下载辰思小说免费APP
Then，ladiesandgentlemen，Iunderstooditall。BecauseitisaremarkablefactthatinthedayswhenthatdepreciativeandprofoundlyunnaturalcharacterwasinventedtherewasnoLordHoughtonintheHouseofLords。AndtherewasintheHouseofCommonsaratherindifferentmembercalledRichardMoncktonMilnes。
Ladiesandgentlemen，toconclude，forthepresent，Iclosewiththeotherchargeofmynoblefriend，andhereIammoreserious，andImaybeallowedperhapstoexpressmyseriousnessinhalfadozenplainwords。WhenIfirsttookliteratureasmyprofessioninEngland，Icalmlyresolvedwithinmyselfthat，whetherI
succeededorwhetherIfailed，literatureshouldbemysoleprofession。ItappearedtomeatthattimethatitwasnotsowellunderstoodinEnglandasitwasinothercountriesthatliteraturewasadignifiedprofession，bywhichanymanmightstandorfall。
Imadeacompactwithmyselfthatinmypersonliteratureshouldstand，andbyitself，ofitself，andforitself;andthereisnoconsiderationonearthwhichwouldinducemetobreakthatbargain。
Ladiesandgentlemen，finallyallowmetothankyouforyourgreatkindness，andforthetouchingearnestnesswithwhichyouhavedrunkmyhealth。Ishouldhavethankedyouwithallmyheartifithadnotsounfortunatelyhappenedthat，formanysufficientreasons，Ilostmyheartatbetweenhalf-pastsixandhalf-pastsevento-night。
SPEECH：THEOXFORDANDHARVARDBOATRACE。SYDENHAM，AUGUST30，1869。
[TheInternationalUniversityBoatRacehavingtakenplaceonAugust27，theLondonRowingClubinvitedtheCrewstoaDinnerattheCrystalPalaceonthefollowingMonday。Thedinnerwasfollowedbyagranddisplayofpyrotechnics。Mr。Dickens，inproposingthehealthoftheCrews，madethefollowingspeech：]
GENTLEMEN，flushedwithfireworks，Icanwarrantmyselftoyouasabouttoimitatethosegorgeousillusionsbymakingabriefspirtandthendyingout。And，firstofall，asaninvitedvisitoroftheLondonRowingClubonthismostinterestingoccasion，Iwillbeg，inthenameoftheotherinvitedvisitorspresent-alwaysexceptingthedistinguishedguestswhoarethecauseofourmeeting-tothankthepresidentforthemodestyandthecourtesywithwhichhehasdeputedtooneofusthemostagreeablepartofhisevening\'sduty。Itisthemoregracefulinhimtodothisbecausehecanhardlyfailtoseethathemightveryeasilydoithimself，asthisisacaseofallothersinwhichitisaccordingtogoodtasteandtheveryprinciplesofthingsthatthegreatsocialvice，speech-making，shouldhideitdiminishedheadbeforethegreatsocialvirtueaction。However，thereisanancientstoryofaladywhothrewhergloveintoanarenafullofwildbeaststotemptherattendantlovertoclimbdownandreclaimit。Thelover，rightlyinferringfromtheactiontheworthofthelady，riskedhislifefortheglove，andthenthrewitrightlyinherfaceasatokenofhiseternaladieu。ItakeupthePresident\'sglove，onthecontrary，asaproofofhismuchhigherworth，andofmyrealinterestinthecauseinwhichitwasthrowndown，andInowprofessmyreadinesstodoeveninjusticetothedutywhichhehasassignedme。
Gentlemen，averyremarkableandaffectingvolumewaspublishedintheUnitedStateswithinashorttimebeforemylastvisittothathospitableland，containingninety-fivebiographiesofyoungmen，forthemostpartwell-bornandwellnurtured，andtrainedinvariouspeacefulpursuitsoflife，who，whentheflagoftheircountrywavedthemfromthosequietpathsinwhichtheywereseekingdistinctionofvariouskinds，tookarmsinthedreadcivilwarwhichelicitedsomuchbraveryonbothsides，anddiedinthedefenceoftheircountry。Thesegreatspiritsdisplayedextraordinaryaptitudeintheacquisition，evenintheinvention，ofmilitarytactics，inthecombiningandcommandingofgreatmassesofmen，insurprisingreadinessofself-resourceforthegeneralgood，inhumanelytreatingthesickandthewounded，andinwinningtothemselvesaveryrareamountofpersonalconfidenceandtrust。Theyhadallrisentobedistinguishedsoldiers;theyhadalldonedeedsofgreatheroism;theyhadallcombinedwiththeirvalourandself-devotionaserenecheerfulness，aquietmodesty，andatrulyChristianspirit;andtheyhadallbeeneducatedinoneschool-HarvardUniversity。
Gentlemen，nothingwasmoreremarkableinthesefinedescendantsofourforefathersthantheinvincibledeterminationwithwhichtheyfoughtagainstodds，andtheundauntablespiritwithwhichtheyresisteddefeat。Iaskyou，whowillsayafterlastFridaythatHarvardUniversityislesstruetoherselfinpeacethanshewasinwar？Iaskyou，whowillnotrecogniseinherboat\'screwtheleavenofhersoldiers，andwhodoesnotfeelthatshehasnowagreaterrightthanevertobeproudofhersons，andtakethesesonstoherbreastwhentheyreturnwithresoundingacclamations？
ItisrelatedoftheDukeofWellingtonthatheoncetoldaladywhofoolishlyprotestedthatshewouldliketoseeagreatvictorythattherewasonlyonethingworsethanagreatvictory，andthatwasagreatdefeat。
But，gentlemen，thereisanothersenseinwhichtousethetermagreatdefeat。Suchisthedefeatofahandfulofdaringfellowswhomakeapreliminarydashofthreeorfourthousandstormymilestomeetgreatconquerorsontheirowndomain-whodonotwantthestimulusoffriendsandhome，butwhosufficientlyhearandfeeltheirowndearlandintheshoutsandcheersofanother-andwhostrivetothelastwithadesperatetenacitythatmakesthebeatingofthemanewfeatherintheproudestcap。Gentlemen，youagreewithmethatsuchadefeatisagreat，noblepartofamanly，wholesomeaction;andIsaythatitisintheessenceandlife-
bloodofsuchadefeattobecomeatlastsurevictory。
Now，gentlemen，youknowperfectlywellthetoastIamgoingtopropose，andyouknowequallywellthatinthusglancingfirsttowardsourfriendsofthewhitestripes，ImerelyanticipateandrespondtotheinstinctivecourtesyofOxfordtowardsourbrothersfromadistance-acourtesyextending，Ihope，andIdonotdoubt，toanyimaginablelimitsexceptallowingthemtotakethefirstplaceinlastFriday\'smatch，iftheycouldbyanyhumanandhonourablemeansbekeptinthesecond。IwillnotavailmyselfoftheopportunityprovidedformebytheabsenceofthegreaterpartoftheOxfordcrew-indeed，ofallbutone，andthat，itsmostmodestanddevotedmember-IwillnotavailmyselfofthegoldenopportunityconsideratelyprovidedformetosayagreatdealinhonouroftheOxfordcrew。Iknowthatthegentlemanwhoattendshereattendsunderunusualanxietiesanddifficulties，andthatifhewerelessinearnesthisfilialaffectioncouldnotpossiblyallowhimtobehere。
Itisthereforeenoughforme，gentlemen，andenoughforyou，thatIshouldsayhere，andnow，thatweallunitewithoneaccordinregardingtheOxfordcrewastheprideandflowerofEngland-andthatweshouldconsideritveryweakindeedtosetanythingshortofEngland\'sverybestinoppositiontoorcompetitionwithAmerica;thoughitcertainlymustbeconfessed-Iamboundincommonjusticeandhonourtoadmitit-itmustbeconfessedindisparagementoftheOxfordmen，asIheardadiscontentedgentlemanremark-lastFridaynight，aboutteno\'clock，whenhewasbaitingaverysmallhorseintheStrand-hewasoneofelevenwithpipesinachaisecart-IsayitmustbeadmittedindisparagementoftheOxfordmenontheauthorityofthisgentleman，thattheyhavewonsooftenthattheycouldaffordtolosealittlenow，andthat“theyoughttodoit，buttheywon\'t。”
Gentlemen，indrinkingtobothcrews，andinofferingthepoortestimonyofourthanksinacknowledgmentofthegallantspectaclewhichtheypresentedtocountlessthousandslastFriday，IamsureIexpressnotonlyyourfeeling，andmyfeeling，andthefeelingoftheBlue，butalsothefeelingofthewholepeopleofEngland，whenIcordiallygivethemwelcometoourEnglishwatersandEnglishground，andalsobidthem“Godspeed“intheirvoyagehome。Asthegreaterincludestheless，andtheseaholdstheriver，soIthinkitisnoveryboldaugurytopredictthatinthefriendlycontestsyettocomeandtotakeplace，Ihope，onbothsidesoftheAtlantic-therearegreatrivertriumphsforHarvardUniversityyetinstore。Gentlemen，IwarntheEnglishportionofthisaudiencethattheseareverydangerousmen。RememberthatitwasanundergraduateofHarvardUniversitywhoservedasacommonseamantwoyearsbeforethemast，andwhowroteaboutthebestseabookintheEnglishtongue。RememberthatitwasoneofthoseyoungAmericangentlemenwhosailedhismiteofayachtacrosstheAtlanticinmid-winter，andwhosailedinhertosinkorswimwiththemenwhobelievedinhim。
Andnow，gentlemen，inconclusion，animatedbyyourcordialacquiescence，IwilltakeuponmyselftoassureourbrothersfromadistancethattheutmostenthusiasmwithwhichtheycanbereceivedontheirreturnhomewillfindareadyechoineverycornerofEngland-andfurther，thatnoneoftheirimmediatecountrymen-I
usethequalifyingtermimmediate，forweare，asourpresidentsaid，fellowcountrymen，thankGod-thatnoneoftheircompatriotswhosaw，orwhowillreadof，whattheydidinthisgreatrace，canbemorethoroughlyimbuedwithasenseoftheirindomitablecourageandtheirhighdesertsthanaretheirrivalsandtheirhoststo-
night。Gentlemen，IbegtoproposetoyoutodrinkthecrewsofHarvardandOxfordUniversity，andIbegtocouplewiththattoastthenamesofMr。SimmonsandMr。Willan。
