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library was first opened there was a rush for novels and story books ; but, as the habit of
reading was required, the majority generally rose to a higher plane and works of a greater
utility became more in demand. They were beginning to realise that education was not
merely a matter of schools and childhood, but that it goes on throughout life. These libraries
were really continuation schools and universities doing an enormous amount towards the
technical and general progress of the people. (Cheers.) A library was a true fairyland, a
very palace of delight, a haven of repose, where amusement, comfort, and consolation would be
found by everyone who brought to it the right frame of mind, and he was confident this one
would add in many ways to the prosperity of the district. (Cheers.) He had much pleasure
in declaring the building open.
Mr. E.J. Wakeling. J.P., proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Passmore Edwards,
for his presence, and for his munificence to the parish. He had now given £6,250 and 1,000
books to the Haggerston library, and £3,200 towards the Pitfield-street library, and without
him the parishioners could not have done what they had succeeded in doing. (Cheers.)
Mr. T. Errington seconded.
The Right Hon. G. Shaw-Lefevre, L.C.C., who was cordially received, said he
esteemed it a great privilege to support this vote of thanks, for genorosity manifold and most
wise. In his connection with one of the most widely-spread newspapers their benefactor had
set before him a very high ideal, and he had devoted a large amount of what he had so well
earned to the public good. (Cheers.) In most of the West End parishes they had not yet
succeeded in getting the Act adopted, but there was quite as large a population as in the east
dependent for their literature upon public libraries, and he hoped those parishes would soon be
induced to follow the example set by Shoreditch. (Cheers.)
Mr. Henry Ward, L.C.C., very heartily supported the vote of thanks, and totally
disagreed with the idea that people could be over educated. The more one was educated the
more one saw the value of real honest work, no matter in what part of life it was done. Mr.
Passmore Edwards had helped the people of Whitechapel to get a library, and now he was
helping them to build an art gallery. He hoped that in course of time Shoreditch would have
its art gallery. (Cheers.)
The motion was carried, and Mr. Passmore Edwards was received with native
enthusiasm. He said he was very thankful for their vote of thanks, particularly to the gentleman
who did not say much but who had done a good deal. (Hear, hear.) The gentleman
whom he hoped again to see a Minister in the House of Commons had referred to his connec
tion with the public press : the very same question came up that day in his home, and he said
to his wife that he looked back upon his connection with the press with vastly more
satisfaction than the promotion of anything philanthropic or educational, because he had
always endeavoured in a very humble way to purify and elevate that great institution.
(Cheers.) He had never written a sentence in which he did not believe or in which he did
not put his conscience, and he had always aimed at that which was greater than himself : the
public good. (Hear, hear.) He was pleased with the character of the building, and its
splendid architecture ; and though a little more top light was necessary, it was one of the most
satisfactory constructions he had seen in London. Now the parishioners had got their new
library he felt sure they would use it to advantage. (Hear, hear.) The public spirit of
Shoreditch was an example to the wealthier parishes and was likely to find mitators, for he
understood their experiment of making electricity from the dirt and dust was pre-eminently
successful. (Cheers,) He sincerely thanked them for their appreciation.
Professor Stuart, M.P., said he had much pleasure in moving a hearty vote of thanks
to Sir John Lubbock for the function which he had performed in such an able and scholarly