The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-22 00:00:00

MINNii

ARKANOLMENT 01 COLOURS.

At the meeting of the Society of Arts, which was
held the 12th instant, Professor Calvert, of the Royal In-
stitution, Manchester, read a paper on the Laws of Colour,
with relation to the combination and arrangement of co-
loured fabrics. As the facts made known and illustrated by
Professor Calvert on that occasion were considered to be
worthy the attention of all those who may desire to exhibit
coloured articles at the approaching exhibition, the council
of the society determiussl on continuing the discussion
to which the paper gave rise on yesterday evening. There
was accordingly a numerous attendance of members and
visitors. Capt. 11111E130N, 1.R.5., provided, mad introduced
Professor Calvert, who had come up from Manchester, in
order to be present.
The PROFESSOR opened the discussion by recapitulat-
ing the principal points of the paper which he read on the
previous Wednesday. Formerly it sea. held that there
were seven primary colour., but as these could be
decomposed into three, the primary colours were now
confined to these three, namely, yellow, blue, and red.
The other four, namely, orange, green,. purple, and indigo,
were complementary colours. A surface appeared red,
blue, or yellow, as it reflected any one of these colonesand
absorbed the other. But in reality it was not possible to
sce a perfectly red, blue, or yellow colour, because it was
modihed by two causes, the rc:fletting surface and the visual
organ. The laws of colour were arranged in a threefold
division: there was a threefold contrast—the contrast of
succession, the simultaneous contrast, and the mixed con-
trast. In the simultaneous contrast there was the contrast
of tone or tint; and what formed the contrast of tint was
the contrast of harrnouy. No sooner did the eye look on
one colour than it began to generate another. On this fact
the law of colour rested as on a fulcrum. The moment the
eye looked upon red it b..gan to generate green; the
moment it looked upon orange it began to generate blue,
and rice rermi. With this principle steadily kept in
view, and carried out with t to the other colour, the
whole law of colour bectmertlertl, and any person could
assign the reason of what he saw. All the practical illus-
trations which he would exhibit would only show the variety
of forms under which this effect was produced—would only
tell when this variety was produced, and why it was pro-
duced. Here the professor directed the attention of the
audience to colours which influenced and harmonised with
each other, such as blue and orange, red and green, Danish
yellow and purple, and called on them to observe how the
blue was made darker from its proximity to the orange, and
how the orange became brighter from its proximity to the
blue ; these were instances of simultaneous contrast. Yel-
low and green, on the other hand, did not harmonise to-
rether—they did not influence each other, as they had in-
fluence only in one direction. The green made the yellow
more orange, and the yellow generated a kind of purple,
that was to say, it made the green look dirty. This
did nut please the eye, because the colours did
not harmonise. In orthr, therefore, to produce the
full effect of pleasing the eye, there must be har-
mony between the colours placed in juxtaposition. Thus
every one might observe in these colones (referring to
another illustration of red and green) that the red made
the green lisik more beautiful ; it made it darker and
richer, whilst the green produced a correspondingly beau-
tiful modification of the red. But light green re-
rived no influence front the red. Why ? Because there
was no cos trard of tint between the red and light green.
But if he put a pink instead of a red, the colours were
mutually improved because there was contrast of tint. In
order to produce, therefore, the maximum effect of bar-
'ninny there must be contrast of time—contrast of Co4llltr.
The lecturer next proceeded to illostrate the coutr.oit of
harmony of secondary colours, with the aid of a series of
diagrano ; after which he addressed himself to the refute-
tion of the ides of tertiary colours, which idea he pro-
' nounced to be a current mistake, inasmuch rot no colours as
tertiary in reality existed. The learned professor concluded
his lecture I.y observing that on the previous evening it ap-
peared to he theopinionorsotnepersousthat he had not dune
sufficient justice to Mr. Field, as an Englishman. All he
could say was, that as an Eneliehman he was proud
of the discoveries made by Mr. Field as a country-
man. At the same time he should assert that in
matters of science he knew no country. (Hear,
hear.) It was science made the discoveries, not England,
or France, or Germany. (Hear, hear,) 'herefore, what
did it matter which country Field, or Humboldt, or Fara-
day, belonged to? To science it was all the same. (Hear,
hear.) However, he should wart that in 1817, Mr. Field
did not understand the laws of colour, and consequently he
conceived he was entitled to say that the disrnsery of the
laws of colour was entirely due to (as we understood Pro-
I fetwor Calvert) Mr. Chavrelli.
. _ .

