The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-24 00:00:00

THE POLYTECHNIC.

The public will regret to learn that Mr. J. H.
Pepper, the able and enterprising lessee, has ter-
minated his connexion with this institution. The
exertions which Mr. Pepper has for many years
made to render " philosophy in sport, scif-nce in
earnest," and at the same time to supply the com-
munity with a constant succession of harmless re-
creations, have won for him an honourable place
amongst those who have laboured in the caue of
popular improvement ; and the Polytechnic will,
no doubt, in the opinion of many, have lost no
small portion of its attractions now that the ex-
lessee's name no longer stands at the head of its
staff of lecturers.

Last night Mr. Pepper took his farewell benefit,
and it was gratifying to observe how large and re-
spectable a company thronged the spacious theatre.
Lie deliverel, on this occasion, an interesting lecture
on the properties of gases ; afterwards Mr. Leslie's
choir performed a selection of their best pieces. Mr.
Pepper then came forward and said he had heard
a number of alarming rumours with regard to the
causes of his leaving the establishment. He had
heaid it said, for instance, that he had acquired a
large fGrtune, and was g..ung to take a splendid
mansion at Albert-gate ; but the truth was there
was still a great amount of hard work before him.
In fact, he could not do better than lead a letter
which he had addres,ed to the directors :

" The Hon. Capt. Maude, Chairman of the Board

of Directors.

" Dear Sir,—Guided by calculations of profit
(which time and new events show to be fallacious),
I sincerely believed, when I negotiated fora new
lease, that I might struggle on, and by great exer-
tions pay not only the present rental of 3,1204. per
annum, but also the extra sum of 3651., being the
increased rent demanded. I can only now state,
I find with all my exertions, which are early
and late, that with the powerful competition from
the Crystal Palace, the Alhambra, the St. James's-
hall, and the truly beautiful display of new
models and works of art at the South Kensington
Museum, my position is getting worse instead of
better, and lam compelled to give you immediate
notice that as the directors ar edetermined to insist
upon an increased rental of 3651. on and after Mid-
summer, I most respectfully, and with regret, de-
cline the tenancy of the Polytechnic Institution.
At the same tim r I shall be happy to assist the di-
rsctors in any way I can, se that no inconvenience
may arise ; ani I am,dear sir, your ohechent-ser-
vatet, " J. H. PEPPER."
Itis very gratifying to him to be able to state
that he left the institution iu a better position than
he had found it. (Heir.) He had made every exer-
tion to secure each scientific novelty as it came out,
and he was happy to say that in many cases he bad
been very successful. But to suppose that the
Polytechnic ceuld be made a self-supporting insti-
tution on purely scientific principles was out of the
question. He had therefore felt bound to avail
himself of those other means of attraction which
were usual in literary institutions ; but he had
never ceased to forget that science was the great
object he ought to have in view. He had est abliihed
a course of somewhat longer lectures on Monday
evenings, delivered by a series of eminent men.
He had also set on foot a system of evening classes
is connexion with the Society of Arts, and the
meeting would be glad to hear that no fewer tl an
66 certificates of merit and two money prizes had
been obtained by Polytechnic students. (Cheers.)
The experiment of admitting workmen at half-
price on producing a note signed by the foreman
of their respective shops had proved eminently suc-
cessful, no fewer than 83,000 admissions of this
kind being recorded on the books of the establish-
ment. He might add that, the institution had been
honoured with a royal visit, and that the Prince
Consort had done him the honour to express his
entire satisfaction. Mr. Pepper, having read a
letter from Dr. Lyon Play fair, who complimented
him highly upon his management of the scientific
department, concluded by bidding the meeting
farewell.
The Rsv. J. B. Owen, a member of the beard of
directors, also exprs ssed the high sense he enter-
tained of Mr. Pepper's exertions; and the meetia g
broke up.