The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-11 00:00:00

The Irish International Exhibition.

DUBLIN, MAY 10.

When the late Lord Carlisle, on the 12th of June,
1863, laid the first stone of the Dublin Exhibition
Palace, none of those who surrounded him, however
sanguine in their expectations, could have anticipated
a result so magnificent as that which was witnessed
yesterday on the same site. On that occasion pos-
session was taken of a piece of rough neglected
ground called the Coburg Fields, for the purpose of
forming them into winter gardens. The weather
was wet and chilling, and a few planks were placed
upon the sod, and a tent or two erected, for the
purpose of protecting the ladies and gentlemen pre-
sent from the effects of the cold and damp. The
company had been formed to provide a place of
rational amusement and instruction such as those
with which other large cities are provided, but of
which Dublin was singularly destitute--a winter
garden, where in all weather horticultural exhibi-
tions might be held, where musical societies might
meet, where concerts on a grand scale might take
place ; a rendezvous to which the friends of social
progress and the cultivated classes of society gene-
rally might resort ; a sort of terminus at which the
various lines of intellectual progress might converge,
where skilled industry might associate with high
art ; a centre from which civilising and refining in-
fluences might emanate and be diffused over the
whole land. There were to be galleries for the
exhibition and sales of statuary and pictures, depart-
ments for the display of manufactures and useful
arts, a polytechnic museum, a theatre for lectures
on popular science, &c. The capital for this purpose
was subscribed in good time by 600 shareholders,
including many of the leading citizens of Dublin,
led on and encouraged by the Duke of Leinster and
Mr. Benjamin Lee Guinness, whose names repre-
sent all that is noblest and best in the aristocracy
and the mercantile community of Ireland. Mr.
Guinness, who had purchased the Coburg Gar-
dens, gave the ground to the company on easy
terms, and with it the credit and influence attach-
ing to his character as the first and wealthiest of our
merchants. Such was the origin of the Exhibition
Palace, which has been created within two years.
It occurred to the public-spirited originators
that when the building was completed it might be
fittingly and usefully inaugurated in connexion with
an International Exhibition, and it was deemed
essential to the success of this project that it should
enjoy the patronage of the Queen ; but to obtain
this it was necessary that it should be divested of
the character of a commercial speculation, and ac-
cordingly a committee was formed, quite distinct
from the company, exclusively for organising and
conducting the International Exhibition, for the
purposes of which the palace and the gardens were
rented from the company at the sum of £15,000.
The application for the Queen's patronage was
earnestly supported by the Chief Secretary, Sir
Robert Peel, who, in a letter to Sir C. Phipps,
urged that " gracious compliance would not only be
most valuable to the prospects of the Exhibition, but
have the effect of giving a salutary impetus to the
public spirit and loyalty of all who are interested in
the welfare of this country." The Queen complied
with the utmost cordiality, and Sir C. Phipps
wrote :—" I have received the commands of her
Majesty to say that she is happy to be able to accede
to the request contained in your letter, and to sanc-
tion the announcement of the Dublin International
Exhibition as under her Majesty's patronage. The
Queen wishes the promoters of this patriotic under-
taking every success."

