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EXPERIMELVTAL LEGISLA TiO-lr. 259
most doubtful and most in need of experiment when it can be
applied. To construct the Thames Tunnel WRS a novel and
difficult work at the time, but not 60 difficult aa to get tlm
populace to use it. The Great I?trsttv-n steamship was another
instance of ~t great mechanical success, which wna, to some
extent, a social and economical failure. Xany like cases
might be mentioned, such as the red ice-rinks lately invented.
How is it that any kind of purely social institution iFJ
usually established ? Take the case of the Voluntecr Force.
This was commenced, not to speak of earlier movements, or
the ancient Honourable Art.illery Company, by a few isolated
experiments, such as that of tho Exeter Riflo Corps in 1852,
nnd tho Victoria Rifle Corps in 1853. Tlleso succeeded so
well that when, in 1859, fears of invasim were afloat, the
ilnitntivc process set in rapidly. Of course, wise practical
people 1nugllc.d at the rnaain for playing at soldiers, md most
people clearly forc-saw that, when once the voluntccrs had got
tired of their ncw uniforms, the mholo thing mould collapse.
But experience haa decidod very differently. Tho force,
instead of declining, has gone on steadily growing and substantially
improving, until a good military aut,llority lately
spoke of it as t.he only sound part of our military system.
How much has the wisdom of Parliament had to do with tho
creation of this force ? I believe that even now the Government
and the military classes do not appreciate what the
volunteer force has done for us, by removing all fear of safety
at home and enal~ling the standing army to bo freely sent'
abroad.
Take again the case of popular amusementx. Would
Parliament evcr think of defining by Statute when and how
people shall meet to amuse themselves, and what they shall
do, and when they shall have had enough of it P Must not
people find out by trial what pleases and what does not
please ? The late Mr. Serjeant Cox is said to have invented
Penny Beadings for the people, and they answered
BO well under his management that they were imitated in all
prte of the kingdom, and eventually in many other parts of
the world. Spelling-bees were, I believe, an American invena
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