The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SAT UlI DAY EVENING, JUNE 23, ISGO.

V. R.-TOWER.--SALE OF STORES.

BY Order of: iceSECRETARY OF STATE
for WAIL—TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION,
in the Tower, on MONDAY, the 2d of July, 1860, at 11 o'clock
hi the forenoon, precisely, the following Stores :—Clothing
(various), Great Coats, Gregos Capes (Waterproof), Bedding.,
Tents, Knapsack, Saddlery, Dubbing, Engine Hose Pipe,
Musquet Locks, 'tags, Woollen, &c., Tools (various), Fire
Wood, Old Iron, Steel, and Miscellaneous Articles.
May be viewed at the Tower from 10 to 4 o'clock, on the
26th, 27th, 29th, and 30th June, 1860, and Catalogues may be
had at the War-office, fall-mall; the Tower; and Royal
Arsenal, Woolwich.

RA REY, at the ROYAL ALHAIVIBRA
PALACE, ANOTHER WEEK.—In consequence of
the unabated excitement felt in Mr. Rarey's success in Sub-
duing. the alarmingly Dangeroue Horses which have been the
subjects of his }Tactical demonstrations, it has been arranged
to continue the present series during next week in the follow-
ing order:—Fashionable Morning Exhibitions at 2 o'clock;
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, June 25, 27, 29,
and 30—Grand Evening Exhibitions at half-past 8, Tuesday
and ,Thursday, June 26 and 28.—Arrangements have been
made to test Mr. Rarey's prowess on these occasions by the
introduction of some of the most dangerous animals this
country can provide, several of which will be brought from a
great distance. Reduced terms of admission :--Reserved
Seats (numbered and secured), 10s. ; Second Seats, ss. ; Third
Seats, 2s. Gd.—Places and tickets may be Is id at the Box-office
of the Palace; Mr. Mitchell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street;
and Keith, Prowse, and Co.'s, Cheapside.

IOYAL VOLUNTEER REVIEW.-
Gentlemen meet at EVANS' Music and Supper Rooms,
Covent-garden, every evening.

WASHINGTON FRIEND'S GRAND TOUR
of 5,000 MILES in CANADA and the UNITED
STATES.—The Falls of Niagara and the River St. Lawrence,
including. a truthful representation of that stupendous work,
the VICTORIA TUBULAR BRIDGE, at Montreal. Ex-
tramlinary Illustrations of American, Indian, Emigrant, and
Negro Life, &c., &c., with his Songs, Anecdotes, and Melo-
dies, Daily. at 3 and 8 o'clock.— St. James's Hall, riccadilly.—
ess Stalls, 3s. ; Area, 2s. ; . Gallery, ls. —Places may be
secured at Austin's West-end Ticket-office.

Secretary—Mr. W. 11. EDWARDS.

LAST FEW WEEKS.

CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS, Polygraphic Hall,
King William-street, Strand.—Farewell Season in Lon -
ion, previous to the retirement of Mr. J. W. Raynor on the
?d of August.—Every Evening at 8, and every Saturday
Morning at 3 o'clock. Tickets and places may be secured at
the Hall from 11 till 4, and at Mr. Austin's West-end Box-
office, St. James's Hall, Piccadilly.—Sole Proprietor and
Manager, Mr. J. W. RAYNOR.

ARGYLL ROOMS, Windmill-street, Picea-
dilly.—Open every Evening, with the celebrated Band
:onducted by Mons. Lamotte (chef d'orchestra to the Em-
perol Napoleon). A magnificent ,SMOKING SALOON
added to this Establishment. Doors open at 8 o'clock. Ad-
mission, Is.

Licensed pursuant to Act of Parliament.

RIFLE VOLUNTEERS !

