0 out of the 250
pounds per annum for rent. This school did nothing of a practical nature,
and consequently did not progress in public estimation. The master was a
clever artist, but not up, perhaps he would have said not down, to his work.
A School of Design at Manchester is meant, not to breed artists in high art,
but to have art applied to the trades of the city. The master was changed,
and, at the request of the local committee, the Council of the School of
Design at Somerset House sent down, in 1845, Mr. George Wallis, who had shown
his qualifications as an assistant at Somerset House and as master of the
Spitalfields school. At that time the Manchester school had been in
existence five years, and had done nothing toward its original object. In
two years from the time of Mr. Wallis taking the charge, the funds of the
school were flourishing; the interest taken in it by the public was great,
and nearly half the Institution was occupied by the pupils, while the
applications for admission were more numerous than could be accommodated.
Under this management the public, who care little for abstract art, were
taught the close connexion between the instruction of the School of Design
and their private pursuits.

This is what is wanted in all our towns. It is not enough to teach boys and
girls,--the manufacturers and purchasers need to be taught by the eye, if not
by the hand.

According to part of Mr. Wallis's plan, an exhibition was held of the
drawings executed by the pupils for the annual prizes, which had a great
influence in laying the foundation for the efforts made by Manchester at the
Great Exhibition of Industry in Hyde Park.

While matters were proceeding so satisfactorily, the Somerset House
authorities (who have since been tried and condemned by a Committee of the
House of Commons), proceeded to earn their salaries by giving instructions
which could not be carried out without destroying all the good that had been
done. The Manchester Committee and Mr. Wallis protested against this red
tapish interference. It was persisted in; Mr. Wallis {172} resigned, to the
great regret of his pupils and manufacturing friends in the managing council.

The result was that the undertaking dwindled away rapidly to less than its
original insignificance,--the students fell off, and a deficit of debt
replaced the previously flourishing funds. Out of evil comes good. The case
of Manchester enabled Mr. Milner Gibson, M.P