Fernie, Kirwin J., Chaise-lodge, Hendon, and Union discharge its duties satisfactorily. I have, howClub, S.W.

Nevile, Ralph Henry Christopher, 20, Jesus-lane, Cam- addressing populous meetings; and, therefore, bridge.

Gardoni, Patti, Nilsson-Rossini was laid in the grave to the music of strains he had himself composed, the Stabat Mater, Mose in Egitto, and other great works which have made his name immortal.

Harry Chester. He was mainly known to the public in connection with this Society from his efforts to affiliate with the Society of Arts the various literary societies and Mechanics' Institutions throughout the kingdom-a movement which proved thoroughly successful, and out of Gentlemen, I think my province this evening which grew the Society's system of examinations, is to give you something in the nature of a the arrangements for which, as at present con- Queen's speech, only I hope that it will not be ducted, were the work of Mr. Chester himself. followed by a vote of want of confidence. It is The great success of this system is sufficiently my duty to sketch for you in outline the operaevinced by the fact that, while, in 1856, only tions of the Society, to run over in retrospect 52 candidates presented themselves for examina- what has been done, and, as far as I can, to tion, in the past year the number approached suggest what we may do in furtherance of the 2,000. Mr. Chester was also mainly instrumental cause which we all have at heart. First, I may in bringing about the Exhibition of Educational allude to the Artistic Copyright Bill, drawn up Appliances, which was held, in 1854, at St. by the Council, which it is intended to again Martin's Hall, and to his more recent exertions introduce during the coming Session. You are was in great measure due the establishment of all aware that it was last year introduced by the Food Committee, which has obtained and Lord Westbury, but owing to circumstances, disseminated so much useful information. Mr. which I need not further allude to, it did not Chester and myself were educated at the pass into law. I believe there is no one belongsame school-Westminster-and, I need hardly ing to this Society who does not entirely approve say, were on terms of the greatest cordiality. of the objects of that bill, which is to suppleHe was most constant in his attendance at our ment the Act of 1862, also the work of this meetings, was possessed of the most genial and Society, and by consolidating and amending the kindly temperament, and his every act was laws of artistic copyright generally, to bring this marked by the most entire absence of self-branch of the law into one consistent whole, worthy seeking. I cannot help thinking, gentlemen, of the nation, and more in harmony with the laws that amongst those assembled here this evening, and especially amongst my colleagues at the Council board, there must be many who, on this opening night of another session, feel that their eye involuntarily wanders in search of a familiar face, and who cannot but be conscious that both the Society and themselves have sustained a heavy loss, when they miss the genial, kindly countenance of our lamented and beloved colleague, Harry Chester.

which regulate this subject in foreign countries. It must also be borne in mind that it is not ourselves only who are concerned in this matter, but also various foreign states, at present thirteen in number, with whom we have conventions for international copyright, and who feel deeply the present defective state of our artistic copyright law.

The next matter which I have to bring before your notice is our system of giving prizes to The only other distinguished man whose death competitors in Art Workmanship. To me, this I have to mention was not a member of our Society, is one of the most interesting of the Society's but, as during the last few years we have made operations. I always attend the exhibitions, such great efforts in the way of musical education, and my principal regret, is that they are not it is impossible to omit a passing tribute to the more widely known outside the circle of our memory of the great Rossini, who was laid in his members. This year the conditions of the prizes grave only the day before yesterday. His works have been somewhat altered, and I think with you all know, but it is rather a remarkable cir- advantage. Hitherto the system has been to cumstance, which may have been forgotten by require copies only of choice models of ancient many present, that his greatest work, which is art, but this year the competitors are to be now become almost a household word, Il Bar- allowed, so to speak, to run alone, and are to biere di Siviglia, narrowly escaped utter con- have more scope for the display of their own demnation the first night it was produced before talent or genius. I think this is a step in the a critical audience. His Semiramide you all right direction, and that it was time we left the know, and also how his favourite pupil, Alboni, groove in which we had been running, although performed the part of "Arsace," to the delight it is not for me to say whether, after a time, it of a London audience. The Italian government may not be advisable to return to the study of offered to place the remains of the great master the chefs-d'œuvre of the old masters. in the Italian Westminster Abbey, at Florence, as one of the greatest of her sons, but his relations preferred that where the tree fell there it should lie, and with a funeral service performed by all the great musical celebrities of the day-Alboni,

