[Atapublicdinner，giveninhonourofMr。Dickens，andpresidedoverbythelateProfessorWilson，theChairmanhavingproposedhishealthinalongandeloquentspeech，Mr。Dickensreturnedthanksasfollows：-]
IFIfeltyourwarmandgenerouswelcomeless，Ishouldbebetterabletothankyou。IfIcouldhavelistenedasyouhavelistenedtotheglowinglanguageofyourdistinguishedChairman，andifI
couldhaveheardasyouheardthe“thoughtsthatbreatheandwordsthatburn，“whichhehasuttered，itwouldhavegonehardbutI
shouldhavecaughtsomeportionofhisenthusiasm，andkindledathisexample。Buteverywordwhichfellfromhislips，andeverydemonstrationofsympathyandapprobationwithwhichyoureceivedhiseloquentexpressions，rendersmeunabletorespondtohiskindness，andleavesmeatlastallheartandnolips，yearningtorespondasIwoulddotoyourcordialgreeting-possessing，heavenknows，thewill，anddesiringonlytofindtheway。
Thewaytoyourgoodopinion，favour，andsupport，hasbeentomeverypleasing-apathstrewnwithflowersandcheeredwithsunshine。IfeelasifIstoodamongstoldfriends，whomIhadintimatelyknownandhighlyvalued。Ifeelasifthedeathsofthefictitiouscreatures，inwhichyouhavebeenkindenoughtoexpressaninterest，hadendearedustoeachotherasrealafflictionsdeepenfriendshipsinactuallife;Ifeelasiftheyhadbeenrealpersons，whosefortuneswehadpursuedtogetherininseparableconnexion，andthatIhadneverknownthemapartfromyou。
Itisadifficultthingforamantospeakofhimselforofhisworks。ButperhapsonthisoccasionImay，withoutimpropriety，venturetosayawordonthespiritinwhichminewereconceived。
Ifeltanearnestandhumbledesire，andshalldotillIdie，toincreasethestockofharmlesscheerfulness。Ifeltthattheworldwasnotutterlytobedespised;thatitwasworthyoflivinginformanyreasons。Iwasanxioustofind，astheProfessorhassaid，ifIcould，inevilthings，thatsoulofgoodnesswhichtheCreatorhasputinthem。Iwasanxioustoshowthatvirtuemaybefoundinthebye-waysoftheworld，thatitisnotincompatiblewithpovertyandevenwithrags，andtokeepsteadilythroughlifethemotto，expressedintheburningwordsofyourNorthernpoet-
“Therankisbuttheguineastamp，Theman'sthegowdfora'that。”
Andinfollowingthistrack，wherecouldIhavebetterassurancethatIwasright，orwherecouldIhavestrongerassurancetocheermeonthaninyourkindnessonthistomememorablenight？
IamanxiousandgladtohaveanopportunityofsayingawordinreferencetooneincidentinwhichIamhappytoknowyouwereinterested，andstillmorehappytoknow，thoughitmaysoundparadoxical，thatyouweredisappointed-Imeanthedeathofthelittleheroine。WhenIfirstconceivedtheideaofconductingthatsimplestorytoitstermination，Ideterminedrigidlytoadheretoit，andnevertoforsaketheendIhadinview。Notuntriedintheschoolofaffliction，inthedeathofthosewelove，IthoughtwhatagoodthingitwouldbeifinmylittleworkofpleasantamusementIcouldsubstituteagarlandoffreshflowersforthesculpturedhorrorswhichdisgracethetomb。IfIhaveputintomybookanythingwhichcanfilltheyoungmindwithbetterthoughtsofdeath，orsoftenthegriefofolderhearts;ifIhavewrittenonewordwhichcanaffordpleasureorconsolationtooldoryoungintimeoftrial，Ishallconsideritassomethingachieved-
somethingwhichIshallbegladtolookbackuponinafterlife。
ThereforeIkepttomypurpose，notwithstandingthattowardstheconclusionofthestory，Idailyreceivedlettersofremonstrance，especiallyfromtheladies。Godblessthemfortheirtendermercies！TheProfessorwasquiterightwhenhesaidthatIhadnotreachedtoanadequatedelineationoftheirvirtues;andIfearthatImustgoonblottingtheircharactersinendeavouringtoreachtheidealinmymind。Theseletterswere，however，combinedwithothersfromthesternersex，andsomeofthemwerenotaltogetherfreefrompersonalinvective。But，notwithstanding，I
kepttomypurpose，andIamhappytoknowthatmanyofthosewhoatfirstcondemnedmearenowforemostintheirapprobation。
IfIhavemadeamistakeindetainingyouwiththislittleincident，Idonotregrethavingdoneso;foryourkindnesshasgivenmesuchaconfidenceinyou，thatthefaultisyoursandnotmine。Icomeoncemoretothankyou，andhereIaminadifficultyagain。ThedistinctionyouhaveconferreduponmeisonewhichI
neverhopedfor，andofwhichIneverdaredtodream。ThatitisonewhichIshallneverforget，andthatwhileIliveIshallbeproudofitsremembrance，youmustwellknow。IbelieveIshallneverhearthenameofthiscapitalofScotlandwithoutathrillofgratitudeandpleasure。IshalllovewhileIhavelifeherpeople，herhills，andherhouses，andeventheverystonesofherstreets。
Andifinthefutureworkswhichmayliebeforemeyoushoulddiscern-Godgrantyoumay！-abrighterspiritandaclearerwit，Iprayyoutoreferitbacktothisnight，andpointtothatasaScottishpassageforevermore。Ithankyouagainandagain，withtheenergyofathousandthanksineachone，andIdrinktoyouwithaheartasfullasmyglass，andfareasieremptied，Idoassureyou。
[Laterintheevening，inproposingthehealthofProfessorWilson，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]
IHAVEthehonourtobeentrustedwithatoast，theverymentionofwhichwillrecommenditselftoyou，Iknow，asonepossessingnoordinaryclaimstoyoursympathyandapprobation，andtheproposingofwhichisascongenialtomywishesandfeelingsasitsacceptancemustbetoyours。ItisthehealthofourChairman，andcoupledwithhisnameIhavetoproposetheliteratureofScotland-aliteraturewhichhehasdonemuchtorenderfamousthroughtheworld，andofwhichhehasbeenformanyyears-asIhopeandbelievehewillbeformanymore-amostbrilliantanddistinguishedornament。WhocanreverttotheliteratureofthelandofScottandofBurnswithouthavingdirectlyinhismind，asinseparablefromthesubjectandforemostinthepicture，thatoldmanofmight，withhislionheartandsceptredcrutch-ChristopherNorth。IamgladtorememberthetimewhenIbelievedhimtobeareal，actual，veritableoldgentleman，thatmightbeseenanydayhobblingalongtheHighStreetwiththemostbrillianteye-butthatisnofiction-andthegreyesthairinalltheworld-whowrotenotbecausehecaredtowrite，notbecausehecaredforthewonderandadmirationofhisfellow-men，butwhowrotebecausehecouldnothelpit，becausetherewasalwaysspringingupinhismindaclearandsparklingstreamofpoetrywhichmusthavevent，andliketheglitteringfountaininthefairytale，drawwhatyoumight，waseveratthefull，andneverlanguishedevenbyasingledroporbubble。Ihadsofiguredhiminmymind，andwhenIsawtheProfessortwodaysago，stridingalongtheParliamentHouse，I
wasdisposedtotakeitasapersonaloffence-Iwasvexedtoseehimlooksohearty。IdroopedtoseetwentyChristophersinone。
IbegantothinkthatScottishlifewasalllightandnoshadows，andIbegantodoubtthatbeautifulbooktowhichIhaveturnedagainandagain，alwaystofindnewbeautiesandfreshsourcesofinterest。
[InproposingthememoryofthelateSirDavidWilkie，Mr。Dickenssaid：-]
LESSfortunatethanthetwogentlemenwhohaveprecededme，itisconfidedtometomentionanamewhichcannotbepronouncedwithoutsorrow，anameinwhichScotlandhadagreattriumph，andwhichEnglanddelightedtohonour。Oneofthegiftedoftheearthhaspassedaway，asitwere，yesterday;onewhowasdevotedtohisart，andhisartwasnature-ImeanDavidWilkie。Hewasonewhomadethecottagehearthagracefulthing-ofwhomitmighttrulybesaidthathefound“booksintherunningbrooks，“andwhohasleftinallhedidsomebreathingoftheairwhichstirstheheather。
Buthoweverdesiroustoenlargeonhisgeniusasanartist，Iwouldratherspeakofhimnowasafriendwhohasgonefromamongstus。
Thereishisdesertedstudio-theemptyeasellyingidlyby-theunfinishedpicturewithitsfaceturnedtothewall，andthereisthatbereavedsister，wholovedhimwithanaffectionwhichdeathcannotquench。Hehasleftanameinfameclearasthebrightsky;
hehasfilledourmindswithmemoriespureasthebluewaveswhichrolloverhim。Letushopethatshewhomorethanallothersmournshisloss，maylearntoreflectthathediedinthefulnessofhistime，beforeageorsicknesshaddimmedhispowers-andthatshemayyetassociatewithfeelingsascalmandpleasantaswedonowthememoryofWilkie。
