The Express. — London, England, 1851-06-07 00:00:00

•••• r. ,t,/lk if az co4c". 41- porm=7=slwieliailwriNlNGOV t rt ' 1. t.. 1 No. '1,493.] [No. 24, EXHIBITION EXPRESS.] EXHIBITION EXPRESS, 7, 1851. OaNTEN'TS OF THE WAS PALACE. The daguerreotype in its different branded b re invented in the upper gallery of the wedunddebion of the Great ExkliMes. Then are to labia the dabbed plates, and the nieldielem kil=t robs and sad elsseeleal teal whet every day boil to facilitate its idles. edged Ile ernma, aid redo* the abh ef Mari be sees beemene, we hawsbeem ; b that be one his eseiedy been illit in furthering the sr% chili it embed at tlestined to be a eatable andliary. When Mr. Arego first announced SIN indiest discovery, tiereganiell it with the us that its ova. wall extend as far as delbesting the ad. ailed henbane of Thebes, Mearghiso and Lady Ala . ay, dpwards of deem years Arsebleroglyphice have net mods *dr I=e. The tact being, that in a ids mini& as to the relative sweet still sml weelhus henries for alb et Ace egesereotne t It wee soon dissevers& the iheese - il Incouse skies of the must ameba nest ed Ike light, which is more abundantly In our cloed and less favoured climes. ;Mt eq, after this, that in this respect England is budaned by far the most favourable spot hl which the peculiar excellencies of the *digraphic processes can be demonstrated., To have done at once with remonstrance, it is u well line to lament that the opportunity now offered time of filly rooogaisag the daises of 2W°rNiepce to a large share in the discovery' u s ot have been seized. No one will grudge Mr. Daguerre the distinction of having the inscrip tion, " inventor of the art," labelled to his portrait ; though the name would, perhaps, more correctly apply to him, who, by wearisome experiments, brought the art to the verge of discovery by which another profited. Twenty years after Niepce but without the least intimation, of course, of his discovery, Mr. Fox Tal bot found the means of fixing by mechanical means the pictures reflected in the camera. It has been said that Talbotypes, Calotypes, photographs--xll different designations of the same thing—were de stined finally to supersede the Daguerreotypes: there is, however, little reason now afforded to be lieve this the cane ; on the contrary, they seem marked for different purposes the ono for faithful and trustworthy delineations of the coun tenance; the other seems destined more particularly for architectural and botanical purposes...wherever, in fact, minute intricacies of form are to be rendered, the power of the paper photograph is unapproach able, and with its aid obstacles are surmounted with comparative ease which formerly would have defied the utmost patience and skill. As an instance may be cited the intention of the spirited proprietors of the Illustrated London News to publish a monster panorama of the interior of the Exhibition; far which purpose Mr. Beard may be seen at work everymorn ing from an early hour, when silence and quiet as yet reign in the interior of the Crystal Palace. There was a time when people described sit ting for their portraits as almost an act of heroism — when they surrendered themselves to the mercy of the Daguerreotype operator; when it was necessary to face the sun's glare without blinking ; when it was considered a high misdemeanour to move a single hair-breadth, for an unlimited amount of time, with the contingencies awaiting his complaisant en durance, of finding the delineator utterly dejected at his partial success. All these are mere reminiscences of the past, and mainly owing to the successful exer tions of Mr. Claudet in discovering the accelerating processes. His plates proclaim the superiority of the appliances he is so justly proud of. Here the appa ratus is adapted for all sorts of object glasses, whe ther with short or long focus, simple or combined; and are thus rendered capable of adaptation to the increasing facilities of operating, and especially the improved lenses continually introduced. By this means, Mr. Claudet seems to vary his sizes either at the caprice or according to the capa cities of the sitter; thus we have a striking likeness of M. Guizot in small dimensions, whilst the noble ARTICLES IN PAPIER MACHE. countenance and figure of Alboni are enlarged in pro portion. As we look at the array of these portraits, It has often been said to our tourists who rush we fancy they are not so much spmking as listening annually across the channel, and up the Rhine, and down likenesses; whether caused by the anxious desire to all sorts of out-of-the-way places, that if they would only hear the great organ close by, which never will begin by exploring the natural branches of their own gig, or to the pleasant tunes of fifty pianos which island, they would there find quite as much gratification, *e:hiving to make up together the deficiency, it at one-fourth the expense, and one-twentieth part the labou would be rash to determine. and fatigue. A remark somewhat similar will apply to In close conuexion with the works of Mr. Claudet, the visitors at the Great Exhibition. They all rush simul are exposed in neat order the chemical taneously down the foreign end of the nave in search of the combinations, which are principally used on pho- beautiful, forgetting, or, perhaps, not expecting, that there togmphic plates : they are exhibited by G. Knight are in the British department objects of the most varied de and Sons, of Foster-lane. First is noticed, because scription, and quite as worthy of inspection as the contri the latest introduced, that which is labelled " collo- Wiens of our continental neighbours. Among there dims," a solution of gun-cotton and ether, when this the various articles in papier mdche hold a deservedly high fluid is used, the plate seems to contain two different plane. This beautiful and plastic substance is, ants name images, and when reversed, the lights are changed imports, formed from the humblest possible materials as is the case in damask cloths. Next is the chloride of Until of late years, soups of paper, the refuse of the count gold, first invented by Fizeau, for which Mr. Beard big-house and the shop, were alone used, and being beaten wishes to substitute the enamelling process, thereby into a pulp, were formed into those pretty little tabalieres enabling the plate to be washed without risk, which the French, the original discoverers of the art, sent Bromine, iodine, and cyanide-potassium, and other over as t h e on l y f ru i ts o f th e i r i nvent i on . Some years chemical mixtures are exhibited. since, however, England adopted the manufacture, and, as Mr. Kilburn, Mr. Mayall, and Mr. Beard, have all in the case of many of the useful and ornamental arts which given their sanction to the fashion of colouring the we have borrowed from our neighbours, has so far *nip d Daguerreotype, against which heresy all remon u n her teachers as to make the article applicable improve :trancehas hitherto failed, from the pardonable de. sc . . . almost infinite variety of purposes, and sueptible of an sire to enliven that which must ever remain sombre. amount of ornament, both in form and superficial decor Mr. Mayall also exhibits a group of "Bacchus bon, which the al abr . ans never contemplated. Rear and Ariadne," said to be the largest photograph . great improvem a e rig nt, t and f the ' Le of which she alone under ever executed; it is remarkable, perhaps less hands the management, is a total change in the preparation for the purity of its lines than for the novel darken of the raw material. Instead of scraps of paper collected in ing of the ground.work, which is subsequently added discriminately and beatenlinto a pulp, to be subsequently by a process which remains a secret. In some groug of children, Mr. Mayall has made such success moulded into the desired form, a peculiar paper is now arrangement* of composition as to entitle him to the manufactured for the purpose, and being laid sheet over honours of the true artist. Messrs. Henneman and sheet to the desired thickness is then stamped into shape, to Malone, of Regent-street, exhibit Talbot } ' be subsequently varnished and painted. This is th e pes tinted method practised at Birmingham, now the head by means of caustic potash and a lead salt; also specimens of Sir J. Herschelrs cyanotype and chry- quarters of the art. The number of specimens at sotype, Hunt's chromatype, &c. the Exhibition is not very great, but quite s a t Cwe are to judge by the numerous examples of dent to show the elegant capabilities of the ma -1 teriaL and the native power of competing with fo the art sent over from America, it seems that the feigner' in beauty of design and artistic decoration. Mew* " pencil of nature" is just as popular across the At lantic RS it is with us. It can scarcely be said, how- Jennens and Betbridge, of London and Birmingham, have ever, that the average amount of character they ex- the largest display, and show great taste in the adaptation hibit is not precisely of that kind one would wish of some of the most graceful of nature's forms to the per perpetuated, and our Exhibition walls are plainly poses of practical utility. The shell of the nautilus forms distanced. Mr. Brady, whose lithographic portraits the body of the Victoria Begin Cot, a perfect temptation to are favourably known, has brought over the originals " pawns about to marry." Nothing can be more beautiful from which they were taken in the first instance; in form, or more chaste in decoration. We hold that i Calhoun, Taylor, and Case, Jenny Lind, and Tom would be quite impossible for even the most obdurate baby Thentb, show the wide-spread demand for celebri- (and there arc some Turks) to squall in such a little oscil *A There are some pleasant family pictures, e m s. lating paradise. The oriental reposing chair is a gorgeous het la their was, k is " Ostade transported f rom adaptation of the form popularly known ea the American lamb be le Broadway." By the Hyalotype pro. rocking chair, but without the rocking power which is see ohm hr the magic lantern or dissolving so essential to Brother Jonathan's notions of repose. The elem. whin have hitherto been clumsily done by beck turns over at the top in the form of a canopy, upon hisg, coos be execu t e d f a ithf u lly i n all their details which the capabilities of papier macho for ornament are as the idistograph from which they are taken. displayed in elaborate gilding and colouring. The seat and It h a remarkable circumstance, that whilst back are lined with crimson velvet, matting it altogether we show a decided preference for the daguerreotype, the very beau ideal of oriental repose and luxury. " The far the invention of which we are indebted Day Dreamer's" chair is of the same family, and quite as ale Ole Preach, they in their turn seem to leave it worthy of commendation. There is also a Sheireptanis chair, 1119 he fate and to choose the Talbotype in its stead. quite as authentic and much more bewail than meat of 2111 admirable qualities of tone, texture, and exqui- the Stratford-upon Avon relics; but judisseseipsh es to dile finish are admirably brought to the test in the observe that the portrait of the bard is dr back h net to be found in the Fine Arts Court, exhi- quit a facsimile of the amides. A beeelltal 1 10 1 7Nr. D. 0. Hill, of Edinburgh, the views of cottage piano, inlaid with mother-o'-peari, whisk se well as the fisher-women and men of New- Sees the more important portion of News. hamar, haves. ire s instances of the truth of the contributions, the remainder consisting of work-tablese The Council of Chairmen of Juries or the Royal &wok miss , d • g, with its broad manes of chess-tables, secretaires, and other articles, with which the Camirlis seer the Promotion of die Exhibition of the ash for rich browns. The pro- public are already familiar in papier /Mehl, the only Wolin et Jadlostry of All Nanam, lad a sainting at en imam= Des i big m oo d". ? mos t : —ci ag . Kr. OMB et the t 4elegraphie art are so d = well novelty being the adoption of a sew rooms milled gem- Iffilleril DAL 6 (a% Earl Jersey. I. General Peenelet. known that scarce need being here. enamelling in the decorations, by which the lids, etc., are h iesu r vi t Breiii. 8. Baron DaPid• 81r David Sulam it to say that the negative,m which the lights made to appear as if inlaid with pearls , emeralds, and . 10 (111). ar 1 1 . B. BiamT: 11 . Mr. P hilli p and shadows are precisely the reverse of what they rabies. This has a mbar brilliant ellhst, hat we babe Fib" for air sus Andrews 12. awe von Henuaaa. ate Datum is placed directly on the side of another whether an adherence to the pm* el dhesullee */sat lft 18. Mx G. T. 14. Gaud van Barrack . 15. M. J. may, hr ire To , n os p er g en . 16. Hes. Coy sheet of paper, which has been brushed over would not MOM advance the bib if set s were 111 bar- Anna. le. Mr. Hilary Tether. 19. Professor Bailey. with a solution of nitrate, receive the positive. monised mess teantindly with de =We of islslmltL IL Ilse. Name On*. 23. Dec b Lvesse- 2 5 Dl** Plates of glass are interposed to remedy extreme Clay and Co., Hiarizeet, Caveat Garden , embilbees it 1111 Bower. a. P istrucei shades. While some laud the important point of thus toilette table in the Loafs Quince style, ef ilia tie 11. Viessia ambig. SO. Harr van Viscount . Omni . essiona " bar. Dr. Lyon n ay s* ma Lent. ouvinttng tae expense of the metallic plate, others principal beauty lies is the ins, the iseends• Wel meg usallase. Biagio oat merits ot ea artistic order. To all they beteg fez hen debate*. Sew reseal hutoestioss FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JUNE 7. THE VISITORS TO THE GLASS PALACE. Visitors have been directed to examine the Exhi bition with various objects. On the one hand, they halm beet told that the great bazaar is simply to be illitsilin a picturesque light; on the other hand , lmen maintained that a fund of knowledge awl& In sabered within Mr. Paxtoe's glass house. Cis an& hum the industrial history of the world, mid= the enthusiastic advocate of education: go, MIN yourselves and gratify the eye, exclaim those imilviduals who regard the matter merely as an wenn for holiday mabieg. And the constant /*hoc will soot rem* that these two direc tions me fully .'cried oat—that the visitors to the Reibibition divide thesamares into two distinct close's, gir..