In

painting, for example, a copyist, however successful he may be in the reproduction of a work by an old master, is but a copyist still; and so with the workmen whom, year by year, we have invited to compete at our exhibitions; they

have reproduced as nearly as they could the and tell me I was talking nonsense. However, models we gave them, but nothing more. Now, gentlemen, this subject is of such importance, gentlemen, we have issued new regulations and that it would be unbecoming in me not to give it conditions, under which, if there is any creative some consideration. A most important and influengenius, and doubtless there will be amongst tial conference was held here in the course of last them, it will be able to show itself, and we session, and the conclusions which were arrived shall admire it even more than mere mechanical at by the Committee then appointed, are, I think, dexterity in producing beautiful effects. In our beyond the region of controversy. At first they great International Exhibitions one cannot help met with some difficulty, owing to the largeness admiring the magnificent specimens of Art- of the subject, but it appears to me the great point workmanship which are exhibited by leading they arrived at was this, that scientific principles English and foreign firms; but I, for one, feel a should form the groundwork of all technical much deeper interest in these exhibitions of education; that is to say, as I understand it, ours, because we are there brought face to face, that it is of no use to cram a child or young so to speak, with the very men who have pro- man hitherto uneducated with scientific facts, duced the work which is exciting our admira- without teaching him the principles upon which tion. I cannot say that I approve of all the those facts depend. This is what I take to be applications of artistic workmanship for which the meaning of the principle that science is prizes are offered. For instance, I think the to be the foundation of all education of this ladies present will agree with me that pianoforte kind; and in this view I appear to be borne out keys will not be much improved for practical by the remarks of Mr. Ayrton, on the occasion musical purposes by being elaborately ornamented, but that is a minor consideration. The main principle is, that these men having been educated for years in the study of objects of art, are now expected to show the results of the education which they have received.

when the report of the sub-committee was presented. He says that, after deliberately examining the subject, he is strongly of opinion that the system of cramming, as at present practised in some of our seminaries of learning, is fatal to anything like success in the various occupations The artisans' visit to Paris I will not do in life which those who are the subjects of it are more than allude to. The able paper read by afterwards called upon to engage in. The great Mr. Hawes (my predecessor in office) last mental defect of ordinary English workmen is, session, when I had the honour of presiding, that for want of early training, they seem totally was so exhaustive of the subject, that it would unable to apply the knowledge or skill which be impertinent on my part to attempt to add they possess to any new circumstances outside of anything thereto, except to say that Mr. Con- the groove in which they have been accustomed ingsby, one of the reporters on the Paris Ex- to run. And this reflection leads me to remark, hibition, has recently returned from a tour of without wishing in the slightest degree to throw inspection in the United States, where he was cold water on technical education, that we must sent by the Society, and his report will not expect too much from it all at once, and shortly be published. I may also refer to the must look for its first and chief results in a higher "Artisans' Reports on the Paris Exhibition," class of foremen and directors of industry, rather for the purpose of remarking that, while the than in an immediate and general advance in various writers differed in many things, they all the intelligence and capabilities of our mechanics agreed as to the great disadvantage under which themselves. We all know that the great and English workmen labour in the want of any increasing tendency of the present day is towards thing like technical education; and, also, as to a more and more minute subdivision of the prothe great advantage which French workmen cesses of manufacture, which, though exercising an possess in being able to walk about the streets advantageous economical influence upon all parties of Paris, meeting at every turn objects of great concerned, the public, the employers, and the beauty and elegance, and thus becoming in-workmen themselves, cannot fail, in some degree, sensibly educated in the principles of art, a re- to have an injurious effect upon the last intelsult which certainly would never follow the lectually, as their employment is rendered thereby most lengthened perambulation of the streets of London.

more and more mechanical. As this tendency is one which we must expect to continue, we must, On the subject of Technical Education I feel as I have said, direct our efforts to enabling men that I must again appeal to your forbearance. of perseverance and ability to raise themselves to I have read a good deal of what is to be said on the position of foremen, and to providing the this question, and have formed my own opinions, highest possible means of education for the latter but doubtless I am speaking in the presence of class, amongst whom, indeed, there is at present many gentlemen so much more practically ac- the greatest necessity for higher scientific trainquainted with these matters than I am, that, if ing. At the same time, it must not be forgotten politeness permitted, I fear they might get up that every mechanic will, from the nature of

things, perform his work better from knowing something of the principles upon which he is acting.

how much the Admiralty appreciate the services thus rendered to naval architecture.

