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436 ^ THE LEADER, [No. 372, Saturday ,
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THREE VISITS TO THE MANCHESTER ART TREAS...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Opening- Of The Manchester Exhibition. —...
Bishop of Manchester then presented an address from the Associated Institutes of Lancashire and Cheshire : The Prince next visited the exhibition of the works of local artists and the museum , after which he received an address from Mr . Alderman Agnew , Chairman of the Sunday School Committee . Finally ,-the statue , which is of Sicilian marble , and , with the pedestal , is twenty feet high , was uncovered amidst the cheering of the crowd .
436 ^ The Leader, [No. 372, Saturday ,
436 ^ THE LEADER , [ No . 372 , Saturday ,
Three Visits To The Manchester Art Treas...
THREE VISITS TO THE MANCHESTER ART TREASURES EXHIBITION . ( From our Special Correspondent . ) I . THE INAUOUUATION DAY . We would willingly leave it to physiologists to determine whether Man is or is not a development of the Monkey : one thing , however , is certain—that he possesses at least that eminently simious characteristic , a proneness to imitation . The lack of novelty under the son has passed long since into a proverb ; classic poets have descanted upon the pregnant fecundity with which one event begets many similar : in the present day perhaps the most notable instance of this is the facility with which the idea of assembling a vast number of congruous and incongruous objects , with or without a definite purpose , has reproduced itself over and over again . The numerous Exhibitions conducted by the Society of Arts ; the efforts in that direction patronised by the First Napoleon and continued by the Bourbons after their restoration ; the Congresses of Cattle and Turnips assembled under the auspices of our own agricultural associations ; more lately , the Monster Bazaar of 1851 and its Parisian rival of 1855 ( not to speak of the comparative failures at Dublin and New York , both of . which received their impulse from the great gathering of 1851 )—all these have led up to , and received their crowning point from , the Art Treasures Exhibition , now being held at Manchester in this year of grace 1857 .
Without descending to say anything of a merely complimentary tendency upon the occasion , it may be truthfully observed that this Olympic competition of the Muses at Old Trafford has in it something of far higher and more extended aim than any other Exhibition hitherto attempted . This , of all other Exhibitions , may be said to be in the right place , for surely , if collections of this sort are to have an educational tendency , it is a better and a wiser thing to teach the manufacturers than the purchasers . The general effect of the Great Exhibition of 1851 , and of the more recent labours of the officials at Marlborough House , has been to teach the consumers what they should and what they should
not buy ; but the effect of the Manchester Exhibition will be to teach the manufacturers what is and is not fitting to be made . There is something very logical in this ; and if those interested in the preservation and progress of our trade will only adopt the hint , we may look forward to a time when bad taste will die for . want of nutriment , and that because the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition inaugurated a time when Good Taste came lo reign supreme upon the banks of the Irwell , and Bad Taste , with Vice , and Ignorance , and Dissension in . her train , fled away like a discomfited Afreet , and never came to trouble the atmosphere of industrial Lancashire any more .
As honour is too frequently paid where it is not due , we should never miss an opportunity of offering it where it really is . His Royal Highness the Prince Consort got the credit of the Great Exhibition of 1851—wherefore it would be hard to tell . The whole credit of having originated this undertaking , of having presided over its organisation , and of having carried it onwards to a high and unexpected pitch of perfection , is due to Mr . J . C . Deane , now the General Commissioner of the Exhibition . He it was who suggested the idea ; he it was who gave it an organic form ; he it was who has presided over and assisted in its development , until it has grown almost unexpectedly into its present astonishing proportions . Whon Mr . Doane first transmitted to Mr . Fairbairn hia notions about an Art Treasures Exhibition , ho never imagined that the result would have at all
approached the reality . Something in the form of a decent and creditable collection may have seemed possible to him ; but that it should over come to bo a perfect harmonious whole , composed entirely of the moat excellent atoms that could bo collected from all parts of the country—that the owners of masterpieces should be persuaded to part with their darling treasures for a while , in order to grace thia triumph of civilizationthat far-off mansions of the aristocracy should become unfurnished . of their choicest ornamonta for the adornment of a single room in democratic Manchester—those were dreorna too wild for the moat sanguine apoculator ; and aa Mr . Deane now looks around upon this groat work , of which he ia , in truth , the prime architect , he must feel no small surprise at the recognition of the fact that Bometimea out of a amall epark a groat fire ia kindled .
