3-011-471 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Earl Russell at the opening of the North London Working-men's Exhibition, [Agricultural Hall, Islington], 1864. Foreign Secretary Russell said that the working classes of London were "superior to any other working people in the world," '...and expressed "the highest admiration of their industry, skill, and ingenuity, so many beautiful proofs of which are to be seen in this collection.''...the objects here exhibited are divided into two parts - the products of workmen who have sent specimens of their skill and ingenuity in the trade by which they live, and products of amateurs...[The committee said]: "An artisan seldom chooses as a recreation that branch of industry of which his daily occupation consists. If actively or laboriously employed during the day, drawing, painting, or model-making is generally practised to occupy his leisure hours; while he who follows a sedentary occupation almost invariably resorts to some more active method of utilising his spare time. The remarkable proficiency attained by many exhibitors in amateur workmanship cannot fail to afford encouragement to others who may visit the exhibition, and thus fulfil one of the chief aims of the promoters of the undertaking".' From "Illustrated London News", 1864.