SPEECH：BIRMINGHAM，SEPTEMBER27，1869。
[InauguralAddressontheopeningoftheWinterSessionoftheBirminghamandMidlandInstitute。
Onewhowaspresentduringthedeliveryofthefollowingspeech，informstheeditorthat“nonoteofanykindwasreferredtobyMr。
Dickens-excepttheQuotationfromSydneySmith。Theaddress，evidentlycarefullyprepared，wasdeliveredwithoutasinglepause，inMr。Dickens\'sbestmanner，andwasaverygreatsuccess。”]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Weoftenhearofourcommoncountrythatitisanover-populatedone，thatitisanover-pauperizedone，thatitisanover-colonizingone，andthatitisanover-taxedone。
Now，Ientertain，especiallyoflatetimes，thehereticalbeliefthatitisanover-talkedone，andthatthereisadealofpublicspeech-makinggoingaboutinvariousdirectionswhichmightbeadvantageouslydispensedwith。IfIwerefreetoactuponthisconviction，aspresidentforthetimebeingofthegreatinstitutionsonumerouslyrepresentedhere，Ishouldimmediatelyandatoncesubsideintoagoldensilence，whichwouldbeofahighlyedifying，becauseofaveryexemplarycharacter。ButI
happentobetheinstitution\'swillingservant，notitsimperiousmaster，anditexactstributeofmeresilverorcopperspeech-nottosaybrazen-fromwhomsoeveritexaltstomyhighoffice。SomeAfricantribes-nottodrawthecomparisondisrespectfully-somesavageAfricantribes，whentheymakeakingrequirehimperhapstoachieveanexhaustingfoot-raceunderthestimulusofconsiderablepopularproddingandgoading，orperhapstobeseverelyandexperimentallyknockedabouttheheadbyhisPrivyCouncil，orperhapstobedippedinariverfullofcrocodiles，orperhapstodrinkimmensequantitiesofsomethingnastyoutofacalabash-atallevents，toundergosomepurifyingordealinpresenceofhisadmiringsubjects。
ImustconfessthatIbecameratheralarmedwhenIwasdulywarnedbyyourconstitutedauthoritiesthatwhateverImighthappentosayhereto-nightwouldbetermedaninauguraladdressontheentranceuponanewtermofstudybythemembersofyourvariousclasses;
for，besidesthat，thephraseissomethinghigh-soundingformytaste，IavowthatIdolookforwardtothatblessedtimewheneverymanshallinauguratehisownworkforhimself，anddoit。I
believethatweshallthenhaveinauguratedaneweraindeed，andoneinwhichtheLord\'sPrayerwillbecomeafulfilledprophecyuponthisearth。Remembering，however，thatyoumaycallanythingbyanynamewithoutintheleastchangingitsnature-bethinkingmyselfthatyoumay，ifyoubesominded，callabutterflyabuffalo，withoutadvancingahair\'sbreadthtowardsmakingitone-
Ibecamecomposedinmymind，andresolvedtosticktotheveryhomelyintentionIhadpreviouslyformed。Thiswasmerelytotellyou，themembers，students，andfriendsoftheBirminghamandMidlandInstitute-firstly，whatyoucannotpossiblywanttoknow，(thisisaverypopularoratoricaltheme);secondly，whatyourinstitutionhasdone;and，thirdly，what，inthepooropinionofitsPresidentforthetimebeing，remainsforittodoandnottodo。
Now，first，astowhatyoucannotpossiblywanttoknow。Youcannotneedfrommeanyoratoricaldeclamationconcerningtheabstractadvantagesofknowledgeorthebeautiesofself-
improvement。Ifyouhadanysuchrequirementyouwouldnotbehere。Iconceivethatyouareherebecauseyouhavebecomethoroughlypenetratedwithsuchprinciples，eitherinyourownpersonsorinthepersonsofsomestrivingfellow-creatures，onwhomyouhavelookedwithinterestandsympathy。Iconceivethatyouareherebecauseyoufeelthewelfareofthegreatchieflyadulteducationalestablishment，whosedoorsstandreallyopentoallsortsandconditionsofpeople，tobeinseparablefromthebestwelfareofyourgreattownanditsneighbourhood。Nay，ifItakeamuchwiderrangethanthat，andsaythatweall-everyoneofushere-perfectlywellknowthatthebenefitsofsuchanestablishmentmustextendfarbeyondthelimitsofthismidlandcounty-itsfiresandsmoke，-andmustcomprehend，insomesort，thewholecommunity，Idonotstrainthetruth。ItwassuggestedbyMr。Babbage，inhisninth“BridgewaterTreatise，“thatamerespokenword-asinglearticulatedsyllablethrownintotheair-
maygoonreverberatingthroughillimitablespaceforeverandforever，seeingthatthereisnorimagainstwhichitcanstrike-noboundaryatwhichitcanpossiblyarrive。Similarlyitmaybesaid-notasaningeniousspeculation，butasastedfastandabsolutefact-thathumancalculationcannotlimittheinfluenceofoneatomofwholesomeknowledgepatientlyacquired，modestlypossessed，andfaithfullyused。
Astheastronomerstellusthatitisprobablethatthereareintheuniverseinnumerablesolarsystemsbesidesours，toeachofwhichmyriadsofutterlyunknownandunseenstarsbelong，soitiscertainthateveryman，howeverobscure，howeverfarremovedfromthegeneralrecognition，isoneofagroupofmenimpressibleforgood，andimpressibleforevil，andthatitisintheeternalnatureofthingsthathecannotreallyimprovehimselfwithoutinsomedegreeimprovingothermen。Andobserve，thisisespeciallythecasewhenhehasimprovedhimselfintheteethofadversecircumstances，asinamaturitysucceedingtoaneglectedoranill-taughtyouth，inthefewdailyhoursremainingtohimaftertenortwelvehours\'labour，inthefewpausesandintervalsofalifeoftoil;forthenhisfellowsandcompanionshaveassurancethathecanhaveknownnofavouringconditions，andthattheycandowhathehasdone，inwrestingsomeenlightenmentandself-respectfromwhatLordLyttonfinelycalls-
“Thosetwingaolersofthedaringheart，Lowbirthandironfortune。”
Asyouhaveprovedthesetruthsinyourownexperienceorinyourownobservation，andasitmaybesafelyassumedthattherecanbeveryfewpersonsinBirmingham，ofallplacesunderheaven，whowouldcontestthepositionthatthemorecultivatedtheemployedthebetterfortheemployer，andthemorecultivatedtheemployerthebetterfortheemployed;therefore，myreferencestowhatyoudonotwanttoknowshallhereceaseanddetermine。
Next，withreferencetowhatyourinstitutionhasdoneonmysummary，whichshallbeasconciseandascorrectasmyinformationandmyremembranceofitmayrenderpossible，Idesiretolayemphaticstress。Yourinstitution，sixteenyearsold，andinwhichmastersandworkmenstudytogether，hasoutgrowntheampleedificeinwhichitreceivesits2，500or2，600membersandstudents。Itisamostcheeringsignofitsvigorousvitalitythatofitsindustrial-studentsalmosthalfareartisansinthereceiptofweeklywages。IthinkIamcorrectinsayingthat400othersareclerks，apprentices，tradesmen，ortradesmen\'ssons。Inotewithparticularpleasuretheadherenceofagoodlynumberofthegentlersex，withoutwhomnoinstitutionwhatevercantrulyclaimtobeeitheracivilisingoracivilisedone。Theincreasedattendanceatyoureducationalclassesisalwaysgreatestonthepartoftheartisans-theclasswithinmyexperiencetheleastreachedinanysimilarinstitutionselsewhere，andwhosenameistheoftenestandthemostconstantlytakeninvain。Butitisspeciallyreachedhere，notimprobablybecauseitis，asitshouldbe，speciallyaddressedinthefoundationoftheindustrialdepartment，intheallotmentofthedirectionofthesociety\'saffairs，andintheestablishmentofwhatarecalleditspennyclasses-abold，and，I
amhappytosay，atriumphantlysuccessfulexperiment，whichenablestheartisantoobtainsoundeveninginstructioninsubjectsdirectlybearinguponhisdailyusefulnessoronhisdailyhappiness，asarithmetic(elementaryandadvanced)，chemistry，physicalgeography，andsinging，onpaymentoftheastoundinglylowfeeofasinglepennyeverytimeheattendstheclass。IbegemphaticallytosaythatIlookuponthisasoneofthemostremarkableschemeseverdevisedfortheeducationalbehoofoftheartisan，andifyourinstitutionhaddonenothingelseinallitslife，Iwouldtakemystandbyitonitshavingdonethis。
Apart，however，fromitsindustrialdepartment，ithasitsgeneraldepartment，offeringalltheadvantagesofafirst-classliteraryinstitution。Ithasitsreading-rooms，itslibrary，itschemicallaboratory，itsmuseum，itsartdepartment，itslecturehall，anditslonglistoflecturesonsubjectsofvariousandcomprehensiveinterest，deliveredbylecturersofthehighestqualifications。
Verywell。Butitmaybeasked，whatarethepracticalresultsofalltheseappliances？Now，letussupposeafew。Supposethatyourinstitutionshouldhaveeducatedthosewhoarenowitsteachers。Thatwouldbeaveryremarkablefact。Supposing，besides，itshould，sotospeak，haveeducatededucationallaroundit，bysendingforthnumerousandefficientteachersintomanyanddiversschools。Supposetheyoungstudent，rearedexclusivelyinitslaboratory，shouldbepresentlysnappedupforthelaboratoryofthegreatandfamoushospitals。SupposethatinnineyearsitsindustrialstudentsshouldhavecarriedoffarounddozenofthemuchcompetedforprizesawardedbytheSocietyofArtsandtheGovernmentdepartment，besidestwolocalprizesoriginatinginthegenerosityofaBirminghamman。SupposethattheTownCouncil，havingitintrusttofindanartisanwellfittoreceivetheWhitworthprizes，shouldfindhimhere。Supposethatoneoftheindustrialstudentsshouldturnhischemicalstudiestothepracticalaccountofextractinggoldfromwastecolourwater，andoftakingitintocustody，intheveryactofrunningawaywithhundredsofpoundsdownthetowndrains。Supposeanothershouldperceiveinhisbooks，inhisstudiousevenings，whatwasamisswithhismaster\'suntiltheninscrutablydefectivefurnace，andshouldgostraight-tothegreatannualsavingofthatmaster-