Mr. Gilbert Sanders and Mr. Hercules M'Don-
nell were then commissioned to proceed to France,
Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and other countries for
the purpose of soliciting the co-operation of their
Governments, and they everywhere met with the
most encouraging success. At Turin a committee
was at once formed for the purpose of affording in-
formation and organising the contributions of Italy.
This committee consisted of the accomplished Pro-
fessor Matteucci, as president; Commander de Yin-
cenzi, of the Royal Museum of Industry of Turin ;
the Hon. H. G. Elliot, British Ambassador ; Pro-
fessor Manna, formerly Minister of Agriculture,
Industry, and Commerce ; Chevaliers Tasca, Pre-
sident of the Chamber of Commerce, Pio Agodine,
and Luigi Rey, the last three having been nomi-
nated as representatives from Turin. To this
committee our countryman, Mr. G. P. Jervis, acted
as secretary, and rendered efficient aid. Signor
Topelli, Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Com-
merce, also issued an official circular, addressed to
the Chambers of Commerce throughout the dominions
of King Victor Emmanuel, in which he said that the
Dublin Exhibition "would offer a new field for exer-
tion, where the raw and manufactured products of
Italy may be judged of, and where foreign nations
will have the opportunity of appreciating the pro-
gress our country has made of late years, the increase
of our wealth, and the development of our economic
life.'i "It is highly desirable," he added, "as the
International Exhibition will not be less important
than former ones, that Italian industry should be
represented. . . . I feel confident that in their
own sphere of action the several Chambers of Com-
merce and Art of the kingdom will do everything
to carry out the object." Besides the central com-
mittee in Turin there were established by Royal
authority no less than 14 sub-committees in the
principal. cities, and at the ports of Genoa, Leghorn,
Naples, Messina, and Palermo, where the principal
shipments were made. The Italian arrangements,
in fact, were made with systematic care and method,
reflecting the highest credit upon the authorities.
The King, to give further proof of the interest he
takes in the Dublin Exhibition, has appointed a
special commissioner; and Signor Marani, the Italian
consul in Dublin, has been associated with him as
commissary and inspector of the department. Mr.
M'Donnell next visited Rome, where he received
assurances from Cardinal Antonelli that Rome
would be as well represented in Dublin in 1865 as
in London in 1862. The presence in Rome at this
period of Lord Talbot de Malahide conduced mate-
rially to the success of the application. The col-
lection of sculpture from Rome has been contri-
buted by the first artists in the world. Lord Tal-
bot de Malahide and Mr. John Lentaigne are the
Roman commissioners to the Exhibition. Austria
was next applied to with success, and subsequently
Bavaria. A splendid collection of cartoons, never
previously exhibited, have been sent from Munich.
Every country in Southern Europe, in short, is re-
presented in the Exhibition.

While those operations were being carried on in
the south, Mr. Antonio Brady was engaged. with
the Scandinavian nations, where he met with ready
eneotragement. In London the agents of the Ex-
ecutive Committee received every assistance from
the promoters of the Exhibition of 1862, from the
Society of Arts, by whom a committee of advice was
apPointed, and from her Majesty's Government. No
less than 100 letters, were issued from the Foreign-
office to ambassadors and representatives of Great
Britain abroad, enclosing copies of the prospectus,
and authorising them to give the movement every
aid intheir power. Mr. Cardwell and Mr. Chichester
Fortescue brought the enterprise before the notice
of the colonies, and Sir Charles Wood and Lord
Wodehouse supported it so far as British India was
concerned. The., co-operation of many of the
municipal bodies-of the United Ringdora was cheer-
fully given, and artists and manufacturers generally
lent a willing'aid. The success that has attended
these various efforts in so short a time is something
wonderful, and I do not think that there was a
single person engaged
in the undertaking, at what-
ever sacrifice of valuable time, who did not feel
himself amply rewarded in the magnificent display
witnessed yesterday with so much admiration and
delight by nearly 10,000 spectators.
There have been exhibitions of greater magnitude,
but it may be questioned if anything altogether so
exquisite as the picture presented yesterday to the
view of the Prince of Wales and his illustrious com-
panions has yet been seen in Europe.
In order that your readers may be able to form an
adequate conception of this combination of all
that pleases the taste and satisfies the understand-
ing it is necessary they should have some idea
of the various departments of the Palace, the con-
tents of the Exhibition, and the arrangements by
which the brilliant and triumphant effect has been
produced. The building, as I stated in a former

