DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1327#0210
AN ILLUSTRATED CYCLOPAEDIA OP THE GREAT EXHIBITION OE 18.51.
THE FRENCH INSTITUTE AND THE GREAT EXHIBITION,
i T an early stage of the Great Exhibition, the Institute of Franco deputed
two of its members. MiU. Chevalier and A, lihmqui, to examine and report |
upon that important European
undertaking. Their report drawn
up by Jr. Blanqui has recently
appeared, and a digest was given
„f it In tlio Illustrated London
jfeM, for December 13.
In the course of our perusal
oftliis paper, we met frequently
mill observations with which we
could not agree, in the extent at
least to which they went, and we
filt- tempted to discuss many of
these points with the writer in
detail, Upon reconsidering the
matter, however, wo thought it
best to lot this document speak
for itself to the judgment of our
readers, many of whom must
have more or loss of practical
acquaintance with the matters
of which it treats, and the] in-
terests which are involved in
One or two remarks, however, we must make, but very generally. It will
be scon that M. Blonqui is not chary as to the terms with which heministers
to the vanity of ht.s countrymen, and particularly in matters of "taste," in
which lie unhesitatingly awards
them the foremost rank, lonyo
vntervallo ahead of all the rest of
the world. Now, spite of nil
that has been dinned in our ears
upon this point, wo might feei
disposed to question the fact;
and to assert that French taste,
in furniture for instance, is for
the most part mere copying,
and that, uot with any settled
principle in the choice of models;
whilst in high art it is deci-
dedly lower than ours. The
only advantage ST. Blanqui allows
us, and by which he accounts
it were apologises for our
irity in useful manufac-
tures is our abundant command
of raw materials; . and therefore
ho argues for free trade, in order
to givo his fellow-country in on
Similar advantages. But thoro is
^0- 14, Jandabt 3, 18.
somethiitjr'moro which ho entirely overlooks, and
which is a more essential feature of our industrial
position than the mere command of raw staples,
and that is the command of capital,—the division
of labour,—the mutual co-operation of communi-
ties of men in relative situations of employer and
employed j all which are the result of our habitual
respect for the rights of property, and our confi-
dence in the stability of institutions. In justice
to that small, but sturdy and respectable republic,
Switzerland, also, whose two millions of inhabi-
tants set an example of frugality, industry, and
political integrity to the rest of continental
Europe, we must protest against her being placed
below the line of nations " organised for great
manufacturing production." Relatively to her she
and population, there is perhaps more strictly
manufacturing industry developed and employed
in Switzerland than in any other country—Eng-
land alone excepted; whilst tlio silk products
take nearly an equal rank with those of France
herself, and her muslins are unsurpassed.
Allowing, however, for some prejudices, and for
some shades of opinion, this document is ex-
tremely interesting, and will repay perusal. It is
remarkable, moreover, as being the first authentic
report, coming from any source of national autho-
rity, upon the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851.
I1EP0RT OP M. BLANQUI.
The task lias devolved upon us to report to the
Institute the peculiar features of each of the na-
tions summoned to the Great Exhibition, to point
THE FRENCH INSTITUTE AND THE GREAT EXHIBITION,
i T an early stage of the Great Exhibition, the Institute of Franco deputed
two of its members. MiU. Chevalier and A, lihmqui, to examine and report |
upon that important European
undertaking. Their report drawn
up by Jr. Blanqui has recently
appeared, and a digest was given
„f it In tlio Illustrated London
jfeM, for December 13.
In the course of our perusal
oftliis paper, we met frequently
mill observations with which we
could not agree, in the extent at
least to which they went, and we
filt- tempted to discuss many of
these points with the writer in
detail, Upon reconsidering the
matter, however, wo thought it
best to lot this document speak
for itself to the judgment of our
readers, many of whom must
have more or loss of practical
acquaintance with the matters
of which it treats, and the] in-
terests which are involved in
One or two remarks, however, we must make, but very generally. It will
be scon that M. Blonqui is not chary as to the terms with which heministers
to the vanity of ht.s countrymen, and particularly in matters of "taste," in
which lie unhesitatingly awards
them the foremost rank, lonyo
vntervallo ahead of all the rest of
the world. Now, spite of nil
that has been dinned in our ears
upon this point, wo might feei
disposed to question the fact;
and to assert that French taste,
in furniture for instance, is for
the most part mere copying,
and that, uot with any settled
principle in the choice of models;
whilst in high art it is deci-
dedly lower than ours. The
only advantage ST. Blanqui allows
us, and by which he accounts
it were apologises for our
irity in useful manufac-
tures is our abundant command
of raw materials; . and therefore
ho argues for free trade, in order
to givo his fellow-country in on
Similar advantages. But thoro is
^0- 14, Jandabt 3, 18.
somethiitjr'moro which ho entirely overlooks, and
which is a more essential feature of our industrial
position than the mere command of raw staples,
and that is the command of capital,—the division
of labour,—the mutual co-operation of communi-
ties of men in relative situations of employer and
employed j all which are the result of our habitual
respect for the rights of property, and our confi-
dence in the stability of institutions. In justice
to that small, but sturdy and respectable republic,
Switzerland, also, whose two millions of inhabi-
tants set an example of frugality, industry, and
political integrity to the rest of continental
Europe, we must protest against her being placed
below the line of nations " organised for great
manufacturing production." Relatively to her she
and population, there is perhaps more strictly
manufacturing industry developed and employed
in Switzerland than in any other country—Eng-
land alone excepted; whilst tlio silk products
take nearly an equal rank with those of France
herself, and her muslins are unsurpassed.
Allowing, however, for some prejudices, and for
some shades of opinion, this document is ex-
tremely interesting, and will repay perusal. It is
remarkable, moreover, as being the first authentic
report, coming from any source of national autho-
rity, upon the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851.
I1EP0RT OP M. BLANQUI.
The task lias devolved upon us to report to the
Institute the peculiar features of each of the na-
tions summoned to the Great Exhibition, to point