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turn to us always constant and unchanged； when others turn away；
should greet us here； if anywhere； and go on with us side by side。
I know； gentlemen； by the evidence of my own proper senses at this
moment； that there are charms and graces in such greetings； such as
no other greeting can possess。 I know that in every beautiful work
of the Almighty hand； which is illustrated in your lectures； and in
every real or ideal portraiture of fortitude and goodness that you
find in your books； there is something that must bring you home
again to them for its brightest and best example。 And therefore；
gentlemen； I hope that you will never be without them； or without
an increasing number of them in your studies and your
commemorations； and that an immense number of new marriages； and
other domestic festivals naturally consequent upon those marriages；
may be traced back from time to time to the Leeds Mechanics'
Institution。
There are many gentlemen around me； distinguished by their public
position and service； or endeared to you by frequent intercourse；
or by their zealous efforts on behalf of the cause which brings us
together； and to them I shall beg leave to refer you for further
observations on this happy and interesting occasion； begging to
congratulate you finally upon the occasion itself； upon the
prosperity and thriving prospects of your institution； and upon our
common and general good fortune in living in these times； when the
means of mental culture and improvement are presented cheaply；
socially； and cheerfully； and not in dismal cells or lonely
garrets。 And lastly； I congratulate myself； I assure you most
heartily； upon the part with which I am honoured on an occasion so
congenial to my warmest feelings and sympathies； and I beg to thank
you for such evidences of your good…will； as I never can coldly
remember and never forget。
＇In acknowledging the vote of thanks； Mr； Dickens said：…＇
Ladies and Gentlemen； … It is a great satisfaction to me that this
question has been put by the Mayor； inasmuch as I hope I may
receive it as a token that he has forgiven me those extremely large
letters； which I must say； from the glimpse I caught of them when I
arrived in the town； looked like a leaf from the first primer of a
very promising young giant。
I will only observe； in reference to the proceeding of this
evening； that after what I have seen； and the excellent speeches I
have heard from gentlemen of so many different callings and
persuasions； meeting here as on neutral ground； I do more strongly
and sincerely believe than I ever have in my life； … and that is
saying a great deal； … that institutions such as this will be the
means of refining and improving that social edifice which has been
so often mentioned to…night； until； … unlike that Babel tower that
would have taken heaven by storm； … it shall end in sweet accord
and harmony amongst all classes of its builders。
Ladies and gentlemen； most respectfully and heartily I bid you good
night and good…bye； and I trust the next time we meet it will be in
even greater numbers； and in a larger room； and that we often shall
meet again； to recal this evening； then of the past； and remember
it as one of a series of increasing triumphs of your excellent
institution。
SPEECH： GLASGOW； DECEMBER 28； 1847。
＇The first Soiree； commemorative of the opening of the Glasgow
Athenaeum took place on the above evening in the City Hall。 Mr。
Charles Dickens presided； and made the following speech：＇
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN … Let me begin by endeavouring to convey to
you the assurance that not even the warmth of your reception can
possibly exceed； in simple earnestness； the cordiality of the
feeling with which I come amongst you。 This beautiful scene and
your generous greeting would naturally awaken； under any
circumstances； no common feeling within me； but when I connect them
with the high purpose of this brilliant assembly … when I regard it
as an educational example and encouragement to the rest of Scotland
… when I regard it no less as a recognition on the part of
everybody here of the right； indisputable and inalienable； of all
those who are actively engaged in the work and business of life to
elevate and improve themselves so far as in them lies； by all good
means … I feel as if I stand here to swear brotherhood to all the
young men in Glasgow； … and I may say to all the young women in
Glasgow； being unfortunately in no position to take any tenderer
vows upon myself … and as if we were pledged from this time
henceforth to make common cause together in one of the most
laudable and worthy of human objects。
Ladies and gentlemen； a common cause must be made in such a design
as that which brings us together this night； for without it；
nothing can be done； but with it； everything。 It is a common cause
of right； God knows； for it is idle to suppose that the advantages
of such an institution as the Glasgow Athenaeum will stop within
its own walls or be confined to its own members。 Through all the
society of this great and important city； upwards to the highest
and downwards to the lowest； it must； I know； be felt for good。
Downward in a clearer perception of； and sympathy with； those
social miseries which can be alleviated； and those wide…open doors
to vice and crime that can be shut and barred； and upward in a
greater intelligence； increased efficiency； and higher knowledge；
of all who partake of its benefits themselves； or who communicate；
as all must do； in a greater or less degree； some portion to the
circle of relatives or friends in which they move。
Nor； ladies and gentlemen； would I say for any man； however high
his social position； or however great his attainments； that he
might not find something to be learnt even from immediate contact
with such institutions。 If he only saw the goddess Knowledge
coming out of her secluded palaces and high places to mingle with
the throng； and to give them shining glimpses of the delights which
were long kept hoarded up； he might learn something。 If he only
saw the energy and the courage with which those who earn their
daily bread by the labour of their hands or heads； come night after
night； as to a recreation； to that which was； perhaps； the whole
absorbing business of his youth； there might still be something
very wholesome for him to learn。 But when he could see in such
places their genial and reviving influences； their substituting of
the contemplation of the beauties of nature and art； and of the
wisdom of great men； for mere sensual enjoyment or stupid idleness
… at any rate he would learn this … that it is at once the duty and
the interest of all good members of society to encourage and
protect them。
I took occasion to say at an Athenaeum in Yorkshire a few weeks
since； and I think it a point most important to be borne in mind on
such commemorations as these； that wh