letter, is divided into two sections. The stone front
looking on Earlfort-terrace has a fine effect, with
its Doric pillars, Corinthian capitals, and a hand-
some colonnade, with windows designed in the
Italian and Byzantine styles. By the principal en-
trance the visitor is admitted into an immense hall,
having on either side a row of marble pillars, with
beautifully carved capitals, and running the entire
width of the structure. It opens on, the great nave,
opposite the central apse. Marble statues are placed
between the pillars, which support galleries, orna-
mented with pillars corresponding with those be-
neath, by which also the arched roof is sustained.
In these galleries the paintings are exhibited, the
light from the roof showing them to great advantage.
On the left of the entrance-hall is the large concert-
room, intended to accommodate 3,000 persons. It
is 130 feet long and 65 feet wide. Here a magnifi-
cent organhas been erected,and an orchestra capable
of accommodating some hundreds of performers.
This concert-room opens upon the apartment called
the Great Hall, which is intended to be the " Winter
Garden." It extends the whole length of the glass
structure, looking out upon the pleasure-grounds,
and having galleries all round. This hall, with the
galleries, is occupied by the stalls of foreign exhibi-
tom, and presents a most brilliant appearance.
Nearly in the centre of this great transept, facing
the Concert-hall, was placed the dais of the Prince
and the distinguished personages who accompanied
him. This is the French Court, the largest and best
situated in the building. Let the reader, then,
imagine the great Concert-hall crowded with ladies
and gentlemen, the Orchestra filled as closely as it
could be packed with performers, mostly amateurs ;
the Winter Garden, or great hall, crowded in like
manner from end to end, the greater part being
marked off for privileged persons ; the galleries at
each side also crowded by persons of the same class,
with large numbers of military and naval officers,
lieutenants of counties and deputy lieutenants in
brilliant uniforms, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and
the corporation in their civic robes. Beyond this
hall at either end and in all the smaller rooms and
galleries were crowds of season ticketholders, occu--
pying the whole space of the building. The doors
were opened at 11 o'clock, and the company con-
tinued to enter rapidly till half-past 1, when the
doom were closed. Shortly after 2 o'clock the Prince
arrived. He was received by the Reception Com-
mittee.

His Royal Highness was conducted to the dais.
The chair of State, with the seats for the Duke of
Cambridge, the Lord-Lieutenant and Lady Wode-
house, and his Serene Highness the Prince of
Leiningen, were richly gilt and covered with blue
tabinet. Above the dais was erected the canopy
constructed for the Pasha of Egypt. This canopy
is of oblong form, with draperies of maronc velvet,
bordered with gold.
The orchestra then performed the national an-
them with thrilling effect. It was followed by
enthusiastic cheers. When the Prince had taken
his seat, the Duke of Leinster read the following
address :

"May it please your Royal Highness,—For the distin-
guished honour of your royal highness's presence here this
day, we, the Exhibition Committee, desire to offer our
humble thanks. It is difficult for us to give expression to
the feelings of joy and loyal satisfaction which fill the hearts
of all who throng these halls to witness the inauguration of
the Dublin International Exhibition of 1865 by your royal
highness in the name and on behalf of our beloved Sove-
reign. In this mark of favour and approval we discern not
alone the Queen's high appreciation of the interests of in-
dustry and art ; but especially her Majesty's gracious wish
to promote the success of every enterprise which tends to
advance the welfare of the Irish people. The act which
your royal highness is about to perform cannot fail to re-
mind us of the enlightened encouragement which the illus-
trious and lamented Prince Consort bestowed upon every
work of usefulness, and especially upon undertakings like
the present. International Exhibitions, bringing together
the various nations of the earth, and making each better
acqtytinted with the wants and with the resources of the
rest, directly tend to stimulate industrial energy and in-
crease commercial interchange, and thus binding all people
together by the ties of mutual interest they become in no
small degree the auxiliaries of peace and progress. The
fine arts now occupy a prominent place in International
Exhibitions. The display of the best works of renowned
artists open up new sources of pleasure and delight, and
forms a most important agent in the education of the people.
We trust that the Exhibition, at whose commencement your
royal highness so graciously presides, may prove not un-
productive of such beneficial results, and that it may justify
the hopes of those who, in honest labour and in self-reliant
enterprise, recognise the true sources of national prosperity.
'We cannot conclude without expressing our heartfelt
wishes for the happiness of your royal highness's illustrious
con sort; whom the Irish people earnestly desire to see among
them. 'Whenever circumstances may permit her royal
highness the Princess of Wales to visit our shores, which
we trust will be at no distant period, we venture to promise
such an enthusiastic welcome as will convey to her Majesty
and to your royal highness the fullest assurance of loyalty
and devotion."

