they must not allow the majority of the pictures to be returned to the artists, because, if that were the case, they could not expect another Exhibition to take place. Now, it would, perhaps, be too much to ask any person to purchase a picture of the value of £100, or upwards; but there was a way by which they could accomplish even this, and render infinite service to the Society at a small cost to themselves; and that was by subscribing for one or more chances to the Art Union, now in course of formation. At a recent meeting at the Town Hall, to establish this Society, the Mayor had been kind enough to take the chair, and as the objects contemplated by the Art Union were then stated at length, and fully reported, it would be sufficient to say that the subscription for each chance had been fixed at ten shillings. He wished also to add that the cost of establishing the annual exhibition was considerable, and that last year-although, by the kindness of the Town Council, they had the use of the room gratuitously—yet their expenses were £- and this year they could not be expected to be less than £- The Committee, therefore, wished to imitate the example of the late Society of Fine Arts, and to solicit the lovers of the fine arts to support them by guinea subscriptions, and he (the Secretary) trusted that those he was addressing would become subscribers to the Art Society before leaving that room. In conclusion, he desired to take advantage of this opportunity to express publicly his acknowledgments to his brother artists for the generous confidence they had reposed in him, and which he felt the more because he had on frequent occasions been obliged to act decisively, and thereby incur considerable expense on his own responsibility, and it afforded him great pleasure to say that on all occasions he had received the hearty support and cooperation of the Committee. Mr. Response.-By an Exhibitor. responded to "The Artists," in the course of which he remarked on the present state of feeling in this country in regard to Art. Public opinion on Art was in a transition state. The writings of Mr. Ruskin, the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and, above all, the introduction of Photography, had unsettled the public mind as to the infallibilty of old and previously received theories respecting Art, many of which, by the rising generation of artists, are looked upon as obsolete, if not ridiculous. Holman Hunt's famous Light of the Word was an illustration of this: twenty or thirty years ago it would have been denounced as an outrage on the good sense and taste of the community. The public, in fact, do not know what they are to censure or to praise; but he did not think this state of things would continue-he believed the sound good sense and the strong, sturdy spirit of the English people would eventually decide, with an authority beyond which there would be no appeal, what was to be considered high and noble art, and who was to be looked up to by his countrymen as the great painter of his day. Mr. proceeded to speak of the Exhibition the necessity of securing for the support of the public, and of artists of reputation, and expressed an opinion that the former exhibitions had done more harm than good, inasmuch as they had created a feeling on the part of the first-rate artists that it was of no use to send pictures to because there is no good room to hang them in, and no sale for them. This gallery had removed one cause of complaint, and the Art Union the other; and he did hope the people would give them their hearty and cordial support, for if they did, each succeeding Exhibition would surpass the previous one, and they would ultimately see an Exhibition of paintings upon those walls of which would have reason to be proud. The Corporation of London had set the example of enriching their edifices with the works of British artists, and he trusted that example would extend to and that the ratepayers would not begrudge a penny or twopence in the pound when they had the gratification of witnessing the efforts of artists to glorify their common nature in the productions of their own fellow-townsmen. SPORTING. Speeches at a Dinner of a Race-Committee. The Mayor said it devolved upon him now to propose a toast which more immediately concerned themselves," Prosperity to Races, and the Race Committee." To go to the history of Races, would be to go back to the history of itself; but he had intended to say a word about English field sports, only Mr. had taken the wind out of his sails; still he might say that racing was so closely bound up with the interest of England, that he hoped it would never die out. Every one, he was sure, was so well acquainted with the exertions which the gentlemen comprising the Committee had made to uphold the Races, and also with the labour and time it entailed upon them, that he need not eulogise them to ensure the toast being drunk with enthusiasm; and in proposing it he would mention the name of Mr. the Honorary Secretary. Mr. responded. He did so with much pleasure, for he felt great interest in Races, and he was much pleased to say that the good wishes of the past had been answered, and he hoped those of the present would be also. Not to inflict upon the company a long financial statement, he would briefly remark, that the amount of public money given in was second to the highest in the kingdom. He saw the other day, in a sporting paper, that it was held out as an inducement to support the meeting, because they gave £ public money; and he would here mention that that was to be run for in four days, but gave £ to be run for in three days. It was said that "money makes the mare to go," but he hoped it would cause the horses to come, and he was sure that if the efforts of the Committee were seconded liberally by the town, their future efforts would be crowned with success, and Races be second to none in the kingdom. Mr. proposed "Prosperity to the Races and Trade of The Races were an important feature in the amusements of the town, and he would urge on the people of not to let them drop. Don't let gentlemen from Exeter Hall put them off the Races, nor be bullied into the idea that racing is wrong. It was of no use for people with new-fangled notions in their heads to say that men get drunk and women misbehave themselves; but, if they did, the real reason was the people so seldom had any recreation at all. He should always be happy to lend his support to these Races, which had progressed very favourably, and he trusted would develope to something still more important. Mr. said he was taken by surprise in being called upon to respond on behalf of the last toast. It was a very long time since he had the honour and pleasure of doing it, but perhaps he was the most proper person for the task present, as his whole life had been spent here, for he was reared in |