The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-06 00:00:00

rnE SUN, LONDON, TR RS9AY NTE NI NG, 11 ARCH 6, 1862.

peal would benefit the consumer. (Mr. Bass—Cer- Hungarians are just now a good deal depressed, and
tainly.) The other question he wished to put was the opportunity is good for arriving at an arrange-
this—Was he correct in assuming that the case ' ment with them. This, however, would have to be
they now put was that the position of the hop- done on a liberal footing. If Vienna, beholding
grower was very much worse than it was in former them downcast, were to flatter itself with a belief
years—(cries of " Yes," and " Hear, hear")—and that they would accept any terms offered, and were
that was in consequence of measures for which he, to act accordingly, it would soon find that it had
as Chancellor of the Exchequer, was primarily re- been greatly mistaken, and that the Hungarians
sponsible—namely, by the reduction of the duty on were as far as ever from giving in, But as, in
foreign hops ? (Hear, hear.) He understood the Hungary, there is no wish, except on the part of a
meeting to intimate that the great reduction of the very few, for a total severance from Austria, and as
Customs duty on foreign hops had been a main the duration of the present state of things is mani-
agent in bringing about the unfavourable change in festly highly injurious to the material interests and
the position of the native hopgrowers. (Hear.) He progress of the country, so if overtures were made
wished to know in what way that had been done. in a generous and frank spirit, they certainly would
Was he to understand the opinion of the meeting bo gladly entertained. It is probably this state
to be that the effect of the reduction of the duty on of feeling, for the existence of which I think I
foreign hops was that in years of plenty they may venture to answer, that has lately given
merely came into the market on equivalent terms rise to various rumours of a coming recons
with English hops, but that in years of scarcity ciliation and agreement. A moderate amount of
they came into competition with British hops and concession on both sides might enable these to be
reduced the profits of the growers at the very time attained ; but the great preliminary difficulty seems
that they looked for such a return as would pay to be to find a point of contact, and to set negotia-
them for cultivation ? (Hear, and an exclamation tions on foot. It will always be matter of regret
of " Precisely so.") He understood it, then, to be that a mixed commission was not appointed last
the opinion of the meeting that by the partial re- summer, composed of a few persons named by this
duction of the duty the buyers had largely benefit- Government, and of others deputed by the Hunga-
ted. All that he had to ay upon the subject was rian Diet, to discuss and try to reconcile the exist-
that they had not yet reached the end of the finan- ing differences. Much good might have been done
cial year, and that it was not for him to state what by such a council of nutables, and even now itmight
the prospects of the country were likely to be for the not be too late to carry out the idea, That some
next financial year, or what was the relative pres- progress is likely soon to be made towards the ad-
sure of competing claims for the remission of taxa- justment of the long-pending differences is the fa-
tion. In urging the repeal of a tax they might state vourite belief of many, and in this sense consider-
the case in two ways. They might either ask for the able importance has been attached to Count Ap-
absolute and total repeal of a tax on its own merits, ponyi's recent decision definitively to retain the
or propose a substitute, and they had adopted the office of Judex Curie, which he had long insisted
former mode on the present occasion. He was afraid on resigning. This decision, which he is under-
that he must ask them to judge for themselves the stood to have come to after numerous audiences of
state of the country, the demand upon it at the pre- the Emperor, seems looked upon both in Pesth and
sent moment, and what likelihood there was of the here as of hopeful significance, although it cannot
probability of the surrender of any revenue. With be said to be equivalent to any real progress. It
regard to the question of substitution, he had not is not the olive branch, but it is hoped that it may
gathered that the meeting had proposed any other prove to have been its forerunner.
duty, and, indeed, it was not their duty to do so. A letter of the 26th of February from Venice, in
He.wasnot finding fault with them. He only pointed a Vienna paper, says that the Carnival there is end-
out the difficulties that beset the path of a Finance ing with the same utter want of animation with
Minister when the expenditure of the country was which it began. The writer, who is completely anti-
exceedingly high, and pressed very closely upon the Italian, represents the Venetians as having been in.
