下载辰思小说免费APP
[AtthesecondannualdinneroftheInstitution，heldattheFreemasons\'Tavern，onSaturday，the20thMay，1865，thefollowingspeechwasdeliveredbythechairman，Mr。CharlesDickens，inproposingthetoastoftheevening：]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Whenayoungchildisproducedafterdinnertobeshowntoacircleofadmiringrelationsandfriends，itmaygenerallybeobservedthattheirconversation-Isupposeinaninstinctiveremembranceoftheuncertaintyofinfantlife-takesaretrospectiveturn。Ashowmuchthechildhasgrownsincethelastdinner;whataremarkablyfinechilditis，tohavebeenbornonlytwoorthreeyearsago，howmuchstrongeritlooksnowthanbeforeithadthemeasles，andsoforth。Whenayounginstitutionisproducedafterdinner，thereisnotthesameuncertaintyordelicacyasinthecaseofthechild，anditmaybeconfidentlypredictedofitthatifitdeservetoliveitwillsurelylive，andthatifitdeservetodieitwillsurelydie。Theproofofdesertinsuchacaseasthismustbemainlysought，Isuppose，firstly，inwhatthesocietymeanstodowithitsmoney;secondly，intheextenttowhichitissupportedbytheclasswithwhomitoriginated，andforwhosebenefititisdesigned;and，lastly，inthepowerofitsholduponthepublic。Iaddthislastly，becausenosuchinstitutionthateverIheardofeveryetdreamedofexistingapartfromthepublic，oreveryetconsidereditadegradationtoacceptthepublicsupport。
Now，whattheNewspaperPressFundproposestodowithitsmoneyistograntrelieftomembersinwantordistress，andtothewidows，families，parents，orothernearrelativesofdeceasedmembersinrightofamoderateprovidentannualsubscription-commutable，I
observe，foramoderateprovidentlifesubscription-anditsmemberscomprisethewholepaidclassofliterarycontributorstothepressoftheUnitedKingdom，andeveryclassofreporters。Thenumberofitsmembersatthistimelastyearwassomethingbelow100。Atthepresenttimeitissomewhatabove170，notincluding30membersofthepresswhoareregularsubscribers，buthavenotasyetqualifiedasregularmembers。Thisnumberissteadilyontheincrease，notonlyasregardsthemetropolitanpress，butalsoasregardstheprovincialthroughoutthecountry。IhaveobservedwithinthesefewdaysthatmanymembersofthepressatManchesterhavelatelyatameetingexpressedastrongbrotherlyinterestinthisInstitution，andagreatdesiretoextenditsoperations，andtostrengthenitshands，providedthatsomethingintheindependentnatureoflifeassuranceandthepurchaseofdeferredannuitiescouldbeintroducedintoitsdetails，andalwaysassumingthatinitthemetropolisandtheprovincesstandonperfectlyequalground。Thisappearstometobeademandsoverymoderate，thatI
canhardlyhaveadoubtofaresponseonthepartofthemanagers，orofthebeneficialandharmoniousresults。Itonlyremainstoadd，onthisheadofdesert，theagreeablecircumstancethatoutofallthemoneycollectedinaidofthesocietyduringthelastyearmorethanone-thirdcameexclusivelyfromthepress。
Now，ladiesandgentlemen，inregardtothelastclaim-thelastpointofdesert-theholduponthepublic-IthinkImaysaythatprobablynotonesingleindividualinthisgreatcompanyhasfailedto-daytoseeanewspaper，orhasfailedto-daytohearsomethingderivedfromanewspaperwhichwasquiteunknowntohimortoheryesterday。Ofallthoserestlesscrowdsthathavethisdaythrongedthestreetsofthisenormouscity，thesamemaybesaidasthegeneralgiganticrule。Itmaybesaidalmostequally，ofthebrightestandthedullest，thelargestandtheleastprovincialtownintheempire;andthis，observe，notonlyastotheactive，theindustrious，andthehealthyamongthepopulation，butalsotothebedridden，theidle，theblind，andthedeafanddumb。Now，ifthemenwhoprovidethisall-pervadingpresence，thiswonderful，ubiquitousnewspaper，witheverydescriptionofintelligenceoneverysubjectofhumaninterest，collectedwithimmensepainsandimmensepatience，oftenbytheexerciseofalaboriously-acquiredfacultyunitedtoanaturalaptitude，muchoftheworkdoneinthenight，atthesacrificeofrestandsleep，and(quiteapartfromthementalstrain)bytheconstantovertaskingofthetwomostdelicateofthesenses，sightandhearing-Isay，ifthemenwho，throughthenewspapers，fromdaytoday，orfromnighttonight，orfromweektoweek，furnishthepublicwithsomuchtoremember，havenotarighteousclaimtoberememberedbythepublicinreturn，thenIdeclarebeforeGodIknownoworkingclassofthecommunitywhohave。
Itwouldbeabsurd，itwouldbeimpertinent，insuchanassemblyasthis，ifIweretoattempttoexpatiateupontheextraordinarycombinationofremarkablequalitiesinvolvedintheproductionofanynewspaper。Butassumingthemajorityofthisassociatedbodytobecomposedofreporters，becausereporters，ofonekindorother，composethemajorityoftheliterarystaffofalmosteverynewspaperthatisnotacompilation，Iwouldventuretoremindyou，ifIdelicatelymay，intheaugustpresenceofmembersofParliament，howmuchwe，thepublic，owetothereportersifitwereonlyfortheirskillinthetwogreatsciencesofcondensationandrejection。Conceivewhatoursufferings，underanImperialParliament，howeverpopularlyconstituted，underhowevergloriousaconstitution，wouldbeifthereporterscouldnotskip。Dr。
Johnson，inoneofhisviolentassertions，declaredthat“themanwhowasafraidofanythingmustbeascoundrel，sir。”Bynomeansbindingmyselftothisopinion-thoughadmittingthatthemanwhoisafraidofanewspaperwillgenerallybefoundtoberathersomethinglikeit，ImuststillfreelyownthatIshouldapproachmyParliamentarydebatewithinfinitefearandtremblingifitweresounskilfullyservedupformybreakfast。Eversincethetimewhentheoldmanandhissontooktheirdonkeyhome，whichweretheoldGreekdays，Ibelieve，andprobablyeversincethetimewhenthedonkeywentintotheark-perhapshedidnotlikehisaccommodationthere-butcertainlyfromthattimedownwards，hehasobjectedtogoinanydirectionrequiredofhim-fromtheremotestperiodsithasbeenfoundimpossibletopleaseeverybody。
IdonotforamomentseektoconcealthatIknowthisInstitutionhasbeenobjectedto。Asanopenfactchallengingthefreestdiscussionandinquiry，andseekingnosortofshelterorfavourbutwhatitcanwin，ithasnothing，Iapprehend，butitself，tourgeagainstobjection。Noinstitutionconceivedinperfecthonestyandgoodfaithhasarighttoobjecttobeingquestionedtoanyextent，andanyinstitutionsobasedmustbeintheendthebetterforit。Moreover，thatthissocietyhasbeenquestionedinquartersdeservingofthemostrespectfulattentionItaketobeanindisputablefact。Now，Iforonehavegiventhatrespectfulattention，andIhavecomeoutofthediscussiontowhereyouseeme。ThewholecircleoftheartsispervadedbyinstitutionsbetweenwhichandthisIcandescrynodifference。Thepainters\'
arthasfourorfivesuchinstitutions。Themusicians\'art，sogenerouslyandcharminglyrepresentedhere，haslikewiseseveralsuchinstitutions。Inmyownartthereisone，concerningthedetailsofwhichmynoblefriendthepresidentofthesocietyandmyselfhavetorneachother\'shairtoaconsiderableextent，andwhichIwould，ifIcould，assimilatemorenearlytothis。Inthedramaticarttherearefour，andIneveryetheardofanyobjectiontotheirprinciple，except，indeed，inthecasesofsomefamousactorsoflargegains，whohavingthroughthewholeperiodoftheirsuccessespositivelyrefusedtoestablisharightinthem，became，intheiroldageanddecline，repentantsuppliantsfortheirbounty。IsiturgedagainstthisparticularInstitutionthatitisobjectionablebecauseaparliamentaryreporter，forinstance，mightreportasubscribingM。P。inlarge，andanon-subscribingM。P。inlittle？Apartfromthesweepingnatureofthischarge，which，itistobeobserved，laystheunfortunatememberandtheunfortunatereporterunderprettymuchthesamesuspicion-apartfromthisconsideration，Ireplythatitisnotoriousinallnewspaperofficesthateverysuchmanisreportedaccordingtothepositionhecangaininthepubliceye，andaccordingtotheforceandweightofwhathehastosay。Andiftherewereevertobeamongthemembersofthissocietyonesoveryfoolishtohisbrethren，andsoverydishonourabletohimself，asvenallytoabusehistrust，Iconfidentlyaskthosehere，thebestacquaintedwithjournalism，whethertheybelieveitpossiblethatanynewspapersoill-conductedastofailinstantlytodetecthimcouldpossiblyexistasathrivingenterpriseforonesingletwelvemonth？No，ladiesandgentlemen，theblunderingstupidityofsuchanoffencewouldhavenochanceagainsttheacutesagacityofnewspapereditors。ButIwillgofurther，andsubmittoyouthatitscommission，ifitbetobedreadedatall，isfarmorelikelyonthepartofsomerecreantcamp-followerofascattered，disunited，andhalf-recognizedprofession，thanwhenthereisapublicopinionestablishedinit，bytheunionofallclassesofitsmembersforthecommongood：thetendencyofwhichunionmustinthenatureofthingsbetoraisethelowermembersofthepresstowardsthehigher，andnevertobringthehighermemberstothelowerlevel。
