160 THE ADDRESSES, LECTURES, ETC., OF 



that of iron and steel. At the present time it was said that the 

 iron and steel trade was in a very low and depressed condition. 

 This meant that with our present modes of production we could 

 not command a sufficient market. Other nations had learned to 

 smelt iron ores, and to compete with us in the open market. 

 The products of the iron smelter, although ever increasing in 

 demand, had to be cheapened continually in order to meet 

 increasing requirements. While a few years ago we used steel 

 only for the purpose of making cutlery, pins and needles, and 

 magnets, now we used steel, or something of the character of 

 steel, not only for constructing locomotive engines, but for the 

 rails upon which the locomotive ran ; therefore, they had to 

 meet conditions utterly distinct from those that prevailed not 

 many years ago, and, as a natural consequence, they had to 

 improve and modify their processes in order to meet those condi- 

 tions. He believed their institution had contributed very power- 

 fully towards the accomplishment of those ends ; and in meeting 

 that day in that great and ancient centre of industry, they would 

 be lifted up by the thought that the locomotive engine was born 

 there, and that it was the town where Nicholas Wood and the 

 Stephensons commenced their arduous labours. It was a town 

 where the chemical manufacture was carried on with great advan- 

 tage, and where new improvements (such as that introduced by 

 Mr. Pattinson) were brought to light. It was the town of such 

 living men as Armstrong and Bell, and others who were happily 

 amongst them men who would ever lead them on to new exertions. 

 After the most eloquent address they had heard from Mr. Cowen, ; 

 it would be quite unnecessary for him to say more, except to 

 thank the town of Newcastle, as represented by its Mayor and 

 Sheriff and Parliamentary members, as well as the members of the 

 local committee, very heartily for the kind invitation which they 

 had extended to the Institute. He could assure them that his 

 fellow-members not only highly appreciated that invitation, but 

 they would endeavour by the earnestness of their labours to do 

 justice to their expectations. 



The members then adjourned to the Lecture Hall of the Literary, 

 and Philosophical Society, the chair being taken by 



The PEESIDENT, who said on the last occasion when he 



