Third Annual Report of the Kensington Parochial Institute

by Anonymous

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT.

The Council of the Parochial Institute have pleasure in submitting for the adoption of its members, and the consideration of the inhabitants of Kensington, their Third Annual Report.

Having upon former occasions detailed the circumstances of its formation, and demonstrated upon solid grounds the expediency of meeting the increasing intellectual requirements of the community, by the establishment, throughout the country, of societies for the diffusion of a healthy literature, and a cultivated taste, it will be their present purpose to recount their own success in stimulating these objects, while suggesting to their fellow residents the privilege, policy, and duty of enabling them to develop the existing agencies of mental recreation, by liberally conceding to their claims an united and comprehensive support.

Nor will such a retrospect be interesting only to those more immediately concerned in producing the results recorded. The popular use of reading-rooms, libraries, and lectures, is not connected with questions of merely individual or local importance; it is of imperial bearing: for while their multiplication and prosperity afford criteria for determining how far the desire of knowledge animates the people, indifference to learning and incapacity for self-instruction are attested by their failure or neglect. These are amongst the outward manifestations of those unconscious tendencies by which the philosophical observer estimates the bent and genius of the age. As in the multitudes who throng to gaze upon the line of armies manœuvring in the pomp of mimic war, he reads the love of military glory, if not the lust of conquest; as in an inordinate devotion to games, and theatres, and spectacles, he sees the traits of frivolity; so in the steady application of the faculties to the improvement of the mind he recognises the characteristics of a wise and understanding people. But these diversities of national choice and temperament cannot be consigned to the speculations of the theorist. They enter largely into the deliberations of the practical statesman. By their influence, the distribution of political power is confessedly affected. Rights that could not be confided to an ignorant, are freely accorded to an educated population. Already the principle of an educational qualification has been mooted as the safest mode in which the extension of the franchise could be granted; and in considering the claims of various constituencies to a participation in the representation of the country, it is far from impossible that the government would accord a preference to localities, maintaining in efficiency and prominence well organized institutions of social and intellectual progress.

It is pleasing to reflect that this neighbourhood need not shrink from such an inquiry. For though its growth has been unprecedentedly rapid for the last ten years, private liberality and public munificence have combined to preserve its ancient pre-eminence over other suburban parishes. It is still in truth, as well as name, “the Royal Ville” of Kensington. But whilst it is creditable to its patriotism that it has erected, within this recent period, four new churches, has built a dispensary, and raised other public structures of much architectural merit and of great utility; whilst in these edifices, dedicated to the noblest ends, religion and humanity, evidences are shrined of an enlightened and active desire of improvement, no attempt commensurate with the importance of the town has yet been made to purchase or erect a building where neighbour may meet neighbour in a spirit of good-will and unity, and by intercourse and the exchange of daily courtesy, and the pursuit of knowledge, which civilizes and blesses parishes as well as nations, communities as well as individuals, and which ought ever to be found in alliance with religion itself.

Kensington, central Kensington, with its parks, and gardens, and palace, the birthplace and residence of monarchs, rich in historical associations, almost the home of genius; where Cromwell swayed the destinies of Europe; where William of Orange sojourned, Lord Chancellor Nottingham dwelt, Sir Christopher Wren planned and built, and Sir Isaac Newton solved the problems of astronomy; where George II.’s children played, and Queen Victoria was born; which is linked in memory with the names of Addison, Horner, Canning, Wellesley, Moore, Wilkie, and Wilberforce, and still retains within its limits some of the most distinguished authors and artists of the day, possesses no Public Museum, no Public Library, not even a Lecture-Hall.

But though it be a matter of shame and disgrace that this omission has never been adequately supplied, much of the substantial advantage attached to the Athenæums of the manufacturing towns, and the Bibliothèques of the continental cities, has been modestly provided by the Parochial Institute.

