The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-10 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE.

The conference arranged by the council of the
Society of Arts, between the members of that society and
the representatives of the various educational institutions
throughout the country, took place yesterday, and wee
very fully attended. Among those present were Dr. Booth,
Mr. W. De La Rue, Mr. E. Chester, Dr. Dlayfair, Captain
Eardley Wilmot, Captain Owen, 64.1
The chair was taken by HENRY Cote, Esq , C. 8., who
in opening the proceedings expressed the pleasure the
council of the society felt in meeting the representatives of
the various mechanics' institutes throughout the country.
He believed there were six or seven classes of subjects for
consideration, and he wished to impress upon the meeting
the necessity of treating each with the greatest possible
brayity. (Hear, hear.) He sheuld set the example him-
self, by confining his observations within the smallest pos-
sible compass, and should therefore content himself with
calling on the secretary to read the report, of wnich the
following is an abstract :

" Thecommittee in msking its report draws attention in
the first place, to the number of institutions already com-
prised in the union: that number is 270, of which 250 are
in England, 13 in Scotland, and 7in Ireland. Of 141 in-
stitutions represented at the conference held on the 18th of
May last year, 121 have joined the union, while 119 not
then represented have accepted the resolutions agreed to on
that occasion as the basis of the union. One institution has
felt it necessary to withdraw from the union for want of
funds, and another has ceased to exist. (Then follows a
list of the works distributed during the past year.) After
which the report proceeds to state, that by a circular
dated the 11th November, 1852, the influence of the union
has been brought to bear with concentrated force upon par-
liament, in favour of Mr. Tufnell's motion for the gra-
tuitous distribution of • selection of parliamentary papers
to institutions. A committee favourably constituted has
sat upon the subject, but has not yet reported. The com-
mittee have recently had confided to them, by the council,
a general inquiry into the operation of the fiscal restrictions
lon paper, advertisements, news, end foreign boos. That
the question is one which has a very important bearing upon
the interests of the institutions may be considered to be
proved by,the replies received to the queries proposed by
the society, on tke Bth of March, 1853, es to what
institutions had news'-rooms, and whether they were
successful, and as to how far, and in what
way, they were influenced by thtso restrictions.
The condition of the libraries of the institutions in union,
and the best means of improving their supplies of books,
have been carefully considered by this committee. By a
circular recently issued, the publashen and booksellers of
the United Kingdom have been invited to co-operate in an
arrangement which, without being inconsistent with the
customs of trade, would prove of great advantage to insti-
tutions. A liberal rate of reduction was eked for, and
the following plan was suggested The institutions in
union with the society will send to the society monthly
(say by. the 15th of each month), a list of the books which
they wish to purchase. 2. The orders will be given whole-
sale to the publishers, or booksellers, by the society monthly
(say on the 19th of each month.) 3. The publishers, or
booksellers, will deliver the book, carriage paid. monthly
(say the last day of the month), at the society's office, or at
the society's agents, as the society may determine. 4. Pay-
ment will be made by the society on the delivery of the
goods. The remainder of the report detailed the steps
taken by the society for promoting interchange of friendly
offices between institutions, and the fact that a prise bad
been awarded to Mr. James Kole, Yorkshire, for the best

euay on the history and management of mechanics' insti-
tutions."

The CHAIRMAN announced the subjects for discussion to
be—first, Perliamentary Papers ; second, Books and Maps,
Apparatus, &c.; third, News Rooms; fourth, Lectures;
fifth, Class Instruction; With, Legal Petition ; and se-
venth, Statistics and Miscellanies. lie trusted that this
representatives would not, individually, exceed five minutes
on each subject.
Mr. Evuour, M.P., opened the discussion by promising.
on the part of the Committee on Parliamentary Papers, the
most favourable consideration of the claims of Mechanics'

