678 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
was held not long since, at which the Prince Consort was 
present, supported by persons of the highest talent and 
authority in the country, and he closed his admirable speech 
with the following memorable words : — 
“Our Heavenly Father, in his boundless goodness, has so 
made his creatures that they should be happy, and in his 
wisdom has fitted his means to his ends, giving to all of them 
different qualities and faculties, in using and developing 
which they fulfil their destiny, and running their uniform 
course according to his prescription they find that happiness 
which he has intended for them. Man alone is born into 
this world with faculties far nobler than the other creatures, 
reflecting the image of Him who has willed that there should 
be beings on earth to know and worship Him, and endowed 
with the power of self-determination, having reason given 
him for his guide. He can develop his faculties and obtain 
that happiness which is offered to him on earth, to be com- 
pleted hereafter in entire union with Him through the mercy 
of Christ. But he can also leave these faculties unimproved, 
and miss his mission on earth. He will then sink to the level 
of the lower animals, forfeit happiness, and be separate from 
his God, whom he did not know how to find. Gentlemen, 
I say man has no right to do this. He has no right to throw 
off the task which is laid upon him for his happiness. It is 
his duty to fulfil his mission to the utmost of his power, 
but it is our duty, the duty of those whom Providence has 
removed from this awful struggle, and placed beyond this 
fearful danger, manfully, unceasingly, and untiringly, to aid 
by advice, assistance, and example, the great bulk of the 
people, who without such aid must almost inevitably succumb 
to the difficulty of their task. They will not cast from them 
any aiding hand, and the Almighty will bless the labours of 
those who work in his cause.” 
To meet this requirement of the age the Universities are 
remodelling their statutes, so as to render them conducive to 
the improvement of the many. Appointments, both mili- 
tary and civil, under government, are now thrown open to 
competition ; or, in the language of the Premier, “ to com- 
petitive examinations, running one candidate against 
another, so as to bring out the character, presence of mind, 
and power of application of the different candidates.” The 
same also obtains in municipal situations. 
Adverting to military education, Lord Palmerston, a short 
time since, stated that there are three requisites for making a 
good officer. There is first of all, general intelligence, and 
