A lecture on the diffusion of scientific knowledge, in large towns : delivered to the members of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, Dec. 18, 1837 / by Peyton Blakiston.

Date:
[1837?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture on the diffusion of scientific knowledge, in large towns : delivered to the members of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, Dec. 18, 1837 / by Peyton Blakiston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    so that, as regards their ventilation, cleanliness, and convenient arrangement, they vie with, if they do not surpass, those of any other town containing an equal population. These are strong proofs of the increase of riches and prosperity. Immense wealth may not have been accumulated by individuals, but (which is better) there has been a large addition to the number of those, who, by their industry and talents, have raised themselves to independence and comfort. The number and extent of the societies which have risen up for the encouragement of the arts or the advance- ment of science, show that taste and refinement have in some measure kept pace with the increase of comfort and wealth. Satisfactory as is the improvement in these respects, it is less im- portant than that which has taken place in the moral character of the working classes. Within the memory of many, their meetings were characterised by a fearful spirit of violence and outrage. With two exceptions, however, one of which, I am sorry to say, was recent, and which cannot be too deeply regretted or too strongly condemned, no loss of property has resulted from their assemblage in periods of excitement or distress, during the last thirty years, (a) This improve- ment in the feelings and habits of the labouring classes is further shown by the increase in the amount of deposits in the Savings’ Bank, and by the number and extent of the provident institutions now existing—proofs the most conclusive that could be adduced. Tt would be an interesting task to trace the various causes that have concurred to produce such beneficial effects as those which I have enumerated; but it would be foreign to my present purpose to do so : one or two, however, of the most obvious must not be omitted. It will at once be acknowledged by all, that the great increase of our (a) Recent circumstances might seem at first sight, to prove that this opinion was not well founded, hut they will, I think, be found to confirm it. Persons are well aware that the late diabolical destruction of property was the work of a few thieves, and of a mob allowed to lash itself into madness without opposition. The wonder is that the unceasing efforts of blood-thirsty agitators should have produced so little effect among the working classes of this town, who, unmoved by their exciting addresses, still retain that respect for the rights of others, which their intelligence and good sense shews them to be necessary to the well-being of society: and although they may entertain extravagant notions regarding the extension of political power, yet I do not believe they would resort to violent measures to carry their point, or that they could be induced to raise a finger against the life or property of others under any circumstances.