IhopeImaybeallowedintheveryfewclosingwordsthatIfeeladesiretosayinremembranceofsomecircumstances，ratherspecial，attendingmypresentoccupationofthischair，togivethosewordssomethingofapersonaltone。IamnothereadvocatingthecaseofamereordinaryclientofwhomIhavelittleornoknowledge。I
holdabriefto-nightformybrothers。IwentintothegalleryoftheHouseofCommonsasaparliamentaryreporterwhenIwasaboynoteighteen，andIleftit-Icanhardlybelievetheinexorabletruth-nighthirtyyearsago。IhavepursuedthecallingofareporterundercircumstancesofwhichmanyofmybrethrenathomeinEnglandhere，manyofmymodernsuccessors，canformnoadequateconception。Ihaveoftentranscribedfortheprinter，frommyshorthandnotes，importantpublicspeechesinwhichthestrictestaccuracywasrequired，andamistakeinwhichwouldhavebeentoayoungmanseverelycompromising，writingonthepalmofmyhand，bythelightofadarklantern，inapost-chaiseandfour，gallopingthroughawildcountry，andthroughthedeadofthenight，atthethensurprisingrateoffifteenmilesanhour。TheverylasttimeIwasatExeter，Istrolledintothecastleyardtheretoidentify，fortheamusementofafriend，thespotonwhichIonce“took，“asweusedtocallit，anelectionspeechofmynoblefriendLordRussell，inthemidstofalivelyfightmaintainedbyallthevagabondsinthatdivisionofthecounty，andundersuchapeltingrain，thatIremembertwogoodnaturedcolleagues，whochancedtobeatleisure，heldapocket-handkerchiefovermynotebook，afterthemannerofastatecanopyinanecclesiasticalprocession。IhavewornmykneesbywritingonthemontheoldbackrowoftheoldgalleryoftheoldHouseofCommons;andIhavewornmyfeetbystandingtowriteinapreposterouspenintheoldHouseofLords，whereweusedtobehuddledtogetherlikesomanysheep-keptinwaiting，say，untilthewoolsackmightwantre-stuffing。ReturninghomefromexcitedpoliticalmeetingsinthecountrytothewaitingpressinLondon，IdoverilybelieveIhavebeenupsetinalmosteverydescriptionofvehicleknowninthiscountry。Ihavebeen，inmytime，belatedonmiryby-roads，towardsthesmallhours，fortyorfiftymilesfromLondon，inawheellesscarriage，withexhaustedhorsesanddrunkenpostboys，andhavegotbackintimeforpublication，tobereceivedwithnever-forgottencomplimentsbythelateMr。Black，cominginthebroadestofScotchfromthebroadestofheartsIeverknew。
Ladiesandgentlemen，ImentionthesetrivialthingsasanassurancetoyouthatIneverhaveforgottenthefascinationofthatoldpursuit。ThepleasurethatIusedtofeelintherapidityanddexterityofitsexercisehasneverfadedoutofmybreast。
WhateverlittlecunningofhandorheadItooktoit，oracquiredinit，IhavesoretainedasthatIfullybelieveIcouldresumeitto-morrow，verylittletheworsefromlongdisuse。Tothispresentyearofmylife，whenIsitinthishall，orwherenot，hearingadullspeech，thephenomenondoesoccur-Isometimesbeguilethetediumofthemomentbymentallyfollowingthespeakerintheold，oldway;andsometimes，ifyoucanbelieveme，Ievenfindmyhandgoingonthetable-cloth，takinganimaginarynoteofitall。
AccepttheselittletruthsasaconfirmationofwhatIknow;asaconfirmationofmyundyinginterestinthisoldcalling。Acceptthemasaproofthatmyfeelingforthelocationofmyyouthisnotasentimenttakenupto-nighttobethrownawayto-morrow-butisafaithfulsympathywhichisapartofmyself。Iverilybelieve-
Iamsure-thatifIhadneverquittedmyoldcallingIshouldhavebeenforemostandzealousintheinterestsofthisInstitution，believingittobeasound，awholesome，andagoodone。Ladiesandgentlemen，Iamtoproposetoyoutodrink“ProsperitytotheNewspaperPressFund，“withwhichtoastIwillconnect，astoitsacknowledgment，anamethathasshednewbrilliancyoneventheforemostnewspaperintheworld-theillustriousnameofMr。Russell。
SPEECH：KNEBWORTH，JULY29，1865。
[Ontheabovedatethemembersofthe“GuildofLiteratureandArt“
proceededtotheneighbourhoodofStevenage，nearthemagnificentseatofthePresident，LordLytton，toinspectthreehousesbuiltintheGothicstyle，onthegroundgivenbyhimforthepurpose。
Aftertheirsurvey，thepartydrovetoKnebworthtopartakeofthehospitalityofLordLytton。Mr。Dickens，whowasoneoftheguests，proposedthehealthofthehostinthefollowingwords：]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Itwassaidbyaverysagaciousperson，whoseauthorityIamsuremyfriendofmanyyearswillnotimpugn，seeingthathewasnamedAugustusTomlinson，thekindfriendandphilosopherofPaulClifford-itwassaidbythatremarkableman，“Lifeisshort，andwhyshouldspeechesbelong？“Anaphorismsosensibleunderallcircumstances，andparticularlyinthecircumstancesinwhichweareplaced，withthisdeliciousweatherandsuchcharminggardensnearus，Ishallpracticallyadoptonthepresentoccasion;andtherathersobecausethespeechofmyfriendwasexhaustiveofthesubject，ashisspeechesalwaysare，thoughnotintheleastexhaustiveofhisaudience。Inthankinghimforthetoastwhichhehasdoneusthehonourtopropose，allowmetocorrectanerrorintowhichhehasfallen。Allowmetostatethatthesehousesnevercouldhavebeenbuiltbutforhiszealousandvaluableco-operation，andalsothatthepleasantlabouroutofwhichtheyhavearisenwouldhavelostoneofitsgreatestcharmsandstrongestimpulses，ifithadlosthiseverreadysympathywiththatclassinwhichhehasrisentotheforemostrank，andofwhichheisthebrightestornament。
Havingsaidthismuchassimplyduetomyfriend，Icanonlysay，onbehalfofmyassociates，thattheladiesandgentlemenwhomweshallinvitetooccupythehouseswehavebuiltwillneverbeplacedunderanysocialdisadvantage。Theywillbeinvitedtooccupythemasartists，receivingthemasamarkofthehighrespectinwhichtheyareheldbytheirfellow-workers。AsartistsIhopetheywilloftenexercisetheircallingwithinthosewallsforthegeneraladvantage;andtheywillalwaysclaim，onequalterms，thehospitalityoftheirgenerousneighbour。
NowIamsureIshallbegivingutterancetothefeelingsofmybrothersandsistersinliteratureinproposing“Health，longlife，andprosperitytoourdistinguishedhost。”Ladiesandgentlemen，youknowverywellthatwhenthehealth，life，andbeautynowoverflowingthesehallsshallhavefled，crowdsofpeoplewillcometoseetheplacewherehelivedandwrote。Settingasidetheoratorandstatesman-forhappilyweknownopartyherebutthisagreeableparty-settingasideall，thisyouknowverywell，thatthisisthehomeofaverygreatmanwhoseconnexionwithHertfordshireeveryothercountyinEnglandwillenvyformanylongyearstocome。Youknowthatwhenthishallisdullestandemptiestyoucanmakeitwhenyoupleasebrightestandfullestbypeoplingitwiththecreationsofhisbrilliantfancy。Letusallwishtogetherthattheymaybemanymore-forthemoretheyarethebetteritwillbe，and，ashealwaysexcelshimself，thebettertheywillbe。Iaskyoutolistentotheirpraisesandnottomine，andtoletthem，notme，proposehishealth。
SPEECH：LONDON，FEBRUARY14，1866。
[OnthisoccasionMr。DickensofficiatedasChairmanattheannualdinneroftheDramatic，Equestrian，andMusicalFund，atWillis\'sRooms，wherehemadethefollowingspeech：]
LADIES，beforeIcoupleyouwiththegentlemen，whichwillbeatleastpropertotheinscriptionovermyhead(St。Valentine\'sday)-
beforeIdoso，allowme，onbehalfofmygratefulsexhererepresented，tothankyouforthegreatpleasureandinterestwithwhichyourgraciouspresenceatthesefestivalsneverfailstoinspireus。ThereisnoEnglishcustomwhichissomanifestlyarelicofsavagelifeasthatcustomwhichusuallyexcludesyoufromparticipationinsimilargatherings。Andalthoughthecrimecarriesitsownheavypunishmentalongwithit，inrespectthatitdivestsapublicdinnerofitsmostbeautifulornamentandofitsmostfascinatingcharm，stilltheoffenceisnonethelesstobeseverelyreprehendedoneverypossibleoccasion，asoutragingequallynatureandart。Ibelievethataslittleisknownofthesaintwhosenameiswrittenhereascanwellbeknownofanysaintorsinner。We，yourloyalservants，aredeeplythankfultohimforhavingsomehowgainedpossessionofonedayintheyear-forhaving，asnodoubthehas，arrangedthealmanacfor1866-
expresslytodelightuswiththeenchantingfictionthatwehavesometenderproprietorshipinyouwhichweshouldscarcelydaretoclaimonalessauspiciousoccasion。Ladies，theutmostdevotionsanctionedbythesaintwebegtolayatyourfeet，andanylittleinnocentprivilegestowhichwemaybeentitledbythesameauthoritywebegrespectfullybutfirmlytoclaimatyourhands。
Now，ladiesandgentlemen，youneednoghosttoinformyouthatI
