The Mirror Of Literature, Amusement, And Instruction | Page 7

of knowledge
among the mass of mankind is a just object of terror: it is fatal to them
and their designs; they know this by unerring instinct, and unceasingly
they dread the light. But they will find it more easy to curse than to
extinguish. It is spreading in spite of them, even in those countries
where arbitrary power deems itself most secure; and in England, any
attempt to check its progress would only bring about the sudden
destruction of him who should be insane enough to make it.
"To the Upper Classes of society, then, I would say, that the question
no longer is whether or not the people shall be instructed--for that has
been determined long ago, and the decision is irreversible--but whether
they shall be well or ill taught--half informed or as thoroughly as their
circumstances permit and their wants require. Let no one be afraid of
the bulk of the community becoming too accomplished for their
superiors. Well educated, and even well versed in the most elevated
sciences, they assuredly may become; and the worst consequence that
can follow to their superiors will be, that to deserve being called their
_betters_, they too must devote themselves more to the pursuit of solid
and refined learning; the present public seminaries must be enlarged:
and some of the greater cities of the kingdom, especially the metropolis,
must not be left destitute of the regular means within themselves of
scientific education.
"To the Working Classes I would say, that this is the time when by a
great effort they may secure for ever the inestimable blessing of
knowledge. Never was the disposition more universal among the rich to
lend the requisite assistance for setting in motion the great engines of
instruction; but the people must come forward to profit by the
opportunity thus afforded, and they must themselves continue the
movement once begun. Those who have already started in the pursuit
of science, and tasted its sweets, require no exhortation to persevere;
but if these pages should fall into the hands of any one at an hour for
the first time stolen from his needful rest after his day's work is done, I

ask of him to reward me (who have written them for his benefit at the
like hours) by saving threepence during the next fortnight, buying with
it Franklin's Life, and reading the first page. I am quite sure he will read
the rest; I am almost quite sure he will resolve to spend his spare time
and money, in gaining those kinds of knowledge which from a printer's
boy made that great man the first philosopher, and one of the first
statesmen of his age. Few are fitted by nature to go as far as he did, and
it is not necessary to lead so perfectly abstemious a life, and to be so
rigidly saving of every instant of time. But all may go a good way after
him, both in temperance, industry, and knowledge, and no one can tell
before he tries how near he may be able to approach him."
We may here mention that in 1825, Lord Brougham was elected Lord
Rector of the University of Glasgow; his opponent, Sir Walter Scott,
lost the election by the casting vote of Sir James Mackintosh, in favour
of Lord Brougham.
Among the originators of the London University, Lord Brougham
occupies a foremost rank, and partly by the aid of his indefatigable
talents, that establishment was opened, in 1828, within seventeen
months from the day on which the first stone was laid.
Early in the year 1827 was established "the Society for the Diffusion of
Useful Knowledge," of which Lord Brougham became, and continues
to this day, chairman. In the original prospectus, issued under his
sanction, we find "The object of the Society is strictly limited to what
its title imports, namely, the imparting useful information to all classes
of the community, particularly to such as are unable to avail themselves
of experienced teachers, or may prefer learning by themselves." The
Society commenced their labours by a set of Treatises, the first or
"Preliminary Treatise," "_On the objects, pleasures, and advantages of
Science_," being from the pen of Lord Brougham; and in perspicuity
and popular interest, this treatise is unrivalled in our times. His
Lordship is also understood, in conjunction with Mr. Charles Bell, to be
engaged in illustrating with notes an edition of Paley's works, to be
published by the above Society.
In the preceding outline of the political life of Lord Brougham, we have
quoted but few points of his personal character. This has been so well
drawn, and so recently too, that we are induced to adopt the following
traits from a contemporary Magazine.[5] The paper whence these are

extracted, purports to be a description