LECTURE BY WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN, ESQ. TO THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE

at

The Limerick Athenaeum

19/12/1857

 

 

On Wednesday evening William Smith O'Brien, Esq. delivered the inaugural lecture to the Mechanics and Trades of our city at the Athenaeum. Spacious as the building is every available spot was crowded, and every class was represented among the audience who thronged in. Amongst those who were present were - the Very Rev. Father Synan, Rev. Father Quaid, P.P. O'Callaghan's Mills, Rev. Dr. 'Connor, DD, Parteen, Rev. Mr Fitzgerald, St. Munchin's Seminary, Rev. Henry O'Farrell, do, and several other Clergymen - Alderman Fitzgerald, John Synan , Esq., Edward Synan, Esq. B.L., Joseph B. Kennedy, Esq., John Thomas McSheehy, Michael W.R. Ryan, A. Allen, Esq., and a large number of other citizens - as indeed the great majority of the meeting were. Many were present from the patriotic towns of Rathkeale and Newcastle, and numbers had to be excluded for whom neither standing nor sitting room remained. In fact the doors had to be locked in order to prevent the pressure without from becoming perfectly intolerable. The Lecture was cheered with that ringing and vivid kind of a shout which has returned, with better times to our countrymen, and which leaping from their hearts, in elastic music, is the most thrilling and joyous in the world.

On entering the room Mr O'Brien was received with universal applause and the cheering was taken up and continued. Mr O'Regan, the President of the Congregated Trades of Limerick moved that Alderman Lane Joynt do take the chair.

Alderman Joynt said he had great pleasure indeed in taking the chair on so interesting an occasion. It was unnecessary for him to ask the attention of the audience to the distinguished gentleman who was about to address them, (hear, hear). He was about to offer them instruction on points, which would be of importance to the citizens of Limerick, the mechanics, and all classes of the community. He should therefore call on Mr Smith O'Brien to commence his address, and he was satisfied that all would derive profit and pleasure as he advanced - (cheers).

 

Mr O'Brien then came forward amid great applause and said he was aware it was not so agreeable to listen to a written as to an oral address. He had written out what he intended to say to them this evening, as some of the members of the Mechanics Institute had intimated their wishes to preserve it - (hear, hear). Had he consulted his own inclination solely he would have proposed to ask their opinions on several matters of controversial politics. But it would be unbecoming on his part to enter into those things as on that occasion, the less so as this was his first entrance into public life since his return from exile - (cheers). The eminent gentleman then proceeded to read the following:

 

LECTURE,

 

Had I consulted solely my own inclination, I should perhaps have declined the task which you have done me the honour to impose upon me of opening the winter session of lectures for the Mechanics Institute of Limerick in the present year. But I have felt that it would be unbecoming on my part to refuse a request which was, I believe, intended as a compliment; and having been from my first entrance upon public life a zealous supporter of every effort that has been made to promote the intellectual enjoyment through the means of occasional lectures and addresses to your body.

I am deeply impressed with a conviction of a twofold kind. First, that Ireland in general and Limerick in particular, has not yet attained that degree of intellectual advancement which its people are competent to reach; and, secondly - that in order to develope all the resources of this country, whether material, moral or intellectual, we ought to rely under Providence, not upon external assistance, but upon the energy and perseverance of the inhabitants of this island. I propose to night to apply myself to the elucidation of these propositions. It is obvious that I could not discuss them in their widest extent without entering upon many questions of a political nature; but as it has been intimated to me that it is the wish of all the parties concerned that we should to-night avoid controversial politics, I shall confine myself as much as possible to topics which cannot awaken a discordant sentiment amongst my audience.

Now let us suppose that an intelligent stranger shall come to visit Limerick. He will naturally with to see the institutions of this city. What are they? He will be taken to see the Gaol, the Lunatic Asylum, the County Hospital, the Workhouse - all built on an extensive scale, with some architectural pretensions and managed in a credible manner. He will also be shown some public works that are not unworthy of a commercial city. But where will he find monuments of art ? - Where will he find a museum? - Where will he find a picture gallery? - Where will he find a public library? - Where will he find indications of a disposition to cultivate the fine arts, or to carry forward to perfection the invention of mechanism, or to render available to intellectual culture the treasures of literature and science which have been bequeathed to mankind by men of letters in different ages of the world.

The same observations apply in a nearly equal degree to Dublin the capital of our island. Compared with cities of similar size in other parts of Europe, it is in many respects as far inferior to them in the arts which embellish the abodes of man, as it is superior in the advantages of natural position, and in the natural intelligence of its people.

