The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-11-08 00:00:00


CLOSE OF THE HEALTH EXHIBITION,

When the entrances and exits of the Royal Horti-
cultural Gardens closed
.on Thursday, the most suc-
cessful.exhibition ever held came to an end. In the
six months, less eight days, during which it has been
open to. the public, its turnstiles have registered no
fewer than 4,167,681 admissions—a number nearly
equal to the whole population of the metropolis—men,
women, and children. Quite one-half of the visitors
came from the country, the success of the cheap
excursions by the South-Eastern, the London, Chatham,
and Dover, the South-Western, and the Brighton lines
being astonishing. Within the last month these ex-
cursions have added at least a quarter of million to
the tale of admissions. It has placed beyond doubt
that the most successful attractions at South Ken-
sington were the open-air musical entertainments and
the representation of "0)3 London." The splendid
music of our own Grenadiers', Scots', and Life
Guards' bands has never failed of appreciation by
the many thousands of listeners. Nor was
the same praise ever wanting to the Bel-
gian Guides, the German Cuirassiers, or the
French Engineer bands. Universal acclaim
attested the success of this part of the programme.
The idea of Old London originated with Mr. Scott,
.the City Chamberlain, and was laid before the Prince
of Wales and the executive committee by Mr. Somers
-Vine, and they at once accepted the suggestion.
Numerical tests have been made which went to show
that nineteen out of every twenty visitors, however
crowded the grounds or varied the entertainment,
passed through the streets of "Old London."
Naturally, the severely scientific and the most strictly
hygienic sections of the exhibition were not the most
popular: but, then, as Lord Reay remarked, the ex-
pectation was not to make the million hygienists or
philosophers, but to give them rational and intellectual
entertainment and instruction combined,and especially
entertainment in which all classes could join, and that
object had been realised. The profits of the under-
taking have been estimated at from £30,000 to
£40,000; but as many of the accounts are yet to be
received, this can only be approximation at the best.
Of the conduct of the people no praise can be too
high. There have been no complaints of drunkenness,
disorder, wanton destruction, or pilfering. Out of
nearly four and a quarter million visitors only one
charge was sent before a magistrate, and that in the
opinion of an eminent member of the executive was
rather due to over-zeal on the part of the constable
than to serious criminality on that of the culprit.
Perhaps the most, if not the only, objectionable public
feature in connection with the whole matter was the
scene outside, in Exhibition-road, when itinerant
vendors monopolised the road, obstructed traffic,
annoyed the public, often vociferating offensive cries.
and though vainly and incessantly ordered "to move
on," never moved off. No small part of the success
of the undertaking was due, first, to the Chairman of
the General Committee, his Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales, and, next to tho Chairmaa of the Executive
Council, the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, ably
Douglas Geatito Sri,
r mrseconded as they were by the Marquis of Hamilton
Lo.
ArdbeL Captainßeay,SirJpanolleigs PagCanlGiffoord iDown hakeeniSir:
F
and other members of Council; while to the Lord
Mayor and the City Corporation, and to Mr. Somers
Vine, the City agent, the highest praise is justly due.
Altogether a noble design has been carried out with
unity of purpose and effort, and with most -atifying
and instructive results.

U. ',.

_ , •