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process of advancement similar in kind to that which takes place in the 

 case of science ; and if ever Shakspeare should find himself second in 

 the list of poets, according to the verdict of English-speaking men, it 

 will be the result of no steady hard-won progress, but because some God- 

 sent poet greater than himself has been granted as a gift to mankind. 



Here, however, I see the opening of a field of thought upon which I 

 dare not enter. Let it suffice to remark that, if our Association cannot 

 advance Literature, as in fact no association can, it can at least encourage 

 the study of it, and lead people to read and enjoy and profit by those 

 many masterpieces of literary power, which are perhaps the chiefest 

 secular blessing that we possess, and the purest source of intellectual 

 pleasure. 



It remains that I congratulate you upon the progress and prosperity 

 of our Association. We consist now of branches at Whitehaven, Kes- 

 wick, Cockermouth, Workington, Maryport ; and I understand from the 

 best authority, that an increase of our family may be shortly expected at 

 Harrington. I have looked through the programmes of the lectures, 

 which have been given during the past winter, and am surprised by their 

 variety and by the number of the lectures. Certainly our Association does 

 seem to be the exciting cause of a great amount of intellectual energy in 

 this district. It is not easy to measure results, and the mere listening 

 to lectures does not necessarily inform the mind ; still I cannot but 

 believe, upon the evidence before me, that the Association is doing good 

 work in many more ways than one ; and therefore I heartily wish it 

 continued success ; and I feel that it is both a pleasure and a duty to 

 endeavour to promote that success by any efforts in its behalf, which it 

 may be practically in my power to make. 



I 