A brief and discursory conversation followed, in which I
sev;ral gentlemen took part, as to the contrmt and hay-''
mono of colours, as also their arrangement, with a view to
producing the highest effect. It determined'
that a little volume embodying the ideas of the
Society of Arts, as regarded the tints aind tones,
and grouping of colours, should be published, with
a view to imparting the beet information on the
subject to those parties who intend entering articles of
coloured or variegated workmanship for competition at the
approaching, exhibition. In reply to a question put by a
gentleman, as to wihetherthe covering of the Crystal Palm,.
would not consist of yellow calico, the effect of which would
he to completely destroy the tone of every yellow and orange
coloured article in the exhibition, the chairman informed
the audience that the covering would consist of calico ap-
proaching as nearly ai possible the atmospheric colour, the
effect of which could not at all be injurious or detrimental
to any article, no matter what colour, sent into the exhibi-
: firm. The evening's pruceedin:p terminated at about ten
o'clock.

THE ADMISSION OF FOREIGNERS.

TO THE EfolToß OF TIIE Exitinttins ESPRTs4.

Sir,—\lc• oltjeet in writing in to sug,:rest, through!
you, to the C'mumisauners of the Exhibition of the Industry
of all Nations (or to you the propriety of advocating) that a
free admission be given to all foreigners (not being British
subjects) visiting the Crystal l'alaee, during the Exhibition.
They have readily responded to the invitation to contribute
to it, at no small expense to themselves ; added to this, the
cost of the journey over will be heavy. An act of xvc-
ncrosity would be appreciated, and would raise us in their
estimation. T. L.

lbainster, Feb. 18, 18.51

MALL THE BUILDING BE REMOVED?

TO THY, TIMOR or THE IXHIIIITtON EXPIIESS,

TRAVELS INTO THE INTERIOR OF TILE
CRYSTAL PALACE.

(►rsmt Amok.)
" A gentleman with a wooden leg" writes to us,
complaining of the vast extent of the Crystal Palace. Ile
dreads having to go through it. lle Bats it will be nothing
less than an immense expedition, the fatigues of which he
is little prepared to encounter. He doubts if many people,
unless they are blessed with the legs and constitution of
Captain Barclay, will be able to do it. Ile, for one, is not
going to walk twenty or thirty miles a day, navigating the
narrow channel. in whielithe counters are to lie at anchor.
Bow ladies will manage, he is fairly at a loss to imagine.
Why, the walk from one end of the Exhibition to the other
will be quite enough of itself to knock them up!—and to
expect them, after that, to promenade down half-a-dozen
miles of counters, crowded with steam-engines and monster
lumps of coal, is to expect what no lady, unless she is a far-
mer's daughter, or an Acrobat, ran accomplish,
lle suggests that a cab-stand might be established in the
Centre Promenade, or that omnibuses should be allowed to
run, taking passengers, which they might easily do, for 6d.
"all the way ;" "or, if that was all," inquires our
grumbling correspondent, " why couldn't a miniature rail-
way be laid down Two lines of rails—for an up and
down train—would be all that would be in eessary, and a
train might start every quarter of au hour. Otherwise,
without some such expeditious means, one will never be
able to get over the ground.
Our wooden-legged contributor runs on in the above
strain for several pages; and at last he thinks he has dis-
covered a simple remedy fur the above difficult state of
things. This remedy is nothing more nor less than—

Ile proposes, fur the convenience of persons who aro not
fond of walking, or who have not the spore time, or the
strength to walk through twenty miles of counters, that
all the objects exhibited on those counters should be pre-
sented in twenty miles of Calll'AM. or, perhaps, ten miles
would he quite sufficient. The visitors ore to sit down in
comfortable chairs, whilst the collection of wonders is being
slowly unrolled before them.
That the room in which the panorama is to he exhibited
should be fitted in glass, as much like the Crystal Palace
itself as possible, so as to assist the imagination.
That u protessor of all the arts and sciences should deliver
a rapid lecture, explanatory of the history and rise of the
various products of the earth as they respectively appear
upon the canvas.
That appropriate music should be played during the
Exhibition, introducing all the national melodies, from the
Hebrew melodies down to those of Ethiopia.
That the panorama might terminate with a grand allegory
(say) of Peace and Industry, with all the nations of the
world shaking hands, and tbrming u sort of manual shield,
on which l'rinec Albert is being lifted up to the skies.

A MOVING I'ANUMAMA OF lilt CaVNTNI. I'ALACM.

