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Leader (1850-1860), 7th June 1851, Edition Town of 1, Page 528, Untitled Article

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      of this trade , and youths were selected to follow it who gave signs of an axtistic turn of mind ; at the present time two and three years are commonly considered sufficient to learn all that a preparer , mounter , or gilder is expected to know , and apprentices are taken by the dozen from workhouses and the most ignorant portions of society . Of yore , those calling themselves carvers and gilders considered themselves men ; now , those who follow that trade are ( for the

      most part ) ignorant and dirty striplings . The old school of carvers and gilders have , it is thought , q _ uite died out . About fifteen years ago an old man ( supposed to be the last of that body ) was tramping about the country , relating anecdotes to the rising generation about what the trade had been ; since then the poor fellow has died on . the threshold of a workhouse , maintaining a bearing of obsolete dignity to the last .

      The greater portion of framework which glitters for a few short months in the houses of the middle class , and which encompass the portraits of the Joneses and the Jenkinses , are paid for at the rate of about sixteen shillings for seven long days' hard labour . The making of ornaments and gilding them has become a contemptible slop trade . In England , carving and gilding have degenerated in all respects from what they were a hundred years ago , as a visit to the palaces of our wealthy nobility will prove . Take the carving and gilding in Blenheim palace as an

      instance ; the whole of which was designed and executed under the superintendence of an original thinker . The state bedstead is a work of art , and the cornices , panneling , picture and looking-glass frames , strictly adapted in lightness and elegance to the architectural proportions of the rooms , maintaining perfect harmony throughout . The decorations are carved either in oak or lime tree . The preparation of the wood for the gold remains perfect to this day . There is scarcely a particle of the work of the period referred to which is not chased in the enamel-like

      preparation , with the taste and skill which a jeweller bestows upon costly plate . The gilding , whether in matt ( dead gold ) or burnish , is likewise solid and durable . Carving and gilding was then an art . The materials of which picture-looking-glass frames and other gilt decorations are composed in these days , form a great contrast with those cited . The mouldings of the cheap kind of work are struck in the commonest deal plank , even in a green state , full of shakes , sap , and salt ; the consequence is , the

      frames soon twist , split , and open at the mitres ; ¦ while the preparation being done by inexperienced boys upon a damp ground , soon peels , blisters , and leaves the surface . The ornaments mostly used are made of a composition of glue , resin , oil , and whiting . Ornaments made of this compound take months to harden , and almost invariably crack from atmospheric causes . Such is cheap gilt decoration . These defects belong unavoidably to the best gilt composition decoration of this day . Some of the specimens in the Exhibition exhibit these features . These

      drawbacks to modern gilt work , must have been noted by every one who has the misfortune to possess it . Another advantage which such work as that in Blenheim palace claims over that of our day , is architectural adaptation . However largo a stock of set patterns and designs be kept on hand , it is seldom ii gilder can rightly adapt frames and other ornaments to a particular building , which almost invariably requires a particular design . It is from this reason that we see maiibions tilled with an indefinite variety of decorations , which amounts to bad taste on the part of the owners . The truth is , good and thoughtful workmen are of slow growth , and cannot be reared after the fashion of these days . Good workmen do honour to

      a state , while indifferent workmen disgrace it ; and those who can afford it and do not encourage good work , hel ]> to briny a nation into contempt . A gentleman would not buy cheap gilding if he knew the consequence ; it in always the- dearest in the end . An article , for which the great Duke of Marlborough might have given thirty guineas , a thoughtless person might imagine the present duke could pin chase for ten pounUH , but in the end the difference in the two articles would tliun present itself . The great duke ' s thirty-guinea Hpccimm is in the present duke ' s ponHCNbion in an almost perfect Htnte , while the ten-pound deception left by the present duke will have to bo removed into the lumber room , uk a nuisance , by his successor .

      JJut at every point of my examination , il continued , I should establish the same conclusion , that our Exposition would be all the butter if the workmen had had u larger earnest ami independent slmro in . it « contributions . 1 should like t . o nee an Inhibition in which the workman ' s genius and pride should take the place of the master ' s ambition and the merchant / a trade interest . One word touching refreslmients may be useful to -vittitortJ from IJiimiiighum , and perhaps other nluces . No one can see all the Exhibition under three or lour viaitw . If fathers , and mothers , and sisters , and wives come up , a greater number of shillings will be consumed than can be shared out of one workingclass family , and it will be iinpoHsiblo to afford the cxponao of " rcfrculuucuta" in addition . To make

      four visits suffice the country visitor must stop all day , and he had better provide a few compact sandwiches and a little wine for the old people . No healthy food can be had at the stalls . Biscuits , dry as apples of ashes on the tongue , and dyspeptic confections , of which two shillings' worthwill not make a meal , and insipid coffee at 6 d . a thimbleful , may do very well for those who have more money than appetite , but will neither do for the stomach nor the purse of the Warwickshire workman . G . J . H .

