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Victoria Times, 15 September 1841, Page 3

The following Particulars were composed a selected

for a Mechanic Institute.

It Would be require a nicely adjusted bal ance to which

the id eas of the pe ople , so lig ht an d fug itive are they

in their nature and d ura tion, achieve rs, the appearance

of life are cons ider ably in fluenced by t he d eg ree

and kin d of kno wledge possessed even by the mul-

tit ude , t o e n de avou r to de termine the extent of it can

not be deemed a useless speculation.

It appears to me that a very erroneous estimate

has been made as to the intellec-

al wealth supposed to be, at this moment, diffused

among the people, and that very injudicious

methods have in con sequence been reported to for com-

pleting the culture of their minds.

The natural order of preceeding seems to have been

reversed. Instead of being led from known to un

known, from things suitable to their capacities

to such as require labour and contention of mind

to comprehend, they have from the beginning

been brought in contact with metaphysical

subtleties, which it would not be uncharitable

to suppose beyond the comprehension, sometimes of

their teachers themselves; and thus, instead of

being enlightened which is the object professed

to be desired by their teachers, they acquire a

string of serious terms, that have m the serous terms, that have in the their

mouths, no meaning, whatever.

But as all persons are willing to believe that

What there are acquired with much labour

Worth somethings, the people are not backward

in giving themselves credit for wonderful

subtlety, supposing that to force a multitude

of other men’s thoughts through the mind, is

to think.

Accordingly by many are deceived by the confidence,

and seeming conviction, with which the people

put forth their opinions; and the belief gains

ground, that knowledge, like the sun, has placed

into the use by see

ing gradually into its bosom, ripened amidst

dross and darkness, the ore that lay hidden at

the bottom.

This error is flattering, but it is prejudicial

to mankind. It tends to relax the energies of

those who labour to let in light upon the Tar-

rus of shades and chimeras, that still holds

possession of the public mind; it gives them the

air of the Knight of La Manch a warring on the

wind mills, and shames them into indele.

But experience and observation at length convince

us that the people have very little exact knowledge.

They have been taught many things. Their imagi-

nations have been carried into the land of opinion,

where shadows flit about with the appearances

of reality, where mist and uncertainty pervade

every thing and where truth / if any truth there

be wears an impenetrable veil, never to be raised

for a moment by human reason. Opinion as it to

observed very justly is something between know-

ledge and ignorance and resembles the de-

light of wave, while it is yet doubtful whe-

ther it be day. It is the mind’s dressing

changes with the times Nor are those who affect to

be above the will or less mutable in this respect

than they for as they adopt new fashions in

their dress, as soon as their former taste hositoin-

Ed general approbation, so also they discard their

opinion when they become common, and resort

to new tenets unsoiled by vulgar belief -But

the people encroach so rapidly upon the great in

this particular, that the latter will be compelled

to strip the minds naked, and have no opinion

at all.

meeting at Barretts Hotel

a wig been already noticed not have little

further a say on the subject.

We would fain however add that

the remarks, of the Learned Editor are

in perfect unison with the spirit

Which he has ever displayed.

We are happy to state that His Excel

lency displayed great firmness

and presence of mind, whatever the Ga

zette may say to the contrary.

The allusions, made to His Excellen-

cys delicate state of health are un-

feeling in the extreme.

We may however say wit hout ex-

aggeration that His Excellency

possesses a in corpore sano.

which if the Editor of the Gazette

does not comprehend we will trans-

late for him next.

We hear that it is contemplated by

an enlightened and respectable

portion of our Fellow Colonists of by far

the most respectable as a body, to erect

a building for a Mechanics's Institute

a School, and a public library.

They have, accordingly, waited on His

Excellency for the purpose of car-

rijing their laudable to

execution. a matter which in

volves the fulure interests of this.

Colony, and will be attended with

the most happy results. We heartily

Wish them success and hope His Ex-

Cellency may be pleased to accede

to their wishes. We shall at all times

be happy to receive any communica-

the subject

The Sepcutalor and Transfer are reported

wrecked. This will materially affect

ing trade. The Harring ton has also been said

to be lost.

Notice to Correspondents. The Rev? Davy's

letter shall appear in our next. A certain

young lady's letter is rather the sentimen-

tal. his Letter is too personal. What a certain

gentleman states respecting th. naures is

perfectly correct.

The public are respectfully informed

that the Victoria Times will in future

be published on Wednes days.

etors hope to present to the public a

better specimen of lith o graphy in their

future numbers.

Price of the Paper. Forty shillings per annum payable

by quarterly advance, or one shilling for single numbers

advertisements must be forwarded to this off.

advertisements must be forwarded to the suff on or before saturday morning.

Printed and published every Wednesday mor-

ning by Thomas Bluett, at St. lithograph.

printing office, Wellington Terrace.