His ROYAL HIGILNESS replied as follows :

"My Lords and Gentlemen,---I thank you for your ad-
dress. It is a source of sincere pleasure to me to dischge
the duties confided to me by her Majesty the Queen in thus
inaugurating your Exhibition. It is not less in accordance
with my own feelings than with those of her Majesty to
assist in every measure calculated for the happiness and
welfare of the Irish people. The example of my lamented
and beloved parent will, I trust, ever be present to my mind
as a stimulus in the encouragement of every work tending
to advance international prosperity, and to develope the
powers and resources of our own country. The cultivation
of the fine arts, in itself so powerful an auxiliary in the civi-
lisation and refinement of the human race, has been an im-
portant object in these Exhibitions, and seems already to
have produced most satisfactory results. Believe me very
sensible of your kind wishes on behalf of the Princess of
Wales. Her regret at being unable to accompany me equals
my own, and you may rely upon her anxiety to come among
you, assured of the welcome she will receive."
Then from the grand organ and chorus burst forth
the sublime and impressive music of the Hundredth
Psalm, " With one consent let all the earth," pro-
ducing an effect on the vast assembly surpassing,
perhaps, anything of the kind ever before witnessed
in Dublin. When it concluded Mr. Gilbert Sanders,
chairman of the Executive Committee, read a report
giving a history of the Exhibition Palace, from which
the following are extracts :
" The space is about equally divided between the foreign
exhibitors on the one hand, and those of the United King-
dom and the colonies on the other. The demands made
upon us for space in the home sections were fivefold in ex-
cess of the quantity at our disposal. Hence the task of selec-
tion was difficult and embarrassing. We have remembered,
however, that the Exhibition is international; and we have
endeavoured, therefore, to secure what would best illus-
trate and represent the excellence of each country's produc-
tions. Accordingly, the preference has been given to the
inventor, the producer, and manufacturer, over the agent
or retailer. Under these circumstances, it is gratifying
to notice how numerous are the Irish exhibitors in very
many branches of laustry."
"It is needless to state that for the favour with which
the undertaking has been so generally received throughout
the empire we are largely indebted to the patronage of the
Queen, and to the approval which her Majesty has been
pleased to manifest to the Exhibition, not only by many
valuable contributions from the royal collections, but also
by the special recommendations with which the Exhibition
has been officially introduced to the attention of the autho-
rities of the British colonies and of foreign governments by
her Majesty's Secretaries of State. A large proportion of
the colonies have responded to the appeal: and most of
the sovereigns of Europe, emulating the example of her
Majesty, have honoured the Exhibition by their counten-
ance, by becoming contributors and recommending their
subjectS to avail, themselves of its advantages. It is but
just to acknowledge that the Exhibition owes much of its
attraction and its success to the cordial spirit in which
Earl Russell advocated its claims to the enlightened sup-
port of foreign governments. Most of these governments
have deputed special representatives to attend the Exhibi-
tion, to oversee the interests of the exhibitors from their
respective countries, and to aid in the selection of the
jurors, who will, it is hoped, proceed early in the
month of June to adjudicate upon the merits of the produc-
tions which compete for the distinction of honorary
medals."

Mr. Gilbert Sanders then handed his royal high-
ness a splendidly bound copy of the Catalogue of the
Exhibition, after which Mr. Parkinson handed the
Prince the key of the building, when the orchestra
and chorus again pealed forth Handel's grand com-
position of the Coronation Anthem. This majestic
work was delivered superbly under the able conduct
of Mr. J. Robinson, who kept the mass of vocal
and instrumental sound in perfect accord. At its
conclusion, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, in his robes
of office, accompanied by members of the corpora-
tion, in their civic robes, presented an address from
the corporation of the city of Dublin as follows
" To his Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales,
Earl of Dublin, &c., the humble Address of the Right
Hon. the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of
Dublin.