I should do great injustice to my fellow countrymen if I were to pronounce them to be inferior to the inhabitants of Belgium, or of Germany or of Italy in capacity for artistic or intellectual culture. Yet it would be merely idle flattery to compare the attainments which we have made in regard of the arts with those which have been achieved in times past and present by many other countries. Take for instance the small and comparatively unimportant country of Belgium. I dare not institute a comparison between Ireland and Belgium in regard of churches, museums, public libraries, schools of art, industrial and reformatory schools and other establishments of a similar nature because in the cities of Belgium not only do we find accumulated treasure which have been handed down from past ages, but we find indications of the greatest activity in regard to the present rivalries of social progress. In Brussels alone there were at the time when I resided in that city, above seven hundred pupils receiving "gratuitous" education in the schools of art, and I believe that nearly an equal number received gratuitous education in music. At Antwerp, also, there is a most distinguished school of painting, and even in the provinces there is scarcely a town of considerable size unprovided with schools in which the fine arts may be cultivated by students. At the universal exhibition held at Paris in 1855, Belgium - a country which in point of population and natural resources does not approach to an equality with Ireland - occupied a most prominent position and carried away many of the fist prizes for advancement in the mechanical and in the fine arts. Alas ! with pain and humiliation I searched in vain to discover similar masterpieces of Irish industry and of Irish art.

Compare again the achievements accomplished by the people of ancient Greece with those of our countrymen and we shall find in the comparison much ground for humiliation. It is probable that those portions of Europe which may properly be denominated as ancient Greece never contained a population equal to the number of the present inhabitants of Ireland. It is, I believe, certain that the free inhabitants of Athens never equalled in number the present population of Limerick. Yet from Greece in general, and especially from Athens - notwithstanding innumerable losses of the productions of the greatest authors and artists of antiquity - we have inherited remains which perhaps surpass in value all that has been produced in subsequent ages - masterpieces of history, of poetry, of dramatic composition, of eloquence, of philosophy, of architecture, of sculpture. Yet there is no reason why Ireland may not hereafter strive to rival the fame of ancient Greece (hear, hear and cheers).

It is argued by some that it is impossible for Ireland to acquire a high position amongst the nations of the earth, because its population is composed of men who differ from each other in race and in religion. But to this argument the example of Switzerland affords a conclusive answer. In the confederation of the Swiss cantons there are three distinct races speaking three different languages - the German, the Italians and the French. This population is also divided in regard of religion. Catholics and Protestants have maintained in Switzerland their several doctrines with a fervour, which has often approached to fanaticism. Yet this confederation has subsisted during more than five centuries, and we had an opportunity last year of witnessing the tenacity with which it upholds its national rights (hear, hear). - For in the collision which took place between Switzerland and Prussia, with regard to Neufchatel, the Swiss were prepared to have encountered in arms the whole force of Prussia (hear), which, as you are aware, is in respect of military resources one of the most potent monarchies of Europe. Not only in regard of arms, but also of arts, of education, of legislation, and also of social comforts, Switzerland, with its rugged soil and its scanty population, has long maintained a character and position in Europe such as Ireland with threefold the number of inhabitants and a soil of surpassing fertility has hitherto been unable to rival. Yet there is no reason why Irishmen may not hereafter accomplish much more than the Swiss have been able to achieve (cheers).

Perhaps I may be answered that it is not fair to institute a comparison between Ireland and Belgium of ancient Greece or modern Switzerland, because these countries have possessed a national government whereas Ireland is but a province. As my opinions on the subject of domestic legislation are well known, I need not tell you that I appreciate fully the force of this answer (hear, hear) - and if I were not prohibited from entering into this field of controversy, I should feel myself disposed to illustrate copiously this argument. But upon the present occasion I shall only observe that self government is the consequence rather than the cause of that spirit of self reliance which I invite you to cherish (cheers). There have undoubtedly been occasions in Irish history when the Irish people might have attained the invaluable advantage of a domestic government if they had been animated by the same spirit which supported the Greeks at Marathon and Salamies (hear, hear), and which won for Switzerland the triumph of Morgarten and Sempach - of Granson and of Morat. But we have tonight to consider not what might have been done if we had been favoured by antecedent circumstances, but what we can do under the present condition of affairs in Ireland (hear, hear).

The consideration of this question brings me to the second position which I am desirous to establish - namely, that though we have not been able to maintain in this island a national government, yet, that individual Irishmen have proved themselves to be capable of doing all that has been done by the noblest men of other nations (prolonged applause).

