The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-04-12 00:00:00

Dcbonsllire.

AIITS AND MANITACTURES EXHIBITION
IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND.

TO THIS NUITOK 01 THE TAUNTox couitin.

Dear Sir,—The facto; that H.R. lf. the Prince
I onsort has lassone a member of the " Bath said
West of England Society for the encouragement of
Agriculture. Arts, Manufactures. and Commerce,
founded 1777, A.D.," mid that the Committee of
Council on Education have made a special exception
in favour of the Society, in order to allow the
selection of decorative works of art from South
Kensington Museum to be exhibited at the North
Devon meeting at Banistable, may justify me in
asking you to allow me again to invite the attention
of the members of the Society of Arta to thu objects
of that meet ng.
The Council of the Society, building on the steady
progress of their agricultural gatherings, on the
increased business done in the sale of agricultural
implements, on the improved demand for education
anal scientitic instruction, which has arisen in the
West of England, anflon the complete organization
and harmonious action of the Society, have opened a
new department of " Arts anal Manufactures" for
exhibition and sale. A special fund has been raised
for a movable building, to be used next year at
Dorchester , an admirable plan has been furnished
by Mr. Nicholson, Agricultural Engineer of Newark ;
anal the support of the principal local dealers and
manufacturers has been obtained.

The idea of the Exhibit , confessedly a novel
one, gains ground in public estimation. It is recog-
nised as not only good, but practicable. The idea
is this, that the summer gatherings of thousands of
iwrsiins attracted by the sight of live animals, steam
ploughs, pultry, and music, may be made to 11l ill later
to improvement in taste, if good and bcautifulobjects
are placed before the visitors.
The migratory meetings of the British Association
for the advancement of science, of the Royal Agri-
cultural Society. the local examinations of the I_
versities and the Society of Arts, have all tended to
show that the civilizing action of railways must, in
order to produce full results, be centrifugal as well
as centripetal ; mid that a pleasant holiday in the
country is appreciated by many hard-working towns•
men, who are not directly interested in the business
of the meeting.
All that is wanted is a little energy, a little com-
mon-sense, and a pervading spirit of harmony and
goodwill among the managers of the first experi-
ment, If the plan is a good one, and well worked
out on a moderate scale, it is sure to be supported,
and will be followed elsewhere. . _ . _

. .
Encouraging replies and promises of articles for
exhibition and sale have been received from the
metropolis, from the Midlands, and from the North
of England. The arrangementa for protection and
the charges for space appear to give satisfaction,
being met on the part I d exhibitors by a candid and
liberal appreciation of the the facts of the case.
Pottery, glass, metal work, and wood work, in
their most attractive forms, will be well represented.
The same may be said, so farm patterns are con-
cerned, of textile fabrics; but the scale of the Ex-
hibition hardly admits of the exhibition of pieces of
cloth or prints, nor is there perhaps the same need
for Ppecial efforts in these departments.
There will be an exquisite exhibition of water-
colour drawings and sketches ; the artists of the
West of England need not fear comparison with all
England. But in addition to the works of living
artists, collections of the most precious kind, inclu-
ding works of Turner, and other eminent artists,
such as few have an opportunity, of seeing, will
be opened to the public in a manner which reflects
the highest credit on their posse.sors.
The examination will open on the 30th of May,
and last for the week. Alas! it is the week of the
Derby; but we have entered, and now we must
run.

The entries close on the 16th April. Forms of
entry may he had on application to Mr. George
Down, Honorary Secretary, Cathedral-yard, Exeter.
I am, &c.,
THOMAS DYKE ACLAND,
Chairman of the Arts and Manufactures Committee.
Sprydoacote, Exeter, March 28, 1859.