--thoes who go to learn and those who go is MOPS 6sesegvas or, in other words, to *dr sudaity. Oa tin Wiling days, when the warm I • meet Waal. Oleo two dams an par , tozre broadly meritad than on the "select" co- And ink 4 **serious classes, who endes wow to beam somethp in the brain. These are of all es of society. Mark them well. They linger or half-an-hour over the cotton machinery, ppeeeeriring into its mysteries with anxious eyes—rcgardkas of the crowds about them—wholly wrapped up in the complication of iron moving har moniously and with a purpose before them. Of these the smart mechanic is a prominent specimen. Ile notes every point—talks excitedly to his comrades, and begins, as he discovers new improvements for the economy of handicraft, to speculate upon the ulti mate effect machinery will have upon him and his. Poor man, he does not see the end of it. He is lost in doubt. Sadly ho dreams of a time when patent engines will do all—when the labour of human hands will be worthless, andeteam will have the lordly rule everywhere. Not yet can ho comprehend the great blessing that is to further free mankind from the bondage of the animal, and give to all more lei sure for the practice of that intellectual labour which is beyond the creations of Brunel and Jacquard. Ile panes on. His eye glows before the varnished looms of Ilarrison and others. His keen sense of the ingenious is quickened before the working models of collieries—the quarrying machinery —the printing machinery. He posses from one wonder to another, heedless of his neigh bours— bent only upon seeing all the won ders of which he has read for months past, that he may explain them to friends at home. You hear him telling to a friend he has just met the prodi gious labour be has performed--how he has been in cessantly on his legs since the morning—how he was at the doors before they were open—and how he has planned the rest of the day. Idlers lounge about the transept--and feast at the refreshment stalls, but the mechanic hi a a determina tion to see and understand everything. He examines the fabrics with a knowing look—he stands proudly by while the skilled weaver, surrounded by , a dense throng of visitors, works at his loom—he asks shrewd I questions of the attendants, and at intervals, when he ' is particularly pleased, makes notes of his impressions. ' Hi will assuredly carry away with him a lesson that will bearita fruit of good to him for life. He will hence forth have an enlarged view of the industrial scheme. His class prejudices may suffer abatement. Near him stands another student, often; one whom ho ' hes been ignorantly and mischievously taught to regard as his enemy—the manufacturer. This visitor pursues his labours quietly, and without any ebulli tions of excitement. He is severely critical. 'Anxious to find anything superior to things within his expe rience, that he may shape his course according to their promise, he is yet loth to acknowledge supe riority in strange quarters. He moves about very seriously. At times he sits down to pore over the catalogue. Then he starts up to find some novelty. The Exhibition is to him truly a great study. In his vicinity strange foreigners arc grouped, engaged in earnest conversation. They are fiery, restless running here and there to take in everything at a glance. They contrast oddly enough with the sedate Englishman. Yet they are on a grave mission. It is their business to report to their country the condition of foreign industries as re vealed in the Great Exhibition. How lightly is the responsibility borne ! It is a mere jest, to be done with cheerfulness Yet it will be intelligently per formed—couched in familiar phrases, but conveying shrewd conjectures and much artistic culture. Nut far off stands the grave professor—his finger pressed to his lips, his eye netted, his expression ab stracted. Not a crank of the engine escapes him. Every cog-wheel is understood; every bend, every movement has, to him, its evident use. It is given to him to analyse the web of cranks and wheels—to reject the clumsy' and :detect improve ments. lie carriesa substantial note-book with him, and the merely curious crowd about him look at him with wonder. They are at a loss to understand his mission, or what he finds to write about in the me chanism before him. These serious visitors, however, do not comprehend the majority of those who pay their money at the doors; comparatively few go . with the pre-determi nation to take lessons in the industry of the world. They are attracted thither as they are allured to other exhibitions which have awakened their curio sity. They are told that it is something of which they can form no conception—a page from the Arabian Nights—a fairy dream—something to re member to their dying day—and so on. Yet it would he bold to assert that even the lightest sad most frivolous of the visitors—of those who go laughing through the gorgeous avenues , elbowing their neighbours and feasting in every court—it would be bold to assert that even these will not re tain general impressions of beauty, more potent perhaps for good purposes, than the superficial are willing to allow. It is further to be remarked that vast numbers of quaker. (their formal costume contrasting strangely with the gay colours of the general visitors) have visited the Exhibition. They are to be seen daily in large bands making their way through the narrow punages, and going through the labour of examina tion with dauntless pertinacity. They &peer to excite great curiosity among the femignere, who are at a loss how to class them, or to account for dresses so at variance with the ge neral fashions of the English people. Not less no ticeable than the studious and other visitors, are the dandies who congregate daily in the vicinity of the great glass fountain, having for the time deserted ent-street for the larger public to be found in the World's Bazaar. Of the ladies it is particularly . to be remarked that they study the artificial Bowers in tensely, cluster thickly about the cases of shawls and dolls, and have a prodigious estimate of the gal lantry of the exhibitors who have set Eau de Co logne and other scented fountains at .work for their However great the reputation of our continental atiukbean is eanamental art generally, in the application et that art to the manufacture of metallic geode England holds by no means an unimportant position, so far as the exposition in Hyde-park affords the opportunity of judging. These wbo have visited the great aides of 005• tinental Europe, and bare observed bow is gamest all arti cles of domestic use beauty of design is made to blend with utility of purpose—and in none more so than in chandeliers and other media for the distribution of artificial light— might bare expected that in this breach of ituinetry we should lays bees left far behbidhand ; Ittt so ter Mathis being the caw England bolds the first place is the great competition. Of our lamp makers those of Bir mingham decidedly stand first, and their contributions afford a pleasing evidence of the rapid progress which our manufacturers have made of late peers, com paratively, in the art of designing.