-whichitismygreatprivilegeandpride，asitismygreatresponsibility，toholdwithamultitudeofpersonswhowillneverhearmyvoicenorseemyface。ThusitisthatI

come，quitenaturally，tobehereamongyouatthistime;andthusitisthatIproceedtoreadthislittlebook，quiteascomposedlyasImightproceedtowriteit，ortopublishitinanyotherway。

SPEECH：LONDON，MAY1，1858。

[ThefollowingshortspeechwasmadeattheBanquetoftheRoyalAcademy，afterthehealthofMr。DickensandMr。ThackerayhadbeenproposedbythePresident，SirCharlesEastlake：-]

FOLLOWINGtheorderofyourtoast，Ihavetotakethefirstpartintheduettobeperformedinacknowledgmentofthecomplimentyouhavepaidtoliterature。InthishomeofartIfeelittobetoomuchaninterchangeofcompliments，asitwere，betweennearrelations，toenterintoanylengthenedexpressionofourthanksforthehonouryouhavedoneus。Ifeelthatitwouldbechangingthissplendidassemblyintoasortoffamilyparty。Imay，however，takeleavetosaythatyoursister，whomIrepresent，isstrongandhealthy;thatshehasaverygreataffectionfor，andanundyinginterestinyou，andthatitisalwaysaverygreatgratificationtohertoseeherselfsowellrememberedwithinthesewalls，andtoknowthatsheisanhonouredguestatyourhospitableboard。

SPEECH：LONDON，JULY21，1858。

[Ontheabovedate，apublicmeetingwasheldatthePrincess\'sTheatre，forthepurposeofestablishingthenowfamousRoyalDramaticCollege。Mr。CharlesKeanwasthechairman，andMr。

Dickensdeliveredthefollowingspeech：]

LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-IthinkImayventuretocongratulateyoubeforehandonthepleasantcircumstancethatthemoversandsecondersoftheresolutionswhichwillbesubmittedtoyouwill，probably，haveverylittletosay。ThroughtheReportwhichyouhaveheardread，andthroughthecomprehensiveaddressofthechairman，thecausewhichbringsustogetherhasbeensoveryclearlystatedtoyou，thatitcanstandinneedofverylittle，ifofanyfurtherexposition。But，asIhavethehonourtomovethefirstresolutionwhichthishandsomegift，andthevigorousactionthatmustbetakenuponit，necessitate，IthinkIshallonlygiveexpressiontowhatisuppermostinthegeneralmindhere，ifI

venturetoremarkthat，manyasthepartsareinwhichMr。Keanhasdistinguishedhimselfontheseboards，hehasneverappearedinoneinwhichthelargespiritofanartist，thefeelingofaman，andthegraceofagentleman，havebeenmoreadmirablyblendedthaninthisday\'sfaithfuladherencetothecallingofwhichheisaprosperousornament，andinthisday\'smanlyadvocacyofitscause。

Ladiesandgentlemen，theresolutionentrustedtomeis：

“ThattheReportoftheprovisionalcommitteebeadopted，andthatthismeetingjoyfullyaccepts，andgratefullyacknowledges，thegiftoffiveacresoflandreferredtointhesaidReport。”

Itismanifest，Itakeit，thatweareallagreeduponthisacceptanceandacknowledgment，andthatweallknowverywellthatthisgenerousgiftcaninspirebutonesentimentinthebreastofeveryloverofthedramaticart。Asitisfartoooftenforgottenbythosewhoareindebtedtoitformanyarestorativeflightoutofthisworking-dayworld，thatthesilks，andvelvets，andelegantcostumesofitsprofessorsmustbeeverynightexchangedforthehideouscoatsandwaistcoatsofthepresentday，inwhichwehavenowthehonourandthemisfortuneofappearingbeforeyou，sowhenwedomeetwithanaturesoconsiderablygenerousasthisdonor\'s，anddofindaninterestinthereallifeandstrugglesofthepeoplewhohavedelightedit，soveryspontaneousandsoveryliberal，wehavenothingtodobuttoacceptandtoadmire，wehavenodutyleftbutto“takethegoodsthegodsprovideus，“andtomakethebestandthemostofthem。Ladiesandgentlemen，allowmetoremark，thatinthismodeofturningagoodgifttothehighestaccount，liesthetruestgratitude。

Inreferencetothis，Icouldnotbutreflect，whilstMr。Keanwasspeaking，thatinanhourortwofromthistime，thespotuponwhichwearenowassembledwillbetransformedintothesceneofacraftyandacruelbond。Iknowthat，afewhourshence，theGrandCanalofVenicewillflow，withpicturesquefidelity，ontheveryspotwhereInowstanddryshod，andthat“thequalityofmercy“

willbebeautifullystatedtotheVenetianCouncilbyalearnedyoungdoctorfromPadua，ontheseveryboardsonwhichwenowenlargeuponthequalityofcharityandsympathy。Knowingthis，itcameintomymindtoconsiderhowdifferenttherealbondofto-dayfromtheidealbondofto-night。Now，allgenerosity，allforbearance，allforgetfulnessoflittlejealousiesandunworthydivisions，allunitedactionforthegeneralgood。Then，allselfishness，allmalignity，allcruelty，allrevenge，andallevil，-nowallgood。Then，abondtobebrokenwithinthecompassofafew-threeorfour-swiftlypassinghours，-now，abondtobevalidandofgoodeffectgenerationshence。

Ladiesandgentlemen，oftheexecutionanddeliveryofthisbond，betweenthisgenerousgentlemanontheonehand，andtheunitedmembersofatoooftenandtoolongdisunitedartupontheother，beyouthewitnesses。Doyouattestofeverythingthatisliberalandfreeinspirit，thatis“sonominatedinthebond;“andofeverythingthatisgrudging，self-seeking，unjust，orunfair，thatitisbynosophistryevertobefoundthere。IbegtomovetheresolutionwhichIhavealreadyhadthepleasureofreading。

SPEECH：MANCHESTER，DECEMBER3，1858。

[ThefollowingspeechwasdeliveredattheannualmeetingoftheInstitutionalAssociationofLancashireandCheshire，heldintheFree-tradeHallontheeveningoftheaboveday，atwhichMr。

Dickenspresided。]

IThasoflateyearsbecomenoticeableinEnglandthattheautumnseasonproducesanimmenseamountofpublicspeaking。Inoticethatnosoonerdotheleavesbegintofallfromthetrees，thanpearlsofgreatpricebegintofallfromthelipsofthewisemenoftheeast，andnorth，andwest，andsouth;andanybodymayhavethembythebushel，forthepickingup。Now，whetherthecomethasthisyearhadaquickeninginfluenceonthiscrop，asitisbysomesupposedtohavehaduponthecorn-harvestandthevintage，Idonotknow;butIdoknowthatIhaveneverobservedthecolumnsofthenewspaperstogroansoheavilyunderapressureoforations，eachvyingwiththeotherinthetwoqualitiesofhavinglittleornothingtodowiththematterinhand，andofbeingalwaysaddressedtoanyaudienceinthewideworldratherthantheaudiencetowhichitwasdelivered。