That the prier of the panorama do noeezeeed one shilling.
Our wooden-legged contributors xiiresuce, the fervent hope
that something like the above notion will he curried out, by
which means a person will be enabled to go through the
Crystal Palace tsouthrtahly in les, than two hours, and with-
, out being in the least fatigued.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO TUE OFFICIAL CATATAIDTE.—
In consequence of the great magnitude of the catalogue, and
of the rapidity with which it must is, executed, the Execu-
tive Committee have to request those exhibitors who may
intend to avail themselves of the privilege of inserting
engruvings of their orticlo; in the Official Catalogue, imme-
diately to transmit the requisite drawings mind to signify
theirinstructions to Messrs. Spicer anti nowt., the con-
tractors for printing the Official Catalogue, at the Exhibi-
tion Building, Hyde-park.—By order of the Executive
Committee, M. Muni' vxrr, Secretary.
AT KNARESIIOROUGH, in accordance with the
wishes expressed at a public meeting (held for the purpose
of forming an association n,r enabling the working classes
to visit the National Exhibition), a gratuitous exposition
of the various articles mannfactunsi in that town and
neighbourhood fife the Gnat Exhibition, was to be held in
the Natitmal School, Castle-yant, this day. This local es-
hihitiou will consist it linen goods in wide shootings, bed-
ticking, shirting., diapers, huckabaeks, and a complete shirt
and chemise woven in the loom, without stitch sir seam;
many specimens of articles monufaettired front sheep find
iamb skins, suitable for carriage and w :liking costume, and
the drawing-room; some interesting architectural designs ;
a work-table, of highly polished dropping wcll stone; a
skeleton time-piece; wood-carving; and sundry specimens
of stone, adapted for ornamental or plain buildings.
THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND TILE
GUEST Council of the Hopi' Agricul-
tural Society of England, feeling intli.liosed to agree to the
, terms on which the Royal Commissioners propose to locate
their cattle show in the vicinity of the gnat building, have
rewdved to choose au independent site fur the display of
their cattle.

THE LADIES' CAItrET in now on private view at
the Society of Arta, and is intended to show the occupation
of the boudoir of our fair countrywomen, and to promote a
new style of decoration, which, if encouraged, will find
work for hundreds, perhaps thou.anda, of the poorer classes.
The carpet is WO feet super/lend, ,Guided into WO squan,s,
worked in Berlin wool by 140 ladies, each having worked
4 feet superficial. It may bo remembered that this carpet
orfirinutest in it suggestion by Mr. Simpssm, and a design
has lug been prepared by Mr. l'apwairth in August last, a
sufficient portion of the centre was painted and exhibited to
ee et-minims., and to the ladies who proposed to help in the
work, who assembled in the Egyptian Hall at the Mansion-
house, lent tar that purpose by the late Lady Mayurem,
who has taken the greatest interest in the matter. After
several other meetings, the whole of the divisions were
issued to the neverul contributors. The carpet, In big now
made up under Mr. Simmon's cum, may he seen at the
Society of Arta by any one producing a cant from ally of
the committee. it is tons exhibited in the Mass Palace.
PROPOSED CRYIITAI, PALM% IN iIEI.F.IaT.—A
knotty idea, which, we are rejoiced to perceive, is in a fair
way of being brought to a natinfactory realisation, has been
conceived by some public-spirited gentlemen in Belfast, of
1 erecting on Queen's Island a crystal phiee, after the model
'of the Ilyde-pork structure. It is intended that the pro-
posed erection should doe a public place des fetes; that it
should be rendered the most desirable tame for holding all
bazaars, fancy fairs, fiord and pictorial exhibitions, &c.,
and that at jardis d 'hirer, after the plan of those Elation-
able and delightful ganlens established Oil a scale of such
magnificence in I'aris and St. Petetsburgh, should be ori-
ginated MI a spot whme name is suggestive of so ninny
cleasiug recollections vonneeted with the visit of her Ma-
jesty to the capital of the north.—Northera Whig.

Sir, Although pledges were, I believe, exneted,
when the plan of the pmposed Exhibition was first brought
fit fore parliament, that the building should be remsmd
within a given time after the close of the Exhibition, will
you allow me, for one, to " express " a hope that such a
senseless demolition may not be thought of. We have a
British Museum of the works of nature—why not have a :
British Museum of the works of art ? I ant aware that it ;
has been proposed to preserve the building as a kind of I
gigantic greenhouse; but though this in its way would be
highly advantageous, vet I must own that I should be sorry
to see the Exhibition-building diverted from what is the
more legitimate, because original, intention. Another
• similar building might, if thought necessary, be provided
for the other object. I urn inclined to believe that the pm-
posal of the Exhibition bad some actual effect in preserving
the peace in England, and possibly partially also in other
countries at the time when all Europe seemed likely to be
embroiled in war.--I
T. 0. MORUIS.
Nafferton Vicarage, Briffield, Yorkshire.
Feb. 19, MI.

LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM, ClAPTON.—Yesterday
the anniversary festival of this institution took place at the
London Tavern, llisholi:gate-street, Henry Hoare, Esq., in
the chair. 'flit company consisted of about 120 gentlemen,
and amongst those who sat at the principal table were many
distingiiished supporters of tharital de institutions. The usual
formal toasts having been drunk, the children at present
receiving their education in the school passed round the
room, and their general appearance was the object of uni-
versal admiration. There were about 200 boys and 100
girls, and it appeared that the number of pupils who were
considered too young to lw present un such an occasion was
upwards of 100. The children being ranged in due order,
the hove on one side and the girls on the other, the chair-
man proposed " Prosperity to the London Orphan Asylum,"
and espressed himself in most eulogistic terms upon the
manner in which the institution was conducted. Amongst
the numerous charitable asylums which rlVeli ',dale support
of the benevolent in this metropolis there were none which
more fully commanded the sympathies and attention of
those who devoted their time and money to such objects
than the London Orphan Asylum. He had taken many
opportunities of visiting the asylum at Claptun, and he had
been so much pleased with what he had seen there, that he
would advise all those who might have a short time to spare
to undertake the same mission. Ile was quite sure that the
result would not only be satisfactory to themselves, but at
the same time beneficial to the charity iu whose cause their
sympathies were sought to be enlisted. The charity had
been in existence for a period of forty years, and notwith-
standing numerous drawliacks which had interferid with
Ha progress, it was now in a prosperous condition, hut there
was still much assistance wanting to enable its promoters
to pursue their endeavours with comfort and satisfaction.
'ln calling attention to the annual report, he observed that
the entire number under the protection of the institution
was 410, making the total number who have received the
benefit of the charity 1,902. The general health of the
establishment has been very good, and as the board were
desirous of maintaining a condition so essential to the wel-
fare of the institution, they had been ever ready to carry
out such sanitary improvements as circumstances might le-
quire ; for this purpose they had lately provided for the
better ventilation of the girl's school-room and dormitories.
It should be recollected that sixty children taken from vari-
ous parts of the kingdom, are usually elected in the course
of the year to the benefits of this asylum, some of whom,
born to higher prospects, having been unexpectedly reduced
to destitution, have been sheltered from the bitterest
privations through the medium of the fostering care and
Parental vigilance of this excellent institution. A large
expenditure is of course entailed in conducting its extensive
operations, for which it should be fully understood, Hun its I
funded property is quite inadequate ; indeed, it is requisite!
to raise every year about 7,000!. to meet an outlay neves-
fierily large, notwithstanding every practicable regard to'.
economy which long experience and constant supervision
may suggest, consequently, the zealous and unwearied
efforts of its friends are indispensable for its support; in-
deed, at the close of the last year there would have been an
actual deficiency, if a handsome legacy of 4001, had not been
paid in time to meet the ordinary calls of annual expendi-
ture. The board were happy again to test the efficiency of
the institution, by the readiness with which those who have
been educated in it, are received into the most respectable.
commercial houses. This, the toast of the evening, was
I most enthusiastically responded to, and was followed by
"the health of the chairman" (proposed by the Rev. Dr.
Cruly), " the president and vice-presidents," "the clergy,"
" the visitors, " "the honorary secretaries," " the medical
FIFTY NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND 7.11 EN,
officers," and various other toasts having au immediate re-
ference to the objects and patrons of the institution were
with two buglers of the Royal Suppers and Miners, under necessarily disposed of, and subscriptions were announced
the command of Lieut. Anderson, Royal Engineers, left • amounting to nearly 1,6001.
I.Voolwieh yesterday, and joined the party of Sappers and I
Miners employed at the Crystal Palace. MURDER AT NEWPNEFT.—The proceedings of the
coroner's inquest on the body of the old man, William
POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.— Mr. Superintendent Wilkins, of whose murder, under circumstances of partint-
Penne has been appointed chief of the police department lac daring and ferocity, some particulars have already
of the Exhibition. lie is to be supported by 300 constables, appeared in the E.rpreu, were brought to a close on
for whom a police station is now in course of erection in '1 hursday, when a verdict of wilful murder seas duly re-
the henaingtou-road, opposite the grand entrance. turned and signed, and the coroner's warrant issued.

LONDON PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.