andputitright。Supposinganothershouldpuzzleoutthemeans，untilthenquiteunknowninEngland，ofmakingacertaindescriptionofcolouredglass。Supposinganothershouldqualifyhimselftovanquishonebyone，astheydailyarise，allthelittledifficultiesincidentaltohiscallingasanelectro-plater，andshouldbeappliedtobyhiscompanionsintheshopinallemergenciesunderthenameofthe“Encyclopaedia。”Supposealongprocessionofsuchcases，andthenconsiderthatthesearenotsuppositionsatall，butareplain，unvarnishedfacts，culminatingintheonespecialandsignificantfactthat，withasinglesolitaryexception，everyoneoftheinstitution\'sindustrialstudentswhohavetakenitsprizeswithintenyears，havesinceclimbedtohighersituationsintheirwayoflife。
Astotheextenttowhichtheinstitutionencouragestheartisantothink，andso，forinstance，torisesuperiortothelittleshacklingprejudicesandobservancesperchanceexistinginhistradewhentheywillnotbearthetestofinquiry，thatisonlytobeequalledbytheextenttowhichitencourageshimtofeel。
ThereisacertaintoneofmodestmanlinesspervadingallthelittlefactswhichIhavelookedthroughwhichIfoundremarkablyimpressive。Thedecidedobjectiononthepartofindustrialstudentstoattendclassesintheirworkingclothes，breathesthistone，asbeingagracefulandatthesametimeperfectlyindependentrecognitionoftheplaceandofoneanother。Andthistoneisadmirablyillustratedinadifferentway，inthecaseofapoorbricklayer，who，beingintemporaryreversesthroughtheillnessofhisfamily，andhavingconsequentlybeenobligedtopartwithhisbestclothes，andbeingthereforemissedfromhisclasses，inwhichhehadbeennoticedasaveryhardworker，waspersuadedtoattendtheminhisworkingclothes。Hereplied，“No，itwasnotpossible。Itmustnotbethoughtof。Itmustnotcomeintoquestionforamoment。Itwouldbesupposed，oritmightbethought，thathedidittoattractattention。”Andthesamemanbeingofferedbyoneoftheofficersaloanofmoneytoenablehimtorehabilitatehisappearance，positivelydeclinedit，onthegroundthathecametotheinstitutiontolearnandtoknowbetterhowtohelphimself，nototherwisetoaskhelp，ortoreceivehelpfromanyman。Now，Iamjustifiedincallingthisthetoneoftheinstitution，becauseitisnoisolatedinstance，butisafairandhonourablesampleofthespiritoftheplace，andassuchIputitattheconclusion-thoughlastcertainlynotleast-ofmyreferencestowhatyourinstitutionhasindubitablydone。
Well，ladiesandgentlemen，Icomeatlengthtowhat，inthehumbleopinionoftheevanescentofficerbeforeyou，remainsfortheinstitutiontodo，andnottodo。AsMr。CarlylehasittowardstheclosingpagesofhisgrandhistoryoftheFrenchRevolution，“Thiswearenowwithduebrevitytoglanceat;andthencourage，ohlistener，Iseeland！“Iearnestlyhope-andIfirmlybelieve-thatyourinstitutionwilldohenceforthasithasdonehitherto;
itcanhardlydobetter。Ihopeandbelievethatitwillknowamongitsmembersnodistinctionofpersons，creed，orparty，butthatitwillconserveitsplaceofassemblageasahigh，pureground，onwhichallsuchconsiderationsshallmergeintotheoneuniversal，heaven-sentaspirationofthehumansoultobewiserandbetter。Ihopeandbelievethatitwillalwaysbeexpansiveandelastic;foreverseekingtodevisenewmeansofenlargingthecircleofitsmembers，ofattractingtoitselftheconfidenceofstillgreaterandgreaternumbers，andneverevincinganymoredispositiontostandstillthantimedoes，orlifedoes，ortheseasonsdo。Andaboveallthings，Ihope，andIfeelconfidentfromitsantecedents，thatitwillneverallowanyconsiderationonthefaceoftheearthtoinduceittopatroniseortobepatronised，forIverilybelievethatthebestowalandreceiptofpatronageinsuchwisehasbeenacurseinEngland，andthatithasdonemoretopreventreallygoodobjects，andtolowerreallyhighcharacter，thantheutmosteffortsofthenarrowestantagonismcouldhaveeffectedintwicethetime。
IhavenofearthatthewallsoftheBirminghamandMidlandInstitutewillevertrembleresponsivetothecroakingsofthetimidopponentsofintellectualprogress;butinthisconnexiongenerallyIcannotforbearfromofferingaremarkwhichismuchuponmymind。Itiscommonlyassumed-muchtoocommonly-thatthisageisamaterialage，andthatamaterialageisanirreligiousage。IhavebeenpainedlatelytoseethisassumptionrepeatedincertaininfluentialquartersforwhichIhaveahighrespect，anddesiretohaveahigher。Iamafraidthatbydintofconstantlybeingreiterated，andreiteratedwithoutprotest，thisassumption-whichItakeleavealtogethertodeny-maybeacceptedbythemoreunthinkingpartofthepublicasunquestionablytrue;justascaricaturistsandpainters，professedlymakingaportraitofsomepublicman，whichwasnotintheleastlikehimtobeginwith，havegoneonrepeatingandrepeatingituntilthepubliccametobelievethatitmustbeexactlylikehim，simplybecauseitwaslikeitself，andreallyhaveatlast，inthefulnessoftime，grownalmostdisposedtoresentuponhimtheirtardydiscovery-reallytoresentuponhimtheirlatediscovery-thathewasnotlikeit。Iconfess，standinghereinthisresponsiblesituation，thatIdonotunderstandthismuch-usedandmuch-abusedphrase-the“materialage。”Icannotcomprehend-ifanybodycanIverymuchdoubt-itslogicalsignification。Forinstance，haselectricitybecomemorematerialinthemindofanysaneormoderatelyinsaneman，woman，orchild，becauseofthediscoverythatinthegoodprovidenceofGoditcouldbemadeavailablefortheserviceanduseofmantoanimmeasurablygreaterextentthanforhisdestruction？DoImakeamorematerialjourneytothebed-sideofmydyingparentormydyingchildwhenItravelthereattherateofsixtymilesanhour，thanwhenItravelthitherattherateofsix？Rather，intheswiftestcase，doesnotmyagonisedheartbecomeover-fraughtwithgratitudetothatSupremeBeneficencefromwhomalonecouldhaveproceededthewonderfulmeansofshorteningmysuspense？Whatisthematerialityofthecableorthewirecomparedwiththematerialityofthespark？Whatisthematerialityofcertainchemicalsubstancesthatwecanweighormeasure，imprisonorrelease，comparedwiththematerialityoftheirappointedaffinitiesandrepulsionspresentedtothemfromtheinstantoftheircreationtothedayofjudgment？Whendidthisso-calledmaterialagebegin？Withtheuseofclothing;withthediscoveryofthecompass;withtheinventionoftheartofprinting？Surely，ithasbeenalongtimeabout;andwhichisthemorematerialobject，thefarthingtallowcandlethatwillnotgivemelight，orthatflameofgaswhichwill？
No，ladiesandgentlemen，donotletusbediscouragedordeceivedbyanyfine，vapid，emptywords。ThetruematerialageisthestupidChineseage，inwhichnoneworgrandrevelationsofnaturearegranted，becausetheyareignorantlyandinsolentlyrepelled，insteadofbeingdiligentlyandhumblysought。ThedifferencebetweentheancientfictionofthemadbraggartdefyingthelightningandthemodernhistoricalpictureofFranklindrawingittowardshiskite，inorderthathemightthemoreprofoundlystudythatwhichwassetbeforehimtobestudied(oritwouldnothavebeenthere)，happilyexpressestomymindthedistinctionbetweenthemuch-malignedmaterialsages-materialinonesense，I
suppose，butinanotherveryimmaterialsages-oftheCelestialEmpireschool。Considerwhetheritislikelyorunlikely，naturalorunnatural，reasonableorunreasonable，thatI，abeingcapableofthought，andfindingmyselfsurroundedbysuchdiscoveredwondersoneveryhand，shouldsometimesaskmyselfthequestion-
shouldputtomyselfthesolemnconsideration-canthesethingsbeamongthosethingswhichmighthavebeendisclosedbydivinelipsnighupontwothousandyearsago，butthatthepeopleofthattimecouldnotbearthem？Andwhetherthisbesoorno，ifIamsosurroundedoneveryhand，isnotmymoralresponsibilitytremendouslyincreasedthereby，andwithitmyintelligenceandsubmissionasachildofAdamandofthedust，beforethatShiningSourcewhichequallyofallthatisgrantedandallthatiswithheldholdsinHismightyhandstheunapproachablemysteriesoflifeanddeath。
TothestudentsofyourindustrialclassesgenerallyIhavehaditinmymind，first，tocommendtheshortmotto，intwowords，“Courage-Persevere。”Thisisthemottoofafriendandworker。
NotbecausetheeyesofEuropeareuponthem，forIdon\'tintheleastbelieveit;norbecausetheeyesofevenEnglandareuponthem，forIdon\'tintheleastbelieveit;notbecausetheirdoingswillbeproclaimedwithblastoftrumpetatstreetcorners，fornosuchmusicalperformanceswilltakeplace;notbecauseself-