Theautumnhavinggone，andthewintercome，Iamsosanguineastohopethatweinourproceedingsmaybreakthroughthisenchantedcircleanddeviatefromthisprecedent;theratheraswehavesomethingrealtodo，andarecometogether，Iamsure，inallplainfellowshipandstraightforwardness，todoit。Wehavenolittlestrawsofourowntothrowuptoshowuswhichwayanywindblows，andwehavenoobliquebiddingsofourowntomakeforanythingoutsidethishall。

Atthetopofthepublicannouncementofthismeetingarethewords，“InstitutionalAssociationofLancashireandCheshire。”

Willyouallowme，inreferencetothemeaningofthosewords，topresentmyselfbeforeyouastheembodiedspiritofignorancerecentlyenlightened，andtoputmyselfthroughashort，voluntaryexaminationastotheresultsofmystudies。Tobeginwith：thetitledidnotsuggesttomeanythingintheleastlikethetruth。

Ihavebeenforsomeyearsprettyfamiliarwiththeterms，“Mechanics\'Institutions，“and“LiterarySocieties，“buttheyhave，unfortunately，becometoooftenassociatedinmymindwithabodyofgreatpretensions，lameastosomeimportantmemberorother，whichgenerallyinhabitsanewhousemuchtoolargeforit，whichisseldompaidfor，andwhichtakesthenameofthemechanicsmostgrievouslyinvain，forIhaveusuallyseenamechanicandadodointhatplacetogether。

I，therefore，beganmyeducation，inrespectofthemeaningofthistitle，verycoldlyindeed，sayingtomyself，“Here\'stheoldstory。”Buttheperusalofaveryfewlinesofmybooksoongavemetounderstandthatitwasnotbyanymeanstheoldstory;inshort，thatthisassociationisexpresslydesignedtocorrecttheoldstory，andtopreventitsdefectsfrombecomingperpetuated。I

learntthatthisInstitutionalAssociationistheunion，inonecentralhead，ofonehundredandfourteenlocalMechanics\'

InstitutionsandMutualImprovementSocieties，atanexpenseofnomorethanfiveshillingstoeachsociety;suggestingtoallhowtheycanbestcommunicatewithandprofitbythefountain-headandoneanother;keepingtheirbestaimssteadilybeforethem;advisingthemhowthoseaimscanbebestattained;givingadirectendandobjecttowhatmightotherwiseeasilybecomewasteforces;andsendingamongthemnotonlyoralteachers，but，betterstill，boxesofexcellentbooks，called“FreeItineratingLibraries。”Ilearnedthatthesebooksareconstantlymakingthecircuitofhundredsuponhundredsofmiles，andareconstantlybeingreadwithinexpressiblerelishbythousandsuponthousandsoftoilingpeople，butthattheyareneverdamagedordefacedbyonerudehand。Theseandotherlikefactsleadmetoconsidertheimmenseimportanceofthefact，thatnolittleclusterofworkingmen\'scottagescanariseinanyLancashireorCheshirevalley，atthefootofanyrunningstreamwhichenterprisehuntsoutforwater-power，butithasitseducationalfriendandcompanionreadyforit，willingforit，acquaintedwithitsthoughtsandwaysandturnsofspeechevenbeforeithascomeintoexistence。

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，thisisthemainconsiderationthathasbroughtmehere。Nocentralassociationatadistancecouldpossiblydoforthoseworkingmenwhatthislocalassociationdoes。

Nocentralassociationatadistancecouldpossiblyunderstandthemasthislocalassociationdoes。Nocentralassociationatadistancecouldpossiblyputtheminthatfamiliarandeasycommunicationonewithanother，asthatI，manorboy，eagerforknowledge，inthatvalleysevenmilesoff，shouldknowofyou，manorboy，eagerforknowledge，inthatvalleytwelvemilesoff，andshouldoccasionallytrudgetomeetyou，thatyoumayimpartyourlearninginonebranchofacquisitiontome，whilstIimpartmineinanothertoyou。Yetthisisdistinctlyafeature，andamostimportantfeature，ofthissociety。

Ontheotherhand，itisnottobesupposedthatthesehonestmen，howeverzealous，could，asarule，succeedinestablishingandmaintainingtheirowninstitutionsofthemselves。Itisobviousthatcombinationmustmateriallydiminishtheircost，whichisintimeavitalconsideration;anditisequallyobviousthatexperience，essentialtothesuccessofallcombination，isespeciallysowhenitsobjectistodiffusetheresultsofexperienceandofreflection。

Well，ladiesandgentlemen，thestudentofthepresentprofitablehistoryofthissocietydoesnotstophereinhislearning;whenhehasgotsofar，hefindswithinterestandpleasurethattheparentsocietyatcertainstatedperiodsinvitesthemoreeagerandenterprisingmembersofthelocalsocietytosubmitthemselvestovoluntaryexaminationinvariousbranchesofusefulknowledge，ofwhichexaminationittakesthechargeandarrangesthedetails，andinvitesthesuccessfulcandidatestocometoManchestertoreceivetheprizesandcertificatesofmeritwhichitimpartiallyawards。

Themostsuccessfulofthecompetitorsinthelistoftheseexaminationsarenowamongus，andtheselittlemarksofrecognitionandencouragementIshallhavethehonourpresentlyofgivingthem，astheycomebeforeyou，onebyone，forthatpurpose。

Ihavelookedoverafewofthoseexaminationpapers，whichhavecomprisedhistory，geography，grammar，arithmetic，book-keeping，decimalcoinage，mensuration，mathematics，socialeconomy，theFrenchlanguage-infact，theycompriseallthekeysthatopenallthelocksofknowledge。Ifeltmostdevoutlygratified，astomanyofthem，thattheyhadnotbeensubmittedtometoanswer，forIamperfectlysurethatiftheyhadbeen，Ishouldhavehadmightylittletobestowuponmyselfto-night。Andyetitisalwaystobeobservedandseriouslyrememberedthattheseexaminationsareundergonebypeoplewhoseliveshavebeenpassedinacontinualfightforbread，andwhosewholeexistence，hasbeenaconstantwrestlewith“Thosetwingaolersofthedaringheart-

Lowbirthandironfortune。”

Icouldnotbutconsider，withextraordinaryadmiration，thatthesequestionshavebeenrepliedto，notbymenlikemyself，thebusinessofwhoselifeiswithwritingandwithbooks，butbymen，thebusinessofwhoselifeiswithtoolsandwithmachinery。