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ROOMS-
A. (formerly Crisino de Venese), High Holborn. The most
beautiful and costly decorated Ball Reo n, and Best Band in
London. Open Every Evening.. SATURDAY—The RIFLE
VOLUNTEERS' BALL, when will be performed Marriott's
Rifle Quadrille, D'Albert's Rifle Polka, and Farmer's Rifle
Galop. Monday, and during the week' the programme will
include the Orpheonestre and Vive Paris Quadrilles, Eugenie
and Victoria Waltz, the Anglo-French Alliance Polka,
L'Emperor Galop, &c. Doors open at half-past eight.
Overture at nine, and close punctually at 12 o'clock. Admis-
sion, Is. N.l3.—The attention of visitors to London is par-
ticularly Invited to this establishment, it being about to close
for the season.

TrEATING'S PERSIAN INSECT DESTROY
ING POWDER.—POULTRY, DOGS, and PLANTS
are EFFECTUALLY freed from Fleas and all other Vermin
with which they are infested, by the above Powder, which is
quite harmless to animal life. The Farmer, the Gardener,
or the Sportsman will therefore find it invaluable. Bugs,
Cockroaches, Beetles, Moths in Furs, and every other species
of Insect are also instantly destroyed. In packets, post free,
for 14, or treble size for 36 postage stamps, by THOMAS
BEATING, Chemist, 79, St. Paul's Churchyard, London,
E.C.

Take notice each genuine packet bears the above name and
address.

(From a General Officer at Aldershot.)
Barrack Office, South Camp, Aldershot,
Sir,—Your Persian Insect-Destroyer is most excellent. I
enclose 36 postage stamps for a large packet, as fleas, die,
abound here. 1 can most confidently recommend it.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

WINCHESTER RACES-FRTDAy.

The Original Hampshire Stakes, of 10 sovs each, h ft, and
only 3 if declared, with 0 added if three start; the
second to save his stake ; 18 subs, 11 of whom pay 3 soya
each. Two miles and a distance.
Mr. Sargent's Crater, 3 yrs, 6st 131 b (inc. 51b extra)

(W. Bottom) 1
•
Mr. T. Stevens's Dreadnought, 3 yrs, 6st 81b (Hutchins) 2
Lord Portsmouth's Tame Deer, aged, Bst bib (J. Goater) 3
Betting-3 to lon Crater, sto 1 each agst the other two.
Won by three lengths ; a bad third.
The Steward Plate (Handicap) of 50 sovs ; winners extra.

Three-quarters of a mile.
Mr. Copperthwaite's Twilight, 4 yrs, Bst 131 b (Custance) 1
Mr. Hodgman's Doeskin, 4 yzs, sst 91b (Mitchell) 2
Mr. Angell's Watersprite, 3 yrs, Gst (W. Bottom) 3
The following also ran :—Brandy Ball, St. Clarence, Miss
Sarah, Joyeuse, Balham, Portia, Chain Pier, rapilio, and
Holdersyke.

Betting-3 to 1 agst 11 atersprite, sto 1 each agst Doe-
skin and Twilight-7 to 1 agst any other.
Won by half a length ; a head dividing the second from
the third ; Portia was fourth ; the others beaten off.

The City Members' Plato of 50 sous ; optional selling
weights, &c. One mile.
Mr. Harrison's Annan, 3 yrs (£3O) Est 71b .. (Edwards) 1
Mr. Angell's Watersprite, 3 yrs, (£3O) Est 41b
(W. Bottom) 2
Mr. Steven's Bonny Lass, 3 yrs (£5O), Est 111 b
(Hutchins) 3
Albert Smith also ran.

Betting-2 to lon Annan, 3to 1 agst Albert Smith, sto
1 sgst each of the others.
Won by a head ; a very bad third ; Albert Smith beaten
off. The winner was bought in for 47 guineas.
The Gtange Park Stakes of 15 sovs each, 5 ft, with 50
added ; for 2-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 31b ; cor•
tain winners extra; the second to save his stake. T.Y.O
28 subs.

Mr. Payne's Copernicus, Bst 71b (L. Snowden) 1
Mr. Rogers' Blisworth, Bst 111 b (in 111 b ex.) (S. Rogers) 2
Mr. Parker's c. by Tadmor—Matilda, Bst 71b
(G. Fordham) 3
The following also ran :—Confidence, Highflyer, and
Wombat.