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      On Saturday the charge for admission to the building was 5 s . Owing to the attractions of a drawing-room , of a review at Woolwich , and of the other festivities connected with the celebration of her Majesty ' s birthday , there was a smaller attendance of visitors than usual , the number being only between 15 , 000 and 16 , 000 , and the receipts being £ 1771 12 s . 6 d . On Saturday , a Spanish family , dressed in their picturesque national costume , were accompanied round the interior by Lord Ranelagh , and were stared at and crowded round with a perseverance and impudence which , considering the charge for admission , and the presumed presence in consequence of a rather select assemblage , said very little for its good breeding .

      Her Majesty and the Royal visitors came to the Crystal Palace on Monday morning at nine o ' clock , and , as some 400 or 500 exhibitors had " been formally requested to be present , more than usual interest attached to the occasion . The portion of the Exhibition marked out for inspection was the south gallery on the west side of the transept . Hitherto the Royal visits have been made in a very private manner , and , although the principal contributors were made aware that the Queen was coming , no official announcement of the fact was made to them as a body . The receipts at the doors amounted to £ 2129 , and the

      number of spectators who entered the building was from 45 , 000 to 50 , 000 . The extreme beauty of the weather was in favour of a great concourse of people , and the evidences of an extensive importation , from the country were more conspicuous than they have hitherto been . On Tuesday the Palace was again crowded , the shilling visitors alone being 48 , 302 ; and on "Wednesday the receipts amounted to £ 250016 s ., and £ 18 18 s . was taken by the sale of season tickets , which still continues . By the police returns 55 , 254 people visited the building during the day , a considerable proportion of whom were evidently from the country .

      The Corporation of the city of London , with their accustomed munificence , intend , we understand , to give all the clerks at the Mansion-house and the Guildhall , and also all the officers in their service , an opportunity of viewing the interior of the Crystal Palace and the gorgeous display of foreign and English manufactures . For this purpose , we believe , they have resolved to give them all a holiday , and to present each of their clerks with a guinea in lieu of a ticket of admission ; but , as the public business would be interfered with by giving them all leave of absence on the same day , it has been arranged that each one shall take his turn , so that not more than three or four may be absent | at one time . — Morning Chronicle .

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      MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY . The meeting of the National Society , held on "Wednesday , was looked forward to with great interest , owing to the agitation which in certain quarters preceded it , and the intimations put forward . In the Morning Chronicle of Tuesday were published two paragraphs ; the first ran thus : — " At a meeting of the committee , appointed June 7 , 1819 , to watch the proceedings of this society , it was resolved to recommend members of the society to give their votes to the Dean of St . Paul ' s , Archdeucon Harrison , the Itev . C . B . Dalton , and the Itcv . It . Tritton , as members of the committee for the ensuing year . It wan also resolved that Mr . Denison be requested to persevere with his motion , to which he prave hie cordial assent . "

      Then in another column appeared the following official document , dated ' Sanctuary , Westminster , " and signed "John Lonndale , Sec . "—• " The Committee of the National Society , to whom the management of its affairs is by the charter exclusively entrusted , earnestly deprecate the discussion which they have reason to expect at the general meeting of the society on Wednesday next . " They consider each and all of the propositions of which individual members of the society have given notice alike unnecessary ; and they deem the public discussion of them at the annual meeting calculated to embarrass the operations and to impair the efficiency of the

      society . 1 hey believe that there is in the public mind some misconception as to the position of the society in respect of its relations to the Committee of Privy Council on Education ; iind they hud intended that a resolution should have been proposed to the ; general meeting declaratory of the views of the committee on this subject . Uut the committee , fearing thut by that course they mi ^ ht appear to encourage such discussion , have , on consideration , resolved not to adopt this course . It seems to them necessary to announce tins change of intention , and at the same time to declare thut the

      commit Ice conuidcr it of the utmost importance to preserve harmouioiiH cooperation between the National Society and the Committee of Council on Kduciition . And while they regret the continued adherence of tlic Committee of Council to the resolution of excluding from all share of the ; parliamentary grant for building school-bonne * Ihofte church hcIiooIh the promoters of which decline to constitute their trust-deeds on the model proscribed by their lordnhipH , thereby interfering with that principle of local freedom on which the nocicty b . an ever voted its grants according to its charter , they rejoice Unit the diilcrcnco which cxiutN on that wubject , and which thoy