Letmeendeavourtorecall，aswellasmymemorywillserveme，fromamongthemostinterestingcasesofprize-holdersandcertificate-gainerswhowillappearbeforeyou，sometwoorthreeofthemostconspicuousexamples。TherearetwopoorbrothersfromnearChorley，whoworkfrommorningtonightinacoal-pit，andwho，inallweathers，havewalkedeightmilesa-night，threenightsa-week，toattendtheclassesinwhichtheyhavegaineddistinction。TherearetwopoorboysfromBollington，whobeginlifeaspiecersatoneshillingoreighteen-pencea-week，andthefatherofoneofwhomwascuttopiecesbythemachineryatwhichheworked，butnotbeforehehadhimselffoundedtheinstitutioninwhichthissonhassincecometobetaught。Thesetwopoorboyswillappearbeforeyouto-night，totakethesecond-classprizeinchemistry。ThereisaplastererfromBury，sixteenyearsofage，whotookathird-classcertificatelastyearatthehandsofLordBrougham;heisthisyearagainsuccessfulinacompetitionthreetimesassevere。Thereisawagon-makerfromthesameplace，whoknewlittleorabsolutelynothinguntilhewasagrownman，andwhohaslearnedallheknows，whichisagreatdeal，inthelocalinstitution。Thereisachain-maker，inveryhumblecircumstances，andworkinghardallday，whowalkssixmilesa-night，threenightsa-week，toattendtheclassesinwhichhehaswonsofamousaplace。Thereisamoulderinanironfoundry，who，whilsthewasworkingtwelvehoursadaybeforethefurnace，gotupatfouro\'clockinthemorningtolearndrawing。“Thethoughtofmylads，“

hewritesinhismodestaccountofhimself，“intheirpeacefulslumbersaboveme，gavemefreshcourage，andIusedtothinkthatifIshouldneverreceiveanypersonalbenefit，Imightinstructthemwhentheycametobeofanagetounderstandthemightymachinesandengineswhichhavemadeourcountry，England，pre-

eminentintheworld\'shistory。”Thereisapieceratmule-frames，whocouldnotreadateighteen，whoisnowamanoflittlemorethanthirty，whoisthesolesupportofanagedmother，whoisarithmeticalteacherintheinstitutioninwhichhehimselfwastaught，whowritesofhimselfthathemadetheresolutionnevertotakeupasubjectwithoutkeepingtoit，andwhohaskepttoitwithsuchanastonishingwill，thatheisnowwellversedinEuclidandAlgebra，andisthebestFrenchscholarinStockport。Thedrawing-classesinthatsameStockportaretaughtbyaworkingblacksmith;andthepupilsofthatworkingblacksmithwillreceivethehighesthonoursofto-night。Wellmayitbesaidofthatgoodblacksmith，asitwaswrittenofanotherofhistrade，bytheAmericanpoet：

“Toiling，rejoicing，sorrowing，Onwardthroughlifehegoes;

Eachmorningseessometaskbegun，Eacheveningseesitsclause。

Somethingattempted，somethingdone，Hasearn\'danight\'srepose。”

Topassfromthesuccessfulcandidatestothedelegatesfromlocalsocietiesnowbeforeme，andtocontentmyselfwithoneinstancefromamongstthem。Thereisamongtheirnumberamostremarkableman，whosehistoryIhavereadwithfeelingsthatIcouldnotadequatelyexpressunderanycircumstances，andleastofallwhenI

knowhehearsme，whoworkedwhenhewasamerebabyathand-loomweavinguntilhedroppedfromfatigue：whobegantoteachhimselfassoonashecouldearnfiveshillingsa-week：whoisnowabotanist，acquaintedwitheveryproductionoftheLancashirevalley：whoisanaturalist，andhasmadeandpreservedacollectionoftheeggsofBritishbirds，andstuffedthebirds：

whoisnowaconchologist，withaverycurious，andinsomerespectsanoriginalcollectionoffresh-watershells，andhasalsopreservedandcollectedthemossesoffreshwaterandofthesea：

whoisworthilythepresidentofhisownlocalLiteraryInstitution，andwhowasathisworkthistimelastnightasforemaninamill。

Sostimulatinghasbeentheinfluenceofthesebrightexamples，andmanymore，thatInoticeamongtheapplicationsfromBlackburnforpreliminarytestexaminationpapers，onefromanapplicantwhogravelyfillsuptheprintedformbydescribinghimselfastenyearsofage，andwho，withequalgravity，describeshisoccupationas“nursingalittlechild。”Norarethesethingsconfinedtothemen。Thewomenemployedinfactories，milliners\'work，anddomesticservice，havebeguntoshow，asitisfittingtheyshould，amostdecideddeterminationnottobeoutdonebythemen;andthewomenofPrestoninparticular，havesohonourablydistinguishedthemselves，andshownintheirexaminationpaperssuchanadmirableknowledgeofthescienceofhouseholdmanagementandhouseholdeconomy，thatifIwereaworkingbachelorofLancashireorCheshire，andifIhadnotcastmyeyeorsetmyheartuponanylassinparticular，Ishouldpositivelygetupatfouro\'clockinthemorningwiththedeterminationoftheiron-moulderhimself，andshouldgotoPrestoninsearchofawife。

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，theseinstances，andmanymore，dailyoccurring，alwaysaccumulating，aresurelybettertestimonytotheworkingofthisAssociation，thananynumberofspeakerscouldpossiblypresenttoyou。SurelythepresenceamongusoftheseindefatigablepeopleistheAssociation\'sbestandmosteffectivetriumphinthepresentandthepast，andisitsnobleststimulustoeffortinthefuture。Asitstemporarymouth-piece，Iwouldbegtosaytothatportionofthecompanywhoattendtoreceivetheprizes，thattheinstitutioncanneverholditselfapartfromthem;-

canneversetitselfabovethem;thattheirdistinctionandsuccessmustbeitsdistinctionandsuccess;andthattherecanbebutoneheartbeatingbetweenthemandit。Inparticular，IwouldmostespeciallyentreatthemtoobservethatnothingwilleverbefurtherfromthisAssociation\'smindthantheimpertinenceofpatronage。Theprizesthatitgives，andthecertificatesthatitgives，aremereadmiringassurancesofsympathywithsomanystrivingbrothersandsisters，andareonlyvaluableforthespiritinwhichtheyaregiven，andinwhichtheyarereceived。Theprizesaremoneyprizes，simplybecausetheInstitutiondoesnotpresumetodoubtthatpersonswhohavesowellgovernedthemselves，knowbesthowtomakealittlemoneyserviceable-becauseitwouldbeashametotreatthemlikegrown-upbabiesbylayingitoutforthem，andbecauseitknowsitisgiven，andknowsitistaken，inperfectclearnessofpurpose，perfecttrustfulness，and，aboveall，perfectindependence。

LadiesandGentlemen，revertingoncemoretothewholecollectiveaudiencebeforeme，Iwill，inanothertwominutes，releasetheholdwhichyourfavourhasgivenmeonyourattention。OftheadvantagesofknowledgeIhavesaid，andIshallsay，nothing。Ofthecertaintywithwhichthemanwhograspsitunderdifficultiesrisesinhisownrespectandinusefulnesstothecommunity，Ihavesaid，andIshallsay，nothing。InthecityofManchester，inthecountyofLancaster，bothofthemremarkableforself-taughtmen，thatweresuperfluousindeed。ForthesamereasonIrigidlyabstainfromputtingtogetheranyoftheshatteredfragmentsofthatpoorclayimageofaparrot，whichwasoncealwayssaying，withoutknowingwhy，orwhatitmeant，thatknowledgewasadangerousthing。IshouldassoonthinkofpiecingtogetherthemutilatedremainsofanywretchedHindoowhohasbeenblownfromanEnglishgun。Both，creaturesofthepast，havebeen-asmyfriendMr。Carlylevigorouslyhasit-“blastedintospace;“andthere，astothisworld，isanendofthem。

SoIdesire，inconclusion，onlytosoundtwostrings。Inthefirstplace，letmecongratulateyouupontheprogresswhichrealmutualimprovementsocietiesaremakingatthistimeinyourneighbourhood，throughthenobleagencyofindividualemployersandtheirfamilies，whomyoucannevertoomuchdelighttohonour。

