THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
33
matter, and they had decided to unite the two bodies under the name of "The
Essex Field Club," thinking that as Chelmsford would get the Museum it did not
much matter, and that there would be very serious objections to altering the title
of the Club. There was really not much in the point, as the proposed institution
would be the Museum of the Essex Field Club at Chelmsford—the greater
included the less. The objection was also answered by Mr. Chancellor, Mr. F.
H. Meggy, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, and Professor Boulger, Mr. Chancellor saying
that he thought the substance was worth far more than the shadow. Mr. Meggy
complimented the Committee on their very comprehensive and able scheme, and
gave it his hearty support. Professor Boulger hoped there would be no note of
discord emanating from Chelmsford, and pointed out that, as a county institution.
they would be in a far better position to appeal for funds than as a merely local society.
The resolution was passed unanimously amid cheers.
In reply to a question from the President, Mr. Chancellor, as Chairman of the
Committee of the Essex and Chelmsford Museum, stated that the scheme had been
passed unanimously by the Committee and by the Subscribers to the Museum.
On the recommendation of the Council it was also agreed that if and when the
amalgamation takes effect, the annual subscription of new members elected after
the date of such event shall be £1 1s., with an entrance-fee of 10s. 6d. (to include
the Essex Naturalist, post-free as published), and that the life-membership
shall be £10 10s. plus the entrance-fee.
The President said that the next subject to be brought before the members
was the important scheme of technical instruction, which had been prepared with
very great care by the Secretary, with the assistance and advice of several scientific
men and teachers, and which had been submitted to the County Council, many
members of which body had favourably received it. The Parliamentary Com-
mittee had appointed a sub-committee to consider the question of technical
instruction in the county under the authority of the recent Acts of Parliament,
and they had consented to receive an important deputation from the Club on
Monday next, so that the details of the Club's scheme might be brought before
them. He asked the Secretary to read the scheme.
The Secretary read the scheme, which is fully set out in the last volume of the
Essex Naturalist (vol, iv. pp. 259-262), and which had been printed in a
separate form and extensively circulated.
Professor Meldola, who has had a very large experience in connection with
technical education, spoke in high terms of the scheme, dwelling on the great
advantage there would be in establishing one really good centre, which must be
much more beneficially productive than if the money were frittered away in small
sums. He gave a happy definition of what technical education is, namely,
"science applied to human industries."
Professor Boulger was equally warm in favour of the project. His only objec-
tion was that the Council did not ask enough ; he noticed that the word "minima"
was used in connection with the sums asked for in the scheme, and he rather
thought that instead of five or six centres there ought to be five-and-twenty. No
county had yet propounded any such comprehensive scheme as this, and it was
greatly to the credit of the Club that they had taken the lead in this important
matter.
The President said it was very probable if the County Council were satisfied
with what the Field Club did in a small way, to begin with, they would be in-
clined to make a much larger grant than was now asked for.
D