amgoingtopropose“ProsperitytotheDramatic，Musical，andEquestrianSickFundAssociation，“and，further，thatIshouldbegoingtoaskyouactivelytopromotethatprosperitybyliberallycontributingtoitsfunds，ifthattaskwerenotreservedforamuchmorepersuasivespeaker。ButIrestthestrongclaimofthesocietyforitsusefulexistenceanditstrulycharitablefunctionsonaveryfewwords，though，aswellasIcanrecollect，uponsomethinglikesixgrounds。First，itrelievesthesick;secondly，itburiesthedead;thirdly，itenablesthepoormembersoftheprofessiontojourneytoacceptnewengagementswhenevertheyfindthemselvesstrandedinsomeremote，inhospitableplace，orwhen，fromothercircumstances，theyfindthemselvesperfectlycrippledastolocomotionforwantofmoney;fourthly，itoftenfindssuchengagementsforthembyactingastheirhonest，disinterestedagent;fifthly，itisitsprincipletoacthumanelyupontheinstant，andnever，asistoooftenthecasewithinmyexperience，tobeataboutthebushtillthebushiswitheredanddead;lastly，thesocietyisnotintheleastdegreeexclusive，buttakesunderitscomprehensivecarethewholerangeofthetheatreandtheconcert-room，fromthemanagerinhisroomofstate，orinhiscaravan，oratthedrum-head-downtothetheatricalhousekeeper，whoisusuallytobefoundamongstthecobwebsandtheflies，ordowntothehallporter，whopasseshislifeinathoroughdraught-and，tothebestofmyobservation，inperpetuallyinterruptedendeavourstoeatsomethingwithaknifeandforkoutofabasin，byadustyfire，inthatextraordinarylittlegrittyroom，uponwhichthesunnevershines，andontheportalsofwhichareinscribedthemagicwords，“stage-door。”
Now，ladiesandgentlemen，thissocietyadministersitsbenefitssometimesbywayofloan;sometimesbywayofgift;sometimesbywayofassuranceatverylowpremiums;sometimestomembers，oftenertonon-members;alwaysexpressly，remember，throughthehandsofasecretaryorcommitteewellacquaintedwiththewantsoftheapplicants，andthoroughlyversed，ifnotbyhardexperienceatleastbysympathy，inthecalamitiesanduncertaintiesincidentaltothegeneralcalling。Onemustknowsomethingofthegeneralcallingtoknowwhatthoseafflictionsare。Aladywhohadbeenuponthestagefromherearliestchildhoodtillshewasabloomingwoman，andwhocamefromalonglineofprovincialactorsandactresses，oncesaidtomewhenshewashappilymarried;whenshewasrich，beloved，courted;whenshewasmistressofafinehouse-
oncesaidtomeattheheadofherowntable，surroundedbydistinguishedguestsofeverydegree，“Oh，butIhaveneverforgottenthehardtimewhenIwasonthestage，andwhenmybabybrotherdied，andwhenmypoormotherandIbroughtthelittlebabyfromIrelandtoEngland，andactedthreenightsinEngland，aswehadactedthreenightsinIreland，withtheprettycreaturelyingupontheonlybedinourlodgingbeforewegotthemoneytopayforitsfuneral。”
Ladiesandgentlemen，suchthingsare，everyday，tothishour;
but，happily，atthisdayandinthishourthisassociationhasarisentobethetimelyfriendofsuchgreatdistress。
Itisnotoftenthefaultofthesufferersthattheyfallintothesestraits。Strugglingartistsmustnecessarilychangefromplacetoplace，andthusitfrequentlyhappensthattheybecome，asitwere，strangersineveryplace，andveryslightcircumstances-
apassingillness，thesicknessofthehusband，wife，orchild，aserioustown，ananathematisingexpounderofthegospelofgentlenessandforbearance-anyoneofthesecausesmayofteninafewhourswreckthemuponarockinthebarrenocean;andthen，happily，thissociety，withtheswiftalacrityofthelife-boat，dashestotherescue，andtakesthemoff。Lookingjustnowoverthelastreportissuedbythissociety，andconfiningmyscrutinytotheheadofillnessalone，Ifindthatinoneyear，Ithink，672
daysofsicknesshadbeenassuagedbyitsmeans。Innineyears，whichthenformedthetermofitsexistence，asmanyas5，500andodd。Well，IthoughtwhenIsaw5，500andodddaysofsickness，thisisaveryserioussum，butaddthenights！Addthenights-
thoselong，drearyhoursinthetwenty-fourwhentheshadowofdeathisdarkest，whendespondencyisstrongest，andwhenhopeisweakest，beforeyougaugethegoodthatisdonebythisinstitution，andbeforeyougaugethegoodthatreallywillbedonebyeveryshillingthatyoubestowhereto-night。Add，morethanall，thattheimprovidence，therecklessnessofthegeneralmultitudeofpoormembersofthisprofession，Ishouldsayisacruel，conventionalfable。Addthatthereisnoclassofsocietythemembersofwhichsowellhelpthemselves，orsowellhelpeachother。NotinthewholegrandchaptersofWestminsterAbbeyandYorkMinster，notinthewholequadrangleoftheRoyalExchange，notinthewholelistofmembersoftheStockExchange，notintheInnsofCourt，notintheCollegeofPhysicians，notintheCollegeofSurgeons，cantherepossiblybefoundmoreremarkableinstancesofuncomplainingpoverty，ofcheerful，constantself-denial，ofthegenerousremembranceoftheclaimsofkindredandprofessionalbrotherhood，thanwillcertainlybefoundinthedingiestanddirtiestconcertroom，intheleastlucidtheatre-evenintheraggedesttentcircusthatwaseverstainedbyweather。
IhavebeentwittedinprintbeforenowwithratherflatteringactorswhenIaddressthemasoneoftheirtrusteesattheirGeneralFunddinner。Believeme，Iflatternobody，unlessitbesometimesmyself;but，insuchacompanyasthepresent，Ialwaysfeelitmymanfuldutytobearmytestimonytothisfact-first，becauseitisopposedtoastupid，unfeelinglibel;secondly，becausemydoingsomayaffordsomeslightencouragementtothepersonswhoareunjustlydepreciated;andlastly，andmostofall，becauseIknowitisthetruth。
Now，ladiesandgentlemen，itistimeweshouldwhatweprofessionallycall“ringdown“ontheseremarks。Ifyou，suchmembersofthegeneralpublicasarehere，willonlythinkthegreattheatricalcurtainhasreallyfallenandbeentakenupagainforthenightonthatdull，darkvaultwhichmanyofusknowsowell;ifyouwillonlythinkofthetheatreorotherplaceofentertainmentasempty;ifyouwillonlythinkofthe“float，“orothergas-fittings，asextinguished;ifyouwillonlythinkofthepeoplewhohavebeguiledyouofanevening\'scare，whoselittlevanitiesandalmostchildishfoiblesareengenderedintheircompetingfacetofacewithyouforyourfavour-surelyitmaybesaidtheirfeelingsarepartlyofyourmaking，whiletheirvirtuesarealltheirown。Ifyouwillonlydothis，andfollowthemoutofthatshamplaceintotherealworld，whereitrainsrealrain，snowsrealsnow，andblowsrealwind;wherepeoplesustainthemselvesbyrealmoney，whichismuchhardertoget，muchhardertomake，andverymuchhardertogiveawaythanthepiecesoftobacco-pipeinpropertybags-ifyouwillonlydothis，anddoitinareallykind，consideratespirit，thissociety，thencertainoftheresultofthenight\'sproceedings，canasknomore。Ibegtoproposetoyoutodrink“ProsperitytotheDramatic，Equestrian，andMusicalSickFundAssociation。”
[Mr。Dickens，inproposingthenexttoast，said：-]
Gentlemen：asIaddressedmyselftotheladieslasttime，soI
addressyouthistime，andIgiveyouthedelightfulassurancethatitispositivelymylastappearancebutoneonthepresentoccasion。AcertainMr。Pepys，whowasSecretaryfortheAdmiraltyinthedaysofCharlesII。，whokeptadiarywellinshorthand，whichhesupposednoonecouldread，andwhichconsequentlyremainstothisdaythemosthonestdiaryknowntoprint-Mr。Pepyshadtwospecialandverystronglikings，theladiesandthetheatres。
ButMr。Pepys，wheneverhecommittedanyslightactofremissness，oranylittlepeccadillowhichwasutterlyandwhollyuntheatrical，usedtocomforthisconsciencebyrecordingavowthathewouldabstainfromthetheatresforacertaintime。InthefirstpartofMr。Pepys\'characterIhavenodoubtwefullyagreewithhim;inthesecondIhavenodoubtwedonot。
IlearnthisexperienceofMr。PepysfromremembranceofapassageinhisdiarythatIwasreadingtheothernight，fromwhichitappearsthathewasnotonlycuriousinplays，butcuriousinsermons;andthatonenightwhenhehappenedtobewalkingpastSt。
Dunstan\'sChurch，heturned，wentin，andheardwhathecalls“averyedifyingdiscourse;“duringthedeliveryofwhichdiscourse，henotesinhisdiary-“Istoodbyaprettyyoungmaid，whomIdidattempttotakebythehand。”Butheadds-“Shewouldnot;andI
didperceivethatshehadpinsinherpocketwithwhichtoprickmeifIshouldtouchheragain-andwasgladthatIspiedherdesign。”Afterwards，aboutthecloseofthesameedifyingdiscourse，Mr。Pepysfoundhimselfnearanotherpretty，fairyoungmaid，whowouldseemuponthewholetohavehadnopins，andtohavebeenmoreimpressible。
Now，themoralofthisstorywhichIwishtosuggesttoyouis，thatwehavebeenthiseveninginSt。James\'smuchmoretimidthanMr。PepyswasinSt。Dunstan\'s，andthatwehaveconductedourselvesverymuchbetter。Asaslightrecompensetousforourhighlymeritoriousconduct，andasalittlerelieftoourover-
