On Monday Lord Herschel], at a meeting at the Imperial
Institute, presided over by the Prince of Wales, gave an interesting account of the work actually accomplished by that somewhat anomalous, though magnificently housed, cor- poration. In the first place, there has been brought together a valuable and useful collection of the various products of the Empire, and it has been found that a great deal of prac- tical use has been made of these exhibits by merchants and manufacturers. Next, information has been given to a very large number of intending emigrants. Again, the Research Department has made valuable reports upon new products of different kinds sent to them from India and elsewhere. For example, they have examined various Indian fibres and samples of coal and other ore. Even more important is the Commercial Intelligence Department, where information may be obtained upon every conceivable subject, such as rates of import-duties, transport, commercial laws, and the existence of openings for trade. Lastly, a most valuable library of ten thousand volumes has been accumulated, to which is attached a map-room with over eight hundred maps, covering the whole Empire. To have got such machinery as these facts imply into operation in three years is certainly something to be proud of, and we do not doubt that in the end the Institute will be acknowledged to be doing excellent work in the interests of Imperial unity. It is work which cannot hurt any one's feelings, or make any one jealous or suspicions.
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