improvementisatallcertaintoleadtoworldlysuccess，butsimplybecauseitisgoodandrightofitself，andbecause，beingso，itdoesassuredlybringwithititsownresourcesanditsownrewards。IwouldfurthercommendtothemaverywiseandwittypieceofadviceontheconductoftheunderstandingwhichwasgivenmorethanhalfacenturyagobytheRev。SydneySmith-wisestandwittiestofthefriendsIhavelost。Hesays-andheisspeaking，youwillpleaseunderstand，asIspeak，toaschoolofvolunteerstudents-hesays：“Thereisapieceoffopperywhichistobecautiouslyguardedagainst，thefopperyofuniversality，ofknowingallsciencesandexcellinginallarts-chymistry，mathematics，algebra，dancing，history，reasoning，riding，fencing，LowDutch，HighDutch，andnaturalphilosophy。Inshort，themodernpreceptofeducationveryoftenis，\'TaketheAdmirableCrichtonforyourmodel，Iwouldhaveyouignorantofnothing。\'Now，“sayshe，“myadvice，onthecontrary，istohavethecouragetobeignorantofagreatnumberofthings，inorderthatyoumayavoidthecalamityofbeingignorantofeverything。”
TothisIwouldsuperaddalittletruth，whichholdsequallygoodofmyownlifeandthelifeofeveryeminentmanIhaveeverknown。
Theoneserviceable，safe，certain，remunerative，attainablequalityineverystudyandineverypursuitisthequalityofattention。Myowninventionorimagination，suchasitis，Icanmosttruthfullyassureyou，wouldneverhaveservedmeasithas，butforthehabitofcommonplace，humble，patient，daily，toiling，drudgingattention。Genius，vivacity，quicknessofpenetration，brilliancyinassociationofideas-suchmentalqualities，likethequalitiesoftheapparitionoftheexternallyarmedheadinMACBETH，willnotbecommanded;butattention，afterduetermofsubmissiveservice，alwayswill。Likecertainplantswhichthepoorestpeasantmaygrowinthepoorestsoil，itcanbecultivatedbyanyone，anditiscertaininitsowngoodseasontobringforthflowersandfruit。Icanmosttruthfullyassureyouby-the-by，thatthiseulogiumonattentionissofarquitedisinterestedonmypartasthatithasnottheleastreferencewhatevertotheattentionwithwhichyouhavehonouredme。
Well，ladiesandgentlemen，Ihavedone。Icannotbutreflecthowoftenyouhaveprobablyheardwithinthesewallsoneoftheforemostmen，andcertainlyoneoftheverybestspeakers，ifnottheverybest，inEngland。Icouldnotsaytomyself，whenIbeganjustnow，inShakespeare\'sline-
“IwillbeBRIGHTandshininggold，“
butIcouldsaytomyself，andIdidsaytomyself，“IwillbeasnaturalandeasyasIpossiblycan，“becausemyhearthasallbeeninmysubject，andIbearanoldlovetowardsBirminghamandBirminghammen。IhavesaidthatIbearanoldlovetowardsBirminghamandBirminghammen;letmeamendasmallomission，andadd“andBirminghamwomen。”ThisringIwearonmyfingernowisanoldBirminghamgift，andifbyrubbingitIcouldraisethespiritthatwasobedienttoAladdin\'sring，IheartilyassureyouthatmyfirstinstructiontothatgeniusonthespotshouldbetoplacehimselfatBirmingham\'sdisposalinthebestofcauses。
[Inacknowledgingthevoteofthanks，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]
Ladiesandgentlemen，asIhopeitismorethanpossiblethatI
shallhavethepleasureofmeetingyouagainbeforeChristmasisout，andshallhavethegreatinterestofseeingthefacesandtouchingthebandsofthesuccessfulcompetitorsinyourlists，I
willnotcastuponthatanticipatedmeetingtheterribleforeshadowingofdreadwhichmustinevitablyresultfromasecondspeech。Ithankyoumostheartily，andImostsincerelyandferventlysaytoyou，“Goodnight，andGodblessyou。”InreferencetotheappropriateandexcellentremarksofMr。Dixon，I
willnowdischargemyconscienceofmypoliticalcreed，whichiscontainedintwoarticles，andhasnoreferencetoanypartyorpersons。Myfaithinthepeoplegoverningis，onthewhole，infinitesimal;myfaithinthePeoplegovernedis，onthewhole，illimitable。
SPEECH：BIRMINGHAM，JANUARY6，1870。
[Ontheeveningoftheabovedate，Mr。Dickens，asPresidentoftheBirminghamandMidlandInstitute，distributedtheprizesandcertificatesawardedtothemostsuccessfulstudentsinthefirstyear。TheproceedingstookplaceintheTownHall：Mr。Dickensenteredateighto\'clock，accompaniedbytheofficersoftheInstitute，andwasreceivedwithloudapplause。Afterthelapseofaminuteortwo，heroseandsaid：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-WhenIlasthadthehonourtopresideoverameetingoftheInstitutionwhichagainbringsustogether，Itookoccasiontoremarkuponacertainsuperabundanceofpublicspeakingwhichseemstometodistinguishthepresenttime。Itwillrequireverylittleself-denialonmyparttopractisenowwhatIpreachedthen;firstly，becauseIsaidmylittlesaythatnight;andsecondly，becausewehavedefiniteandhighlyinterestingactionbeforeusto-night。Wehavenowtobestowtherewardswhichhavebeenbrilliantlywonbythemostsuccessfulcompetitorsinthesociety\'slists。Isaythemostsuccessful，becauseto-nightweshouldparticularlyobserve，Ithink，thatthereissuccessinallhonestendeavour，andthatthereissomevictorygainedineverygallantstrugglethatismade。Tostriveatallinvolvesavictoryachievedoversloth，inertness，andindifference;andcompetitionfortheseprizesinvolves，besides，inthevastmajorityofcases，competitionwithandmasteryassertedovercircumstancesadversetotheeffortmade。Therefore，everylosingcompetitoramongmyhearersmaybecertainthathehasstillwonmuch-verymuch-andthathecanwellaffordtoswellthetriumphofhisrivalswhohavepassedhimintherace。
Ihaveappliedtheword“rewards“totheseprizes，andIdoso，notbecausetheyrepresentanygreatintrinsicworthinsilverorgold，butpreciselybecausetheydonot。Theyrepresentwhatisaboveallprice-whatcanbestatedinnoarithmeticalfigures，andwhatisoneofthegreatneedsofthehumansoul-encouragingsympathy。
Theyareanassurancetoeverystudentpresentortocomeinyourinstitution，thathedoesnotworkeitherneglectedorunfriended，andthatheiswatched，feltfor，stimulated，andappreciated。
Suchanassurance，conveyedinthepresenceofthislargeassembly，andstrikingtothebreastsoftherecipientsthatthrillwhichisinseparablefromanygreatunitedutteranceoffeeling，isareward，tomythinking，aspurelyworthyofthelabourasthelabouritselfisworthyofthereward;andbyasensitivespiritcanneverbeforgotten。
[Oneoftheprize-takerswasaMissWinkle，anamesuggestiveof“Pickwick，“whichwasreceivedwithlaugher。Mr。Dickensmadesomeremarkstotheladyinanundertone;andthenobservedtotheaudience，“IhaverecommendedMissWinkletochangehername。”Theprizeshavingbeendistributed，Mr。Dickensmadeasecondbriefspeech。Hesaid：-]
Theprizesarenowalldistributed，andIhavedischargedmyselfofthedelightfultaskyouhaveentrustedtome;andiftherecipientsoftheseprizesandcertificateswhohavecomeuponthisplatformhavehadthegenuinepleasureinreceivingtheiracknowledgmentsfrommyhandsthatIhavehadinplacingthemintheirs，theyareinatrueChristiantemperto-night。Ihavethepainfulsenseuponme，thatitisreservedforsomeoneelsetoenjoythisgreatsatisfactionofmindnexttime。ItwouldbeuselessforthefewshortmomentslongertodisguisethefactthatIhappentohavedrawnKingthisTwelfthNight，butthatanotherSovereignwillverysoonsituponmyinconstantthrone。To-nightIabdicate，or，whatismuchthesamethinginthemodernannalsofRoyalty-Iampolitelydethroned。Thismelancholyreflection，ladiesandgentlemen，bringsmetoaverysmallpoint，personaltomyself，uponwhichIwillbegyourpermissiontosayaclosingword。
WhenIwasherelastautumnImade，inreferencetosomeremarksofyourrespectedmember，Mr。Dixon，ashortconfessionofmypoliticalfaith-orperhapsIshouldbettersaywantoffaith。ItimportedthatIhaveverylittleconfidenceinthepeoplewhogovernus-pleasetoobserve“people“therewillbewithasmall“p，“-butthatIhavegreatconfidenceinthePeoplewhomtheygovern;pleasetoobserve“people“therewithalarge“P。”Thiswasshortlyandellipticallystated，andwaswithnoevilintention，Iamabsolutelysure，insomequartersinverselyexplained。Perhapsastheinventorofacertainextravagantfiction，butonewhichIdoseeratherfrequentlyquotedasifthereweregrainsoftruthatthebottomofit-afictioncalledthe“CircumlocutionOffice，“-andperhapsalsoasthewriterofanidlebookortwo，whosepublicopinionsarenotobscurelystated-
perhapsintheserespectsIdonotsufficientlybearinmindHamlet\'scautiontospeakbythecardlestequivocationshouldundome。
NowIcomplainofnobody;butsimplyinorderthattheremaybenomistakeastowhatIdidmean，andastowhatIdomean，Iwillre-
statemymeaning，andIwilldosointhewordsofagreatthinker，agreatwriter，andagreatscholar，whosedeath，unfortunatelyformankind，cutshorthis“HistoryofCivilizationinEngland：“-
“TheymaytalkastheywillaboutreformswhichGovernmenthasintroducedandimprovementstobeexpectedfromlegislation，butwhoeverwilltakeawiderandmorecommandingviewofhumanaffairs，willsoondiscoverthatsuchhopesarechimerical。Theywilllearnthatlawgiversarenearlyalwaystheobstructorsofsocietyinsteadofitshelpers，andthatintheextremelyfewcaseswheretheirmeasureshaveturnedoutwelltheirsuccesshasbeenowingtothefactthat，contrarytotheirusualcustom，theyhaveimplicitlyobeyedthespiritoftheirtime，andhavebeen-astheyalwaysshouldbe-themereservantsofthepeople，towhosewishestheyareboundtogiveapublicandlegalsanction。”