Institutions for the blue books. Their report WAS not yet
published, but he had no doubt but that it would be favour-
able. (Hear, hear.)
Mr.. SLANSY deposed to the value of the blue books,
especially those on statistical subjects.
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Mr. Fox, M.P, as representative of the Oldham Lyceum,
said that there was a mass of important and interesting in-
formation in these blue books, which had been copiously
drawn upon by some of our moat popular writers. fits
would suggest not merely a gratuitous distribution, but in
addition, the distribution of • well digested deecriptive
catalogue, with the prices affixed, so as that the institu-
tions might select those which were most suitable to their
purposes.
Mr. BAlNits (Leeds) wished to know what assistance they
might expect from the committee, and also, who were to
make the selection of papers.
Mr. CUESTZR apologised for the 'Osage° of Mr.
Tufnell, who took a warm interest in the subject under

discussion.
Mr. RAnronn, from the Devonport Mechanics' Institu-
tion, would prefer the right of selecting papers locally into-
resting, to an indiscriminate distribution.
Dr. IlusexEn (Margate) warmly approved of the digested
catalogue, suggested by Mr. Fox.
Dr. Bootie thought the whole discussion premature,
seeing that the committee had not as yet made their re-
port.
Mr. MADELY (Derby) was for leaving the matter entirely
in the hands of the government.
Mr. DUFFIELD (Chelmsford) observed that Hansard pub-
lished a catalogue once a month.
The CUAIRMAN suggested that this class of subjects had
been exhausted, and called the attention of the
meeting to the subject of maps, apparatus, rte.,
Mr. LANE JOYNT (Limerick) was willing to leave the
question of supply in the hands of the council. There was
no doubt but that each institution would supply itself with
cheap books if the opportunity were afforded.
A desultory discussion followed, in the course of which it
was elicited that tenders had been received from various
booksellers which led the council to hope that books, maps,
and other apparatus, might be obtained for public institu-
tions at reductions of from twenty-five to fifty per cent.
below the current price ; and a general determination was
expressed to leave the matter in the hands of the council.
A resolution to that effect was put and carried unanimously.
The meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the
taxes on knowledge, especially as they affected mechanical
and literary institutions.
Mr. J. BRAMWILL, mayor of Dorham, moved that all
. .

fiscal reetrictiena upon the diffusion of knowledge had an
injurious ffect on literary institutions. •
Mr. BAINES had great pleasure in seconding the molts; I
tion. There was not ens word could be said in favour of
these taxes that might not also be said in favour of a cen-
sorship of the press (Hear, hear.) Ile thought the ob-
ject of all friends of education should be to bring news,

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literature, and knowledge Bowe to the means of tLe poor-
I• 1 • :41.11 c 11 society. hear.)
SIANIST believed that ors this subject the meet-
; was unanimous. He would, however, observe
th Itw Le %repaint' stamp greatly facilitated the eireu!atioa
el cc*.

Mr. twaar, M.P , supported the abolition on the ground
that it would tend t the establishmtnt of local newspa-
pars, whith in his opinion were powerful aids to education.
(Ilene )
Mr. Fox, M.P., said that the subject was • large one and
had already been di.cuseed is another place. There was •
wpect of tLe reduction or abaliti in of the advertisement
duty, a tea which inter'ered sorely with the spread of edu-
cellar. Lectures' were prevented announcing their lec-
tures, and thus, however important or valuvble they might
be, one-half the peraons interested in the subject matter did
nut know that the lectures were taking place In America
every thing was advertised, era borrowed book., end he
Lad Ito doubt that on the abolition of the tax the same thing
would happ.n in this country.
Mr. JAVI:11 Boousx (Readier) said that books, news.
;spin, and advertmuments were the very life blood of fitt-
est) institutions, and therefore he warmly supported the
exertions of the Society of Arta for the removal ot all Steal
re tricorns on knowledge.
Tile 11,v. H M (WM'. (Warminster) deplored the de-
clime of lecchanits' institutions. The main subjects inte-
r's:Mg to inecloinhs were polities and news, but newspapers
were very expensive. So crest was the attraction of news-
paper' that ladies joined the institution of his town, for the
nitre chance of ;truing • newapcper in the ballot by which
the stock was disposed ot on the second day.
. .

