there being so many different cemeteries. The French had a much
simpler and a better system--that which they call the
_ossuaire_. I was told at the time that to the feelings of
Englishmen--on religious, and possibly, I may also say, on
sentimental grounds--it was repugnant to disturb the remains of
those who were interred in the Crimea as was done by the French,
and that to collect them and put them into one large building
was not what was consonant with our feelings generally. But I
cannot help thinking, as considerable time has elapsed since our
comrades fell, and also as we are, in every sense of the word, a
thoroughly practical nation--I feel myself strongly, although I
cannot say how far that feeling may be shared by the meeting
to-day--that it would be far better, and in the long run far
cheaper, if we were to build a kind of mausoleum, collecting the
remains of our comrades who fell in the Crimean War, and
putting them into such a mausoleum. It was really sad to see the
neglected condition of the tombs. There was one especially with
which I was struck--that of Sir Robert Newman, who was in the
Grenadier Guards, and fell in the Battle of Inkerman. His tomb
was a most elaborate and expensive one, and was built with a
dark stone, a kind of porphyry. This was broken almost entirely
to pieces. Upon inquiry of some Russian authorities who
accompanied me on that occasion, I discovered a curious fact.
The idea was not merely that of disturbing and breaking open the
tombs; but, as most of you are aware, the Crim Tartars--who are
Mohammedans by religion--had an idea that treasures were to be
found in the tombs. Therefore, the disturbing of them was not
merely for the sake of disturbing the dead, but with the hope of
finding some treasures there. It is needless to say that their
investigations were not satisfied in that respect.
"Of course, gentlemen, with regard to the pecuniary part of the
question, it is not for me to go into that; but I hope that, as
so many distinguished military and naval men are present, they
cannot but have a strong feeling with me that it will ever be a
living disgrace to us unless we adopt some means to-day by which
the tombs of our comrades who fell in the Crimea are kept in a
proper state of preservation. I have merely suggested the idea
of an _ossuaire_, because it seems to me the simplest form to
adopt. But it would involve, what many object to, disturbing the
remains of some who fell. I only hope that before the meeting
separates to-day we may have arrived at some satisfactory
conclusion that the graves of our comrades shall in some way be
respected and maintained in a manner creditable to ourselves and
to our country. Therefore, it is with the greatest pleasure that
I move the first resolution."
The resolution was seconded by General Sir W. Codrington, who said that
the Russian Government had given additional land at Cathcart's Hill; and
that the grave-stones and other memorials should be removed there. He
did not think there should be any removal of the remains of the dead.
The Prince of Wales again rose, and said--
"I wish to add that when I went over the different places of
interest in the Crimea, and inspected all our burial-places, I
was accompanied by one of the most courteous gentlemen, General
Kotzebue, the Governor-General of Odessa; and I need only say
that, as far as the Russian Government represented by him was
concerned, everything was done to keep the graves from
desecration. But he told me that, unfortunately, they were
powerless to prevent it; and it was his opinion, and he strongly
advised me, that the only way in which to prevent a repetition
of a desecration of the tombs would be, as I mentioned before,
to collect the remains and place them in a mausoleum--in the
same way, in fact, as the French had done. I wish also to say
that, on my return in the summer from my visit to the Crimea, I
brought the whole matter most strongly before the late Lord
Clarendon, who was then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs."
After conversation and remarks by Admiral Sir H. Keppel, General Sir L.
A. Simmons, Lord Wolseley, and others, resolutions were carried for the
concentration of the memorials in one central place, without removing
the remains of the dead; and for applying to the Government and to the
nation for larger funds to pay additional guardians of the cemeteries.
The Duke of Cambridge was warmly commended for having called the
meeting, which was justified by the large attendance, and the Prince of
Wales for his advocacy of the object in view. Tho interest of their
Royal Highnesses was practically attested by the gift of £50 from the
Prince of Wales and £25 from the Duke of Cambridge toward the necessary
funds. It was stated in the course of the proceedings that the French
Government granted yearly more than double what the British Government
did, for protecting the Crimean graves.
THE FISHERIES EXHIBITION.
_1883._
In the preface to the Official Catalogue of the International Fisheries
Exhibition, the compiler, Mr. Trendell, gives an interesting account of
the origin and gradual development of that successful undertaking. It
was not till some years after the great Exhibition of 1851 that
attention was given to this special department of industry and commerce.
