bringing together of employers and employed; in the creating of a
better common understanding among those whose interests are
identical, who depend upon each other, who are vitally essential to
each other, and who never can be in unnatural antagonism without
deplorable results, that one of the chief principles of a
Mechanics’ Institution should consist. In this world a great deal
of the bitterness among us arises from an imperfect understanding
of one another. Erect in Birmingham a great Educational
Institution, properly educational; educational of the feelings as
well as of the reason; to which all orders of Birmingham men
contribute; in which all orders of Birmingham men meet; wherein all
orders of Birmingham men are faithfully represented – and you will
erect a Temple of Concord here which will be a model edifice to the
whole of England.
Page 34
Dickens, Charles – Speeches, Literary & Social
Contemplating as I do the existence of the Artisans’ Committee,
which not long ago considered the establishment of the Institute so
sensibly, and supported it so heartily, I earnestly entreat the
gentlemen – earnest I know in the good work, and who are now among
us, – by all means to avoid the great shortcoming of similar
institutions; and in asking the working man for his confidence, to
set him the great example and give him theirs in return. You will
judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man,
when I say that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost
of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support; that I am
sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage; but
will readily and cheerfully pay for the advantages which it
confers; that he will prepare himself in individual cases where he
feels that the adverse circumstances around him have rendered it
necessary; in a word, that he will feel his responsibility like an
honest man, and will most honestly and manfully discharge it. I
now proceed to the pleasant task to which I assure you I have
looked forward for a long time.
[At the close of the reading Mr. Dickens received a vote of thanks,
and “three cheers, with three times three.” As soon as the
enthusiasm of the audience would allow him to speak, Mr. Dickens
said:-]
You have heard so much of my voice since we met tonight, that I
will only say, in acknowledgment of this affecting mark of your
regard, that I am truly and sincerely interested in you; that any
little service I have rendered to you I have freely rendered from
my heart; that I hope to become an honorary member of your great
Institution, and will meet you often there when it becomes
practically useful; that I thank you most affectionately for this
new mark of your sympathy and approval; and that I wish you many
happy returns of this great birthday-time, and many prosperous
years.
SPEECH: COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. LONDON, DECEMBER 30, 1854.
[The following speech was made by Mr. Dickens at the Anniversary
Dinner in commemoration of the foundation of the Commercial
Travellers’ Schools, held at the London Tavern on the above date.
Mr. Dickens presided on this occasion, and proposed the toasts.]
I THINK it may be assumed that most of us here present know
something about travelling. I do not mean in distant regions or
foreign countries, although I dare say some of us have had
experience in that way, but at home, and within the limits of the
United Kingdom. I dare say most of us have had experience of the
extinct “fast coaches,” the “Wonders,” “Taglionis,” and “Tallyhos,”
of other days. I daresay most of us remember certain modest
postchaises, dragging us down interminable roads, through slush and
mud, to little country towns with no visible population, except
half-a-dozen men in smock-frocks, half-a-dozen women with umbrellas
and pattens, and a washed-out dog or so shivering under the gables,
to complete the desolate picture. We can all discourse, I dare
say, if so minded, about our recollections of the “Talbot,” the
“Queen’s Head,” or the “Lion” of those days. We have all been to
that room on the ground floor on one side of the old inn yard, not