—Winfield, et Birmingham, exhibits several ♦ery beautiful chandeliers, for gas, in metal, glass, and porcelain, in which figures, animals, and flowers, are harmoniously grouped. Them are some pretty standard lights by the same maker imitat ing poppies, lilies, and other flowers, the cups being of glass or porcelain appropriately coloured, the leaves of meW. The Dorothea, in Parian marble, supported on leaves of the trumpet lily, the blossoms drooping over the head of the figure, forms a group for • tasteful three-light branch lamp. By a notification attached it appears that her Majesty has patronised this design. Potts, of Birmingham, have several handsome Grecian hanging lamps, one in the arabesque style, which is peculiarly light and elegant, and in which cranes in full Right, arranged in a novel and effective manner, form the branches., together with several pedestal candelabra in bronze and ormolu, all meritorious. Amongst the other ex hibitors in this branch of art are Messengers, of Birmingham, Salt and Lloyd, also of Birmingham, the latter of whom have a hanging lamp for six gas or oil lights, the body and stem of porcelain, enamelled in gold, ornamented with bronze and ormolu foliage and medallions, with figures in high relief. There is another chandelier by the same makers, the bronze branches of which form vine stems, as natural and fantastic in their growth as though moulded from the tree itself. These stems are clothed in foliage, and relieved by golden fruit, the body and upper part being composed of transparent ruby-eolonred glass. The general eff,ci of this design is original and quaint, and, at the tame time, pleasing. These articles were designed and ma nufactured by Messrs. Gray, Martin, and Gray, of 14, Gough Square, and of Birmingham. Gray, of Birmingham, and Deane, of London-bridge, likewise show some creditable spe cimens : the latter exhibits a small gas chandelier, which has been selected by the Prince of Prussia. Messrs. Sousse (Brothers), Marchont, Laguire, and several other Pari sian makers, display a number of metal candelabra and lamps of various descriptions, in which gorgeousness of gilding and colour are the chief characteristics. In front of the Russian compartment arc a pair of rich and massive candelabra in gold, supported on tripod pedestals, the body of the columns being composed of China jars and other ornaments, mounted with gilt figures carrying the branches, which are either for candles or lamps. Corneille and Co., of Philadelphia, have a pair of richly-ornamented chande liers, and a number of table lamps; the latter remarkable rather for their utility than their beauty. LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, hays a secret charm, that of rendering the minutest wonders of the forest thicket, and the gothic structure. In the foreign departments will be found some admirable architectural specimens. Mr. Fla- CiICTOII sends from Rome views of the Forum, the Colim and the Trojan Column, which would a century ago have saved a vast deal of toil to the masterly hand of Pinned. Here also, behind the French furniture, are reminiscences in the same style of the exhibition of paintings, parti cularly a " Greek Interior" by Oerome, which attracted considerable notice. In taking a final earvey of these unique works, it is impsible not to be struck with the evidently ben e in fluence they have had in instilling a greater reverence for nature throughout all the ranks of the artistic community, an influence, let us add, also shared by our continental neighbours. in the form of treys also appear in this stand, the doll pattern being substituted for the ordinary shape, and some Tet7 fine tints being brought out in the colouring. The ultramarinee struck us as being particu larly brilliant, and the colour of one which the manufac turer mills the plum tint, is quite a novelty in papier miebt. These exhibitors have also various specimens of chess and week tables, cue of which was pointed out to us as being stolen front one of Cott/smokes beautiful interiors in the " Old Curiosity Shop." On the opposite side of the nave stands a large glass case, devoted to the handiwork of Messes. Spins, of Oxford, who immortalise their native and most learned city in every possible point of view and upon every peesibie variety of article. We have Oxford from the ileldsond Oxford tress the river, Oxford en ballot', and Oxford in the streets, Oxford colleges, Oxford balls, Oxford staircases, and Oxford seals. These paint ings, which are scattered over writing-decks, chess-tables, secretaries, work-boxes, snuff-boxes, and letter-boxes, are all beautifully executed, and only want a little less mono tony of subject to render them generally attractive. The last of the papier mtchde seriee, but certainly not the least attractive, is the collection of trays sent up by Mr. Walter, of Wolverhampton. These articles pretend to no great novelty in form, or elaboration of gilding, for success, but solely on their pictorial embellishments, which are decidedly of high merit, both in design and execution. One set is called "The National," and typifies England, Ireland, and Scotland. For England we have Windsor Castle; for Scotland, Rolyrood ; while Ireland is represented by the romantic Oleugariff. On another set is painted beautiful vise is the Bay of Naples and on the third and most a:a , bitioss, the mialseslnd Faust outlines of Bench are at tempted to be filled up. The first two series of designs are unexceptionable, the drawing, colouring, and perspective, being quite of a superior order; but we doubt whether Retsch would consider his idea of Mephistopheles carried out by the rather conical looking and obese gentleman from Tartarus who figures in the Faust tableaux. But Mephistopheles in a slender outline, and Mephistopheles full blown on a tea tray, are two different things, and we must not be hypercritical. The jury visited this collection yesterday, and we wager it stands well in the betting. PAPER, BOOKBINDING, AND PRINTLNG. If the Egyptian, who, according to Isodorus, made the first broad sheet from the fibres of the papyrus at Memphis, were suddenly to emerge from his cerecloth, and take his stand in the nave, opposite the area appro priated to British paper, bookbinding, and printing, he would most probably be a little astonished at the sheet of " double long elephant," which, hanging down from the very roof, coils up the greater portion of its unwieldy bulk upon the stand of the Messrs. Spicer, Brothers, its manu facturing parents. This mammoth sheet is 2, 6 00 yards in ' length, and double the breadth formerly used in the trade. As a proof how art can stimulate manufactures, and me chanical ingenuity can minister to art, it may he men tioned, that paper of this enormous size was not thought of, until the project of filling Westminster Hall with cartoons, made it necessary that a new material should be found. The Meiers. Spicer also exhibit a very interesting series of the material of which paper is made, beginning with the broken-up nightcaps, fragments of old linen, and ending in the fine and colourless pulp which forms the last stage of prepara tion previous to the production of those beautiful sheets of "hot-pressed" and "cream-laid" upon which sonnets are penned, and invitations to diuner in Bel gravia or