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Leader (1850-1860), 15th January 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 85, Untitled Article

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    • ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. ¦ . ——? ' ¦ .
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      Untitled Article

      LOED BROUGHAM AND THE MECHANICS ' INSTITUTE . ( 7 V > the Editor of the Times . ') 16 , Claremont-row , Islington , Jan . 1 . 0 , 1859 . Sir , —I trust entirely to your sense of justice for the publication of this letter to rectif y some statements in your journal of this day , in ' which the public and posterity have a deep interest . In a leader you say that " the founder of the London Mechanics' Institute has been neglected ;" that " it is a shame Lord Brougham should be positively punished for founding the first Mechanics' Institute with a forced penalty of 3500 / . " You also quote from a circular the phrase , " In the year 1823 the London Mechanics Institute was established by Lord Brougham and Dr .. Birkbeck , "

      and after referring to " contribut ions" which may bo paid into the bank of Messrs . Hansom , Bouverie , and Co . to the account of the London Mechanics' Institute on behalf of Lord Brougham , you ask , "Are wo to drop the founder of Moohanios * Institutes P" On Lord Brougham ' s merit with regard to other subjects I am silent , but I beg to atato , in order to inform the public correctly , that he had very littlo to do with founding the first Mcchanioa' Institute , tho history of wlnoh

      foundation I shall briefly give . The . projector pf this Institute was tho Into Mr . Joseph Clinton Robertson , tho originator , and at that time tho editor of tho Mco / ianios' Magazine With him I was associated , and after frequently talking over the pvojoct with him , I wrote tho first paper or address published in tho magazine whioh announced the scheme , and invitod tho assistance of tl \ o public . It brought a communication from Dr . Birkbeok , and . led to a cordial co-operation

      between him * Mr . Robertson , myself , and others , several of them working mechanics , to realise Mr . Robertson ' s idea . After the preliminary labours necessary to achieve success ,, a public meeting was held at the Crown and : Anchor Tavern , over which Dr . Birkbeck presided , and that meeting , at which . Lord Brougham was hot present , at which a considerable sum was subscribed , was- the actual foundation of the Institute . It gave into the hands of Dr . Birkbeck , Mr , Robertson , and myself , the joint secretaries to the Institute , and the committee then formed , of which Lord Brougham was not a working member , the means of bringing : the

      Institute into existence . Amongst the subscribers were the late Sir F . Burdett , the late Mr . Place , and the late Mr . Cobbett , who placed his subscription in my hand with a little sneer . at those who sent their name without sending their money , and many others . The earliest meetings were held in a chapel in Monkwell-street , and it was long after the end of 1823 that it was transferred to Southampton-buildings , or any debt incurred . Lord Brougham might have made a jaunty speech or two on some anniversaries , but his contributions , if any , of money or assistance to the success of the Institute , were in the first few years of its existence

      amazingly small . Dr . Birkbeek , whose name the circular places after that of Lord Brougham , was president from the beginning . He was incessant in his exertions . He contributed largely of his pecuniary means ; he advanced the greater part of the money for building the theatre ; he was present at most of the meetings ; lie lectured frequently on mechanical science , on physiology and anatomv i and never till death did lie " cease , by all the means in his power , to promote the success of the

      Institute . Were the public now asked to reimburse his family with ample interest for his great pecuniary sacrifices hi this cause , or to erect a statue to him as a benefactor to the working classes , the appeal would be just . " Whatever may be Lord Brougham ' s pecuniary . cnthralmcnts at present with " the'Institute * which require elucidation before his friends solicit public aid , I assert from knowledge that Lord Brougham has no claim whatever to oe called the founder or projector of the first Mechanics' Institute .

