At the same time, a man who feels that he has some good work in him, which study and labour might yet bring out, is fully justified in denying himself, and in applying his energies to the culture of his intellect.  And it is astonishing how much carefulness, thrift, the reading of books, and diligent application, will help such men onward.

The author in his boyhood knew three men who worked in an agricultural implement maker’s shop.  They worked in wood and iron, and made carts, ploughs, harrows, drilling-machines, and such-like articles.  Somehow or other, the idea got into their heads that they might be able to do something better than making carts and harrows.  They did not despise the lot of hand-labour, but they desired to use it as a step towards something better.  Their wages at that time could not have exceeded from eighteen to twenty shillings a week.

Two of the young men, who worked at the same bench, contrived to save enough money to enable them to attend college during the winter.  At the end of each session they went back to their hand-labour, and earned enough wages during the summer to enable them to return to their classes during the winter.  The third did not adopt this course.  He joined a mechanics’ institute which had just been started in the town in which he lived.  By attending the lectures and reading the books in the library, he acquired some knowledge of chemistry, of the principles of mechanics, and of natural philosophy.  He applied himself closely, studied hard in his evening hours, and became an accomplished man.

It is not necessary to trace their history; but what they eventually arrived at, may be mentioned.  Of the first two, one became the teacher and proprietor of a large public school; the other became a well-known dissenting minister; while the third, working his way strenuously and bravely, became the principal engineer and manager of the largest steamship company in the world.

Although mechanics’ institutes are old institutions, they have scarcely been supported by working men.  The public-house is more attractive and more frequented.  And yet mechanics’ institutes—­even though they are scarcely known south of Yorkshire and Lancashire—­have been the means of doing a great deal of good.  By placing sound mechanical knowledge within the reach of even the few persons who have been disposed to take advantage of them, they have elevated many persons into positions of great social influence.  “We have heard a distinguished man say publicly, that a mechanics’ institution had made him; that but for the access which it had afforded him to knowledge of all kinds, he would have occupied a very different position.  In short, the mechanics’ institution had elevated him from the position of a licensed victualler to that of an engineer.