resources of the country. At the same time, he was timidated by the party of agitation—as longing to
quite sure that if at any time his colleagues and frequent balls and to wear masks, and to dance and
himself should find themselves in a position to re- amuse themselves, but as being so fainthearted that
linquish this or any duty, they would gladly give they fear the daggers with which anonymous cor-
it a full and fair consideration. It was clearly out respondents threaten them. This is in the style of
of his power upon the present occasion to offer any
Count Palffy's persuasion that 12,000,000 subjects
pledge upon that subject, because, as he had frankly
of the Hungarian Crown are maintained in a state
stated, his measures would depend upon the gene- of chronic resistance to Vienna by fear of some half-
ral condition of the national finances. Of course, a-million of their fellow-countrymen. The Austrian
taking a Parliamentary view of the question, nothing Governor of Venice, Chevalier von Toggenburg, has
would be more gratifying to the Government than given a magnificent ball, at which were present the
to be able to remit this or any other tax which pick of the foreign aristocracy and rather a re-
might be thought generally objectionable. markable collection of Royal personages, the latter
The deputation then thanked the Chancellor of including,besides the Archdukes Albert and Joseph,
the Exchequer for the courteous manner in which
he had received them. the Duke and Duchess of Modena, the Count and
Countess of Chambourd, and the Bavarian Princes
Louis and Leopold, who were overtaken on their
way to Athens and brought back on account of
the insurrection in Greece. The Venetian aristo-
cracy, says the letter, were very feebly represented.
The health of the Empress continues good, and it
was expected she would go to one of the last Carni-
val balls. There is a great deal of sickness in Venice,
owing to the great and sudden variations in the
temperature, and a peculiar malady has for some
time past prevailed there. Persons who have gone
to bed in perfect health awake after midnight
shivering with fever, which lasts with great vio-
lence all the next day, defying medical skill and
remedies, ending often with the sudden death of
the patient.
From Rome, under date of the 24th inst,, we are
informed, by way of Trieste, that 500 Bourbonists,
who had passed the winter in Terracina, have gone
to the province of Frosinone to reinforce Chiavone's
bands. In Rome the National Committee had issued
a manifesto to the people exhorting them to keep
aloof from Carnival amusements.

AUSTRIA.

A letter from Vienna, dated March 1, says :
The celebration of events and anniversaries which
are supposed to reflect credit on the Government
has become, in certain countries, as much a matter
of " get up" as any theatrical representation.
Europe has had several opportunities of late years
of seeing how these things are done. In our day
there is no keeping the public from a peep behind
the scenes, however much that may weaken the
illusion produced by the performance, and the
regular progress of such things is now pretty well
known. Of course, when a Government wishes
to produce the effect of a great popular manifesta-
tion it reckons, in the first instance, on priests,
functionaries, and soldiers, on the ready smiles
and zealous cherrs of its own servants, and on
the joyous clamour of regimental bands. The
organisation of such shows has reached a consider-

able degree of perfection. There is the stage
manager who clears the ground, and the prompter
who instructs the actors, and there is the machinist
and property man, who has charge and distribution
of the moveable stock, who supplies triumphal
arches and appropriate inscriptions and gay flags,
nosegays and cockades for white-robed damsels to
throw, and also the damsels themselves if required,
to say nothing of bales of enthusiasm and bottles of
loyalty, all safely packed and stowed away in his
travelling vans. He is an undertaker of festivals,
and more than one Royal progress or birthday, or
annexation or concession, would have seemed but a
tame and dull affair but for his tact and exertions.
He is skilful in the anise en scene and all-powerful
with the claque. It was one of his ancestors who
built the smiling pasteboard villages that enlivened,
the view for the autocrat on her progress through
Russia. But that was a primitive and costly device.
