_To the Editor of the_ DUDLEY WEEKLY TIMES.
SIR,--Permit me a small space in the _Times_, in reply to the
letters of Mr. Sluter, "A Schoolmaster," and "One who likes
to see everything in its proper place," which appeared in
your last. I feel the more pleasure in noticing them, from
the courteous spirit in which they appear to be written,
contrasted with that of a leading article in the columns
of your contemporary, upon (in some respects) a somewhat
similar subject. Right glad am I to find an interest taken
in the matters to which they refer, sufficiently strong to
develop itself by directing public attention to them through
the pages of your paper. The offer of affording gratuitous
adult instruction to a class or classes in connection with
the Mechanics' Institution, so kindly made by Mr. Sluter and
his coadjutors, was the subject of many conversations, and
occupied much attention of myself and its committee; the great
obstacle, however, appeared to us to be the want of proper
accommodation, the Old Town Hall being occupied for so many
purposes, and at such varied hours, that we feared it could
hardly be rendered properly available for such a purpose.
Again too, we entertained the hope that long ere this we
should have been in possession of rooms and building of our
own, in which, suitable accommodation, not only for this but
every other purpose connected with the Mechanics' Institution
or the public, would have been provided--the exertions to
obtain which, notwithstanding the sneers of the writer in
the _Express_, are pretty well known to most. The effort
to establish adult evening schools may, perhaps, unhappily
not be supported, either by those requiring them on the one
hand, or by public countenance on the other, but it is worth
a trial, and the offer of Mr. Sluter, and others of the
Schoolmasters' Association connected with him, is a noble one,
evincing a feeling on their parts which ought to be thankfully
and heartily responded to. What, Mr. Editor, even the most
enlightened, is the education of our youth, compared to that
more mature knowledge we acquire in after years? It is but,
as it were, the outlines of the map then laid down, to be
filled in by ourselves at leisure at a future time. I trust,
therefore, now the matter is again mooted, the subject will not
be allowed to drop without a trial being made regarding it. To
argue as to the necessity or propriety of the establishment of
such classes or schools, were but to insult the understanding
of those most likely to render them efficient support.
As to the Sebastopol guns, I also should like to see them
in their proper place, and the consideration of the _proper
place_ has not been lost sight of. My idea of this _place_ is,
as your correspondent suggests, in front of the Keep--others
think somewhat differently; at any rate their position and
state, it must be acknowledged, is not the most suitable one,
and ere long, with the assistance of our worthy Mayor, I hope
to see them placed upon a spot which for appropriateness of
situation will be second to none in the kingdom. They were
worthily received, and they ought to be worthily esteemed, as
trophies of the prowess and valour of our countrymen. The Fetes
Committee are perfectly willing to render all the assistance
in their power towards this object, but I am sure that your
correspondent would not desire that their funds should furnish
the necessary amount. The Committee, at considerable expense
and with no little trouble, obtained them _for_ the town;
surely then the town should not be wanting to see they are
properly bestowed and kept, now they do possess them. This I
know is the desire of the Mayor, and others in authority; I
therefore trust ere long to see them in their proper position.
In regard to the remarks of the writer in the _Express_, I
would observe that it is a very much easier thing to sit at
home at ease and write an article for a newspaper, sneering at
the efforts of others, which most probably they did but little
to aid, than to get up funds for a building, requiring, if
it be done properly, some three or four thousand pounds. The
efforts of many on behalf of the Dudley Mechanics' Institution
are well known, and I think need no attempt to be written down
by the _Express_, for the purpose of elevating Mr. Sheridan. I
have already occupied sufficient of your space, or should not
hesitate to break a lance with its writer as to what the Dudley
Mechanics' Institution has been, is, or may become. I trust
that it has already been "productive of some real and permanent
advantages," and that it will continue to exist to furnish more
"for posterity."
I am, Mr. Editor,
Yours respectfully,
E. HOLLIER.
January 25th, 1858, was a royal day in Dudley, it being the Wedding Day
of our first young Princess, the Princess Royal of England, and the
Crown Prince of Prussia. Dudley had never lagged behind its neighbours
in its genuine loyalty to the throne, and on this occasion all hands
were willing to add lustre, and a pleasurable remembrance, to this
interesting event. A public subscription was at once inaugurated to
give a treat to the school children, and tickets for meat to the
indigent poor. The day was propitious, and upwards of 4,000 school
children walked in procession to the Castle Court, led on by two bands
of music; after a short suitable address had been delivered, they
all returned to their various school rooms, and enjoyed a good "tea
drinking." The poor old men and women enjoyed their beef and plum
pudding at their own homes, whilst the well-to-do townsmen dined at the
hotel, under the presidency of the Mayor, Mr. John Beddard. The town
was decidedly _en fete_ this day, for the merry peals of our parish
bells, the jingling of the friendly glass, and the hearty good wishes
for the happy pair, made old Dudley decidedly "jolly" on that memorable
day. These two royal personages will in due course of time become the
Emperor and Empress of Germany. Long may they live to enjoy their
exalted and responsible station in life.
N.B.--Whilst I am writing these lines their eldest son, Prince William
of Prussia, is also entering into the tangled web of holy matrimony.