The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-24 00:00:00

WORDS FROM THE EXHIBITION.

Already the directors of two or three sections
have published catalogues of their contributions--
already, in addition to the official catalogue and Mr.
I Hubert Humes Synopsis, we have distinct publica-
tions in the Indian Catalogue, the Saxon Catalogue,
!the British Guiana ('atalo"ue, a Catalogue of Arti-
-1 eles exhibited by Messrs. 'hunt and Itoskell, and a
Brief Survey of the Objects of Graphic Art exhi-
bited by the Imperial and Government Printing Ea-
itablishMent at Vienna. These vilifications arc is-
sued to supply further information on the articles
to which they refi:r than is given in the official shil-
ling catalogue. They are evidence of the vastness
of the building ; a building in which industries like
those of India and British Guiana assume only a
minor importance, and are compelled to appeal-di-
rectly to public attention. The endeavours of in-
dividual exhibitors to obtain public notice and
receive a fair share of patronage, are appa-
rent in every avenue of the building. The Aus-
trians conciliate visitor* by dipping their handker-
chiefs in a fountain of Eau-de-Cologne—the Ameri-
cans daily supply a loaf made ti-urn Indian corn
for public consumption (and the readiness with which
visitors help themselves shows that the idea pros-
pers)—other enterprising exhibitors air almanacs
to the ladies—Messrs. De la Rue give away en-
velopes made before the eyes of wondering visitors—
bee yea me elf red a card with a list of priers--
there an elaborate pamphlet. Exhibitors aza
everywhere issuing their separate words • from the
Exhibition, seeking to disentangle themselves from
the industrial Babel, and to engross a distinct share of I
public attention. Mr. Henry Bigfurd has distributed
• full history of the advantages of his improved
detector lock; Mr. Milner comes forward with a
pamphlet on the importance of placing public does-
meats and deeds of all kinds in patent, fire-et:elut-
ing cases, and the following extract from the tramp
actions of the Liverpool Polytechnic Institution re-
lative to this subject, gives a lucid view of the
scientific arrangement neceasary to effect this ob-
ject :
In their jprosp:ctus they thus describe the merits sal
nature of tlwir plan—Milners' Pateut fire-resisting Print
ciple is applied, in their beset and safes, between plate-iris
cow., calculated to conduct or retain as little heat na
possible.
These chambers arc filled with an alkalised vegetable ma.
conductor, possessing extraordinary powers of resistance w
the transmission of heat, eumbined with an amusgetaewt
for the vaporisation ot steam into the interior, so soon as
the boa or safe attains the temperature of 212 degrees (boil-
ing heat.)
From each inch of fluid is slowly evolved near two
thousand times it. own volume of steam and vapour,
which passes into and i. successively coudeu-ed in the con•
tents of the but, rendering them damp and humid, as a
newspaper front the press. By this menu 1,040 degrees of
heat is neutralised, and rendered latent and harmless, (one-
half of which temperature would char the contents of the best
safe or box that could be put together of dry anhydrous mate-
rial.), whilst the papers are made difficult of ignition—the
whole process and principle being throughout conducive, in
the most extraordinary manner, to their preservation. For
a much longer period than that during which a box would
be in direct tontwt with fire, in the successive conflagra-
tion of the part. of an ordinary building, no greater heat
than 212 &gni, will pass through this medium into the
box, a temperature pertectly harmless to book., papers,
parchments, or even bank notes. The cause of the exhan.
Son of the moisture being sit protracted is its being sheathed
and protected from rapid vaporisation in the absorbent non-
conductor.
In lung-continued heat the non-conductor discharges it,
pyroligneous arid, which, combining with the alkali, terms
a carbonaceous crust or pyrolignate of potas•—the worst con-
ductor of heat known : awl from within this shelter the
papers or books slowly give out again the large volume of
strain that has hem passed into and condensed in them, re-
acting most favourably in keeping down their own temix-
rature' that of the box, and the surrounding fire.
To the best arrangemeut of non-conductors, which thirty
years' practical experiments have suggested to the paten-
tees, they have superadded the mitigating power of es apt
ration--the principle of the tea-kettle on the fire—rest heat
outside, boiling water at 212 degrees in-ids, one-fourth of
the outer temperature, the principle whereby the loaf, by
its self-contained moisture, is kept soaking but uncluirred
in the oven. 'rho same principle was exhibited by Mr.
C. W. William., to the Polytechnic Society, although with
a different object, when he boiled water over an argaud gas-
bonier in a pun with a pasteboard bottom.
From the French department Hadrot issues his
word on the merits of has lamps, tells us that they
have neither pumps nor wheels, that they will burn
for eight hours without the least aid. Front the
north-western gallery comes a word from Mr. Holt,
of Hastings,bidding the world to notice his collection
of locoweeds. From Section 19 Mr. Saunders cautions
visitors against forgetting his newly-invented pro-
cess of introducing watermarks into 'oiler ; and
from the British machinery department, Mr.
. Lee Stevens has much to say on the beauty of his
fan paddle-wheel for steamers, and a broad illus-
trated sheet is offered illustrative of its efficiency.
Then a pretty pink pamphlet, issued by Messrs.
Tapper and Carr, conveys an idea of the infinitude
of 11114:8 to which iron is applicable, but more im-
mediately of the excellencies of their gulvaniaed
iron ; and words—illustrated words—from Mr.
French, of Bolton, arc issued to visitors, with the
request that they will notice his church furniture.
From the south-eastern gallery words are sounded
to the effect that Dempater's equilateral telegraph
is now in a complete working state; from the ole-
prurient where British silks are exhibited words
are heard to the effect that Messrs. Lewis and Al-
lenby's contributions should receive particular atten-
tion. Mr. Nelis, of Omagh, hopes that his Omagh
pearls will not be forgotten mud the fiery brilliants
exhibited by other parties. Illuminated words
draw popular attention to the gold enamelled and
jewelled vase executed by Messrs. Wathenton and
Brogden ; and Mr. Dimohne, of Bristol, prints words
descriptive of his improved pianos.
Front the north-west central gallery the words
" serial navigation " are sounded, and the visitor is
entreated to notice the self-propelling rotary bal-
leen ; while from another ILarter, Mr. C. Bell re-
gigots ladies to observe his new ladies' saddle.
Vs oodoo are also issued to visitors from the Low Moor
Iron Works—from the furniture stand of Messrs.
Hunter—stud from Mews. Penn, of Greenwich.

