6

INTRODUCTION.

Plan ofoperations.

the chief members of Her Majesty’s Government, those same Ministers were to be electedmembers of a Managing Committee of the Society of Arts, this object might perhaps be aswell accomplished.

It was explained to Mr. Labouchere that the exertions of the Society of Arts wouldbe given to the undertaking, to the utmost extent to which they could be useful; but thatthese functions would necessarily be of an executive and financial nature, rather than of ajudicial and legislative character.

It was further urged by the three members of the Society , that one of the requisite con-ditions for the acquirement of public confidence was, that the body to be appointed for theexercise of those functions should have a sufficiently elevated position in the eyes of thepublic, and should be removed sufficiently high above the interests, and remote from theliability of being influenced by the feelings of competitors, to place beyond all possibilityany accusation of partiality or undue influence; and that a no less elevated tribunal than oneappointed by the Crown, and presided over by His Royal Highness, could have that stand-ing and weight in the country, and give that guarantee for impartiality that would commandthe utmost exertions of all the most eminent manufacturers at home, and particularlyabroad: moreover, that the most decided mark of national sanction must be given to thisundertaking, in order to give it the confidence, not only of all classes of our own countrymen,but also of foreigners accustomed to the expositions of their own countries, which are con-ducted and supported exclusively by their Governments.

It was also stated that, under such a sanction, and with such plans as now proposed,responsible parties would, it was believed, and could be proved, be found ready to place atthe disposal of the Commission sufficient funds to cover all preliminary expenses and therisks incidental to so great an undertaking.

Mr. Labouchere expressed his sense of the great national importance of the proposal,and wished such further communication on the subject as might enable him fully to under-stand it, to be able better to consider the matter with his colleagues in the Cabinet.

At the same time a general outline of a plan of operations was submitted :—

I. A Royal Commission. —For promoting Arts, Manufactures, and Industry, by meansof a great Collection of Works of Art and Industry of All Nations, to be formed in London ,and exhibited in 1851. President, His Royal Highness Prince Albert.

1. The duties and powers of the Commission to extend to the determination of thenature of the prizes, and the selection of the subjects for which they are to beoffered.

2. The definition of the nature of the Exhibition, and the best manner of conductingall its proceedings.

3. The determination of the method of deciding the prizes, and the responsibility ofthe decision.

II. The Society of Arts . —To organize the means of raising funds to be placed atthe disposal of the Commission for Prizes, and to collect the funds and contributions toprovide a building, and defray the necessary expenses to cover the risks of the collectionand exhibition; and to provide for the permanent establishment of these QuinquennialExhibitions.

The prizes proposed to be submitted for the consideration of the Commission to bemedals, with money prizes so large as to overcome the scruples and prejudices even of thelargest and richest manufacturers, and insure the greatest amount of exertion. It was pro-posed that the first prize should be £5,000, and that one, at least of £1,000, should begiven in each of the four sections. Medals conferred by the Queen would very muchenhance the value of the prizes.

Mr. Labouchere finally stated that the whole matter should be carefully considered :.but that there was no use in bringing it before the Cabinet at the moment of a closingsession—that the Cabinet would now disperse, and not meet again till the autumn. The