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you and the pleasure we all anticipate in hearing other gentlemen；
and in enjoying those social pleasures with which it is a main part
of the wisdom of this society to adorn and relieve its graver
pursuits。 We all feel； I am sure； being here； that we are truly
interested in the cause of human improvement and rational
education； and that we pledge ourselves； everyone as far as in him
lies； to extend the knowledge of the benefits afforded in this
place； and to bear honest witness in its favour。 To those who yet
remain without its walls； but have the means of purchasing its
advantages； we make appeal； and in a friendly and forbearing spirit
say； 〃Come in； and be convinced …
'Who enters here； leaves DOUBT behind。'〃
If you； happily； have been well taught yourself； and are superior
to its advantages； so much the more should you make one in sympathy
with those who are below you。 Beneath this roof we breed the men
who； in the time to come； must be found working for good or evil；
in every quarter of society。 If mutual respect and forbearance
among various classes be not found here； where so many men are
trained up in so many grades； to enter on so many roads of life；
dating their entry from one common starting…point； as they are all
approaching； by various paths； one common end； where else can that
great lesson be imbibed？ Differences of wealth； of rank； of
intellect； we know there must be； and we respect them； but we would
give to all the means of taking out one patent of nobility； and we
define it； in the words of a great living poet； who is one of us；
and who uses his great gifts； as he holds them in trust； for the
general welfare …
〃Howe'er it be； it seems to me
'Tis only noble to be good：
True hearts are more than coronets；
And simple faith than Norman blood。〃
SPEECH： BIRMINGHAM； FEBRUARY 28； 1844。
＇The following speech was delivered at a Conversazione； in aid of
the funds of the Birmingham Polytechnic Institution； at which Mr
Dickens presided。＇
YOU will think it very unwise； or very self…denying in me； in such
an assembly； in such a splendid scene； and after such a welcome； to
congratulate myself on having nothing new to say to you： but I do
so； notwithstanding。 To say nothing of places nearer home； I had
the honour of attending at Manchester； shortly before Christmas；
and at Liverpool； only the night before last； for a purpose similar
to that which brings you together this evening； and looking down a
short perspective of similar engagements； I feel gratification at
the thought that I shall very soon have nothing at all to say； in
which case； I shall be content to stake my reputation； like the
Spectator of Addison； and that other great periodical speaker； the
Speaker of the House of Commons； on my powers of listening。
This feeling； and the earnest reception I have met with； are not
the only reasons why I feel a genuine； cordial； and peculiar
interest in this night's proceedings。 The Polytechnic Institution
of Birmingham is in its infancy … struggling into life under all
those adverse and disadvantageous circumstances which； to a greater
or less extent； naturally beset all infancy； but I would much
rather connect myself with it now； however humble； in its days of
difficulty and of danger； than look back on its origin when it may
have become strong； and rich； and powerful。 I should prefer an
intimate association with it now； in its early days and apparent
struggles； to becoming its advocate and acquaintance； its fair…
weather friend； in its high and palmy days。 I would rather be able
to say I knew it in its swaddling…clothes； than in maturer age。
Its two elder brothers have grown old and died： their chests were
weak … about their cradles nurses shook their heads； and gossips
groaned； but the present institution shot up； amidst the ruin of
those which have fallen； with an indomitable constitution； with
vigorous and with steady pulse； temperate； wise； and of good
repute； and by perseverance it has become a very giant。 Birmingham
is； in my mind and in the minds of most men； associated with many
giants； and I no more believe that this young institution will turn
out sickly； dwarfish； or of stunted growth； than I do that when the
glass…slipper of my chairmanship shall fall off； and the clock
strike twelve to…night； this hall will be turned into a pumpkin。 I
found that strong belief upon the splendid array of grace and
beauty by which I am surrounded； and which； if it only had one…
hundredth part of the effect upon others it has upon me； could do
anything it pleased with anything and anybody。 I found my strong
conviction； in the second place； upon the public spirit of the town
of Birmingham … upon the name and fame of its capitalists and
working men； upon the greatness and importance of its merchants and
manufacturers； upon its inventions； which are constantly in
progress； upon the skill and intelligence of its artisans； which
are daily developed； and the increasing knowledge of all portions
of the community。 All these reasons lead me to the conclusion that
your institution will advance … that it will and must progress； and
that you will not be content with lingering leagues behind。
I have another peculiar ground of satisfaction in connexion with
the object of this assembly； and it is； that the resolutions about
to be proposed do not contain in themselves anything of a sectarian
or class nature； that they do not confine themselves to any one
single institution； but assert the great and omnipotent principles
of comprehensive education everywhere and under every circumstance。
I beg leave to say that I concur； heart and hand； in those
principles； and will do all in my power for their advancement； for
I hold； in accordance with the imperfect knowledge which I possess；
that it is impossible for any fabric of society to go on day after
day； and year after year； from father to son； and from grandfather
to grandson； punishing men for not engaging in the pursuit of
virtue and for the practice of crime； without showing them what
virtue is； and where it best can be found … in justice； religion；
and truth。 The only reason that can possibly be adduced against it
is one founded on fiction … namely； the case where an obdurate old
geni； in the 〃Arabian Nights；〃 was bound upon taking the life of a
merchant； because he had struck out the eye of his invisible son。
I recollect； likewise； a tale in the same book of charming fancies；
which I consider not inappropriate： it is a case where a powerful
spirit has been imprisoned at the bottom of the sea； in a casket
with a leaden cover； and the seal of Solomon upon it； there he had
lain neglected for many centuries； and during that period had made
many different vows： at first； that he would reward magnificently
those who should release him； and at last； that he would destroy
them。 Now； there is a spirit of great power … the Spirit of
Ignorance … which is shut up in a vessel of leaden composition； and
sealed with the seal of many； many Solomons； and which is
effectually in the same position： release it in time； and it will
bless； restore； and reanimate society； but let it lie under the
rolling waves of years； and its blind revenge is sure to lead to
certain destruction。 That there are classes which； if rightly
treated； constitute strength； and if wrongly； weakness； I hold it
impossible to deny … by these classes I mean industrious；
intelligent； and honourably independent men； in whom the higher
classes of Birmingham are especially interested； and bound to
afford them the means of instruction and improvement； and to
ameliorate their mental and moral condition。 Far be it from me
（and I wish to be most particularly understood） to attempt to
depreciate the excellent Church Instruction Societies； or the
worthy； sincere； and temperate zeal of those reverend gentlemen by
whom they are usually conducted； on the contrary； I believe that
they have done； and are doing； much good； and are deserving of high
praise； but I hope that； without offence； in a community such as
Birmingham； there are other objects not unworthy in the sight of
heaven； and objects of recognised utility which are worthy of
support … principles which are practised in word and deed in
Polytechnic Institutions … principles for the diffusion of which
honest men of all degrees and of every creed might associate
together； on an independent footing and on neutral ground； and at a
small expense； for the better understanding and the greater
consideration of each other； and for the better cultivation of the
happiness of all： for it surely cannot be allowed that those who
labour day by day； surrounded by machinery； shall be permitted to
degenerate into machines themselves； but； on the contrary； they
should assert their common origin from their Creator； at the hands
of those who a