Mr. Tweedy then made some observations on the great Exhibition of Works of Art and Industry, which is to take place in Paris next year, and said he had had an opportunity, the preceding week, of conversation with some gentlemen composing the committee in London for the purpose of seeing that England shall be duly represented in the Exhibition of Arts to take place in Paris next year. There was a particular desire that Cornwall should not be found wanting in the Exhibition. It was known, perhaps, to many present, that the Government of this country had appropriated the sum of £60,000 to encourage exhibitors in this country, by paying the expenses, to a certain extent, of those who might be prepared to exhibit the productions of British industry at that Exhibition. He found, from communication with members of that committee, that the committee to whom the distribution of that fund was entrusted, would be prepared to assist any exertions that might be made in this county, as well as elsewhere, to represent its productions. Mr. Tweedy then detailed the various productions of the county which he thought should be forwarded, and the means best adapted for securing a proper display of our resources. The present occasion seemed to him a fair opportunity of throwing the subject out for consideration. It might possibly be thought desirable to organize a small committee as had been done elsewhere. He held in his hand a list of several committees organized in other parts of the kingdom. Possibly such a committee might be organized in Cornwall, and might be able, with a little exertion, to obtain from our mines such specimens as would not unfairly or inadequately represent our mineral produce at the approaching Exhibition. At the evening meeting, Mr. R. R. Broad took the chair, and Mr. John Jope Rogers read a very interesting paper on Opie and his works, illustrating many of his critical observations by reference to the collection of Opie's paintings that adorned the hall; a selection from them, for the purposes of the lecture, being placed on the platform-screen. The lecture throughout was listened to with much attention, and at its conclusion Mr. Charles Fox proposed the most hearty thanks of the company to the gentleman who had so much interested them, by giving them a very able and succinct sketch of the life of one of our Cornish worthies. He was very glad that the lecturer, who, as one of the most active members of the Arundel Society, had been revelling in the works of the old masters, and enjoying the Fra-Angelico specimens, had not lost his taste for the valuable works of one of our own great artists. It was very instructive to hear, from the sketch they had been listening to, that Opie, like other great men whose busts and pictures adorned that room, united to genius, industry and irreproachable conduct. He neglected no means that could conduce to his advancement in his profession, however, at the moment, it might appear indirectly connected with it. Mr. Alfred Fox having seconded the motion, it was agreed to with applause; and was briefly, but suitably responded to by the lecturer. On Friday Mr. Lovell Squire presided at the morning meeting, and several of the mechanical inventions already mentioned were described by their inventors. Mr. Rundell stated the substance of a communication which he had received from Mr. Enys on the forms of fishes, as applied to boats. This paper will be printed in the body of the Report. In the evening Mr. James Ross, Collector of Customs, presided. Mr. Lovell Squire read a paper by Mr. Jonathan Couch, F.L.S., entitled "Indications of the former Natural History of Cornwall.” It gave information derived from the churchwarden's book of the parish of Talland, of the wild animals destroyed in that neighbourhood about the middle of the last century, and the rewards paid for their destruction. Some references were also made on the same subject to the parish of Lansallos. Mr. Rundell again explained the nature of Mr. Enys's communication respecting the construction of sailing-vessels, and also Capt. Charles Thomas's paper on mining; the proceedings were concluded with a description of the process of " Nature-Printing," followed by a discussion, in which several members took part. On Saturday there were but few visitors, but some little interest was excited in the afternoon by the drawing of the prizes in the Art Union of Cornwall. On Monday and following days the attendance was small. On each evening short lectures were given on the various specimens in the vivarium, by Mr. L. Squire, Dr. Vigurs, and Mr. A. L. Fox. The first two gentlemen treated of the lower animals, and particularly of the Radiata, Mr. Fox confining himself chiefly to the fishes. The art of Nature-Printing was also described by the Secretary, who called attention to a number of specimens which had been forwarded by the Society of Arts, but which, through some neglect on the part of the South Devon railway, did not arrive until the Saturday. They consisted of specimens of the new art of NaturePrinting, from the Imperial printing establishment, Vienna; from Messrs. Bradbury and Evans, London; and from Dr. Ferguson Branson, one of the inventors; consisting of impressions from agates, crystals, sea-weeds, ferns, feathers, and a variety of leaves and flowers, worked lace, muslin, &c.; a number of photographic pictures of the temples and public edifices of Athens, taken on the spot, by Mr. Robertson; several views, shewing the progress of the construction of the Sydenham Crystal Palace, its internal decorations, statuary, &c.; and photographic landscapes, by Dr. Diamond, and others. The school children of Falmouth and Penryn were admitted, as usual, at a low charge, before the close of the exhibition. On Domestic Poultry, in Falmouth, &c. BY W. P. COCKS, Esq. 1854. "Poultry has been too much undervalued as a means of study and field of recreation. "Insignificant, and to us valueless, wild animals, about whose history and habits we can learn little or nothing, are received with respectful attention by men of education and ability, are embalmed in spirits, treasured in museums, and pourtrayed by artists; but a class of creatures inferior to few upon the earth in beauty; useful, companionable, and of great value in an economical point of view, are disregarded and disdained."-Domestic Poultry. Rasorial or Gallinaceous Order. The birds which form this order are bulky and heavy; their food consists of grain, seeds, &c. Their eggs are numerous, and the young when first hatched are covered with soft down, follow their parent immediately, and feed themselves. Genus GALUS, Brisson. "Whilst the cock, with lively din, "Scatters the rear of darkness thin."-Milton: "Some say that ever against that season comes So hallowed and so gracious is the time."-Shakspeare. |