SPEECH：JANUARY，1842。
[InpresentingCaptainHewett，oftheBRITANNIA，withaserviceofplateonbehalfofthepassengers，Mr。Dickensaddressedhimasfollows：]
CAPTAINHEWETT，-Iamveryproudandhappytohavebeenselectedastheinstrumentofconveyingtoyoutheheartfeltthanksofmyfellow-passengersonboardtheshipentrustedtoyourcharge，andofentreatingyouracceptanceofthistriflingpresent。Theingeniousartistswhoworkinsilverdonotalways，Ifind，keeptheirpromises，eveninBoston。Iregretthat，insteadoftwogoblets，whichthereshouldbehere，thereis，atpresent，onlyone。Thedeficiency，however，willsoonbesupplied;and，whenitis，ourlittletestimonialwillbe，sofar，complete。
Youareasailor，CaptainHewett，inthetruestsenseoftheword;
andthedevotedadmirationoftheladies，Godblessthem，isasailor'sfirstboast。Ineednotenlargeuponthehonourtheyhavedoneyou，Iamsure，bytheirpresencehere。Judgingofyoubymyself，Iamcertainthattherecollectionoftheirbeautifulfaceswillcheeryourlonelyvigilsupontheoceanforalongtimetocome。
Inalltimetocome，andinallyourvoyagesuponthesea，Ihopeyouwillhaveathoughtforthosewhowishtoliveinyourmemorybythehelpofthesetrifles。Astheywilloftenconnectyouwiththepleasureofthosehomesandfiresidesfromwhichtheyoncewandered，andwhich，butforyou，theymightneverhaveregained，sotheytrustthatyouwillsometimesassociatethemwithyourhoursoffestiveenjoyment;and，that，whenyoudrinkfromthesecups，youwillfeelthatthedraughtiscommendedtoyourlipsbyfriendswhosebestwishesyouhave;andwhoearnestlyandtrulyhopeforyoursuccess，happiness，andprosperity，inalltheundertakingsofyourlife。
SPEECH：FEBRUARY1842。
[AtdinnergiventoMr。DickensbytheyoungmenofBoston。Thecompanyconsistedofabouttwohundred，amongwhomwereGeorgeBancroft，WashingtonAllston，andOliverWendellHolmes。Thetoastof“Health，happiness，andaheartywelcometoCharlesDickens，“
havingbeenproposedbythechairman，Mr。Quincy，andreceivedwithgreatapplause，Mr。Dickensrespondedwiththefollowingaddress：]
GENTLEMEN，-Ifyouhadgiventhissplendidentertainmenttoanyoneelseinthewholewideworld-ifIwereto-nighttoexultinthetriumphofmydearestfriend-ifIstoodhereuponmydefence，torepelanyunjustattack-toappealasastrangertoyourgenerosityandkindnessasthefreestpeopleontheearth-I
could，puttingsomerestraintuponmyself，standamongyouasself-
possessedandunmovedasIshouldbealoneinmyownroominEngland。ButwhenIhavetheechoesofyourcordialgreetingringinginmyears;whenIseeyourkindfacesbeamingawelcomesowarmandearnestasnevermanhad-Ifeel，itismynature，sovanquishedandsubdued，thatIhavehardlyfortitudeenoughtothankyou。IfyourPresident，insteadofpouringforththatdelightfulmixtureofhumourandpathoswhichyouhavejustheard，hadbeenbutacaustic，ill-naturedman-ifhehadonlybeenadullone-ifIcouldonlyhavedoubtedordistrustedhimoryou，I
shouldhavehadmywitsatmyfingers'ends，and，usingthem，couldhaveheldyouatarm's-length。Butyouhavegivenmenosuchopportunity;youtakeadvantageofmeinthetenderestpoint;yougivemenochanceofplayingatcompany，orholdingyouatadistance，butflockaboutmelikeahostofbrothers，andmakethisplacelikehome。Indeed，gentlemen，indeed，ifitbenaturalandallowableforeachofus，onhisownhearth，toexpresshisthoughtsinthemosthomelyfashion，andtoappearinhisplainestgarb，Ihaveafairclaimuponyoutoletmedosoto-night，foryouhavemademyhomeanAladdin'sPalace。Youfoldsotenderlywithinyourbreaststhatcommonhouseholdlampinwhichmyfeeblefireisallenshrined，andatwhichmyflickeringtorchislightedup，thatstraightmyhouseholdgodstakewing，andaretransportedthere。Andwhereasitiswrittenofthatfairystructurethatitnevermovedwithouttwoshocks-onewhenitrose，andonewhenitsettleddown-Icansayofminethat，howeversharpatugittooktopluckitfromitsnativeground，itstruckatonceaneasy，andadeepandlastingrootintothissoil;andloveditasitsown。I
cansaymoreofit，andsaywithtruth，thatlongbeforeitmoved，orhadachanceofmoving，itsmaster-perhapsfromsomesecretsympathybetweenitstimbers，andacertainstatelytreethathasitsbeinghereabout，andspreadsitsbroadbranchesfarandwide-
dreamedbydayandnight，foryears，ofsettingfootuponthisshore，andbreathingthispureair。And，trustme，gentlemen，that，ifIhadwanderedhere，unknowingandunknown，Iwould-ifI
knowmyownheart-havecomewithallmysympathiesclusteringasrichlyaboutthislandandpeople-withallmysenseofjusticeaskeenlyalivetotheirhighclaimsoneverymanwholovesGod'simage-withallmyenergiesasfullybentonjudgingformyself，andspeakingout，andtellinginmyspherethetruth，asIdonow，whenyouraindownyourwelcomesonmyhead。
OurPresidenthasalludedtothosewritingswhichhavebeenmyoccupationforsomeyearspast;andyouhavereceivedhisallusionsinamannerwhichassuresme-ifIneededanysuchassurance-
thatweareoldfriendsinthespirit，andhavebeeninclosecommunionforalongtime。
Itisnoteasyforamantospeakofhisownbooks。IdaresaythatfewpersonshavebeenmoreinterestedinminethanI，andifitbeageneralprincipleinnaturethatalover'sloveisblind，andthatamother'sloveisblind，Ibelieveitmaybesaidofanauthor'sattachmenttothecreaturesofhisownimagination，thatitisaperfectmodelofconstancyanddevotion，andistheblindestofall。ButtheobjectsandpurposesIhavehadinviewareveryplainandsimple，andmaybeeasilytold。Ihavealwayshad，andalwaysshallhave，anearnestandtruedesiretocontribute，asfarasinmelies，tothecommonstockofhealthfulcheerfulnessandenjoyment。Ihavealwayshad，andalwaysshallhave，aninvinciblerepugnancetothatmole-eyedphilosophywhichlovesthedarkness，andwinksandscowlsinthelight。IbelievethatVirtueshowsquiteaswellinragsandpatches，asshedoesinpurpleandfinelinen。Ibelievethatsheandeverybeautifulobjectinexternalnature，claimssomesympathyinthebreastofthepoorestmanwhobreakshisscantyloafofdailybread。I
believethatshegoesbarefootaswellasshod。Ibelievethatshedwellsratheroftenerinalleysandby-waysthanshedoesincourtsandpalaces，andthatitisgood，andpleasant，andprofitabletotrackherout，andfollowher。Ibelievethattolayone'shanduponsomeofthoserejectedoneswhomtheworldhastoolongforgotten，andtoooftenmisused，andtosaytotheproudestandmostthoughtless-“Thesecreatureshavethesameelementsandcapacitiesofgoodnessasyourselves，theyaremouldedinthesameform，andmadeofthesameclay;andthoughtentimesworsethanyou，may，inhavingretainedanythingoftheiroriginalnatureamidstthetrialsanddistressesoftheircondition，bereallytentimesbetter;“Ibelievethattodothisistopursueaworthyandnotuselessvocation。Gentlemen，thatyouthinksotoo，yourferventgreetingsufficientlyassuresme。ThatthisfeelingisaliveintheOldWorldaswellasintheNew，nomanshouldknowbetterthanI-I，whohavefoundsuchwideandreadysympathyinmyowndearland。Thatinexpressingit，wearebuttreadinginthestepsofthosegreatmaster-spiritswhohavegonebefore，weknowbyreferencetoallthebrightexamplesinourliterature，fromShakespearedownward。
ThereisoneotherpointconnectedwiththelaboursifImaycallthemsothatyouholdinsuchgenerousesteem，towhichIcannothelpadverting。Icannothelpexpressingthedelight，themorethanhappinessitwastometofindsostronganinterestawakenedonthissideofthewater，infavourofthatlittleheroineofmine，towhomyourpresidenthasmadeallusion，whodiedinheryouth。Ihadlettersaboutthatchild，inEngland，fromthedwellersinlog-housesamongthemorasses，andswamps，anddensestforests，anddeepsolitudesofthefarwest。Manyasturdyhand，hardwiththeaxeandspade，andbrownedbythesummer'ssun，hastakenupthepen，andwrittentomealittlehistoryofdomesticjoyorsorrow，alwayscoupled，Iamproudtosay，withsomethingofinterestinthatlittletale，orsomecomfortorhappinessderivedfromit，andmycorrespondenthasalwaysaddressedme，notasawriterofbooksforsale，residentsomefourorfivethousandmilesaway，butasafriendtowhomhemightfreelyimpartthejoysandsorrowsofhisownfireside。Manyamother-Icouldreckonthemnowbydozens，notbyunits-hasdonethelike，andhastoldmehowshelostsuchachildatsuchatime，andwhereshelayburied，andhowgoodshewas，andhow，inthisorthatrespect，sheresemblesNell。IdoassureyouthatnocircumstanceofmylifehasgivenmeonehundredthpartofthegratificationIhavederivedfromthissource。IwaswaveringatthetimewhetherornottowindupmyClock，andcomeandseethiscountry，andthisdecidedme。Ifeltasifitwereapositiveduty，asifIwereboundtopackupmyclothes，andcomeandseemyfriends;andevennowI
