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Istitutions : Sciety of Arts Exhibition. 
TI         nstitutis O. 
EXIIION  OF BRITISH MANUFACTURES AT THE SOCIETY OF ARTS. 
Tim third annual Exhibition of British 
Manufactures opened at the Society of 
Arts, on the evening of the 7th March, 
with great brilliancy. Many readers will 
ask, What is this Socity and where is its 
locality, which suddenly, as it were, is 
making some noise ?     The Society of 
Arts is nearly a century old; was founded 
in 1754; consists of members subscribing 
two pounds a-year; situate in a street 
parallel with the Strand, the street called 
"John," after one of the three" Adelphi," 
who were architects of that cluster of 
buildings; and excepting, we believe, the 
Royal Society, is the most venerable 
institntion in London,-the parent, in 
fact, of the Royal Academy and other 
younger learned and scientific Societies. 
The first picture-exhibition of the mem- 
bers, who a year or two afterwards were 
incorporated as Royal Academicians, was 
held in the rooms of this very Society of 
Arts. In its day, for the promotion of 
"Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce,' it 
has distributed nearly 100,0001. in pre- 
miums, and certainly did good service. 
But, like all human beings and all human 
institutions, it became aged and worn- 
out, feeble, poor, purposeless, except as 
custos of Barry's great pictures (hardly 
a sufficient object, as the Times well re- 
marked, for a Society with so large a 
scope of action), and as the annual dis- 
tributor of gold and silver medals to little 
boys and girls for great historical pictures 
and architectural designs for cathedrals. 
Some three or four years ago, when 
impending Fates threatened ominously 
to cut the thread of the Society's ex- 
istence, they  relented.   The Society 
sprung into new life and entered upon a 
new career of usefulness. The promotion 
of Ornamental Design-the same object 
for which THF JOURNAL OF ])ESIGN has 
been originated-was adopted by the 
Society as a want of the age which it 
might supply; and the recognition of this 
fact has been its salvation. The opening 
of the present Exhibition has been a 
stride into prosperity so positive and so 
triumphant, that it will cause no surprise 
if the Society should shortly again resume 
its position as the most popular of metro- 
politan scientific institutions. Many hun- 
dreds thronged the rooms at the opening, 
when the following address of the Council 
was read, which we quote at length:- 
ADposa OF THE COUNCIL, 
READ ON THE OPENING OF THE THIRD ANNUAL 
EXHIBITION OF BRITISH KANUFACTUSFA, 7TH 
MAIRcH, 1849. 
The Council have great sadsation in con- 
gratulating the Society on the opening of this 
the Third Annual Exhibition of British Maim- 
factures, which they may justly characterise, 
not only as by far the best which has been made 
under the Society's auspices, but as one which, 
for some classes of fabrics, has never been equal- 
led in this country; in respect of works in the 
precious metals, it has perhaps never been 
equalled in any country where similar exhibitions 
have been adopted as national institutions. 
A success like that which has heen reached 
could only have been attained by the zealous co- 
operation of all classes, including even Royalty 
itself. The Council feel that this Exhibition is a 
triumphant proof how general and hearty is the 
sympathy with the objects of the Society, and 
how earnest is the goodwill to promote them. 
The Address ofthe Councilon a smlar occasion 
last year pointed out how such Exhibitions were 
calculated to stimulate the progress of design 
and inventive skill, and each year to produce 
new achievements in Art and Manufactures;- 
how that the very imperfections manifested by 
such Exhibitions were eminently useful, as Indi- 
cating the direction in which improvement 
should be sought ;-how the artist, the practical 
chemist, and the ingenious mechanist, were thus 
brought into nearer relations with the manufac- 
turer, and the latter with the public;-and 
lastly, how the public is thus educated in the 
most practical way to appreciate excellence, and, 
by a judicious patronage, to reward all parties 
who have contributed to produce it. 
It will not surprise members to learn that the 
recent Exhibitions of the Society have exercised 
a material influence on its progress, and unques- 
tionably to the deserved popularity of these 
Exhibitions a large share of its present posperity 
is due. Since the first Exhibition was projected, 
the number of contributing members has in- 
creased from 311 to 5G9, and the annual income 
from 8631. to 14301. But it will, perhaps, cause 
some astonishment to those members who were 
rather doubtful of the policy of such Exhibitions, 
and such awards of prizes for Manufactures, to 
be told that, in fact, they are no novelty in the 
proceedings of the Society. Upon consulting our 
records, it appears that, as early as the year 1755, 
the Society offered prizes for the best designs for 
Woven Fabrics, Carpets, Tapestries, Printed Ca- 
and Paper-hangings. 
So far, indeed, from these proceedings being 
innovations, it appears that they are, then, in 
fact, but a return to that policy with which the 
Society started, and which contributed to make 
it pre-eminent among metropolitan institutions. 
CHaRACTR oF Tas ExucarINo. 
Members will remark that this year, for the 
first time, the Model-room has been made avail- 
able for the purposes of the Exhibition; but, even 
with this great increase of space, the Council 
perceived very early that it would be expedient 
to confine attention more particularly to the 
collection of only a few classes of manufactures. 
The Council, therefore, resolved to direct their 
efforts to producing a successful display of manu- 
factures in Metals, especially the more precious, 
in Paper-hangings, and in Wood-carving; at the 
same time net in anywise excluding specimen 
of ether manufactures which might be offered, 
The Council may congratulate the Society on 
having made, on this occasion, the finest exhbi-. 
tion in these three departments that has ever 
been formed. Such a collection of Moder Art 
in Gold and Silver has never been made before 
for public exhibition. The contributors to this 
noble show of British Works have been,- 
HEa MosT GRAcIous MAJESTY THE QUENz, 
The Duke of Richmond, 
The Duke of Bedford, 
The Marquis of Exeter,