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

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1862.

The twenty-fourth and last ordinary meeting of
this session was held yesterday evening at the society's
rooms, Adelphi. The attendance was unusually large.
His Royal Highness the Panics Coneorr, president of
the society, took the chair. His Royal Highness was
attended by Earl Spencer, Lord George Lennox, Colonel the
Hon. D. de Roa, and General Wylde. He was received by
Sir Thomas Phillips, chairman of the council, supported by
the vice-presidents and members of council. There were
present also Earl Gninville, the Marquis of Chandra, Mr.
C. W. Dilke, and Mr. Thomas Fairtaini, Commissioners for
the Exhibition of 1862 ; Mr. F. R. Sandford, secretary to
the commissioners, and Colonel Shadwell, general manager ;
and Mr. A. A. CrolL

Ur. W. Hawes nod a paper "On the International
Exhibition of 1862." He commenced by directing attention
to the origin and progress of the Exhibition of 1861,
for the purpose of showing that the advaateges derived
from it, and the present state of the arts, manufactures,
and commerce, as compared with their condition at that
time, justified the exertions which ware baling mad, to form
another Exhibition next year. After sketching the history
of the project down to the present time, he entered into
some interesting details of the national progress since 1851,
including railways, the electric telegraph, the repeal of im-
port duties, photography, agricultural implements, ship-
building, the manufacture of arms of precision, am. All be.
limed, he remarked, that 1851 did its duty ; and could any
sae doubt that se the duty and sphere of action of
WM were more extended, so the results would be of
plater value to mankind at large! On the question of
rataa of adraimion, he expressed himself in favour of going
below a shilling—whiolt amount, he said, nearly excluded
the workievelasses in 1851, except where the liberality and
good feeling d employers found the means ; adding, that
the object of sash exhibitions was not only to amuse the
rich, but to teach the people ; not only to give information
to the iaireloat sad manufacturer, but to show the people
the power of their rivals in trade and manufactures, that
they might learn thereby in what manner best to exert
their skill and intelligence. He concluded as follows :—I
think, the political aspect of the present time—the strong

asmaresees of support which we have received from our
seissin and from foreign countries—the great exten-
sion of our commerce and trade—the improved
social and intellectual condition of the people—the
position we maintain in the production of works of nos art—
our chemical sad acieotifie discoveries, and our improved
sad raw aroatioory applied to all branches of industry sine
1851--sethiag up la ►igi rapt as they do, the advantages
dirtval from Ihs paw sad freedom we enjoy, ought to
aboaloto oar mortlooo to ark, this Exhibition worthy of
the grist nation which undertakes it—of the great country
in which it will>w held —and of the great, wise, and good
Sovereign under whom we ban the happiness to bee.
(Cheer■.)

Earl GRANVILLE said he had been informed that it was
the drake of the council that he should make a few obser-
vations bearing ea Use subject of the paper which had just
bees read. if. remembered hearing • story of a distill-
piebald and witty diplomatist who, on attending a meeting
mewed for the purpose of renewing • protocol
whistle had been suspended for twelve mouths, ols•
served to hie colleague, " Here we are, become younger
mein by we year." In like manner oar finding himself
in the pregame of his Royal Highness at • meeting of a
society while exercised such an important influence upon
the success of the Exhibition of 1831, and when called upon
to make some observations, he almost felt that he should
he entitled, if certain warnings did not tell him the cas-
trate, to claim for himself credit for having grown
younger by at least ten years. (Laughter.) There was
only one point on whirl the commis' Wean for the Exhibi.
Cos of 1862 differed from the views of Mr. Hawes, u set
forth is hie admirable lecture, and that was the charges
for admission. Moreover, even on that point, although
the decision announced by the commissioners
woe • &clime to which they had come after
seesiderable deliberation, it was also one at which they ar-
rived after much hesitation, and their minds were nut so
entirely made up ow the subject but that even now they
would be most grateful for the opinions and advice both of
all there in this country who were best acquainted with
their respective trades, and of foreigners who intended to
co•operate with them. (Cheers.) He had been reminded
by Mr. Hawes. paper of the great and almost overwhelming
opposition raised to the Exhibition of 1831 before its coma
piste success became manifest. Indeed, remembering the
great mutest which took place at that penod, be must say
he was almost alarmed lest the little opposition which
they encountered now should cot prove quite enough
to keep them up to the mark. (Laughter.) Such
opposition as there had been was generally of • mild and
friendly character, and was chiefly connected with the
architecturel question. He was glad to bear the favourable
opinion expressed by Mr. Hawes with regard to their pro.
spode generally ; and he would add that three who had
been present that day at another great seminary, amid had
witnessed the success of the building connected with the
beautiful gardens which had been opened, would prolably
feel confidence in the architect, and be inspired with hopes
of equal success in this case of the building which it was
proposed to erect, notwithstanding the paucity of their
means, or the great space which it wee intended to
cover. (Cheer) At the present moment he was not
acquainted with any obstacle, or to use • somewhat
vulgar expression any hitch, which was at all likely to in-
terfere with the success of the approaching Exhibition. He
thought the feeling of the chief trades of the country in
relation to it was most satisfactory. The attendance on
that occasion, representing the progress and the intellect of
the metropolis, must be • source of great gratificatioa to the
promoters. As regarded the colonies, he believed they
were nearly all coming forward in the most spirited manner;
sad with respect to loan', he had information from Lord
Canning which led him to believe that mow that India was
governed by the crown indeed of • private company there
would be a most satisfactory exhibition of the products of
that vast and interesting country. With regard to conti-
nental countries generally most satisfactory assurances had
been received. Denim the Let week be spent • few days
is Paris, when be feud a commission for the Exhibition
eamposel al ROM of the most distinguished persons in
Pr's" and presided over by Prince Napoleon; and he
believed it was the wish of the Emperor himself that no
expose* should be spared to ensure success to the object.
(Mears.) He met some mambas of that commission, and