havesuchanoddsensationinconnexionwiththesethings，thatyouhavenochanceofspoilingme。Ifeelasthoughwewereagreeing-
asindeedweare，ifwesubstituteforfictitiouscharacterstheclassesfromwhichtheyaredrawn-aboutthirdparties，inwhomwehadacommoninterest。Ateverynewactofkindnessonyourpart，Isaytomyself“That'sforOliver;IshouldnotwonderifthatwasmeantforSmike;IhavenodoubtthatisintendedforNell;“andsoIbecomeamuchhappier，certainly，butamoresoberandretiringmanthaneverIwasbefore。
Gentlemen，talkingofmyfriendsinAmerica，bringsmeback，naturallyandofcourse，toyou。Comingbacktoyou，andbeingtherebyremindedofthepleasurewehaveinstoreinhearingthegentlemenwhositaboutme，Iarrivebytheeasiest，thoughnotbytheshortestcourseintheworld，attheendofwhatIhavetosay。
ButbeforeIsitdown，thereisonetopiconwhichIamdesiroustolayparticularstress。Ithas，orshouldhave，astronginterestforusall，sincetoitsliteratureeverycountrymustlookforonegreatmeansofrefiningandimprovingitspeople，andonegreatsourceofnationalprideandhonour。YouhaveinAmericagreatwriters-greatwriters-whowillliveinalltime，andareasfamiliartoourlipsashouseholdwords。Derivingastheyalldoinagreaterorlessdegree，intheirseveralwalkstheirinspirationfromthestupendouscountrythatgavethembirth，theydiffuseabetterknowledgeofit，andahigherloveforit，alloverthecivilizedworld。Itakeleavetosay，inthepresenceofsomeofthosegentleman，thatIhopethetimeisnotfardistantwhenthey，inAmerica，willreceiveofrightsomesubstantialprofitandreturninEnglandfromtheirlabours;andwhenwe，inEngland，shallreceivesomesubstantialprofitandreturninAmericaforours。Praydonotmisunderstandme。Securingtomyselffromdaytodaythemeansofanhonourablesubsistence，I
wouldratherhavetheaffectionateregardofmyfellowmen，thanI
wouldhaveheapsandminesofgold。Butthetwothingsdonotseemtomeincompatible。Theycannotbe，fornothinggoodisincompatiblewithjustice;theremustbeaninternationalarrangementinthisrespect：Englandhasdoneherpart，andIamconfidentthatthetimeisnotfardistantwhenAmericawilldohers。Itbecomesthecharacterofagreatcountry;FIRSTLY，becauseitisjustice;SECONDLY，becausewithoutityounevercanhave，andkeep，aliteratureofyourown。
Gentlemen，Ithankyouwithfeelingsofgratitude，suchasarenotoftenawakened，andcanneverbeexpressed。AsIunderstandittobethepleasantcustomheretofinishwithatoast，Iwouldbegtogiveyou：AMERICAANDENGLAND，andmaytheyneverhaveanydivisionbuttheAtlanticbetweenthem。
SPEECH：FEBRUARY7，1842。
GENTLEMEN，-TosaythatIthankyoufortheearnestmannerinwhichyouhavedrunkthetoastjustnowsoeloquentlyproposedtoyou-tosaythatIgiveyoubackyourkindwishesandgoodfeelingswithmorethancompoundinterest;andthatIfeelhowdumbandpowerlessthebestacknowledgmentswouldbebesidesuchgenialhospitalityasyours，isnothing。Tosaythatinthiswinterseason，flowershavesprungupineveryfootstep'slengthofthepathwhichhasbroughtmehere;thatnocountryeversmiledmorepleasantlythanyourshassmiledonme，andthatIhaverarelylookeduponabrightersummerprospectthanthatwhichliesbeforemenow，isnothing。
Butitissomethingtobenostrangerinastrangeplace-tofeel，sittingataboardforthefirsttime，theeaseandaffectionofanoldguest，andtobeatonceonsuchintimatetermswiththefamilyastohaveahomely，genuineinterestinitseverymember-itis，Isay，somethingtobeinthisnovelandhappyframeofmind。And，asitisofyourcreation，andowesitsbeingtoyou，Ihavenoreluctanceinurgingitasareasonwhy，inaddressingyou，I
shouldnotsomuchconsulttheformandfashionofmyspeech，asI
shouldemploythatuniversallanguageoftheheart，whichyou，andsuchasyou，bestteach，andbestcanunderstand。Gentlemen，inthatuniversallanguage-commontoyouinAmerica，andtousinEngland，asthatyoungermother-tongue，which，bythemeansof，andthroughthehappyunionofourtwogreatcountries，shallbespokenageshence，bylandandsea，overthewidesurfaceoftheglobe-I
thankyou。
IhadoccasiontosaytheothernightinBoston，asIhavemorethanoncehadoccasiontoremarkbefore，thatitisnoteasyforanauthortospeakofhisownbooks。Ifthetaskbeadifficultoneatanytime，itsdifficulty，certainly，isnotdiminishedwhenafrequentrecurrencetothesamethemehasleftonenothingnewtosay。Still，Ifeelthat，inacompanylikethis，andespeciallyafterwhathasbeensaidbythePresident，thatIoughtnottopasslightlyoverthoselaboursoflove，which，iftheyhadnoothermerit，havebeenthehappymeansofbringingustogether。
Ithasbeenoftenobserved，thatyoucannotjudgeofanauthor'spersonalcharacterfromhiswritings。Itmaybethatyoucannot。
Ithinkitverylikely，formanyreasons，thatyoucannot。But，atleast，areaderwillrisefromtheperusalofabookwithsomedefinedandtangibleideaofthewriter'smoralcreedandbroadpurposes，ifhehasanyatall;anditisprobableenoughthathemayliketohavethisideaconfirmedfromtheauthor'slips，ordissipatedbyhisexplanation。Gentlemen，mymoralcreed-whichisaverywideandcomprehensiveone，andincludesallsectsandparties-isveryeasilysummedup。Ihavefaith，andIwishtodiffusefaithintheexistence-yes，ofbeautifulthings，eveninthoseconditionsofsociety，whicharesodegenerate，degraded，andforlorn，that，atfirstsight，itwouldseemasthoughtheycouldnotbedescribedbutbyastrangeandterriblereversalofthewordsofScripture，“Godsaid，Lettherebelight，andtherewasnone。”Itakeitthatweareborn，andthatweholdoursympathies，hopes，andenergies，intrustforthemany，andnotforthefew。Thatwecannotholdintoostrongalightofdisgustandcontempt，beforetheviewofothers，allmeanness，falsehood，cruelty，andoppression，ofeverygradeandkind。Aboveall，thatnothingishigh，becauseitisinahighplace;andthatnothingislow，becauseitisinalowone。Thisisthelessontaughtusinthegreatbookofnature。Thisisthelessonwhichmayberead，alikeinthebrighttrackofthestars，andinthedustycourseofthepoorestthingthatdragsitstinylengthupontheground。Thisisthelessoneveruppermostinthethoughtsofthatinspiredman，whotellsusthatthereare“Tonguesinthetrees，booksintherunningbrooks，Sermonsinstones，andgoodineverything。”
Gentlemen，keepingtheseobjectssteadilybeforeme，Iamatnolosstoreferyourfavourandyourgeneroushospitalitybacktotherightsource。WhileIknow，ontheonehand，thatif，insteadofbeingwhatitis，thiswerealandoftyrannyandwrong，Ishouldcareverylittleforyoursmilesorfrowns，soIamsureupontheother，thatif，insteadofbeingwhatIam，Iwerethegreatestgeniusthatevertrodtheearth，andhaddivertedmyselffortheoppressionanddegradationofmankind，youwoulddespiseandrejectme。Ihopeyouwill，whenever，throughsuchmeans，Igiveyoutheopportunity。Trustme，that，wheneveryougivemethelikeoccasion，Iwillreturnthecomplimentwithinterest。
Gentlemen，asIhavenosecretsfromyou，inthespiritofconfidenceyouhaveengenderedbetweenus，andasIhavemadeakindofcompactwithmyselfthatIneverwill，whileIremaininAmerica，omitanopportunityofreferringtoatopicinwhichIandallothersofmyclassonbothsidesofthewaterareequallyinterested-equallyinterested，thereisnodifferencebetweenus，Iwouldbegleavetowhisperinyoureartwowords：INTERNATIONAL