It: coral speakers followed, and the opinion in favour of
tbe rholition of the taxes on kaowledge, especially the ad-
vertisement duty, was unanimous and emphatic.
A res.eution pledging the society to the consideration of
the fiscal restrictions en paper. newspapers, ■nd foreign
books, with a view to their abolition, was put and carried
by acclamation.
The Cpnference next prcceetliel to the discussion of the
Le ethic Questions.
Mr. 11. elestaistete (Battersea) attached great value to
leetute• :j1 a means of instruction, and also of amusement.
Their full value, however, was diminished by the difficulty
of obtaining good lecturers. lie would suggest that the
society should select and recommend lecturers to the carious
institutious.
Dr. Leos PLAYrAIT approved of the sentiments of the
last speaker, and suggested that the attention of the ma-
nagers of institutions should be called to the importance of
shine nary lost:union upon science, as a means of prepar-
ing the naiads of animus to derive full benefit from the
lectures.
Mr. Foe was impressed with the value of lectures, and
re canimendeel central organisation, emanating from the So-
ciety of Arts.
'f be Dean of Ilaitheoao (who was received with loud
cheers) said that the success of the schools which he had
established had arisen from the fact that the instruction
was ell of a practical nature. and directed to the practical
business of life. Ile set the full value on nicks, but there
were many facts in practical science which could only be
brought home to the mind by lecture and actual experiment.
R.llllll other members of the conference expressed their
Nandi* in favour of lectures, and various suggestions were
made, the general opinion being in favour of serial, as op-
posed to desultory lectures, and of the establishment of a
central organisation.
Mr. SLANTS', approved of lectures on science and
practical subjects, and offered :AL towards procuring the
necessary apparatus. One subject of great importance, for
instince, was ventilatioo, of which the poor and even the
rich knew little, and yet how important was it to health
en 1 comfort. He saw a great many present who had en-
joyed the magnificent hospitality of the Mansion-house on
the previous evening, and he could appeal to them as to
whether their enjoyment would not have been increased by
an application of some simple principles of ventilation. He
had gone thence to the house of a friend at the west-end,
where he found a thousand persons moving gracefully
about, and smiling at each other ; but soon the observation,
" How oppressive," become general, and the evidence of
enjoyment began to disappear. (Hear, hear.) If, then,
the rich and the great were so Ignorant on the subject of
I,e ntilation, what must he the case of the poor and the
100 y, confined to wretchedly small houses, and sleeping
many in a room ? (Hear, hear.) He trusted he bed said
enough to show the importance of diffusing information on
practical, subjects.
A greet variety of epiniona haying been expressed as to
the be grade of carrying out the lecture system,
Mr. Cants& suggested that the representatives of the
various localities shosfid send in their separate suggestions
nit tin subject of lectures, when the council might prepare
some practical scheme.
A gentleman from Grantham stated, as the result of his
experience, that one good panorama was worth a dozen lec-
tures. (A laugh.) At his institution they hired a patio-
rams of Milan, which in one week made up all the loss
attendant upon the lectures. (Loud laughter.);
Another gentleman suggested a plan of engaging lectu-
rers by contract, the 'society to try their whole services for
the season, and then to send them about to the institutions
on wholesale terms. He thought the principle of freehold
land societies might be applied to the hire of lecturers with
great advantage. (Cheers, laughter, and some dissent.),
Ultimately a resolution was framed leaving this matter
a'so in the hands of the society.
On the subject of class instruction some practical seggee-
lions, as to the proper mode, were offered by Mr. Teske, from
Leeds, and other members of the conference, after which,
The CliAttotact observed that government had matured
a department, the object of which was to prepare good
roasters, and the various institutions might have them if
they thought fit. The experiments already u.adet- train-
ing masters in art had been most successful, and was, in his
opinion, well worthy of still further development.
A resolution, approving of the general establishment of
training schools was put and agreed to.
The head of Statistics gave the Chairman an opportunity
of complaining of the had support given to the Journal of
the Society of Arts, and impressing its value upon the
members of conference present.
A Gusehewes present said the journal in question was
so eacessivety dry that it was quite impossible to read it.
(Cheers, " No, no," and interruption.) He believed that
the journal was badly managed, as communications tent up
to it were generally overlooked.
These observations raised up a host of admirers, who tee-
titled to the amusement and instruction to be found in the
joutnal. The delegate from Margate had been especially
d•.lighted wit► the bisti ry of cotton printing to be limed in
its p gee. A general wish was expressed that the experi-
ment should be persevered in.
The last question die:used was the legal position of the
institutions.