To illustrate fully this assertion is a task which would require not a single evening alone, but a series of lectures. It would be necessary to go back to those ages when Ireland was the land of saints and heroes (tremendous cheering) - to the time when the cloisters or the cells of Ireland sent forth missionaries to convert and civilise the benighted inhabitants of a great part of Europe (continued applause). The names and deeds of these great and good men are forgotten by many Irishmen who ought to cherish their fame (hear) as an invaluable heirloom, but their memory is still honoured in the countries which they redeemed from barbarism. In order to do justice to such a task, it would be necessary to go back even beyond the time when Brian cleared this soil of foreign invaders (enthusiastic and continued cheering, mingled with cries of bravo) , and to unroll the records of Irish heroism exhibited throughout centuries not only in the struggles here maintained by Irish valour against foreign usurpation, but also in the achievements of Irish exiles in the services of countries which they had been compelled to adopt as their own (renewed cheering). Perhaps there are even some amongst you who would feel a pleasure in being reminded that almost the last of those who have won hereditary distinctions in the peerage of England was a child of North Munster, who with his "Tipperary Tactics", won every battle in which he was engaged (cries of bravo). But I must leave the story of Irish valour from the time of "Con of the Hundred Battles" down to that of Lord Gough to be told by some more competent narrator - and I shall now briefly allude to a few additional illustrations of the energy and capacity of Irishmen as exhibited in other fields of action (hear, hear).

Fifty years ago there was to be seen in Ireland scarcely a single edifice of modern structure dedicated to the service of God after the Catholic form of worship. Now there is scarcely a parish, however poor or however remote, in which a new Catholic Church or Chapel has not been erected by the voluntary and unaided efforts of the Catholic population of Ireland (applause). It is to be regretted, indeed, that a large proportion of those buildings are utterly destitute of architectural beauty - but on the other hand several are worthy to view with the grand remains of what have been called "the barbarous ages" - Even in our own city a Cathedral is rising rapidly which will do equal honour to the piety and to the good taste of the inhabitants of this district of Ireland by the aid of whose contributions it has been constructed (hear, hear).

In illustration of the fame which has been attained by individual Irishmen, I may allude with pride to a fact which is often asserted by persons more competent than I am to form a correct judgement on such a subject - namely, that there are few, if any, learned societies in Europe which have enrolled on their list of members so large a number of men distinguished for science and literature as are to be found in the Royal Irish Academy of Dublin (hear, hear).

I may remind you also that in all collections of modern art that are exhibited in England a large proportion of the masterpieces are productions of Irish artists - many of whom have derived the rudiments of their education from Ireland - though unhappily there do not exist in this country opportunities for carrying forward that education to the highest perfection.

The same observation applies to the literature of Great Britain. Of the works published in England it will be found that no inconsiderable proportion have been composed by Irishmen, though Ireland obtains but a small share of the fame which belong to these works (hear, hear).

Again: I may refer with pride to the statement made not long since by the eminent railway contractor, Mr Dargan, to the effect that nearly all the Irish railways which have been conducted with the greatest success have been constructed by means of Irish capital, and administered by Irish management (hear and cheers).

It has been the custom of those who are desirous to seek a pretext for thrusting Englishmen and Scotchmen into every office in this country which is remunerated with adequate emolument, to maintain that Irishmen are unfitted for the administration of affairs - but, as far as my observation has extended, I have occasion to perceive that in Ireland the management of public boards of all kinds is at least equal, if not superior, to that of England. As an instance of what may be done by Irishmen when animated by an independent spirit, I may mention that when I was in exile in Van Dieman's Land, I derived much gratification from learning that the Dublin Exhibition - the management of which was undertaken by the members of the Royal Dublin Society without the aid of any Government commission or of royal patronage, had been conducted with remarkable success (cheers).

It was formerly the custom to discourage every local effort by maintaining that this country does not possess capital adequate to effect great pecuniary combinations. Whilst I admit that Ireland suffers under an incalculable disadvantage arising from the annual tribute which it pays without receiving any equivalent in the drain occasioned by the remittance of rents to absentees (hear, hear), yet I am inclined to think that our pecuniary resources are far greater than we are ourselves disposed to imagine them to be. For myself I require no better evidence that such is the case than the fact that an overwhelming proportion of the properties brought to sale in the incumbered Estates Court have been bought by Irishmen by means of Irish capital.

When I was in Belgium I was surprised, and I must add - pained - by learning that a coal mine had been recently opened near Dusseldorf in Germany, which was to be worked entirely by Irish capital and Irish skill. The outlay upon this mine cannot be less than one hundred thousand pounds, and the men engaged upon it are some of the most skilful engineers that Ireland has produced. Though I wish success to the undertaking, I cannot refrain from lamenting that the circumstances of this country - (I shall not to-night enquire why ?) - should have been such as to discourage the investment of this capital and the employment of this skill in their natural sphere (hear, hear).

Even at the present moment during a commercial crisis, which extends to Great Britain, France, Germany and America, the monetary position of this country is found to be more safe than that of other countries. Unless I am mistaken Irish capital is at present seeking investments to a large extent in English securities and thereby affording aid to the embarrassments of British commerce.

From the foregoing considerations I infer that Ireland has produced many individuals who have shown themselves to have been possessed of genius and capacity for success in regard of arts, letters and arms - and, also, that Ireland possesses all the resources, material and moral, which are requisite for attaining a high position amongst the nations of the earth.