COPYRIGHT。Iusetheminnosordidsense，believeme，andthosewhoknowmebest，bestknowthat。Formyself，Iwouldratherthatmychildren，comingafterme，trudgedinthemud，andknewbythegeneralfeelingofsocietythattheirfatherwasbeloved，andhadbeenofsomeuse，thanIwouldhavethemrideintheircarriages，andknowbytheirbanker'sbooksthathewasrich。ButIdonotsee，Iconfess，whyoneshouldbeobligedtomakethechoice，orwhyfame，besidesplayingthatdelightfulREVEILforwhichsheissojustlycelebrated，shouldnotblowoutofhertrumpetafewnotesofadifferentkindfromthosewithwhichshehashithertocontentedherself。
Itwaswellobservedtheothernightbyabeautifulspeaker，whosewordswenttotheheartofeverymanwhoheardhim，that，iftherehadexistedanylawinthisrespect，Scottmightnothavesunkbeneaththemightypressureonhisbrain，butmighthavelivedtoaddnewcreaturesofhisfancytothecrowdwhichswarmaboutyouinyoursummerwalks，andgatherroundyourwintereveninghearths。
AsIlistenedtohiswords，therecameback，freshuponme，thattouchingsceneinthegreatman'slife，whenhelayuponhiscouch，surroundedbyhisfamily，andlistened，forthelasttime，totheripplingoftheriverhehadsowellloved，overitsstonybed。I
picturedhimtomyself，faint，wan，dying，crushedbothinmindandbodybyhishonourablestruggle，andhoveringroundhimthephantomsofhisownimagination-Waverley，Ravenswood，JeanieDeans，RobRoy，CalebBalderstone，DominieSampson-allthefamiliarthrong-withcavaliers，andPuritans，andHighlandchiefsinnumerableoverflowingthechamber，andfadingawayinthedimdistancebeyond。Ipicturedthem，freshfromtraversingtheworld，andhangingdowntheirheadsinshameandsorrow，that，fromallthoselandsintowhichtheyhadcarriedgladness，instruction，anddelightformillions，theybroughthimnotonefriendlyhandtohelptoraisehimfromthatsad，sadbed。No，norbroughthimfromthatlandinwhichhisownlanguagewasspoken，andineveryhouseandhutofwhichhisownbookswerereadinhisowntongue，onegratefuldollar-piecetobuyagarlandforhisgrave。Oh！ifeverymanwhogoesfromhere，asmanydo，tolookuponthattombinDryburghAbbey，wouldbutrememberthis，andbringtherecollectionhome！
Gentlemen，Ithankyouagain，andonceagain，andmanytimestothat。Youhavegivenmeanewreasonforrememberingthisday，whichisalreadyoneofmarkinmycalendar，itbeingmybirthday;
andyouhavegiventhosewhoarenearestanddearesttomeanewreasonforrecollectingitwithprideandinterest。Heavenknowsthat，althoughIshouldgroweversogray，Ishallneednothingtoremindmeofthisepochinmylife。ButIamgladtothinkthatfromthistimeyouareinseparablyconnectedwitheveryrecurrenceofthisday;and，thatonitsperiodicalreturn，Ishallalways，inimagination，havetheunfadingpleasureofentertainingyouasmyguests，inreturnforthegratificationyouhaveaffordedmeto-
night。
SPEECH：NEWYORK，FEBRUARY18，1842。
[AtadinnerpresidedoverbyWashingtonIrving，whennearlyeighthundredofthemostdistinguishedcitizensofNewYorkwerepresent，“CharlesDickens，theLiteraryGuestoftheNation，“
havingbeen“proferredasasentiment“bytheChairman，Mr。Dickensrose，andspokeasfollows：]
GENTLEMEN，-Idon'tknowhowtothankyou-Ireallydon'tknowhow。Youwouldnaturallysupposethatmyformerexperiencewouldhavegivenmethispower，andthatthedifficultiesinmywaywouldhavebeendiminished;butIassureyouthefactisexactlythereverse，andIhavecompletelybaulkedtheancientproverbthat“arollingstonegathersnomoss;“andinmyprogresstothiscityI
havecollectedsuchaweightofobligationsandacknowledgment-I
havepickedupsuchanenormousmassoffreshmossateverypoint，andwassostruckbythebrilliantscenesofMondaynight，thatI
thoughtIcouldneverbyanypossibilitygrowanybigger。Ihavemade，continually，newaccumulationstosuchanextentthatIamcompelledtostandstill，andcanrollnomore！
Gentlemen，welearnfromtheauthorities，that，whenfairystories，orballs，orrollsofthread，stoppedoftheirownaccord-asIdonot-itpresagedsomegreatcatastrophenearathand。Theprecedentholdsgoodinthiscase。WhenIhaverememberedtheshorttimeIhavebeforemetospendinthislandofmightyinterests，andthepooropportunityIcanatbesthaveofacquiringaknowledgeof，andforminganacquaintancewithit，Ihavefeltitalmostadutytodeclinethehonoursyousogenerouslyheapuponme，andpassmorequietlyamongyou。ForArgushimself，thoughhehadbutonemouthforhishundredeyes，wouldhavefoundthereceptionofapublicentertainmentoncea-weektoomuchforhisgreatestactivity;and，asIwouldlosenoscrapoftherichinstructionandthedelightfulknowledgewhichmeetmeoneveryhand，andalreadyIhavegleanedagreatdealfromyourhospitalsandcommonjails，-Ihaveresolvedtotakeupmystaff，andgomywayrejoicing，andforthefuturetoshakehandswithAmerica，notatpartiesbutathome;and，therefore，gentlemen，Isayto-night，withafullheart，andanhonestpurpose，andgratefulfeelings，thatIbear，andshalleverbear，adeepsenseofyourkind，youraffectionateandyournoblegreeting，whichitisutterlyimpossibletoconveyinwords。NoEuropeanskywithout，andnocheerfulhomeorwell-warmedroomwithinshallevershutoutthislandfrommyvision。Ishalloftenhearyourwordsofwelcomeinmyquietroom，andoftenestwhenmostquiet;andshallseeyourfacesintheblazingfire。IfIshouldlivetogrowold，thescenesofthisandothereveningswillshineasbrightlytomydulleyesfiftyyearshenceasnow;andthehonoursyoubestowuponmeshallbewellrememberedandpaidbackinmyundyinglove，andhonestendeavoursforthegoodofmyrace。
Gentlemen，oneotherwordwithreferencetothisfirstpersonsingular，andthenIshallclose。Icamehereinanopen，honest，andconfidingspirit，ifevermandid，andbecauseIfeltadeepsympathyinyourland;hadIfeltotherwise，Ishouldhavekeptaway。AsIcamehere，andamhere，withouttheleastadmixtureofone-hundredthpartofonegrainofbasealloy，withoutonefeelingofunworthyreferencetoselfinanyrespect，Iclaim，inregardtothepast，forthelasttime，myrightinreason，intruth，andinjustice，toapproach，asIhavedoneontwoformeroccasions，aquestionofliteraryinterest。Iclaimthatjusticebedone;andI
preferthisclaimasonewhohasarighttospeakandbeheard。I
haveonlytoaddthatIshallbeastruetoyouasyouhavebeentome。Irecognizeinyourenthusiasticapprovalofthecreaturesofmyfancy，yourenlightenedcareforthehappinessofthemany，yourtenderregardfortheafflicted，yoursympathyforthedowncast，yourplansforcorrectingandimprovingthebad，andforencouragingthegood;andtoadvancethesegreatobjectsshallbe，totheendofmylife，myearnestendeavour，totheextentofmyhumbleability。Havingsaidthusmuchwithreferencetomyself，I
shallhavethepleasureofsayingafewwordswithreferencetosomebodyelse。
Thereisinthiscityagentlemanwho，atthereceptionofoneofmybooks-IwellrememberitwastheOldCuriosityShop-wrotetomeinEnglandalettersogenerous，soaffectionate，andsomanly，thatifIhadwrittenthebookundereverycircumstanceofdisappointment，ofdiscouragement，anddifficulty，insteadofthereverse，Ishouldhavefoundinthereceiptofthatlettermybestandmosthappyreward。Iansweredhim，andheansweredme，andsowekeptshakinghandsautographically，asifnooceanrolledbetweenus。Icameheretothiscityeagertoseehim，and[LAYING
HISHANDITUPONIRVING'SSHOULDER]herehesits！IneednottellyouhowhappyanddelightedIamtoseehimhereto-nightinthiscapacity。
WashingtonIrving！Why，gentlemen，Idon'tgoupstairstobedtwonightsoutoftheseven-asaverycreditablewitnessnearathandcantestify-IsayIdonotgotobedtwonightsoutofthesevenwithouttakingWashingtonIrvingundermyarm;and，whenIdon'ttakehim，Itakehisownbrother，OliverGoldsmith。WashingtonIrving！Why，ofwhombuthimwasIthinkingtheotherdaywhenI
cameupbytheHog'sBack，theFryingPan，HellGate，andalltheseplaces？Why，when，notlongago，IvisitedShakespeare'sbirthplace，andwentbeneaththeroofwherehefirstsawlight，whosenamebutHISwaspointedouttomeuponthewall？WashingtonIrving-DiedrichKnickerbocker-GeoffreyCrayon-why，wherecanyougothattheyhavenotbeentherebefore？IsthereanEnglishfarm-isthereanEnglishstream，anEnglishcity，oranEnglishcountry-seat，wheretheyhavenotbeen？IstherenoBracebridgeHallinexistence？Hasitnoancientshadesorquietstreets？