In placing the site of the Art Treasures Exhibition outaide Manchester , the Exocutivo ^ Committoo haa done well . The dull canopy of smoke which ordinarily roofs thia city of looma and spindloa rendered this necoaaary . The locality of Old Trafford ia commodious and convenient—within eaay roach of , and yot sufficientl y removed from , Manchester to givo an opportunity for the
light of heaven to illuminate these masterpieces of human art . The building itself is scarcely an earnest of what mav be expected in the way of the refinement of taste , seeing that in its exterior aspect it would be difficult to imagine a plainer and more work-a-day construction . Three waggon-shaped boilers placed side by side , with another placed across at the end , afford the best similo which occurs to us of the general character of the building . Tnside , the general effect is prettier and more artistic ; but of that more anon . And here our report must assume a narrative form . On Monday , the 4 th , the swift magic of the London and North-Western Railway whirled us down to Manchester , where we found people in a state of pleasurable excitement about the coming glories of the morrow . The uncertainty about the coming of the Prince Consort ( which was rendered more than doubtful by the recent demise of the Duchess of Gloucester ) had imported enough of excitement into the matter to be just pleasant , and the good people of Manchester had been relieved from their tribulation in time to recognise that the Prince had acted wisely and nobly in resolving to sacrifice his own private feeling to the public good .
Next morning we proceeded to Old Trafford ; and here , for the first time , the effects of haste in the preparations became obvious . The temporary railway station , arranged in the Oxford-road for the accommodation of passengers to the Exhibition , seems to be insufficient in space and ineffectual in the working . One line of rails is only capable of admitting one train at a time , and consequently , both at the Manchester end and at the door of the Exhibition , trains have to wait their turn like cabs en queue at the Opera . A little matter of detail also deserves severe reprehension . The platform at the Oxford-road station is so much below the level of the carriages that it is quite a serious climb or jump ( as the
case may be ) for a lady to get into or out of her seat . In fact , the railway authorities have exhibited the greatest laxity in everything save the levying of contributions upon the public purse . That they have been pretty diligent in that respect will be understood from the fact that , on the opening day , the fare to the Exhibition ( a little over two miles ) was one shilling—a return-ticket eighteen pence . If this somewhat high rate had been accompanied by any special and satisfactory preparations for the public comfort no complaint need have been made ; but as the very reverse was the case , we cannot too strongly condemn the sordid and shortsighted policy exhibited by the authorities upon the Altrincham and Great Junction line .
Of the outward aspect of the Art Treasures Palace we have already spoken . It should be explained , however , that the building is immediately contiguous to the Botanic Gardens , the directors of which have very liberally offered their assistance to the executive committee , and on certain days the walks and alleys of these pleasant grounds offer an inviting retreat to the visitor whom long wanderings in the palace have jaded both in mind and body . The general effect inside the building is exceedingly good ; and for the sake of the coup d ' ceil the entry should be made at the front facing the high road from Manchester . Tha eye then measures the whole extent of the building , glancing up the long vista which terminates in the superb organ which
crowns the orchestra . The four lines of statues , reaching all up the nave , have also a capital effect . The lighting ( which comes entirely from broad strips of skylight aiong each of the three arches ) is amply sufficient . The decoration of the walls and pillars is simple and tasteful ; very cool to the eye ; nothing gaudy or out of tone . Two elements of beauty the habitue of the Sydenham Palace will look for in vain—water and greenery ; and these would have been provided but for the high sense which the Committee has exhibited of the value of the treasures committed to its charge , competent authorities having decided that insect-harbouring plants and moisturo-giving water cannot be safely introduced under the same roof with pictures of inestimable
price . And this seems a fitting opportunity to pay a just tribute of praise to the high-minded courageous liberality with which the Committee has grappled with the difficult question of insurance . Differing in practice from the committees of all previous Exhibitions , it was decided to insure all the objects comm itted to their charge from all risks , and that has accordingly been clone , at an expense which may bo readily imagined . Nor would it bo just to withhold a word of commendation from the contributors themselves , who have so cheerfully consented to part with treasures which have in many casoa boon the pride of their families for ages , the chief decoration of their mansions , the prime objects of their caro among all thoir
possessions ; exposing things to peril which , if destroyed or damaged , could neither bo replaced nor repaired ; for it is needless to say that no moro money value can bo set upon the numerous unique objoots with which this unparalleled collection is enriched . And yot , in spito of those infinite porila which might well have affected the moBt liberal colloctpr , tho appeal of tho officials charged with tho collection of tho Works of Art has been , in almost every case , responded to in tho moat liberal manner . Tho moat exalted personages in tho land have boon tho foremost to contribute thoir aid in tho good work . Tho Queen and heir Royal Consort have boon by far tho moat liberal contributors ; noblemen and oommonora , corporate bodies and ancient inatitutionn , havo
