The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-20 00:00:00

THE SOCIETY OP ARTS.

The hundred and seventh anniversary meeting
and dinner of this society took place yesterday evening at
the Crystal Pakice, under the presidency of the Earl of
ELGIN. It was attended by nearly four hundred persons,
including Parl Gienville. Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., Mr. Cum.
ming Bruce, M.P., Mr. H. H. Marsh, M.P., Sir T. Phillips
(president of the council), Mr. Wentworth Wks, Mr.
Wentworth, Mr. John Dillon, Mr. W. Hawes, Major Reis,
Captain Porter, Mr. Leslie, the Bev. Mr. Whelk kc.
After the usual loyal toasts,
The CaAnraux prootided to give the toast of the
evening, namely, "Somas to the Society for the
Encouragement Cl Arts, Manufactures, sad Commerce."
The noble earl concluded by calling on Sir Thomas Phillips,
es • member of the eouncil, to respond to the tort.
Sir T. PHlLurn, in resixoding, adverted to en eapremien
need by Earl Granville, on • former occasion, to the 'Heat
that the Society of Arts was en aggressive association, ok.
serving that, if it were not in a certain seem aggressive, it
would in reality be useless. (Hear, hear.) lie concluded
by froppooaaoogg the health of her Majest7's Commissioners for
the EAibition of 1862, connecting with the toast the name
of Earl Granville.

Berl G in respondiag, said he was sure he spoke
the sentiments of is fellow-commissioners when he aid
they felt groat gratitude for the confidence of the society
manifested in them. They had not accepted their prant
office without Jpeat dellteratios. Perhaps it might be
thought that nimble time was wasted in comequesce of
their hesitation ; but a hasty decision might have imperilled
the ultimate success of the undertaking. (Hear, hear.)
There could be no doubt that the last exhibition was at-
tended with the most valuable results; but to
make these exhibitions what they ought really to be, and
in the words of the illustrious Prince who suggested
the Fehib' Woo of 1861, an eamonent and indication of the
progress of the world in civilisation, it was necessary from
time to time to renew them. (Hear, hear.) If they had
mated on their can the great Exhibition of 1861 'meld bare
been a great success in itself, but nothing more. It would
merely Lave indicated the actual condition of the world at
that period with respect to arts and manufactures. He
might also observe that if England had not determined to
hold a gnat exhibition this year the Emperor of the French
would have bad one ; but when his Majesty beard the deci-
vim which had been come to he at once relinquished his dears.
(Chien.) It had been suggested that the proposed exhibition
should not be of such an extensive character as the last.
It was however felt by the promoters, that if there was to
be an exhibition at all, they should try to make it a brilliant
success—(cheers);—and, indeed, lie thought they were
bound to dos, in justice to those who had guaranteed the
fund,. (Hear, hear.) He had not gone through the recent
census returns closely enough to be able to form an exact
estimate of the number of persons who within the last ten
years bad beanie of an age to appreciate and enjoy the ap•
press** spectacle, but be believed be was not far wren
when he said that in London alone no less than 500,00 P
had arrived at that age, while in those great centres of
persona
Try imenseted with the metropolis by the ins reads
which now booed the country togetherthere would probably
be over 2,000,000 young persons not of an age in 1851 to
appreciate the exhibition in that year, who would be in le
condition to =joy that of 1862. (Chats.) Preen :a
reentries the commissioners had received the moat
ing assurances that so efforts would be wanting os
part. (Chaim) In limaten, Prussia, and Frame 00•1111/11.
acme Led bees hewed of meet dietinguiahed persons, is-
eluding in ev members of the government.
(Cheers.) It had b=lmth.:
eastern of all countries to have
aommemoratioes of Merest descriptioes. The Greeks, as
they all knew, bad emelt =stems, and the name of
"litanies Games" lad bees not inaptly applied to the Eng-
lish Wised faihriff of the Derby. (Cheers and laughter.)
lie hoped be should not lower lumeall in the estimatioe Of
the meant assembly if he said that there were very few event'
which more deeply engaged his own attention, or which he
more thoroughly enjoy than the Derby on Epsom Dowels
--(cheirs)—and he bo also that he should not lower the
positioa of the ministry of this country if be stated that
nand of his milleogucs felt an equal interest in it
sad, in fact, so great was that interest this year, that,
at his request, the cabinet put off the consideration of that
vexed question the Galway packet contract for two hours,
is onler to afford an opportunity of attending the
Derby. (Loud cheers.) It might be inferred from those
cheers the: the majority of that assembly felt an interest
in that peat crates: between animals which Fegliehmen
always regarded with, peculiar affection. (Hear, hem.)
What, then, ought to be their enthusiasm when the contest
wee not between horse ard horse, but between man and
man, and eves the resat of which taunt hare an important
bearing oath* progress of civilisation among the human mot
(Cheers.) On the whole, he was deeply convinced that the
result of their exertions would be en exhibition which
would be an honour to this country, and would indicate
considerable advancement in arts and manufactures, ea com-
pared with their state in 1861. The noble earl concluded
by " The Health of the noble Chairman," which
wairnire= with great enthusiasm.
The End of ELGIN briefly returned thanks.
The ressaniag toasts were—" The Colludes," proposed
by Mr. Wss. Hawes; "The Institutioes is Union," pro-
posed by Mr. W. Ewart, M.P. ; and " The Visitors."
Yr. Higp officiated most efficiently as the occasion as
toastmaster.
Lees before the hour for the last train, the major pot-
ties the company, attracted b the beauty of the weather
and the smeary, spread yes over the grounds.