72 THE LOCAL MUSEUM, LABORATORY, AND LIBRARY.
museum was like a living organism, it required continued and constant care,
but this fact was not sufficiently appreciated by those having the charge of such
institutions.
Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S. [Curator of the Geological Museum, Jermyn Street,
and author of the paper on Natural History Museums printed in the last volume
of the E. N. vol. iv. pp. 242-251], in the course of a telling speech, said that the
scheme was well worthy of support by reason of its comprehensive character.
They must not suppose that the Museum, and its attached educational depart-
ments, would benefit only a few with scientific or antiquarian tastes. Some people
would say that agriculture and other Essex industries being at such a low ebb
rendered the formation of such an institution difficult from a financial point of
view, but he would reply that a time of depression (from which he was glad to
fancy we were now emerging) was the time above all others when it was worth
while, when indeed it was absolutely necessary, to see what aid science, as applied
to human industries, could give to agriculture and other employments. Such an
institution as that they were advocating would benefit not the few only, but the
whole county, and would in time to come be looked upon as of great public utility.
He was almost ashamed to say that this was his first visit to Chelmsford, but
directly he got into the town he was very much struck with the light of modern
days which it possessed. He hoped that the townsfolk's adoption of the beautiful
and useful electric lighting might be taken as an earnest of their wish to keep
abreast of the latest scientific applications. (Applause.)
Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S. (President of the Geologists' Association) strongly
supported the resolution, and spoke of the practical value of a knowledge of
geology in many branches of industry.
Dr. J. C. Thresh, D.Sc., F.R.Met.Soc., &c., said the scheme for carrying
technical education into the rural districts was a bold one, and a very good one.
Essex should be proud of having an opportunity of being the pioneer county in
taking technical education into the country districts. Although he had not been
long in the county he had learned something of the demand which existed for
technical education.
Dr. H. Laver, F.L.S., F.S.A., of Colchester, said it had often been his pleasure
to try to upset the stupid notion that Essex was the marshy and unhealthy county
it was sometimes represented to be. (Applause.) He should very much like to
have seen the proposed Museum established at Colchester, but as that could not
be he would do his best to help it forward at Chelmsford. (Hear, hear.) The
county had in the past done as much towards making the history of England as
any other county, and it was now going to be the pioneer in another movement
which would spread light throughout the kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Other counties
were bound to follow the example of Essex.
Mr. F. W. Rogers (Head-master of the Chelmsford Grammar School) said he
cordially supported the scheme. He was sure that, if properly managed, the local
Museum would be a very great help to education. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S., of Colchester, also supported the resolution,
remarking that, although he should have liked the Museum in his own town, it
could not be denied that Chelmsford was the centre of the county, and therefore
had superior claims to Colchester as being the home of the Museum.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. Walter Crouch, F.Z.S., moved—
"That a Subscription List be at once opened for raising a Fund for the
building and fitting of the Museum, &c., and for the endowment of the same."