DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1401#0240
188
THE ILLUSTKATED EXHIBITOR.
tained for herself half of the ground—the entire of the
western part of the Crystal Palace ; and it must he ac-
knowledged that she has so well filled it that she cannot
be blamed for having appropriated to herself the lion's
share. The space in the eastern side is divided—it must
be confessed somewhat unequally—among all the other
nations, and in this portion France bears the palm. The
transept is like the equator of this industrial world. China,
Tunis, Brazil, Persia, Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, are
grouped near to it like a kind of torrid zone. Conspicuous
among the colder regions stands Switzerland whose ex-
hibitors have distinguished themselves by their prompti-
tude and the happy arrangement of their contributions.
There they are united like the children of one family, with
exquisite taste and the most pleasing harmony. Be
assured they will create an impression.
Spain, and even Portugal, Italy and its different States,
have sent products, doubtless insufficient to exhibit their
agricultural and manufacturing position; but these second-
rate States have contributed works of art or raw materials
of a somewhat original character.
France was really not ready, and a few hours before the
opening, a crowd of exhibitors, in their shirt-sleeves, might
be seen hurriedly arranging their most beautiful wares.
As regards taste, art, and elegance, nothing was wanting;
and I may say that the general impression was, that France
was pre-eminent in its artistic superiority over all other
PORCELAIN DRINKING CUP. MUNICH.
nations. If I might venture to hazard an expression with-
out wounding any one, I would add, that all the products,
from whatever part they have come, have a common and
provincial appearance when compared with those of France.
The French articles alone bear that stamp of elegance which
is due to the talent of our designers, and to the incompar-
able skill of our artists. To execute anything to equal
them, other nations must deprive us of these, and, unfor-
tunately, the revolution of February has lost us more than
one. The United States, which occupy the eastern ex-
tremity of the large nave, and whose Eagle, with outstretched
wings, soars over the whole Exhibition, have sent mostly
raw materials, and few manufactures. It is said that they
have sulked, and it would be unjust to judge of their indus-
trial power from the specimens—moreover very remark-
able—which they have exhibited. Austria and the Zollve-
rein of Germany are the nations which, together with Bel-
gium, occupy the most distinguished rank after France.]
Austria exhibits products sufficiently remarkable to as-
tonish the most competent judges, and those best acquainted
with the country, from having made it thelr^spedaU^T
Russia is still behind hand ; but it is generally underS^'
that the contributions from that country, impatiently 1<K
for, will manifest a progress not less astonishing than fh»t *
Austria. dl °t
t That which struck at the first glance the most uractk^
judges, were the truly novel and curious raw materials fK
India, Australia, and the American colonies; amone tT
contributions of England the carriages, the machinery and
above all, the chemical products, which are admirable-!
prodigious ; in Austria the glass-work, shawls, and carver!
work; m Belgium, the lace and fire-arms; in Switzer
land, the muslins and ribbons ; in France, the works h
precious metals of Ondiot, the bronzes, the shawls, the
carpets, the cloths, and the woven goods of Alsace. "Wheu
you cast your eye upon this panorama of the industrial
world, your attention is so much divided that the sense
aches at it. But, be assured, that from henceforward the
English have inaugurated a new era. The whole world
will receive a lesson in that country where the peaceful
struggle of nations is proceeding with so much eclat.
In order to draw as much instruction as possible from this
inexhaustible field of study, it behoves us to omit nothing
essential. Everything here is so different from what we
are accustomed to see, and all has succeeded so well, that
we may find plenty of matter of useful information, if we
will lay aside for the nonce our natural pride. Thus, first
PORCELAIN DRINKING CUP.—MUNICH.
to speak only of the idea itself, the mere enunciation of it
was sufficient to excite the enthusiasm of all the leading
men of this country. They assembled; they calculated the
cost of an immense edifice, worthy of the undertaking;
they appealed to the most distinguished architectural talent
of all countries ; and when it became necessary to find the
requisite pecuniary resources, the Bank of England opened
its treasures upon the sole condition of obtaining security
for the sums it might advance. Immediately the highest
and wealthiest of the land hastened to co-operate in this
great national work by offering the guarantee of their
fortunes. Noblemen came forward, some to become secu-
curity for £8,000, some for £20,000, others for £40,000.
One private individual is said to have subscribed to the
guarantee fund for £50,000. So much for confidence.
Whilst this significant proof of the confidence oi the
wealth of England was given, the subscribers for the season-
tickets added their guarantee to that of their munificent
countrymen who so spiritedly had come forward to carrj
out this grand project, which originated in France, PU,
like many others, with such barren results for our■ counuy.
