DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1311#0235
200 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
" I must now conclude this lecture, already much too long, and I do so by once more
recalling to your minds its general argument. Chemistry, viewed here as a type of
science generally, has exercised immense influence upon manufactures, having increased
human power, economised human time, and communicated important values to bodies
apparently the most worthless. Foreign states have acknowledged the fact, that successful
competition can only be attained by an attentive study of science—by making their
sons of industry themselves disciples of science. England, except in one instance,
has hitherto not recognised this truth as a principle of State, and hence her science
languishes, and her capital has to import from other lands. This points to the necessity
of the establishment of industrial colleges; but it implies, at the same time, an adaptation
of juvenile education to the wants of the age. All this impresses itself upon my mind
with a conviction as strong as that the glorious sun sheds its light-giving rays to this
naturally dark world of ours. May the Exhibition be the means of raying forth this
truth to our darkening industry! Do not dream of that Exhibition as a thing of the
past; rather think of it as a glorious emblem of the future. When Neptune and
Minerva disputed as to who should name the capital of Cecropia, the gods resolved that
the right should be given to the one who granted to man the greatest benefit. Neptune
struck with his trident the earth, from whence sprung a war-horse; while Minerva produced
an olive-tree. England, though sharing with Neptune the empire of the sea, ratified the
decision of the gods by rearing the emblem of peace. The Exhibition has been an
olive-tree, the branches of which have now been spread among all nations, and success
for the future will depend upon the care and wisdom with which they are tended, so as to
grow into goodly trees. Do not let us, by severing industry from science, like a tree from
its roots, have the unhappiness of seeing our goodly stern wither and perish by a pre-
mature decay; but, as the tree itself stretches out its arms to heaven to pray for food,
let us, in all humility, ask God also to give us that knowledge of His works which will
enable us to use them in promoting the comfort and happiness of his creatures. Our
duties in this respect are clearly indicated in the motto of our catalogue :—
' HUMANI GENERIS PROGRESSES
EX COMMTINI OMNIUM LABOEE ORTUS,
TJNItfSCUJUSQUE INDUSTRIE DEBET ESSE FINIS:
HOC ADJUVANDO,
DEI OPT : MAX : VOLUNTATEH EXSEQUIMUR.' "
THE EXHIBITION AS A SCHOOL OP INDUSTRY.
To pursue the difficult question of the tendency of mechanical production, and the
influence of increased facilities upon the condition of the workman, would involve us
in a greater length than we propose in this present chapter. Unquestionably, the
immediate results are often suffering and hardship to individual workmen, and often to
a whole trade. But we cannot quite address ourselves to the logic of arguments, that
improved modes of production, which confessedly place the article within the reach of a
greater number, are to be retarded, in order to benefit a minority; that the course of
science is to be checked; that knowledge is baneful; and that either particular modes
of production, or particular habits and manners in men, are to be kept up solely for the
existence of particular trades and particular classes of artisans. Moreover, those who
enter into these arguments are prepared to show, that the social machine rights itself
in a much shorter time than might have been anticipated. We well recollect the fearful
prognostications at the commencement of the railway system. Caricatures of distracted
innkeepers and delighted horses were to be seen; and what was shown in caricature
was true at least for the time, as to the innkeepers. The coaching glories of Lichfield,
" I must now conclude this lecture, already much too long, and I do so by once more
recalling to your minds its general argument. Chemistry, viewed here as a type of
science generally, has exercised immense influence upon manufactures, having increased
human power, economised human time, and communicated important values to bodies
apparently the most worthless. Foreign states have acknowledged the fact, that successful
competition can only be attained by an attentive study of science—by making their
sons of industry themselves disciples of science. England, except in one instance,
has hitherto not recognised this truth as a principle of State, and hence her science
languishes, and her capital has to import from other lands. This points to the necessity
of the establishment of industrial colleges; but it implies, at the same time, an adaptation
of juvenile education to the wants of the age. All this impresses itself upon my mind
with a conviction as strong as that the glorious sun sheds its light-giving rays to this
naturally dark world of ours. May the Exhibition be the means of raying forth this
truth to our darkening industry! Do not dream of that Exhibition as a thing of the
past; rather think of it as a glorious emblem of the future. When Neptune and
Minerva disputed as to who should name the capital of Cecropia, the gods resolved that
the right should be given to the one who granted to man the greatest benefit. Neptune
struck with his trident the earth, from whence sprung a war-horse; while Minerva produced
an olive-tree. England, though sharing with Neptune the empire of the sea, ratified the
decision of the gods by rearing the emblem of peace. The Exhibition has been an
olive-tree, the branches of which have now been spread among all nations, and success
for the future will depend upon the care and wisdom with which they are tended, so as to
grow into goodly trees. Do not let us, by severing industry from science, like a tree from
its roots, have the unhappiness of seeing our goodly stern wither and perish by a pre-
mature decay; but, as the tree itself stretches out its arms to heaven to pray for food,
let us, in all humility, ask God also to give us that knowledge of His works which will
enable us to use them in promoting the comfort and happiness of his creatures. Our
duties in this respect are clearly indicated in the motto of our catalogue :—
' HUMANI GENERIS PROGRESSES
EX COMMTINI OMNIUM LABOEE ORTUS,
TJNItfSCUJUSQUE INDUSTRIE DEBET ESSE FINIS:
HOC ADJUVANDO,
DEI OPT : MAX : VOLUNTATEH EXSEQUIMUR.' "
THE EXHIBITION AS A SCHOOL OP INDUSTRY.
To pursue the difficult question of the tendency of mechanical production, and the
influence of increased facilities upon the condition of the workman, would involve us
in a greater length than we propose in this present chapter. Unquestionably, the
immediate results are often suffering and hardship to individual workmen, and often to
a whole trade. But we cannot quite address ourselves to the logic of arguments, that
improved modes of production, which confessedly place the article within the reach of a
greater number, are to be retarded, in order to benefit a minority; that the course of
science is to be checked; that knowledge is baneful; and that either particular modes
of production, or particular habits and manners in men, are to be kept up solely for the
existence of particular trades and particular classes of artisans. Moreover, those who
enter into these arguments are prepared to show, that the social machine rights itself
in a much shorter time than might have been anticipated. We well recollect the fearful
prognostications at the commencement of the railway system. Caricatures of distracted
innkeepers and delighted horses were to be seen; and what was shown in caricature
was true at least for the time, as to the innkeepers. The coaching glories of Lichfield,