The Mechanic's Institution
The 21st Anniversary of the Mechanics’ Institution was celebrated on the 3rd of May by two grand meetings – one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. On both occasions the Market Hall was excessively crowded and the proceeding(sic) were of the most pleasurable and instructive character. Through the influence of Samuel Phillips, Esq., the celebrated explorer, A. H. Layard, Esq., M.P. had been induced to give an account of his highly interesting discoveries at Ninevah, and this he did to the gratification of all persons present. The President of the Institution (G. Scrivens, Esq.) occupied the chair, and with him on the platform were Sam’l Phillips, Esq., the Mayor (C. Clift, Esq), A. Burton, Esq. (president of the sister institution at St. Leonards), P. O. Callaghan, Esq. (vice-president of the same), H. Martin, Esq. (president of the Battle Institute), F. North, Esq. Rev. T. Vores, and other gentlemen. After the lecture – which was an unwritten one – the Mayor moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Layard, the same being seconded by the Rev. T. Vores, who remarked that Mr. Layard should be regarded as a benefactor to all mankind. In the interval of the two meetings, Mr. North entertained Mr. Layard and a large party to a sumptuous repast. The evening meeting was of a more varied character. The President reminded the company that the object of their meeting was to commemorate the 21st year of the society’s existence and to give the members and friends a stimulus to further exertions. The report of the Committee was then read, in which was described the origin, and to some extent, the progress of the Institution. Certain resolutions were moved and seconded which gave the opportunity for short addresses by Esquires P. F. Robertson, A. Burton, F. North, P. O. Callaghan, W. Crake and A. H. Layard. Also by Messrs. W. Chamberlin and M. Vidler.
Great Prosperity. At the November quarterly meeting, the Committee’s report stated that at no period of their history had the Committee so much cause for congratulation. The Institution was undoubtedly prosperous, a condition mainly attributable, if not entirely so, to the fact that it had uniformly adhered to the legitimate action of a Mechanics’ Institution. It had a net gain of 51 members, making the total 312. This gain of membership was clearly due to the breaking-up of the Atheneum, and the return of members to the Mechanics’ Institution who had previously left it to join the Atheneum. As regards the rigid adherence to “Legitimate action,” it will be seen in later chapters that such determination not to move one jot from what one might call first principles, instead of moving a little with changed conditions of advancing years, was the very cause of that and many other institutions of its like becoming defunct. The proceeds of Mr. Layard’s lecture were £43 10s. 6d.
The Literary Institution
The Atheneum.
A special meeting of this comparatively new association was held on the 30th of August, with Earl Waldegrave (president) in the chair. It was -