What then is wanting to bring into effective development these elements of national greatness ?

My answer is - Self reliance, and a spirit of patriotic co-operation on the part of the children of our soil (hear, hear, and cheers). We have been so long provincialised that we think and act, not as becomes the members of a great nation, but as the adjuncts and dependants of a superior power. Instead of considering what we can do for ourselves, we are always inclined to enquire - what can others to for us?

Now I have no desire to set myself forward as censor of my fellow countrymen, but I should be guilty of moral cowardice if I were to lay blame upon others, which I feel ought to be borne by ourselves. Let us begin at home. We all complain that it is disgraceful to such a city as Limerick not to possess a public library and a museum. Yet when a proposition is made for the establishment of a public library, it is negatived by a vote of the citizens.

It is truly wonderful that a population so desirous of instruction as are the inhabitants of this city should allow year to pass after year without establishing here either a museum or a public library. The Corporation ought to take the lead in regard of projects of this kind. If they were to appeal to the country for support there is every reason to hope that they would not make such an appeal in vain. The inhabitants of Ennis by establishing a public library in that town have set an example which deserves to be imitated by you (hear, hear).

We all complain that this city is deficient in the higher productions of art. Yet with an abundance of historical recollections out of which a choice might be made, the leading persons of Limerick can suggest no better mode of adorning this capital of the west of Ireland than that of beseeching the British Government to give to them some of the cannon that were taken by the French at Sebastopol (tremendous applause). Would it not be more worthy of a Corporation and citizens

of Limerick to embellish your public places and at the same time encourage Irish art by setting on foot a subscription for a piece of sculpture or an historical painting, which should recall to mind some person or event, the memory of which is dear to the Irish nation and gratifying to Irish pride ? (hear, hear).

There is scarcely a person of any class in Limerick who would not feel a pride in being able to refer to trophies won in the competition of artists by natives of this district of Ireland. But whatever may be the natural talent of a young artist it is absolutely necessary that he should command opportunities, not only of acquiring the rudiments of instruction but also of studying good models. Now it appears that all the zeal for the fine arts that exists in Limerick and the adjoining counties does not in the aggregate produce subscriptions to the amount of one hundred pounds - the minimum required to keep in a state of tolerable efficiency the school of design which is maintained within the walls of the building in which I now address you. The citizens of Cork have in this respect displayed much more appreciation of the fine arts than those of Limerick; for they have voluntarily assessed themselves to the extent of a halfpenny in the pound for the establishment of a school of art. It gives me much pleasure to mention here that some of the students in the small school of art which at present exists in Limerick have already distinguished themselves in such a manner as to give fair promise of eminent success in this career (hear, hear).

The Members of the Mechanics' Institute desire to spend their evenings in intellectual amusement. Are there not many young men of cultivated minds in this city who could contribute to the gratification of this laudable desire by giving lectures upon literary and scientific subjects. It is not necessary to be very learned or very eloquent in order to communicate information that will be useful and pleasing. I remember to have heard at an institution in London a very interesting lecture upon some recent improvement in watchmaking, which was delivered by a practical watchmaker who was scarcely able to put together in a correct manner half a dozen consecutive sentences (hear, hear). The subjects for such lectures are of infinite variety. Each person engaged in any particular employment might be simply explaining details which come under his daily observation, communicate matter that would be instructive and interesting to an intelligent audience. If no other subjects could be dealt with in a satisfactory manner by our young students, it would be well if after reading an interesting book they should undertake to communicate an outline of its contents to an audience of the working men who have not leisure for the perusal of such books. To establish and uphold such a system of mutual instruction, nothing is wanting but a spirit of intelligent self reliance (hear, hear).

As regards elementary education, this city is by no means unprovided with opportunities of instruction. With few exceptions (and I may mention amongst these exceptions the "Leamy Endowment", the state of which is extremely discreditable to the Trustees who have undertaken its management) the elementary schools of the city of Limerick appear to be in a very satisfactory condition, and even the humblest mechanics have an opportunity of providing for their children as good an education of an elementary kind, as can be obtained elsewhere. There is no reason, therefore, why young mechanics should not, in these schools, obtain those rudiments of knowledge which form the basis of an intellectual development that must subsequently depend mainly upon their own exertions.