SPEECH：LONDON，APRIL6，1846。(1)
[ThefirstanniversaryfestivaloftheGeneralTheatricalFundAssociationwasheldontheeveningoftheabovedateattheLondonTavern。ThechairwastakenbyMr。Dickens，whothusproposedtheprincipaltoast：]
GENTLEMEN，-Inofferingtoyouatoastwhichhasnotasyetbeenpubliclydrunkinanycompany，itbecomesincumbentonmetoofferafewwordsinexplanation：inthefirstplace，premisingthatthetoastwillbe“TheGeneralTheatricalFund。”
TheAssociation，whoseanniversarywecelebrateto-night，wasfoundedsevenyearsago，forthepurposeofgrantingpermanentpensionstosuchoftheCORPSDRAMATIQUEashadretiredfromthestage，eitherfromadeclineintheiryearsoradecayoftheirpowers。Collectedwithinthescopeofitsbenevolenceareallactorsandactresses，singers，ordancers，offiveyears\'standingintheprofession。TorelievetheirnecessitiesandtoprotectthemfromwantisthegreatendoftheSociety，anditisgoodtoknowthatforsevenyearsthemembersofithavesteadily，patiently，quietly，andperseveringlypursuedthisend，advancingbyregularcontribution，moneyswhichmanyofthemcouldillafford，andcheeredbynoexternalhelporassistanceofanykindwhatsoever。Ithasthusservedaregularapprenticeship，butI
trustthatweshallestablishto-nightthatitstimeisout，andthathenceforththeFundwillenteruponaflourishingandbrilliantcareer。
Ihavenodoubtthatyouareallawarethatthereare，andwerewhenthisinstitutionwasfounded，twootherinstitutionsexistingofasimilarnature-CoventGardenandDruryLane-bothoflongstanding，bothrichlyendowed。Itcannot，however，betoodistinctlyunderstood，thatthepresentInstitutionisnotinanywayadversetothose。Howcanitbewhenitisonlyawideandbroadextensionofallthatismostexcellentintheprinciplesonwhichtheyarefounded？Thatsuchanextensionwasabsolutelynecessarywassufficientlyprovedbythefactthatthegreatbodyofthedramaticcorpswereexcludedfromthebenefitsconferredbyamembershipofeitheroftheseinstitutions;foritwasessential，inordertobecomeamemberoftheDruryLaneSociety，thattheapplicant，eitherheorshe，shouldhavebeenengagedforthreeconsecutiveseasonsasaperformer。Thiswasafterwardsreduced，inthecaseofCoventGarden，toaperiodoftwoyears，butitreallyisasexclusiveonewayastheother，forIneednottellyouthatCoventGardenisnowbutavisionofthepast。Youmightplaythebottleconjurorwithitsdramaticcompanyandputthemallintoapintbottle。Thehumanvoiceisrarelyheardwithinitswallssaveinconnexionwithcorn，ortheambidextrousprestidigitationoftheWizardoftheNorth。Inlikemanner，DruryLaneisconductednowwithalmostasoleviewtotheoperaandballet，insomuchthatthestatueofShakespeareoverthedoorservesasemphaticallytopointouthisgraveashisbustdidinthechurchofStratford-upon-Avon。HowcantheprofessiongenerallyhopetoqualifyfortheDruryLaneorCoventGardeninstitution，whentheoldestandmostdistinguishedmembershavebeendrivenfromtheboardsonwhichtheyhaveearnedtheirreputations，todelightthetownintheatrestowhichtheGeneralTheatricalFundaloneextended？
IwillagainrepeatthatIattachnoreproachtothoseotherFunds，withwhichIhavehadthehonourofbeingconnectedatdifferentperiodsofmylife。AtthetimethoseAssociationswereestablished，anengagementatoneofthosetheatreswasalmostamatterofcourse，andasuccessfulengagementwouldlastawholelife;butanengagementoftwomonths\'durationatCoventGardenwouldbeaperfectOldParrofanengagementjustnow。Itshouldneverbeforgottenthatwhenthosetwofundswereestablished，thetwogreattheatreswereprotectedbypatent，andthatatthattimetheminortheatreswerecondemnedbylawtotherepresentationofthemostpreposterousnonsense，andsomegentlemenwhomIseearoundmecouldnomorebelongtotheminortheatresofthatdaythantheycouldnowbelongtoSt。Bartholomewfair。
AsIhonourthetwooldfundsforthegreatgoodwhichtheyhavedone，soIhonourthisforthemuchgreatergooditisresolvedtodo。ItisnotbecauseIlovethemless，butbecauseIlovethismore-becauseitincludesmoreinitsoperation。
Letuseverrememberthatthereisnoclassofactorswhostandsomuchinneedofaretiringfundasthosewhodonotwinthegreatprizes，butwhoareneverthelessanessentialpartofthetheatricalsystem，andbyconsequencebearapartincontributingtoourpleasures。Weowethemadebtwhichweoughttopay。Thebedsofsuchmenarenotofroses，butofveryartificialflowersindeed。Theirlivesarelivesofcareandprivation，andhardstruggleswithverysternrealities。Itisfromamongthepooractorswhodrinkwinefromgoblets，incolourmarvellouslyliketoastandwater，andwhopresideatBarmecidebeastswithwonderfulappetitesforsteaks，-itisfromtheirranksthatthemosttriumphantfavouriteshavesprung。Andsurely，besidesthis，thegreatertheinstructionanddelightwederivefromtherichEnglishdrama，themoreweareboundtosuccourandprotectthehumblestofthosevotariesoftheartwhoaddtoourinstructionandamusement。
Hazlitthaswellsaidthat“Thereisnoclassofsocietywhomsomanypersonsregardwithaffectionasactors。Wegreetthemonthestage，weliketomeettheminthestreets;theyalmostalwaysrecaltouspleasantassociations。”Whentheyhavestruttedandfrettedtheirhouruponthestage，letthemnotbeheardnomore-
butletthembeheardsometimestosaythattheyarehappyintheiroldage。Whentheyhavepassedforthelasttimefrombehindthatglitteringrowoflightswithwhichweareallfamiliar，letthemnotpassawayintogloomanddarkness，-butletthempassintocheerfulnessandlight-intoacontentedandhappyhome。
Thisistheobjectforwhichwehavemet;andIamtoofamiliarwiththeEnglishcharacternottoknowthatitwillbeeffected。
Whenwecomesuddenlyinacrowdedstreetuponthecarewornfeaturesofafamiliarface-crossingusliketheghostofpleasanthourslongforgotten-letusnotrecalthosefeatureswithpain，insadremembranceofwhattheyoncewere，butletusinjoyrecogniseit，andgobackapaceortwotomeetitonceagain，asthatofafriendwhohasbeguiledusofamomentofcare，whohastaughtustosympathizewithvirtuousgrief，cheatingustotearsforsorrowsnotourown-andweallknowhowpleasantaresuchtears。Letsuchafacebeeverrememberedasthatofourbenefactorandourfriend。
Itriedtorecollect，incominghere，whetherIhadeverbeeninanytheatreinmylifefromwhichIhadnotbroughtawaysomepleasantassociation，howeverpoorthetheatre，andIprotest，outofmyvariedexperience，IcouldnotrememberevenonefromwhichI
hadnotbroughtsomefavourableimpression，andthat，commencingwiththeperiodwhenIbelievedtheclownwasabeingbornintotheworldwithinfinitepockets，andendingwiththatinwhichIsawtheothernight，outsideoneofthe“RoyalSaloons，“aplaybillwhichshowedmeshipscompletelyrigged，carryingmen，andcareeringoverboundlessandtempestuousoceans。Andnow，bespeakingyourkindestremembranceofourtheatresandactors，I
begtoproposethatyoudrinkasheartilyandfreelyaseveratoastwasdrunkinthistoast-drinkingcity“ProsperitytotheGeneralTheatricalFund。”
SPEECH：LEEDS，DECEMBER1，1847。
[OntheaboveeveningaSoireeoftheLeedsMechanics\'Institutiontookplace，atwhichabout1200personswerepresent。ThechairwastakenbyMr。Dickens，whothusaddressedthemeeting：]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Believeme，speakingtoyouwithamostdisastrouscold，whichmakesmyownvoicesoundverystrangelyinmyears-thatifIwerenotgratifiedandhonouredbeyondexpressionbyyourcordialwelcome，Ishouldhaveconsideredtheinvitationtooccupymypresentpositioninthisbrilliantassemblageinitselfadistinctionnoteasytobesurpassed。Thecauseinwhichweareassembledandtheobjectswearemettopromote，Itake，andalwayshavetakentobe，THEcauseandTHE
objectsinvolvingalmostallothersthatareessentialtothewelfareandhappinessofmankind。Andinacelebrationlikethepresent，commemoratingthebirthandprogressofagreateducationalestablishment，Irecogniseasomething，notlimitedtothespectacleofthemoment，beautifulandradiantthoughitbe-
notlimitedeventothesuccessoftheparticularestablishmentinwhichwearemoreimmediatelyinterested-butextendingfromthisplaceandthroughswarmsoftoilingmenelsewhere，cheeringandstimulatingthemintheonward，upwardpaththatliesbeforeusall。Whereverhammersbeat，orwhereverfactorychimneyssmoke，whereverhandsarebusy，ortheclankingofmachineryresounds-
wherever，inaword，therearemassesofindustrioushumanbeingswhomtheirwiseCreatordidnotseefittoconstituteallbody，butintoeachandeveryoneofwhomHebreathedamind-there，Iwouldfainbelieve，sometouchofsympathyandencouragementisfeltfromourcollectivepulsenowbeatinginthisHall。