Elsewhere，throughtheagencyofthegreatrailwaycompanies，someofwhicharebestirringthemselvesinthismatterwithagallantryandgenerositydeservingofallpraise。Secondlyandlastly，letmesayonewordoutofmyownpersonalheart，whichisalwaysveryneartoitinthisconnexion。Donotletus，inthemidstofthevisibleobjectsofnature，whoseworkingswecantellofinfigures，surroundedbymachinesthatcanbemadetothethousandthpartofaninch，acquiringeverydayknowledgewhichcanbeproveduponaslateordemonstratedbyamicroscope-donotletus，inthelaudablepursuitofthefactsthatsurroundus，neglectthefancyandtheimaginationwhichequallysurroundusasapartofthegreatscheme。Letthechildhaveitsfables;letthemanorwomanintowhichitchanges，alwaysrememberthosefablestenderly。

Letnumerousgracesandornamentsthatcannotbeweighedandmeasured，andthatseematfirstsightidleenough，continuetohavetheirplacesaboutus，beweneversowise。Thehardestheadmayco-existwiththesoftestheart。Theunionandjustbalanceofthosetwoisalwaysablessingtothepossessor，andalwaysablessingtomankind。TheDivineTeacherwasasgentleandconsiderateasHewaspowerfulandwise。YouallknowhowHecouldstilltheragingofthesea，andcouldhushalittlechild。AstheutmostresultsofthewisdomofmencanonlybeatlasttohelptoraisethisearthtothatconditiontowhichHisdoctrine，untaintedbytheblindnessesandpassionsofmen，wouldhaveexalteditlongago;soletusalwaysrememberthatHesetustheexampleofblendingtheunderstandingandtheimagination，andthat，followingitourselves，wetreadinHissteps，andhelpourraceontoitsbetterandbestdays。Knowledge，asallfollowersofitmustknow，hasaverylimitedpowerindeed，whenitinformstheheadalone;

butwhenitinformstheheadandthehearttoo，ithasapoweroverlifeanddeath，thebodyandthesoul，anddominatestheuniverse。

SPEECH：COVENTRY，DECEMBER4，1858。

[Ontheaboveevening，apublicdinnerwasheldattheCastleHotel，ontheoccasionofthepresentationtoMr。CharlesDickensofagoldwatch，asamarkofgratitudeforthereadingofhisChristmasCarol，giveninDecemberofthepreviousyear，inaidofthefundsoftheCoventryInstitute。ThechairwastakenbyC。W。

Hoskyns，Esq。Mr。Dickensackowledgedthetestimonialinthefollowingwords：]

MR。CHAIRMAN，Mr。Vice-chairman，andGentlemen，-Ihopeyourmindswillbegreatlyrelievedbymyassuringyouthatitisoneoftherulesofmylifenevertomakeaspeechaboutmyself。IfI

knowinglydidso，underanycircumstances，itwouldbeleastofallundersuchcircumstancesasthese，whenitseffectonmyacknowledgmentofyourkindregard，andthispleasantproofofit，wouldbetogivemeacertainconstrainedair，whichIfearwouldcontrastbadlywithyourgreeting，socordial，sounaffected，soearnest，andsotrue。Furthermore，yourChairmanhasdecoratedtheoccasionwithalittlegarlandofgoodsense，goodfeeling，andgoodtaste;sothatIamsurethatanyattemptatadditionalornamentwouldbealmostanimpertinence。

ThereforeIwillatoncesayhowearnestly，howfervently，andhowdeeplyIfeelyourkindness。Thiswatch，withwhichyouhavepresentedme，shallbemycompanioninmyhoursofsedentaryworkingathome，andinmywanderingsabroad。Itshallneverbeabsentfrommyside，anditshallreckonoffthelaboursofmyfuturedays;andIcanassureyouthatafterthisnighttheobjectofthoselabourswillnotlessthanbeforebetoupholdtherightandtodogood。AndwhenIhavedonewithtimeanditsmeasurement，thiswatchshallbelongtomychildren;andasIhavesevenboys，andastheyhaveallbeguntoservetheircountryinvariousways，ortoelectintowhatdistantregionstheyshallroam，itisnotonlypossible，butprobable，thatthislittlevoicewillbeheardscoresofyearshence，whoknows？insomeyetunfoundedcityinthewildsofAustralia，orcommunicatingGreenwichtimetoCoventryStreet，Japan。

Onceagain，andfinally，Ithankyou;andfrommyheartofhearts，Icanassureyouthatthememoryofto-night，andofyourpicturesqueandinterestingcity，willneverbeabsentfrommymind，andIcannevermorehearthelightestmentionofthenameofCoventrywithouthavinginspiredinmybreastsentimentsofunusualemotionandunusualattachment。

[Laterintheevening，inproposingthehealthoftheChairman，Mr。

Dickenssaid：]

THEREmaybeagreatvarietyofconflictingopinionswithregardtofarming，andespeciallywithreferencetothemanagementofaclayfarm;but，howevervariousopinionsastothemeritsofaclayfarmmaybe，therecanbebutoneopinionastothemeritsofaclayfarmer，-anditisthehealthofthatdistinguishedagriculturistwhichIhavetopropose。

Inmyignoranceofthesubject，Iamboundtosaythatitmaybe，foranythingIknow，indeedIamreadytoadmitthatitIS，exceedinglyimportantthataclayfarmshouldgoforanumberofyearstowaste;butIclaimsomeknowledgeastothemanagementofaclayfarmer，andIpositivelyobjecttohiseverlyingfallow。

Inthehopethatthisveryrichandteemingindividualmayspeedilybeploughedup，andthat，weshallgatherintoourbarnsandstore-

housestheadmirablecropofwisdom，whichmustspringupwheneverheissown，Itakeleavetoproposehishealth，beggingtoassurehimthatthekindmannerinwhichheofferedtomeyourveryvaluablepresent，Icanneverforget。

SPEECH：LONDON，MARCH29，1862。

[AtaDinneroftheArtists\'GeneralBenevolentInstitution，thefollowingAddresswasdeliveredbyMr。CharlesDickensfromthechair-]

SEVENoreightyearsago，withoutthesmallestexpectationofeverbeingcalledupontofillthechairatananniversaryfestivaloftheArtists\'GeneralBenevolentInstitution，andwithouttheremotestreferencetosuchanoccasion，IselectedtheadministrationofthatCharityasthemodelonwhichIdesiredthatanothershouldbereformed，bothasregardedthemodeinwhichthereliefwasafforded，andthesingulareconomywithwhichitsfundswereadministered。Asaproofofthelatterqualityduringthepastyear，thecostofdistributing1，126poundsamongtherecipientsofthebountyoftheCharityamountedtolittlemorethan100pounds，inclusiveofallofficechargesandexpenses。Theexperienceandknowledgeofthoseentrustedwiththemanagementofthefundsareaguaranteethatthelastavailablefarthingofthefundswillbedistributedamongproperanddeservingrecipients。