Betting-5 to 4on the Matilda colt, 3to 1 agst Blisworth,
5 to 1 agst Copernicus, 10 to 1 agst Confidence.
Won by a length and a half ; a head between the second
and third ; Highfiyer was fourth ; Confidence fifth.
A Sweepstakes of 3 sous each, with 30 added ; optional
selling weights, &c. Three-quarters of a mile.

Mr. Shelley's Quarantine, 2 yrs (£3O) sst 21b (car. sst 41b)
(J. Daley) 1
Mr. Riddell's Portia, 4 yrs (£3O), 7st Slb (G. Fordhani) 2
Mr. Pat ker's,e..by Noisy—ldleness, 2 yrs (£30),.5t 51b

(carried sst 81b)
(J. Adams) 3
Mr. Weymark's Primus, 2 yrs (£3O), sst slb
(Malthouse) 4
Betting-6 to 5 agst Quarantine, sto 2 agst Idleness
colt.

Won by a length ; a bad third. The winner was pm--
chased by Mr. Copperthwaite for 132 guineas.
The Queen's Plate of 100 guineas; three-yr-olds, 7st 71b ;
four, 9st; five, 9st 61b; six and aged, 9st 91b. Two

miles.
Mr. Ingham's Predictor, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (G. Foriham)* w.o.
Mr. T. Parr's Gaspard, 4 yrs, 9st (Bullock)
Mr. G. Lambert's ClyJesdale, 5 yrs, 9st 61b.. (J. Goater) 3

The following also ran : —Sandy M'Pherson, Allegra,
Schism, Mouravieff, and Richmond. •
Betting-7 to 4 agst Mouravieff, 3to 1 agst Gaspard, 4to
1 agst Clydesdale, 7 to 1 agst Predictor.
A dead heat, Clydesdale third, three lengths off; Mou-
ravieff a bad fourth ; Schism, Sandy M'Pherson, and Rich
mond were the last three. Predictor afterwards walked
over.

LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE.

NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE.
sto 2 agst Butterfly (taken freely)
6to 1 agst Edmund Kean (taken)
7to 1 agst Ben Webster (taken and offered)
9to 1 agst Bivouac (taken and offered)
200 even on Butterfly and Edmund Kean (taken)
GOODWOOD STAKES.
7to 1 agst Gridiron (taken and offered)
7to 1 agst Rattlebone (taken and offered
20 to 1 agst Conscript (taken)
THE DERBY.
7to 1 agst Dundee (take Bto 1)
20 to 1 agst Diophantus (taken and offered)
33 to 1 agst Cynic (offered)
BETTING AT MANCIIESTER.—FRIDAY.

The Winchester events now decided wore rather briskly
speculated upon. For the Northumberland Plate Butter-
fly was in great demand at 3 to 1, and at the close 5 to 2
was not easily obtained against her. Edmund Kean, with-
out much outlay of money, retains a firm position in the
market at an advance upon sto 1. Ben Webster declined
again to 10 to 1, offered. The only horse in force for the
Goodwood Stakes was Gridiron, about whom 8 to 1 was
taken freely. Itattlebone was inquired after, but his price
did not transpire. Not a wager was made upon the St.
Leger or the Derby.

CLOSING PRICES.
NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE.
sto 2 agst Butterfly (take 3 to 1 freely)
sto 1 agst Edmund Kean (take 6to 1).
10 to 1 agst Ben Webster (offered)
100 to 8 agst Bivouac (offered)
100 to 6 agst First Lord (take 20 to 1)
20 to 1 agst Walkington (offered)

GOODWOOD STAKES.
8 to 1 agst Gridiron (taken freely)
100 to 0 agst Stapleton (taken)
20 to 1 agst Edmund Kean (taken)
20 to 1 agst Royal Sovereign (taken)

1' LI NAVY.

