BuckinghamMP

    On Thursday evening, Mr Buckingham delivered an interesting lecture in Sheffield, in aid of the funds of the Mechanics Institution, on “Church Reform, Law Reform, Municipal Reform, and Social Reform”. At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks to Mr Buckingham was moved and seconded by Messrs Elliott and Fewsdale and agreed to; after which took place the ceremony of presenting Mr Buckingham with a case of cutlery, consisting of a double set of table and dessert knives, six pairs of carvers, et cetera, enclosed in a mahogany case. The inscription on the escutcheon plate is as follows. “A testimonial of respect to J. S. Buckingham, Esq., MP, from the members and friends of the Sheffield Mechanics’ Institution, as a humble acknowledgement of his great services to that institution, and to the cause of popular education”. In the absence of Mr Mitchell, whom it was intended should have presented this elegant and useful token of grateful remembrance, Mr Ebenezer Elliott, the well-known author of the “Corn Law Rhymes”, spoke as follows:-
    “Mr. Buckingham – I have the pleasure, and the honour, of presenting to you a case of Sheffield cutlery, from members and friends of the Mechanics’ Institution, as a humble testimonial of respect and gratitude for your eminent services to them in particular, and your efforts in the holy cause of popular education generally. In this we honour ourselves; and we are sorry it is not in our power to say or do anything that will adequately express our high sense of your deservings: they are written on our hearts, and will be recorded, to your glory, in the annals of your country. It is known to the inhabitants of Sheffield, and ought to be known universally that you are the father of the Sheffield Mechanics’ Institution! Without your assistance, without funds, the proceeds of your lectures, this institution could not even have commenced. You have not since, sir, been an illiberal, or a forgetful parent. May the offspring prove worthy of its origin [enthusiastic cheering].
    After the applause had subsided, Mr Buckingham replied - Mr Elliott and gentlemen: No tribute of respect could have been offered to me more gratifying in its nature, than that which now lies before me, and the gratification is greatly enhanced by the manner in which it has been presented, and in which its presentation has been witnessed and received. I value it as a token of your esteem, and as a beautiful specimen of the manufactures of the town, in the prosperity of which I am bound by every tie to feel a deep interest. You have been pleased to say that my name ought to stand in connexion with the society as that of a parent; and I assure you none other but the children of my loins could be more entitled to my affections than an institution like this, which is so perfectly accordant with all the feelings ofl my heart.
    I am myself but of humble station, and all I have is the result of education - not scholastic, indeed, nor altogether rude – but brought about more by self-exertion than by the influence of birth and fortune. Seeing the benefits of education in myself, I am desirous others should be participators in the blessing. And if, above all, I could make a selection of those who I should most desire to see in its full enjoyment, I would point out those who did me the honour to nominate me to my present station; LP whom I feel bound to do all in my power to make a return, not in silver nor gold - not in patronage nor place - but in good will, and in such assistance as I can render in forming institutions like this.
    I have simply done my duty, which has itself being a high reward. I am glad, also, of this present, because it is of a durable nature. It will remain in my family for a long time to come and will serve to show how worthy you are of assistance, and how gratefully you receive it. I shall carry it with me to London with great delight; and I beg you to believe that any assistance I may have hitherto given to the society is but small compared to what I shall be proud to do if it should ever be in my power. If of my little I have given but little, I am gratified to see that the goodwill is as much valued as if the service had been more [loud cheers].