Other words arc• doubtless in preparation ; and soon
visitors will be found issuing from the building la-
den with little descriptive libraries of the various
' industries of all nations.

PROPOSED ENTERTAINMENT TO PRINCE ALBERT
AND THE EXEC*: TIDE COMMITTEE AT 11:1111INGH
An influential meeting of manufacturers, merchant•, and
others, Has held in the Town Hall, at Birmingham, on Wed-
, nesday, the mayor (William Lucy, Esq.), in the chair. The
Ineaiug took place in consequence of a circular issued by
his worship, from which the following is an extract :
"As the labours of the Exceutic!.` Committee for the Ex•
hibition of the Industry of All Nations now been
brought to a most successful termination, and their v.:7v
arduous. duties basing been discharged in a manner which
entitles them to an expression of approbation and thank,
from the manufacturers of this town and district, I feel

that some decided mark of our appreciation of their exer-
tions is due to them, and propose that a meeting of the
exhibitors be held to determine whether any, and what
steps shall hr taken to express our obligation to the Execu-
tive Committee for their very valuable services:* In opening
the business of the day, the Mayor said lie was happy to be
uhle to announce that the object fur which he had invited
their attendance was looked upon most favourably by all
the principal manufacturers of the town and district.
After a brief discussion, in which Mr. Alderman Lowden,
Mr. Osier, Mr. John Aston, Mr Goddard, and Mr. T. C.
Salt took part, the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted That this meeting is fully impressed with a
deep sense of the eminent services of his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, with whom the exhibition of all nations
ori-
ginated, and of her Majesty's royal commissioners, and also
of the talent, perseverance. and courteous conduct of the
executive committee of the said exhibition appointed by
them; and duly appreciate the benefits received from the
executive committee by the exhibitors from this borough
and the neighbourhood." " That his Royal Highness
l'rince Albert and her Majesty's royal commissionen, with
the executive committee of the Exhibition, he invited to a
public dinner in the Town Hall of this borough on an early
day." A committee was subsequently appointed to carry
out the Mews of the meeting.
Tim MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE
has decided that the great hall of the Conservatoire des
Arts-et-Metiers, Paris, shall be apted to the exhibi-
tion of the which that iMat may purchase
at the Olinda.