degree, those choice and valuable collections. I do not myself
believe that the working classes ever were the wanton or
mischievous persons they were so often and so long represented to
be; but I rather incline to the opinion that some men take it into
their heads to lay it down as a matter of fact, without being
particular about the premises; and that the idle and the
prejudiced, not wishing to have the trouble of forming opinions for
themselves, take it for granted – until the people have an
opportunity of disproving the stigma and vindicating themselves
before the world.
Now this assertion is well illustrated by what occurred respecting
an equestrian statue in the metropolis, with respect to which a
legend existed that the sculptor hanged himself, because he had
neglected to put a girth to the horse. This story was currently
believed for many years, until it was inspected for altogether a
different purpose, and it was found to have had a girth all the
time.
But surely if, as is stated, the people are ill-disposed and
mischievous, that is the best reason that can be offered for
teaching them better; and if they are not, surely that is a reason
for giving them every opportunity of vindicating their injured
reputation; and no better opportunity could possibly be afforded
than that of associating together voluntarily for such high
purposes as it is proposed to carry out by the establishment of the
Birmingham Polytechnic Institution. In any case – nay, in every
case – if we would reward honesty, if we would hold out
encouragement to good, if we would eradicate that which is evil or
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Dickens, Charles – Speeches, Literary & Social
correct that which is bad, education – comprehensive, liberal
education – is the one thing needful, and the only effective end.
If I might apply to my purpose, and turn into plain prose some
words of Hamlet – not with reference to any government or party
(for party being, for the most part, an irrational sort of thing,
has no connexion with the object we have in view) – if I might
apply those words to education as Hamlet applied them to the skull
of Yorick, I would say – “Now hie thee to the council-chamber, and
tell them, though they lay it on in sounding thoughts and learned
words an inch thick, to this complexion they must come at last.”
In answer to a vote of thanks, Mr. Dickens said, at the close of
the meeting –
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now quite even – for every effect
which I may have made upon you, the compliment has been amply
returned to me; but at the same time I am as little disposed to say
to you, ‘go and sin no more,’ as I am to promise for myself that ‘I
will never do so again.’ So long as I can make you laugh and cry,
I will; and you will readily believe me, when I tell you, you
cannot do too much on your parts to show that we are still cordial
and loving friends. To you, ladies of the Institution, I am deeply
and especially indebted. I sometimes [POINTING TO THE WORD ‘BOZ’
IN FRONT OF THE GREAT GALLERY] think there is some small quantity
of magic in that very short name, and that it must consist in its
containing as many letters as the three graces, and they, every one
of them, being of your fair sisterhood.
A story is told of an eastern potentate of modern times, who, for
an eastern potentate, was a tolerably good man, sometimes
bowstringing his dependants indiscriminately in his moments of
anger, but burying them in great splendour in his moments of
penitence, that whenever intelligence was brought him of a new plot
or turbulent conspiracy, his first inquiry was, ‘Who is she?’
meaning that a woman was at the bottom. Now, in my small way, I
differ from that potentate; for when there is any good to be
attained, the services of any ministering angel required, my first
inquiry is, ‘Where is she?’ and the answer invariably is, ‘Here.’
Proud and happy am I indeed to thank you for your generosity –