Ladiesandgentlemen，glancingwithsuchfeelingsatthereportofyourInstitutionforthepresentyearsenttomebyyourrespectedPresident-whomIcannothelpfeelingit，by-the-bye，akindofcrimetodepose，eventhuspeacefully，andforsoshortatime-I
say，glancingoverthisreport，Ifoundonestatementoffactintheveryopeningwhichgavemeanuncommonsatisfaction。Itis，thatagreatnumberofthemembersandsubscribersareamongthatclassofpersonsforwhoseadvantageMechanics\'Institutionswereoriginated，namely，personsreceivingweeklywages。Thiscircumstancegivesmethegreatestdelight。IamsurethatnobettertestimonycouldbebornetothemeritsandusefulnessofthisInstitution，andthatnobetterguaranteecouldbegivenforitscontinuedprosperityandadvancement。
TosuchAssociationsasthis，intheirdarkerhours，theremayyetreappearnowandthenthespectralshadowofacertaindeadandburiedopposition;butbeforethelightofasteadytrustinthemonthepartofthegeneralpeople，bearingtestimonytothevirtuousinfluencesofsuchInstitutionsbytheirownintelligenceandconduct，theghostwillmeltawaylikeearlyvapourfromtheground。FearofsuchInstitutionsasthese！Wehaveheardpeoplesometimesspeakwithjealousyofthem，-withdistrustofthem！
Imaginehere，oneitherhand，twogreattownslikeLeeds，fullofbusymen，allofthemfeelingnecessarily，andsomeofthemheavily，theburdensandinequalitiesinseparablefromcivilizedsociety。Inthistownthereisignorance，denseanddark;inthattown，education-thebestofeducation;thatwhichthegrownmanfromdaytodayandyeartoyearfurnishesforhimselfandmaintainsforhimself，andinrightofwhichhiseducationgoesonallhislife，insteadofleavingoff，complacently，justwhenhebeginstoliveinthesocialsystem。Now，whichofthesetwotownshasagoodman，oragoodcause，reasontodistrustanddread？
“Theeducatedone，“doessometimidpolitician，withamarvellouslyweaksight，say(asIhaveheardsuchpoliticianssay)，“becauseknowledgeispower，andbecauseitwon\'tdotohavetoomuchpowerabroad。”Why，ladiesandgentlemen，reflectwhetherignorancebenotpower，andaverydreadfulpower。Lookwherewewill，dowenotfinditpowerfulforeverykindofwrongandevil？Powerfultotakeitsenemiestoitsheart，andstrikeitsbestfriendsdown-
powerfultofilltheprisons，thehospitals，andthegraves-
powerfulforblindviolence，prejudice，anderror，inalltheirgloomyanddestructiveshapes。Whereasthepowerofknowledge，ifIunderstandit，is，tobearandforbear;tolearnthepathofdutyandtotreadit;toengenderthatself-respectwhichdoesnotstopatself，butcherishesthebestrespectforthebestobjects-toturnanalwaysenlargingacquaintancewiththejoysandsorrows，capabilitiesandimperfectionsofourracetodailyaccountinmildnessoflifeandgentlenessofconstructionandhumbleeffortsfortheimprovement，stonebystone，ofthewholesocialfabric。
Ineverheardbutonetangiblepositiontakenagainsteducationalestablishmentsforthepeople，andthatwas，thatinthisorthatinstance，orintheseorthoseinstances，educationforthepeoplehasfailed。AndIhavenevertracedeventhistoitssourcebutI
havefoundthatthetermeducation，soemployed，meantanythingbuteducation-impliedthemereimperfectapplicationofold，ignorant，preposterousspelling-booklessonstothemeanestpurposes-asifyoushouldteachachildthatthereisnohigherendinelectricity，forexample，thanexpresslytostrikeamutton-
pieoutofthehandofagreedyboy-andonwhichitisasunreasonabletofoundanobjectiontoeducationinacomprehensivesense，asitwouldbetoobjectaltogethertothecombingofyouthfulhair，becauseinacertaincharityschooltheyhadapracticeofcombingitintothepupils\'eyes。
Now，ladiesandgentlemen，IturntothereportofthisInstitution，onwhosebehalfwearemet;andIstartwiththeeducationgiventhere，andIfindthatitreallyisaneducationthatisdeservingofthename。Ifindthattherearepapersreadandlecturesdelivered，onavarietyofsubjectsofinterestandimportance。Ifindthatthereareeveningclassesformedfortheacquisitionofsound，usefulEnglishinformation，andforthestudyofthosetwoimportantlanguages，dailybecomingmoreimportantinthebusinessoflife，-theFrenchandGerman。Ifindthatthereisaclassfordrawing，achemicalclass，subdividedintotheelementarybranchandthemanufacturingbranch，mostimportanthere。Ifindthatthereisaday-schoolattwelveshillingsaquarter，whichsmallcost，besidesincludinginstructioninallthatisusefultothemerchantandthemanofbusiness，admitstoalltheadvantagesoftheparentinstitution。IfindthatthereisaSchoolofDesignestablishedinconnexionwiththeGovernmentSchool;andthattherewasinJanuarythisyear，alibraryofbetweensixandseventhousandbooks。Ladiesandgentlemen，ifanymanwouldtellmethatanythingbutgoodcouldcomeofsuchknowledgeasthis，allIcansayis，thatIshouldconsiderhimanewandmostlamentableproofofthenecessityofsuchinstitutions，andshouldregardhiminhisownpersonasamelancholyinstanceofwhatamanmaycometobyneverhavingbelongedtooneorsympathizedwithone。
Thereisoneotherparagraphinthisreportwhichstruckmyeyeinlookingoverit，andonwhichIcannothelpofferingawordofjoyfulnotice。Itisthesteadyincreasethatappearstohavetakenplaceinthenumberofladymembers-amongwhomIhopeI
maypresumeareincludedsomeofthebrightfairfacesthatareclusteredaroundme。Gentlemen，Iholdthatitisnotgoodformantobealone-eveninMechanics\'Institutions;andIrankitasveryfarfromamongthelastorleastofthemeritsofsuchplaces，thatheneednotbealonethere，andthatheisnot。Ibelievethatthesympathyandsocietyofthosewhoareourbestanddearestfriendsininfancy，inchildhood，inmanhood，andinoldage，themostdevotedandleastselfishnaturesthatweknowonearth，whoturntousalwaysconstantandunchanged，whenothersturnaway，shouldgreetushere，ifanywhere，andgoonwithussidebyside。
Iknow，gentlemen，bytheevidenceofmyownpropersensesatthismoment，thattherearecharmsandgracesinsuchgreetings，suchasnoothergreetingcanpossess。IknowthatineverybeautifulworkoftheAlmightyhand，whichisillustratedinyourlectures，andineveryrealoridealportraitureoffortitudeandgoodnessthatyoufindinyourbooks，thereissomethingthatmustbringyouhomeagaintothemforitsbrightestandbestexample。Andtherefore，gentlemen，Ihopethatyouwillneverbewithoutthem，orwithoutanincreasingnumberoftheminyourstudiesandyourcommemorations;andthatanimmensenumberofnewmarriages，andotherdomesticfestivalsnaturallyconsequentuponthosemarriages，maybetracedbackfromtimetotimetotheLeedsMechanics\'
Institution。
Therearemanygentlemenaroundme，distinguishedbytheirpublicpositionandservice，orendearedtoyoubyfrequentintercourse，orbytheirzealouseffortsonbehalfofthecausewhichbringsustogether;andtothemIshallbegleavetoreferyouforfurtherobservationsonthishappyandinterestingoccasion;beggingtocongratulateyoufinallyupontheoccasionitself;upontheprosperityandthrivingprospectsofyourinstitution;anduponourcommonandgeneralgoodfortuneinlivinginthesetimes，whenthemeansofmentalcultureandimprovementarepresentedcheaply，socially，andcheerfully，andnotindismalcellsorlonelygarrets。Andlastly，Icongratulatemyself，Iassureyoumostheartily，uponthepartwithwhichIamhonouredonanoccasionsocongenialtomywarmestfeelingsandsympathies，andIbegtothankyouforsuchevidencesofyourgood-will，asInevercancoldlyrememberandneverforget。
[Inacknowledgingthevoteofthanks，Mr，Dickenssaid：-]
LadiesandGentlemen，-ItisagreatsatisfactiontomethatthisquestionhasbeenputbytheMayor，inasmuchasIhopeImayreceiveitasatokenthathehasforgivenmethoseextremelylargeletters，whichImustsay，fromtheglimpseIcaughtofthemwhenI
arrivedinthetown，lookedlikealeaffromthefirstprimerofaverypromisingyounggiant。
Iwillonlyobserve，inreferencetotheproceedingofthisevening，thatafterwhatIhaveseen，andtheexcellentspeechesI
haveheardfromgentlemenofsomanydifferentcallingsandpersuasions，meetinghereasonneutralground，IdomorestronglyandsincerelybelievethanIeverhaveinmylife，-andthatissayingagreatdeal，-thatinstitutionssuchasthiswillbethemeansofrefiningandimprovingthatsocialedificewhichhasbeensooftenmentionedto-night，until，-unlikethatBabeltowerthatwouldhavetakenheavenbystorm，-itshallendinsweetaccordandharmonyamongstallclassesofitsbuilders。
Ladiesandgentlemen，mostrespectfullyandheartilyIbidyougoodnightandgood-bye，andItrustthenexttimewemeetitwillbeinevengreaternumbers，andinalargerroom，andthatweoftenshallmeetagain，torecalthisevening，thenofthepast，andrememberitasoneofaseriesofincreasingtriumphsofyourexcellentinstitution。
SPEECH：GLASGOW，DECEMBER28，1847。
[ThefirstSoiree，commemorativeoftheopeningoftheGlasgowAthenaeumtookplaceontheaboveeveningintheCityHall。Mr。