I now go on to say that this art of shipbuildMr. Whitworth's munificent gift for the ing is one which well illustrates the great nefoundation of thirty scholarships, to be held by cessity that exists for imparting the highest those who are more or less intimately connected scientific training to a few of the most promising with mechanical pursuits, is an example which youths engaged in it. It is true that even a others interested in the spread of technical limited mathematical training is valuable to the knowledge, and endowed with the same liberal shipbuilder, and not only to the draughtsman of spirit, will, it is to be hoped, sooner or later ships but to the working shipwright, for many emulate. The benefit to our arts, manufactures, of the rules and methods which both of them and commerce cannot fail to be great, when the daily employ are immediate deductions from sciences connected with their successful prose- geometrical principles within the easy reach of cution are unfolded to the workmen engaged in all. I am assured by those who understand them. While the general spread of the know- this subject most intimately-for, though during ledge of what I may call the trade-sciences is, my connection with the Admiralty I have befrom the above causes, in a fair way of being come pretty well acquainted with most of the realised, there is another aspect of technical processes of shipbuilding, I preferred going for education of which there is, perhaps, some risk such details to the best practical authorityof losing sight under present circumstances, but that the laying-off and the trimming of the which I hold to be of the last importance, and timbers of a wooden ship or the frames of an the bearing of which upon that department in iron ship often bring into play very interesting which I am a subordinate officer (although, from examples of practical geometry, especially in various circumstances, I have been called upon building the ends of the ship; and that of two to be its principal representative during the last men equally skilled in the use of their tools, two years in the House of Commons), I am he who has made this science his study will desirous of illustrating. I refer to the necessity certainly be the better workman. I am even that exists for a few members of a profession assured that, up to a quite recent period, some of being specially trained in the highest branches the minor operations of laying-off a ship upon of the sciences connected with their occupation. the mould-loft floor were universally performed As I have said, in most professions and trades by an inexact method, where geometrical the multitude of workmen will necessarily ac- science, not at all of the highest order, quire but a limited knowledge of science, even would have pointed to an exact method under the most perfect and extended system of which could have been performed more simply, public instruction. A complete mastery of even so that, even in the minor branches of the shipa single science will be acquired by but few builders' art, such scientific knowledge as may only. But that a few should become complete be generally diffused will find direct application masters of their special branches of science is in and produce immediate advantage. But what I the highest degree desirable. It would be easy wish now to point out and to urge is, that naval to illustrate the necessity for this by reference to architecture embraces problems which can only almost any trade; but my official association be discussed and solved by those who receive a with naval affairs during the last few years, in- degree of scientific training much higher than clines me to draw my present example from that which we can reasonably expect to be imnaval architecture. The repeated establishment parted in ordinary public schools where science of Government schools of naval architecture, is taught. The rolling of ships is one of those during the present century evinces the great profound and difficult problems upon which I importance which successive administrations have more than once had to answer questions have attached to the training of scientific ship- in the House of Commons. A glance into the builders, and the cordial assistance which this "Transactions of the Institution of Naval ArchiSociety has, on various occasions, rendered tects" will show that, in this very room, matheto the Institution of Naval Architects, from maticians of such eminence as Dr. Woolley, which has sprung the the Royal School of Canon Moseley, Mr. Froude, Professor Rankine, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and others of like distinction, have brought their attests the estimation in which you yourselves profoundest knowledge to bear upon this intricate hold that branch of science. The progress of subject; and great as has been the light which that school up to the present time has, on the they have thrown upon it, it is not too much to whole, given great satisfaction to the Admi- say that it still awaits a final and perfect settleralty; it is already sending out into the ship-ment. The dependence of the forms of ships building profession a valuable body of young, upon the weight of the materials composing well-trained men; and it is a pleasure to me their hulls is another difficult question. It was to be permitted, on this occasion, to tell you opened up by the Chief Constructor of the Navy,