Tyburnia indicted. The finest rags, it appears, come from Hungary, but they are latterly becoming scarcer and scarcer, so, thanks to our excise laws, the manufacture of paper is rapidly increasing on the continent. Mr. Joyn son (St. Mary's Cray) exhibits on the same stand an almost endless variety of " Bank post," "blue wove," cream laid, and wove letter and note paper, all of a quality which need not much fear competition. The peculiar neatness of the fancy wrappers showed how fast we are treodiug on the heels of the foreigners, even in those minor mutters of taste in which we formerly confessed our deficiency. Next to the Messrs. Spicer, De la Rue and Co. have collected an almost endless variety of that fancy stationery for which their house has long been famous ; but the crowds whcih during the whole day surrounded the wonderful envelope folder rendered anything more than a bird's eye view of the stationary im possible. We were able, however, to catch a glimpse at the specimens of varnished paper for ornamental purposes, ups n which the iridescent colours are produced solely by the means of colourless varnish in great perfection. Some of the specimens shone like a drake's neck, and in others a perfect imitation of mother-of-pearl is produced. The bookbinding in this department is in great force, and excellent in quality. There is somewhat of monotony , in general character but occasiona ll y graceful and noel innovations are obs erved. Remnant, hilinonds, and Co. have some splendid specimens in rusina and morocco, and their antiques also are deserving of commendation. Bartitt and Co., Fleet-street, devote themselves to ecclesiastical bindings, and exhibit some fine specimens in carved woad and polished oak, upon which by the aid of the electro type some beautiful metallic ornaments are encrusted. Mr. John Wright imitates the lighter stiles of the continent in vellum and other bindings very successfully. lalacomic (Bedford -square) has a beautiful Bible in built and tortoiseshell ; and the Messrs. Ackermann fully sustain their reputation by various fine specimens. Of the re mainder of the exhibitors in this section it may be said that there is a general excellence highly worthy of commendation, but without any striking peculiarity requiring especial notice. Every variety of bookbinding is worthily repre sented, and the visitor who devotes a portion of his time to their inspection will go away satisfied that it has not been thrown away. The reader will expect to hear that the specimens of printing and type-founding are first-rate. Messrs. Bradbury and Evans exhibit some beautiful speci mens of typography. The initated will visit with both wonder and pleasure Figgins'a wonderful " form" of pearl type, containing 220,000 pieces of moveable metal, and weighing 110 lbs. In this specimen the perfect geometrical truth of type manufacture is evidenced by the fact that the whole of these minute pieces are kept together solely by the lateral pressure of what is technically called locking up." Millar and Richard (Edinburgh), exhibit a beautiful specimen ofpriuting in the minute type called "Brilliant ;" but we doubt whether the trouble of the founder has not been thrown away, as it could not be read with any satisfaction without a powerful magnifying glass. There are various other specimens in this section comprising all the improvements which have recently been introduced into this all-important art. We have electrotype printing, anastatic printing, and stereo type, with all the varieties of plain and ornamental print ing. And lastly, a most ingenious folding machine, in vented by Black (Edinburgh), in which, when the printer has done with the sheet, it is folded up in the book form with magic celerity and precision. Those who arc ac quainted with printing will had much to entertain and in struct them in this sectioa ; and those who are not, will ob tain a tolerable insight into its mysteries. We cannot leave this area without noticing two features which, to our mind, are not the least important in the exhibition. The one is Mr. Paxton's original blotting paper design for the Crystal Palace, and the other is the case of Bibles exhibited by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in all the various known languages of the . world. On looking at the former, which has now a histo , rice' interest, one cannot help feeling gratified at seeing that the whole of the main features of the Exhibition build ' ing were comprised in the original sketch. Even the transept, since the object of so much admiration, is there ; and, for the rest, there has been little or no alteration, ex . cept in matters of detail. Let no one, then, attempt to di vide the laurel: to Mr. Paxton alone belongs the eoncep ' ti nof the Crystal Palace. The Bibles are a monument of ' British energy, scholarship, and disinterested zeal in the I cause of eternal truth. Let our foreign friends look at this unpretending glans case, containing the results of so , much cost, so much labour, aye and so much life, and then say whether the English have only the our( sacra fames to ' stimulate them in all their labours. TIIE MINERALS FROM THE COLONIES. Of the nature and value of the mineral produc tions of our colonies we have had no satisfactory know ledge until only recently, and it still remains very imperfect. Some very rich deposits of metallic ores have been disco vered and in some cases extensively worked, but in these instances more is to be aseribeil to accident than to any systematic examination of the geological features of the country. In some of our colonies, however, the advantages of such surveys have been appreciated, and grants of money devoted to carrying them out. The collection of minerals in the Glass Palace from Canada coutains some of the re sults of the survey . of that country by Mr. Logan, who is one of the principal exhibitors. 'the whole collection occupies a considerable apace in the south-west side of the building, between the stairs and the mediaeval court. The first object which attracts attention is the native gold, of which two cases of specimens arc exhibited, one by Mr. Logan, the other by the Chaudiere Mining Company. Mr. Logan states that gold is found thinly disseminated in the gravel, sand, and clay of nearly all the country on the south east side of the Green Mountains, where they are prolonged into Canada, and extending over an area of be tween 3,000 and 4.000 miles. The company's specimens are from seven localities on the Chaudiere and its tributa ries in the same mountains. Some of the pieces must weigh several ounces, the rest is in fine grains. To the right of these cases arc some very fine specimens of iron ores. Mr. Logan and Dr. Wilson exhibit the magnetic iron ores in large blocks, containing from 60 to 70 per cent. of iron. This is one of the richest ores of iron and yields metal of exceedingly good quality, especially adapted for conversion into steel. It is from this kind of ore that the famed iron of Sweden is made. Immense deposits of it exist in North America. The Marmon iron Company exhibit pig iron, smelted at their works from the magnetic iron ore of that district. Mr. Proulx exhibits specimens of bog iron on , , from the