72 THE LOCAL MUSEUM, LABORATORY, AND LIF.RARV, 



museum was like a living organism, it required continued and constant care, 

 but this fact was not sufficiently appreciated by those having the charge of such 

 institutions. 



Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S. [Curator of the Geological Museum, Jerm}-n Street) 

 and author of the paper on Natural History Museums printed in the last volume 

 of the E. N. vol. iv. pp. 242-251], in the course of a telling speech, said that the 

 scheme was well worthy of support by reason of its comprehensive character. 

 They must not suppose that the Museum, and its attached educational depart- 

 ments, would benefit only a few with scientific or antiquarian tastes. Some people 

 would say that agriculture and other Essex industries being at such a low ebb 

 rendered the formation of such an institution difficult from a financial point of 

 view, but he would reply that a time of depression (from which he was glad to 

 fancy we were now emerging) was the time above all others when it was worth 

 while, when indeed it was absolutely necessary, to see what aid science, as applied 

 to human industries, could give to agriculture and other employments. Such an 

 institution as that they were advocating would benefit not the few only, but the 

 whole county, and would in time to come be looked upon as of great public utility. 

 He was almost ashamed to say that this was his first visit to Chelmsford, but 

 directly he got into the town he was very much struck with the light of modern 

 days which it possessed. He hoped that the townsfolk's adoption of the beautiful 

 and useful electric lighting might be taken as an earnest of their wish to keep 

 abreast of the latest scientific applications. (Applause.) 



Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S. {President of the Geologists" Association) strongly 

 supported the resolution, and spoke of the practical value of a knowledge of 

 geology in many branches of industry. 



Dr. J. C. Thresh, D.Sc, F.R.Met.S., &c., said the scheme for carrying 

 technical education into the rural districts was a bold one, and a very good one. 

 Essex should be proud of having an opportunity of being the pioneer county in 

 taking technical education into the country districts. Although he had not been 

 long in the county he had learned something of the demand which existed for 

 technical education. 



Dr. H. Laver, F.L.S., F.S.A., of Colchester, said it had often been his pleasure 

 t o try to upset the stupid notion that Essex was the marshy and unhealthy county 

 it was sometimes represented to be. (Applause.) He should ver}- much like to 

 have seen the proposed Museum established at Colchester, but as that could not 

 be he would do his best to help it forward at Chelmsford. (Hear, hear.) The 

 county had in the past done as much towards making the history of England as 

 any other count}', and it was now going to be the pioneer in another movement 

 which would spread light throughout the kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Other counties 

 were bound to follow the example of Essex. 



Mr. F. W. Rogers (Head-master of the Chelmsford Grammar School) said he 

 cordially su]iported the scheme. He was sure that, if properly managed, the local 

 Museum would be a very great help to education. (Hear, hear.) 



Mr. J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S., of Colchester, also supported the resolution, 

 remarking that, although he should have liked the Museum in his own town, it 

 could not be denied that Chelmsford was the centre of the count}', and therefore 

 had superior claims to Colchester as being the home of the Museum. 



The resolution was carried unanimously. 



.Mr. Walter Crouch, F.Z.S., moved — 



" That a Subscription List be at once opened for raising a Fund for the 

 Iniilding and fitting of the Museum, &c., and for the endowment of the same." 