      Mr . Robertson separated from the Institute at an early period of its existence . I continued connected with it for so pie years , and , in common with Dr . Birkbeck , contributed to its success by lectures on Political Economy , on General Grammar , and on the Progress of Society . Of living men I have a much better chum than Lord Brougham to be regarded as the founder . I , however , make no claim . I request respectfully to rectify a misstatement winch ascribes to the noble Lord , already

      rich in public approbation , a merit which belongs to others . You enforce with great vigour and eloquence the claims of art and science on the respect of mankind ; they , Sir , arc founded on fads —they are worthless unless they embody and diffuse great truths , and their noble characteristics now arc , and often have been , assumed by quackery and humbug . The application of the distinction I leave to others , and am , Sir , Your obedient servant , Thomas Hodgson . 4

      Untitled Article

      often refuted and now admitted falsity . In , and especially in the leading : article , the statement was reiterated , that Lord JJrougham established , and that Lord Brougham was the founder of the first Mechanics' Institute . As I knew this to be a gross error , and as it was due to the real founders of the Institute , to the public , and to posterity , deeply interested in having the truth on this as on every subject known , I immediately wrote the following letter to the Times to correct the misstatement . The accuracy might have been tested by a reference to iits own columns , in which the proceedings concerning the foundation of the Institute

      both THE " TIMES" ATSTD LORD BROUGHAM . FALSEHOOD AND MJGNIUCANCY . ( To the Editor of the Leader . ") gIB __ The public Was astonished on Monday by reading in the Times a leading article and a circular recommending a public subscription for L . ord Brougham to relieve him from the possibility ot future pecuniary liabilities on account of the London Mechanics' Institute . Those acquainted with the history of the Institute were still more astonished to find the recommendation based , both in the circular and in the leader of the Times , on an

      were recorded . As ; I also knew that such personal topics are speedily forgotten , when I saw , on Wednesday , that the Times took no notice of the letter , I informed the Editor that if it did not appear on Thursday I should endeavour to procure the publication of it elsewhere ; and in consequence , as it has not appeared , I now respectfully request that you will do riie the favour to publish it in your columns . The press bf our country , to which as a reporter , a sub-editor ^ arid editor I have long contributed , has now acknowledgedly beco ne a great power in the world . It is more mighty than kings , and the

      public have the deepest interest in its truthfulness and honesty . By details it must be judged of , and it would be for the public a most fearful prospect if the press may emblazon falsehood in its columns and thrust the truth contemptuously , as the Times has done in this instance , into its waste -basket . In the hands of the" press are now the issues of peace and war ; on those momentous topics the Times writes leaders day after day , and no words can exaggerate the importance to the public of the

      conviction that the writers of those leaders are to be implicitly trustecf ; or , as in this instance , cast aside with contempt and horror , as the unshamed and wilful promulgators of falsehood . On public froun ds . f therefore , quite as much as private feelings , most respectfully request that you will do me the favour of inserting in your journal the following correction of the niisstatemcnt of the Times . I am , Sir , your obedient servant , Thomas Hodgskiny

      Untitled Article

      ' ¦ " " ' ' ¦ " - ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ' " ¦ i ' 'IT " '' "' . . i--. ii i ¦ ' ' —i i « . ii i , . , . , . ' . Tub Lesseps So hem k a > 'D toe Pokte . —A letter from Constantinople states that tho Porto is much annoyed at tho impulse given to the Suox Canal scheme by M . do Loaseps . Tho Ministers atato that tho opening of the canal would bo attended with more inconvenience to the Porto than advantage , and that if it depended on them it should novor take place , and that , at all events , tho firman will novor bo granted for it until u formal and unanimous demand bo made by all tho Powers . Meantime , tho Porto has repeated its order to tho Viceroy of Egypt not to allow evon tho preliminary works to bo commenced without tho express authorisation of tho Sultan .

      Ricpuicsientative Men . —A lottor from Cannes of tho 2 nd , says : —" Wore tho men of England , Franco , and Germany called upon to oloet throe roprosontativos who should personify high montal power , wisdom , pure philanthropy and patriotism , their choioo could not possibly full upon more worthy objects than on tho throo distinguished men whom circumstances have brought together in this potty town . I apoak of Honry Lord Brougham , who radiantly stares timo out of countenance 5 of Alexis do Tooqwovillo , laid low by disoaso , but daily parrying with greater vigour tho assault of tho fatal soytho ; of the Chovallor do Bunson , who has dosorted his , favourite rotroat and . abandoned hli bolovod occupations in order to bestow his on tiro attention and affectionate oaro on his stricken friend . "

      Untitled Article

      FBANCE . ( From our oion Correspondent ^) Paris , Thursdays 6 £ p . m . APPEAL OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE LEGISLATURE . ! Amid the universal disquietude and , very general dissatisfaction which at the present time reign from one end of France to the other , men turn , a 3 drowning swimmers clutch at straws , to the imperial decree which appeared in Sunday ' s Moniteur , convoking the Senate and Legislative Body to meet on the 7 th of next February . Oa that occasion the speech from the Throne is expected to be clear and explicit , t o frankly tell the nation and Europe whether the issue is to be war or peace , and whether the tinsel ornaments of the imperial mantle have ceased to be mere bumble-bees or are now changed to wasps .