Claiming，onmypart，toberelatedinsomedegreetotheprofessionofanartist，Idisdaintostooptoaskforcharity，intheordinaryacceptationoftheterm，onbehalfoftheArtists。Initsbroaderandhighersignificationofgenerousconfidence，lastingtrustfulness，loveandconfidingbelief，Iveryreadilyassociatethatcardinalvirtuewithart。Ideclinetopresenttheartisttothenoticeofthepublicasagrown-upchild，orasastrange，unaccountable，moon-strickenperson，waitinghelplesslyinthestreetoflifetobehelpedovertheroadbythecrossing-

sweeper;onthecontrary，Ipresenttheartistasareasonablecreature，asensiblegentleman，andasonewellacquaintedwiththevalueofhistime，andthatofotherpeople，asifhewereinthehabitofgoingonhigh\'Changeeveryday。TheArtistwhomIwishtopresenttothenoticeoftheMeetingisonetowhomtheperfectenjoymentofthefivesensesisessentialtoeveryachievementofhislife。Hecangainnowealthnorfamebybuyingsomethingwhichhenevertouched，andsellingittoanotherwhowouldalsonevertouchorseeit，butwascompelledtostrikeoutforhimselfeverysparkoffirewhichlighted，burned，andperhapsconsumedhim。Hemustwinthebattleoflifewithhisownhand，andwithhisowneyes，andwasobligedtoactasgeneral，captain，ensign，non-

commissionedofficer，private，drummer，greatarms，smallarms，infantry，cavalry，allinhisownunaidedself。When，therefore，I

askhelpfortheartist，Idonotmakemyappealforonewhowasacripplefromhisbirth，butIaskitaspartpaymentofagreatdebtwhichallsensibleandcivilisedcreaturesowetoart，asamarkofrespecttoart，asadecoration-notasabadge-asaremembranceofwhatthisland，oranyland，wouldbewithoutart，andasthetokenofanappreciationoftheworksofthemostsuccessfulartistsofthiscountry。WithrespecttothesocietyofwhichIamtheadvocate，Iamgratifiedthatitissoliberallysupportedbythemostdistinguishedartists，andthatithastheconfidenceofmenwhooccupythehighestrankasartists，abovethereachofreverses，andthemostdistinguishedinsuccessandfame，andwhosesupportisaboveallprice。Artistswhohaveobtainedwide-worldreputationknowwellthatmanydeservingandperseveringmen，ortheirwidowsandorphans，havereceivedhelpfromthisfund，andsomeoftheartistswhohavereceivedthishelparenowenrolledamongthesubscriberstotheInstitution。

SPEECH：LONDON，MAY20，1862。

[ThefollowingspeechwasmadebyMr。Dickens，inhiscapacityaschairman，attheannualFestivaloftheNewsvendors\'andProvidentInstitution，heldattheFreemasons\'Tavernontheabovedate。]

WHENIhadthehonourofbeingaskedtopresidelastyear，Iwaspreventedbyindisposition，andIbesoughtmyfriend，Mr。WilkieCollins，toreigninmystead。Heverykindlycomplied，andmadeanexcellentspeech。NowItellyouthetruth，thatIreadthatspeechwithconsiderableuneasiness，foritinspiredmewithastrongmisgivingthatIhadbetterhavepresidedlastyearwithneuralgiainmyfaceandmysubjectinmyhead，ratherthanpresidethisyearwithmyneuralgiaallgoneandmysubjectanticipated。

Therefore，IwishtoprefacethetoastthiseveningbymakingthemanagersofthisInstitutiononeverysolemnandrepentantpromise，anditis，ifeverIfindmyselfobligedtoprovideasubstituteagain，theymayrelyuponmysendingthemostspeechlessmanofmyacquaintance。

TheChairmanlastyearpresentedyouwithanamiableviewoftheuniversalityofthenewsman\'scalling。Nothing，Ithink，isleftformebuttoimaginethenewsman\'sburdenitself，tounfoldoneofthosewonderfulsheetswhichheeverydaydisseminates，andtotakeabird\'s-eyeviewofitsgeneralcharacterandcontents。So，ifyouplease，choosingmyowntime-thoughthenewsmancannotchoosehistime，forhemustbeequallyactiveinwinterorsummer，insunshineorsleet，inlightordarkness，earlyorlate-but，choosingmyowntime，IshallfortwoorthreemomentsstartoffwiththenewsmanonafineMaymorning，andtakeaviewofthewonderfulbroadsheetswhicheverydayhescattersbroadcastoverthecountry。Well，thefirstthingthatoccurstomefollowingthenewsmanis，thateverydayweareborn，thateverydaywearemarried-someofus-andthateverydaywearedead;

consequently，thefirstthingthenewsvendor\'scolumninformsmeis，thatAtkinshasbeenborn，thatCatkinshasbeenmarried，andthatDatkinsisdead。ButthemostremarkablethingIimmediatelydiscoverinthenextcolumn，isthatAtkinshasgrowntobeseventeenyearsold，andthathehasrunaway;for，atlast，myeyelightsonthefactthatWilliamA。，whoisseventeenyearsold，isadjuredimmediatelytoreturntohisdisconsolateparents，andeverythingwillbearrangedtothesatisfactionofeveryone。Iamafraidhewillneverreturn，simplybecause，ifhehadmeanttocomeback，hewouldneverhavegoneaway。Immediatelybelow，I

findamysteriouscharacterinsuchamysteriousdifficultythatitisonlytobeexpressedbyseveraldisjointedletters，byseveralfigures，andseveralstars;andthenIfindtheexplanationintheintimationthatthewriterhasgivenhispropertyovertohisuncle，andthattheelephantisonthewing。Then，stillglancingovertheshoulderofmyindustriousfriend，thenewsman，Ifindtherearegreatfleetsofshipsboundtoallpartsoftheearth，thattheyallwantalittlemorestowage，alittlemorecargo，thattheyhaveafewmoreberthstolet，thattheyhaveallthemostspaciousdecks，thattheyareallbuiltofteak，andcopper-

bottomed，thattheyallcarrysurgeonsofexperience，andthattheyareallA1atLloyds\'，andanywhereelse。Stillglancingovertheshoulderofmyfriendthenewsman，IfindIamofferedallkindsofhouse-lodging，clerks，servants，andsituations，whichIcanpossiblyorimpossiblywant。Ilearn，tomyintensegratification，thatIneednevergrowold，thatImayalwayspreservethejuvenilebloomofmycomplexion;thatifeverIturnillitisentirelymyownfault;thatifIhaveanycomplaint，andwantbrowncod-liveroilorTurkishbaths，Iamtoldwheretogetthem，andthat，ifI

wantanincomeofsevenpoundsa-week，Imayhaveitbysendinghalf-a-crowninpostage-stamps。ThenIlooktothepoliceintelligence，andIcandiscoverthatImaybiteoffahumanlivingnosecheaply，butifItakeoffthedeadnoseofapigoracalffromashop-window，itwillcostmeexceedinglydear。IalsofindthatifIallowmyselftobebetrayedintothefollyofkillinganinoffensivetradesmanonhisowndoor-step，thatlittleincidentwillnotaffectthetestimonialstomycharacter，butthatIshallbedescribedasamostamiableyoungman，andas，aboveallthings，remarkableforthesingularinoffensivenessofmycharacteranddisposition。ThenIturnmyeyetotheFineArts，and，underthathead，Iseethatacertain“J。O。”hasmosttriumphantlyexposedacertain“J。O。B。，“which“J。O。B。”wasremarkableforthisparticularuglyfeature，thatIwasrequestedtodeprivemyselfofthebestofmypicturesforsixmonths;thatforthattimeitwastobehungonawetwall，andthatIwastoberequitedformycourtesyinhavingmypicturemostimpertinentlycoveredwithawetblanket。Tosumuptheresultsofaglanceovermynewsman\'sshoulder，itgivesacomprehensiveknowledgeofwhatisgoingonoverthecontinentofEurope，andalsoofwhatisgoingonoverthecontinentofAmerica，tosaynothingofsuchlittlegeographicalregionsasIndiaandChina。