chargedhearts，Ibegtoproposethatwedevotethisbumpertoinvokingablessingontheladies。Itistheprivilegeofthissocietyannuallytohearaladyspeakforherownsex。WhosocompetenttodothisasMrs。Stirling？Surelyonewhohassogracefullyandcaptivatingly，withsuchanexquisitemixtureofart，andfancy，andfidelity，representedherownsexininnumerablecharities，underaninfinitevarietyofphases，cannotfailtorepresentthemwellinherowncharacter，especiallywhenitis，amidsthermanytriumphs，themostagreeableofall。Ibegtoproposetoyou“TheLadies，“andIwillcouplewiththattoastthenameofMrs。Stirling。
SPEECH：LONDON，MARCH28，1866。
[ThefollowingspeechwasmadebyMr。DickensattheAnnualFestivaloftheRoyalGeneralTheatricalFund，heldattheFreemasons\'Tavern，inproposingthehealthoftheLordMayor(SirBenjaminPhillips)，whooccupiedthechair。]
GENTLEMEN，inmychildishdaysIremembertohavehadavaguebutprofoundadmirationforacertainlegendarypersoncalledtheLordMayor\'sfool。IhadthehighestopinionoftheintellectualcapacityofthatsuppositiousretaineroftheMansionHouse，andI
reallyregardedhimwithfeelingsapproachingtoabsoluteveneration，becausemynurseinformedmeoneverygastronomicoccasionthattheLordMayor\'sfoollikedeverythingthatwasgood。
Youwillagreewithme，Ihavenodoubt，thatifthisdiscriminatingjesterhadexistedatthepresenttimehecouldnotfailtohavelikedhismasterverymuch，seeingthatsogoodaLordMayorisveryrarelytobefound，andthatabetterLordMayorcouldnotpossiblybe。
Youhavealreadydivined，gentlemen，thatIamabouttoproposetoyoutodrinkthehealthoftherighthonourablegentlemaninthechair。AsoneoftheTrusteesoftheGeneralTheatricalFund，I
begofficiallytotenderhimmybestthanksforlendingtheverypowerfulaidofhispresence，hisinfluence，andhispersonalcharactertothisverydeservingInstitution。Ashisprivatefriendsweventuredtourgeuponhimtodousthisgraciousact，andIbegtoassureyouthattheperfectsimplicity，modesty，cordiality，andfranknesswithwhichheassented，enhancedthegiftonethousandfold。IthinkitmustalsobeveryagreeabletoacompanylikethistoknowthatthePresidentofthenightisnotceremoniouslypretending，“positivelyforthisnightonly，“tohaveaninterestinthedrama，butthathehasanunusualandthoroughacquaintancewithit，andthathehasalivinganddiscerningknowledgeofthemeritsofthegreatoldactors。ItisverypleasanttometorememberthattheLordMayorandIoncebeguiledthetediumofajourneybyexchangingourexperiencesuponthissubject。Iratherpridedmyselfonbeingsomethingofanoldstager，butIfoundtheLordMayorsothoroughlyupinallthestockpieces，andsoknowingandyetsofreshaboutthemeritsofthosewhoaremostandbestidentifiedwiththem，thatIreadilyrecognisedinhimwhatwouldbecalledinfisticlanguage，averyuglycustomer-one，Iassureyou，bynomeanstobesettledbyanynovicenotinthoroughgoodtheatricaltraining。
Gentlemen，wehaveallknownfromourearliestinfancythatwhenthegiantsinGuildhallheartheclockstrikeone，theycomedowntodinner。Similarly，whentheCityofLondonshallhearbutonesinglewordinjustdisparagementofitspresentLordMayor，whetherasitsenlightenedchiefmagistrate，orasoneofitsmerchants，orasoneofitstruegentlemen，hewillthendescendfromthehighpersonalplacewhichheholdsinthegeneralhonourandesteem。Untilthenhewillremainuponhispedestal，andmyprivateopinion，betweenourselves，isthatthegiantswillcomedownlongbeforehim。
Gentlemen，inconclusion，IwouldremarkthatwhentheLordMayormadehistrulyremarkable，andtrulymanly，andunaffectedspeech，IcouldnotbutbestruckbytheoddreversaloftheusualcircumstancesattheMansionHouse，whichhepresentedtoourview，forwhereasitisaverycommonthingforpersonstobebroughttremblinglybeforetheLordMayor，theLordMayorpresentedhimselfasbeingbroughttremblinglybeforeus。Ihopethattheresultmayholdstillfurther，forwhereasitisacommonthingfortheLordMayortosaytoarepentantcriminalwhodoesnotseemtohavemuchharminhim，“letmeneverseeyouhereagain，“soIwouldproposethatweallwithoneaccordsaytotheLordMayor，“Letusbyallmeansseeyouhereagainonthefirstopportunity。”Gentlemen，I
begtoproposetoyoutodrink，withallthehonours，“Thehealthoftherighthon。theLordMayor。”
SPEECH：LONDON，MAY7，1866。
[TheMembersoftheMetropolitanRowingClubsdiningtogetherattheLondonTavern，ontheabovedate，Mr。Dickens，asPresidentoftheNautilusRowingClub，occupiedthechair。TheSpeechthatfollowswasmadeinproposing“ProsperitytotheRowingClubsofLondon。”Mr。Dickenssaidthat：-]
HEcouldnotavoidtheremembranceofwhatverypoorthingstheamateurrowingclubsontheThameswereintheearlydaysofhisnoviciate;nottomentionthedifferenceinthebuildoftheboats。
Hecouldnotgetoninthebeginningwithoutbeingapupilunderananomalouscreaturecalleda“firemanwaterman，“whoworeaneminentlytallhat，andaperfectlyunaccountableuniform，ofwhichitmightbesaidthatifitwaslessadaptedforonethingthananother，thatthingwasfire。HerecollectedthatthisgentlemanhadonsomeformerdaywonaKing\'sprizewherry，andtheyusedtogoaboutinthisaccursedwherry，heandapartner，doingallthehardwork，whilethefiremandrankallthebeer。Theriverwasverymuchclearer，freer，andcleanerinthosedaysthanthese;buthewaspersuadedthatthisphilosophicaloldboatmancouldnomorehavedreamtofseeingthespectaclewhichhadtakenplaceonSaturday(theprocessionoftheboatsoftheMetropolitanAmateurRowingClubs)，orofseeingtheseclubsmatchedforskillandspeed，thanhe(theChairman)shoulddaretoannouncethroughtheusualauthenticchannelsthathewastobeheardofatthebarbelow，andthathewasperfectlypreparedtoaccommodateMr。JamesMaceifhemeantbusiness。Nevertheless，hecouldrecollectthathehadturnedoutforaspurtafewyearsagoontheRiverThameswithanoccasionalSecretary，whoshouldbenameless，andsomeotherEtonboys，andthathecouldholdhisownagainstthem。Morerecentlystill，thelasttimethatheroweddownfromOxfordhewassupposedtocoverhimselfwithhonour，thoughhemustadmitthathefoundthe“locks“sopicturesqueastorequiremuchexaminationforthediscoveryoftheirbeauty。Butwhathewantedtosaywasthis，thatthoughhis“firemanwaterman“wasoneofthegreatesthumbugsthateverexisted，heyettaughthimwhatanhonest，healthy，manlysportthiswas。Theirwatermanwouldbidthempullaway，andassurethemthattheywerecertainofwinninginsomerace。Andherehewouldremarkthataquaticsportsneverentailedamoment\'scruelty，oramoment\'spain，uponanylivingcreature。Rowingmenpursuedrecreationundercircumstanceswhichbracedtheirmuscles，andclearedthecobwebsfromtheirminds。Heassuredthemthatheregardedsuchclubsastheseasa“nationalblessing。”Theyowed，itwastrue，avastdealtosteampower-aswassometimesprovedatmatchesontheThames-but，atthesametime，theyweregreatlyindebtedtoallthattendedtokeepupahealthy，manlytone。Heunderstoodthattherehadbeenacommitteeselectedforthepurposeofarrangingagreatamateurregatta，whichwastotakeplaceoffPutneyinthecourseoftheseasonthatwasjustbegun。Hecouldnotabstainfromavailinghimselfofthisoccasiontoexpressahopethatthecommitteewouldsuccessfullycarryonitslabourstoatriumphantresult，andthattheyshouldseeupontheThames，inthecourseofthissummer，suchabrilliantsightashadneverbeenseentherebefore。Tosecurethistheremustbesomehardwork，skilfulcombinations，andratherlargesubscriptions。Butalthoughtheaggregateresultmustbegreat，itbynomeansfollowedthatitneedbeatalllargeinitsindividualdetails。
[Inconclusion，Mr。DickensmadealaughablecomparisonbetweenthepayingofforpurificationofthenationaldebtandthepurificationoftheRiverThames。]
SPEECH：LONDON，JUNE5，1867。
[OntheabovedateMr。DickenspresidedattheNinthAnniversaryFestivaloftheRailwayBenevolentSociety，atWillis\'sRooms，andinproposingthetoastoftheevening，madethefollowingspeech。]
ALTHOUGHwehavenotyetleftbehindusbythedistanceofnearlyfiftyyearsthetimewhenoneofthefirstliteraryauthoritiesofthiscountryinsisteduponthespeedofthefastestrailwaytrainthattheLegisturemightdisastrouslysanctionbeinglimitedbyActofParliamenttotenmilesanhour，yetitdoessomehowhappenthatthisevening，andeveryevening，therearerailwaytrainsrunningprettysmoothlytoIrelandandtoScotlandattherateoffiftymilesanhour;muchasitwasobjectedinitstimetovaccination，thatitmusthaveatendencytoimparttohumanchildrensomethingofthenatureofthecow，whereasIbelievetothisverytimevaccinatedchildrenarefoundtobeaseasilydefinedfromcalvesastheyeverwere，andcertainlytheyhavenocheapeninginfluenceonthepriceofveal;muchasitwasobjectedthatchloroformwasacontraventionofthewillofProvidence，becauseitlessenedprovidentially-inflictedpain，whichwouldbeareasonforyournotrubbingyourfaceifyouhadthetooth-ache，ornotrubbingyournoseifititched;soitwasevidentlypredictedthattherailwaysystem，evenifanythingsoabsurdcouldbeproductiveofanyresult，wouldinfalliblythrowhalfthenationoutofemployment;