The principle of national self-reliance which I am now endeavouring to enforce, is also applicable to the encouragement of Irish manufactures. If there were in this country a proper spirit, a preference would be given in the purchase of all commodities to the productions of Irish workmanship. I am far from pretending that a patriotic disposition should induce a purchaser to prefer a bad and dear article to a good and cheap one merely because the former is Irish - but I am afraid that there are many persons who would turn away from an article if they were sure that it was manufactured in Ireland though they cheerfully purchase the same article if they believe it to be French or English. Now, although Ireland is not a manufacturing country, many commodities produced here are superior in excellence and durability to those that are produced from other lands (cheers). Thus the old home made frieze and flannels of this country, and even the modern "Tweeds" manufactured in Ireland are found to be superior in wear if not in appearance to those that are imported. Yet in the purchase of woollens even our rural peasantry often give a preference to the foreign rather than to the home-made article. It is manifest that the cottons of Manchester other woollen goods of Leeds cannot be brought into this country except by exchanging for them commodities which are the produce of the soil or of the industry of Ireland. Practically, we know that they are purchased by the export of cattle, of sheep, of pigs, of butter, of grain, of fish - that is, of the food of man. Now, whatever Political Economy may say on the subject, I confess that I would wish to food that is produced in this country to be eaten by Irish artisans in Ireland rather than by the inhabitants of Manchester or Leeds (prolonged applause). Tropical productions, indeed, such as tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, etc., cannot in any case be obtained except by the export of some equivalent from Ireland - but in regard of every article that can be manufactured at home a preference ought to be given by the Irish purchaser to our domestic manufactures - provided always they be equally good and equally reasonable in price.

I purposely forbear from suggesting higher applications of the same principle of self-reliance lest I should be led into the forbidden field of controversial politics. In all that I say to-night, I assume that no change will take place in our political condition, and I invite you to consider what may be done by the operation of national spirit, and by efforts purely social to elevate the character of our beloved country.

Now, we all desire that Dublin, as capital of Ireland, should be rendered a flourishing city, and should become renowned for its advancement in all those arts which give dignity to a great metropolis (hear, hear). At present it is deserted by the aristocracy of Ireland, and consequently many trades languish which would be invigorated by the diffusion of wealth, and many undertakings tending to embellish and improve or to effect objects which would gratify our national pride are put aside from want of means to accomplish them. Probably, many of us are disposed to think that Dublin cannot fully attain all the advantages which belong to a metropolis, unless it become the seat of a domestic legislature. But if the nobility and gentry of Ireland were animated by a patriotic spirit, Dublin might be rendered almost in the course of a single year, even without the presence of a domestic legislature, one of the most agreeable capitals of the world (cheers). Several hundreds of the wealthiest of our landed proprietors are in the habit of emigrating annually to London, Paris or other capitals in search of what are called the advantages of society for their families. Now, if these proprietors would agree amongst themselves to repair to Dublin for what is called "the season" they might at once constitute as eligible a circle as they would find in any other metropolis. Indeed, such a circle would be to them much more agreeable than those which they now habituate, because in London society even the highest of our Irish aristocracy are considered intruders, and are barely tolerated by the arrogance of the English "fashionable world", whereas in Dublin they would occupy their natural position which is always more dignified than one that is dependent upon accidental anad temporary circumstances. The permanent society of Dublin that is to be found there at present, though for the most part not very wealthy, may bear comparison in point of education and refinement with that of the most favoured capitals of Europe (hear, hear). It consists chiefly of the families of professional men whose career in life necessarily requires that they should be highly instructed, and there is a genial tone and a hospitable disposition amongst these classes which is seldom found elsewhere. It was, I believe, the unanimous sentiment of all the distinguished strangers who attended the recent meeting of the British association in Dublin, that nowhere had they found so many elements of gratification, intellectual and social, as they had enjoyed in Dublin (cheers). It is needless to remark that if several hundred wealthy families were to repair annually to Dublin for a few months, instead of carrying away their pecuniary resources to London and other foreign capitals, a multitude of projects tending to give employment to artisans and at the same time to embellish or improve the country at large would be set on foot and carried into effect by a co-operation which cannot now be obtained in consequence of the dispersion of those who possess the means to accomplish them.

In like manner, if the nobility and gentry of Ireland were to make it a principle to send their children to Irish schools and colleges, instead of sending them to other countries, where they often obtain but very indifferent instruction, and acquire a contempt for their native land they might, in the course of a very few years, render this country as remarkable for the excellence of its seminaries as it was in those early ages when Saxon and other foreign students used to repair to Ireland for instruction (prolonged applause).

Several thousand boys, the children of our wealthiest classes now migrate annually to England and foreign countries for education. If the parents of these children were animated by patriotic sentiments they would make suitable efforts to secure the establishment in this country of schools and colleges of the highest character, and then practically encourage these academies by sending to them their own children. I can speak with some confidence upon this subject because I have myself acted on the principle, which I here inculcate. Though I was myself wholly educated in England I felt it to be my duty to try, at least as an experiment, whether it were not possible to secure for my children a good education at school and at college in their own country. I confess that I made this experiment with considerable doubt and distrust as to the result, but I have been amply rewarded, for I have no hesitation in saying that my sons have enjoyed opportunities of receiving in Ireland an education much better in all respects than that which I obtained in England. (hear, hear, hear). This observation, however, does not apply to my second son who, being deaf and dumb, was sent to school in England, there being in this country, so far as consists with my knowledge, no seminary suitable for his education.

