Page:Address on the opening of the Free Public Library of Ballarat East, on Friday, 1st. January, 1869.djvu/22

 16 clubs and societies, on the tables of drawing-rooms—possibly in the holy places of such censors, than on the shelves of our free public libraries.

"What, however, may be asked is sought by you beyond making provision for the recreation, or self-imposed instruction, be it light or grave, as caprice may affect them, of those who may frequent this hall.

Your aspirations must be seriously misapprehended if it be assumed that no higher motive be yours than that of entering into sentimental opposition with a gin-palace.

This work which you have engaged in should be acknowledged to be a philosophic recognition, and a faithful discharge of that obligation which not merely binds those who may be permitted to move for a few more short years within the direct influences of this institution, but which links the past with the present, the present with the future, and completes the chain of eternal time.

It is a trite saying, that Australia has no history.

Whether uttered in disparagement or commiseration is immaterial, for in either sense it is equally unsound. It disregards the principles which should make the history of man embrace all common to humanity, and dwarfs it to the dimensions of a parish register.

If unmindful of the lofty sentiment of the Roman poet, "'Homo Sum,' humani nihil a me alienum puto" it be uttered in the former spirit, are we to be divorced from all that connects us with the countries