INTRODUCTION.

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industry. It was considered that, whilst it appeal's an error to fix any limitation to the pro-ductions of machinery, science, and taste, which are of no country, but belong, as a wholeto the civilized world, particular advantage to British industry might be derived fromplacing it in fair competition with that of other nations.

It was further settled that, by offering very large premiums in money, sufficient induce-ment would be held out to the various manufacturers to produce works which, althoughthey might not form a manufacture profitable in the general market, would, by the effortnecessary for their accomplishment, permanently raise the powers of production, andimprove the character of the manufacture itself.

It was settled that the best mode of carrying out the execution of these plans would beby means of a Royal Commission, of which His Royal Highness would be at the head.

His Royal Highness proposed that inasmuch as the home trade of the country will be en-couraged, as many questions regarding the introduction of foreign productions may arise,—-in so far also as the Crown property may be affected, and Colonial products imported,—theSecretaries of State, the Chief Commissioner of Woods, and the President of the Board ofTrade, should be ex-officio members of this Commission; and for the execution of its detailssome of the parties present, who are also members or officers of the Society of Arts, andwho have been most active in originating and preparing for the execution of this plan,should be suggested as members, and that the various interests of the community also shouldbe fully represented therein.

It was settled that a draft of the proposed Commission, grounded on precedents of otherRoyal Commissions, be prepared, and that information regarding the most expeditious anddirect mode of doing this be procured, and privately submitted to Her Majesty’s Govern-ment, in order that no time be lost in preparation for the collection when the authority ofthe Government shall have been obtained.

It was settled that a subscription for donations on a large scale, to carry this object intoeffect, would have to be organized immediately. It was suggested that the Society forEncouragement of Arts under its charter possessed machinery and an organization whichmight be useful, both in receiving and holding the money, and in assisting the workingout of the Exposition .—(Minutes of the Meeting on the 30th of June, 1849, at BwakinghamPalace.)

The minutes of a second meeting held on the 14th July, at Osborne, are as Meeting atfollows 0sl>ome '

His Royal Highness stated that he had recently communicated his views regarding theformation of a great collection of works of industry and art in London in 1851, for the pur-pose of exhibition, and of competition and encouragement, to some of the leading statesmen,and amongst them to Sir Robert Peel .

His Royal Highness judged, as the result of these communications, that the importanceof the subject was fully appreciated, but that its great magnitude would necessarily requiresome time for maturing the plans essential to secure its complete success.

His Royal Highness communicated that he had also requested Mr. Labouchere, as Pre-sident of the Board of Trade, to give his consideration to this subject. Mr. Laboucherewas now at Osborne, and His Royal Highness expressed his desire that he should be pre-sent at this meeting. Mr. Labouchere was accordingly invited to be present.

His Royal Highness gave it as his opinion that it was most important that the co-operationof the Government and sanction of the Crown should be obtained for the undertaking ; butthat it ought to be matter for serious consideration how that co-operation and sanction couldbe most expediently given.

Mr. Labouchere stated that the whole subject would have the very best considerationhe could give it; and on behalf of the Ministry, he could promise an early decision as to themanner in which they could best give their co-operation.

He suggested that if, instead of a Royal Commission being formed, to include some of