Now，myfriends，thisistheglanceoverthenewsman\'sshouldersfromthewhimsicalpointofview，whichisthepoint，Ibelieve，thatmostpromotesdigestion。Thenewsmanistobemetwithonsteamboats，railwaystations，andateveryturn。Hisprofitsaresmall，hehasagreatamountofanxietyandcare，andnolittleamountofpersonalwearandtear。Heisindispensabletocivilizationandfreedom，andheislookedforwithpleasurableexcitementeveryday，exceptwhenhelendsthepaperforanhour，andwhenheispunctualincallingforit，whichissometimesverypainful。Ithinkthelessonwecanlearnfromournewsmanissomenewillustrationoftheuncertaintyoflife，someillustrationofitsvicissitudesandfluctuations。Mindfulofthispermanentlesson，somemembersofthetradeoriginatedthissociety，whichaffordsthemassistanceintimeofsicknessandindigence。Thesubscriptionisinfinitesimal。Itamountsannuallytofiveshillings。Lookingatthereturnsbeforeme，theprogressofthesocietywouldseemtobeslow，butithasonlybeenslowforthebestofallreasons，thatithasbeensure。Thepensionsgrantedareallobtainedfromtheinterestonthefundedcapital，and，therefore，theInstitutionisliterallyassafeastheBank。Itisstatedthatthereareseveralnewsvendorswhoarenotmembersofthissociety;butthatistrueinallinstitutionswhichhavecomeundermyexperience。Thepersonswhoaremostlikelytostandinneedofthebenefitswhichaninstitutionconfers，areusuallythepersonstokeepawayuntilbitterexperiencecomestothemtoolate。

SPEECH：LONDON，MAY11，1864。

[OntheabovedateMr。DickenspresidedattheAdelphiTheatre，atapublicmeeting，forthepurposeoffoundingtheShakespeareSchools，inconnexionwiththeRoyalDramaticCollege，anddeliveredthefollowingaddress：]

LADIESANDGENTLEMEN-Fortunatelyforme，andfortunatelyforyou，itisthedutyoftheChairmanonanoccasionofthisnature，tobeverycarefulthathedoesnotanticipatethosespeakerswhocomeafterhim。LikeFalstaff，withaconsiderabledifference，hehastobethecauseofspeakinginothers。Itisratherhisdutytositandhearspeecheswithexemplaryattentionthantostanduptomakethem;soIshallconfinemyself，inopeningtheseproceedingsasyourbusinessofficial，toasplainandasshortanexpositionasIcanpossiblygiveyouofthereasonswhywecometogether。

FirstofallIwilltakeleavetoremarkthatwedonotcometogetherincommemorationofShakespeare。Wehavenothingtodowithanycommemoration，exceptthatweareofcoursehumbleworshippersofthatmightygenius，andthatweproposeby-and-bytotakehisname，butbynomeanstotakeitinvain。If，however，theTercentenarycelebrationwereahundredyearshence，orahundredyearspast，weshouldstillbepursuingpreciselythesameobject，thoughweshouldnotpursueitunderpreciselythesamecircumstances。Thefactsarethese：Thereis，asyouknow，inexistenceanadmirableinstitutioncalledtheRoyalDramaticCollege，whichisaplaceofhonourablerestandreposeforveteransinthedramaticart。Thecharterofthiscollege，whichdatessomefiveorsixyearsback，expresslyprovidesfortheestablishmentofschoolsinconnexionwithit;andImayventuretoaddthatthisfeatureofthescheme，whenitwasexplainedtohim，wasspeciallyinterestingtohisRoyalHighnessthelatePrinceConsort，whohaileditasevidenceofthedesireofthepromoterstolookforwardaswellastolookback;tofoundeducationalinstitutionsfortherisinggeneration，aswellastoestablishaharbourofrefugeforthegenerationgoingout，oratleasthavingtheirfacesturnedtowardsthesettingsun。Theleadingmembersofthedramaticart，applyingthemselvesfirsttothemorepressingnecessityofthetwo，setthemselvestoworkontheconstructionoftheirharbourofrefuge，andthistheydidwiththezeal，energy，good-will，andgoodfaiththatalwayshonourablydistinguishthemintheireffortstohelponeanother。Thoseeffortswereverypowerfullyaidedbytherespectedgentlemanunderwhoseroofweareassembled，andwho，Ihope，maybeonlyhalfasgladofseeingmeontheseboardsasIalwaysamtoseehimhere。WithsuchenergyanddeterminationdidMr。Websterandhisbrothersandsistersinartproceedwiththeirwork，thatatthispresenttimeallthedwelling-housesoftheRoyalDramaticCollegearebuilt，completelyfurnished，fittedwitheveryappliance，andmanyoftheminhabited。

ThecentralhalloftheCollegeisbuilt，thegroundsarebeautifullyplannedandlaidout，andtheestatehasbecomethenucleusofaprosperousneighbourhood。Thismuchachieved，Mr。

Websterwasrevolvinginhismindhowheshouldnextproceedtowardstheestablishmentoftheschools，when，thisTercentenarycelebrationbeinginhand，itoccurredtohimtorepresenttotheNationalShakespeareCommitteetheirjustandreasonableclaimtoparticipateintheresultsofanysubscriptionforamonumenttoShakespeare。HerepresentedtothecommitteethatthesocialrecognitionandelevationofthefollowersofShakespeare\'sownart，throughtheeducationoftheirchildren，wassurelyamonumentworthyevenofthatgreatname。Heurgeduponthecommitteethatitwascertainlyasensible，tangibleproject，whichthepublicgoodsensewouldimmediatelyappreciateandapprove。Thisclaimthecommitteeatonceacknowledged;butIwishyoudistinctlytounderstandthatifthecommitteehadneverbeeninexistence，iftheTercentenarycelebrationhadneverbeenattempted，thoseschools，asadesignanteriortoboth，wouldstillhavesolicitedpublicsupport。

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，whatitisproposedtodois，infact，tofindanewself-supportingpublicschool;withthisadditionalfeature，thatitistobeavailableforbothsexes。This，ofcourse，presupposestwoseparatedistinctschools。AstheseschoolsaretobebuiltonlandbelongingtotheDramaticCollege，therewillbefromthefirstnocharge，nodebt，noincumbranceofanykindunderthatimportanthead。Itis，inshort，proposedsimplytoestablishanewself-supportingpublicschool，inarapidlyincreasingneighbourhood，wherethereisalargeandfastaccumulatingmiddle-classpopulation，andwherepropertyinlandisfastrisinginvalue。But，inasmuchastheprojectisaprojectoftheRoyalDramaticCollege，andinasmuchastheschoolsaretobebuiltontheirestate，itisproposedevermoretogivetheirschoolsthegreatnameofShakespeare，andevermoretogivethefollowersofShakespeare\'sartaprominentplaceinthem。Withthisview，itisconfidentlybelievedthatthepublicwillendowafoundation，say，forfortyfoundationscholars-say，twentygirlsandtwentyboys-whoshallalwaysreceivetheireducationgratuitously，andwhoshallalwaysbethechildrenofactors，actresses，ordramaticwriters。Thisschool，youwillunderstand，istobeequaltothebestexistingpublicschool。Itistobemadetoimpartasound，liberal，comprehensiveeducation，anditistoaddressthewholegreatmiddleclassatleastasfreely，aswidely，andascheaplyasanyexistingpublicschool。