Illustrations of the advantages which would result to this country from the operation of a self relying spirit on the part of the Irish nation might be multiplied, if time would permit, to an extent almost indefinite. I shall add only one word more, by way of exhortation, to the young men of this country, for the purpose of endeavouring to induce them to abandon the habit which unfortunately prevails to a great extent, of seeking to obtain situations under Government (hear, hear, from Father Quaid). This habit does not exist so much amongst the working classes as amongst the middle classes and amongst the wealthiest ranks of society. Such a disposition of mind tends much to degrade the character of this country and to check the natural energies of our people. I am confident that it would be found upon enquiry that for every appointment under government conferred upon an Irishman there are at least twenty competitors. Now, if this be the case, it is manifest that upon the occasion of each vacancy at least nineteen persons must be disappointed; and these nineteen persons are for the most part induced to hang on, relying upon a vague hope in a listless state of expectation; instead of exerting their natural energies to make an independent position for themselves in the honourable occupations of industry or commerce (hear, hear). This system of expectancy tends also to degrade the character of our public men. It is well understood at the Treasury that patronage is given only to those who are prepared to offer an equivalent for it in support afforded to the Government of the day (hear, hear, from Father Quaid). How is it possible then that a representative can maintain his parliamentary independence if he be constantly urged to solicit situations for his constituents? These remarks do not, however, apply to a system of promotion, dependent upon "competitive examination". If such a system could be universally established and acted upon with integrity, the acquirement of a situation under Government would be honourable to the successful party, and even those who might fail would have had the advantage of an educational preparation which would be highly useful to them in whatever path of life they might subsequently choose. But I fear that we are still far from the establishment of a system of promotion which would depend wholly upon merit; and I speak not with reference to changes which may possibly hereafter occur, but with reference to what actually exists

Let me avail myself of this opportunity to caution you against yielding to the opinion with which English writers have of late years endeavoured to impress the public mind of Europe and America, that the Irish are incompetent to achieve the same success that has been obtained by Englishmen, because they belong to an inferior race. A more absurd dogma was never put forward to justify the exclusion of a people from their fair position in the scale of nations than this doctrine that the Anglo Saxon race is superior to that of the Celt (hear, hear) - and it is painful to see that it has been unscrupulously used by such a writer as Macauley, to justify his malevolent aspersions upon our country and its inhabitants. The very term Anglo Saxon is a misnomer when applied to the people whose domineering spirit seeks to establish their ascendancy in every portion of the globe (applause). The Saxon or Anglo Saxon race were trampled down by the Normans, during the first two centuries that followed the conquest of England and that element of overbearing energy which characterises Englishmen belongs to the Norman - not to the Saxon race. Now a large proportion of the inhabitants of Ireland (even many who speak the Gaelic tongue) are of the Norman race. The truth is, that the population both of England and of Ireland is to a remarkable extent a mixed people. In England it has become impossible to determine whether the blood of the ancient Briton, or of the Saxon or of the Dane, or of the Norman, or of the miscellaneous multitude of refugees from all countries that has become mingled with its population most predominates. On the other hand we are told by Dr Keating in his history of Ireland, that, even before the Normans set foot in Ireland, this Island had been inhabited by several different races - the Firbolgs, the Tuatha de Danaan, the Gaels, the Danes - not to speak of the Nemedians, Fomorians, etc. Ever since the Roman invasion of Ireland there has been a continued influx of foreign races - such as the Anglo Saxons, the lowland Scotch and foreign adventurers of all kinds. At this moment many Irish families who are characterised by all those imperfections, which are attributed by English writers to the Celt, are by origin undoubtedly English, whilst many families are undoubtedly of Gaelic origin, ape the manners - I will not say the virtues - of the English, I am sorry to add, often carry the imitation to the extent of despising the country which for three thousand years has been the home of their kindred (prolonged applause).

The truth is that our inferiority, if it exists at all, is the result not of difference of race but of difference of circumstances. Would the English character be what it now is had the Turks ruled as a dominant race during six hundred years. And, further, I refuse to accept the word inferiority as a just description of the difference that exists between our national character and that of the English people. I trust I shall never live to see the day when my countrymen will renounce their kind, genial, social, generous, and impulsive natures in exchange for the old self esteem and repulsive rigidity which characterises our neighbours (tremendous cheering).