Riviiwe du Chine. Captain Morin, nod the lion. J. Fer rier, similar specimens, containing from 40 to i 0 per cent. of iron. Mr. Logan also exhibits a numerous collection of rich iron ores; one titaniferous, found at Sutton; and although there is abundance of wood, and water power in the imme diate neighbourhood, it is sent a distance of more than 100 miles, to Troy, in Vermont, to be smelted. A great number of these ores are not worked at all, although so valuable. One of the beds of magnetic iron ore, at South Crosby, near the Rideau Canal, is stated by Mr. Logan to lie2oo feet thick, and to contain 70 per cent. of iron, with plenty of fuel near. This collection of iron minerals is one of very great interest. The copper ores from the Bruce Mines, Lake Huron, are exhibited by the Montreal Mining Company, together with the metal smelted there, and the native copper and silver from Lake Superior. The copper ores are principally pyrites, and tolerably rich. Mr. Badgely sends specimens of the silver ores from Prince's Location, Lake Superior, and the silver extracted from them. Mr. Logan exhibits specimens of arsenical sulphuret of nickel, which occurs in strings in the Wallace Mine, Lake Huron, which are supposed to lead to a main lode, as yet undiscovered. These specimens contain 13 per cc at. of nickel. Ile also exhibits a specimen of ilmenite, containing, ac cording to analysis, 48.60 per cent. of oxide of titanium, and 37 of oxide of iron. The lion. Harwood exhibits some plumbago which is found at Grenville in a vein a foot thick. It appears to be of good quality. A large collection of iron ochres, and cuperous minerals, applicable to the manufacture of point, are exhibited by Messrs. Seer, La Barre, Caron, and Du berger, from different parts of the country. From the geological survey are sent specimens of the iron pyrites, which occurs in one place in a vein 40 feet thick, the ores of uranium, of manganese, a chrome iron ore containing 49 per cent. of oxide of chromium, some very beau tiful crystalline dolomites, which arc found in verylarge quan tity, magnesites containing as much as 83 per cent. of car bonate of magnesia; the white sandstones which are used in the manufacture of glass; soapstone's, or French chalk, found in unlimited quantities this i s used for several purposes in the arts; several varieties of gypsum, black and variegated marbles, one very beautiful with rich green veins ; roofing AMC') of very good quality from the rivers Brass and Du Loup, three-quarters of a mile above its junc tion with the Chaudiere : both specimens are taken from the weather-worn surface, no quarries being yet opened ; they are stated to occur in very considerable quantity. There are also a variety of specimens of granites, lime stones of very good quality, different kinds of building materials, masts, &c. Dr. Boutillier sends specimens of pests from St. Hya sinthe. At the end of the table are some specimens of a litho graphic stone which is found in a bed of from one to two feet in thickness, and extending 70 miles, in the township of Marmora Canada West . Several lithographic prin ts from this stone are also shown. The whole collection is exceedingly well arranged and labelled in a very instruc tive manner, with information as to the geological forma don in which the several minerals are found, their extent, value, and particulars as to situation, working, facilities for transport, &e., which is very creditable to the exhibitors, Mid contrasts agreeably with some of the other collections Si colonial minerals. It is not one of the least important features of this exhi adieu, that it affords such excellent opportunities fur the =stew natural resources of all countries, many of Iwo laid dormant only in co nsequenee of their not =nerolly known, and from the difficulty of obtaining information respecting them. tam New Brunswick specimens of the jet coal from Pedesdtae, Albert County, are exhibited by Mr. Gould, of Tavistock-square. This is a recent discovery, and is not known in any other part of the colony. There are also, specimens of sulphate of barytes, iron ores, oxides of manganese, a very large mass of plumbs., boa St. John's, copper ores, te. From Nova Scotia, the Acadia Iron Mining Company send a large collection of articles illustrative of their mean- THE RUSSIAN CONTRIBUTIONS. factures 112 that metal. Mr. Archibald exhibits specimens of the iron ores, rang. The enviolls hoarding still shots in the Itallha relic, specular, and micaceous, manufactured articles of all cootribations !rare the pu b lic gaze, but we are tits heal he Made, made fr om the iron produced there, and stated to be the courtesy of Mr. Gabriel Kamensky, Priv . _Oeindillst oval h gnaliq to any made elsewhere. They appear to Lathe Emperor, and Mr. J. W. Digby, tke Mieieut sem- at quality and the workmanship is very creditab le. tar, to the ameba occusugion, foe a PrePulthn MP. ton Th e Mel fi elds of Non Scotia, the mast extensive and taw MR. HOPE'S JEWELS. The attractions of the nave received a great accession on Thursday in the magnificent collection of jewels exhibited by Mr. A. B. Hope, M.P. Among them is a wonderful pearl of almost fabulous dimensions and splendour. It is set as a jewel, and is the size of a small pear. There is also a very large emerald, and a fine specimen of the precious atone called cat's-eye, formerly the property of the King of Candy. Then we have the handle of Murat's sword cut from a single beryl, and a diamond cut curiously against the grain in the form of a cross. There is also a magnificent opal, a jaeynth, and an immense ruby, both with faces carved on them, besides which there are several rare sun stones from India, a curious topaz of two colours, the under side amber, the upper red, with several other gems of nearly equal beauty sad value. The cage in which all this precious treasure is esutheed, was all day surrounded by eager crowds; and if the lannlikent owner should have happened to be time ism" he must have been highly gratified at the thswpwat eseemiums passed on his taste and liberality. To spew up thus for the gratification of the public the treasures of his princely house, was an act worthy the eon at the anther of Ana'. Whiz" The police returns at five Welsch v ad a ii ii . ti: whole number of visitors who bad imatepul the up to that time 64,td0, a number which we awisseteed quently roes to 58,000. [PRICE (DOUBLE SHEET) FOURPENCE. results of which we shall speedily communicate to our readers. The more striking features are several articles carved in malachite from the Ural mountains, among which a pair of very handsome folding-doors, some vases, and a tam. are flue specimens of the capabilities of the materiel. The imperial peseelain factory contributes some splendid vases, one of them the largest in the Exhi bition, and both beautifully gilt in a manner we had not before seen in bright and dead gold 91- ternatidy. On the larger one is painted, in a man ner which does infinite credit to the native artist, a copy of one of Wintcrbalter's favourite Italian festal; at Baia, with 'Vesuvius in the distance. But the grand attrac tion in the Russian section is a splendid centre piece of solid plate weighing two hundred and