At Boulogne, Havre, and other maritime places, there were local
expositions; but the first international exhibition on a large scale was
that of Berlin in 1880. Norwich was the first town in England to follow
the Continental example. The local character of the undertaking soon
expanded into a national enterprise, the Corporation of London and the
Fishmongers' Company lending their influence. Chiefly through the agency
of Mr. Birkbeck, one of the Norfolk County members, the official
sanction of the Government was obtained, with permission to grant medals
and diplomas of merit, as in other national exhibitions. The Prince of
Wales took a lively interest in the success of this Norwich project, and
he secured the co-operation of Mr. Birkbeck for holding an International
Exhibition in London.
In July 1881 a meeting was held at the Hall of the Fishmongers' Company,
when a formal resolution was passed for carrying out the proposal, and a
Committee formed for arranging the general plan of the Exhibition. In
February 1882 a second meeting was held at Willis's Rooms, when the Duke
of Richmond read the report of the proceedings of the Committee formed
in the previous year. The sanction of the Queen was obtained as Patron,
and the Prince of Wales as President, the Duke of Edinburgh and the
other Royal Dukes being named Vice-Presidents, with the Duke of Richmond
as Chairman of the General Committee. The sentiments and motives of the
promoters of the undertaking were well expressed in words spoken by the
Prince of Wales at the inaugural banquet at Norwich. He said:--
"It is particularly gratifying to see that at last an interest
is being taken not only in our fisheries, but in our fishermen,
whose lives are so frequently exposed to risk through the
severity of weather and the dangerous character of the Eastern
coast. Among a very interesting display of specimens, I
especially observed the apparatus for saving life, and a variety
of models of lifeboats, which cannot fail to bring before the
public generally their duty in regard to the protection of the
fishing interests of our country. Whilst thinking over the
probable results that may attend this Exhibition, I could not
fail to reflect upon the labour it has cost more minds than one;
and I do trust, having regard to the importance of our national
fishing interest, and the value of our fishermen's lives, that a
sort of National Society may be instituted which will maintain
those who are unfortunately in want, and help to assuage the
grief and misery of the widows and orphans of those who perish
at sea. I believe it is only necessary to throw out the hint to
see established in this country a National Fishermen's Aid
Society, which shall command the support not only of those
living upon the line of our fishing coast here, but of all
concerned in fishery throughout our dominions."
It thus appears that at the time of the Norwich Exhibition, and much
more after the greater show at South Kensington, the Prince of Wales
had in view the welfare of the fishing folk as well as the benefit of
the fisheries. What is an exhibition--with its display of exhibits, its
prizes, awards, conferences, and its whole visible organisation--compared
with the safety of our fishermen's lives, and the improvement of their
homes? For some departments of this beneficent work there are special
agencies at work--such as the Lifeboat Association, the Deep-Sea
Mission, Sailors' Homes, and Seamen's Hospitals--but the idea of the
Prince was that a great central society, analogous to the Royal
Agricultural Society for the cultivation of the soil, might be
established, attending to all matters bearing on the social and moral,
as well as the material, benefits of the fishing population of these
islands. It is said that the Government has resolved tardily to have a
Department of Agriculture; it is equally needful to have a Department
for all matters connected with the "harvests of the sea."
OPENING OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION.
_May 12th, 1883._
The International Fisheries Exhibition was opened with great ceremony on
the 12th of May, 1883, by the Prince of Wales, "by command of Her
Majesty, and on Her Majesty's behalf." Most of the members of the Royal
Family were present, the Foreign Ambassadors and Ministers, Her
Majesty's Ministers, and other distinguished persons. The Prince was
accompanied by the Princess of Wales, Prince Albert Victor, and Prince
George of Wales. The Duke of Richmond, Chairman of the General
Committee, having read a statement of the object and the contents of the
Exhibition, the Prince replied:--
"My Lord Duke, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--It gives me great
pleasure to open this International Fisheries Exhibition on
behalf of the Queen, although I feel assured that it is a matter
of sincere regret to all present that Her Majesty finds herself
unable to undertake a duty which it would have afforded her much
gratification to have performed. In view of the rapid increase
of the population in all civilized countries, and especially in
these sea-girt kingdoms, a profound interest attaches to every
industry which affects the supply of food; and, in this respect,
the harvest of the sea is hardly less important than that of the
land. I share your hope that the Exhibition now about to open
may afford the means of enabling practical fishermen to
acquaint themselves with the latest improvements which have been
made in their craft in all parts of the world; so that without
needless destruction, or avoidable waste of any kind, mankind
may derive the fullest possible advantage from the bounty of the
waters. I am glad to hear that your attention has been directed
to the condition of the fishing population. It is a subject in
which my brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, was led to take a
particular interest during his tenure of office as Admiral
Superintendent of the Naval Reserve; and, as he is compelled to
be absent during the sittings of the Congress to which you
allude, I shall have the pleasure of reading a paper on this
topic which he has prepared at its first meeting. Lifeboats and
life-saving apparatus undoubtedly fall strictly within the
province of a fishery exhibition; but I may congratulate you on
the circumstance that, without overstepping your proper limits,
you have been able to confer a benefit, not only on all
fishermen and all sailors by profession, but also on all who
travel by sea; and in these days of rapid and extensive
locomotion this means a large proportion of civilized mankind.
