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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 692, 20 March 1852, Page 3

The following very interesting observations on the subject of Mechanics’ Institutes, are extracted from a speech delivered by the Earl of Carlisle, at Lincoln, at the fifth annual meeting of the Midland Counties Association of Mechanics and Literary Institutions :— I know that the enemies of mechanics’ institutes, and of popular institutions generally, have been apt to say that they have a tendenev to make the mechanic and working men, whom especially they are intended to benefit, puffed, presumptuous, conceited, and discontented. Ail I can say is, that if they do so, they fail singularly in their purpose, and fall full short of their aim. It appears to me that there are two principles upon which we must mainly rely for success in any attempts to raise and regenerate j mankind. Ihe one is to have a very high i opinion of what we can do, the height to which we . can soar, the advance in knowledge and in virtue which we may make —that is ambition as concerns our capacities. The other is to have a mean opinion of what we at any time know, or at any time have already done—that is humility as concerns our attainments. The ambition should be ever stirring us up to the even and steady development of righteous nrinciples, and, where the opportunity presents itself, to the performance of noble, meritorious, and unselfish actions. Humility should ever keep in view that there is no sphere of life, however humble—no round of duties, however unexciting, which any one of you may not enliven and elevate with qualities besides which the successes of statesmen and the triumphs of conquerors are but poor and vulgar. (Loud cheers.) I believe there is no eminence to which man may not reach, but he must reach it by suborning all mean ambitions. There is a general craving iu the human mind for greatness and dis inction. That greatness and distinction, I am thankful to think, is within the reach of any to obtain ; but the greatness and distinction must not be without you, but within you, (Loud applause.) I should be sorry to appear to take this opportunity—as some persons do—of preaching what might be called a sermon, but I feel so fergreat body of my countrymen, that I cannot refrain from enjoining them, even while I would invite them to a full enjoyment of all the innocent pleasures of this .ur variegated world, never to lose hold of religion, I do not mean that you should necessarily associate with those stiff and narrowed persons who so confine the etherial spirit of religion ; but I feel assured that it is the source among mankind of all that is great and lovely, and that without it all would be painful and joyless. Under her sacred wing you may securely resign yourselves to all that is improving in knowledge, or instructing in science, or captivating in art, or beautiful in nature. The Architect oi the Universe, the Author of Being, such as Christianity represents him, cannot but approve of every creature that He has made developing to the utmost extent the faculties He has given him, and examining, in all its depth and mystery, every work of His hand. Shut up the page ol knowledge and the sources of enjoyment from the multitude because some have occasionally abused the blessed privilege ! Why, the very same argument would consign every man and woman to a cloister, because the world and active life are full of traps and pitfalls. ( Hear.) No. Pre-eminent and supreme as I am convinced religion is, yet to make her so in the convictions and hearts of men, I feel she must discard all timidity—must front every truth in the full blaze of light, and sympathise with every pnrsuit and every impulse of the race. I may thus briefly shadow my reasons for thinking why no person ought to frown upon irechanics’s institutions. 1 do not wish to attribute to them any exaggerated or imaginary value—l do not hell ibero forth as singly containing the elements with which we should hope to regenerate modern society, but it is because I believe them calculated happily to chime in with the existing wants and prevailng dispositions of the times —to afford opportunities for improvement and development in quarters where they would not otherwise be found—to promote innocent recreation and blamelees amusements, and generally to assist the progress of mankind. It is on these accounts that I thus venture to recommend them to your cordial sympathy and your active assistance.”