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as Secretary of the Royal Commission. He has been mainly assisted by Captain Harris, Royal Engineers, whose valuable and efficient services to the colonies generally Sir Philip has never failed to bring specially under my notice; whilst for the technical arrangements and immediate superintendence of the collection from these above-mentioned colonies, Mr. P. L. Simmonds was well qualified, by his official services at previous Exhibitions and his thorough knowledge of colonial products, to bring these collections prominently before the International Juries. Nearly all the colonies published and circulated valuable descriptive catalogues, which afforded most useful information to visitors; and these were freely distributed, with many other colonial publications of scientific or popular character. Considering that the number of exhibitors was more limited, the colonies have carried away a larger proportion of medals than the mother-country. Taking advantage of the presence in Paris of a number of gentlemen qualified by their personal experience to judge colonial produce, I secured the services of the following Colonial Commissioners upon the International Juries :•— The Dominion.— -Mr. Thomas C. Keefcr, C.E., C.M.G.; Dr. S. P. May; Mr. Alfred Selwyn, F.R.S., F.G.S. ; Mr. W. E. Archambault. New South Wales. —Tlie Hon. Edward Combes, C.M.G.; Professor Liversedge. Victoria. —Mr. G. Collins Levey, C.M.G. South Australia. —Mr. Josiah Boothby, C.M.G. Mauritius. —Mr. Gustave Adam, Mr. Alphonse Lucas, Mr. Edward Elias. Cape of Good Hope. —Mr. Spencer Todd, C.M.G. I am further glad to acknowledge the valuable services upon the jury of Mr. Colville Barclay, C.M.G., a well-known officer in the Colonial Office. These gentlemen at the same time gave valuable assistance to the juries of their respective classes, were watchful for the interests of the several colonics that they represented, and no less careful for the interests of the exhibitors from the mother-country. In. conclusion, I desire to bring under your notice the copy of an address from the Executive Commissioners of the Colonies which I had the pleasure of receiving at the British Embassy during my last stay in Paris. In the copy of my reply, you will observe that I have expressed my satisfaction at the proposed formation of a Colonial Museum, and my readiness to co-operate in any scheme which may have received the mature consideration of the respective colonies. I have, &c., Albert Edward, P. The Right Hon. Sir Michael E. Hicks Beach, Bart, M.P., &c.

Enclosure 2 in No. 25. Sir M. Hicks Beach to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. Sir, — Downing Street, December, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter dated the 9th instant, which your Royal Highness was pleased to address to mo with reference to the part taken by the British Colonies in the Paris Exhibition. 2. The hearty response of tbe colonial Governments to your Royal Highnesses invitation to them to take part in the Exhibition, the able and zealous co-operation of their representatives, and the distinguished success of the colonial representation, have afforded me the greatest satisfaction. 3. I am very sensible of the great advantage to the colonies of your Royal Highnesses active and friendly attention to their interests at the Exhibition, and I bave already received from gentlemen connected with the colonies, officially and otherwise, warm expressions of gratitude for the trouble taken by your Royal Highness on their behalf. lam confident that the colonial Governments feel deeply indebted to your Royal Highness for the valuable services which you have rendered to them. 4. I feel sure that the ready assistance and co-operation given at all times by Sir P. C. Owen and the members of his staff are also fully appreciated by the exhibitors and official representatives of the colonies. 5. With reference to the proposed Colonial Museum in London referred to in the address from the Executive Commissioners of the Colonies to your Royal Highness, I have the honor to state that I shall be ready to co-operate on the part of the Crown Colonies, so far as their means will permit, on learning that the important colonies enjoying responsible government are prepared to deal with the suggestion made by the gentlemen in Paris in a manner which would appear to me to promise success. 6. I shall have much pleasure in transmitting a copy of this correspondence to the Governors of all the colonies, and in including it among the papers to be presented to Parliament in relation to Her Majesty Js colonial possessions. I have, &c, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G., &c, M, E. Hicks Beach.