The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-25 00:00:00

THE INTERNA lIONAL EXHIBITION.

The remarks which we felt called upon to make
upon the tardiness of English exhibitors in sending
in their goods have produced very good effect. All
are apparently now hurrying forward as fast as
possible, and during Friday and Saturday the goods
came in briskly. Great activity is also being
shown (though not a day too soon) in fitting up
courts and counters ; and on Saturday partitions
and enclosures for the English side were being
made in all directions, and the whole building
rang With the noise of saws and hammers. If the
work is carried on in this spirit the English may
still recover the ground they have lost by their
own procrastination, butlthere must be no relaxa-
tion in their efforts between this and the day for
opening. The snow has shown that many parts of
the glass ridge-and-furrow roofs are still far from
water-tight, and the northern courts, especially along
the walls of the refreshment rooms, are very leaky.
These defects must be made good at once, for it will
be quite useless to urge on the delivery of goods in
places where the water during heavy showers drips
through the sashes on to the cases beneath.
An immense mass of the eastern dome scaffolding
is now down, sufficient to allow much of the effect
of Mr. Grace's decoration to be seen. It more than
realises the expectations which were formed when
the preliminary attempt was made on a small model,
and comes out remarkably well. The capitals of the
great main columns have been richly gilt, while the
columns themselves are painted of a deep Venetian
red or chocolate colour, which shows their massive-
ness very well, and renders them conspicuous for
what they really are, the chief supports of the dome
above. It has been proposed to paint a wreath of
flowers twining like a garland down these pillars,
but such a decoration would have the effect of di-
minishing their apparent bulk, and destroying in
appearance their architectural purpose. They can-
not look better than they do now, and Mr. Grace
would be wise to let well alone. The sunlike orna-
ment at the apex of the interior of the dome does
not have all the effect that could be desired, but the
walls beneath the dome belt, the belt itself, and the
ribs above aro all that can be wished. It is to be
hoped that now this last and most difficult of the
decorations is finished, the remainder of the scaf-
folds themselves will soon be removed. The refresh-
ment saloons in the upper story of the arcades over-
looking the Horticultural Gardens are nearly
finished. The view from the windows of these over
the gardens will be one of the most charming in
London. The flower show in the gardens on Wed-
nesday last gave a good idea of what the scene will
be from this point during summer.
The superintendents of the various classes are
now working almost day and night to get up their
different departments to the highest perfection. On
their care and diligence the success of the Exhibi-
tion greatly depends, and the Commissioners have
been most fortunate in their selection of these gen-
tlemen, each of whom is eminent for his skill and
knowledge of the arts, sciences, or manufactures
committed to his care. As there is little to record
in the daily progress of the building, a short ac-
count of the principal objects expected by the
superintendents in each class will, we think, be
interesting to our readers. As however it is barely
possible to give more than one or two classes in a
single notice, we shall take occasion to resume the
subject from time to time, taking them in the order
in which they stand in the official catalogue. Mr.
R. Hunt, F.R.S., has sole charge of Class 1, which
includes mining, minerals, and mining materials, all
of which will be shown in a portion of the eastern
annexe. In this class one of the most important and
prominent groups will be examples of the applica-
tion of the beautiful new metal aluminium, by Bele,
of Newcastle, which will include several most elabo-
rate works of art. The examples of iron will be
remarkable as comprising every possible variety of
specimens of rough and hammered ironwork, and
one foundation is being laid to receive a double
throw crank weighing upwards of 25 tons, made at
a single forging by the Mersey Steel Works. Rail-
way metals of enormous length, rolled in a single
piece, without a weld, will be exhibited among other
things by the Blaenavon. and Butterley Companies.
One rail is upwards of 80ft. long, and another no
less than 117 ft., made without joint or weld, at a
single rolling. Enormous armour plates and sheets
of wrought iron will illustrate the strides made in
this branch of manufactures since 1851 ; and Lord
is sending some wonderful examples of bars
of iron Dudley
tied cold into perfect Gordian knots and
tangles. Messrs. Schneider, of Ulverston, will
show a very large and costly model of
their
ironworks, eo as to illustrate the most recent
improvements in the blast furnace. The Northum-
berland and Durham Coal Trade Association are
sending models to exhibit tho best methods of
ventilating mines, and of the newest and most ap-
proved underground engi •
ac-
companied by fine (man
Sunderland Committee will be represented by a
engineering appliances. The
model of their docks with all their admirable ap-
paratus for loading coal. These models will be ac-
of each district.
specimens of coal, and some of
a the great coalfields
Nearly
examples of the mineral product's
blocks weigh upwards of three tons. Specimens
of copper, tin, and lead, with fine collections of the
ores of these metals, will come from Cornwall)
send
the single