The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-05-06 00:00:00

,itour4ribgt 012serber.

SATURDAY. 3IAY 6. 1871.

THE INTERNATIONAL

EXHIBITION.

The first really International Exhibition that
the worai ever saw was, we believe, the Great
Exhibition of All Nations that took place in the
memorable sear 1861. There had been in vari-
ous continental countries as well as in Great
Britain, long previous to this time, artistic and
industrial exhibitions, but they were all confined
to the products of the countries in *hien these
exhibitions were held ; but the Great Exhibition
of 1881 was thoroughly international. Not only
the nations of the Continent, but the United
States, Canada, China. India, Australia, Ns w
Zealand, and other countries, helped to make
this IlltirVtlitiUts some respects
never equalled, and perhaps never likely to be
excelled—truly international. Differing con-
siderably in character, but still evally interna-
tional in purpose and accomplishment, was the
International Exhibition of 186 f; and different
again from any that had preceded it, and likely
to differ from all that will follow it, at least dur-
ing the present generation, was the Universal
Exhibition held in Paris in 1867. The gay
capital of France, under its circumstances at
that time, possessed natural advantages for an
international exhibition that London does not
possess, and the accessories of the Paris Expo.
sition Universelle, the gaiety of its surroundings,
and the fete-like aspect of the then laughing
and merry city, were unlike anything we can
produce in England, while on the whole this fact
is not matter of unmitigated regret.
The London International Exhibition of 1871,
which was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales,
on behalf of her Majesty, on Monday, as per
naps moro important, if not so inflictive as
those that have preceded it, inasmuch as it is
intended not so much for a large show as for a
practically instructive exhibition, It is the first
of an intended series of annually held interna-
tional industrial exhibitions. Toe leading idea
is that the manufacturing and industrial portions
of these exhibitions shall be annually confined
to certain groups of manufacture and industriai
art. During this present year of grace the ex-
hibited products are confined, we are told, to
"pottery of all kinds, woollen and worsted manu-
factures, and machinery in motion.- The field
of iudustiial enterprise is thus, so far as the
Interuationai Exliwitiou is concerned, cribbed,
cabiueu, and confined within narrow ; enu
this tact in itself dctructs somewhat nom the
intir-st t the exultation. hut there are great
CUUULti •MA I.4..augen. uttentien of viettors
ar ti our ithaddirldi lilt... Weld is Cull

Cl nix ; ItW ClU.mts Ul muumaceure only,
It; these CiAStte ale drawn from many nations.
'lnc attioeue am thus be awe thni year to acquire:
a bet;er anowiedge of the relative eXceriehee
tins or that 11..41011 111 these ciaases of umunfite-
turn than if hid attention were devoted, as in
former exhibitions, to an immense variety of
products in es cry possible branch of human in-
dustry, and arum ail parts of the globe. This
piau of CtotricLug these annual exhibitions to
certain classes ul products nuriug one year, cer-
tam other classes next year, and so on, is, we
tuink, a good ob.. It will give a practical and
instructive character to these successive dis-
plays of the world's manufactures. The plan,
too, will enable the world to see whether these
international exhibitions are really productive of
progress and improveweut in special branches of
manufacture. 1. or example, if we find in the
course of a few moutas that there haa been im-
proveuieut in pottery, or in woollen and worsted
manufactures, we may reasonably attribute much
of this improvement to tile International Exhi.
Litton now open. Again, it will soon he know I,
if it be not known already, to what special
classes oi manufacturing industry the next year's
exiiibition will be devoted; and this will neces-
barley tend to induce an effort to obtain, excel.
Immo in these branches of trade. (hi the whole
we hope much lions the aeries of ioternationai
exhibitions just commenced. The sculptnie,
and paintings may be pleasing to gaze upon, but
they have comparatively little practical influence
on the social condition of the people. Not so,
however, with our manufacturing processes.
They employ, clothe, feed, anti house our popu-
lation, and are intimately associated with our
individuai and na!iunal well-being. To direct.
steel • I and exclusive attention to certain bran-
ches of our national industry, is to excite emu-
lation, and thus luster improvements which
otherwise might tint he aimed at. '1 ins in itsell
is a good, lAA indirectly these international ex.
liii,iiions tend to produce international rivalry hi
the arts of peace, and so far to divert men's
minds from al.. It may be said that we hav,
had many se. lens wars since we were told tha;
the Or o.t Exhibition of 1851 was to inaugurate
• •of international peace. 'Vida is too true,
LI exhibitions have eertaiuly not
v ars, luoulgh they have been power-
, : :Laid tne fact remains that
arts I,f peace naturally tends to
..,..temal amity.

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