On behalf of the Queen, I add my thanks to those which you
tender to the Governments of foreign nations and of our colonies
for their generous co-operation. And to their representatives
whose untiring exertions you so justly acknowledge, I offer not
only thanks, but an English welcome."
The Archbishop of Canterbury having offered a prayer, the Prince
declared the Exhibition open.
CLOSING OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION.
_October 31st, 1883._
If there ever had been any doubt as to the success of the International
Fisheries Exhibition, it had been thoroughly removed long before the end
of the season drew near. The popular interest had been shown from the
beginning, and the number of visitors exceeded all expectations. The
total number of visitors was 2,703,051. The daily average of visitors,
including Wednesday, when half-a-crown was the price of admission, was
18,388. The financial result was sure to be satisfactory when such vast
numbers had been attracted.
On the 31st of October, the day appointed for closing, Mr. Edward
Birkbeck, M.P., Chairman of the Executive Committee, read to His Royal
Highness the President an address, presenting the chief statistical and
other official reports of the undertaking. One novel feature was the
report on "the fish dinners" supplied with the co-operation of the
National School of Cookery. No less than 209,673 dinners were supplied,
at sixpence a head, and with satisfactory pecuniary results.
A Report as to the work of the Juries having been presented by the Duke
of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales thus replied to the address of the
Executive Committee:--
"I have listened with great pleasure to the Report of the
Executive Committee.
"Her Majesty has followed with much interest the success which
has so signally attended this Exhibition, and I have had the
gratification of receiving, this morning, a telegram from the
Queen, begging me to inform you of these sentiments, and
likewise to express Her Majesty's fervent hope that lasting
benefit to the fishing population may be the reward of those who
have shown so much interest in the welfare of this Exhibition.
And it is as much a matter of satisfaction to my brothers as to
myself to have contributed towards the success of an enterprise,
respecting which, at the outset, nothing was certain but the
heavy responsibility of those who had engaged in it.
"I am well aware that Her Majesty's Government, the Governments
of Foreign Countries, and of our Colonies, through their
respective Commissioners, and the various public bodies and
private persons to whom you have alluded, have afforded most
valuable and indeed indispensable aid to our undertaking; and I
desire to add my own thanks to yours for their very important
assistance.
"But it is just that I should supply the only deficiency which I
observe in your Report, by pointing out that without the
administrative capacity and unremitting toil of the Members of
the Executive Committee, and especially of its Chairman, the
eminently satisfactory results which you have reported to me
could not have been attained.
"I learn with much pleasure that, after all expenses are
defrayed, a substantial surplus will remain in your hands.
"The best method of disposing of that surplus is a matter which
will need careful consideration. It would be premature to allude
to any of the various suggestions which have already been put
forward; but I am of opinion that no proposal will be
satisfactory to the public, unless it is immediately directed
towards the carrying out of the objects of the Exhibition from
which the fund is derived; namely, the promotion of the welfare
of Fishermen, Fisheries, and the Fishing Industry in general.
"And I think our duty towards the supporters of the Exhibition
will not be discharged until we have done something towards the
alleviation of the calamities fatally incidental to the
Fisherman's calling; and until we have also done something
towards the promotion of that application of Science to practice
from which the Fishing Industry, like all other industries, can
alone look for improvement.
