The illustrated exhibitor: a tribute to the world's industrial jubilee (London, 1851)

THE ILLUSTRATED EXHIBITOR.

495

are likewise interesting. The successful application of
nhilosophy to manufacturing chemistry for a considerable
time has produced good results in this department of in-
dustry, it is a universally-admitted fact that, for some
of the more delicate chemical preparations, such as vege-
table alkaloids, the productions of the French manufac-
turer exel those of other nations. The grosser products
are likewise exhibited : in these, however,_ the same suc-
cess is not so manifest as in similar productions of British
exhibitors, probably because the latter are generally
manufactured on a very large and extensive scale. The
cements and various specimens of paints exhibited have
their special value and interest. Specimens of metals and
of skill in metallic
manipulation are also
shown; in particular,
some large specimens
of beaten copper and
rolled brass, and speci-
mens illustrative of the
iron manufactures. Ar-
ticles of prepared food
are also largely ex-
hibited.

A good collection of
machinery is likewise
shown. It includes,
among many objects of
interest, a large prime
mover in the form of a
turbine water-wheel, a
mechanical contrivance
for the development of
power from the descent
of water, of recent in-
troduction, and already
of extensive applica-
tion to the cotton and
silk factories of France,
and to other mills. The
power developed by the
fluid in motion is very
great, and the arrange-
ment of the machine
extremely compact and
effective. The mules
for cotton-spinning, the
carding engines for cot-
ton and wool, and the
endless paper - making
machines, form objects
of instructive compari-
son with the magnifi-
cent display of similar
machines in the British
collection. The kitchen
apparatus, boilers, and
numerous other ma-
chines, are likewise of
an instructive charac-
ter. The philosophical
instruments and mu-
sical instruments, in-
clusive of the organ in the nave, form also an interesting
group of objects. Optical instruments of different kinds
are exhibited in great perfection.

Among the manufactures, attention cannot fail to be
claimed by the gorgeous productions of the silk looms of
-Lyons, which are arranged in cases in the gallery. The
cotton manufactures, and those of wool and linen, are not
jess interesting. Wherever these admit of the introduc-
aon of a design, even in the commonest artic-les, there the
Peculiar and graceful indications of artistic feeling, which
render the patterns produced popular, even among those
wno may not be able to. recognise the cause of their har-
™°ay, are manifest. The skilful arrangement of many
oi these articles adds much to their attractiveness in the
-Ambition. The splendid tapestries of the Gobelins, and

■tK^T.Hi^Bia

SILVER, VASE.—M. MATIFAT, PARIS.

of other national manufactories, as that at Beauvais, form,
perhaps, one of the most interesting features of the whole
collection. They are accompanied by specimens also of
Sevres porcelain, the articles in which, inclusive of vases,
paintings, &c., are of great rarity and costliness. The
furniture exhibited partakes of the usual character of the
French "productions of this class, and many indicate the
employment of talent of a high order in their design and
execution.

This collection is extremely rich in those articles which
form so large and important a feature in Parisian industry
—articles of bijouterie, vertu, &c, and jewellery. The
multitude of objects exhibited in this class, and their

variety, strongly sug-
gest the idea of a great
demand for such ele-
gances, and of the ex-
istence of many skilful
designers occupied in
their production. The
beautiful display of
jewels exhibited by her
Majesty the Queen of
Spain, and the jeweller
of that court, attract
universal notice. The
specimens of paper and
printing exhibited in-
clude a number of ob-
jects of interest; and
the coloured and other
lithographs, and stereo-
types by new processes,
evidence much progress
in this department.
Photographs on paper
and on silver (Talboty pe
and Daguerreotype) are
exhibited, and form a
very interesting collec-
tion. The French pho-
tographers have made
great progress in the
art of the Talbotype
(an English discovery),
and beautiful pictures
taken by modifications
of that process are
shown. Those taken
on glass plates, of which
the positive pictures or
proofs only are shown,
are, in some instances,
taken by a process
largely employed to ob-
tain photographs for
the Eoyal Commis-
sioners in illustration
of the Juries' Reports.
Objects of sculpture
and of the fine arts are
likewise exhibited, and
add to the interest of
the collection. The whole collection forms a fit illustra-
tion, and also an adequate one, of the present state of the
industry of France ; and it is interesting to regard it, also,
as in some degree offering an exemplification of the effect
of exhibitions of industrial products upon the nature and
quality of the articles produced. The excellence and
abundance of the objects of minute art would appear to
indicate a high state of refinement; but their perfection
forms, however, an observable contrast to the state of
articles of a more ordinary character, and extensive de-
mand. Although much has been done in the improve-
ment of these articles, they do not admit of comparison
with the perfect execution and manufacturing skill dis-
played in those of a more costly description. That im-
provement in the manufacture of these commoner articles