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those who should release him； and at last； that he would destroy
them。 Now； there is a spirit of great power … the Spirit of
Ignorance … which is shut up in a vessel of leaden composition； and
sealed with the seal of many； many Solomons； and which is
effectually in the same position： release it in time； and it will
bless； restore； and reanimate society； but let it lie under the
rolling waves of years； and its blind revenge is sure to lead to
certain destruction。 That there are classes which； if rightly
treated； constitute strength； and if wrongly； weakness； I hold it
impossible to deny … by these classes I mean industrious；
intelligent； and honourably independent men； in whom the higher
classes of Birmingham are especially interested； and bound to
afford them the means of instruction and improvement； and to
ameliorate their mental and moral condition。 Far be it from me
（and I wish to be most particularly understood） to attempt to
depreciate the excellent Church Instruction Societies； or the
worthy； sincere； and temperate zeal of those reverend gentlemen by
whom they are usually conducted； on the contrary； I believe that
they have done； and are doing； much good； and are deserving of high
praise； but I hope that； without offence； in a community such as
Birmingham； there are other objects not unworthy in the sight of
heaven； and objects of recognised utility which are worthy of
support … principles which are practised in word and deed in
Polytechnic Institutions … principles for the diffusion of which
honest men of all degrees and of every creed might associate
together； on an independent footing and on neutral ground； and at a
small expense； for the better understanding and the greater
consideration of each other； and for the better cultivation of the
happiness of all： for it surely cannot be allowed that those who
labour day by day； surrounded by machinery； shall be permitted to
degenerate into machines themselves； but； on the contrary； they
should assert their common origin from their Creator； at the hands
of those who are responsible and thinking men。 There is； indeed；
no difference in the main with respect to the dangers of ignorance
and the advantages of knowledge between those who hold different
opinions … for it is to be observed； that those who are most
distrustful of the advantages of education； are always the first to
exclaim against the results of ignorance。 This fact was pleasantly
illustrated on the railway； as I came here。 In the same carriage
with me there sat an ancient gentleman （I feel no delicacy in
alluding to him； for I know that he is not in the room； having got
out far short of Birmingham）； who expressed himself most mournfully
as to the ruinous effects and rapid spread of railways； and was
most pathetic upon the virtues of the slow…going old stage coaches。
Now I； entertaining some little lingering kindness for the road；
made shift to express my concurrence with the old gentleman's
opinion； without any great compromise of principle。 Well； we got
on tolerably comfortably together； and when the engine； with a
frightful screech； dived into some dark abyss； like some strange
aquatic monster； the old gentleman said it would never do； and I
agreed with him。 When it parted from each successive station； with
a shock and a shriek as if it had had a double…tooth drawn； the old
gentleman shook his head； and I shook mine。 When he burst forth
against such new…fangled notions； and said no good could come of
them； I did not contest the point。 But I found that when the speed
of the engine was abated； or there was a prolonged stay at any
station； up the old gentleman was at arms； and his watch was
instantly out of his pocket； denouncing the slowness of our
progress。 Now I could not help comparing this old gentleman to
that ingenious class of persons who are in the constant habit of
declaiming against the vices and crimes of society； and at the same
time are the first and foremost to assert that vice and crime have
not their common origin in ignorance and discontent。
The good work； however； in spite of all political and party
differences； has been well begun； we are all interested in it； it
is advancing； and cannot be stopped by any opposition； although it
may be retarded in this place or in that； by the indifference of
the middle classes； with whom its successful progress chiefly
rests。 Of this success I cannot entertain a doubt； for whenever
the working classes have enjoyed an opportunity of effectually
rebutting accusations which falsehood or thoughtlessness have
brought against them； they always avail themselves of it； and show
themselves in their true characters； and it was this which made the
damage done to a single picture in the National Gallery of London；
by some poor lunatic or cripple； a mere matter of newspaper
notoriety and wonder for some few days。 This； then； establishes a
fact evident to the meanest comprehension … that any given number
of thousands of individuals； in the humblest walks of life in this
country； can pass through the national galleries or museums in
seasons of holiday…making； without damaging； in the slightest
degree； those choice and valuable collections。 I do not myself
believe that the working classes ever were the wanton or
mischievous persons they were so often and so long represented to
be； but I rather incline to the opinion that some men take it into
their heads to lay it down as a matter of fact； without being
particular about the premises； and that the idle and the
prejudiced； not wishing to have the trouble of forming opinions for
themselves； take it for granted … until the people have an
opportunity of disproving the stigma and vindicating themselves
before the world。
Now this assertion is well illustrated by what occurred respecting
an equestrian statue in the metropolis； with respect to which a
legend existed that the sculptor hanged himself； because he had
neglected to put a girth to the horse。 This story was currently
believed for many years； until it was inspected for altogether a
different purpose； and it was found to have had a girth all the
time。
But surely if； as is stated； the people are ill…disposed and
mischievous； that is the best reason that can be offered for
teaching them better； and if they are not； surely that is a reason
for giving them every opportunity of vindicating their injured
reputation； and no better opportunity could possibly be afforded
than that of associating together voluntarily for such high
purposes as it is proposed to carry out by the establishment of the
Birmingham Polytechnic Institution。 In any case … nay； in every
case … if we would reward honesty； if we would hold out
encouragement to good； if we would eradicate that which is evil or
correct that which is bad； education … comprehensive； liberal
education … is the one thing needful； and the only effective end。
If I might apply to my purpose； an