Manchester Memoirs, Vol. I. (1905). ri 



absolutely unaided by Government or other outside 

 assistance. Is it overstating the case to assert that the 

 Victoria University and the Manchester Technical School 

 are the direct results of the advocacy of the mennbers of 

 this old Society ? 



The site of the Old Infirmary has been called Man- 

 chester's great opportunity. It is known to some of us 

 that members of the Manchester City Council are con- 

 sidering how this fine site may be used. 



We have confidence that an Institution will be erected 

 worthy of the birthplace of Free Municipal Libraries, and 

 that literature, art, and science will be recognised in a 

 good, broad, generous and artistic manner. 



Some of us are not without hope that space will be 

 found in this Institution for a Hall of Fame, many of 

 which are on the Continent, and one especially, I have in 

 my mind, at Munich, in which may be placed portraits 

 and sculptures that will cause us to hold in perpetual 

 remembrance the names and services of the illustrious 

 benefactors, inventors, and pious founders of this great 

 County of Lancaster, whose work, a perpetual endowment, 

 is in the class-books of the schools of the world, where 

 chemistry, electricity, and engineering science are taught. 



Such a shrine would exalt the self-respect of every 

 thoughtful citizen, and be an inspiration to the imagina- 

 tion of every student, for, in the topographical distribution 

 of men of genius, this county has a rich record of inventors, 

 dramatists, statesmen, discoverers, poets and painters, and 

 moulders of the mind of man. 



A noble company, the flower of men, 

 To serve as model for a mighty world. 