We do things better in the latter half of the 19th
century. Whether we are equally successful in
deceiving those chiefly interested is another ques-
tion. It may be doubted whether we deceive any-
body at all. And yet if we reject the resources of
mechanical art and dramatic effect we incur a
failure at which all hold themselves entitled to
smile. I fear that, in constitutional Austria,
the property-man is not sufficiently considered,
or else that his resources are too economically
employed. Something or other was certainly
wanting, three days ago, to give to the cele-
bration of the February constitution the ap-
pearance of a popular festival. As it was, the whole
affair is generally recognized as a signal failure. It
m ayhave been a great day for M, von Schmerling,
but
gazed vacantly, without interest or emotion, at the
carrying through of the official programme. For
the Minister of State everything went off in the most
satisfactory manner. He was quite the hero of
the anniversary. His Sovereign smiled upon
him, his friends cheered and lauded him, his sup-
porters in the Reichsrath gathered around him and
exalted his name. The Emperor conferred on him
the Grand Cross of Leopold, which carries with it,
I believe, the title of Baron or Count; the courtier-
like municipality of Vienna waited upon him with
a congratulatory address ; he was the prominent
figure at the best dinner that could be got up 5n the
biggest coffee-room in the capital ; the authorities
and functionaries, civil and military, of several of
the chief cities of the Empire telegraphed to him
their good wishes and enthusiasm, and he had the
satisfaction of knowing that at all those places
he was being toasted at official banquets; while
from the frontier fortress of Kufstein, even before
the anniversary-day arrived, the wires brought him
intelligence of the healths that were being drunk
(with the able co-operation of the thirsty Bavarian
employes there stationed) to the Emperor, to the
Minister, to the Constitution, and to the Reichs-
rath. Of course, journals well affected to the pre-
sent order of things tell us of the unexpected
and spontaneous and truly popular character
of all these demonstrations, but their assertions
impose upon nobody. It is perfectly understood
that the celebration has been a purely official one,
and Las not found the smallest echo in the hearts of
the people, who have looked on at the comedy
scarcely even with curiosity. There is it lack -
faith in the virtues of the in fant constitution, which
p
as yet hno found but such partial acceptance at the
hands of Francis. Joseph's subjects. Absolutely re-
jected and ignored by more than a third of them, and
opposed by an important section of the remainder, it
cannot be said to have even become a reality. The
spectacle presented has no serious character. In
a rump Parliament—a majority, composed of per-
sons either in the employment of Government or
Is
who, it is well known, blindly follow its lead,
votes whatever the Cabinet proposes. Although
really representing little more than half the nation,
declared
it `-
competent to decide the gravest ques-
tions.
What would become of it were it to vote a
measur©
displeasing to the Emperor and his advisers
no prophet needed to,"tell us. There is an un-
reality about th e whole
et i
whatever for its duration, as
things which the public
evidently
theta is n oregeulsarritaitriea also strongly felt that
matters now stand. I°stead
of playing at anniver-
saries, it is thought the Government would do well
to take steps to conciliate its
and provinces, commencing with Hungary. malcontent kingdoms
The
1 moment is not unfavourable. It is positive that the

THE EXHIBITION OF 1862.

was not drawn upon), and not one-half of the
visitors were at first nervously admitted who
swarmed into the Exhibition unchecked as official
confidence increased. Commissioners, like other,
people, however, grow wiser as they grow older,.
and white Sir Richard Mayne has had a very liberal
order for about 450 choice policemen, we should
hope that he will instruct them not to make them-
selves offensively active. The exhibitors, without
whom the great building would be hardly an attrac-
tive show, are even now suffering in mind, body,
and goods from over-drilling ; and the visitors, who,
are to pile up a money-surplus for the Royal Com-
missioners, would like to escape the strong arm of
1 authority as much as possible. This Bathe tendency
to over-drill the public will only raise a real diffi-
culty out of the narrow approaches question. A
stream of people seldom gets into a dead lock and
con fusion without the aid of the police; and while
it takes a Duke of Wellington to move 60,000 men
out of nyde-park, six times the number will get'
themselves out in half the time if they are only
quietly left to act for themselves.