CharlesDickenspresided，andmadethefollowingspeech：]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN-Letmebeginbyendeavouringtoconveytoyoutheassurancethatnoteventhewarmthofyourreceptioncanpossiblyexceed，insimpleearnestness，thecordialityofthefeelingwithwhichIcomeamongstyou。Thisbeautifulsceneandyourgenerousgreetingwouldnaturallyawaken，underanycircumstances，nocommonfeelingwithinme;butwhenIconnectthemwiththehighpurposeofthisbrilliantassembly-whenIregarditasaneducationalexampleandencouragementtotherestofScotland-whenIregarditnolessasarecognitiononthepartofeverybodyhereoftheright，indisputableandinalienable，ofallthosewhoareactivelyengagedintheworkandbusinessoflifetoelevateandimprovethemselvessofarasinthemlies，byallgoodmeans-IfeelasifIstandheretoswearbrotherhoodtoalltheyoungmeninGlasgow;-andImaysaytoalltheyoungwomeninGlasgow;beingunfortunatelyinnopositiontotakeanytenderervowsuponmyself-andasifwewerepledgedfromthistimehenceforthtomakecommoncausetogetherinoneofthemostlaudableandworthyofhumanobjects。
Ladiesandgentlemen，acommoncausemustbemadeinsuchadesignasthatwhichbringsustogetherthisnight;forwithoutit，nothingcanbedone，butwithit，everything。Itisacommoncauseofright，Godknows;foritisidletosupposethattheadvantagesofsuchaninstitutionastheGlasgowAthenaeumwillstopwithinitsownwallsorbeconfinedtoitsownmembers。Throughallthesocietyofthisgreatandimportantcity，upwardstothehighestanddownwardstothelowest，itmust，Iknow，befeltforgood。
Downwardinaclearerperceptionof，andsympathywith，thosesocialmiserieswhichcanbealleviated，andthosewide-opendoorstoviceandcrimethatcanbeshutandbarred;andupwardinagreaterintelligence，increasedefficiency，andhigherknowledge，ofallwhopartakeofitsbenefitsthemselves，orwhocommunicate，asallmustdo，inagreaterorlessdegree，someportiontothecircleofrelativesorfriendsinwhichtheymove。
Nor，ladiesandgentlemen，wouldIsayforanyman，howeverhighhissocialposition，orhowevergreathisattainments，thathemightnotfindsomethingtobelearntevenfromimmediatecontactwithsuchinstitutions。IfheonlysawthegoddessKnowledgecomingoutofhersecludedpalacesandhighplacestominglewiththethrong，andtogivethemshiningglimpsesofthedelightswhichwerelongkepthoardedup，hemightlearnsomething。Ifheonlysawtheenergyandthecouragewithwhichthosewhoearntheirdailybreadbythelabouroftheirhandsorheads，comenightafternight，astoarecreation，tothatwhichwas，perhaps，thewholeabsorbingbusinessofhisyouth，theremightstillbesomethingverywholesomeforhimtolearn。Butwhenhecouldseeinsuchplacestheirgenialandrevivinginfluences，theirsubstitutingofthecontemplationofthebeautiesofnatureandart，andofthewisdomofgreatmen，formeresensualenjoymentorstupididleness-atanyratehewouldlearnthis-thatitisatoncethedutyandtheinterestofallgoodmembersofsocietytoencourageandprotectthem。
ItookoccasiontosayatanAthenaeuminYorkshireafewweekssince，andIthinkitapointmostimportanttobeborneinmindonsuchcommemorationsasthese，thatwhensuchsocietiesareobjectedto，oraredecriedonthegroundthatintheviewsoftheobjectors，educationamongthepeoplehasnotsucceeded，thetermeducationisusedwithnottheleastreferencetoitsrealmeaning，andiswhollymisunderstood。Merereadingandwritingisnoteducation;itwouldbequiteasreasonabletocallbricksandmortararchitecture-oilsandcoloursart-reedsandcat-gutmusic-orthechild\'sspelling-bookstheworksofShakespeare，Milton，orBacon-astocallthelowestrudimentsofeducation，education，andtovisitonthatmostabusedandslanderedwordtheirfailureinanyinstance;andpreciselybecausetheywerenoteducation;because，generallyspeaking，thewordhasbeenunderstoodinthatsenseagreatdealtoolong;becauseeducationforthebusinessoflife，andfortheduecultivationofdomesticvirtues，isatleastasimportantfromdaytodaytothegrownpersonastothechild;becauserealeducation，inthestrifeandcontentionforalivelihood，andtheconsequentnecessityincumbentonagreatnumberofyoungpersonstogointotheworldwhentheyareveryyoung，isextremelydifficult。ItisbecauseofthesethingsthatIlookuponmechanics\'institutionsandathenaeumsasvitallyimportanttothewell-beingofsociety。Itisbecausetherudimentsofeducationmaytherebeturnedtogoodaccountintheacquisitionofsoundprinciples，andofthegreatvirtues，hope，faith，andcharity，towhichallourknowledgetends;itisbecauseofthat，Itakeit，thatyouhavemetineducation\'snameto-night。
ItisagreatsatisfactiontometooccupytheplaceIdoinbehalfofaninfantinstitution;aremarkablyfinechildenough，ofavigorousconstitution，butaninfantstill。Iesteemmyselfsingularlyfortunateinknowingitbeforeitsprime，inthehopethatImayhavethepleasureofrememberinginitsprime，andwhenithasattainedtoitslustymaturity，thatIwasafriendofitsyouth。Ithasalreadypassedthroughsomeofthedisorderstowhichchildrenareliable;itsucceededtoanelderbrotherofaverymeritoriouscharacter，butofratheraweakconstitution，andwhichexpiredwhenabouttwelvemonthsold，from，itissaid，adestructivehabitofgettingupearlyinthemorning：itsucceededthiselderbrother，andhasfoughtmanfullythroughaseaoftroubles。Itsfriendshaveoftenbeenmuchconcernedforit;itspulsehasbeenexceedinglylow，beingonly1250，whenitwasexpectedtohavebeen10，000;severalrelationsandfriendshaveevengonesofarastowalkoffonceortwiceinthemelancholybeliefthatitwasdead。Throughallthat，assistedbytheindomitableenergyofoneortwonurses，towhomitcanneverbesufficientlygrateful，itcametriumphantly，andnow，ofalltheyouthfulmembersofitsfamilyIeversaw，ithasthestrongestattitude，thehealthiestlook，thebrightestandmostcheerfulair。
Ifindtheinstitutionnoblylodged;Ifinditwithareading-room，acoffee-room，andanews-room;Ifinditwithlecturesgivenandinprogress，insound，usefulandwell-selectedsubjects;Ifinditwithmorningandeveningclassesformathematics，logic，grammar，music，French，German，Spanish，andItalian，attendedbyupwardsoffivehundredpersons;but，bestandfirstofallandwhatistomemoresatisfactorythananythingelseinthehistoryoftheinstitution，Ifindthatall，thishasbeenmainlyachievedbytheyoungmenofGlasgowthemselves，withverylittleassistance。And，ladiesandgentlemen，astheaxiom，“Heavenhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves，“istruerinnocasethanitisinthis，IlooktotheyoungmenofGlasgow，fromsuchapastandsuchapresent，toanoblefuture。Everythingthathasbeendoneinanyotherathenaeum，Iconfidentlyexpecttoseedonehere;andwhenthatshallbethecase，andwhenthereshallbegreatcheapschoolsinconnexionwiththeinstitution，andwhenithasboundtogetherforeverallitsfriends，andbroughtovertoitselfallthosewholookuponitasanobjectionableinstitution，-then，andnottillthen，IhopetheyoungmenofGlasgowwillrestfromtheirlabours，andthinktheirstudydone。
IftheyoungmenofGlasgowwantanystimulusorencouragementinthiswise，theyhaveonebesidetheminthepresenceoftheirfairtownswomen，whichisirresistible。Itisamostdelightfulcircumstancetome，andonefraughtwithinestimablebenefitstoinstitutionsofthiskind，thatatameetingofthisnaturethosewhoinallthingsareourbestexamples，encouragers，andfriends，arenotexcluded。TheabstractideaoftheGraceswasinancienttimesassociatedwiththoseartswhichrefinethehumanunderstanding;anditispleasanttoseenow，intherollingoftheworld，theGracespopularisingthepracticeofthoseartsbytheirexample，andadorningitwiththeirpresence。
IamhappytoknowthatintheGlasgowAthenaeumthereisapeculiarbondofunionbetweentheinstitutionandthefairestpartofcreation。Iunderstandthatthenecessaryadditiontothesmalllibraryofbooksbeingdifficultandexpensivetomake，theladieshavegenerallyresolvedtoholdafancybazaar，andtodevotetheproceedstothisadmirablepurpose;andIlearnwithnolesspleasurethatherMajestytheQueen，inagracefulandwomanlysenseoftheexcellenceofthisdesign，hasconsentedthatthebazaarshallbeheldunderherroyalpatronage。Icanonlysay，thatifyoudonotfindsomethingverynobleinyourbooksafterthis，youaremuchdullerstudentsthanItakeyoutobe。Theladies-thesingleladies，atleast-howeverdisinterestedIknowtheyarebysexandnature，will，Ihope，resolvetohavesomeoftheadvantagesofthesebooks，bynevermarryinganybutmembersoftheAthenaeum。Itseemstomeitoughttobethepleasantestlibraryintheworld。
Hazlittsays，inspeakingofsomeofthegracefulfanciesofsomefamiliarwriteroffiction，“HowlongsinceIfirstbecameacquaintedwiththesecharacters;whatold-fashionedfriendstheyseem;andyetIamnottiredofthemlikesomanyotherfriends，northeyofme。”Inthiscasethebookswillnotonlypossessalltheattractionsoftheirownfriendshipsandcharms，butalsothemanifold-Imaysaywomanfold-associationsconnectedwiththeirdonors。Icanimaginehow，infact，fromthesefancifulassociations，somefairGlasgowwidowmaybetakenfortheremoteronewhomSirRogerdeCoverleycouldnotforget;IcanimaginehowSophia\'smuffmaybeseenandloved，butnotbyTomJones，goingdowntheHighStreetonanywinterday;orIcanimaginethestudentfindingineveryfairformtheexactcounterpartoftheGlasgowAthenaeum，andtakingintoconsiderationthehistoryofEuropewithouttheconsentofSheriffAlison。Icanimagine，inshort，howthroughallthefactsandfictionsofthislibrary，theseladieswillbealwaysactive，andthat“Agewillnotwitherthem，norcustomstaleTheirinfinitevariety。”