Inbygonetimes，whenIrvingleftthatHall，heleftsittinginanoldoakchair，inasmallparlouroftheBoar'sHead，alittlemanwitharednose，andanoilskinhat。WhenIcameawayhewassittingtherestill！-notamanLIKEhim，butthesameman-withthenoseofimmortalrednessandthehatofanundyingglaze！
Crayon，whilethere，wasontermsofintimacywithacertainradicalfellow，whousedtogoabout，withahatfulofnewspapers，wofullyoutatelbows，andwithacoatofgreatantiquity。Why，gentlemen，Iknowthatman-Tibblestheelder，andhehasnotchangedahair;and，whenIcameaway，hechargedmetogivehisbestrespectstoWashingtonIrving！
LeavingthetownandtherusticlifeofEngland-forgettingthisman，ifwecan-puttingoutofmindthecountrychurch-yardandthebrokenheart-letuscrossthewateragain，andaskwhohasassociatedhimselfmostcloselywiththeItalianpeasantryandthebanditsofthePyrenees？WhenthetravellerentershislittlechamberbeyondtheAlps-listeningtothedimechoesofthelongpassagesandspaciouscorridors-damp，andgloomy，andcold-ashehearsthetempestbeatingwithfuryagainsthiswindow，andgazesatthecurtains，dark，andheavy，andcoveredwithmould-
andwhenalltheghost-storiesthateverweretoldcomeupbeforehim-amidallhisthick-comingfancies，whomdoeshethinkof？
WashingtonIrving。
Gofartherstill：gototheMoorishMountains，sparklingfullinthemoonlight-goamongthewater-carriersandthevillagegossips，livingstillasindaysofold-andwhohastravelledamongthembeforeyou，andpeopledtheAlhambraandmadeeloquentitsshadows？Whoawakesthereavoicefromeveryhillandineverycavern，andbidslegends，whichforcenturieshavesleptadreamlesssleep，orwatchedunwinkingly，startupandpassbeforeyouinalltheirlifeandglory？
Butleavingthisagain，whoembarkedwithColumbusuponhisgallantship，traversedwithhimthedarkandmightyocean，leapeduponthelandandplantedtheretheflagofSpain，butthissameman，nowsittingbymyside？Andbeinghereathomeagain，whoisamorefitcompanionformoney-diggers？andwhatpenbuthishasmadeRipVanWinkle，playingatnine-pinsonthatthunderingafternoon，asmuchpartandparceloftheCatskillMountainsasanytreeorcragthattheycanboast？
Butthesearetopicsfamiliarfrommyboyhood，andwhichIamapttopursue;andlestIshouldbetemptednowtotalktoolongaboutthem，Iwill，inconclusion，giveyouasentiment，mostappropriate，Iamsure，inthepresenceofsuchwritersasBryant，Halleck，and-butIsupposeImustnotmentiontheladieshere-
THELITERATUREOFAMERICA：
Shewellknowshowtodohonourtoherownliteratureandtothatofotherlands，whenshechoosesWashingtonIrvingforherrepresentativeinthecountryofCervantes。
SPEECH：MANCHESTER，OCTOBER5，1843。
[ThisaddresswasdeliveredatasoireeofthemembersoftheManchester，Athenaeum，atwhichMr。Dickenspresided。AmongtheotherspeakersontheoccasionwereMr。CobdenandMr。Disraeli。]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-IamsureIneedscarcelytellyouthatI
amveryproudandhappy;andthatItakeitasagreatdistinctiontobeaskedtocomeamongstyouonanoccasionsuchasthis，when，evenwiththebrilliantandbeautifulspectaclewhichIseebeforeme，Icanhailitasthemostbrilliantandbeautifulcircumstanceofall，thatweassembletogetherhere，evenhere，uponneutralground，wherewehavenomoreknowledgeofpartydifficulties，orpublicanimositiesbetweensideandside，orbetweenmanandman，thanifwewereapublicmeetinginthecommonwealthofUtopia。
Ladiesandgentlemen，uponthis，anduponahundredothergrounds，thisassemblyisnotlessinterestingtome，believeme-although，personally，almostastrangerhere-thanitisinterestingtoyou;
andItakeit，thatitisnotofgreaterimportancetoallofusthanitistoeverymanwhohaslearnedtoknowthathehasaninterestinthemoralandsocialelevation，theharmlessrelaxation，thepeace，happiness，andimprovement，ofthecommunityatlarge。NoteventhosewhosawthefirstfoundationofyourAthenaeumlaid，andwatcheditsprogress，asIknowtheydid，almostastenderlyasifitweretheprogressofalivingcreature，untilitreareditsbeautifulfront，anhonourtothetown-noteventhey，norevenyouwho，withinitswalls，havetasteditsusefulness，andputittotheproof，havegreaterreason，Iampersuaded，toexultinitsestablishment，ortohopethatitmaythriveandprosper，thanscoresofthousandsatadistance，who-
whetherconsciouslyorunconsciously，mattersnot-have，intheprincipleofitssuccessandbrightexample，adeepandpersonalconcern。
Itwellbecomes，particularlywellbecomes，thisenterprisingtown，thislittleworldoflabour，thatsheshouldstandoutforemostintheforemostrankinsuchacause。Itwellbecomesher，that，amonghernumerousandnoblepublicinstitutions，sheshouldhaveasplendidtemplesacredtotheeducationandimprovementofalargeclassofthosewho，intheirvarioususefulstations，assistintheproductionofourwealth，andinrenderinghernamefamousthroughtheworld。Ithinkitisgrandtoknow，that，whileherfactoriesre-echowiththeclankingofstupendousengines，andthewhirlandrattleofmachinery，theimmortalmechanismofGod'sownhand，themind，isnotforgotteninthedinanduproar，butislodgedandtendedinapalaceofitsown。Thatitisastructuredeeplyfixedandrootedinthepublicspiritofthisplace，andbuilttolast，I
havenomoredoubt，judgingfromthespectacleIseebeforeme，andfromwhatIknowofitsbriefhistory，thanIhaveoftherealityofthesewallsthathemusin，andthepillarsthatspringupaboutus。
Youareperfectlywellaware，Ihavenodoubt，thattheAthenaeumwasprojectedatatimewhencommercewasinavigorousandflourishingcondition，andwhenthoseclassesofsocietytowhichitparticularlyaddressesitselfwerefullyemployed，andinthereceiptofregularincomes。Aseasonofdepressionalmostwithoutaparallelensued，andlargenumbersofyoungmenemployedinwarehousesandofficessuddenlyfoundtheiroccupationgone，andthemselvesreducedtoverystraitenedandpenuriouscircumstances。
Thisalteredstateofthingsled，asIamtold，tothecompulsorywithdrawalofmanyofthemembers，toaproportionatedecreaseintheexpectedfunds，andtotheincurrenceofadebtof3，000
pounds。Bytheverygreatzealandenergyofallconcerned，andbytheliberalityofthosetowhomtheyappliedforhelp，thatdebtisnowinrapidcourseofbeingdischarged。Alittlemoreofthesameindefatigableexertionontheonehand，andalittlemoreofthesamecommunityoffeelingupontheother，andtherewillbenosuchthing;thefigureswillbeblottedoutforgoodandall，and，fromthattime，theAthenaeummaybesaidtobelongtoyou，andtoyourheirsforever。
But，ladiesandgentlemen，atalltimes，nowinitsmostthriving，andinitsleastflourishingcondition-here，withitscheerfulrooms，itspleasantandinstructivelectures，itsimprovinglibraryof6，000volumes，itsclassesforthestudyoftheforeignlanguages，elocution，music;itsopportunitiesofdiscussionanddebate，ofhealthfulbodilyexercise，and，thoughlastnotleast-
forbythisIsetgreatstore，asaverynovelandexcellentprovision-itsopportunitiesofblameless，rationalenjoyment，hereitis，opentoeveryyouthandmaninthisgreattown，accessibletoeverybeeinthisvasthive，who，forallthesebenefits，andtheinestimableendstowhichtheylead，cansetasideonesixpenceweekly。Idolookuponthereductionofthesubscription，anduponthefactthatthenumberofmembershasconsiderablymorethandoubledwithinthelasttwelvemonths，asstridesinthepathoftheverybestcivilization，andchaptersofrichpromiseinthehistoryofmankind。