in a paper read at the Royal Society in March the many museums which are now established last, but still awaits further development. The in the midst of several of our hives of industry. protection of iron ships from fouling is another For example, I said that the great collection of unsolved problem, requiring scientific knowledge Turner drawings, which up to this time are of quite another, but not inferior, kind. All the buried in the cellars under the National Gallery, resources of chemical science have hitherto failed would be better placed in the museums at Manto accomplish this important object, although I am chester, Birmingham, and other great centres of happy to say that the experiments of Dr. Sim and industry, and I was told that I was talking of some other chemists have recently renewed nonsense, and speaking of what I did not in the our expectation of seeing it, ere long, achieved. least understand. That may be so, but still I Indeed, so favourably have these experiments think that it was in the main very sound sense, been received, that the Admiralty have given, and I hope yet that I may live to see the day or are about to give, orders that one of the when these collections may be utilised for the monster ships now being constructed at Chatham, instruction and education of our population. the Monarch, a turret ship, shall be coated with this preparation of Dr. Sim's invention, which from all we learn seems more likely to succeed than anything which has yet been tried.

I must congratulate the Society upon the establishment of the East London Museum, towards which we gave a donation of £100, and upon the character of the provisions which will govern it. You are doubtless aware that this most valuable institution will almost owe its existence to one of my colleagues in the Council, Mr. Antonio Brady, whose exertions in the matter are so well known. I understand that it will be opened in the evenings, that classes will be established in connection with it, and that every effort will be made to render it a truly educational institution for the benefit of the teeming population amongst whom it will soon be erected.

I have already alluded to Mr. Whitworth's munificent donation, but I must not leave this subject without expressing the gratitude of the Society for the confidence which that gentleman has shown in us, by placing at our disposal three exhibitions, intended to prepare the holders to compete for the scholarships in May next. These Exhibitions the Council have bestowed upon three artisans, who they trust will make the best possible use of the advantages thus given them. Their names are as follows:-Mr. Richd. While upon the subject of museums, I J. Ellis, of the Devonport Mechanics' Institute, cannot forbear alluding to an extract which shipwright; Mr. Edmond F. Mondy, of Dept- I saw yesterday from the early history of ford, shipwright; and Mr. William Whitford, the Society. In the year 1759, before of the Belfast Academy Science School, flax there was such a thing in existence as dresser. I am sorry that Mr. Whitworth will not be here this evening to receive the Albert medal, although his absence relieves me of an onerous duty, for I feel that I should not have been able, in presenting that medal, to do full justice to the feelings of the Society.

You will not be surprised to learn from me that I am one of those who think that, in the education of our artisans, national museums play an important part, for it was on this subject that I raised my voice for almost the first time in the House of Commons. I hold that our national collections, which are of inestimable value, should be made as far as possible means of education, instruction, and amusement for the people. The principles upon which the South Kensington Museum was founded and is conducted render it eminently an educational institution, but I cannot say as much for the British Museum, and I never did say so, because it is not open at times when the mass of the people are able to visit it; and I do not think that anyone but a savant, who knows exactly where to look for what he wants, will ever be educated by the treasures which are there collected. Some time ago I was assailed with a good many hard words for venturing to suggest that the surplus art treasures of the country should be sent round and exhibited in

a

public Gallery of Art, the Society of Arts, wishing to encourage the study of Art, offered premiums for the best drawings, but, unfortunately, in those days they had no specimens which the pupils could copy; they therefore applied to my ancestor, the third Duke of Richmond, who had formed a collection of statues, busts, models, and pictures, which he allowed to be copied by the pupils of the Society. When I read that extract it gave me more confidence in undertaking my duties this evening, as I thought perhaps you might credit the brother of the present Duke of Richmond with some of the interest shown in the Society by the third Duke in 1759.

The next point to which I have to allude in connection with the operations of the Society, is the Food Committee. The supply of food for the people is a subject of the greatest importance, and is one in which the Society has done great things in the past, and we hope will do not less in the future. More than a hundred years ago, by offering premiums to the amount of more than £2,000, the Society of Arts effected a great improvement and increase in the supply of fish to the London market, breaking up the monopoly which then existed; and the same subject that of the fish