Broadly，ladiesandgentlemen，thisisthewholedesign。TherearefoundationscholarsatEton，foundationscholarsatnearlyallouroldschools，andifthepublic，inremembranceofanoblepartofourstandardnationalliterature，andinremembranceofagreathumanisingart，willdothisthingforthesechildren，itwillatthesametimebedoingawiseandgoodthingforitself，andwillunquestionablyfinditsaccountinit。Takingthisviewofthecase-andIcannotbesatisfiedtotakeanylowerone-Icannotmakeasorryfaceabout“thepoorplayer。”Ithinkitisatermverymuchmisusedandverylittleunderstood-being，Iventuretosay，appropriatedinawrongsensebyplayersthemselves。

Therefore，ladiesandgentlemen，Icanonlypresenttheplayertoyouexceptionallyinthiswise-thathefollowsapeculiarandprecariousvocation，avocationveryrarelyaffordingthemeansofaccumulatingmoney-thatthatvocationmust，fromthenatureofthings，haveinitmanyundistinguishedmenandwomentoonedistinguishedone-thatitisnotavocationtheexerciserofwhichcanprofitbythelaboursofothers，butinwhichhemustearneveryloafofhisbreadinhisownperson，withtheaidofhisownface，hisownlimbs，hisownvoice，hisownmemory，andhisownlifeandspirits;andthesefailing，hefails。Surelythisisreasonenoughtorenderhimsomelittlehelpinopeningforhischildrentheirpathsthroughlife。Isaytheirpathsadvisedly，becauseitisnotoftenfound，exceptunderthepressureofnecessity，orwherethereisstronghereditarytalent-whichisalwaysanexceptionalcase-thatthechildrenofactorsandactressestaketothestage。Personsthereforeneednotintheleastfearthatbyhelpingtoendowtheseschoolstheywouldhelptooverstockthedramaticmarket。Theywoulddodirectlythereverse，fortheywoulddivertintochannelsofpublicdistinctionandusefulnessthosegoodqualitieswhichwouldotherwiselanguishinthatmarket\'sover-richsuperabundance。

ThisprojecthasreceivedthesupportoftheheadofthemostpopularofourEnglishpublicschools。Onthecommitteestandsthenameofthateminentscholarandgentleman，theProvostofEton。

Youjustlyadmirethisliberalspirit，andyouradmiration-whichIcordiallyshare-bringsmenaturallytowhatIwishtosay，thatIbelievethereisnotinEnglandanyinstitutionsosociallyliberalasapublicschool。Ithasbeencalledalittlecosmosoflifeoutside，andIthinkitisso，withtheexceptionofoneoflife\'sworstfoibles-for，asfarasIknow，nowhereinthiscountryistheresocompleteanabsenceofservilitytomererank，tomereposition，tomererichesasinapublicschool。Aboythereisalwayswhathisabilitiesorhispersonalqualitiesmakehim。Wemaydifferaboutthecurriculumandothermatters，butofthefrank，free，manly，independentspiritpreservedinourpublicschools，Iapprehendtherecanbenokindofquestion。Ithashappenedintheselatertimesthatobjectionhasbeenmadetochildrenofdramaticartistsincertainlittlesnivellingprivateschools-butinpublicschoolsnever。Therefore，Iholdthattheactorsarewise，andgratefullywise，inrecognizingthecapaciousliberalityofapublicschool，inseekingnotalittlehole-and-

cornerplaceofeducationfortheirchildrenexclusively，butinaddressingthewholeofthegreatmiddleclass，andproposingtothemtocomeandjointhem，theactors，ontheirownproperty，inapublicschool，inapartofthecountrywherenosuchadvantageisnowtobefound。

Ihavenowdone。Theattempthasbeenaverytimidone。Ihaveendeavouredtoconfinemyselfwithinmymeans，or，rather，likethepossessorofanextendedestate，tohanditdowninanunembarrassedcondition。Ihavelaidatrifleoftimberhereandthere，andgrubbedupalittlebrushwood，butmerelytoopentheview，andIthinkIcandescryintheeyeofthegentlemanwhoistomovethefirstresolutionthathedistinctlyseeshisway。

Thankingyouforthecourtesywithwhichyouhaveheardme，andnotatalldoubtingthatweshalllayastrongfoundationoftheseschoolsto-day，Iwillcall，asthemoverofthefirstresolution，onMr。RobertBell。

SPEECH：LONDON，MAY9，1865。

[OntheabovedateMr。DickenspresidedattheAnnualFestivaloftheNewsvendors\'BenevolentandProvidentAssociation，and，inproposingthetoastoftheevening，deliveredthefollowingspeech。]

LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Dr。Johnson\'sexperienceofthatclub，themembersofwhichhavetravelledoveroneanother\'smindsineverydirection，isnottobecomparedwiththeexperienceoftheperpetualpresidentofasocietylikethis。Havingonpreviousoccasionssaideverythingaboutitthathecouldpossiblyfindtosay，heisagainproduced，withthesameawfulformalities，tosayeverythingaboutitthathecannotpossiblyfindtosay。Itstruckme，whenDr。F。JoneswasreferringjustnowtoEasterMonday，thatthecaseofsuchanill-starredpresidentisverylikethatofthestagatEppingForestonEasterMonday。Thatunfortunateanimalwhenheisuncartedatthespotwherethemeettakesplace，generallymakesapoint，Iamtold，ofmakingawayatacooltrot，venturesomelyfollowedbythewholefield，totheyardwherehelives，andtheresubsidesintoaquietandinoffensiveexistence，untilheisagainbroughtouttobeagainfollowedbyexactlythesamefield，underexactlythesamecircumstances，nextEasterMonday。

Thedifficultiesofthesituation-andhereImeanthepresidentandnotthestag-aregreatlyincreasedinsuchaninstanceasthisbythepeculiarnatureoftheinstitution。Initsunpretendingsolidity，reality，andusefulness，believeme-forI

havecarefullyconsideredthepoint-itpresentsnoopeningwhateverofanoratoricalnature。Ifitwereoneofthosecostlycharities，socalled，whoseyieldofwoolbearsnosortofproportiontotheircryforcash，Iverylikelymighthaveawordortwotosayonthesubject。Ifitsfundswerelavishedinpatronageandshow，insteadofbeinghonestlyexpendedinprovidingsmallannuitiesforhard-workingpeoplewhohavethemselvescontributedtoitsfunds-ifitsmanagementwereintrustedtopeoplewhocouldbynopossibilityknowanythingaboutit，insteadofbeinginvestedinplain，business，practicalhands-ifithoardedwhenitoughttospend-ifitgotbycringingandfawningwhatitneverdeserved，Imightpossiblyimpressyouverymuchbymyindignation。Ifitsmanagerscouldtellmethatitwasinsolvent，thatitwasinahopelesscondition，thatitsaccountshadbeenkeptbyMr。Edmunds-orby“Tom，“-ifitstreasurerhadrunawaywiththemoney-box，thenImighthavemadeapatheticappealtoyourfeelings。ButIhavenosuchchance。Justasanationishappywhoserecordsarebarren，soisasocietyfortunatethathasnohistory-anditspresidentunfortunate。Icanonlyassureyouthatthissocietycontinuesitsplain，unobtrusive，usefulcareer。Icanonlyassureyouthatitdoesagreatdealofgoodataverysmallcost，andthattheobjectsofitscareandthebulkofitsmembersarefaithfulworkingservantsofthepublic-

soleministersoftheirwantsatuntimelyhours，inallseasons，andinallweathers;attheirowndoors，atthestreet-corners，ateveryrailwaytrain，ateverysteam-boat;throughtheagencyofeveryestablishmentandthetiniestlittleshops;andthat，whetherregardedasmasterorasman，theirprofitsareverymodestandtheirrisksnumerous，whiletheirtroubleandresponsibilityareverygreat。