Idonotknowwhether，atthistimeofday，andwithsuchaprospectbeforeus，weneedtroubleourselvesverymuchtorakeuptheashesofthedead-and-goneobjectionsthatwerewonttobeurgedbymenofallpartiesagainstinstitutionssuchasthis，whoseinterestswearemettopromote;buttheirphilosophywasalwaystobesummedupintheunmeaningapplicationofoneshortsentence。Howoftenhaveweheardfromalargeclassofmenwiseintheirgeneration，whowouldreallyseemtobebornandbredfornootherpurposethantopassintocurrencycounterfeitandmischievousscrapsofwisdom，asitisthesolepursuitofsomeothercriminalstoutterbasecoin-howoftenhaveweheardfromthem，asanall-convincingargument，that“alittlelearningisadangerousthing？“Why，alittlehangingwasconsideredaverydangerousthing，accordingtothesameauthorities，withthisdifference，that，becausealittlehangingwasdangerous，wehadagreatdealofit;and，becausealittlelearningwasdangerous，weweretohavenoneatall。Why，whenIhearsuchcruelabsurditiesgravelyreiterated，Idosometimesbegintodoubtwhethertheparrotsofsocietyarenotmorepernicioustoitsintereststhanitsbirdsofprey。Ishouldbegladtohearsuchpeople'sestimateofthecomparativedangerof“alittlelearning“andavastamountofignorance;Ishouldbegladtoknowwhichtheyconsiderthemostprolificparentofmiseryandcrime。Descendingalittlelowerinthesocialscale，Ishouldbegladtoassistthemintheircalculations，bycarryingthemintocertaingaolsandnightlyrefugesIknowof，wheremyownheartdieswithinme，whenIseethousandsofimmortalcreaturescondemned，withoutalternativeorchoice，totread，notwhatourgreatpoetcallsthe“primrosepath“
totheeverlastingbonfire，butoneofjadedflintsandstones，laiddownbybrutalignorance，andheldtogether，likethesolidrocks，byyearsofthismostwickedaxiom。
Wouldweknowfromanyhonourablebodyofmerchants，uprightindeedandthought，whethertheywouldratherhaveignorantorenlightenedpersonsintheirownemployment？Why，wehavehadtheiranswerinthisbuilding;wehaveitinthiscompany;wehaveitemphaticallygiveninthemunificentgenerosityofyourownmerchantsofManchester，ofallsectsandkinds，whenthisestablishmentwasfirstproposed。Butaretheadvantagesderivablebythepeoplefrominstitutionssuchasthis，onlyofanegativecharacter？Ifalittlelearningbeaninnocentthing，hasitnodistinct，wholesome，andimmediateinfluenceuponthemind？Theolddoggerelrhyme，sooftenwritteninthebeginningofbooks，saysthat“Whenhouseandlandsaregoneandspent，Thenlearningismostexcellent;“
butIshouldbestronglydisposedtoreformtheadage，andsaythat“Thoughhouseandlandsbenevergot，LearningcangivewhattheycanNOT。”
AndthisIknow，thatthefirstunpurchasableblessingearnedbyeverymanwhomakesanefforttoimprovehimselfinsuchaplaceastheAthenaeum，isself-respect-aninwarddignityofcharacter，which，onceacquiredandrighteouslymaintained，nothing-no，notthehardestdrudgery，northedirestpoverty-canvanquish。
Thoughheshouldfindithardforaseasoneventokeepthewolf-
hunger-fromhisdoor，lethimbutoncehavechasedthedragon-
ignorance-fromhishearth，andself-respectandhopearelefthim。Youcouldnomoredeprivehimofthosesustainingqualitiesbylossordestructionofhisworldlygoods，thanyoucould，bypluckingouthiseyes，takefromhimaninternalconsciousnessofthebrightgloryofthesun。
Themanwholivesfromdaytodaybythedailyexerciseinhissphereofhandsorhead，andseekstoimprovehimselfinsuchaplaceastheAthenaeum，acquiresforhimselfthatpropertyofsoulwhichhasinalltimesupheldstrugglingmenofeverydegree，butself-mademenespeciallyandalways。Hesecurestohimselfthatfaithfulcompanionwhich，whileithaseverlentthelightofitscountenancetomenofrankandeminencewhohavedeservedit，haseversheditsbrightestconsolationsonmenoflowestateandalmosthopelessmeans。IttookitspatientseatbesideSirWalterRaleighinhisdungeon-studyintheTower;itlaiditsheadupontheblockwithMore;butitdidnotdisdaintowatchthestarswithFerguson，theshepherd'sboy;itwalkedthestreetsinmeanattirewithCrabbe;itwasapoorbarberhereinLancashirewithArkwright;itwasatallow-chandler'ssonwithFranklin;itworkedatshoemakingwithBloomfieldinhisgarret;itfollowedtheploughwithBurns;and，highabovethenoiseofloomandhammer，itwhisperscourageevenatthisdayinearsIcouldnameinSheffieldandinManchester。
Themorethemanwhoimproveshisleisureinsuchaplacelearns，thebetter，gentler，kindermanhemustbecome。Whenheknowshowmuchgreatmindshavesufferedforthetruthineveryageandtime，andtowhatdismalpersecutionsopinionhasbeenexposed，hewillbecomemoretolerantofothermen'sbeliefinallmatters，andwillinclinemorelenientlytotheirsentimentswhentheychancetodifferfromhisown。Understandingthattherelationsbetweenhimselfandhisemployersinvolveamutualdutyandresponsibility，hewilldischargehispartoftheimpliedcontractcheerfully，satisfactorily，andhonourably;forthehistoryofeveryusefullifewarnshimtoshapehiscourseinthatdirection。
Thebenefitsheacquiresinsuchaplacearenotofaselfishkind，butextendthemselvestohishome，andtothosewhomitcontains。
Somethingofwhathehearsorreadswithinsuchwallscanscarcelyfailtobecomeattimesatopicofdiscoursebyhisownfireside，norcaniteverfailtoleadtolargersympathieswithman，andtoahighervenerationforthegreatCreatorofallthewondersofthisuniverse。Itappearstohishomeandhishomelyfeelinginotherways;foratcertaintimeshecarriestherehiswifeanddaughter，orhissister，or，possibly，somebright-eyedacquaintanceofamoretenderdescription。JudgingfromwhatIseebeforeme，Ithinkitisverylikely;IamsureIwouldifIcould。
Hetakeshertheretoenjoyapleasantevening，tobegayandhappy。SometimesitmaypossiblyhappenthathedateshistendernessfromtheAthenaeum。Ithinkthatisaveryexcellentthing，too，andnottheleastamongtheadvantagesoftheinstitution。Inanycase，Iamsurethenumberofbrighteyesandbeamingfaceswhichgracethismeetingto-nightbytheirpresence，willneverbeamongtheleastofitsexcellencesinmyrecollection。
Ladiesandgentlemen，Ishallnoteasilyforgetthisscene，thepleasingtaskyourfavourhasdevolveduponme，orthestrongandinspiringconfirmationIhaveto-night，ofallthehopesandreliancesIhaveeverplaceduponinstitutionsofthisnature。Inthelatterpointofview-intheirbearinguponthislatterpoint-Iregardthemasofgreatimportance，deemingthatthemoreintelligentandreflectivesocietyinthemassbecomes，andthemorereadersthereare，themoredistinctlywritersofallkindswillbeabletothrowthemselvesuponthetruthfulfeelingofthepeopleandthemorehonouredandthemoreusefulliteraturemustbe。Atthesametime，Imustconfessthat，iftherehadbeenanAthenaeum，andifthepeoplehadbeenreaders，yearsago，someleavesofdedicationinyourlibrary，ofpraiseofpatronswhichwasverycheaplybought，verydearlysold，andverymarketablyhaggledforbythegroat，wouldbeblankleaves，andposteritymightprobablyhavelackedtheinformationthatcertainmonstersofvirtueeverhadexistence。Butitisuponamuchbetterandwiderscale，letmesayitonceagain-itisintheeffectofsuchinstitutionsuponthegreatsocialsystem，andthepeaceandhappinessofmankind，thatIdelighttocontemplatethem;and，inmyheart，Iamquitecertainthatlongafteryourinstitution，andothersofthesamenature，havecrumbledintodust，thenobleharvestoftheseedsowninthemwillshineoutbrightlyinthewisdom，themercy，andtheforbearanceofanotherrace。
SPEECH：LIVERPOOL，FEBRUARY26，1844。
[ThefollowingaddresswasdeliveredatasoireeoftheLiverpoolMechanics'Institution，atwhichMr。Dickenspresided。]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-ItwasratherhardofyoutotakeawaymybreathbeforeIspokeaword;butIwouldnotthankyou，evenifI
could，forthefavourwhichhassetmeinthisplace，orforthegenerouskindnesswhichhasgreetedmesowarmly，-becausemyfirststrongimpulsestillwouldbe，althoughIhadthatpower，tolosesightofallpersonalconsiderationsinthehighintentandmeaningofthisnumerousassemblage，inthecontemplationofthenobleobjectstowhichthisbuildingisdevoted，ofitsbrilliantandinspiringhistory，ofthatrough，upwardtrack，sobravelytrodden，whichitleavesbehind，andthatbrightpathofsteadily-
