按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
this little world of labour； that she should stand out foremost in
the foremost rank in such a cause。 It well becomes her； that；
among her numerous and noble public institutions； she should have a
splendid temple sacred to the education and improvement of a large
class of those who； in their various useful stations； assist in the
production of our wealth； and in rendering her name famous through
the world。 I think it is grand to know； that； while her factories
re…echo with the clanking of stupendous engines； and the whirl and
rattle of machinery； the immortal mechanism of God's own hand； the
mind； is not forgotten in the din and uproar； but is lodged and
tended in a palace of its own。 That it is a structure deeply fixed
and rooted in the public spirit of this place； and built to last； I
have no more doubt； judging from the spectacle I see before me； and
from what I know of its brief history； than I have of the reality
of these walls that hem us in； and the pillars that spring up about
us。
You are perfectly well aware； I have no doubt； that the Athenaeum
was projected at a time when commerce was in a vigorous and
flourishing condition； and when those classes of society to which
it particularly addresses itself were fully employed； and in the
receipt of regular incomes。 A season of depression almost without
a parallel ensued； and large numbers of young men employed in
warehouses and offices suddenly found their occupation gone； and
themselves reduced to very straitened and penurious circumstances。
This altered state of things led； as I am told； to the compulsory
withdrawal of many of the members； to a proportionate decrease in
the expected funds； and to the incurrence of a debt of 3；000
pounds。 By the very great zeal and energy of all concerned； and by
the liberality of those to whom they applied for help； that debt is
now in rapid course of being discharged。 A little more of the same
indefatigable exertion on the one hand； and a little more of the
same community of feeling upon the other； and there will be no such
thing； the figures will be blotted out for good and all； and； from
that time； the Athenaeum may be said to belong to you； and to your
heirs for ever。
But； ladies and gentlemen； at all times； now in its most thriving；
and in its least flourishing condition … here； with its cheerful
rooms； its pleasant and instructive lectures； its improving library
of 6；000 volumes； its classes for the study of the foreign
languages； elocution； music； its opportunities of discussion and
debate； of healthful bodily exercise； and； though last not least …
for by this I set great store； as a very novel and excellent
provision … its opportunities of blameless； rational enjoyment；
here it is； open to every youth and man in this great town；
accessible to every bee in this vast hive； who； for all these
benefits； and the inestimable ends to which they lead； can set
aside one sixpence weekly。 I do look upon the reduction of the
subscription； and upon the fact that the number of members has
considerably more than doubled within the last twelve months； as
strides in the path of the very best civilization； and chapters of
rich promise in the history of mankind。
I do not know whether； at this time of day； and with such a
prospect before us； we need trouble ourselves very much to rake up
the ashes of the dead…and…gone objections that were wont to be
urged by men of all parties against institutions such as this；
whose interests we are met to promote； but their philosophy was
always to be summed up in the unmeaning application of one short
sentence。 How often have we heard from a large class of men wise
in their generation； who would really seem to be born and bred for
no other purpose than to pass into currency counterfeit and
mischievous scraps of wisdom； as it is the sole pursuit of some
other criminals to utter base coin … how often have we heard from
them； as an all…convincing argument； that 〃a little learning is a
dangerous thing？〃 Why； a little hanging was considered a very
dangerous thing； according to the same authorities； with this
difference； that； because a little hanging was dangerous； we had a
great deal of it； and； because a little learning was dangerous； we
were to have none at all。 Why； when I hear such cruel absurdities
gravely reiterated； I do sometimes begin to doubt whether the
parrots of society are not more pernicious to its interests than
its birds of prey。 I should be glad to hear such people's estimate
of the comparative danger of 〃a little learning〃 and a vast amount
of ignorance； I should be glad to know which they consider the most
prolific parent of misery and crime。 Descending a little lower in
the social scale； I should be glad to assist them in their
calculations； by carrying them into certain gaols and nightly
refuges I know of； where my own heart dies within me； when I see
thousands of immortal creatures condemned； without alternative or
choice； to tread； not what our great poet calls the 〃primrose path〃
to the everlasting bonfire； but one of jaded flints and stones；
laid down by brutal ignorance； and held together； like the solid
rocks； by years of this most wicked axiom。
Would we know from any honourable body of merchants； upright in
deed and thought； whether they would rather have ignorant or
enlightened persons in their own employment？ Why； we have had
their answer in this building； we have it in this company； we have
it emphatically given in the munificent generosity of your own
merchants of Manchester； of all sects and kinds； when this
establishment was first proposed。 But are the advantages derivable
by the people from institutions such as this； only of a negative
character？ If a little learning be an innocent thing； has it no
distinct； wholesome； and immediate influence upon the mind？ The
old doggerel rhyme； so often written in the beginning of books；
says that
〃When house and lands are gone and spent；
Then learning is most excellent；〃
but I should be strongly disposed to reform the adage； and say that
〃Though house and lands be never got；
Learning can give what they canNOT。〃
And this I know； that the first unpurchasable blessing earned by
every man who makes an effort to improve himself in such a place as
the Athenaeum； is self…respect … an inward dignity of character；
which； once acquired and righteously maintained； nothing … no； not
the hardest drudgery； nor the direst poverty … can vanquish。
Though he should find it hard for a season even to keep the wolf …
hunger … from his door； let him but once have chased the dragon …
ignorance … from his hearth； and self…respect and hope are left
him。 You could no more deprive him of those sustaining qualities
by loss or destruction of his worldly goods； than you could； by
plucking out his eyes； take from him an internal consciousness of
the bright glory of the sun。
The man w