I thank God, too, that the spirit of Mammonism, which has created for England so much of the wealth in which its alleged superiority consists, has not been as firmly established in this country as at the other side of the channel (hear, hear, from Father Quaid), for I firmly believe that to the habit of considering wealth as the first, if not the sole desideratum of life England will owe her future downfall. I thank God that a great portion of the Irish nation still feel that there is something nobler in man's nature than the thirst for pecuniary gain, and I trust that the day is yet far distant when virtue and merit will be measured in this country by the monetary standard (cheers) - Let us endeavour to imitate the good qualities of other nations, whether these qualities be found in the Gaul or the Saxon, but let us beware of the miserable spirit of sycophancy that would exchange the noblest instincts with which the God of nature has endowed us, for the most grovelling or the most selfish propensities that belong to those who call themselves our superiors (loud and continued applause, accompanied with cries of bravo).

Above all let us beware of supposing that differences amongst ourselves in regard of religious conviction must necessarily engender discord and mutual hate. That such has hitherto been the case - and that these discords have been studiously encouraged by those whose interest it is to divide us - are indeed facts which cannot be denied. And any who witnessed the civil war which prevailed lately during two or three months in one of our most flourishing cities on account of memories and watchwords connected with the struggle of two competitors for the throne of England which took place at the close of the seventeenth century - neither of whom cared for Ireland except as an appendage to British power might well entertain utter hopelessness in regard to the destinies of this country. But in the end the sentiment and influences of common interest must bind together the different sections of the population of this kingdom. Now I defy the most virulent partisan on either side to point out a single circumstance in regard of which the interest of the Protestant inhabitant of Belfast is at variance with that of his Catholic neighbour. Speaking for myself I can truly say that to me it is a source of continual happiness that I can without the slightest violation of conscience, love and esteem equally my Protestant and my Roman Catholic fellow countrymen (cheers). This land - the whole of this land - from Inishowen to Crookhaven - from Cashel of the Kings to the ancient city of Armagh, where lie interred the remains of the hero of Clontarf - is the land of my fathers - the land of my children - "my own, my native land" (cries of bravo and cheering from all parts of the house). The interests of all its inhabitants, whatever may be their race or creed, are my interests.

Their glory and their infamy are mine (hear, and cheers). Nor can I stand on the banks of the Shannon, and watch the lapse of its current without remembering that from the time when it enters the broad expanse of Lough Derg to that in which it meets the Atlantic wave at Loop Head, it laves a territory replete with memorials which remind me that North Munster has been the home of my family for a hundred generations (continued cheering). When I gaze upon the ancient Cathedral of this city, and call to my mind that it was founded by my ancestors seven hundred years ago, it is not surprising that I should feel more than a common concern for the honour and welfare of Limerick. Whatever, therefore, may be my reward - whether I earn the love and gratitude of my fellow countrymen, or endure, as I have already endured, misrepresentation and suffering of every kind on account of my attempts to serve them, I shall continue to labour for Ireland, and specially to hold myself ready to co-operate with the inhabitants of Limerick in every effort which they may make to elevate their city by intellectual culture or to adorn it by external embellishment (cries of bravo).

Nor do I care how humble may be the agencies by which these ends are accomplished. For few living men have mingled with so many different grades of society or have seen so many vicissitudes of life - and this experience has taught me that moral worth and intellectual prowess are not the exclusive inheritance of any particular class. On the contrary, I am convinced that there is often to be found in the breast of an industrious mechanic more of genuine dignity than inhabits that of the haughtiest peer. I have dwelt in lordly mansions and in thatched cottages and this experience has convinced me that genuine happiness is as often to be found beneath the lowly roof as in the Regal palace (tremendous cheering). Amongst the men that I have known who have obtained the highest success in a professional or commercial career the greater part have been the architects of their own fortunes (hear, hear) - have owed everything to their own abilities and perseverance. I am able, therefore, to speak in terms of encouragement to the young mechanics who have done me the honor to ask me to address them tonight, and to assure them as well as the classes to whom Fortune has been propitious, that both individual advancement and national greatness can, under the blessing of Providence, be secured only by cherishing the manly sentiment of SELF RELIANCE (cheers).

We ought not indeed to reject the co-operation of those whose sympathies we are entitled to claim. On the contrary, I have endeavoured to show tonight how many useful objects might be promoted by the combination of those whose interests are identical but we ought to practise the habit of considering not what might be done for us by others, but what we can do for ourselves. By acting upon this principle, the inhabitants of Ireland have it in their power to make this country a realm whose name shall be mentioned with honor throughout all ages, and amongst all nations of the earth. Since we cannot erase from our annals the pages which tell of dissension, and suffering, and degradation, let us at least pray that our posterity may hereafter enact and record a history that shall realise our fondest aspirations.

The learned, patriotic and popular gentleman resumed his seat amidst the most vehement applause, which was followed by cheers for Mr Monsell, MP, Daniel O'Connell, CG Duffy and John Mitchell.

