1887.J on the Work of the Imperial Institute. 101 



Exhibition not only afforded conclusive demonstration of the great 

 icterest and value to the United Kingdom which must attach to 

 such collections if properly organized ; by such illustrations as the 

 magnificent collections of valuable woods, from nearly every Colony, 

 many quite unknown in England, and the great variety of valuable 

 economic products from India, of the existence of which we at home 

 had little idea, it also served to convince us that our knowledge of the 

 great countries which constitute the chief portion of the Empire is 

 very limited and imperfect, and that their resources are in many direc- 

 tions still in the infancy of development. Our Colonial Brethren 

 cannot, on their part, fail to be greatly benefited by being thoroughly 

 represented in a well-selected and carefully organised assemblage of 

 illustrations of the sources of prosperity which constitute the sinews 

 of their commerce, and upon a continued exploration and cultivation 

 of which must depend the maintenance of their influence upon indus- 

 trial and social progress. Neither can they fail to reap substantial 

 advantages by pursuing a friendly rivalry with each other in 

 demonstrating the advances made from time to time in the develop- 

 ment of the resources of the respective portions of the Empire in 

 which their lot is cast. 



The hearty co-operation and important material support to 

 which the great Colonies, through, their representatives in London, 

 pledged themselves when the scheme for the proposed Imperial 

 Institute was in the first instance limUed to this branch of the great 

 work which it is now contemplated to accomplish, afforded conclusive 

 evidence of their earnest desire to be in all respects thoroughly 

 represented in the Mother Country, and to take their places perma- 

 nently in our midst as fellow-labourers in the advancement of the 

 prosperity of the Empire. In furtherance of this important end, a 

 notable feature of that building which, in its character, will, it is 

 hoped, be worthy of the momentous epoch it is destined to com- 

 memorate, will be, the attractions and conveniences presented by it 

 as a place of resort and a rendezvous for Colonists visiting England, 

 and, it is also anticipated, for the important Societies which represent 

 the Colonies and Asiatic possessions in this Country, and the 

 facilities which it will afford for reference to literature concerning 

 the Colonies and India, for conferences on matters of common interest 

 and value to the Colonists and those at home, for the interchange of 

 information between the British manufacturer and those in the 

 Colonies who are directly interested in meeting his requirements, and 

 generally, for the cultivation of intimate relations and good fellowship 

 between ourselves and our brethren from all parts of the Empire. 



The Institute will, however, not only operate actively under its 

 own roof in j^romoting the cultivation of a better knowledge of the 

 geography, natural history, and resources of our Colonies, and for 

 the advancement of the interests of the Colonists in this Country ; it 

 is also contemplated that representative collections of the natural 

 products of the Colonies and India, carefully identified with the 