Itseemstometobeamoral，delightful，andhappychance，thatthismeetinghasbeenheldatthisgenialseasonoftheyear，whenanewtimeis，asitwere，openingbeforeus，andwhenwecelebratethebirthofthatdivineandblessedTeacher，whotookthehighestknowledgeintothehumblestplaces，andwhosegreatsystemcomprehendedallmankind。Ihailitasamostauspiciousomen，atthistimeoftheyear，whenmanyscatteredfriendsandfamiliesarere-assembled，forthemembersofthisinstitutiontobecallingmentogetherfromallquarters，withabrotherlyviewtothegeneralgood，andaviewtothegeneralimprovement;asIconsiderthatsuchdesignsarepracticallyworthyofthefaithwehold，andapracticalremembranceofthewords，“Onearthpeace，andgoodwilltowardmen。”IhopethateveryyearwhichdawnsonyourInstitution，willfinditricherinitsmeansofusefulness，andgrayer-headedinthehonourandrespectithasgained。ItcanhardlyspeakforitselfmoreappropriatelythaninthewordsofanEnglishwriter，whencontemplatingtheEnglishemblemofthisperiodoftheyear，theholly-tree：-
[Mr。DickensconcludedbyquotingthelastthreestanzasofSouthey\'spoem，THEHOLLYTREE。
InacknowledgingavoteofthanksproposedbySirArchibald(thenMr。)Alison，Mr。Dickenssaid：]
LadiesandGentlemen，-Iamnostranger-andIsayitwiththedeepestgratitude-tothewarmthofScottishhearts;butthewarmthofyourpresentwelcomealmostdeprivesmeofanyhopeofacknowledgingit。Iwillnotdetainyouanylongeratthislatehour;letitsufficetoassureyou，thatfortakingthepartwithwhichIhavebeenhonouredinthisfestival，Ihavebeenrepaidathousand-foldbyyourabundantkindness，andbytheunspeakablegratificationithasaffordedme。Ihopethat，beforemanyyearsarepast，wemayhaveanothermeetinginpublic，whenweshallrejoiceattheimmenseprogressyourinstitutionwillhavemadeinthemeantime，andlookbackuponthisnightwithnewpleasureandsatisfaction。Ishallnow，inconclusion，repeatmostheartilyandferventlythequotationofDr。Ewing，thelateProvostofGlasgow，whichBailieNicolJarvie，himself“aGlasgowbody，“observedwas“elegantlyputtenroundthetown\'sarms。”
SPEECH：LONDON，APRIL14，1851。
[TheSixthAnnualDinneroftheGeneralTheatricalFundwasheldattheLondonTavernontheabovedate。Mr。CharlesDickensoccupiedthechair，andingivingthetoastoftheeveningsaid：-]
IHAVEsooftenhadthesatisfactionofbearingmytestimony，inthisplace，totheusefulnessoftheexcellentInstitutioninwhosebehalfweareassembled，thatIshouldbereallysensibleofthedisadvantageofhavingnownothingtosayinproposingthetoastyouallanticipate，ifIwerenotwellassuredthatthereisreallynothingwhichneedsbesaid。Ihavetoappealtoyouontheoldgrounds，andnoingenuityofminecouldrenderthosegroundsofgreaterweightthantheyhavehithertosuccessfullyprovedtoyou。
AlthoughtheGeneralTheatricalFundAssociation，unlikemanyotherpublicsocietiesandendowments，isrepresentedbynobuilding，whetherofstone，orbrick，orglass，likethatastonishingevidenceoftheskillandenergyofmyfriendMr。Paxton，whichalltheworldisnowcalledupontoadmire，andthegreatmeritofwhich，asyoulearnfromthebestauthorities，is，thatitoughttohavefallendownlongbeforeitwasbuilt，andyetthatitwouldbynomeansconsenttodoingso-although，Isay，thisAssociationpossessesnoarchitecturalhome，itisneverthelessasplainafact，restsonassolidafoundation，andcarriesaserectafront，asanybuilding，intheworld。Andthebestandtheutmostthatitsexponentanditsadvocatecando，standinghere，istopointitouttothosewhogatherroundit，andtosay，“judgeforyourselves。”
Itmaynot，however，beimproperformetosuggesttothatportionofthecompanywhosepreviousacquaintancewithitmayhavebeenlimited，whatitisnot。Itisnotatheatricalassociationwhosebenefitsareconfinedtoasmallandexclusivebodyofactors。Itisasocietywhoseclaimsarealwayspreferredinthenameofthewholehistrionicart。Itisnotatheatricalassociationadaptedtoastateoftheatricalthingsentirelypastandgone，andnomoresuitedtopresenttheatricalrequirementsthanastringofpack-
horseswouldbesuitedtotheconveyanceoftrafficbetweenLondonandBirmingham。Itisnotaricholdgentleman，withthegoutinhisvitals，brushedandgot-uponceayeartolookasvigorousaspossible，andbroughtoutforapublicairingbythefewsurvivorsofalargefamilyofnephewsandnieces，whoafterwardsdouble-lockthestreet-dooruponthepoorrelations。ItisnotatheatricalassociationwhichinsiststhatnoactorcanshareitsbountywhohasnotwalkedsomanyyearsonthoseboardswheretheEnglishtongueisneverheard-betweenthelittlebarsofmusicinanaviaryofsingingbirds，towhichtheunwieldySwanofAvonisneveradmitted-thatbountywhichwasgatheredinthenameandfortheelevationofanall-embracingart。
No，iftherebesuchthings，thisthingisnotofthatkind。Thisisatheatricalassociation，expresslyadaptedtothewantsandtothemeansofthewholetheatricalprofessionalloverEngland。Itisasocietyinwhichthewordexclusivenessiswhollyunknown。Itisasocietywhichincludeseveryactor，whetherhebeBenedictorHamlet，ortheGhost，ortheBandit，orthecourt-physician，or，intheoneperson，thewholeKing\'sarmy。Hemaydothe“lightbusiness，“orthe“heavy，“orthecomic，ortheeccentric。Hemaybethecaptainwhocourtstheyounglady，whoseunclestillunaccountablypersistsindressinghimselfinacostumeonehundredyearsolderthanhistime。Orhemaybetheyounglady\'sbrotherinthewhiteglovesandinexpressibles，whosedutyinthefamilyappearstobetolistentothefemalemembersofitwhenevertheysing，andtoshakehandswitheverybodybetweenalltheverses。Orhemaybethebaronwhogivesthefete，andwhositsuneasilyonthesofaunderacanopywiththebaronesswhilethefeteisgoingon。Orhemaybethepeasantatthefetewhocomesonthestagetoswellthedrinkingchorus，andwho，itmaybeobserved，alwaysturnshisglassupsidedownbeforehebeginstodrinkoutofit。
Orhemaybetheclownwhotakesawaythedoorstepofthehousewheretheeveningpartyisgoingon。Orhemaybethegentlemanwhoissuesoutofthehouseonthefalsealarm，andisprecipitatedintothearea。Or，tocometotheactresses，shemaybethefairywhoresidesforeverinarevolvingstarwithanoccasionalvisittoabowerorapalace。Ortheactormaybethearmedheadofthewitch\'scauldron;oreventhatextraordinarywitch，concerningwhomIhaveobservedincountryplaces，thatheismuchlesslikethenotionformedfromthedescriptionofHopkinsthantheMalcolmorDonalbainofthepreviousscenes。Thissociety，inshort，says，“Beyouwhatyoumay，beyouactororactress，beyourpathinyourprofessionneversohigh，orneversolow，neversohaughty，orneversohumble，weofferyouthemeansofdoinggoodtoyourselves，andofdoinggoodtoyourbrethren。”
Thissocietyisessentiallyaprovidentinstitution，appealingtoaclassofmentotakecareoftheirowninterests，andgivingacontinuoussecurityonlyinreturnforacontinuoussacrificeandeffort。Theactorbythemeansofthissocietyobtainshisownright，tonoman\'swrong;andwhen，inoldage，orindisastroustimes，hemakeshisclaimontheinstitution，heisenabledtosay，“Iamneitherabeggar，norasuppliant。IambutreapingwhatI
sowedlongago。”AndthereforeitisthatIcannotholdouttoyouthatinassistingthisfundyouaredoinganactofcharityinthecommonacceptationofthatphrase。Ofalltheabusesofthatmuchabusedterm，nonehavemoreraisedmyindignationthanwhatIhaveheardinthisroominpasttimes，inreferencetothisinstitution。
Isay，ifyouhelpthisinstitutionyouwillbehelpingthewagonerwhohasresolutelyputhisownshouldertothewheel，andwhohasNOTstuckidleinthemud。Ingivingthisaidyouwillbedoinganactofjustice，andyouwillbeperforminganactofgratitude;andthisiswhatIsolicitfromyou;butIwillnotsofarwrongthosewhoarestrugglingmanfullyfortheirownindependenceastopretendtoentreatfromyouanactofcharity。
Ihaveusedthewordgratitude;andletanymanaskhisownheart，andconfessifhehavenotsomegratefulacknowledgmentsfortheactor\'sart？Notpeculiarlybecauseitisaprofessionoftenpursued，andasitweremarked，bypovertyandmisfortune-forothercallings，Godknows，havetheirdistresses-norbecausetheactorhassometimestocomefromscenesofsickness，ofsuffering，ay，evenofdeathitself，toplayhispartbeforeus-forallofus，inourspheres，haveasoftentodoviolencetoourfeelingsandtohideourheartsinfightingthisgreatbattleoflife，andindischargingourdutiesandresponsibilities。Buttheartoftheactorexcitesreflections，sombreorgrotesque，awfulorhumorous，whichweareallfamiliarwith。Ifanymanweretotellmethathedeniedhisacknowledgmentstothestage，Iwouldsimplyputtohimonequestion-whetherherememberedhisfirstplay？