It is now almost placed beyond doubt that the undcrtaJJ! °t
will not only bo most advantageous to England, but tn
there will be a large pecuniary surplus. Mr. Paxton, v»
THE ILLUSTKATED EXHIBITOR.
tained for herself half of the ground—the entire of the
western part of the Crystal Palace ; and it must he ac-
knowledged that she has so well filled it that she cannot
be blamed for having appropriated to herself the lion's
share. The space in the eastern side is divided—it must
be confessed somewhat unequally—among all the other
nations, and in this portion France bears the palm. The
transept is like the equator of this industrial world. China,
Tunis, Brazil, Persia, Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, are
grouped near to it like a kind of torrid zone. Conspicuous
among the colder regions stands Switzerland whose ex-
hibitors have distinguished themselves by their prompti-
tude and the happy arrangement of their contributions.
There they are united like the children of one family, with
exquisite taste and the most pleasing harmony. Be
assured they will create an impression.
Spain, and even Portugal, Italy and its different States,
have sent products, doubtless insufficient to exhibit their
agricultural and manufacturing position; but these second-
rate States have contributed works of art or raw materials
of a somewhat original character.
France was really not ready, and a few hours before the
opening, a crowd of exhibitors, in their shirt-sleeves, might
be seen hurriedly arranging their most beautiful wares.
As regards taste, art, and elegance, nothing was wanting;
and I may say that the general impression was, that France
was pre-eminent in its artistic superiority over all other
PORCELAIN DRINKING CUP. MUNICH.
nations. If I might venture to hazard an expression with-
out wounding any one, I would add, that all the products,
from whatever part they have come, have a common and
provincial appearance when compared with those of France.
The French articles alone bear that stamp of elegance which
is due to the talent of our designers, and to the incompar-
able skill of our artists. To execute anything to equal
them, other nations must deprive us of these, and, unfor-
tunately, the revolution of February has lost us more than
one. The United States, which occupy the eastern ex-
tremity of the large nave, and whose Eagle, with outstretched
wings, soars over the whole Exhibition, have sent mostly
raw materials, and few manufactures. It is said that they
have sulked, and it would be unjust to judge of their indus-
trial power from the specimens—moreover very remark-
able—which they have exhibited. Austria and the Zollve-
rein of Germany are the nations which, together with Bel-
gium, occupy the most distinguished rank after France.]
Austria exhibits products sufficiently remarkable to as-
tonish the most competent judges, and those best acquainted
with the country, from having made it thelr^spedaU^T
Russia is still behind hand ; but it is generally underS^'
that the contributions from that country, impatiently 1<K
for, will manifest a progress not less astonishing than fh»t *
Austria. dl °t
t That which struck at the first glance the most uractk^
judges, were the truly novel and curious raw materials fK
India, Australia, and the American colonies; amone tT
contributions of England the carriages, the machinery and
above all, the chemical products, which are admirable-!
prodigious ; in Austria the glass-work, shawls, and carver!
work; m Belgium, the lace and fire-arms; in Switzer
land, the muslins and ribbons ; in France, the works h
precious metals of Ondiot, the bronzes, the shawls, the
carpets, the cloths, and the woven goods of Alsace. "Wheu
you cast your eye upon this panorama of the industrial
world, your attention is so much divided that the sense
aches at it. But, be assured, that from henceforward the
English have inaugurated a new era. The whole world
will receive a lesson in that country where the peaceful
struggle of nations is proceeding with so much eclat.
In order to draw as much instruction as possible from this
inexhaustible field of study, it behoves us to omit nothing
essential. Everything here is so different from what we
are accustomed to see, and all has succeeded so well, that
we may find plenty of matter of useful information, if we
will lay aside for the nonce our natural pride. Thus, first
PORCELAIN DRINKING CUP.—MUNICH.
to speak only of the idea itself, the mere enunciation of it
was sufficient to excite the enthusiasm of all the leading
men of this country. They assembled; they calculated the
cost of an immense edifice, worthy of the undertaking;
they appealed to the most distinguished architectural talent
of all countries ; and when it became necessary to find the
requisite pecuniary resources, the Bank of England opened
its treasures upon the sole condition of obtaining security
for the sums it might advance. Immediately the highest
and wealthiest of the land hastened to co-operate in this
great national work by offering the guarantee of their
fortunes. Noblemen came forward, some to become secu-
curity for £8,000, some for £20,000, others for £40,000.
One private individual is said to have subscribed to the
guarantee fund for £50,000. So much for confidence.
Whilst this significant proof of the confidence oi the
wealth of England was given, the subscribers for the season-
tickets added their guarantee to that of their munificent
countrymen who so spiritedly had come forward to carrj
out this grand project, which originated in France, PU,
like many others, with such barren results for our■ counuy.
It is now almost placed beyond doubt that the undcrtaJJ! °t
will not only bo most advantageous to England, but tn
there will be a large pecuniary surplus. Mr. Paxton, v»