Old Swan-wharf, Chelsea, has been licensed to
land goods for the Exhibition. Being very near
the building, this place will prove very useful to
exhibitors, as lighterage is much cheaper than car-
tage. The wharf is very extensive, and contains a
large number of sheds, to which more are being
added by i.vlessrs. Morgan Brothers, who have
secured the whole area for the purpose of storing
the empty cases of exhibitors.
We believe that the latest decision of her Ma-
jesty's Commissioners is to %t aside about 30,000
reserved seats on the opening day for the use of the
earliest taken of the season tickets.

The contractors for the great building seem
during the last week to have awtkened from what
looked very much like a trance. Spurred on by
commissioners, superintendents, clerks, exhibitors,
public opinion; and a regard for their own reputas
tion, they have made gigantic strides towards com 7
pleting their overdue task. The division of labour
and the pressure of work have now become more
apparent than they ever were to the visitor, simply
because they are concentrated on fewer points.
Scaffold poles and timbers seem to drop like thawed
icicles from the unfinikhed transepts. The flooring
in the nave and the northern courts seems to slide
out over the ground like an iron shutter ; and the
painters, under the energetic direction of Mr. Crace,
lay on their colours and ornamentation with more
than scene-painting rapidity. The spacious picture
gallery for British art, the length of which can only
be fairly measured by walking through it, has been
decorated, and well decorated, in two long working
days. The dome scaffold at the east end is being
pulled down—the painting of that singular part of
the building being completed, and the scaffolding
of the western dome will begin to disappear at the
end of the week. Mr: Ashton, the superintendent
of the iron work within the building, has con-
structed a wooden slide, somewhat like the once
celebrated slide of Alpnach, and down this the dis-
engaged timbers will glide from roof to floor with
a rapidity not to be attained by ropes and pulleys,
We are sorry to have b record another workman's
death to-day, making 10 fatal accidents since the
commencement of the building.
The arrivals of goods are still not numerous,
partly owing to the backward state in which many
of the home manufacturers find themselves. Dublin
has delivered a smell cargo, and the model of the
screen of Hereford Cathedral has come in, but the
British department cam only li-Oast possession of
about half a dozen cases up to the present time. In
the foreign department the Russian collection has
partly been delivered, along with some 20 cases of
Frankfort furniture, and nearly all the foreign
commissioners. When the rush of goods in this
department comes on, a number of temporary holes
will be knocked out in the Cromwell-road wall,
under the picture galleries, whro the cases will he
put through with as much speed as possible. At
present the courts under the British picture gallery
are crammed with pictures of almost fabulous value.
Amongst the things expected is a fine collection
of raw materials, fabrics, tissues, &e., from Siam,
sent from Sir Robert Schomburgk. A valuable
cargo of woods from Dominica, comprising about
one hundred and seventy valuable and ornamental
samples, has also arrived at Southampton. The
Indian collection also promises to be unusually vast
and complete, if room can be found for it; but in
1851, and in Paris in 1855 this department suffered
very much for want of space.
The Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Walsall
manufacturers have hardly yet got over their dis-
content at the tardy arrangements of the commis-
sioners, although they are determined to make a
good show. The space set aside for the Birmingham
court is an oblong piece running off one of the main
avenues, and as it extends from this avenue to the
outer wall of the building, part of it will be beneath
the gallery. The permission to hang chandeliers
has been withdrawn, as the engineers of the building,
without mistrusting its strength, will not allow any
heavy articles to be suspended from walls or
galleries.
The Wolverhampton exhibitors have also received
a court, of which the Walsall exhibitors of saddlers'
ironmongery are to occupy a small part. Special
goods o
courts in the hardware section have been allotted
onlyal
st
aol
1;
d forheffi feld more, Wolverhampton, and
than 1 cwt, per
Walsall
superficial foot', the commissioners require a special
foundation.