The launch of the large screw corvette Orpheus,
21 guns, will take place -at Chatham dockyard
shortly before 3 o'clock this afternoon, at which
time the tido will serve for the purpose. In order
to enable the public to witness the ceremony the
dockyard gates will be thrown open at 1 o'clock.
First Lieutenant Hemmans,
11. M., has proceeded
from Portsmouth to Devonport, for embarkation on
board her Majesty's ship St. George.
Commander Ed ward G. Hore, lately commanding
the Dasher paddle-steamer for the protection of the
fisheries on the Jersey station, has been attached as
naval officer to the British Embassy at Paris.
The Bulldog, t, paddle, Capt. Sir F. L. M'Clin-
tock, steamed out of Portsmouth harbmtr yesterday
to Spitheadi and commenced taking in her powder
and shell.

Her Majesty's royal paddle yacht Victoria and
Albert has been hauled out of dock at Portsmouth,
on the completion of re•embellishment for summer
service. The Perseverance, screw troopship, Com-
mander E. B. Power, was afterwards placed in the
same dock.

The Dee, paddle, Master Commander Pullen,
sailed yesterday from Portsmouth for Woolwich.
The Royal Frederick, 86, screw, has been removed
from No. S. dock to the steam basin at. Portsmouth,
on the completion of her coppering. The Blenheim,
60, screw, will be placed in the same dock to-day.
The Sirius, 42-gun frigate, now about to be used
as a target-ship at Portsmouth, was built at Bursle-
don some 47 years ago, since which time she has
lain in Portsmouth harbour, without having once
hoisted the pendant. In removing portions of her
decks and other work, her timbers and planking
have been found to be in an extraordinary state of
preservation—too good a state, in fact, to be merely
used as a framing on which to hang iron plates for
experimental gunnery practice, and to be most
likely sunk alongside the Alfred and the Briton
frigates, "now lying in the mud of Porchester Lake.
It is some years since Portsmouth Dockyard con-
tained timber so well seasoned and so suitable for
the construction of small-class vessels as the greater
portion of the Sirius's framing.
The Rodney, 90, screw steam frigate, 500-horse
power, got up steam at her moorings yesterday to
test her machinery (built by Messrs. Mandslay.
Son, and Field). The trial was most satisfactory'
the machinery answering the most sanguine expecta-
tions. The Rodney is now lying at the, Ocean coal-
ship, Sheerness, where she is waiting her trial.

The Cormorant, 4, screw steam sloop, 200-horse
power, got up steam in Sheerness harbour yester-
day, and proceeded to Mapling Sands to test her
new machinery and boilers at the measured mile.
The ship was under way for seven hours, and the
machinery worked in every way satisfactory. The
vessel attained a speed of 111 knots. The engines
were built by Messrs Napier, of Glasgow.
Her Majesty has been pleased to order that, in
consequence of distinguished services performed by
Captain Jermyn Charles Symonds, of the Royal
Marine forces, while serving with the Royal
Marine brigade in China, that officer shall be re-
stored to his original rank in the corps. Captain
Symonds' name has consequently been placed be-
tween those of Brevet-Major C. B. Rodney and
Lieut.-Col. J. M. Wemyss. Captain Symonds was,
we understand, unfortunately tried by a naval court-
martial on some trifling charges some years back
while serving on board her Majesty's ship Trinco-
malee in the West Indies, and hence his suspension
of rank, to which he has now been restored.
The following appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiralty :—Lieut. C. G. F. Knowle,
to the Terrible ; Lieut. W. Wright, to the Royal
Adelaide ; Lieut. Francis 00Aurn, to the Colossus,
for the Coastguard Service ; Lieut. J. E. M. Wil-
son, to the Orion ; Lieut. M. G. Silverlock, to the
Orion ; Lieut. C. S. Tritton, to the Edgar; Arthur
E. S. Andrews, master's assistant, to the Torch ;
Albert R. Wonham, master's assistant, to the Gey-
ser ; Albert S. W. Neville, master's assistant, to the
Perseverance ; Edward Kearns, master's assistant,
to the Nautilus ; Thomas L. Palmer, master's as-
sistant, to the Sealark ; Richard C. Jones, master's
assistant, to the Sealark ; George Hole and George
Wood, master's assistants, to the Nile ; Augustus
R. Ring, C. G. J. Cater, and B. G. Deane, master's
assistants, to the. Marlborough ; Edmund Nankivell,
master's assistant, to the Bloodhound; Allan C.
Dennys, master's assistant, to the Sanspareil ; H.
A. C. Mason, master's assistant, to the Donegal ;
Arthur Martin, master's assistant, to the Royal
Albert ; Edwin J. T. Behanna, master's assistant,
to the Nautilus ; Augustus J. Burniston, master,
to the Cumberland, for service in the Foxhound ;
F. A. Keogh, assistant-paymaster, to the Mersey ;
W. A. Stevens, assistant-clerk, to the Mars ; and
Lewis P. Lewis, third-class assistant-engineer, to
the Hecate.