Thenewsvendorsandnewsmenareaverysubordinatepartofthatwonderfulengine-thenewspaperpress。StillIthinkweallknowverywellthattheyaretothefountain-headwhatagoodserviceofwaterpipesistoagoodwatersupply。JustasagoodlystoreofwateratWatfordwouldbeatantalizationtothirstyLondonifitwerenotbroughtintotownforitsuse，soanyamountofnewsaccumulatedatPrinting-houseSquare，orFleetStreet，ortheStrand，wouldbeiftherewerenoskillandenterpriseengagedinitsdissemination。

Weareallofusinthehabitofsayinginourevery-daylife，that“Weneverknowthevalueofanythinguntilweloseit。”Letustrythenewsvendorsbythetest。Afewyearsagowediscoveredonemorningthattherewasastrikeamongthecab-drivers。Now，letusimagineastrikeofnewsmen。Imaginethetrainswaitinginvainforthenewspapers。Imagineallsortsandconditionsofmendyingtoknowtheshippingnews，thecommercialnews，theforeignnews，thelegalnews，thecriminalnews，thedramaticnews。Imaginetheparalysisonalltheprovincialexchanges;thesilenceanddesertionofallthenewsmen\'sexchangesinLondon。Imaginethecirculationofthebloodofthenationandofthecountrystandingstill，-theclockoftheworld。Why，evenMr。Reuter，thegreatReuter-whomIamalwaysgladtoimagineslumberingatnightbythesideofMrs。Reuter，withagalvanicbatteryunderhisbolster，bellandwirestotheheadofhisbed，andbellsateachear-

thinkhowevenhewouldclickandflashthosewondrousdispatchesofhis，andhowtheywouldbecomemerenothingwithouttheactivityandhonestywhichcatchupthethreadsandstitchesoftheelectricneedle，andscatterthemovertheland。

Itiscurioustoconsider-andthethoughtoccurredtomethisday，whenIwasoutforastrollponderingoverthedutiesofthisevening，whicheventhenwereloominginthedistance，butnotquitesofaroffasIcouldwish-IfounditverycurioustoconsiderthatthoughthenewsmanmustbeallowedtobeaveryunpicturesquerenderingofMercury，orFame，orwhat-notconventionalmessengerfromtheclouds，andalthoughwemustallowthatheisofthisearth，andhasagooddealofitonhisboots，stillthathehastwoveryremarkablecharacteristics，towhichnoneofhiscelestialpredecessorscanlaytheslightestclaim。

Oneisthatheisalwaysthemessengerofcivilization;theotherthatheisatleastequallyso-notonlyinwhathebrings，butinwhatheceasestobring。Thusthetimewas，andnotsomanyyearsagoeither，whenthenewsmanconstantlybroughthometoourdoors-

thoughIamafraidnottoourhearts，whichwerecustom-hardened-

themostterrificaccountsofmurders，ofourfellow-creaturesbeingpubliclyputtodeathforwhatwenowcalltrivialoffences，intheveryheartofLondon，regularlyeveryMondaymorning。Atthesametimethenewsmanregularlybroughttoustheinflictionofotherpunishments，whichweredemoralisingtotheinnocentpartofthecommunity，whiletheydidnotoperateaspunishmentsindeterringoffendersfromtheperpetrationofcrimes。Inthosesamedays，also，thenewsmanbroughttousdailyaccountsofaregularlyacceptedandreceivedsystemofloadingtheunfortunateinsanewithchains，litteringthemdownonstraw，starvingthemonbreadandwater，damagingtheirclothes，andmakingperiodicalexhibitionsofthematasmallcharge;andthatonaSundayoneofourpublicresortswasakindofdemoniacalzoologicalgardens。Theybroughtusaccountsatthesametimeofsomedamagedonetothemachinerywhichwasdestinedtosupplytheoperativeclasseswithemployment。

Inthesametimetheybroughtusaccountsofriotsforbread，whichwereconstantlyoccurring，andunderminingsocietyandthestate;

ofthemostterribleexplosionsofclassagainstclass，andofthehabitualemploymentofspiesforthediscovery-ifnotfortheorigination-ofplots，inwhichbothsidesfoundinthosedayssomerelief。Inthesametimethesamenewsmenwereapprisingusofastateofsocietyallaroundusinwhichthegrossestsensualityandintemperanceweretherule;andnotasnow，whentheignorant，thewicked，andthewretchedaretheinexcusablyviciousexceptions-astateofsocietyinwhichtheprofessionalbullywasrampant，andwhendeadlyduelsweredailyfoughtforthemostabsurdanddisgracefulcauses。Allthisthenewsmanhasceasedtotellusof。ThisstateofsocietyhasdiscontinuedinEnglandforever;andwhenweremembertheundoubtedtruth，thatthechangecouldneverhavebeeneffectedwithouttheaidoftheloadwhichthenewsmancarries，surelyitisnotveryromantictoexpressthehopeonhisbehalfthatthepublicwillshowtohimsomelittletokenofthesympatheticremembrancewhichweareallofusgladtobestowonthebearersofhappytidings-theharbingersofgoodnews。

Now，ladiesandgentlemen，youwillbegladtohearthatIamcomingtoaconclusion;forthatconclusionIhaveaprecedent。

Youallofyouknowhowpleasedyouareonyourreturnfromamorning\'swalktolearnthatthecollectorhascalled。Well，Iamthecollectorforthisdistrict，andIhopeyouwillbearinmindthatIhaverespectfullycalled。RegardingtheinstitutiononwhosebehalfIhavepresentedmyself，Ineedonlysaytechnicallytwothings。First，thatitsannuitiesaregrantedoutofitsfundedcapital，andthereforeitissafeastheBank;and，secondly，thattheyareattainablebysuchaslightexerciseofprudenceandfore-thought，thatapaymentof25S。extendingoveraperiodoffiveyears，entitlesasubscriber-ifamale-toanannuityof16poundsa-year，andafemaleto12poundsa-year。

Now，bearinmindthatthisisaninstitutiononbehalfofwhichthecollectorhascalled，leavingbehindhisassurancethatwhatyoucangivetooneofthemostfaithfulofyourservantsshallbewellbestowedandfaithfullyappliedtothepurposestowhichyouintendthem，andtothosepurposesalone。

SPEECH：NEWSPAPERPRESSFUND-LONDON，MAY20，1865。