One department of the Exhibition—the chemical
and pharmaceutical section—which was far from
being prominent in 1851, promises this year to hold
a very important position. It can hardly hope to
be popular in the broad sense of the term, but those
who have feasted their eyes on the brilliant colours
of the textile department may like to see some of
the unsightly agents by-.7llich such gorgeous effects
are produced. Thanks to the energetic manage-
ment of Mr. C. W. Quin, F.C.S., there will be
such a British collection of drugs and chemicals
in the south-eastern portion of the eastern annexe
as the world has never seen before. The exhibitors
will number upwards of two hundred of the first
manufacturers in this country, and hardly a
name of any eminence will be missing. Several
collections of great importance will be exhibited.
A complete system of drugs, systematically ar-
ranged, is in course of preparation by a committee
of the most eminent members of the Pharmaceuti-
cal Society, assisted by Professor Redwood. A very
interesting collection of chemicals, illustrating
the improvements made in calico printing and dye-
ing since 1851, is being formed, at the suggestion
of Dr. Lyon Playfair, by INlr. Robert Rumney, of
Manchester, whose combined knowledge as a che-
mist and a manufacturer renders him peculiarly
fitted for the work. In no department of applied
chemistry has such an advance been made within
the last ten years as in dyeing and calico printing;
and in the history of these useful arts perhaps no
period has been so fruitful in good results. A col-
lection of products illustrating the discovery of the
coal-tar dyes formed by the first workman in this
fertile field, Mr. W. H. Perkin, will also be exhi-
bited, and the various dyes will be remarkably well
represented.
The display under the British textile division
will be of a very practical and useful character.
Glasgow will be the chief manufactured cotton ex-
hibitor, Manchester, as in 1851, having scarcely
made any effort worth naming.
In woollen and mixed fabrics, Mr. Wallis reports
a more satisfactory series of exhibits. Leeds, Hud-
dersfield, Halifax, and Bradford will all show in a
collective form. Glasgow will shine in lace, em-
broidery, and mixed fabrics ; and Paisley,Norwich,
and Dublin will keep up their old reputations.
This part of the display being very effective in co-
lour and texture, will be arranged near the eastern
dome, and the whole of the textile division will be
placed in the south galleries.
The heavy woollens and tweeds of Scotland, the
blankets of Witney, and the Rochdale flannels will
occupy good positions in one of the cross galleries,
the lace being placed in the other. Here Notting-
ham will take an important position with a very
effective display.
The silk manufactures will be placed against the
north wall of the picture.gallery, thus getting a
good north light. London, Manchester, and Mac-
clesfield will probably be combined here, and, with
a few exceptions, all the best houses will be repre-
sented. The Coventry collection of ribbons in this
exhibition, in consequence of the transition state of
that particular trade, will necessarily be very
limited.
The linen manufacture will follow the silk in this
part of the building, and the staple of parts of
Scotland and the north of Ireland will be well re-
presented. It is here that the Belfast committee
will exhibit a large trophy. The class for clothing
is to be placed in the gallery at the back of the
picture-gallery, so arranged as to commence 'with
boots and shoes, passing through trousers and coats,
and finishing with hats. The exhibitors' space for
textile fabrics will suck up eighteen thousand square
feet of floor, independently of all passages, and the
vertical space occupied will probably amount to
one hundred thousand square feet more.
The proposed supplementary exhibition—if we
are to judge by the silence of its promoters—seems
to be given up. If the scheme had been carried
out, we have no doubt that many rejected and dis-
satisfied exhibitors would have filled the building
with goods, but we question very much whether
the expected flocks of visitors would have appeared
either as purchasers or loungers. The two and
twenty acres of the Great Exhibition, to say no-
thing of the galleries and stairways, will doubtless
s ano chance of the present commissioners ever turning
even the most hungry sightseer, and there is
prevailed, and officialism seemed to regard the
away from the doors. In 1851 a timid policy
peoplemoney
y
as dangerous wild beasts. The army and
the police were gathered in and about the building
as if to smother a revolution (we believe the navy