      There is no use in disguising ; the fact that a panic , more disastrous and more extensive than the one which resulted from the commercial crisis of 1857 , has seized upon the mind of France , and is wrecking private fortunes every day . The clouded phraseology of the official journal has increased the confusion and diminished public confidence instead of restoring things to the state that existed before the imperial amenities of New Year ' s-day . The non-official organs of the Government exhaust their rhetoric in vain attempts to prove that there is no reason for this universal distrust and apprehension , but the public , who are told to be comforted , to put their trust in the " providential wisdom and ineffable goodness" of the Emperor— -font lei sourde oreille , and persist in realising their securities at increased

      losses day by day . Finding the usual means fail to influence " public opinion , the Legislature has been convoked , in the hopes that people will pause until . the . day of meeting before continuing their downward course . For a day or two the new move had this effect , which is analogous , I suppose , to what electricians call retardation , but when men reflected what mere puppets are the senators and legislators , what a hollow figment is the supposition that thev can exercise any influence upon the acts of the Government , seeing" that they are . its" ^ salaried creatures-, carefully selected from among the lowest intelligences and most sordid spirits of the nation , the panic acquired even greater proportions ; and the Three per Cents , declined upwards of 4 percent on Tuesday in addition to their previous fall .

      The announcement of convocation , following so closely upon the declaration in the Moniteur that there was no cause to fear political disturbance , is looked upon as a forced but indirect homage to the principle of representative government ; it is also regarded as convincing proof of the weakness of the present system , of the slender hold it has on the popular mind , and to show evidence of weakness is the precursor of defeat . Supporters fall away and partisans are quickly metamorphosed into unrelenting foes . Had the slightest reality of parliamentary government existed , even though it were no better than the one which lasted through the Restoration and July Monarchy , the astounding panic which prevails would have been impossible . Among the

      council of the nation , some wisdom would have been ho a rd , some courage shown , and some abiding trust displayed in the future . But now the present is hopeless , and in the distance loom the scourges of humanity—^ war abroad and at homo . The greatest despotic power the world has yet seen , the course whereof has been unchequerod by the shadow of a reverse for nearly ten years , the power that has gone from success to triumph , that has moulded the will of forty millions to its purpose , that has driven into silence and obscurity the intellect of the nation , and that boasts the " visible protection of Providence , " grows craven at the approach of the spir it

      it has wantonly evoked , and hastens for succour tp that authority which it has sought to destroy and replace by a hollow , semblance . It is from what should be the representatives of the nation , of its intelligence and independence , that tho Empire seeks to gather strength and prestige to preserve its existence by allaying the fears of . its subjects . To your readers , who can appreciate the magnitude and importance of moral viotories , this involuntary recognition of the truth of parliamentary government , and this homage to its superior strength , will appear of greatost moment and of good omen for the now year .

      CAUSK 3 OP TIIK PANIC . Tho opinion oxproasod in my laat lottor , that the unusual language addressed to tho Ambassador of Austria at tho New Year ' s levee , was tho result of manoeuvres to facilitate ) certain Stock Exchange transactions , is very generally credited , and I am assured that tho instigators of this sortie are thoso who now moat bitterly regret it . They thought to bo able , cleverly ftnd quietly , to do ft little u Bulling , " but they have nearly achieved thoir own ruin and endangered tho . system by whioh they live , and on tho destruction of which tljoy will becomo nothing . Howovor groat may bo tho power possessed by tho Emperor and direct tho influence ho oxoroisos upon public affairs , it would bo impossible for tow inoro discourtesy * o bring about such a panic aa yyo now witness . Evon woro thoro prospoot of immediate war

      Original Correspondence. ¦ . ——? ' ¦ .

      ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE . ¦ . ——? ' ¦ .

      Untitled Article

      KA . Mtn . January 15 , 1859 . 1 T H E X E A P E R . 85

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 15, 1859, page 85, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2277/page/21/