increasingusefulnesswhichliesstretchedoutbeforeit。Myfirststrongimpulsestillwouldbetoexchangecongratulationswithyou，asthemembersofoneunitedfamily，onthethrivingvigourofthisstrongestchildofastrongrace。Myfirststrongimpulsestillwouldbe，thougheverybodyherehadtwiceasmanyhundredsofhandsastherearehundredsofpersonspresent，toshaketheminthespirit，everyone，always，allowmetosay，exceptingthosehandsandthereareafewsuchhere，which，withtheconstitutionalinfirmityofhumannature，Iwouldrathersaluteinsomemoretenderfashion。
WhenIfirsthadthehonourofcommunicatingwithyourCommitteewithreferencetothiscelebration，Ihadsomeselfishhopesthatthevisitproposedtomemightturnouttobeoneofcongratulation，or，atleast，ofsolicitousinquiry;fortheywhoreceiveavisitorinanyseasonofdistressareeasilytouchedandmovedbywhathesays，andIentertainedsomeconfidentexpectationofmakingamightystrongimpressiononyou。But，whenIcametolookovertheprinteddocumentswhichwereforwardedtomeatthesametime，andwithwhichyouarealltolerablyfamiliar，theseanticipationsveryspeedilyvanished，andleftmebereftofallconsolation，butthetriumphantfeelingtowhichIhavereferred。
ForwhatdoIfind，onlookingoverthosebriefchroniclesofthisswiftconquestoverignoranceandprejudice，inwhichnobloodhasbeenpouredout，andnotreatysignedbutthatonesacredcompactwhichrecognisesthejustrightofeveryman，whateverhisbelief，orhoweverhumblehisdegree，toaspire，andtohavesomemeansofaspiring，tobeabetterandawiserman？Ifindthat，in1825，certainmisguidedandturbulentpersonsproposedtoerectinLiverpoolanunpopular，dangerous，irreligious，andrevolutionaryestablishment，calledaMechanics'Institution;that，in1835，Liverpoolhaving，somehoworother，gotonprettycomfortablyinthemeantime，inspiteofit，thefirststoneofanewandspaciousedificewaslaid;that，in1837，itwasopened;that，itwasafterwards，atdifferentperiods，considerablyenlarged;that，in1844，conspicuousamongstthepublicbeautiesofabeautifultown，hereitstandstriumphant，itsenemiesliveddown，itsformerstudentsattesting，intheirvarioususefulcallingsandpursuits，thesound，practicalinformationitaffordedthem;itsmembersnumberingconsiderablymorethan3，000，andsettinginrapidlyfor6，000atleast;itslibrarycomprehending11，000volumes，anddailysendingforthitshundredsofbooksintoprivatehomes;itsstaffofmastersandofficers，amountingtohalf-a-hundredinthemselves;
itsschools，conveyingeverysortofinstruction，highandlow，adaptedtothelabour，means，exigencies，andconvenienceofnearlyeveryclassandgradeofpersons。Iwasherethismorning，andinitsspacioushallsIfoundstoresofthewondersworkedbynatureintheair，intheforest，inthecavern，andinthesea-storesofthesurpassingenginesdevisedbyscienceforthebetterknowledgeofotherworlds，andthegreaterhappinessofthis-
storesofthosegentlerworksofart，which，thoughachievedinperishablestone，byyetmoreperishablehandsofdust，areintheirinfluenceimmortal。Withsuchmeansattheircommand，sowell-directed，socheaplyshared，andsoextensivelydiffused，wellmayyourCommitteesay，astheyhavedoneinoneoftheirReports，thatthesuccessofthisestablishmenthasfarexceededtheirmostsanguineexpectations。
But，ladiesandgentlemen，asthatsamephilosopherwhosewordstheyquote，asBacontellsus，instancingthewonderfuleffectsoflittlethingsandsmallbeginnings，thattheinfluenceoftheloadstonewasfirstdiscoveredinparticlesofiron，andnotinironbars，sotheymaylayittotheirhearts，thatwhentheycombinedtogethertoformtheinstitutionwhichhasrisentothismajesticheight，theyissuedonafieldofenterprise，thegloriousendofwhichtheycannotevennowdiscern。Everymanwhohasfelttheadvantagesof，orhasreceivedimprovementinthisplace，carriesitsbenefitsintothesocietyinwhichhemoves，andputsthemoutatcompoundinterest;andwhattheblessedsummaybeatlast，nomancantell。Ladiesandgentlemen，withthatChristianprelatewhosenameappearsonyourlistofhonoraryMembers;thatgoodandliberalmanwhoonceaddressedyouwithinthesewalls，inaspiritworthyofhiscalling，andofhisHighMaster-Ilookforwardfromthisplace，asfromatower，tothetimewhenhighandlow，andrichandpoor，shallmutuallyassist，improve，andeducateeachother。
Ifeel，ladiesandgentlemen，thatthisisnotaplace，withits3，200members，andatleast3，200argumentsineveryone，toenteronanyadvocacyoftheprincipleofMechanics'Institutions，ortodiscussthesubjectwiththosewhodooreverdidobjecttothem。
Ishouldassoonthinkofarguingthepointwiththoseuntutoredsavageswhosemodeoflifeyoulastyearhadtheopportunityofwitnessing;indeed，Iamstronglyinclinedtobelievethembyfarthemorerationalclassofthetwo。Moreover，iftheinstitutionitselfbenotasufficientanswertoallsuchobjections，thenthereisnosuchthinginfactorreason，humanordivine。NeitherwillIventuretoenterintothosedetailsofthemanagementofthisplacewhichstruckmemostontheperusalofitspapers;butI
cannothelpsayinghowmuchimpressedandgratifiedIwas，aseverybodymustbewhocomestotheirperusalforthefirsttime，bytheextraordinarymunificencewithwhichthisinstitutionhasbeenendowedbycertaingentlemen。
Amongstthepeculiarfeaturesofmanagementwhichmadethegreatestimpressiononme，Imayobservethatthatregulationwhichempowersfathers，beingannualsubscribersofoneguinea，tointroducetheirsonswhoareminors;andmasters，onpaymentoftheastoundinglysmallsumoffiveshillingsannually，inlikemannertheirapprentices，isnottheleastvaluableofitsprivileges;and，certainlynottheoneleastvaluabletosociety。And，ladiesandgentlemen，IcannotsaytoyouwhatpleasureIderivedfromtheperusalofanapparentlyexcellentreportinyourlocalpapersofameetingheldheresomeshorttimesince，inaidoftheformationofagirls'schoolinconnexionwiththisinstitution。Thisisanewandstrikingchapterinthehistoryoftheseinstitutions;itdoesequalcredittothegallantryandpolicyofthis，anddisposesonetosayofitwithaslightparodyonthewordsofBurns，that“Its'prenticehan'ittriedonman，AndthenitTAUGHTthelasses，O。”
Thatthosewhoareourbestteachers，andwhoselessonsareoftenestheededinafterlife，shouldbewelltaughtthemselves，isapropositionfewreasonablemenwillgainsay;and，certainly，tobreedupgoodhusbandsontheonehand，andgoodwivesontheother，doesappearasreasonableandstraightforwardaplanascouldwellbedevisedfortheimprovementofthenextgeneration。
This，andwhatIseebeforeme，naturallybringsmetoourfairermembers，inrespectofwhomIhavenodoubtyouwillagreewithme，thattheyoughttobeadmittedtothewidestpossibleextent，andonthelowestpossibleterms;and，ladies，letmeventuretosaytoyou，thatyouneverdidawiserthinginallyourlivesthanwhenyouturnedyourfavourableregardonsuchanestablishmentasthis-forwhereverthelightofknowledgeisdiffused，whereverthehumanizinginfluenceoftheartsandsciencesextendsitself，whereverthereistheclearestperceptionofwhatisbeautiful，andgood，andmostredeeming，amidallthefaultsandvicesofmankind，thereyourcharacter，yourvirtues，yourgraces，yourbetternature，willbethebestappreciated，andtherethetruesthomagewillbeproudlypaidtoyou。Youshowbest，trustme，intheclearestlight;andeveryraythatfallsuponyouatyourownfiresides，fromanybookorthoughtcommunicatedwithinthesewalls，willraiseyounearertotheangelsintheeyesyoucareformost。
Iwillnotlongerinterposemyself，ladiesandgentlemen，betweenyouandthepleasureweallanticipateinhearingothergentlemen，andinenjoyingthosesocialpleasureswithwhichitisamainpartofthewisdomofthissocietytoadornandrelieveitsgraverpursuits。Weallfeel，Iamsure，beinghere，thatwearetrulyinterestedinthecauseofhumanimprovementandrationaleducation，andthatwepledgeourselves，everyoneasfarasinhimlies，toextendtheknowledgeofthebenefitsaffordedinthisplace，andtobearhonestwitnessinitsfavour。Tothosewhoyetremainwithoutitswalls，buthavethemeansofpurchasingitsadvantages，wemakeappeal，andinafriendlyandforbearingspiritsay，“Comein，andbeconvinced-
'Whoentershere，leavesDOUBTbehind。'“