"May it please your Royal Highness,—We, the Lord
Mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Dublin, take the earliest

opportunity of welcoming most heartily your Royal High-
ness on your arrival in this city,and of conveying the assur-
ance of our undiminished loyalty to our most Gracious So-
vereign the Queen of Groat Britain and Ireland. While we
have learnt with no little regret that the visit of your Royal
Highness must at the present time be very limited, yet we
hail the advent of your Royal Highness as an omen that
this portion of the Queen's dominions may more frequently
be honoured by the presence of royalty, and thus enable us
to look forward to a period not, as we hope, far distant,
when your Royal Highness may return in company with
her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, who is still a
stranger to Ireland except by fame. The occasion which
induced your Royal Highness to revisit Ireland, the opening
of the International Exhibition, is one which must be inte-
resting to your Royal Highnesses the son of the ever-to-be
lamented Prince Consort, to whose wisdom, energy, and
influence such exhibitions owe their origin. We trust that
the undertaking which your Royal Highness will this day
inaugurate may prove of special interest as a means of sti-
mulating the industry, developing the resources, and pro-
moting the abiding welfare of Ireland, so that when, in the
far-off course of time, your Royal Highness shall no longer
be a subject, you may reign over a happy and contented
people." _ _ _

The Lord Mayor handed the address to his Royal
Highness, who replied as follows :-
6, My Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the City
of Dublin,—l return you my hearty thanks for the kind
welcome you have given me, and for your loyal expressions
towards her Majesty the Queen. I regret that circum-
stances should prevent the extension of my visit to a longer
period. It would have been very gratifying to the Princess
had sho been able to accompany me, and I request that you
be assured that we look forward to another occasion when
she will have the opportunity of appreciating the hearty
welcome which my own experience leads mo to anticipate
for her. You justly ascribe to me a peculiar interest in this
day's ceremony. As the son of that revered and lamented
parent to whose wisdom„ energy, and influence you truly
state exhibitions such as these owe their origin, I may well
feel proud in being able to assist in the inauguration-of the
one we are about to open. May your prayers bo granted
that it will bo the means of producing the usual result at-
tending well-directed labour, and conduce to tho prosperity
of Ireland and to the happiness of her people."
When his Royal Highness resumed his seat, the
orchestra gave " The Heavens are telling " from
Haydn's " Creation." After this performance the
procession, which was a leading feature in the cere-
monial, commenced and advanced from the centre
of the nave in the following order :

Contractor and Architects.—Messrs. Beardwood, T. A.
Jones, and F. Barley.

Superintendents of the various Departments.—Fine Arts,
Mr. H. E. Doyle ; Indian, Captain Taylor and Dr. Wat-
son; Colonial, Mr. P. L. Lemons; British, Mr. T. A.
Wright ; Agricultural, Mr. A. Corrigan.
General Superintendent—Mr. J. F. Iselin.

Secretary of Executive Committee—Mr. C. E. Bagot.
Secretary of Exhibition—Mr. H. Parkinson.