TILE CHANNEL FLEET 1N THE FIRM

OF FORTH.

The Channel squadron is under orders to leave
its moorings in the Firth of Forth this (Saturday)
morning. It was expected that the fleet would
make a circuit of Scotland and Ireland, visiting
various parts of the coast, but the orders received
are to proceed
Roads. The novel southwards again to Yarmouth
spectacle of a fleet of vessels of
war in the Forth has created an immense sensation
there, and during its fortnight's stay thousands
upon thousands, the b
great b
before seen a
inan.ofulk of whom had never
The anchorage
chosen being
have visited the ships.
being
ten miles above Leith
Roads, in a completely
sheltered lagoon
four miles broad, known
by the traditional name
of St. Margaret's Hope, and there being no railway
access to the ancient fishing and ferry ports there,
some difficulty was at first experienced from the
insufficklncy of both the land and maritime means of
conveyance. But in a day or two en extraordinary
traffic sprung up on the Edinburgh and South
Queensferry-road, and steamers, large and small,
upon the Forth left the wonted lines of route to
ply between Leith and Granton and the fleet. On
Saturday last there could not be less than 20,000
or 30,000 visitors to the ships from Edinburgh and
neighbourhood alone, not to speak of the great
numbers coming from all the counties bor-
dering on the Firth. The utmost kindness
and courtesy was uniformly shown to all corners
by the officers and seamen, and every facility
was given for the inspection of the ships.
The great throng of visit
ors was generally to
the two flagships the Royal Albert, 121, and Edgar,
and to the splendid 40-gun frigate the Mersey,
which may be said to be the great attraction of the
fleet. Notwithstanding the distance from Edin-
biseries of entertainments has been given to
tliiergh a
officers there, consisting of dinners, balls, con-
versaziones, &c. The public interest excited by the
presence
a gland f theary
fleet
wasgatbtrao, which took place brought to its culminating
on
Wed
point bynesday and Thursday. The first day being the
anniversary of the Queen's accession, the 10,000
sailors of the fleet were dressed in white, and at
noon a Royal salute thundered from every ship, On
board every vessel of the fleet were hundreds of
guests invited for the occasion, and the gigantic
ships of war were each attended by innumerable
satellites of the mercantile marine
;the miscellane-
ous flotilla being for the most pact crowded to
excess with spectators. The shores also presented
a very busy scene, and from all the picturesque
surroundingheig.hts many were enjoying the
splendid lentlideoup
ir evti, or viewing by the telescope the
several competitors of the day. The following is a
brief summary of the results of the rowing matches
of Wednesday :
B.—First prize, £3, the Royal Albert;
£2, tho Edgar; third prize, £l, the
second Six oar-
priGze Gigs.—First
Aboukir. The course. which was 31 miles, was
traversed by `4fY.Lanng boat in 25 minutes 15
the

seconds. Race on by fiNe boat-lei Ohs. Ten
competed.

Jolly-boats.--First prize, £4, the Algiers; second
prize, £2 10s., the Conqueror; third prize, the
Royal Albert; fourth prize, 10s., the Mersey. Won
by 50 yards. Eleven competed.
Four-oar Gigs.--First prize, £2, the Greyhound
second prize, £l, the Conqueror; third prize, 10s.,
the Aboukir. Won by about 80 yards. Nine com-
peted. _

Dingies.—Prize, £l. Won by the Greyhound.
Six competed.

