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degenerate into machines themselves； but； on the contrary； they
should assert their common origin from their Creator； at the hands
of those who are responsible and thinking men。 There is； indeed；
no difference in the main with respect to the dangers of ignorance
and the advantages of knowledge between those who hold different
opinions … for it is to be observed； that those who are most
distrustful of the advantages of education； are always the first to
exclaim against the results of ignorance。 This fact was pleasantly
illustrated on the railway； as I came here。 In the same carriage
with me there sat an ancient gentleman （I feel no delicacy in
alluding to him； for I know that he is not in the room； having got
out far short of Birmingham）； who expressed himself most mournfully
as to the ruinous effects and rapid spread of railways； and was
most pathetic upon the virtues of the slow…going old stage coaches。
Now I； entertaining some little lingering kindness for the road；
made shift to express my concurrence with the old gentleman's
opinion； without any great compromise of principle。 Well； we got
on tolerably comfortably together； and when the engine； with a
frightful screech； dived into some dark abyss； like some strange
aquatic monster； the old gentleman said it would never do； and I
agreed with him。 When it parted from each successive station； with
a shock and a shriek as if it had had a double…tooth drawn； the old
gentleman shook his head； and I shook mine。 When he burst forth
against such new…fangled notions； and said no good could come of
them； I did not contest the point。 But I found that when the speed
of the engine was abated； or there was a prolonged stay at any
station； up the old gentleman was at arms； and his watch was
instantly out of his pocket； denouncing the slowness of our
progress。 Now I could not help comparing this old gentleman to
that ingenious class of persons who are in the constant habit of
declaiming against the vices and crimes of society； and at the same
time are the first and foremost to assert that vice and crime have
not their common origin in ignorance and discontent。
The good work； however； in spite of all political and party
differences； has been well begun； we are all interested in it； it
is advancing； and cannot be stopped by any opposition； although it
may be retarded in this place or in that； by the indifference of
the middle classes； with whom its successful progress chiefly
rests。 Of this success I cannot entertain a doubt； for whenever
the working classes have enjoyed an opportunity of effectually
rebutting accusations which falsehood or thoughtlessness have
brought against them； they always avail themselves of it； and show
themselves in their true characters； and it was this which made the
damage done to a single picture in the National Gallery of London；
by some poor lunatic or cripple； a mere matter of newspaper
notoriety and wonder for some few days。 This； then； establishes a
fact evident to the meanest comprehension … that any given number
of thousands of individuals； in the humblest walks of life in this
country； can pass through the national galleries or museums in
seasons of holiday…making； without damaging； in the slightest
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
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 …
'A thousand times； good night；
A thousand times the worse to want your light。'
SPEECH： GARDENERS AND GARDENING。 LONDON； JUNE 14； 1852。
＇The Ninth Anniversary Dinner of the Gardeners' Benevolent
Institution was held on the above date at the London Tavern。 The
company numbered more than 150。 The dessert was worthy of the
occasion； and an admirable effect was produced by a profuse display
of natural flowers upon the tables and in the decoration of the
room。 The chair was taken by Mr。 Charles Dickens； who； in
proposing the toast of the evening； spoke as follows：…＇
FOR three times three years the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution
has been stimulated and encouraged by meetings such as this； and by
three times three cheers we will urge it onward in its prosperous
career。 ＇THE CHEERS WERE WARMLY GIVEN。＇
Occupying the post I now do； I feel something like a counsel for
the plaintiff with nobody on the other side； but even if I had been
placed in that position ninety times nine； it would still be my
duty to state a few facts from the very short brief with which I
have been provided。
This Institution was founded in the year 1838。 During the first
five years of its existence； it was not particularly robust； and
seemed to have been placed in rather a shaded position； receiving
somewhat more than its needful allowance of cold water。 In 1843 it
was removed into a more favourable position； and grafted on a
nobler stock； and it has now borne fruit； and become such a
vigorous tree that at present thirty…five old people daily sit
within the shelter of its branches； and all the pensioners upon the
list have been veritable gardeners； or the wives of gardeners。 It
is managed by gardeners； and it has u