OPENING OF THE ESSEX MUSEUM, ETC. 323
not want to make that mistake now, but at once, in the name of Literature,
Education, and Science declared the building open, and to hope that its work-
would be for the good of the district in particular, and for the welfare of man-
kind in general. (Loud applause.) The preceding speaker had said that the
building had arisen from its ashes like the Phoenix. That was so, but instead
of waiting 500 years as the bird did in the myth, they in West Ham had got
another building together in 500 days, whilst only a fortnight after the destruc-
tion of the central part of the building they had begun work in other parts of
the district. They showed that energy and courage were their civic virtues.
It was a testimony to the British workman and the architect, Mr. Russell,
that they were enabled to meet in that building that evening. (Applause.)
Now they had got it, what were they going to do with it ? That was the
question they would have to decide. It was called a Municipal Technical
Institute. That was a very good name, but he thought it would be a great
deal better if they called it the "People's University," or the "West Ham
University," They had got a library which was almost unsurpassed in
London, a library of some 50,000 volumes, and no one could tell, day by day,
how much good those books would do in illuminating or improving the
character of the people of West Ham. He came down to the library on
Tuesday to see the Librarian, and he saw four or five little children at the
counter asking for books for their mothers and fathers. They had not
only the library, but an institution which was one of the most valuable
aids to science—the Museum. (Applause.) Thus they had a trinity in
unity—the Library, Institute and Museum. They had a triune institution,
and he hoped they would turn it to proper account. A motto which had been
put over a door in Thebes read as follows—"Books are the best medicine for
the soul"—but he suggested instead of that motto being placed above their
Institute it should read "Let there be light." , He believed the Institute
would be turned to good account, he was sure of that from what he
had heard. It was most necessary that they should succeed, for it was to the
national interest that institutions of that kind should be promoted in the
country. He did not like it to be stated that England had to follow the lead
of other nations ; continuous efforts should be made by the country to secure
a leading position. Was it right that England, with its vast wealth and great
growth, that it should be left behind by Germany or America ? No, it was
not ; they should seek to march side by side on the path of progress. There-
fore these institutions had a national interest. The number of people in West
Ham was growing prodigiously, and it was (as was the case in other large
towns) growing at the expense of the country, and it was necessary that the
Institute should be made of great benefit to all classes who came. (Applause.)
The Mayor then asked the Countess of Warwick to address the meeting.
Lady Warwick, who was also heartily received, said : I have to thank
you for inviting me to speak this evening.3 I follow Mr. Passmore
Edwards with diffidence, because he is one who has always shown a
practical sympathy with the work of education, whilst I feel that I am
only a theoretical champion on that subject. I am here this
3 Lady Warwick's speech is reprinted from the verbatim report in the West Ham
Guardian. Ed.]