The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-21 00:00:00

A FRENCH VIEW OF THE EXHIBITION.

The greater portion of the first page of s recent
I number of the Wbota is filled with a communication from
!the pen of M. Michel Chevalier, on the Great Exhibition
of London. We give a rather long extract, but it is not
too long for the nature of the subject. In winding up his
communication M. Chevalier says:
" The mutual dependence of nations, one on the other, in
an industrial point of view, is revealed by the circumstance
that, in the greatest number of cases, the means of opera-
tion themselves are due to the concert, direct or indirect,
apparent or latent, of men of all nations. Thus, the first
' idea of a machine or a manufacturing operation may be
Iconceived at Paris or London ; it is improved in some ob-
scure town of Thuringia, and it is brought into operation
for the first time at Manchester or Sheffield ; then, by
several transfigurations, not less curious than those
of Vishnu, it appears successively, and in each ease lm-
! proved, in the manufactories of Lyons or Zurich, of Breslau
or Viviers, of Elberfeld or Glasgow, and perhaps at Lowell
or Pittsburg, or some town of the Atlantic, it will arrive at
perfection. Examples of similar facts occurred some time
ago. Margraff, in some corner of Germany, obtained sugar
I from beet-root as a curiosity ; Achard endeavoured to ma- ,
nufacture it on a grand We at Berlin, and the invention
I then passed into France, where it has become an important
I branch of manufactures. A French engineer had the ideset
lighting by gas ; the idea crossed the Channel, and ob-
tained in England a prodigious success of which all the
universe now shares the advantages. The Emperor
Napoleon, with the view of ruining English manufac-
tures, offered a million francs to the inventor of a ma-
chine fur spinning thread. A Frenchman, Philip do I
Girard, found the solution, and after the peace established
himself at Warsaw, where he terminated his invention.
His idea went to Leeds, where it was made perfect by
Mr. Marshall, and he caused it to become the basis
of a great branch of manufacture which enriches the very
England it was intended to ruin. Every year sees some
new improvement, or new application of the machine in-
vented by our celebrated Jacquart. Last year, at
Nottingham, it was employed in embroidering tulle.
This putting into common use of the efforts
of the people, is at present the daily bread of
western civilisation. I call it the daily bread, for it con-
tributes greatly to augment the fecundity of labour, and to
enrich each nation in particular. The same article may be
worked to a first stage in one nation, to a second in another,
to a third in another, and so on. It may thus cross live or
six frontiers, and undergo five or six different opera-
tions before reaching the hands of the merchant, who
sells it at home or abroad, in his own town or
another hemisphere. A piece of muslin, for ex-
ample, mayhavebeen spun in Saxony with threads of Man-
ehester, obtained from a mixture of the cottons of India,
the United States, and Egypt; it is embroidered at Nancy,
to be sold at Philadelphia, Canton, or Batavia. The Crystal
Palace is good for verifying this fraternity and equality of
manufactures amongst the principal nations of western
civilisation. It is evident to every eye. When I go from
the English to the French quarter, and from thence to
the departmeats occupied by the Zoilveroin, or the Swiss,
the Belgians, or the Dutch, I find articles of about the
same degree of merit, which proves that there is
about the same aptitude and the same experience.
It is more particularly noticed as regards England
and France, especially if care be takeu to complete
our Exhibition at London by the souvenir of articles
which we had at the Carre's Marignv in 180, and
the like of which the deceived manufacturers refused
to send to London. In thus speaking of equality, Ido not
mean to say that the productions of the principal nations
are identically the same ; on the contrary, they are diffe-
rent, they have a peculiar character. They reveal in ma-
nufactunng genius special qualities, a distinct originality,
but prove, or very nearly so, an equal degree of advance-
ment. If one is surpassed in one sort of articles, it is the
first in another sort, which is quite as difficult, and it is
not doubtful that the former only requires to be spurred on
to equal the nation which excels. Supposing that the raw
materials were everywhere equally cheap (and they would
nearly be so if the legislator were to suppress in certain
countries the artificial causes of dearness which he has
taken pleasure in multiplying), the cost of production
would be, or nearly so, the same, and the different nations
would be nearly equal to one another;with respect to cheap-
ness.'.

