Position of Belfast in Relation to Technical Instruction. 45 



in 1877 were transferred from the Royal Dublin Society, a 

 voluntary agency, to the care of the Science and Art Depart- 

 ment, under the Crown. 



Reference having been made to the schools established by its 

 agency and to the opposition with which the Government 

 arrangements were met before the desired aims were accom- 

 plished, Mr. Gray went on to say that it was this spirit of inde- 

 pendence that must govern our action in dealing with the 

 Agriculture and Technical Instruction Act, which should 

 assist, but not supersede voluntary effort. 



In the first quarter of this century the industrious and 

 progressive artisans began to feel the necessity for some form of 

 technical intstruction, and under the skilful leadership of Dr. 

 Birkbeck mechanics' institutes were founded in most manu- 

 facturing localities. At that period Belfast was not behind ; 

 indeed, it was then foremost among the towns in the kingdom 

 in the cultivation of literature, art, and science. This 

 educational work was in fact the foundation of that measure of 

 material prosperity Belfast has enjoyed in modern days. A 

 meeting was held in 1807 to receive '' The report of the com, 

 mittee appointed to arrange a plan for the Government of the 

 Belfast Academical Institution." That plan embraced techni- 

 cal instruction in Chemistry, Botany, and Agriculture, and 

 such subjects as may be "conducive to the improvement of the 

 agriculture, arts, and manufactures of the country." What a 

 clear vision those old Belfast folk had of what is now about to 

 be unfolded possibly on their own premises?* 



Mr. Gray then proceeded to explain how the old " Schools 

 of Design " originated with the Select Committee of the House 

 of Commons appointed in 1835 " to inquire into the best means 

 of extending a knowledge of the arts and the principles of 

 design among the people, especially the manufacturing popula- 

 tion." As the first School of Design founded in Somerset 

 House was not quite a success, because of its limited sphere 



* Since the lecture was delivered the County Borough Council has taken a site tor 

 the proposed Technical College on the grounds of the Royal Academical Institution. 