Ifyou，happily，havebeenwelltaughtyourself，andaresuperiortoitsadvantages，somuchthemoreshouldyoumakeoneinsympathywiththosewhoarebelowyou。Beneaththisroofwebreedthemenwho，inthetimetocome，mustbefoundworkingforgoodorevil，ineveryquarterofsociety。Ifmutualrespectandforbearanceamongvariousclassesbenotfoundhere，wheresomanymenaretrainedupinsomanygrades，toenteronsomanyroadsoflife，datingtheirentryfromonecommonstarting-point，astheyareallapproaching，byvariouspaths，onecommonend，whereelsecanthatgreatlessonbeimbibed？Differencesofwealth，ofrank，ofintellect，weknowtheremustbe，andwerespectthem;butwewouldgivetoallthemeansoftakingoutonepatentofnobility，andwedefineit，inthewordsofagreatlivingpoet，whoisoneofus，andwhouseshisgreatgifts，asheholdsthemintrust，forthegeneralwelfare-
“Howe'eritbe，itseemstome'Tisonlynobletobegood：
Trueheartsaremorethancoronets，AndsimplefaiththanNormanblood。”
SPEECH：BIRMINGHAM，FEBRUARY28，1844。
[ThefollowingspeechwasdeliveredataConversazione，inaidofthefundsoftheBirminghamPolytechnicInstitution，atwhichMrDickenspresided。]
YOUwillthinkitveryunwise，orveryself-denyinginme，insuchanassembly，insuchasplendidscene，andaftersuchawelcome，tocongratulatemyselfonhavingnothingnewtosaytoyou：butIdoso，notwithstanding。Tosaynothingofplacesnearerhome，IhadthehonourofattendingatManchester，shortlybeforeChristmas，andatLiverpool，onlythenightbeforelast，forapurposesimilartothatwhichbringsyoutogetherthisevening;andlookingdownashortperspectiveofsimilarengagements，IfeelgratificationatthethoughtthatIshallverysoonhavenothingatalltosay;inwhichcase，Ishallbecontenttostakemyreputation，liketheSpectatorofAddison，andthatothergreatperiodicalspeaker，theSpeakeroftheHouseofCommons，onmypowersoflistening。
Thisfeeling，andtheearnestreceptionIhavemetwith，arenottheonlyreasonswhyIfeelagenuine，cordial，andpeculiarinterestinthisnight'sproceedings。ThePolytechnicInstitutionofBirminghamisinitsinfancy-strugglingintolifeunderallthoseadverseanddisadvantageouscircumstanceswhich，toagreaterorlessextent，naturallybesetallinfancy;butIwouldmuchratherconnectmyselfwithitnow，howeverhumble，initsdaysofdifficultyandofdanger，thanlookbackonitsoriginwhenitmayhavebecomestrong，andrich，andpowerful。Ishouldpreferanintimateassociationwithitnow，initsearlydaysandapparentstruggles，tobecomingitsadvocateandacquaintance，itsfair-
weatherfriend，initshighandpalmydays。IwouldratherbeabletosayIknewitinitsswaddling-clothes，thaninmaturerage。
Itstwoelderbrothershavegrownoldanddied：theirchestswereweak-abouttheircradlesnursesshooktheirheads，andgossipsgroaned;butthepresentinstitutionshotup，amidsttheruinofthosewhichhavefallen，withanindomitableconstitution，withvigorousandwithsteadypulse;temperate，wise，andofgoodrepute;andbyperseveranceithasbecomeaverygiant。Birminghamis，inmymindandinthemindsofmostmen，associatedwithmanygiants;andInomorebelievethatthisyounginstitutionwillturnoutsickly，dwarfish，orofstuntedgrowth，thanIdothatwhentheglass-slipperofmychairmanshipshallfalloff，andtheclockstriketwelveto-night，thishallwillbeturnedintoapumpkin。I
foundthatstrongbeliefuponthesplendidarrayofgraceandbeautybywhichIamsurrounded，andwhich，ifitonlyhadone-
hundredthpartoftheeffectuponothersithasuponme，coulddoanythingitpleasedwithanythingandanybody。Ifoundmystrongconviction，inthesecondplace，uponthepublicspiritofthetownofBirmingham-uponthenameandfameofitscapitalistsandworkingmen;uponthegreatnessandimportanceofitsmerchantsandmanufacturers;uponitsinventions，whichareconstantlyinprogress;upontheskillandintelligenceofitsartisans，whicharedailydeveloped;andtheincreasingknowledgeofallportionsofthecommunity。Allthesereasonsleadmetotheconclusionthatyourinstitutionwilladvance-thatitwillandmustprogress，andthatyouwillnotbecontentwithlingeringleaguesbehind。
Ihaveanotherpeculiargroundofsatisfactioninconnexionwiththeobjectofthisassembly;anditis，thattheresolutionsabouttobeproposeddonotcontaininthemselvesanythingofasectarianorclassnature;thattheydonotconfinethemselvestoanyonesingleinstitution，butassertthegreatandomnipotentprinciplesofcomprehensiveeducationeverywhereandundereverycircumstance。
IbegleavetosaythatIconcur，heartandhand，inthoseprinciples，andwilldoallinmypowerfortheiradvancement;forIhold，inaccordancewiththeimperfectknowledgewhichIpossess，thatitisimpossibleforanyfabricofsocietytogoondayafterday，andyearafteryear，fromfathertoson，andfromgrandfathertograndson，punishingmenfornotengaginginthepursuitofvirtueandforthepracticeofcrime，withoutshowingthemwhatvirtueis，andwhereitbestcanbefound-injustice，religion，andtruth。Theonlyreasonthatcanpossiblybeadducedagainstitisonefoundedonfiction-namely，thecasewhereanobdurateoldgeni，inthe“ArabianNights，“wasboundupontakingthelifeofamerchant，becausehehadstruckouttheeyeofhisinvisibleson。
Irecollect，likewise，ataleinthesamebookofcharmingfancies，whichIconsidernotinappropriate：itisacasewhereapowerfulspirithasbeenimprisonedatthebottomofthesea，inacasketwithaleadencover，andthesealofSolomonuponit;therehehadlainneglectedformanycenturies，andduringthatperiodhadmademanydifferentvows：atfirst，thathewouldrewardmagnificentlythosewhoshouldreleasehim;andatlast，thathewoulddestroythem。Now，thereisaspiritofgreatpower-theSpiritofIgnorance-whichisshutupinavesselofleadencomposition，andsealedwiththesealofmany，manySolomons，andwhichiseffectuallyinthesameposition：releaseitintime，anditwillbless，restore，andreanimatesociety;butletitlieundertherollingwavesofyears，anditsblindrevengeissuretoleadtocertaindestruction。Thatthereareclasseswhich，ifrightlytreated，constitutestrength，andifwrongly，weakness，Iholditimpossibletodeny-bytheseclassesImeanindustrious，intelligent，andhonourablyindependentmen，inwhomthehigherclassesofBirminghamareespeciallyinterested，andboundtoaffordthemthemeansofinstructionandimprovement，andtoamelioratetheirmentalandmoralcondition。FarbeitfrommeandIwishtobemostparticularlyunderstoodtoattempttodepreciatetheexcellentChurchInstructionSocieties，ortheworthy，sincere，andtemperatezealofthosereverendgentlemenbywhomtheyareusuallyconducted;onthecontrary，Ibelievethattheyhavedone，andaredoing，muchgood，andaredeservingofhighpraise;butIhopethat，withoutoffence，inacommunitysuchasBirmingham，thereareotherobjectsnotunworthyinthesightofheaven，andobjectsofrecognisedutilitywhichareworthyofsupport-principleswhicharepractisedinwordanddeedinPolytechnicInstitutions-principlesforthediffusionofwhichhonestmenofalldegreesandofeverycreedmightassociatetogether，onanindependentfootingandonneutralground，andatasmallexpense，forthebetterunderstandingandthegreaterconsiderationofeachother，andforthebettercultivationofthehappinessofall：foritsurelycannotbeallowedthatthosewholabourdaybyday，surroundedbymachinery，shallbepermittedtodegenerateintomachinesthemselves，but，onthecontrary，theyshouldasserttheircommonoriginfromtheirCreator，atthehandsofthosewhoareresponsibleandthinkingmen。Thereis，indeed，nodifferenceinthemainwithrespecttothedangersofignoranceandtheadvantagesofknowledgebetweenthosewhoholddifferentopinions-foritistobeobserved，thatthosewhoaremostdistrustfuloftheadvantagesofeducation，arealwaysthefirsttoexclaimagainsttheresultsofignorance。Thisfactwaspleasantlyillustratedontherailway，asIcamehere。InthesamecarriagewithmetheresatanancientgentlemanIfeelnodelicacyinalludingtohim，forIknowthatheisnotintheroom，havinggotoutfarshortofBirmingham，whoexpressedhimselfmostmournfullyastotheruinouseffectsandrapidspreadofrailways，andwasmostpatheticuponthevirtuesoftheslow-goingoldstagecoaches。