lii Annual Report of the Council. 



being employed in the works in some capacity or other. The 

 plan was for each attendant to have a copy of the text-book, and, 

 after reading a paragraph or two, an experiment was introduced 

 in illustration. I look back with pleasure to the hours spent 

 with these honest fellows — they were so genial and unceremonious. 

 I always thought it strange, however, that Grimshaw should 

 attribute his success in after life to the time so spent ; no doubt 

 he was riglit, but it only proves again, what has often been said, 

 that for successful growth an appropriate seed and a congenial 

 soil conjoined are requisite. After my connection with the Bel- 

 field Printworks had ceased, I lost sight of Grimshaw, and did 

 not see him again for many years. When we met again, he had 

 attained a position very much superior to that of a working- 

 man." Dr. Schunck adds : — " Grimshaw's case shows again 

 what a large measure of intelligence, energy and moral fibre the 

 best of our working-men possess. It is on such qualities widely 

 distributed amongst her sons that the greatness of this country 

 has been built up." When he had attained affluence, Mr. Grim- 

 shaw developed strong tastes for horticulture, and for pictures 

 and bric-a-brac^ the latter passion being largely encouraged by 

 his long acquaintance with his attached friend, the late Mr. 

 George Freemantle, the well-known musical critic. His collection 

 of paintings by old and modern masters, of pottery and of 

 specimens of Japanese art-workmanship was a very remarkable 

 one. But he was much more than a collector; he had a true 

 thirst for knowledge of the history and qualities of every article 

 he purchased ; and by diligent reading and study acquired an 

 amount of information, and a judgment which impressed all 

 who met him, and were truly extraordinary in one who had had 

 such few opportunities for culture in early life. As a director 

 of the Manchester Aquarium, Mr. Grimshaw was associated with 

 the late Mr. Charles Moseley in a vigorous attempt to maintain 

 that institution as a means of promoting the study of natural 

 history in Manchester. He was also a member of the Council 

 of the Royal Institution of Manchester, before the transfer of the 

 building and collections to the Manchester Corporation. For many 



