The Express.
London, England, 1865-08-23 00:00:00

-

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to
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ROMAINE'S.
Tots Noma. °TRILL°. Mews. Ira Aldridge. W. Mont-
gomery, Hats. L Wlngesid. Whim : Nur Mailman and IL
Robertsots—And AXIOM Has. LAW' Wissfiski. Mr. Robins,
Mr. Mugliss: Mira misiesaid, Howard, Caveadlik and Nemo.

PIIWO 14irs.
TEN WANK KIASTATILINDS AND vrntourennien.
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Ilraßland. —The Meting Tama/. And BLIGHT ]ND BLOOM-
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HIGH WATTS AT LONDON-11111DM
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TO- 1033110 W Mafgasis, SIX 46m Aftilnklea. 4 te.

LONDON. WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 23.

Tits Industrial Exhibition movement in London
having now made the complete circuit of the wra-
ps% halting fors display at each of the cardinal
points, we may briefly advert to some of its fea-
tures, and endeavour to ascertain what is to be
learned from the experience of twelve months. A
year ago Working Men's Exhibitions were only
an idea. Some people thought it a very vain and
empty idea, which could only be indulged at the
price of much disappointment and loss. Those
who, in the confidence of fuller and more erect
knowledge, dared to set these sinister prognostics-
tions aside, may now fairly recall the difficulties
they encountered in the scepticism of lukewarm
friends, and compare predictions with results.
That some mistakes should be made was only
natural, and every generous mind will regard them
favourably. What can be done has been shown,
and the demonstration is not impaired by the fact
that in one or two instances the earlier gnome has
not been repeated.
The project of the first Working Men's Ex-
hibition arose from the feeling that the skill which
gave the chief attraction to the Great Exhibition
of 1851, and to others which have been held since,
was not sufficiently referred to its actual posses-
sors. In • certain sense, all exhibitions of arts and
manufactures are Working Men's Exhibitions, but
neither in Hyde-park nor at South Kensington
three years ago were the names of the art work-
man at all recognised. The temporary employer
was everything, and the artist nothing. It was as
if a chalice of CIELLINI had been exhibited in the
sole name of Pope CLnivcr. It was natural that
this should be regarded by many workmen as un-
fair, though whether the institution of Working
Men's Exhibitions supplies the best corrective of
the evil may be doubted. We question whether
many of the cunning workers who made our great
exhibitions so brilliant have since exhibited in their
own names. The interests of capital and skill are
best promoted in alliance. Still the idea, having
been warmly embraced, became fruitful. Bodies
of working men in various parts of London, as-
sisted by good advisers, took the work in hand,
and the result exceeded all expectation. The
exhibitions furnished a striking proof of mental
activity among those who labour with their bands,
and their skill showed • facility of production,
exercising itself not only in the channels
prescribed by the ordinary laws of supply
and demand which must govern the directions
of the employer, but disporting itself often with
much grace in the by-ways of industry. The
first exhibition of this order was opened in South
London, and the second in North London, and it
is in them that most success has been achieved.
They had the advantages of novelty on their side,
but that is far from explaining their success. They
were well planned ; their originators had carefully
calculated the means at their disposal, and under-
took no more than they could accomplish. They
avoided speculation, and entered into no engage-
ments fatal to the freedom of their management.
Their administration was marked by a simplicity of
aim which preserved it from many errors, especially
from that of relying on extrinsic attractions adverse
to the character of their enterprise, and therefore
likely to hinder its success. The working classes
took pride in the scheme, and both exhibited
freely and went in families to pay their money,
and see what had been done by men and women
of their own order. All this gave a strong dis-
tinctive character to those exhibitions, and caused
them to be visited by members of other clime*
who were willing to pay liberally for admission.
But all exhibitions hive not been so fortunate.
That which was closed on Monday at
the Floral Hall, and which, as originally
projected, was designed to represent the industry
of the West-end, has failed to pay its expenses, and
has entailed a debt of 1,0001., being more than
half the receipts from all sources, a deficiency
which will probably have to be made up by the
subscribers to the guarantee fund. The Committee
appear to have made • mistake in the choice of •i
place of exhibition. The Floral Hall could of
course only be hired fora very large sum, and it
does not appear what advantage was to be gained
by holding the Exhibition there. A. bad bargain
seems also to have been made with Mr. Ors, who
was not only to have 1,0001., with one-fourth of
the receipts, for the use of the Hall, but had
besides the right to fix the rate of admission. A
shilling was the price he appointed, and the conse-
quence was that the working classes were shut out
of their own exhibition while it was in its fresh-
ness. Then, further, a " musical performance "
was instituted, contrary to the covenant of the
tenancy, and disputes arose, leading to the inter-
diction of concerts. The Committee had departed
from the simple idea of the earlier exhibitions to
speculate on making theirs attractive by the
hackneyed devices of the showman. With
failure and disappointment came recrimina-
tions, and what we fear we must call
appeals to charity. It was complained that the
upper classes had not done their duty—as if they
are not always ready to pay for seeing what is worth
looking at, and as if they had any farther duty to
perform in the matter. Then, if we remember
rightly, an application was made for the favour of
a visit from some of the younger members of the
Royal Family ; and when this failed, some large
firms were canvassed to buy bundles of tickets as
• mode of assisting the concern. AU this is very
derogatory to the independence of the working
classes, and strangely inconsistent with the self-
sustaining spirit in which the earlier exhibitions
were conceived and administered.

Without inquiring further into the means of
this particular failure, we may express • hoprilhat
great care will be taken to prevent a repetition of
it in any future exhibitions that may be medi-
tated. In these days every fruitful idea is in
danger of being discredited by excessive or ill-un-
derstoodapplication. Emulation, the desire to exeel
in merit, has given us some good exhibitions, but
the spirit of imitation which seeks to reproduce
the outside show where the soul is not, will prove
the parent of bad ones. Society at the present
day is infested with imitators who live by consult-
ing what they fancy is the humour of the hour,
and when them men resolve that there shall be a
Working Men's Exhibition, the very ease with
which they find implements and materials ready to
head is a source of temptation. There are stock
chairmen and stock committeemen, just as there
are stook objects of exhibition, which three men
know smartly and at all times where to find. It is
desirable that all parties should understand what
the public will encourage with its patronage. It
would be a great mistake to suppose that there
exhibitions are, so to speak, the order of the day,
that they form a want of the times, and must be got
up--well, if possible—but in any case must
be got up. The fact is quite otherwise. If
Exhibitions like those of South and North London
spring unexpectedly out of the spontaneous action
of the class in the name of which they appear, and
are vindicated by the result, the public will ap-
plaud the energy and skill and power of combi-
nation of which they are the evidence, and gladly
recognise in them the promise of social progress ;
but let North-West-by-West and South-by-East
London rest in peace, nor fear that anybody will
think worse of them if they should not see their
way to hire halls and challenge all oomers to a
competition of skill. Exhibitions belong to a class
of undertakings that are to be judged strictly by
Rumen. Much is forgiven to those who do their
best in difficult situations which they have not
sought, but little sympathy is extended to those
who fail and injure others in the mere act of self-
assertion.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO GERMANY.

Her Majesty is in excellent health, and is cur-
rounded by the youthful pieces's' of the royal family at
HOSIOIII4 in the vicinity of Coburg.
His Royal Highness Prime Alfred is at Coburg ; and his
Royal Rightism Prinee Arthur is expected to join the royal
aisle to-morrow.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prhios end Princess of Wales
and his Royal Higbee, the Duke of Cambridge will arrive
at Coburg on F.lday.

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