333 



ON THE TENDENCY & PROSPECTS OF MECHANICS' 

 INSTITUTIONS.* 



BY W. HAWKES SMITH. 



It has been facetiously declared to be " contrary to the laws of 

 England to make a man happy ag^ainst his will." This is, after 

 all, a very judicious maxim, and, well attended to, would check 

 the impertinence of many an officious meddler. My object is, 

 to prevent such an imputation from attaching itself to me. I 

 am the perpetual advocate of Mechanics' Institutions, because 

 I am fully convinced that these institutions tend, more than any 

 other of equal cost, to produce increased knowledge and intelli- 

 gence — and that such increased knowledge and intelligence, well 

 and fearlessly worked, are the surest road to increased happiness. 

 This is my firm opinion, and it is the result of years of reflection 

 and observation. 



In what does happiness consist Pf In a series of pleasing 

 impressions; — and it were not difficultto shew that such a pleasing 

 series must flow from intellectual sources ; from intellectual, as 

 opposed to animal enjoyments. Still, however, human nature 

 claims a certain portion of physical comforts as necessary in- 

 gredients to happiness, and if, on inquiry, it be found that the 

 world is capable of supplying these comforts in abundance to 

 all, it becomes a duty to endeavour to obtain the desired dis- 

 tribution. And on whom is this duty most manifestly paramount? 

 Surely on those who suffer from the unequal distribution of the 

 means of physical comfort. Let them inquire, then, what are 

 the qualifications which enable men most surely to acquire the 

 desired share, and they will soon perceive that it is the posses- 

 sion of a good education. This is now pretty much seen, and 

 the effects of the discovery are curiously diversified. Some would 

 quietly close — or being closed, would keep fast shut, the doors 

 of the temple of knowledge, against the working people, hecavss 

 they apprehend that the diffusion of knowledge would inevitably 

 lead to searching inquiries into the means of a better diffusion 

 of comforts. This is sheer selfishness. Others perceive that 

 there is a disposition excited to acquire information, and they 



* Being a portion of a lecture lately read before the Birmingham Mechanics* 

 Institution. 



t Since this lecture was written, I have seen Simpson's work on " Popular 

 Education as a national object." Would those who have not yet considered the 

 subject closely, sit down by tifties in a company, night after night ; deputmg one 

 to read aloud from this important and most intrepid work, and determine to act as 

 the convictions which might be induced — we should have a chance of seeing the 

 sef^Tch after happiness rationally conducted. 



