DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1311#0023
14 - THE GREAT EXHIBITION
particularly on the borders of the Black Forest, and are exported to England, America,
and other countries. The contributions in the Exhibition comprised most of the kinds
which-are manufactured in that country; as, for example, mechanical toys by Rock and
G-raner, of Biberach,' some made of tinned iron-plate, and others in papier-m&che, com-
prising carriages with horses, which were moved by the revolving parts by means of
cranks and links; a water-mill, to be acted upon by real water ; a cascade and fountain,
in which, also, real water was to be used; a working-model of a pump; collections of
kitchen utensils, and numerous other articles. A prize medal was adjudged to these
exhibitors. The number of exhibitors from all parts was 51; of these there were 12
holders of a prize medal, ■% who obtained honourable mention, and 37 unrewarded.
Having gone our rounds, and visited nearly all the toy-shops of the several nations
who contributed towards furnishing the vast variety of objects of interest exhibited in
the Crystal Palace, we will.now dismiss the subject, and, opening a fresh chapter, return
to the "agreeable dissertations of our gifted member of the Institute of France.
CHAPTER III.
LETTERS OF M. BLANQUI—continued.
LETTER VI.—SPAIN AND .TURKEY—EORMER EXCELLENCE 03? SPANISH MAN HE ACTIF RES—CLOTHS,
TALENTIA SILKS—TOLEDO BLADES—KID GLOVES—-A DIGRESSION UPON THE FAIR SEX----
MINERAL PRODUCE OP SPAIN----TDRKISH SPLENDOUR—'GREEK MARBLES AND PIGMENTS—TURK-
" ISH CARPETS—BURSA SILKS— QUESTION ON THE CORN LAWS—PRAISE OE OOBDEN—VISIT TO A
- EARM IN LANCASHIRE—SMALL AGRICULTURAL 'STEAM MACHINES—PATRIARCHAL HABITS----
/ ENLIGHTENMENT :0E ENGLISH EARMERS—ABOLITION OE PROTECTION----ABUSES IN THE CUSTOM-
'•' HOUSE."'
Let us in this letter devote ourselves to Spain and Turkey, at the two extremities of
Europe. They are in close proximity at the Exhibition, and resemble each other through
their decidedly progressing tendency during the last few years. Turkey and Spain are
not^ as is generally believed, worn-out countries; on the contrary, they are still in their
infancy. Thereal spirit of progress makes in reality more rapid strides here than in
other places, which claim to be enlightenment itself, and which oftener spread conflagra-
tion than civilization. I have visited Spain and Turkey a few years ago; I met these
nations here again, more advanced than ever in the path which had commenced to open
before them; and their products merit serious attention, even when placed in juxtapo-
sition with those of the great industrial regions which at the present moment absorb the
attention of the world. Spain has for a long period been a brilliant arena in which the
manufacturing arts have shone with a splendour, which is striving to revive. Her manu-
factories of arms, of silks, of woollen cloths, of gold and silversmith's work, of carpets,
have occupied an honourable rank in Europe. Her typography was once greatly
renowned. Her workmen possessed a rare merit—that of being original without degen-
erating into the false taste, which for a while ran through their literature. They have
borrowed from Arabian traditions a multitude of useful processes and of charming forms,
which they have appropriated with a moderation and an intelligence suitable to their
times. They have never been insipid, or vulgar, even when the flame of their genius
seemed likely to be extinguished beneath the passion of fanaticism. They fell with pride
or with sadness, as Castilians are wont to fall, ever ready to rise again, and ever worthy
particularly on the borders of the Black Forest, and are exported to England, America,
and other countries. The contributions in the Exhibition comprised most of the kinds
which-are manufactured in that country; as, for example, mechanical toys by Rock and
G-raner, of Biberach,' some made of tinned iron-plate, and others in papier-m&che, com-
prising carriages with horses, which were moved by the revolving parts by means of
cranks and links; a water-mill, to be acted upon by real water ; a cascade and fountain,
in which, also, real water was to be used; a working-model of a pump; collections of
kitchen utensils, and numerous other articles. A prize medal was adjudged to these
exhibitors. The number of exhibitors from all parts was 51; of these there were 12
holders of a prize medal, ■% who obtained honourable mention, and 37 unrewarded.
Having gone our rounds, and visited nearly all the toy-shops of the several nations
who contributed towards furnishing the vast variety of objects of interest exhibited in
the Crystal Palace, we will.now dismiss the subject, and, opening a fresh chapter, return
to the "agreeable dissertations of our gifted member of the Institute of France.
CHAPTER III.
LETTERS OF M. BLANQUI—continued.
LETTER VI.—SPAIN AND .TURKEY—EORMER EXCELLENCE 03? SPANISH MAN HE ACTIF RES—CLOTHS,
TALENTIA SILKS—TOLEDO BLADES—KID GLOVES—-A DIGRESSION UPON THE FAIR SEX----
MINERAL PRODUCE OP SPAIN----TDRKISH SPLENDOUR—'GREEK MARBLES AND PIGMENTS—TURK-
" ISH CARPETS—BURSA SILKS— QUESTION ON THE CORN LAWS—PRAISE OE OOBDEN—VISIT TO A
- EARM IN LANCASHIRE—SMALL AGRICULTURAL 'STEAM MACHINES—PATRIARCHAL HABITS----
/ ENLIGHTENMENT :0E ENGLISH EARMERS—ABOLITION OE PROTECTION----ABUSES IN THE CUSTOM-
'•' HOUSE."'
Let us in this letter devote ourselves to Spain and Turkey, at the two extremities of
Europe. They are in close proximity at the Exhibition, and resemble each other through
their decidedly progressing tendency during the last few years. Turkey and Spain are
not^ as is generally believed, worn-out countries; on the contrary, they are still in their
infancy. Thereal spirit of progress makes in reality more rapid strides here than in
other places, which claim to be enlightenment itself, and which oftener spread conflagra-
tion than civilization. I have visited Spain and Turkey a few years ago; I met these
nations here again, more advanced than ever in the path which had commenced to open
before them; and their products merit serious attention, even when placed in juxtapo-
sition with those of the great industrial regions which at the present moment absorb the
attention of the world. Spain has for a long period been a brilliant arena in which the
manufacturing arts have shone with a splendour, which is striving to revive. Her manu-
factories of arms, of silks, of woollen cloths, of gold and silversmith's work, of carpets,
have occupied an honourable rank in Europe. Her typography was once greatly
renowned. Her workmen possessed a rare merit—that of being original without degen-
erating into the false taste, which for a while ran through their literature. They have
borrowed from Arabian traditions a multitude of useful processes and of charming forms,
which they have appropriated with a moderation and an intelligence suitable to their
times. They have never been insipid, or vulgar, even when the flame of their genius
seemed likely to be extinguished beneath the passion of fanaticism. They fell with pride
or with sadness, as Castilians are wont to fall, ever ready to rise again, and ever worthy