The Art Union in connection with the last Autumn Exhibition 

 was a great success, realising ^no, against ^88 16s. last year. The 

 Committee intend having an Art Union again this year. 



The Spring Exhibition was one of exceptional merit, as a few 

 attractive pictures by prominent London artists were again added to 

 the usual local exhibits. The President and Council of the Royal 

 Academy lent Professor Herkomer's picture of the " Chapel of the 

 Charterhouse," which was a very great attraction. 



The Summer Exhibition consisted of works in black and white. 

 Beside those coming direct from the artists, the Committee were 

 indebted to the following gentlemen for valuable contributions: — The 

 Proprietors of the Graphic and Art Journal, Messrs. Boussod, Valadon, 

 & Co., Messrs. Cassell & Co., Messrs. H. Graves & Co., and Mr. J. P. 

 Mendoza. These loans were locally supplemented by pictures kindly lent 

 by Messrs. A. O. Deacon, H. Gregory, G. Holme, Jun., F. J. Robinson, 

 and W. W. Winter. The result was a very attractive Exhibition. 



The Autumn Exhibition now on view was opened on September 

 15th. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Councillor Heathcote, J. P.) gave the 

 customary Conversazione on October 29th, when about six hundred guests 

 assembled. The gathering was a most successful one, and the Com- 

 mittee's best thanks are due to the Mayor for the kindly interest taken 

 in the Institution. The present Exhibition already outstrips all its 

 predecessors in the numbers visiting it, over 7,000 having already 

 passed the turnstiles. 



The objects on loan from South Kensington were changed in 

 December last. The Museum authorities showed, as usual, their ready 

 inclination to meet the wishes of the Committee as to the class of 

 objects sent, and beside a case of beautiful electrotypes, have sent 

 woodcarvings, wrought iron work, Oriental tiles, and specimens of lace. 

 These have all been of great value, and have been made the fullest 

 use of by the students of the School of Art and others for copying 

 purposes. 



The fifth annual series of Saturday Evening Concerts consisted of 

 15 concerts only, but these were well attended, and created the usual 

 interest. 2369 persons attended, who paid ^29 6s. 3d. for admission. 

 The expense attending the concerts was ^13 13s. 6d., so that they 

 yielded a profit of .^15 12s. 9d. The Curator, and all those ladies 

 and gentlemen who so kindly assisted him in organising and carrying 

 these pleasant evenings to a successful issue, deserve the best thanks 

 of the Committee. 



