The Express.
London, England, 1862-06-12 00:00:00

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

The uncertainty of the weather acted yesterday
rather unfavourably on the fortunes of the Exhibi-
tion, although the attendanoe would have been
considered enormous in any other place of public
resort The company exhibited a mixture of ill
classes, but working people again predominated, and
again were seen to devote their attention mainly to
useful articles and ingenious mechanical inventions.
The machinery in motion department, the Process
Court, and the eastern annex, were densely
thronged, whilst the nave and central oourts
seemed to be reserved for the afternoon promenade.
An immense number also found their way to the
picture galleries, but the Italian sculptures did not
seem to obtain much attention. Nothing in the
building attracts greater crowds than the wondrous
sewing machines, which, however, seem to be
looked at with something of a hostile feeling, the
matrons especially expressing much indignation at
seeing male seamstresses manipulating this inge-
nious substitute for the needle.

The Princesses Alice and Beatrice were early
visitors. They were attended by Sir Wentworth
Dilke, and gave the French court a lengthened in-
spection. Theirßoyal Highnesses afterwardsdevoted
some moments to an examination of Benson's clock,
and finally took refreshment in the English depart-
ment. The Pacha of Egypt also paid an early visit,
and spent a considerable time in the picture gal-
leries. There was a good deal of music in various
parts of the building, and each instrument was
surrounded by a numerous audience.

The epidemic amongst the turnstiles has again
set in with•very much aggravated symptoms. Some
of them turn round too often, some won't turn at
all, and others again have such short arms as to
allow the most capacious crinoline to pan without
touching. The consequence is that there is daily
discrepancy between the returns and the
money • but as it is always in favour
of the latter, there can be no charge made against
the honesty of the money-takers. In some eases
money has been handed in for 600 persons in one
day beyond the returns, and sums from six to
thirty pounds are constantly overpaid. It seems
strange that in a building consecrated to the in-
genuity of the whole world means could not be
found to make perfect a contrivance which for half
a century has been in use at our bridges and public
places. We believe that at last the matter has been
put into proper hands, and that by next wee'c
means of obtaining correct returns will have been
secured.

A great many complaints have been made to us
of the inattention of the English jurors in several
departments. The foreign jurors who have been
sent over at the expense of their respective govern-
ments, and who expect to be rewarded and deco-
rated on their return, are indefatigable, and of
course take care of the exhibits of their countrymen ;
but the English jurors, who are merely honorary,
attend but seldom, and in insufficient numbers, and
the consequence is that the few who are present when
the question of medals is put to the vote are con-
stantly outvoted. lu the philosophical department,
fur instance, we are told that two of the most
eminent men of science we have, namely, Professor
Wheatstone and Sir David Brewster, have never
once attended, and that the duty of looking after
English instrument-makers has devolved entirely
on Messrs. Brookes, Glaisher, and Colonel
Lestrange. Of the foreign jurors five is
the minimum attendance, so that the ad-
vocates of English interests are always in
the minority. We do not mean of course
to insinuate that the eminent men who have come
over from Paris, Berlin, and Turin to act as jurors
would give any decision contrary to their convic-
tions, but national partialities are sometimes very
strong, and "it is not enough that Caesar's wife
should be virtuous, but that all the world should
think her so." If the decisions should be as im-
partials' the decrees of Miuos, the English exhibitors
will not think they have been fairly dealt with iu
the too frequent absence of their own jurors.
Mtawrs. Ransome and Sims have bad an application
front the Commissioners of the International Exhi-
bition to lend them a second engine to drive
Armstrong's machinery in the Western Annex, in
lieu of another engine which Las broken down.
This is the second they have had, by request, to
replace—a high compliment.
The official return of the number of visitors is as
follows :—By season tickets, 8,171; by payment,
44,519; total, 52,690.

A morning concert of a most atteaetive character,
in aid of the aitablishnient of sink lu Southern Italy. is
announced. to talus plow at St. Jansen Hall. en Wednesday
next. This cosiosrt preemie features of peculiar interest,
combining the attraction of Madame Jassy Liad-Gold-
echmidt, Madame 'Mena, th. eaten Marobialo, Mr. Sim
Reeves, Signor °intim. &Hotta Arsesedt. MS, te. ; the
tint and only time Madame Gokiacbmidt, Madams This..,
sad Mr. Sim Items will slag in a trio together.