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Article THE CRYSTAL PALACE AND THE ARTS ← Page 6 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Crystal Palace And The Arts
advanced thereby . To our thinking , a spectacle so melancholy as was afforded by the tone of the chief part of the public press , and of the leading men of this country , in the adulation of an individual , for a plain suggestion , which had been rejected from others , ancl to Avhich the budding did not OAve any of the beauty of its effect
, had never before been Avitnessed in England . The matter indeed involves a question of deeper moment than Avhat may be connected Avith this particular instance . HOAV is it that in all subjects , popular opinion so constantly sets in favour of the prescriptions of quackery , and disputes or suspects the learning of the professor ? Is knoAvledge of a subject
necessarily an encumbrance ; or ( and this may to a certain extent be true ) is the system of education in all professions , behind the standard of the age ; and does it require to be remodelled , to escape the chance of suspicion as to superficial or partial knowledge ? Fortunately , as we think on every ground , the removal of the
building was decided upon . The result in one way , has been the intention to erect a gz'ancl industrial college and museum in connection Avith galleries of art at Kensington ; and in another , the project Avhich forms the subject of the present notice . For the first object , a valuable and extensive collection of specimens has already been formed , principally from the contents of the Exhibition
building ; and plans for a National Gallery , which will probably include sculpture and other works of art , are already being talked about . An amalgamation of the institutions proposed for this site , has long been demanded : it is to be regretted , however , as regards the scientific societies especially , that the advantages of a central situation are not obtained , Avhilst in other respects the site has not the advantages looked for from one in the country .
It will be recollected , that the materials of the building in Hyde Park remained the property of Messrs . Fox and Henderson , to Avhom ( if Ave except suggestions as to the architectural design and decorations by others ) the real merit of the work , such as it may have been , was clue . —It was barely knoAvn that the building would have to be removed , Avhen a company Avas
formed to take it on a commercial speculation , and a prospectus was at once issued , with the names of a Avell-organised staff . The officers chosen had principally been connected Avith the Exhibition of 1851 . The chairman Avas Mr . S . Laing , chairman of the London , Brighton , and North Coast Railway Company . Mr . John Scott Russell , late secretary to the Royal Commission of 1851 , and Mr . Francis Fuller , one of the executive committee , Avere amongst the directors ; and Ave also find set down the following : —Director of Avinter garden , park , ancl couserva-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Crystal Palace And The Arts
advanced thereby . To our thinking , a spectacle so melancholy as was afforded by the tone of the chief part of the public press , and of the leading men of this country , in the adulation of an individual , for a plain suggestion , which had been rejected from others , ancl to Avhich the budding did not OAve any of the beauty of its effect
, had never before been Avitnessed in England . The matter indeed involves a question of deeper moment than Avhat may be connected Avith this particular instance . HOAV is it that in all subjects , popular opinion so constantly sets in favour of the prescriptions of quackery , and disputes or suspects the learning of the professor ? Is knoAvledge of a subject
necessarily an encumbrance ; or ( and this may to a certain extent be true ) is the system of education in all professions , behind the standard of the age ; and does it require to be remodelled , to escape the chance of suspicion as to superficial or partial knowledge ? Fortunately , as we think on every ground , the removal of the
building was decided upon . The result in one way , has been the intention to erect a gz'ancl industrial college and museum in connection Avith galleries of art at Kensington ; and in another , the project Avhich forms the subject of the present notice . For the first object , a valuable and extensive collection of specimens has already been formed , principally from the contents of the Exhibition
building ; and plans for a National Gallery , which will probably include sculpture and other works of art , are already being talked about . An amalgamation of the institutions proposed for this site , has long been demanded : it is to be regretted , however , as regards the scientific societies especially , that the advantages of a central situation are not obtained , Avhilst in other respects the site has not the advantages looked for from one in the country .
It will be recollected , that the materials of the building in Hyde Park remained the property of Messrs . Fox and Henderson , to Avhom ( if Ave except suggestions as to the architectural design and decorations by others ) the real merit of the work , such as it may have been , was clue . —It was barely knoAvn that the building would have to be removed , Avhen a company Avas
formed to take it on a commercial speculation , and a prospectus was at once issued , with the names of a Avell-organised staff . The officers chosen had principally been connected Avith the Exhibition of 1851 . The chairman Avas Mr . S . Laing , chairman of the London , Brighton , and North Coast Railway Company . Mr . John Scott Russell , late secretary to the Royal Commission of 1851 , and Mr . Francis Fuller , one of the executive committee , Avere amongst the directors ; and Ave also find set down the following : —Director of Avinter garden , park , ancl couserva-