Mr. CllliStla said there were three points of importance
with reference to these institutions. The first referred to
the exemption from local nate, the second to the difficulties
connected with the law of mortmain as it affected their
holding of lands, and the third was the difficulty created by
the feet that all these institutions were, in the eye of the
law, neither more aor less than disorderly houses. (Laugh-
ter.) With respect to the first point, he considered that
exemption from taxation was decidedly unsound, and he
was by no means anxious that it should be continued.
Mr. °rex:amiss said the question of exemption was one
of Resat importance, and rvquired the immediate attention
of the council. The law meant that they should be exempt,
and all they had to do was to seek to amend the faulty
phraseology of the 6th and 7th Victoria.
The discussion on this point was terminated by the pees-
brig of a resolution referring the question to the COllllOl for
in
hanks were then moved to the chairman, and carried by
acclamation.
The CHAlltlitx, in returning thanks, stated the curious
statistical fact that, (twin* their meeting, 106 speeches,
ging 31 minutes each, had been made. (Great
lanaliter.)
The contarenee then broke up.

THE DINNER.

In the evening upwards of 250 gentlemen assembled at
(tibiar at the Freemasons' T , Earl GRANVILLE pre-
aiding.
Ou the removal of the cloth grace wu given by the Very
Rev. the Dean of titiIEFOILD ; after which the usual loyal
and couuitutional touts were appropriately given and
worthily responded to.

. .
lu proposing the health of " Prince Albert, and the rest
of the Royal Family," the CHAIRMAN observed that at a
recent festivity the task of proposing the toast had devolved
on Prince Albert himself, and he (Earl Granville) had bees
Wormed that the company were quite touched with the
mariner in which his royal highness alluded to the affec-
tionate feelings which the great British nation always exhi-
bited towards the royal children. His royal highness be-
lieved that in such demonstrations of affection lay the hest
hopes of a dynasty—the strongest security for the con.
finance of our constitutional monarchy. Ills royal high-
luese farther expressed his hope that the education of the
soya) children would be such es to entitle them to the loyal
affection of she people. (Loud cheers.)

. .
The Dean of HIREFOnn gave " Success to instruction in
mimes and art," taking the opportunity to detail at some
length his own educational experience.
Dr. L. PLATPAIII returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Literary and Scientific
Institutions and Mechanics' Institutions of the United
Kingdom, and Success to the Union." His lordship ob-
served that the importance of this toast might be inferred
from the fact that there were in the United Kingdom 860 of
those institutions, of which 270 had already joined the
union. (Hear, bear.) The chairman then alluded to the
contrast afforded by the speeches made now on the subject
oledueation, end those which bad been made in the time of
Ida Wyndham. At that time the only argument used against
rpuiar elementary education was that each working man
should be educated for his speciality, the tailor as a tailor,
and sp on, but that, as it would be absurd to educate ever
roan as a tailor, or shoemaker, so it was profitless to teach
every man to read and write. (Laughter.) Different no-
Cons, however, now prevailed. We hed en improved and
Independent press, a general desire for knowledge, and
myrrh oils not afraid to expend large sums in • strictly
educational speculation—he alluded to the people's palace
at Sj denham. (Loud cheers.) Ile understood also that in
the militia the officers found greater lumen in amusing the
men by iatelleetoal means, than if they bad tried the old
brutal system of keeping the men out of mischief by means
of mere animal enjoyments. After a tew further ober-
*ideas in a similar strain his lordship concluded ly re.
pasting the toast, which was loudly and enthusiastically re-
vended to.
Mr. CHMTIR returned thanks.
Mr. Hurr gave "Success to the Society of Arta," to
seta* Mr. WlNlWorrat responded, after which the re-
making Wads wore disposed of, end the company separated.