whereas，youobservethattheverycauseandoccasionofourcomingheretogetherto-nightis，apartfromthevarioustributarychannelsofoccupationwhichithasopenedout，thatithascalledintoexistenceaspeciallyanddirectlyemployedpopulationofupwardsof200，000persons。
Now，gentlemen，itisprettyclearandobviousthatupwardsof200，000personsengageduponthevariousrailwaysoftheUnitedKingdomcannotberich;andalthoughtheirdutiesrequiregreatcareandgreatexactness，andalthoughourlivesareeveryday，humanlyspeaking，inthehandsofmanyofthem，still，forthemostoftheseplacestherewillbealwaysgreatcompetition，becausetheyarenotpostswhichrequireskilledworkmentohold。Wages，asyouknowverywell，cannotbehighwherecompetitionisgreat，andyoualsoknowverywellthatrailwaydirectors，inthebargainstheymake，andthesalarieswhichtheypay，havetodealwiththemoneyoftheshareholders，towhomtheyareaccountable。Thusitnecessarilyhappensthatrailwayofficersandservantsarenotremuneratedonthewholebyanymeanssplendidly，andthattheycannothopeintheordinarycourseofthingstodomorethanmeettheordinarywantsandhazardsoflife。Butitistobeobservedthatthegeneralhazardsareintheircase，byreasonofthedangerousnatureoftheiravocations，exceptionallygreat，soverygreat，Ifind，astobestateable，ontheauthorityofaparliamentarypaper，bytheverystartlingroundoffigures，thatwhereasonerailwaytravellerin8，000，000ofpassengersiskilled，onerailwayservantinevery2，000iskilled。
Hence，fromgeneral，special，aswell，nodoubt，fortheusualprudentialandbenevolentconsiderations，therecametobeestablishedamongrailwayofficersandservants，nineyearsago，theRailwayBenevolentAssociation。Imaysuppose，therefore，asitwasestablishednineyearsago，thatthisistheninthoccasionofpublishingfromthischairthebannsbetweenthisinstitutionandthepublic。Nevertheless，Ifeelboundindividuallytodomydutythesameasifithadneverbeendonebefore，andtoaskwhetherthereisanyjustcauseorimpedimentwhythesetwoparties-theinstitutionandthepublic-shouldnotbejoinedtogetherinholycharity。AsIunderstandthesociety，itsobjectsarefive-
fold-first，toguaranteeannuitieswhich，itisalwaystobeobserved，ispaidoutoftheinterestofinvestedcapital，sothatthoseannuitiesmaybesecureandsafe-annualpensions，varyingfrom10to25pounds，todistressedrailwayofficersandservantsincapacitatedbyage，sickness，oraccident;secondly，toguaranteesmallpensionstodistressedwidows;thirdly，toeducateandmaintainorphanchildren;fourthly，toprovidetemporaryreliefforallthoseclassestilllastingreliefcanbeguaranteedoutoffundssufficientlylargeforthepurpose;lastly，toinducerailwayofficersandservantstoassuretheirlivesinsomewell-
establishedofficebysub-dividingthepaymentofthepremiumsintosmallperiodicalsums，andalsobygrantingareversionarybonusof10poundspercent。ontheamountassuredfromthefundsoftheinstitution。
Thisisthesocietywearemettoassist-simple，sympathetic，practical，easy，sensible，unpretending。Thenumberofitsmembersislarge，andrapidlyontheincrease：theynumber12，000;theamountofinvestedcapitalisverynearly15，000pounds;ithasdoneaworldofgoodandaworldofworkinthesefirstnineyearsofitslife;andyetIamproudtosaythattheannualcostofthemaintenanceoftheinstitutionisnomorethan250pounds。Andnowifyoudonotknowallaboutitinasmallcompass，eitherIdonotknowallaboutitmyself，orthefaultmustbeinmy“packing。”
Onenaturallypassesfromwhattheinstitutionisandhasdone，towhatitwants。Well，itwantstodomoregood，anditcannotpossiblydomoregooduntilithasmoremoney。Itcannotsafely，andthereforeitcannothonourably，grantmorepensionstodeservingapplicantsuntilitgrowsricher，anditcannotgrowrichenoughforitslaudablepurposebyitsownunaidedself。Thethingisabsolutelyimpossible。Themeansoftheserailwayofficersandservantsarefartoolimited。Eveniftheywerehelpedtotheutmostbythegreatrailwaycompanies，theirmeanswouldstillbetoolimited;eveniftheywerehelped-andIhopetheyshortlywillbe-bysomeofthegreatcorporationsofthiscountry，whomrailwayshavedonesomuchtoenrich。Theserailwayofficersandservants，ontheirroadtoaveryhumbleandmodestsuperannuation，cannomoredowithoutthehelpofthegreatpublic，thanthegreatpublic，ontheirroadfromTorquaytoAberdeen，candowithoutthem。Therefore，Idesiretoaskthepublicwhethertheservantsofthegreatrailways-who，infact，aretheirservants，theirready，zealous，faithful，hard-workingservants-whethertheyhavenotestablished，whethertheydonoteverydayestablish，areasonableclaimtoliberalremembrance。
Now，gentlemen，onthispointofthecasethereisastoryoncetoldmebyafriendofmine，whichseemstomymindtohaveacertainapplication。MyfriendwasanAmericansea-captain，and，therefore，itisquiteunnecessarytosayhisstorywasquitetrue。
HewascaptainandpartownerofalargeAmericanmerchantliner。
Onacertainvoyageout，inexquisitesummerweather，hehadforcabinpassengersonebeautifulyounglady，andtenmoreorlessbeautifulyounggentlemen。Lightwindsordeadcalmsprevailing，thevoyagewasslow。Theyhadmadehalftheirdistancewhenthetenyounggentlemenwereallmadlyinlovewiththebeautifulyounglady。Theyhadallproposedtoher，andbloodshedamongtherivalsseemedimminentpendingtheyounglady\'sdecision。Onthisextremitythebeautifulyoungladyconfidedinmyfriendthecaptain，whogaveherdiscreetadvice。Hesaid：“Ifyouraffectionsaredisengaged，takethatoneoftheyounggentlemenwhomyoulikethebestandsettlethequestion。”Tothisthebeautifulyoungladymadereply，“IcannotdothatbecauseIlikethemallequallywell。”Myfriend，whowasamanofresource，hituponthisingeniousexpedient，saidhe，“To-morrowmorningatmid-
day，whenlunchisannounced，doyouplungebodilyoverboard，headforemost。Iwillbealongsideinaboattorescueyou，andtaketheoneofthetenwhorushestoyourrescue，andthenyoucanafterwardshavehim。”Thebeautifulyoungladyhighlyapproved，anddidaccordingly。Butaftersheplungedin，nineoutofthetenmoreorlessbeautifulyounggentlemenplungedinafterher;andthetenthremainedandshedtears，lookingoverthesideofthevessel。Theywereallpickedup，andrestoreddrippingtothedeck。Thebeautifulyoungladyuponseeingthemsaid，“WhatamI
todo？Seewhataplighttheyarein。HowcanIpossiblychoose，becauseeveryoneofthemisequallywet？“Thensaidmyfriendthecaptain，actinguponasuddeninspiration，“Takethedryone。”I
amsorrytosaythatshedidso，andtheylivedhappyeverafterwards。
Now，gentleman，inmyapplicationofthisstory，Iexactlyreversemyfriendthecaptain\'sanecdote，andIentreatthepublicinlookingabouttoconsiderwhoarefitsubjectsfortheirbounty，togiveeachhishandwithsomethinginit，andnotawardadryhandtotheindustriousrailwayservantwhoisalwaysathisback。AndIwouldaskanyonewithadoubtuponthissubjecttoconsiderwhathisexperienceoftherailwayservantisfromthetimeofhisdeparturetohisarrivalathisdestination。Iknowwhatmineis。
Hereheis，invelveteenorinapoliceman\'sdress，scalingcabs，stormingcarriages，findinglostarticlesbyasortofinstinct，bindinguplostumbrellasandwalkingsticks，wheelingtrucks，counsellingoldladies，withawonderfulinterestintheiraffairs-mostlyverycomplicated-andstickinglabelsuponallsortsofarticles。Ilookaround-thereheis，inastation-master\'suniform，directingandoverseeing，withtheheadofageneral，andwiththecourteousmannersofagentleman;andthenthereisthehandsomefigureoftheguard，whoinspiresconfidenceintimidpassengers。Iglideoutofthestation，andthereheisagainwithhisflagsinhishandathispostintheopencountry，atthelevelcrossing，atthecutting，atthetunnelmouth，andateverystationontheroaduntilourdestinationisreached。Inregard，therefore，totherailwayservantswithwhomwedocomeintocontact，wemaysurelyhavesomenaturalsympathy，anditisontheirbehalfthatIthisnightappealtoyou。Ibegnowtopropose“SuccesstotheRailwayBenevolentSociety。”
SPEECH：LONDON，SEPTEMBER17，1867。
[OnpresidingatapublicMeetingofthePrinters\'Readers，heldattheSalisburyHotel，ontheabovedate，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]
THATasthemeetingwasconvened，nottohearhim，buttohearastatementoffactsandfiguresverynearlyaffectingthepersonalinterestsofthegreatmajorityofthosepresent，hisprefacetotheproceedingsneedbeverybrief。Ofthedetailsofthequestionheknew，ofhisownknowledge，absolutelynothing;buthehadconsentedtooccupythechaironthatoccasionattherequestoftheLondonAssociationofCorrectorsofthePressfortworeasons-