Ten-oared Cutters.—First prize, £5, the Con-
queror ; second prize, £3, the Trafalgar; third
prize, £2, the Centurion. The Conqueror kept the
lead throughout and won easily. Time, 23 minutes,
20 seconds. Nine competed.
Launches.—First prize, £lO, Mersey; second
prize, .E 5, Donegal; third prize, £3, Mersey ; fourth
prize, Ll, Aboukir. Won, after a.splendid compe-
tition, by the first launch of the Mersey, by about
20 yards. 17 competed.
Twelve-oar Cutters.—First prize, £6, Mars ;
second prize, £4, Aboukir; third prize, £3, Mersey.
11 competed. Three protests lodged in connection
with the race, owing to crossing the course. Course
run by winner in 21 minutes.
Pinnaces.—First prize, £7, Aboukir; second
prize, £4, Centurion; third prize, £3, Mersey. 13
started.

Launches (pulled by Marines).—First prize, £lO,
Donegal; second prize, £5, Aboukir; third prize,
£2, Mersey. Won, after an exciting race, by launch
of Donegal by about half a length.
Admiral's Barges.—Prize, £5. Won by a barge
of the Edgar.

The sports of the day were concluded by one or
two punts and tub competitions, which caused much
amusement. In addition to the prizes announced
the Town Council of Edinburgh placed at the
disposal of the Admiral, £5O, as an acknowledg-
ment of the kindness and courtesy with which the
citizens had been received on board the fleet.
Thursday, the second day of the regatta, was chiefly
devoted to sailing matches, which excited scarcely
less interest, and again drew multitudes of spec-
tators. The weather, as bn Wednesday, was bril-
liant in the extreme, and the day's sports again
came off with great eclat. The various matches
were won as follows :

Gigs (four oars), rowed by officers.—Prize, a silk
ensign. Won by the Edgar. Eight gigs entered,
but only three competed.
Launches (sailing).—First prize, £lO, the Cen-
turion ; second prize, £5, the Conqueror. Fifteen
sailed. Won by about 100 yards. Course, five
miles.

Pinnaces.—First prize, £7, the Royal Albert;
second prize £4, the Donegal. Same course.
Cutters.—First prize, £6, the Diadem ; second
prize, £4, the Mersey. Same course. Won very
easily.
Tub Race.—First prize, £l, the Royal Albert—
Cook's tub. The Royal Albert's grog tub came in
second, and a tub of the Conqueror's third. All
the other competitors were capsized in the race.
The course was from the Royal Albert round the
Edgar and back.

Challenge by Admiral Elliot's galley.—Prize
£5. The boats which took part in this most ex-
citing race were Admiral Fremantle's galley, Capt.
Lacon's gig, Capt. Caton's gig, the Mars' cutter,
Admiral Erskine's barge, and the Algiers' cutter.
Admiral Elliot's barge, though the challenger,
withdrew from the race, as it was not fitted for
going against so strong a breeze as had sprung
up. The" coursa was about two miles and three-
quarters, but with the strong tide then flowing it
was considered equal to seven miles hard rowing.
After a very keen contest, the Royal Albert galley
carried off the prize, followed by the Algiers' cutter
and the Albert's gig. The boats engaged in the
race were considered the best in the fleet, and the
seamen who manned them were the select boatmen
of the various crews. That the race was won by
the galley of the Admiral in command was there-
fore an appropriate result to crown and terminate
the sports of the regatta.

DINNER OF 271 E SOCIETY OF ARTS.

