322 OPENING OF THE ESSEX MUSEUM, ETC.
thought that the munificence of Mr. Passmore Edwards was one which would
be appreciated to its greatest extent by the county. She would again thank
them for the honour conferred on her, and she had much pleasure in declaring
the Museum open to the public. (Applause.)
Councillor F. H. Billows said that the part of the Museum was hardly
complete. The lower portion of the building would be kept for the Essex
Club, and the upper part would be utilised as a local art gallery for West
Ham. A commencement in the placing of statutes of their prominent men
would be made that evening, when Lady Warwick would be invited to unveil
a bust of Mr. Passmore Edwards, who was worthy of occupying a prominent
place as first Citizen of West Ham. (Loud applause.)
Lady Warwick then proceeded to the staircase, where she unveiled the
bust, which had been presented to the Museum by Mr. H. C. Fehr, the
sculptor.
The company then adjourned to the spacious Central Hall of the
Institute, where a great company had already seated themselves.
The Mayor took the chair, with the Countess of Warwick on his right
hand. There were also present Mr. J. Passmore Edwards, Mr. Ernest Gray,
M.P., Prof. Meldola, F.R.S., Archdeacon Stevens, Mr. David Howard,
Aldermen Athey, Ivey, and Bethel, Councillors Coe, Thorne, Ward, Bissell,
Barber, Bothwell, Halsey, Godbold, Horne, Threlford, McDowall, Bishop,
C. Mansfield, Weaver Smith, Crow, Stewart, Kettle, and Billows, Dr.
Hilleary (Town Clerk), Mr. E. A. Briscoe, B.Sc. (the Principal of the
Institute), Mr. W. Cole (Hon. Secretary to the Essex Field Club), and very
many others interested in the Borough, in the work of the Club and in popular
education.
The Mayor again briefly welcomed both Lady Warwick and Mr. Pass-
more Edwards.
Councillor F. H. Billows explained to the company present that the hall
was hardly complete after the re-instatement. He then detailed the cause of
the re-opening, which was the fire which broke out in October last, and
remarked upon the growth of the Institute. There were about 1,640 students
who had enrolled, being no in excess of the corresponding period last year.
There was every prospect of a good session's work. The Principal (Mr.
Briscoe) and his staff had had to cope with almost insuperable difficulties
which had caused them great anxiety. He hoped that they would never have
such an experience again. It was evident that the Institute, like the Phoenix,
had risen from its ashes, and could now look forward to a long career of
life and success. It was now their pleasure to ask Mr. Passmore Edwards
to re-open the Institute. (Applause.)
Mr. Passmore Edwards was received with great applause on rising to
speak. He said he wished that he had the privilege of reading a speech. He
knew he could make up a good one at home, where he would have leisure to
construct rounded sentences. Immediately he began to speak his recollection
failed, and on more than one occasion when he had been called upon to open
an institute he had sat down without having performed that duty. He did