(1852, November 2) The Evening Courant, p. 3.Philosophical Institution Public Lecture—29 October 1852, Segment 10.
of knowledge which form the staple of a liberal education—is the object which this Institution has especially at heart. Its aim is to lift you, at times, above the distractions of your worldly cares, and the pursuit of your professional interests, by spreading before you man's fairer heritage of wisdom and of truth; and to exalt your nature by giving you a community of sentiment with those expansive and legislative minds which have given a direction to the world, and a lasting record of whose combined genius is nothing less than the present civilisation in which we live. Let me conclude by expressing my fervent good wishes for the welfare of this society. As it has hitherto prospered, so may it go on prospering; and may every succeeding year add to the lustre of its fame, and enlarge the sphere of its usefulness.
At the conclusion of the address of the learned Professor, Mr. W. Smith, in a few appropriate remarks, proposed a cordial vote of thanks to him. It appeared to him, he said, that their anniversary meeting had lost none of its interest on this occasion; and that it must have been peculiarly gratifying to all who had the welfare of this Institution at heart, to have heard the deliberate expression which the learned professor had given to his thoughts and views of the nature and purposes of literary institutions. The lecture-room was, he feared, associated in the minds of some with places of amusement such as the concert room or theatre; but he trusted that the Directors would not encourage this impression, but would always endeavour to guard against raising the Institution into an ephemeral popularity at the expense of lowering the standard of instruction given within these walls. (Applause.) He rejoined that Professor Ferrier had taken the view of this Institution which he did, as forming a connecting link between the men of literature and the men of industry. [Applause.]
The Latin Professor, having conveyed the thanks of the meeting to Professor Ferrier, the assemblage separated.
It will be elsewhere seen that Mr Isaac Taylor, author of the Natural History of Enthusiasm, and other works, is to deliver the first of four lectures on "The Spirit of Hebrew Poetry, and its influence on modern literature," this evening.