first，becausehethoughtthatopennessandpublicityinsuchcaseswereaverywholesomeexampleverymuchneededatthistime，andwerehighlybecomingtoabodyofmenassociatedwiththatgreatpublicsafeguard-thePress;secondly，becauseheknewfromsomeslightpracticalexperience，whatthedutiesofcorrectorsofthepresswere，andhowtheirdutieswereusuallydischarged;andhecouldtestify，anddidtestify，thattheywerenotmechanical，thattheywerenotmeremattersofmanipulationandroutine;butthattheyrequiredfromthosewhoperformedthemmuchnaturalintelligence，muchsuper-addedcultivation，readinessofreference，quicknessofresource，anexcellentmemory，andaclearunderstanding。Hemostgratefullyacknowledgedthathehadnevergonethroughthesheetsofanybookthathehadwritten，withouthavingpresentedtohimbythecorrectorsofthepresssomethingthathehadoverlooked，someslightinconsistencyintowhichhehadfallen，somelittlelapsehehadmade-inshort，withouthavingsetdowninblackandwhitesomeunquestionableindicationthathehadbeencloselyfollowedthroughtheworkbyapatientandtrainedmind，andnotmerelybyaskilfuleye。Andinthisdeclarationhehadnottheslightestdoubtthatthegreatbodyofhisbrotherandsisterwriterswould，asaplainactofjustice，readilyconcur。
Fortheseplainreasonshewasthere;andbeingtherehebeggedtoassurethemthateveryonepresent-thateveryspeaker-wouldhaveapatienthearing，whateverhisopinionsmightbe。
[TheproceedingsconcludedwithaverycordialandheartyvoteofthankstoMr。Dickensfortakingthechairontheoccasion。]
Mr。Dickensbrieflyreturnedthanks，andexpressedthebeliefthattheirverycalmandtemperateproceedingswouldfinallyresultintheestablishmentofrelationsofperfectamitybetweentheemployersandtheemployed，andconsequentlyconducetothegeneralwelfareofboth。
SPEECH：LONDON，NOVEMBER2，1867。
[OnSaturdayevening，November2，1867，agrandcomplimentaryfarewelldinnerwasgiventoMr。DickensattheFreemasons\'TavernontheoccasionofhisrevisitingtheUnitedStatesofAmerica。
LordLyttonofficiatedaschairman，andproposedasatoast-“A
ProsperousVoyage，Health，andLongLifetoourIllustriousGuestandCountryman，CharlesDickens“。Thetoastwasdrunkwithallthehonours，andonecheermore。Mr。Dickensthenrose，andspokeasfollows：]
NOthanksthatIcanofferyoucanexpressmysenseofmyreceptionbythisgreatassemblage，orcanintheleastsuggesttoyouhowdeeptheglowingwordsofmyfriendthechairman，andyouracceptanceofthem，havesunkintomyheart。ButbothcombinedhavesogreatlyshakenthecomposurewhichIamusedtocommandbeforeanaudience，thatIhopeyoumayobserveinmesometracesofaneloquencemoreexpressivethantherichestwords。TosaythatIamferventlygratefultoyouistosaynothing;tosaythatIcanneverforgetthisbeautifulsight，istosaynothing;tosaythatitbringsuponmearushofemotionnotonlyinthepresent，butinthethoughtofitsremembranceinthefuturebythosewhoaredearesttome，istosaynothing;buttofeelallthisforthemoment，evenalmosttopain，isverymuchindeed。Mercutiosaysofthewoundinhisbreast，dealthimbythehandofafoe，that-
“\'Tisnotsodeepasawell，norsowideasachurchdoor;but\'tisenough，\'twillserve。”Imaysayofthewoundinmybreast，newlydealttomebythehandsofmyfriends，thatitisdeeperthanthesoundlesssea，andwiderthanthewholeCatholicChurch。Imaysafelyaddthatithasforthemomentalmoststrickenmedumb。I
shouldbemorethanhuman，andIassureyouIamveryhumanindeed，ifIcouldlookarounduponthisbrilliantrepresentativecompanyandnotfeelgreatlythrilledandstirredbythepresenceofsomanybrotherartists，notonlyinliterature，butalsointhesisterarts，especiallypainting，amongwhoseprofessorslivingandunhappilydead，aremanyofmyoldestandbestfriends。IhopethatImay，withoutpresumption，regardthisthrongingofmybrothersaroundmeasatestimonyontheirpartthattheybelievethatthecauseofartgenerallyhasbeensafeinmykeeping，andthatithasneverbeenfalselydealtwithbyme。YourresoundingcheersjustnowwouldhavebeenbutsomanycruelreproachestomeifIcouldnotheredeclarethat，fromtheearliestdaysofmycareerdowntothisproudnight，Ihavealwaystriedtobetruetomycalling。Neverundulytoassertit，ontheonehand，andnever，onanypretenceorconsideration，topermitittobepatronizedinmyperson，hasbeenthesteadyendeavourofmylife;andIhaveoccasionallybeenvainenoughtohopethatImayleaveitssocialpositioninEnglandbetterthanIfoundit。Similarly，andequallyIhopewithoutpresumption，ItrustthatImaytakethisgeneralrepresentationofthepublichere，throughsomanyorders，pursuits，anddegrees，asatokenthatthepublicbelievethat，withahostofimperfectionsandshortcomingsonmyhead，Ihaveasawriter，inmysoulandconscience，triedtobeastruetothemastheyhaveeverbeentruetome。Andhere，inreferencetotheinnercircleoftheartsandtheoutercircleofthepublic，Ifeelitadutyto-nighttooffertworemarks。Ihaveinmydutyatoddtimesheardagreatdealaboutliterarysetsandcliques，andcoteriesandbarriers;aboutkeepingthismanup，andkeepingthatmandown;aboutsworndisciplesandswornunbelievers，andmutualadmirationsocieties，andIknownotwhatotherdragonsintheupwardpath。IbegantotreaditwhenIwasveryyoung，withoutinfluence，withoutmoney，withoutcompanion，introducer，oradviser，andIamboundtoputinevidenceinthisplacethatI
neverlightedonthesedragonsyet。SohaveIheardinmyday，atdiversotheroddtimes，muchgenerallytotheeffectthattheEnglishpeoplehavelittleornoloveofartforitsownsake，andthattheydonotgreatlycaretoacknowledgeordohonourtotheartist。Myownexperiencehasuniformlybeenexactlythereverse。
Icansaythatofmycountrymen，thoughIcannotsaythatofmycountry。
Andnowpassingtotheimmediateoccasionofyourdoingmethisgreathonour，thestoryofmygoingagaintoAmericaisveryeasilyandbrieflytold。SinceIwastherebeforeavastandentirelynewgenerationhasarisenintheUnitedStates。SinceIwastherebeforemostofthebestknownofmybookshavebeenwrittenandpublished;thenewgenerationandthebookshavecometogetherandhavekepttogether，untilatlengthnumbersofthosewhohavesowidelyandconstantlyreadme;naturallydesiringalittlevarietyintherelationshipbetweenus，haveexpressedastrongwishthatI
shouldreadmyself。Thiswish，atfirstconveyedtomethroughpublicchannelsandbusinesschannels，hasgraduallybecomeenforcedbyanimmenseaccumulationoflettersfromindividualsandassociationsofindividuals，allexpressinginthesamehearty，homely，cordialunaffectedway，akindofpersonalinterestinme-
Ihadalmostsaidakindofpersonalaffectionforme，whichIamsureyouwouldagreewithmeitwouldbedullinsensibilityonmypartnottoprize。Littlebylittlethispressurehasbecomesogreatthat，although，asCharlesLambsays，myhouseholdgodsstrikeaterriblydeeproot，Ihavetornthemfromtheirplaces，andthisdayweek，atthishour，shallbeuponthesea。YouwillreadilyconceivethatIaminspiredbesidesbyanaturaldesiretoseeformyselftheastonishingchangeandprogressofaquarterofacenturyoverthere，tograspthehandsofmanyfaithfulfriendswhomIleftthere，toseethefacesofthemultitudeofnewfriendsuponwhomIhaveneverlooked，andlast，notleast，tousemybestendeavourtolaydownathirdcableofintercommunicationandalliancebetweentheoldworldandthenew。Twelveyearsago，whenHeavenknowsIlittlethoughtIshouldeverbebounduponthevoyagewhichnowliesbeforeme，Iwroteinthatformofmywritingswhichobtainsbyfarthemostextensivecirculation，thesewordsoftheAmericannation：-“Iknowfullwell，whateverlittlemotesmybeamyeyesmayhavedescriedintheirs，thattheyareakind，large-hearted，generous，andgreatpeople。”InthatfaithI
amgoingtoseethemagain;inthatfaithIshall，pleaseGod，returnfromtheminthespring;inthatsamefaithtoliveandtodie。ItoldyouinthebeginningthatIcouldnotthankyouenough，andHeavenknowsIhavemostthoroughlykeptmyword。IfI
mayquoteoneothershortsentencefrommyself，letitimplyallthatIhaveleftunsaid，andyetmostdeeplyfeel。Letit，puttingagirdleroundtheearth，comprehendbothsidesoftheAtlanticatonceinthismoment，andsay，asTinyTimobserves，“Godblessuseveryone。”
SPEECH：BOSTON，APRIL8，1868。
[Mr。DickensgavehislastReadingatBoston，ontheabovedate。
