The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-06 00:00:00

time, bees inedudog =my other things for which we have
had no credit. and to-day we are abot to attempt to
Sniffle:lle our reputation. I think. therefore, that when
you accompany auto witness the exhibition of Industry, nut of
this parish only, as was first intended, jolts were i,,odest ttid
primitive Idea, but of fifty contiguous parishes that have con-
tributed the result of their ingenuity to this exhibition. yo•i
will lie ast,izinsbej at mum of the pmdoetions, and proud of
the land that has produced them. 3lnny of you know well
that there are many Instances of the arts anal mauutact urea
in which this part of the w..rid h. not Imily been deficient,
but has even exeeltal. the lace of Buckinghanishire—espe-
daily of late yeara—has vied with that iif the tow Count lb,:
and or Imre produced at pulaie exhibitions that whieh has
rivalled with SUCCCEIS the productions of Mechlin and Valen-
ciennes. In one part of the *mind y there lathe inanufacture
if furniture carried on with singular success, in which our
beeehwood is used, particularly fur chairs, which we have
furnished to most parts of England, and even to maoy of our
colonies. Our embroidery will vindicate its claim to the
approbation of noise Wili.lll I MOS Whirl... But there are
also several other departments of invent'. in In which we
shall to day advanea our claims for puhlie einilltience and
approval. In the first place, let toe commit Male you that
11l this county there is SO earnest is movement ill order to
immove the maiden...es of the labouring chimes. In this
county, for several years, there has Leen an endeavour—
and a successful end...our—to accomplish that great end,
and to-day ste shall find before us spotlit,ns of invention
awl id design fur that object which, I hope. will achieve the
peat end desired, and which will unite comfort and Coll-
venience with economy. There is also, lam told, tine other
manufacture which I shall myself witness with very great
interest, mid which I think you must observe with no COM-
nion feelings. It lathe production of an ancient manufac-
ture in this comity, though little known out id it, and not so
much as it ought to be in the county itself. I allude to the
silk manufacture, which not only exists but flourishes hi our
county town of Aylesbury. Wo shall witness specimens of the
art of ability rarely equalled. No doubt the acemint which
has reached me of these productions is not exaggerated, be-
cause mar manufacturers in Aylesbury compete, and compete
successfully, with the French makers, Inc goods beieg ex-
ported to France where they are re-explirted hack to Eng-
land, And then bought with admiratiou ill Itegent•strect—
laugh —as the finest productions if the khencli rooms.
,Itenewed laughter.) Under these encouraging circumstances
we need not despair of tour manufactures it ourishing and
increasing in the good county of Bucks. To-day there is a
very great effort to recognise success in all those varbal
oranchea of induntry, and to stimulate the various arts. I
know not whether I ain correct in enumerating the number
of medals to be distriiiiited, but I believe nearly two bemired
moms will be given hi-day—certainly one of taild, very loamy
of the sister precions metal, 011ul a considerable number
of an enduring metal, which will emulate 1111 l rate the name
arid achievements of the succes,ful competib I' fur these
prizes. Allow me for one ttttt went to touch tusin tin inter-
esting character of the scene before US. In what c.oul. I the
varie I classes of our cimplicated ind admirably-devised
society be I etter united than for purpose i like the present,
anti for rink like those which we are all anxious to aceonh
plish r Pow much better are meetings Li e the present than
mere meetings for linital pastime, tilling a void which you
have felt, 111.1 a Inch you have desired should he supplied,
but Si hich the generosity, the taste, and the intelligence of
those who should give a colour and form to the Society in
which they live, have hitherto been deficient in affording?
I think, therefore, that VII this occasion every heart must
feel grate( ul to the generous owner of the soil—for the pub-
lie spirit a hich, on this and every oce.ion, he has shown.
And in all the arrangements that during six anxious 11111 l ahs
have been matured, we must recognise the graceful thought
of that lady whose taste and intelligenee have diffused
thringhout this neighloirhood such beneficial results. I
will detain you but one moment longer, and taking advan-
tage of thc mention which I naexperteilly occopy. will an.
nomam the inauguration of the Industrial liSilibitioll of
Halton and the neighbourhood, and ask you to accompany
us to witness the triumph of the industry of the Vale of
Aylesbury.
Cheers Were then called for and heartily responded
to for the Prime Minister, Sir Anthony and Lady de
Rothschild, and her Majesty the Queen.

Mr. Disraeli, and the distinguished party which ac-
companied hint, then proceeded to the tents. There an
amusing incident occurred. After the right hon. gentle-
man and his friends hail entered, the local police stopped
any one else front following. A dense crowd begged for
admittance, but they were positively refused. At length
one enthusiastic countryman shouted out, " Didn't
Mr. Disraeli ask us to follow 'im ?" This being liter-
ally interpreted, a shoulder-to-shoulder effort was
made, and the opposing constables were pushed aside,
to the manifest delight of the ladies, who naturally
were most desirous to pass the barrier. During the
day the tents were constantiv filled by visitors, who
took the greatest interest in the exhibition.
• • - • • • •

The models of cottages which had been sent in by
carpenters and builders were critically examined. A
special circular had been issued to the competitors of
this clam, which stated that "greater attention must
be paid to substantial and interior comfort than to
outward and architectural effects." Several models
were sent in, sonic of which possessed a good deal of
merit. The general collection of articles was of a very
varied character. It included a quantity of needle-
work, which had been executed in a superior style.
The judges, wlm, of course, had tasting orders, spoke
highly of the qualities of the articles ‘4 food, such as
home-made preserves, wines, cheese, and beer.