sent their invaluable acquisitions , their heirlooms their insignia , and their relics to this great illustration of human art . One or two dishonourable exceptions have occurred , and of these one deserves special mention Sir Robert Peel has not only refused to contribute a single article from the rich stores of art collected by his father but he has not even had the courtesy to repl y to one of the numerous appeals addressed to him upon the subiect by the officials of the Exhibition ; forgetting the origin whence his fortune sprang , forgetting the libe rality with which his father always encouraged the spread of art t \ ' descendant of an honoured name has obstinately refused t ^ follow the example of his superiors by contributinK ° single article to the Exhibition . This , however , is We are happy to say , almost a solitary exception , and ive should scarcely have thought it worth while to dwell
upon it , but for the conspicuous position into which the present Sir Robert so obstinately persists in thrusting himself upon all imaginable occasions , and for the zeal as to the improvement of the working classes which he is constantly exhibiting , so far , at least , as delivering lectures and inaugurating mechanics' institutions are concerned . It is time , however , that we return to the palace and give some account of the inauguration ceremonv . We have already referred to the general coup d ' ceil which the building offers as you enter it from the east end . On Tuesday , however , it presented a spectacle which will probably never be repeated whilst it stands , for all up the nave , in triple rows , and filling the transept with a blaze of glory , and fringing the gallerj- like a flower border , were the far-famed Lancashire witches ; so at least we have been informed by the enthusiastic
reporters of the local press . But our readers—even our fair and gentle readers—must forgive us if we , who have explored so many fictions , and who disregard even gallantry itself when it stands in the light of truth , add this to the number of myths -which fantastic wordpainters delight to revel in . Nobody believes in olil witches flying through the air upon brooms to diabolical sabbaths . Henceforth let no one believe in Lancashire witches ; for there are none—at any rate , there are none in Manchester . Time was when , upon the breezy shores of New Brighton , the sward of Lytham , the gustv heights of Blackpool , the banks of the sweetly-flowing Ribble , the green pastures of the Fylde , and the rocky uplands of Clitheroe , the bright eyes and rosy cheeks of
the Lancashire lasses were wont to fire our youthful imagination . It is gone—a mere dream of the pastgone with other fond illusions that we loved ; the Lancashire witch is , so far as Manchester is concerned , as extinct as the _ Dodo or the Apteryx . Dark Israelitish eyes there were that flashed out of costly bowers of lai-e , Teutonic noses were there that buried themselves in bouquets of rare exotics , Greeks were therewith features suggestive of neither Helen [ nor the young Parthenope , Jew . 3 and Arabians were there , and dwellers in Mesopotamia , but our dear , buxom , rosy friend , the Lancashire witch , bad evidently denied her sweet presence to the gathering , ha Beaitte , oh va-t-clle tc nicher ! Manchester is now almost a foreign colony ; at any rate , anything but Lancastrian .
Yet it was a beautiful , nay , a glorious sight , those long lines of well-dressed women : for , as we have bet'ii compelled to be severe one way , let us be just in another Neither the Inauguration of 1851 , nor the Paris Ceremony of 1855 , recals such a picture of splendid ami elegant costume as we saw at Old Trafford on Tuesday . Let it be said in a word , that in the composition of tlii ; tableau the richness of the material was equalled by the taste of the selection . Not even in Pjiris , tho founijiiuhead of fashion , were so many really elegantly-dre . ised women got together . The simile is a trite one , but we can compare tho spectacle to nothing but a flowergarden .
And so wo passed on to our place—fortunately ii very good one—and gazed for long but not wearisome hour * upon that glorious picture , and aiiw tho plot thickon us notablo men mustered upon tho dais ; Van do Weyor , blazing with orders ; Dallas , with his statuesque whitu hood , ropublicanly simple in his costume , but aristocratically haughty in his treatment of tho sablo envoy of tho Imperial Majesty of Hayti ; Owen , our KngJisli Cuvior ; and many others , whom it is not nocossnry to mention . Last , but not least in tho throng of notabilities , camo tho now Member for Manchester , Sir Jolm Pottor , who had encased his portly person in a court suit for tho occasion . Holding in memory tho giwt man who erowhilo represented Manchester , and recollecting his coat of formal cut , it was iinpowiblu to & lr
repress a smilo at tho sight of thin worthy knight . John Pottor resembles tho Sir . John of Shaksponrn in everything but wit , and taken in exchange for John Bright , is very much what a ahilliug ' worth of coppora would bo against a golden guinea . Cortos , what tho representative of Cottonopolis hna lost in power , U Ims gained in bulk . Presently , tho orchestra filled , »»« in duo time tho three soloists , Mudumo Clara Novullo , Mr . Sims Rooves , and Mr , Weiss , took their mwutf ; then a hush of expectation , a hurried roforenoo to watches ( tho Prince being a quarter of nn liour iiuoi his appointed timo ) , then the boom of cannon , a uljoor , and tho Princo was in tho building . First of all timri . was an address to bo prosonted , and n reply to bo niiwo at tho oast end of tho building ; then the procession whs formed , and pnssod upwards to tho dais in tho Transopt i tho National Anthem finely given , two moro nddreaftos
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 9, 1857, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_09051857/page/4/
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