      still hope may be removed , has caused no interruption to the friendly relations between the society and the Committee of Council on Education . " When the society assembled on Wednesday at the Sanctuary , Westminster , it was evident from the muster of notables that a stormy meeting was to be expected . The Archbishop of Canterbury took the chair about one o'elock , and opened the proceedings by expressing his regret that resolutions like those

      of which notice had been given should be propbsed , and sighing for the peace and unity which distinguished their meetings three or four years ago . The Reverend Mr . Lonsdale read the report , which stated that the sum produced by the Queen ' s Letter was less than that collected in 1846 by about £ 2 , 000 . In the whole year additional room had been provided for 31 , 019 children in 207 schools , and 125 teachers ' residences had been either built or enlarged .

      When the report was read , the Reverend G . A . Denison proceeded to address the meeting upon his resolutions . But he had scarcely begun an account of the state of the question , between the National Society and the Committee of Council on Education , respecting the " management clauses , " when he was interrupted and called to ?• order " by the Reverend Mr . Williams , vicar of Hendon . The chairman decided that Mr . Denison was in order , and

      he proceeded to make out his case . What he complained of was that though on the 6 th of June , 1849 , a resolution , condemning the exclusion from , Government aid of ** a certain class of church schools , " was passed by a vast majority , yet that , in 1851 , they were exactly in the same position as they were in 1848 with regard to this question . Though he could not accept the management clauses , he had no wish to interfere with others who could , and he thought it was rather hard that he and those with whom he

      acted should be denounced , condemned , and held up by names and appellations to which he would not further allude : — 41 He could assure them that he would not have come there at all this year if he had not been forced . { Hear . ) He was reposing la his quiet vicarage in Somersetshire { laughter ) , and was waiting with extreme anxiety , expecting every day to hear that the select committee of the House of Lords which was promised last year { hear , hear ) , which the Government pledged themselves to give { hear , hear ) , would have been appointed , and that the whole question would have been in a fair way of being set at rest . He had been most anxious that that committee should have been appointed before the annual

      meeting of the society took place , that there might no longer have been any necessity for his coming there , and interrupting—for it certainly was interrupting—the consideration of those matters which more properly belonged to the business of the society . { Hear . ) But he heard , on very good authority , that a proposition was being circulated throughout the country with a view to purify and improve the committee { hear , hear ) , by casting out of it a certain leaven —{ loitd cries of Hear , ) and that proposij tion was accompanied with an intimation that a great effort would be made at this meeting to rescind everything that had been done during the last three years , and to rescue the society from the false position in which it had

      been placed . Now , if he had been singly responsible tot that alleged false position , he ought certainly t" have hesitated before he made any other movement ; Dutwhen he remembered that a vast majority of thp members of the society—a majority , he believed , of eight to onewere responsible—{ cheers ) , —and when the committee had themselves sanctioned the decision of that majority —{ hear , hear ) , —he felt that he ought not to give way on this question , but that , as circumstances had placed him in the xoref ront of the battle , he was bound to persevere . On these grounds he gave notice of the motion he was about to submit to the meeting . It was purely and entirely a defensive motion , and he wished the meeting so to receive it . " He had added a clause to the resolution of which he had given notico , in order to remove an impression that he was hostile to any Government aid whatever . The resolution of which he had given notico was in these terms : — " That this meeting deeply regrets that her Majesty ' s Government continue to disallow the equitable claim of members of the Church of England , as set forth in the resolution of the annual meeting of this society , June ( Jth , 1849— ' That founders of church schools , who Bee fit to place the munagement of their schools in the clergymen of the pariah and the bishop of the diocese , should not on that account bo excluded from State assistance tovrarda the building of their schools . ' " The words he was prepared to add were : —

      " That this meeting desires to exprean its sense of the very great importance of securing the most friendly relations and the most harmonious cooperation with the civil power , and of being enabled to accept assistance of every kind from the Parliamentary grant for education , provided always that such cooperation and auch assistance involve no interference , direct or indireot , actual or virtual , with the doctrine or discipline of the Church . " " Ho felt that their proceedings to-day involved much more , than the mere adoption of a resolution of thin nature , for it was uf immense importance that they nhould t » how in the fane of the country that thoy clung to and held i ' uut by the Catholic faith . ( Applau . ie , and cries of ' Ok ! ' and ' Question : ) "

      ilo iWHortcd that there wan a strong tendenoy to est » bli » h a Miuintry of public oducation , based on a national rate . II o alluded to the speech of Xiord John ltuutjcU at tlio JJritinU imU i ' oroum fctenool fciocioty

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      528 JCfte ILeairtft * [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), June 7, 1851, page 528, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1886/page/4/