Small though its reading-rooms unquestionably are, situated in a street removed from the central thoroughfare, and of outward appearance but little in unison with the wealth, respectability, and literary reputation of St. Mary Abbott’s, they still are known and patronized. From the date of their opening, three years ago, they have been becoming more and more frequented. At first they were attended only by those who had joined the Institution with the wish to encourage so good a work. Now they are subscribed to by many who appreciate their convenience for their own sake. This is a wholesome sign—the turning point of success in such an undertaking. For though it be necessary and right to bring to bear upon an infant project all the extraneous aid that can promote its object, no factitious support will permanently avail. To ensure a prolonged existence, it must be sustained by its own merits. It is not till interest comes to strengthen principle that the prosperous future is secured. But in a country constantly and triumphantly calling attention to the freedom and purity of its press, it can hardly be necessary to expatiate on the benefits accruing from its wide and impartial circulation. From the publication of Milton’s Areopagetica, these have been acknowledged. None can say how much the English habit of reading newspapers tends to enlarge the national views. Men cannot see, day after day, the various problems of political and social moment, debated before them by the ablest advocates, without confessing that cogent reasons may be urged on either side. Half an hour spent daily in perusing the current reviews and magazines is usefully employed. By it the mind is kept informed of the events of contemporaneous history, is enabled to form an independent judgment upon measures requiring the sifting of discussion, and led to correct, modify, or expand any sentiments too carelessly adopted, too obstinately defended, or too narrowly based.

Thus silently, it may be, and unconsciously, prejudice succumbs to reason, party strife is mitigated, and argument, not force, enthroned the constituted arbiter of conflicting wills. Hence arises the desirableness of a Newsroom in every populous place, in which each phase of opinion may be represented by its own peculiar organ. Few private establishments enjoy this privilege—most persons confine themselves to a single journal, entertaining ideas precisely identical with their own. They have consequently nothing but a reflection of themselves. They lose the advantage of filtrating their notions through other minds. Of old it was said, “beware of the man of one book.” But the man of one paper is infinitely worse. He usually fails to rise above the natural tendency to a contracted sphere of thought, and rapidly subsides into a state of one-sided conviction, as illiberal, as it is irrational. This is a trial to which no sensible inquirer after truth would willingly subject himself. On the contrary, he will concur in forwarding any plan to obviate its danger. The Parochial Institute embodies such a plan. Therefore, he will enrol himself upon its list of members.

It must not, however, be supposed that facility of access to the ephemeral publications is either the sole or the main intention of this Society. For whatever necessity exists for affording to the industrial and operative bodies opportunities of consulting periodicals of approved ability, morality, and loyalty, it can only be subordinate to the study of more substantial literature. Experience demonstrates that the habit of reading once acquired, is seldom lost. No obstacle ought consequently to be suffered to interfere with its attainment. The incipient student should be free to range the entire field of knowledge. All that its ample page contains, should be unfolded for his choice. And though his early flights be wild, his attempts discursive, he will gradually contract his circle, and settle down at last. This has been instructively verified by some of the quarterly subscribers, whose thirst for light reading was at first excessive. Three sets of novels per week scarcely sufficed to satisfy this eager craving. Now all this is changed. The catalogue of books procured from Churton’s, for 1852, shows a most remarkable diminution in works of a romantic character. Even those demanded, are of a higher and better description. But the staple orders consist of travels, biographies, histories, and treatises on religion. Such facts throw light upon the probable working of free libraries. They bear out the belief, that if judiciously selected, and kept up by successive additions of modern writers, a numerous attendance and issue might be expected. Nor would such an enterprise be attended by any ruinous expense. Excellent histories are now published for three shillings a volume, while the pamphlets on miscellaneous subjects, currently known under the name of Literature for the Rail, embrace some of the most interesting essays, travels, and disquisitions in the language. The Council would bring this topic strongly before their fellow-parishioners, in the hope of inducing many to make presents in augmentation of the library that they now possess. Its after increase can be only a question of time. A free library is the corollary and supplement of national education. Other parishes are beginning to understand this. Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham are setting a good example. Marylebone is about to follow in the same wise path. It is too palpable an error, to give the people an appetite for reading without furnishing them with the means of satisfying it, for a long continuance, in a country so practical as England. Only let it be admitted, and the remedy will not be withheld. May Kensington take the initiative in its rectification by applying it to its own requirements.