THE AMERICAN DEPARTMENT.

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE EXPRESS,

regret the observations that have been
made respecting the poverty of the display in the United
States' portion of the Exhibition, and still more, that
Americans should have felt them. It is surprising they
should not have perceived that examples of concentrated
riches were not to be expected from a country in which,
owing to just and impartial laws, wealth is diffused among
the mass of the people. Let them look at the Koh-i-noor
diamond, at the gorgeous shawls and embroidery that conic
from India, and remember, that these and such like Few
gaws are worn by one, at most by a very few, in a whole
aiugelom. The picture is not complete. There have not
been placed beside them specimens of the tattered habili-
ments that are wont by the half-naked multitude. No
doubt, if the American constitution had provided a privi•
leged individual, or a privileged order to be supported in
luxury out of the labours of the many, their workers in
satin and velvet, in jewellery and lace, would be more
skilful than at present. But, when they have reflected upon
the accompaniments that would be necessary to such a state
of things, would they be willing to make the change ? Per-
haps not. I am, &c., A TUAVELLEIt.

HULL PUBLIC RAM COMPANY.—At the meeting
in this matter yesterday, a call was proposed by Mr. Good-
chap, the official manager, of 201. per share to pay off
liabilities.

TILE HUNGARIAN RETTGEEs.—The members of
the Exeter Reform Association having addressed a memo-
rial to Lard Palmerston' imploring of him to adopt mea-
sures to prevent the further detention of Kossuth and his
compatriots, the following reply has been received :
"Foreign-office, June IS, 1811.—Sir,—I am directed by
Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of the
memorial, date 10th ult., signed by you on behalf of the
reform associations of Exeter, praying the interference of
her Majesty's government, in order to procure the imme-
diate liberation of the Hungarian refugees detained in
Turkey ; and I am to request that you will acquaint the
memorialists that her Majesty's government have been
using, and are continuing to use, their good offices with the
Turkish government to obtain the release of these Hunga-
rians from their present captivity in Turkey, and her Ma-
jesty's government trust that their endeavours may before
long lead to a favourable result.-1 am, sir, your most
obedient humble servant, H. W. AnoisairoN.—J. Bur-
rington, Esq., Reform Association."—A very crowded
meeting of the inhabitants of Leicester was held on Mon-
day evening in the New Hall (J. 1). Harris, Esq., mayor,
in the chair), for the purpose of memorialising government
on behalf of the Hungarian refugees now detained in
Turkey. About half-past seven the mayor ascended the
platform, followed by Mr. John Paget (a gentleman who
had resided in Hungary fur some years), General Messaros,
three or four other Hungarians, and is large body of gentle-
men and tradesmen. On the General making his appear-
ance ho was received with a burst of applause. During the
evening he addressed the meeting at considerable length.
lie said he had left Kossuth at Kutayah in very good
health, but in broken spirits. The General expressed the
pleasure he had in meeting the inhabitants of Leicester on
that occasion, and sincerely thanked them fur the interest
they manifested on behalf of his unfortunate country. Re-
solutions in support of the object for which the meeting
was called, and u petition to parliament, were unanimously
adopted. After having given three cheers for Kossuth,
three cheers for General Messams and three groans for
Haynau the meeting separated, having lasted nearly three
hour.—Stamford Mercury.

COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS AT BARNSLEY.—To show
the extensive havoc caused by explosions in the collieries
within two miles of Barnsley, during the last ten years, we
give the following list; in addition to which we believe
there are several of which we are not in possession. There
are also many who have been severely burnt; and large
numbers who have been killed front other causes whilst
working in the coalpits within that circuit:-1841, Nev. 22,
at Messrs. Day and Twibell's, Mount Osborne Colliery,
Barnaley, 15 ; 1812, Feb. 22, at Messrs. W. Hopwood and
Co.'s, Barnsley, 3 ; 1842, March 10, at Messrs. W. Hopwood,
and Co.'s, Barnsley, 2 ; 1845, June 11, at Messrs. Firth, Bar-
ber, and Co., Oaks Colliery, Ardsley, 3; 11417, Jan. 29, at
Q. J. Jarrett's, Esq., Darley Main Colliery, Worsbrough, 6;
1847, March sth, at Messrs, Firth, Barker, and Co.'s Oaks
Colliery, Ardsley, 75; 1847, August 27th, at the colliery of
G. J. Jarrett, Esq., Darley Main, Worsborough, 2 ; 1919,
January 24th, ditto ditto, 75; 1851, June 9th, at /dews.
Firth, Barber, and Co.'s Oaks Colliery, Ardsley, 3; total, 182.
IThus it will be seen that during the last ten years no less than
182 persons have lost their lives by those explosions, being
an average of 18 lives a year—which has been a very serious
, loss to the families of those killed ; and also to the proprie-
tors of collieries, by whom we are told that the death of
each individual costa them 501.—Doncaster Gazette.
MELANCHOLY INSTANCE OP SELF-DESTRUCTION.
• —A most shocking case of this character occurred at Bk.
mingham on Thursday evening. Mr. William Callum, a
well-known auctioneer, having an extensive business in the
midland counties, put an end to his existence by taking a
large dose of prussic acid. About 11 o'clock on tho night
in question the deceased was visited, at his own house, by
Mr. Suckling, a solicitor, of Birmingham, and Mr. Glossop,
• the chief inspector of police. In a brief interview it was
' explained to Mr. Callum that their object was to take him
into custody on a charge of a most serious nature ; in reply
he asked permission to speak with his wife a few moments,
and retired into the drawing-room for that purpose. Mr.
Suckling and Mr. Glossop remained in the hall, but in a
minute or two they were alarmed by the cries of Mrs.
Callum, who said that her husband had taken something;
in fact, he had drawn a phial from his pocket and swallowed
its contents, consisting of, it is said, more than an ounce of
prussic acid. Tho unfortunate man fell dead instantly. It
' . seems that ho had anticipated public exposure, and carried'
' the means of death about his person. Pecuniary embarrass-
r mcnts are believed to have led to this painful eminence.
• Deceased was between 40 and 50 years of age, and has for
some years held the valuable appointment of appraiser and
• auctioneer to the Birmingham District Court of Bank-
, ruptcy ; he was also the principal of the House Repository
in Birmingham.

GARDENERS' OPERATIONS FOR THE
ENSUING WEEK.

From the Gardener's Chronicle.
PLANT. DEPARTMENT.

The daylight and sunshine having now arrived at their
climax for this season, atove plants which are in a growing
stste should be supplied' with the maximum amount of
heat and moisture, that they may the sooner complete their
growth, and have a longer period to ripen it in. Water
should be freely and frequently sprinkled on every evapo-
rating surface, with a view to counteract the drying effects
of the abundant ventilation, so indispensable in hot wea-
ther. Mouses which are not so situated as to receive the
first rays of the morning sun should be assisted with fire
heat, if necessary, early in the day, that the plants may
enjoy the benefit of a high temperature in conjunction
with the strung daylight of these summa mornings. Inces-
sant exertions must be nu.ir to keep insects in check, par-
tieulary;red spider syringing and washing the walls and hot-
weer pipes with lime and sulphur will have the desired ef-
fect, if perseveringly proceeded with. The flowering season of
many plants may be retarded by. pinching off the earliest
flowers, thereby husbanding their strength, and inducing
them to make a longer season of growth; the latter object
may he assisted by means of liquid manure. Forcing-pits
should now be actively employed in forwarding Aehimenes,
gloxinias, balsams, cockscombs, globe amaranths, and other
plants, for immediate autumnal display. Shading and
ventilation must now be attended to with watchful anxiety,
taking care, however, not to habituate the plants to an
excess of the former, as it is only necessary in strong sun-
,shine.