thirty pounds British weight, and containing 91 per cent. of pure silver. The subject is taken from the early chronicles of the country, when the Selavonic race were just emerging from the yoke of the Mongol Tartan. Demetrius the Grand Duke, sore wounded by a Tartar axe, is reclining under a pine tree. His faithful steed stands near, and the dying prince is attended by one or two faithful adherents. But a mes senger of hope approaches, and informing him that the Russian arms have been at length victorious, at once restores him to life and vigour. This is the moment chosen by the artist, and few things are deer than the manner in which he makes the inanimate metal tell the story. The figures are full of nature, and maim, and vitality. The pain-stricken features of the PAWN across which the first faint ray of hope is just lieightesid the eager pleasureful look of the messenger of glad are most admirably rendered. The horse is a trim of the Caucasus, perfect in points and con tour, — a Retinal, thoroughbred horse—very different from the monstrosities we are accustomed to see mounted on pedestals. The pine tree is a perfect type of the Russian coniferd ; one almost shivers to look at it ; and all the minor details ' armour, costume, and weapons , show equal artistic skill and beauty of wor kmanship. This group is the work of M. F. B:azikoff, a Moscow silversmith. The lovers of high art will be gratified _by an inspection of the series of allegorical medallions, contributed by Count Tolstoi, an amateur artist. They an intended to symbolise the stirring events of 1812-14, and arc most admirably executed. We understand that Prince Albert honoured them with a close and protracted inspect dun, and was warns in his commendation. There arc also some bassi relievi in galvenw-plastic by the same artist, and the model of a pair of magnificent gilt bronze gates, which he constructed for the church of St. Saviour's, at Mos cow, the originals of which are above thirty feet high. We must not fo. get an ebony casket, quaintly ornamented on the lid and sides with bunches of fruit and flowers, which are represented with wonderful fidelity to nature in various sorts of precious stones. Grapes of Siberian amethyst and cherries of cornelian are encircled by leaves of jaspar, so beautifully selected that the green leaf fades towards the edge as gradually as we see it do in autumn. Then there are pears of agate and plums of onyx, with currants of white and red cornelian, through which you eon see the seeds, and the rinds of which arc reticulated as on the ripe fruit. We were infurmed that this perfection is produced at a tremendous expense of material, large lumps of the ,tone being broken up to find the proper pieces. There are also some mosaic tables and several handsome stoves, One English chimneypiece has also been sent over, in which we do not know which most to admire, the manufacturer's skill and taste or his ignorance of the beautifying propertie s of English coal. The whole back of the grate es splendidly I gilt and burnished. We wonder how it would look after the first week in October spent in active service in London. There are also some splendid diamonds in the Russian con signment, but they are as yet tightly screwed down and impervious to the eyes of the curious. able in British North America, are represented by specimina sent by the Central Committee to the care of Sir. Archi bald. That from Sydney, Cape Brazos, is well adapted for domestic purposes. The Pictou coal field is perhaps the most important of all, and produces coal of very good quality, some of which is suited for steam coal. The beds are 7,390 feet thick, and one of the scams 30 feet thick. The coal fields of Nova Scotia present several remarkable characters, which are very agreeably described by Sir Chas. Lyell in his " Visit to America. Good ores of copper arc also found here, but do not ap pear to be winked. Some blocks of beautiful free stone, from the Acadia Quarry, Pictou, shell marbles, fine white marble, ochres, &c. . _ . The minerals of British Guiana arc not of any very great importance, with the exception of the white guartz:y,ands from the Demerara and Berbice ricers, large quantities of which are exported to America, some clays and porcelain earth. _ _ From Barbadoes there is a Rpecimen of the coral rock used for lime-burning. This rock is formed by animals of a very low form of organisation, being, in fact, their ,ie letons._ The Countess Grey exhibits some very beautiful soca mean of fossil wood from Antigua. The nature of this singular change is not at all understood, and is one of the most enigmatic,' phenomena of nature. Although the woody structure has not suffered the slightest injure, the whole substance of the tissues is found to consiq of silica, which has in some unknown manner replaced the organic matter. _ _ From Trinidad specimens several have been sent, by order of Lord Harris, the governor. Among them are some fine slates front St. Ann's Mountains, the slab+ are taken from the surface. Anthracitic coal from Nfaxanilla. The products of the singular pitch lake of this island are shown, as well as the naptha which is made from the pitch. Lignite of good quality, and which is found abundantly. There are, besides, pottery clays, which are used in the island, iron ores, and some less important minerals. Mr. Warner exhibits an application of the pitch to the manufacture of charcoal for sugar refining, as a substitute for the animal charcoal now used. The rich minerals of South Australia are well represented, as well as the geological pe culiarities of the country. The South Australian Mining Company exhibit the copper ores from the Kanmantoo Mines at Mount Barker. The Baressa Range Company send copper ores, pyrites containing •to per cent. of metaL The iron ores of this district are plentiful and rich, consist ing of magnetic oxide, hiematites, Itlicacious ore. The per oxide of manganese is also found. Among this mile's tion is an enormous block of copper ore, front the Tung killo mine. Messrs. Graham and Hallett exhibit the produce of the Burnt Burro mines, from which such large quantities of ore have been raised. The principal ores are the red oxides and the carbonates; one variety of which is very beautiful, and is used for ornamental purposes. During the five year' that these mines have been worked, upwards of ait2S tons of copper ore have been raised ; but it is only recently that an attempt his ben made to smelt the ore in the country, it having been hitherto sent to Swansea for that purpose. Smelting works arc now cstabli,hed, and are in constant ;teflon. Some of the copper ores raised in this district contain as much as 70 per cent. of metal ; the mines afford employ ment for more than a thousand persons. Besides the at teal working ores, a great variety of interesting specimens are exhibited illustrative of the minerals which ace rowel in the mines, and of the application of the finer kinds of nuts lachitc. The mining works, smelting furnace t, and the general features of the country, are exceedingly well shown by a series of drawings. Mr. Hallett exhibits speeiwetts of the gold of this country in various states, which undid seem to offer sufficient inducement, for collection. Tho minerals from Von Diemen's Lund mid Western Australia afford so little information as to their position and extent, and are so scattered among the other 01‘;eets sent from these places that it is difficult to form any correct estimate of their value. There is some of the coal of Douglas River in the former island, which is of „mod quality. From New Zealand, the coals that have been discovered there lately are exhibited by several persons. The secretary of the Auckland and Waikato Coal Cont i patsy sends specimens front the IS-feet bed, near the 'Wai kato River, distant from Auckland about 7 mites by laud, and oby water, couveyanee inland. Mr. liargreave ex hibits the lignites which arc found ou the banks of the Tamaika ; and Mr. Taylor and Mr. Reeve, the ores of cop per and other geological specimens from the Kawan mines. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Smith those from the copper mining district to the northward of Auckland. The latter gentleman also exhibit.' a specimen of the sul phur from White Island, Bay of I'lenty, containing only 3.5 per cent. of impurities. The collection also contains some goad building stones, Roman cement stone, found abundantly ; Manganese ores, mid iron sand front Cooper's Ilay. The specimens from the East Indian Continent and Archipelago are still too deficient in arrangement to admit of any examination. VOICES FROM THE GREAT EXHIBITION. Being preeluded from attending personally to afford ex planatory information respecting my model., and lest the object aimed ut may be misunderstood, surrounded as they arc by articles of greater merit in workmanship and artistic finish, it is no more, perhaps, than justice to myself and the objects which they represent that I should render some ex planation ; and I beg, therefore, respectfully to submit the subjoined remarks; at the same time I may be permitted to suggest that it would be very interesting, no doubt, to the public, atter so serious a collision on the elie,ter railway, attended with much loss of life and injuries, were it possible to test the practical utility of the various methods proposed for preventing damage by railway collisions. and for which purpose the different railway companies could hardly object to give up a couple of old carriages each, and lay down a few hundred yards of rails, just sufficient to give a momentum to a train, in the vicinity of the Exhibi tion, since it would be a saving to the companies it this seeming irresistible momentum could be overcome, and we should at least realise one great benefit from the stupen dous work now before all nations. It might net be impos sible, also, to witness a trial of the methods for extingaish ing fires, by erecting some building for the purpose.— William Machay, Quartermaster Sergeant, Royal Artillery. let Invention—An atmospheric buffer, or air-tight 1 , 101.. pertinent of vulcanized rubber, or other air-tight cloth, to prevent damage by collisions. This is fitted into the exact space between the carriages, thus to interpose an elastic body of about 2.50 cubic feet (of air), so that when a collision takes place, it must be displaced before the carriages can come into contact with each other. The method of convey ing the air into these rubber compartments, is by two tubes, carried longitudinally on the top and near the edge--the front apertures for admitting the air being bell-sham a, to admit a larger quantity of air—these tubes conduct the air into the compartments at the back, lifting up two valets placed on a small projection, or box, with an inclincil sur face of I} feet deep. On any compression of the air c im partment these valves shut by the reaction of air, and are forced tight on the back apertures; a valve acting in a contrary direction, gives then immediate ise ape to a portion of the compressed air; the more rapidly the concussion, the greater elasticity will it present, air' the momentum thus expends itself on the air. If the compart ment bursts, the injury will have passed off with no tither damage, and this would be soon repaired. The India rubber compartment will, however, resist a great pressure, being itself so very elastic; and if there should be any doubt about that, a continuous collateral vulcanised rubber piping, of about three feet diameter, could be substituted, thus di viding the same pressure to a greater surface of resistance. The application of this invention is not intended to displace the ordinary' buffers, which are still useful as secondary agents and for general purposes. The 2nd invention is n self-acting collision break, in tended to be applied to the front and rear of every train— on the luggage van at the one end, and the engine or trotter on the other. The ordinary breaks break on the wheels, and cannot, therefore, be instantly applied, they must be only gradually applied, and then even danger must be fore seen. My break, on the contrary, is intended to act only by the violence of the collision, and against the rails, by which means a greater and more instantaneous amount of friction is applied. 13y means of two wedges the breaks are forced down, the momentum to a great extent checked and driven vertically instead of horisontidly. The greater the weight of the van, the greater will be the resistance and efficiency of the breaks, for by means of the wedges . the f w e e ll i e g te h ing t is bro is ughtmodeeto bear f ag ep ai p n li s ee t t t h ie e e fo — re T e the inside of the frame being projected bey ond the p oint h e r b P u lo ie t.d r rods i m a where they are connected to the plate springs about a foot and a half, they terminate with a buffer head, nearly simi lar to the one outside ; when, from the violence of a colli sion, the springs are f or ced beyond their ordinary point of action, the inside buffers then come in contact with the two powerful wedges, as stated before, placed on each side of the centre of the frames, in the direction of the buffers ; these wedges force down a shaft, which acts as a break, on both rails; so that the tendency is to wedge down the van, and it is thus prevented from coming into violent collision with the next carriage. The momentum becoming vertical renders it necessary that additional security should be given to the break van, for which purpose it is strength ened by a strong band of iron passing over the frame and down each side, forming a box for the axletree of the shaft, which rests in it on a spiral spring. so that when the writers are released the shaft recovers its original position. Con tusions may be guarded against inside by a lining of hair felt of an inch in thickness. The above plan is equally applicable to spiral buffer sprint's, the only difference being that a buffer rod is inserted in the inside of the spring with buffer heads to strike the wedges. The next is simply a design for applying railway locomo denser from an increasing traffic, must ere long force this subject on public attention. The sectional skeleton model lion rtzemetrQoir metropolitan om T ni h b e uses threa ard ned vans , of Loaders merely represents the method of of at!aut, blockade an d t the denser 1 1 100 1 Tll4 l lO l over pathways, up one Rd° of • long f f ' I ~~ :'