The 100th anniversary dinner of this society was
held yesterday, in St. James's Hall. About 400
gentlemen were present, with a very full attend-
ance of ladies in the galleries. The Right Hon. B.
Disraeli presided. He was supported by the Right
Hon. the Lord Mayor, Admiral Sir E. Belcher, Sir
Thomas Phillips, Mr. Harry Chester, Mr. Ackroyd,
M.P., Viscount Emsley, Mr. Bodkin, the Assistant
Judge ; Lord Win. Lennox, Mr. J. C. Macdonald,
Mr. C. W. Mike, Mr. Pope Hennessy, M.P., Sir
Win. Fraser, Mr. C. Ratcliff, Mr. Alderman Mechi,
Sir C. Roney, Sir John Rennie, the Hon. Mr.
Temple, Chief Justice of British Honduras ; Mr.
Wm. Hawes, and Mr. John Dillon. After the
healths of " the Queen," and " His Royal High-
ness Prince Albert" (as the President of the society),
the Chairman gave the " Army, Navy, and Vo-
lunteers," wishing the latter a bright day for their
first appearance before her Majesty. Sir W.
Fraser replied for the Army, Sir E Belcher, R.N.,
for the Navy, and Captain C. Ratcliff for the
Volunteers.

Mr. DISRAELI, in proposing the toast of the
evening, began by observing that a century was n
mean period of a nation's life. A hundred years
ago the United States of America were not in exist-
ence ; a hundred years ago the French Revolution
was not contemplated by Robespierre; a hundred
years ago India was not conquered, and Australia
was not even discovered. Many of the arts now
deemed necessary to daily existence were not in•
vented. Those reflections would help them to ap-
preciate the standing of those men who, a hundred
years and many more ago, were banded together
in the attempt to found a Society of Art. Its
success was far greater at first than could have
been anticipated; but as time advanced the
society declined, until, some fifteen years ago,
its very being might have been questioned.
But just as its utter extinction was at hand, this
society revived in an extraordinary manner.
A great enterprise was conceived and carried out,
which still commanded the admiration of the world.
On this IGoth anniversary of theirs, instead of in-
dulging in self-gratulation, it would be well to in-
quire what was the principle which had led to their
revival and hope. The most forlorn situation which
humanity could occupy was the being shut up for
a whole rainy day in a country inn. Such a situa-
tion had once been occupied by him, when he was
fortunate enough to light upon an odd volume of
the transactions of their body. He remembered
that at the time in question, which was in the early
part of the present century, the influence of the
society was very important, Premiums of consider-
able number and amount were given, about 25 of
which were for encouraging the fine arts, while
chemistry, inventions, and manufactures bore off
the remainder. Agriculture especially was very
much indebted to those well considered arrange-
ments for the application of resources. The society,
in its very title, was almost of a universal character;
the subject, however, which was least thought of
being the most important, to wit commerce. Fif-
teen years ago, when on the eve of disappearing
from the scene of existence, the society happily dis-
covered that they had a mission to educate the arti-
sans of England. From the moment they recognised
this as one great office imposed on them by duty,
from that very moment their prosperity began to
increase. There were two modes by which their
purposes could be accomplished. The first of these
modes was the exhibition of results of industry.
Even so late as 1848 the proposal of a universal
exhibition was looked upon with coldness. But
when once the feasibility of this scheme was made
manifest they appeared before the world as the
originators of a great enterprise. If this were only
a meeting to celebrate the anniversary of their
existence it would be a barren proceeding. But
they had to consider the future. The exhibition
they had planned must not be isolated.
By ac-
knowledging merit and not encouraging it they
were adhering still to a system of monopoly.. They
had done nothing by the Exhibition of 184 if they
resolved to go no farther. They should pursue the
principle which, happily for them, they had struck
ofourt
them to some 15 ago.hyaevaresa Some
in taking stock, as it
period, not too short
were, of industrial advance, nor so long as to allow
difficulty
emulation to languish, should be determined c n
was it wise to acknowledge the principle that, be-
cause a popular apprehension of war might exist,
the hopes of peace should be discouraged ? The
arts of war were, he thought, very, much neglected
sonic 15 years ago. He could not help saying that
they had been too much neglected, in fact inju-
riously so. But it would be an equal mistake to
; suppose because we had fallen on troublesome
times, that the arts of civilisation need be aban-
doned. He thought, therefore, that the society
should contemplate, and practically contemplate,