Introduction. * xxxvii 



so admirably initiated at Norwich. A very influential meeting, under the 

 presidency of the Marquis of Exeter, was held in the month of July 1881, at 

 the Hall of the Fishmongers' Company, when resolutions were adopted to tho 

 effect : That it was desirable to hold a Grand International Fisheries Exhibi- 

 tion in London in the year 1883 ; that a communication should be addressed 

 to the Members of Her Majesty's Government, informing them of the proposal, 

 and requesting their kind co-operation ; that a Committee should be requested 

 to draw up, at the termination of the Exhibition, a Eeport on the Fisheries of 

 the British Empire and the best method of improving them ; and that cor- 

 responding Committees should be formed round the coast. The Chairmanship 

 of the Executive Committee was accepted by Mr. Birkbeck, and a Committee 

 of twelve was formed representing the various fishery interests of the United 

 Kingdom. Canada gave the services of Sir Alexander Gait ; and the Marquis 

 of Hamilton, upon whom, in conjunction with Mr. Birkbeck, the onus of the 

 responsibility and the stress of the laborious daily executive work have fallen, 

 was added to represent Ireland ; while the Aquarium Department was placed 

 under the management of Sir James Gibson Maitland ; and the construction 

 of the building was confided to the care of General Scott, whose recent decease 

 is so greatly mourned at South Kensington. The buildings for the Exhibition, 

 admirably adapted as they are for their respective uses, bear no slight 

 testimony, were any needed, to General Scott's exceptional skill in architectural 

 construction. Nor at the inauguration of this Great International enterprise 

 will his colleagues fail to remember the high scientific attainments the 

 thoroughness of purpose and the endearing sweetness of disposition of him 

 whose labours are ended. 



A second important meeting was held at Willis's Rooms in February 1882, 

 when the Duke of Richmond and Gordon read the Report of the Committee, 

 and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh 

 expressed a strong interest in the undertaking. The support of Royalty was 

 again readily granted for the scheme, Her Majesty graciously consenting to be 

 Patron, and the Prince of Wales becoming President, while the Duke of 

 Edinburgh, the Duke of Connaught, the Duke of Albany, and the Duke of 

 Cambridge, accepted the position of Vice-Presidents, and the Duke of Richmond 

 and Gordon that of Chairman of the General Committee. Of this Committee 

 the Prime Minister and Lord Granville are members, together with most of 

 the Ministers of the present and late Administration. Every facility also was 

 afforded by the various departments of the Government for forwarding the 

 business of the Exhibition. Various means have been adopted to spread 

 among the public a knowledge of the subject connected with this industry. 

 Prizes are offered for the best exhibits as well as for the best essays upon 

 selected and appropriate topics; Authorities of distinction have been invited 

 to compile a series of popular Shilling 1 (andbooks upon subjects with which 

 they were specially acquainted, and Conferences are arranged to be held 

 during the continuance of the Exhibition for the discussion of important 

 questions, the first of which will be held on the 12th of June, when a paper 

 contributed by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will bo read. 

 Nor is the practical side of the matter neglected. A fish market has been. 