Alderman Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Committee of the Athenaeum, rose from the body of the assemblage amid cheering, and said he had been requested to propose a vote of thanks to William Smith O'Brien, Esq. for the valued and susceptible kindness with which he came forward on the occasion (hear, hear). He need not add one word to inform the audience that the distinguished gentleman had the interests of the citizens at heart (loud cheers). He would content himself on the present occasion with proposing a vote of thanks to William Smith O'Brien, for the eloquent and instructive lecture which he had delivered. (cheers).

The Rev Mr Quaid, P.P., O'Callaghan's Mills, having been called upon, came forward amid the warmest and loudest expressions of welcome to second the resolution. He said the first notice he received of the lecture they had just heard was in one of the local Journals; but a subsequent announcement would appear to intimate that an adjournment was proposed. Happening, however, to come into Limerick that day, and finding the lecture was to be delivered, he could not deny himself the pleasure and gratification of attending (cheers). When he entered the meeting the great honour was done him of asking him to second the vote of thanks to the distinguished, illustrious, high-minded man (applause) who had that night unfolded to the auditory the sentiments of his heart and soul - and they were the sentiments of an Irishman, a Christian and a patriot (great cheering). I thank God (said the Rev. speaker) that once again after his return from exile, I can stand publicly on the same platform near him with whom I once stood when he was sentenced to exile from his native land. I have stood on many platforms, but I must confess I never stood on one with greater pleasure than this evening beside the man who sacrificed family, liberty, and I may say property, for the country of his birth ( prolonged applause). Humble though I may be, I have stood with men of distinction in many spots, but never with a purer and a nobler soul in any than you have here tonight before you (hear, hear). He has enunciated to you a principle of inestimable worth, upon which I am sure that you will act, by which you will be guided, and become what you are capable of being - great, and I will add, glorious - aye, and why should I not add further - free (great cheering). For, has life not told you that if you have self respect and self reliance - in other words, if you help yourselves God will help you (cheers). I do not want at this hour to detain this most respectable and numerous assembly by speaking at any length. The lecture just addressed to you requires no elucidation from me or from any man (hear, hear). As a great authority once suggested - "siquaeris monumentum respice" - if you seek the proofs look back to his years of dreary exile - look back to his sufferings in the all but black holes of Van Dieman's land, where he was held in bondage to which he was consigned for fidelity to his country (loud applause, and cries of ah, ah, Denison!). May I ask you could any man undergo such sufferings - would any man endure such privations from any other motive, than a pure and lofty one, the love of country and of kind (tremendous cheering). Yet, that lengthened banishment and those severe privations were borne manfully and well, that it is well known by the public, that both would have been abridged had one humiliating sentence been spoken by our countryman. One apologetic word and they would have restored him to his country and his home (hear, hear). But such were the high and firm principles of William Smith O'Brien that he refused to utter that one word of submission to that Government that wronged his country (loud cheers) and now he stands before this assembly as pure, as unstained as on that day when he was ruthlessly transported by the force of British fraud (loud cries of hear, hear). I may again thank God that I have lived to see this day, or the night when he is standing here unshackled, unimpeached and unimpeachable, willing and able to serve and save his country (cheers). I hope he will live to see that country all that God and nature intended she should become. I hope that the people of this city in particular, and this country in general will take to heart the invaluable Lecture he has delivered, and act upon it with perseverance and earnestness. God will help them if they do (loud applause). The Reverend gentleman concluded by saying he felt great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks.

The Chairman put a vote of thanks [not typed]

William S. O'Brien then rose and said he need scarcely say how gratified he was with the feelings manifested by his countrymen since his return to his native land, and the enthusiasm with which his address was received by so respectable an audience. With regard to the address he had only to say frankly it was not written for the purpose of giving pleasure only. He was not in the habit of arranging his sentiments with a view of affording pleasure to an audience so much as such instruction as he may be able to communicate (hear and cheers). Perhaps some of them may remember the period when as a member of the House of Commons it was his duty to utter truths which were unpalatable to that assembly (hear, hear). To elicit the cheers of the House of Commons he should have addressed them in other language than that of truth alone, but he felt that there were those absent whose interests he represented there and he therefore thought it necessary to utter things which were not agreeable to that legislative audience (great applause). The same sense of duty which urged him to speak the truth in the House of Commons had also that night suggested the views which he expressed. - So far as his reason and feeling could direct he believed he had spoken the truth (cheers). It may be possible that some of his audience may have reason to dissent from his views (cries of no, no). He always liked to have the approbation of his countrymen and the manner in which he wished them to manifest their appreciation of the trouble he had taken in preparing that Lecture would be to uphold the Mechanics Institute either by money or support in other forms (cheers). By upholding that valuable Institution they would render him a great favour and offer to him the sort of homage which he would most desire (cheers). The learned and pathetic Lecturer then resumed his seat amidst manifestations of the most universal applause.

 

END

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