Onhisentranceasurpriseawaitedhim。Hisreading-standhadbeendecoratedwithflowersandpalm-leavesbysomeoftheladiesofthecity。Heacknowledgedthisgracefultributeinthefollowingwords：-“BeforeallowingDr。Marigoldtotellhisstoryinhisownpeculiarway，Ikissthekind，fairhandsunknown，whichhavesobeautifullydecoratedmytablethisevening。”AftertheReading，Mr。Dickensattemptedinvaintoretire。Persistenthandsdemanded“onewordmore。”Returningtohisdesk，pale，withatearinhiseye，thatfounditswaytohisvoice，hespokeasfollows：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-MygraciousandgenerouswelcomeinAmerica，whichcanneverbeobliteratedfrommyremembrance，beganhere。Mydeparturebeginshere，too;forIassureyouthatIhaveneveruntilthismomentreallyfeltthatIamgoingaway。Inthisbrieflifeofours，itissadtodoalmostanythingforthelasttime，andIcannotconcealfromyou，althoughmyfacewillsosoonbeturnedtowardsmynativeland，andtoallthatmakesitdear，thatitisasadconsiderationwithmethatinaveryfewmomentsfromthistime，thisbrillianthallandallthatitcontains，willfadefrommyview-forevermore。Butitismyconsolationthatthespiritofthebrightfaces，thequickperception，thereadyresponse，thegenerousandthecheeringsoundsthathavemadethisplacedelightfultome，willremain;andyoumayrelyuponitthatthatspiritwillabidewithmeaslongasIhavesenseandsentimentleft。
IdonotsaythiswithanylimitedreferencetoprivatefriendshipsthathaveforyearsuponyearsmadeBostonamemorableandbelovedspottome，forsuchprivatereferenceshavenobusinessinthispublicplace。Isayitpurelyinremembranceof，andinhomageto，thegreatpublicheartbeforeme。
Ladiesandgentlemen，Ibegmostearnestly，mostgratefully，andmostaffectionately，tobidyou，eachandall，farewellSPEECH：NEWYORK，APRIL18，1863。
[OntheabovedateMr。DickenswasentertainedatafarewelldinneratDelmonico\'sHotel，previoustohisreturntoEngland。Twohundredgentlemensatdowntoit;Mr。HoraceGreeleypresiding。Inacknowledgmentofthetoastofhishealth，proposedbythechairman，Mr。Dickensroseandsaid：-]
GENTLEMEN，-Icannotdobetterthantakemycuetofromyourdistinguishedpresident，andreferinmyfirstremarkstohisremarksinconnexionwiththeold，natural，associationbetweenyouandme。WhenIreceivedaninvitationfromaprivateassociationofworkingmembersofthepressofNewYorktodinewiththemto-
day，Iacceptedthatcomplimentingratefulremembranceofacallingthatwasoncemyown，andinloyalsympathytowardsabrotherhoodwhich，inthespirit，Ihaveneverquieted。Tothewholesometrainingofseverenewspaperwork，whenIwasaveryyoungman，Iconstantlyrefermyfirstsuccesses;andmysonswillhereaftertestifyoftheirfatherthathewasalwayssteadilyproudofthatladderbywhichherose。Ifitwereotherwise，Ishouldhavebutaverypooropinionoftheirfather，which，perhaps，uponthewhole，Ihavenot。Hence，gentlemen，underanycircumstances，thiscompanywouldhavebeenexceptionallyinterestingandgratifyingtome。ButwhereasIsupposedthat，likethefairies\'
pavilioninthe“ArabianNights，“itwouldbebutamerehandful，andIfinditturnout，likethesameelasticpavilion，capableofcomprehendingamultitude，somuchthemoreproudamIofthehonourofbeingyourguest;foryouwillreadilybelievethatthemorewidelyrepresentativeofthepressinAmericamyentertainersare，themoreImustfeelthegood-willandthekindlysentimentstowardsmeofthatvastinstitution。
Gentlemen，somuchofmyvoicehaslatelybeenheardintheland，andIhaveforupwardsoffourhardwintermonthssocontendedagainstwhatIhavebeensometimesquiteadmiringlyassuredwas“atrueAmericancatarrh“-apossessionwhichIhavethroughouthighlyappreciated，thoughImighthavepreferredtobenaturalisedbyanyotheroutwardandvisiblesigns-Isay，gentlemen，somuchofmyvoicehaslatelybeenheard，thatImighthavebeencontentedwithtroublingyounofurtherfrommypresentstanding-point，wereitnotadutywithwhichIhenceforthchargemyself，notonlyherebutoneverysuitableoccasionwhatsoeverandwheresoever，toexpressmyhighandgratefulsenseofmysecondreceptioninAmerica，andtobearmyhonesttestimonytothenationalgenerosityandmagnanimity。Also，todeclarehowastoundedIhavebeenbytheamazingchangesthatIhaveseenaroundmeoneveryside-changesmoral，changesphysical，changesintheamountoflandsubduedandpeopled，changesintheriseofvastnewcities，changesinthegrowthofoldercitiesalmostoutofrecognition，changesinthegracesandamenitiesoflife，changesinthepress，withoutwhoseadvancementnoadvancementcanbemadeanywhere。NoramI，believeme，soarrogantastosupposethatinfive-and-twentyyearstherehavebeennochangesinme，andthatIhadnothingtolearnandnoextremeimpressionstocorrectwhenIwasherefirst。
And，gentlemen，thisbringsmetoapointonwhichIhave，eversinceIlandedherelastNovember，observedastrictsilence，thoughtemptedsometimestobreakit，butinreferencetowhichI
will，withyourgoodleave，takeyouintomyconfidencenow。Eventhepress，beinghuman，maybesometimesmistakenormisinformed，andIratherthinkthatIhaveinoneortworareinstancesknownitsinformationtobenotperfectlyaccuratewithreferencetomyself。Indeed，IhavenowandagainbeenmoresurprisedbyprintednewsthatIhavereadofmyselfthanbyanyprintednewsthatIhaveeverreadinmypresentstateofexistence。Thus，thevigourandperseverancewithwhichIhaveforsomemonthspastbeencollectingmaterialsforandhammeringawayatanewbookonAmericahavemuchastonishedme，seeingthatallthattimeithasbeenperfectlywellknowntomypublishersonbothsidesoftheAtlanticthatIpositivelydeclaredthatnoconsiderationonearthshouldinducemetowriteone。ButwhatIhaveintended，whatI
haveresolvedupon(andthisistheconfidenceIseektoplaceinyou)is，onmyreturntoEngland，inmyownperson，tobear，forthebehoofofmycountrymen，suchtestimonytothegiganticchangesinthiscountryasIhavehintedatto-night。Also，torecordthatwhereverIhavebeen，inthesmallestplacesequallywiththelargest，Ihavebeenreceivedwithunsurpassablepoliteness，delicacy，sweettemper，hospitality，consideration，andwithunsurpassablerespectfortheprivacydailyenforceduponmebythenatureofmyavocationhere，andthestateofmyhealth。Thistestimony，solongasIlive，andsolongasmydescendantshaveanylegalrightinmybooks，Ishallcausetobere-published，asanappendixtoeverycopyofthosetwobooksofmineinwhichI
havereferredtoAmerica。AndthisIwilldoandcausetobedone，notinmereloveandthankfulness，butbecauseIregarditasanactofplainjusticeandhonour。
Gentlemen，thetransitionfrommyownfeelingstowardsandinterestinAmericatothoseofthemassofmycountrymenseemstobeanaturalone;but，whetherorno，Imakeitwithanexpressobject。
Iwasaskedinthisverycity，aboutlastChristmastime，whetheranAmericanwasnotatsomedisadvantageinEnglandasaforeigner。
ThenotionofanAmericanbeingregardedinEnglandasaforeigneratall，ofhiseverbeingthoughtoforspokenofinthatcharacter，wassouncommonlyincongruousandabsurdtome，thatmygravitywas，forthemoment，quiteoverpowered。Assoonasitwasrestored，IsaidthatforyearsandyearspastIhopedIhadhadasmanyAmericanfriendsandhadreceivedasmanyAmericanvisitorsasalmostanyEnglishmanliving，andthatmyunvaryingexperience，fortifiedbytheirs，wasthatitwasenoughinEnglandtobeanAmericantobereceivedwiththereadiestrespectandrecognitionanywhere。Hereupon，outofhalf-a-dozenpeople，suddenlyspokeouttwo，oneanAmericangentleman，withacultivatedtasteforart，who，findinghimselfonacertainSundayoutsidethewallsofacertainhistoricalEnglishcastle，famousforitspictures，wasrefusedadmissionthere，accordingtothestrictrulesoftheestablishmentonthatday，butwho，onmerelyrepresentingthathewasanAmericangentleman，onhistravels，had，nottosaythepicturegallery，butthewholecastle，placedathisimmediatedisposal。Theotherwasalady，who，beinginLondon，andhavingagreatdesiretoseethefamousreading-roomoftheBritishMuseum，wasassuredbytheEnglishfamilywithwhomshestayedthatitwasunfortunatelyimpossible，becausetheplacewasclosedforaweek，andshehadonlythreedaysthere。Uponthatlady\'sgoingtotheMuseum，assheassuredme，alonetothegate，self-introducedasanAmericanlady，thegateflewopen，asitweremagically。Iamunwillinglyboundtoaddthatshecertainlywasyoungandexceedinglypretty。Still，theporterofthatinstitutionisofanobesehabit，and，accordingtothebestofmyobservationofhim，notveryimpressible。
Now，gentlemen，IrefertothesetriflesasacollateralassurancetoyouthattheEnglishmanwhoshallhumblystrive，asIhopetodo，tobeinEnglandasfaithfultoAmericaastoEnglandherself，hasnopreviousconceptionstocontendagainst。Pointsofdifferencetherehavebeen，pointsofdifferencethereare，pointsofdifferencethereprobablyalwayswillbebetweenthetwogreatpeoples。ButbroadcastinEnglandissownthesentimentthatthosetwopeoplesareessentiallyone，andthatitrestswiththemjointlytoupholdthegreatAnglo-Saxonrace，towhichourpresidenthasreferred，andallitsgreatachievementsbeforetheworld。AndifIknowanythingofmycountrymen-andtheygivemecreditforknowingsomething-ifIknowanythingofmycountrymen，gentlemen，theEnglishheartisstirredbytheflutteringofthoseStarsandStripes，asitisstirredbynootherflagthatfliesexceptitsown。IfIknowmycountrymen，inanyandeveryrelationtowardsAmerica，theybegin，notasSirAnthonyAbsoluterecommendedthatloversshouldbegin，with“alittleaversion，“butwithagreatlikingandaprofoundrespect;andwhateverthelittlesensitivenessofthemoment，orthelittleofficialpassion，orthelittleofficialpolicynow，orthen，orhere，orthere，maybe，takemywordforit，thatthefirstenduring，great，popularconsiderationinEnglandisagenerousconstructionofjustice。
