226 



NATURE 



[July 7, 1898 



•of the accounts of them, but a copper-lead-zinc com- 

 pound, in which the proportions of the three elements 

 -vary very much. Its analysis has consequently thrown 

 little light on the source whence the metal was obtained. 

 The process of manufacture was undoubtedly that 

 Iknown as Cera perduta, in which the object is first 

 modelled in very fusible wax. The model is then over- 

 laid with finely levigated clay, and built up to a sufficient 

 thickness. Through an orifice, afterwards made in the 

 •clay, the wax is melted out, and the molten metal run 

 into the vacuity. By this process each article requires 

 a model for itself, and only one casting can be made 

 rfrom one mould. 



As the present natives of Benin are incapable of pro- 

 ■ducing, at the present day, any works approaching these 

 plaques and statuettes, it may be that ihe art was brought 

 to the West Coast Hinterland by some European trader, 

 prisoner or resident, who, observing the skill of these 

 people in the modelling of clay figures, such as the 

 Fantee women fashion, may have instructed them how 

 to do the same in wax, and how by overlaying the model 

 with clay to finally reproduce it in metal. 



It is possible, on the other hand, that their knowledge 

 •of founding was derived from purely African sources. 

 The ancient Egyptians knew how to cast in bronze, in 

 which there was, however, no zinc. The Benin upper 



NO. 1497, VOL. 58] 



classes are not negroid, their features are regular, and 

 their skin olive-coloured. It seems not improbable, 

 therefore, as another explanation of the presence of such 

 high works of art in Benin, that many centuries ago the 

 city may have been occupied by an offshoot of the same 

 central Soudan race, with the leaven of Abyssinian or 

 Egyptian influences among them, as now occupies Nupe, 

 a few hundred miles further north ; but that through 

 intercourse with the debased coast tribes, they became 

 demoralised and degenerated into their present low 

 civilisation. The metal work discovered in the city 

 may, therefore, be the relics of a former higher civil- 

 isation ; or they may, as Commander Bacon has sug- 

 gested, have been the spoils of some campaign, kept as 

 fetishes. When, however, their full history is elucidated, 

 an interesting and unsuspected chapter in the history of 

 West Africa will undoubtedly be brought to light. 



THE PROPOSED UNIVERSITY FOR 

 BIRMINGHAM. 



THE movement started in Birmingham fifteen years 

 ago for the establishment of a University in the 

 Midlands has been growing so steadily in energy and in 

 volume that the promoters feel justified m taking definite 

 steps for the accomplishment of their object. The first 

 stage of operations was reached last year, when the 

 College founded by Sir Josiah Mason in 1880 was in- 

 corporated by Act of Parliament under a new constitution, 

 and received the new name of " Mason University 

 College." An important step forward was taken last 

 week, July 4, when the first public meeting in favour of 

 the proposal to create a University was held in the 

 Council House, under the chairmanship of the Lord 

 Mayor of Birmingham, and was attended by Mr. Joseph 

 Chamberlain, M.P., and an influential gathering. The 

 proceedings must have been in the highest degree satis- 

 factory to the promoters, for not only were some interest- 

 ing speeches delivered and much enthusiasm displayed, 

 but a very substantial proof of the earnestness with which 

 the scheme is being taken up by the inhabitants was 

 afforded by the announcement of promised- donations to 

 the requisite funds of about 96,000/. The next step will 

 be the issue of a public appeal for further donations ; and 

 it is confidently expected that the sum of 250,000/., which 

 it is estimated is necessary to complete the equipment of 

 the College, to found new chairs, to supply additional 

 buildings, and to provide for the administrative 

 machinery of the University, will before long be sub- 

 scribed. 



The proceedings at the recent meeting included the 

 resolution, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is 

 essential that in the interest of the city and the Midland 

 district generally, a University shall be forthwith estab- 

 lished in Birmingham." Mr. G. H. Kenrick, who moved 

 this resolution, is a manufacturer at West Bromwich, 

 employing a large number of men ; and is himself a 

 donor of 10,000/. to the fund. He has for many years 

 taken a prominent and honourable part in promoting 

 elementary and technical education in the city ; and his 

 opinion on such a question, whether as a man of business 

 or as a school manager, is entitled to respectful attention 

 from his fellow citizens. After referring to the influence 

 which the existence of the University would have upon 

 the training and education of teachers, Mr. Kenrick went 

 on to give his view as to the intimate relation which must 

 be established between the University and the industries 

 of the district ; and it is to be hoped that both parties, 

 the professors on the one hand and manufacturers on the 

 other, will be careful to note the very sensible observations 

 of the speaker upon this topic. 



No man can now stand up and say that industry can get 

 on very well without science. That idea has been almost 

 given up, but a more dangerous one has arisen in its place. 