"I believe, that apart from what may be effected by the
judicious use of the Surplus Fund, the latter end may best be
attained by the formation of a Society, having for its object
the collection of statistics and other information relative to
Fisheries; the diffusion among the fishing population of a
knowledge of all improvements in the methods and appliances of
their calling; the discussion of questions bearing upon Fishing
Interests; and the elucidation of those problems of Natural
History which bear upon the subject. Such a Society, as the
representative of the interests of the Fisheries, would
naturally take charge of the scientific investigations which
bear upon those interests, and would, no doubt, be brought into
relation with the Aquarium which you wisely propose to offer to
the Government, and with the already existing Fishery Museum of
the Department of Science and Art, which is founded on the
Collection bequeathed to the nation by the late Mr. Buckland,
but which has been immensely enlarged and enriched by the
liberality of many of our exhibitors.
"You have rightly divined that it is a source of great
gratification to me to be able to continue the work commenced by
my father in 1851; and, by giving scope for the peaceful
emulation of the leaders of industry of all nationalities in
public Exhibitions, to divert the minds of men from those
international rivalries by which all suffer, to those by which
all gain.
"The evidence of the public interest in such Exhibitions,
afforded by the vast concourse of visitors from all parts of the
realm to that which is now closed, has led me to hope that the
buildings which have been erected at so much cost, and which
have so admirably served their purpose, shall continue for the
next three years to be employed for Exhibitions of a similarly
comprehensive character.
"In considering what shall be the subject-matter of these
Exhibitions, three topics of paramount interest to our community
have presented themselves to my mind. These are Health, both
bodily and mental; Industrial Inventions; and the
rapidly-growing resources of our Colonies and of our Indian
Empire.
"I have expressed a desire that the Exhibition of 1884 will
embrace the conditions of health, in so far as, like food,
clothes, and dwellings, they fall under the head of Hygiene, or,
like appliances for general and technical teaching, gymnasia and
schools, under that of Education.
"The question of the Patent Laws has for many years engaged the
attention of all those interested in the progress of invention
and the just reward of the inventor. I am advised that the
Patent Act of last Session will afford a satisfactory solution
of the difficulties which beset this subject, and will be
especially useful to the poor inventor by enabling him to obtain
protection for his invention at a considerably reduced rate, and
in a manner which will be more advantageous to him.
"Under these circumstances, it has appeared to me that much good
may result from an Exhibition in the year 1885, showing the
Progress of Invention, especially in labour-saving machinery,
since 1862; that is to say, since the last great International
Exhibition held in this country.
"At the close of the Paris Exhibition of 1868, I had the
satisfaction of receiving from the Colonial Commissioners an
address, in which great stress was laid on the desirability of
establishing a permanent Colonial Museum in London, as a
powerful means of diffusing throughout the Mother Country a
better knowledge of the nature and importance of the several
Dependencies of the Empire, of facilitating commercial
relations, marking progress, and aiding the researches of men of
science, and also of affording valuable information to
intending emigrants.
"At that time I was able to do little more than to assure the
Commissioners of my readiness to promote such a scheme, and to
recommend the respective Governments to give it their full
consideration.
"I trust that the British Colonial Exhibition which I propose to
hold in 1886, may result in the foundation of such a Museum--the
institution of which would secure for the people of this country
a permanent record of the resources and development of Her
Majesty's Colonies; and I hope that an important section of the
proposed Exhibition of that year may result from the
co-operation of our fellow-subjects, the people of India, in a
suitable representation of the industrial arts of that Empire.
"In conclusion, I desire, as President of these Exhibitions, to
thank the Special Commissioners, the Members of the General
Committee, and the Jurors, for the time and labour they have
devoted to the business of the Exhibition; and to express my
high approbation of the cheerfulness and assiduity with which
the members of the Executive Staff have discharged their very
onerous duties.
"And I must finally signalize, as especially deserving of our
gratitude, my brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the other
foreign and English gentlemen, to whom we are indebted for the
bestowal of much time and thought upon the papers which have
been brought before those Conferences, which have formed so
interesting and so useful a feature of the Exhibition. I am glad
to hear that the value of the contribution to Fishery
Literature, effected by the publication of these papers and the
discussions to which they gave rise, has received authoritative
recognition."
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION, AND DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS.
After all the affairs of the Exhibition of 1883 had been wound up,
including the financial accounts, a meeting of the General Committee was
held on Saturday, March 22nd, 1884, to receive the Report of the
Executive Committee. Details of receipts and outlay were presented.
Reference was made to the wide interest awakened by the Exhibition, the
attendance of fishermen from many lands, as well as from all parts of
the United Kingdom, and the success of the attempt to sell fish at
prices hitherto unknown in our great towns. The Report and Balance Sheet
having been presented, the Prince of Wales thus spoke:--