Finally，gentlemen，andIsaythissubjecttoyourcorrection，Idobelievethatfromthegreatmajorityofhonestmindsonbothsides，therecannotbeabsenttheconvictionthatitwouldbebetterforthisglobetoberivenbyanearthquake，firedbyacomet，overrunbyaniceberg，andabandonedtotheArcticfoxandbear，thanthatitshouldpresentthespectacleofthesetwogreatnations，eachofwhichhas，initsownwayandhour，strivensohardandsosuccessfullyforfreedom，everagainbeingarrayedtheoneagainsttheother。Gentlemen，Icannotthankyourpresidentenoughoryouenoughforyourkindreceptionofmyhealth，andofmypoorremarks，but，believeme，Idothankyouwiththeutmostfervourofwhichmysouliscapable。
SPEECH：NEWYORK，APRIL20，1868。
[Mr。Dickens\'slastReadingintheUnitedStateswasgivenattheSteinwayHallontheabovedate。Thetaskfinishedhewasabouttoretire，butatremendousburstofapplausestoppedhim。Hecameforwardandspokethus：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Theshadowofonewordhasimpendedovermethisevening，andthetimehascomeatlengthwhentheshadowmustfall。Itisbutaveryshortone，buttheweightofsuchthingsisnotmeasuredbytheirlength，andtwomuchshorterwordsexpresstheroundofourhumanexistence。WhenIwasreading“DavidCopperfield“afeweveningssince，IfelttherewasmorethanusualsignificanceinthewordsofPeggotty，“Myfuturelifeliesoverthesea。”AndwhenIclosedthisbookjustnow，IfeltmostkeenlythatIwasshortlytoestablishsuchanALIBIaswouldhavesatisfiedeventheelderMr。Weller。Therelationswhichhavebeensetupbetweenus，whiletheyhaveinvolvedformesomethingmorethanmeredevotiontoatask，havebeenbyyousustainedwiththereadiestsympathyandthekindestacknowledgment。
Thoserelationsmustnowbebrokenforever。Beassured，however，thatyouwillnotpassfrommymind。IshalloftenrealiseyouasIseeyounow，equallybymywinterfireandinthegreenEnglishsummerweather。Ishallneverrecallyouasamerepublicaudience，butratherasahostofpersonalfriends，andeverwiththegreatestgratitude，tenderness，andconsideration。Ladiesandgentlemen，Ibegtobidyoufarewell。Godblessyou，andGodblessthelandinwhichIleaveyou。
SPEECH：LIVERPOOL，APRIL10，1869。
[ThefollowingspeechwasdeliveredbyMr。DickensataBanquetheldinhishonouratSt。George\'sHall，Liverpool，afterhishealthhadbeenproposedbyLordDufferin。]
MR。MAYOR，LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，althoughIhavebeensowellaccustomedoflatetothesoundofmyownvoiceinthisneighbourhoodastohearitwithperfectcomposure，theoccasionis，believeme，very，verydifferentinrespectofthoseoverwhelmingvoicesofyours。AsProfessorWilsononceconfidedtomeinEdinburghthatIhadnottheleastidea，fromhearinghiminpublic，whatamagnificentspeakerhefoundhimselftobewhenhewasquitealone-soyoucanformnoconception，fromthespecimenbeforeyou，oftheeloquencewithwhichIshallthankyouagainandagaininsomeoftheinnermostmomentsofmyfuturelife。Oftenandoften，then，Godwilling，mymemorywillrecallthisbrilliantscene，andwillre-illuminatethisbanquet-hall。I，faithfultothisplaceinitspresentaspect，willobserveitexactlyasitstands-notoneman\'sseatempty，notonewoman\'sfairfaceabsent，whilelifeandmemoryabidebyme。
Mr。Mayor，LordDufferininhisspeechsoaffectingtome，soeloquentlyuttered，andsorapturouslyreceived，madeagracefulandgraciousallusiontotheimmediateoccasionofmypresentvisittoyournoblecity。ItisnohomagetoLiverpool，baseduponamoment\'suntrustworthyenthusiasm，butitisthesolidfactbuiltupontherockofexperiencethatwhenIfirstmadeupmymind，afterconsiderabledeliberation，systematicallytomeetmyreadersinlargenumbers，facetoface，andtotrytoexpressmyselftothemthroughthebreathoflife，LiverpoolstoodforemostamongthegreatplacesoutofLondontowhichIlookedwitheagerconfidenceandpleasure。Andwhywasthis？Notmerelybecauseofthereputationofitscitizensforgenerousestimationofthearts;notmerelybecauseIhadunworthilyfilledthechairofitsgreatself-
educationalinstitutionlongago;notmerelybecausetheplacehadbeenahometomesincethewell-remembereddaywhenitsblessedroofsandsteeplesdippedintotheMerseybehindmeontheoccasionofmyfirstsailingawaytoseemygenerousfriendsacrosstheAtlantictwenty-sevenyearsago。Notforoneofthoseconsiderations，butbecauseithadbeenmyhappinesstohaveapublicopportunityoftestingthespiritofitspeople。IhadaskedLiverpoolforhelptowardstheworthypreservationofShakespeare\'shouse。OnanotheroccasionIhadventuredtoaddressLiverpoolinthenamesofLeighHuntandSheridanKnowles。OnstillanotheroccasionIhadaddresseditinthecauseofthebrotherhoodandsisterhoodoflettersandthekindredarts，andoneachandalltheresponsehadbeenunsurpassablyspontaneous，open-
handed，andmunificent。
Mr。Mayor，andladiesandgentlemen，ifImayventuretotakeasmallillustrationofmypresentpositionfrommyownpeculiarcraft，Iwouldsaythatthereisthisobjectioninwritingfictiontogivingastoryanautobiographicalform，thatthroughwhateverdangersthenarratormaypass，itisclearunfortunatelytothereaderbeforehandthathemusthavecomethroughthemsomehowelsehecouldnothavelivedtotellthetale。Now，inspeakingfact，whenthefactisassociatedwithsuchhonoursasthosewithwhichyouhaveenrichedme，thereisthissingulardifficultyinthewayofreturningthanks，thatthespeakermustinfalliblycomebacktohimselfthroughwhateveroratoricaldisastershemaylanguishontheroad。Letme，then，taketheplainerandsimplermiddlecourseofdividingmysubjectequallybetweenmyselfandyou。Letmeassureyouthatwhateveryouhaveacceptedwithpleasure，eitherbywordofpenorbywordofmouth，fromme，youhavegreatlyimprovedintheacceptance。Asthegoldissaidtobedoublyandtreblyrefinedwhichhasseventimespassedthefurnace，soafancymaybesaidtobecomemoreandmorerefinedeachtimeitpassesthroughthehumanheart。Youhave，andyouknowyouhave，broughttotheconsiderationofmethatqualityinyourselveswithoutwhichI
shouldbuthavebeatentheair。Yourearnestnesshasstimulatedmine，yourlaughterhasmademelaugh，andyourtearshaveoverflowedmyeyes。AllthatIcanclaimformyselfinestablishingtherelationswhichexistbetweenusisconstantfidelitytohardwork。Myliteraryfellowsaboutme，ofwhomIamsoproudtoseesomany，knowverywellhowtrueitisinallartthatwhatseemstheeasiestdoneisoftentimesthemostdifficulttodo，andthatthesmallesttruthmaycomeofthegreatestpains-
much，asitoccurredtomeatManchestertheotherday，asthesensitivetouchofMr。Whitworth\'smeasuringmachine，comesatlast，ofHeavenandManchesteranditsmayoronlyknowhowmuchhammering-mycompanions-in-armsknowthoroughlywell，andIthinkitonlyrightthepublicshouldknowtoo，thatinourcarefultoilandtrouble，andinoursteadystrivingforexcellence-notinanylittlegifts，misusedbyfitsandstarts-liesourhighestdutyatoncetoourcalling，tooneanother，toourselves，andtoyou。
Ladiesandgentlemen，beforesittingdownIfindthatIhavetoclearmyselfoftwoveryunexpectedaccusations。ThefirstisamostsingularchargepreferredagainstmebymyoldfriendLordHoughton，thatIhavebeensomewhatunconsciousofthemeritsoftheHouseofLords。Now，ladiesandgentlemen，seeingthatIhavehadsomefewnotaltogetherobscureorunknownpersonalfriendsinthatassembly，seeingthatIhadsomelittleassociationwith，andknowledgeof，acertainobscurepeerlatelyknowninEnglandbythenameofLordBrougham;seeingthatIregardwithsomeadmirationandaffectionanotherobscurepeerwhollyunknowninliterarycircles，calledLordLytton;seeingalsothatIhavehadforsomeyearssomeslightadmirationoftheextraordinaryjudicialpropertiesandamazinglyacutemindofacertainLordChiefJusticepopularlyknownbythenameofCockburn;andalsoseeingthatthereisnomaninEnglandwhomIrespectmoreinhispubliccapacity，whomIlovemoreinhisprivatecapacity，orfromwhomIhavereceivedmoreremarkableproofsofhishonourandloveofliteraturethananotherobscurenoblemancalledLordRussell;
takingthesecircumstancesintoconsideration，Iwasratheramazedbymynoblefriend\'saccusation。WhenIaskedhim，onhissittingdown，whatamazingdevilpossessedhimtomakethischarge，herepliedthathehadneverforgottenthedaysofLordVerisopht。
