The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-27 00:00:00

SCIENCE AND ART IN DUBLIN.

A large and influential deputation of Irish noble-
men and gentlemen yesterday waited upon the
Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Earl of Mayo,
at the Government offices in Downing-street, to ask
the Government to institute in Dublin a department
of science and art, under Irish management, similar
to that in South Kensington. The deputation con-
sisted of the Marquis Clanricarde, the Lord Mayor
of Dublin, Lord John Browne, Lord Claud Hamil-
ton, Lord Cremorne, Sir John Gray, M.P., Sir Jas.
Straughan, Sir P. O'Brien, M.P., Sir Benjamin
Lee Guinness, M.P., Sir J. M'Kenna, M.P., Sir
C. Lanyon, M.P., the Hon. W. Vereker, Colonel
French, M.P., Col. Stuart Knox, M.P., and Messrs.
Rearden, M.P., De la Poer, M.P., Blake, M.P., J•
Bagwell, M.P., A. Ferrier, Charles Moore, m.r.,
Aldermen Joint, Manning, and Hudson, Guinness
(Horse Guards), Kinnahan (high sheriff of Dublin),
Rev. Dr. Russell (chaplain to the Lord Mayor of
Dublin), Stock, M.P., Dr. Mansell, Captain Arch-
dall, M.P., J. Vance, M.P., Henry (town clerk, .
Dublin), Allen, Angelo Hayes, R.H.R., Pollard-
Urquhart, M.P., Switzer, Fry, &c. The deputa-
tion was introduced by the Marquis of Clanricarde,
and after some remarks from the Lord Mayor of
Dublin,

The Hon. Mr. VEREKER explained the object the
deputation had in view, and pointed out the aids
which had from time to time been afforded to Eng-
lish manufacturers. Such was unfortunately not
the case with Ireland. The South Kensington
Museum was of but little use to their country in
consequence of the distance by which it was sepa-
rated from them. He argued that even the little
which that centre of art could do for Ireland bad
not been done, and complained that, although sub-
sidies had been granted for the benefit of English
artisans, nothing had been granted for the benefit
of artisans of their country. He contended that an
establishment of the character which they wished
for, namely, an Irish institution under Irish manage-
ment, would be productive of good results, and
supply a want which was most seriously felt.
Mr. BLAKE supported the petition, stating that
it was very desirable that such an institution should
be provided in order to give the people a taste for
art and science. He very heartily joined with the
other gentlemen present in pressing on the Govern-
ment the necessity of forming such an establish-
ment.

Captain ARCHDALL urged that Ireland should
have a fair share in the expenditure of the State.

Sir PATRICK O'BRIEN alluded to the imagination
of the Irish 'people, and the facility with which
they designed, and contended that if they only
bad opportunities of studying art and science
they would be capable of great things. They did
not ask the Government for an extraordinary grant
at first, but only to form the nucleus of such ell
institution as the Kensington Museum, and theo,
if it was found to answer, the grant might be el-
tended.

Sir B. GUINNESS said what they wanted in Ire-
land was occupation ; if they had that, there would
not be so much emigration. As a first measure,
what they brought before the Government was veil
important, for there was naturally a great aptitude
for art among the Irish population. An immense
amount of employment would be occasioned by Buell,
an institution as that contemplated, which would
tend to make the people more loyal. The inhabi-
tants of Dublin were very anxious that the
Government should favourably consider the pro-
posal.
After some remarks from Sir J. GRAY and Ml'
REARDEN,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was hapPY
to say that the Government had already made uP
their minds on the question. His lion. and gallant
friend had said that he hoped the Government
would not be able to resist the pressure put upon
them. They wanted no pressure—(cheers)—for be
did not think he should be wrong if he stated that
he had taken the initiative ix the matter. When
he was in Dublin at Christmas the present question
was a subject of discussion with the Lord Liente"
nant, himself, and other gentlemen. On their re-
turn to this country they communicated with the
President of the Council, and the subject had been
under the consideration of the whole of the Cahi"
net, and the Government were prepared to give
effect to the views which had been expressed 133
the deputation. (Cheers.) He agreed with whB",,
had fallen from various speakers with regard to the
capabilities of the Irish people, and was quite
satisfied that there was among them a great natural
aptitude for art and science. He had been especially
struck with a specimen shown him of some work
executed by a young man;who had received but fell
advantages in the way,of learning anything of art'
He concurred in what had been said concerning the
unsatisfactory state of the present arrangement, 85
he did not think that the Irish people had their fair
share of art departments. (Hear, hear.) The Go"
vernment, as he said before, had taken the matter
into their consideration, and proposed to give to
;
Dublin an institution analogous to that of South
Kensington, under the direction of Irish manage-
ment, and which should be a sister to and not sub-
ordinate to the English establishment. (Cheers')
It would, therefore, be under an Irish direeti
who would be responsible to the Minister `9,,
Education, and it was also proposed that the
various local establishments should be affiliated
°
to the Dublin institution. Although ,tb
schemes were not fully matured, the "(I;
vernment hoped that all who felt interested
in the subject would give them any assistance
in their power. There were some institutions whic
would have to be modified if the plan which ,0
Government proposed were carried out, and they
trusted that no private or personal consideration
would be allowed to interfere with what they Pro,
posed, and which would be, they believed, pro ad_
tive of considerable advantage to the people a
I ti-
land. (Hear, bear.) They bad not put in the e3O
mates any scheme for building such an institutiehat
a site not yet been fixed on, and they all knew t
Parliament was not willing to vote money for 3oy
. of
object unless they knew all particulars respeetl:s
it. The matter would, therefore, have to stBes
over for a few months, but when the estio3;lo
would be prepared next year they would be the
he hoped, to state everything connected wit', by
subject. The right hon. gentleman concludedo
saying that any suggestion made by those press

would be duly considered.
The deputation then withdrew.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE IRON TRADE.--13133,1f5t0'
lIA, March 26.—The preliminary meeting 19i il
31 l
iron masters of this district was held at the iiel3,,ury
Chickeas, in this town, this afternoon ; there was ;t:-'0
large attendance. After a discussion which occupieu—
hours and a half a resolution was passed by an „1300.
derablo majority to reduce the price of finished ir°", be
per ton, making bars £7 ; and that the puddlers' Irgge-°s 14
reduced ls. per ton (10 per cent.), and all other Nog. to
the trade in proportion; 14 days' notice to be givrthe
the men on Saturday next. It is understood tbg;l4
minority at the meeting will abide by the decieion ar
at.