The Exhibition Committee—The Lord Chancellor of Ire-
land, the Duke of Leinster, the Earl of Meath, the Earl
Charlemont, the Earl of Howth, the Earl of Rosso,
F.R.S., the Marquis of Drogheda, the Earl of Clancarty,
the Earl of Lucan, Viscount Gough, Viscount Powers-
court, Lord Talbot de Malahido, F.R.S., Lord Anally,
the Marquis of Kildare, Sir Robert Shaw, Mr. Gilbert,
Sanders, M.R.1.A., Mr. Francis W. Brady, Q.C., D.L.,
Sir Edward Grogan, M.P., Sir Percy Nugent, Sir
J. J. Coghill, Mr. P. P. M`Swiney, ex-Lord Mayor ;
Sir Thomas Deane, Sir Bernard Burke, Hon. Judge
Berwick, Hon. St. John Butler, Hon. J. P. Vero-
ker, the Right Hon. Alexander Macdonnel, Right
Hon. the Attorney-General for Ireland, Right Hon. Mr.
Justice O'Hagan, Major-Gen. Colomb, Mr. J. E. Vernon,
D.L., Mr. B. L. Guinness, D.L., Mr. Henry Andrews,
Mr. William 3PKay, Mr. Catterson Smith, P.R.H.A., Mr.
G. F. Mulvanny, Maj or-Gen. Sir Thomas Larcom, K.C.8.,
Sir Ralph Howard, Mr. Maurice Brooks, Mr. Wm. Dar-
gan, D.L., Mr. David Drummond, Mr. Win. Foot, J.P.,
Mr. John Fry, Sir Richard Griffith, Sir George F. J. Hod-
son, D.L., Sir Robert Kane, F.R.S., Mr.Wm.R. Le Fanu,
C.E., Mr. J. Lentoigne, J.P., Mr. Thomas Pim, Mr. Wm.
R. Stephens, Mr. John W. Switzer, Mr. Thomas Vance,
J.P. Honorary Members—M. Geo. Livio, French Con-
sul ; Signor Aug. C. Marani, Italian Consul ; Mr. Wm.
Garner, and Mr. Hercules Macdonnell.
Foreign Commissioners and Representatives.
Athlone Pursuivant of Arms.
High Sheriff of the City of Dublin, J. Boyce, D.L.
Lord Mayor of York.

Mayors of Cork, Waterford, Liverpool, Londonderry,
Manchester, Sunderland, and Salford.

Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Lord Mayor of London.
Gen. Sir George Browne, Commander of the Forces.
Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Knights of tho Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick.
Dublin Cork
Herald.
Lord Chancellor.
Herald.

Lord Mayor of Dublin.
His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant's Household.
Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King-at-Arms.

Her Excellency Lady Wodehouse, His Excellency the

Lord-Lieutenant.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
His Royal Highness the Prince of 'Wales.
Equerries and Aides-de-Camp.

The Prince repeatedly stopped to admire the
works of art which met his view in the different gal-
leries. When lie returned to the dais the orchestra
gave with magnificent effect the opening chorus
from Mendelssohn's " Hymn of Praise." When it
concluded his Royal Highness rose and commanded
Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King-at-Arms, to declare
the Exhibition open. This was signalised by a
flourish of trumpets and a rocket sent up from the
building, which was answered by the firing of royal
salutes from the Pigeon-house fort, the battery in
the park, and the ships of war off Kingstown. r.Fhe
grand " Hallelujah " chorus from the " Messiah "
was then sung, and immediately after the National
Anthem, specially arranged for the occasion by Mr.
Joseph Robinson. It was followed by several rounds
of enthusiastic cheering from all parts of the build-
ing. The photographic artists were busy all day ;
but I do not think it possible that anything like
justice can be clone to the tout ensenzble which then
presented itself. The group around the Prince, how-
ever, as they stood during the singing of the National
Anthem, was one which I hope will be faithfully
and vividly photographed, and it will form a most
striking historic picture.

In the evening the Lord Mayor gave a ball in the
Mansion-house in honour of the Prince of Wales,
which was attended by the distinguished visitors
who accompanied his Royal Highness, and a large
number of the nobility and gentry—nearly 2,000
having accepted his lordship's invitation. The
dancing took-place in the King's Room, which was
inconveniently crowded, as well as all the other
apartments thrown open on the occasion. It was a
very brilliant assembly. The Prince of Wales
arrived at the Mansion-house at half-past 11 o'clock,
accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant and Lady
Wodehouse and suite. The Prince opened the ball
with Lady Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse having for
his partner the Marchioness of Drogheda ; the Duke
of Cambridge, the Countess of Charlemont ; and the
Lord Mayor, the Marchioness of Kildare. The
Prince of Wales danced a good deal during the
evening; he retired with the Viceregal party shortly
after 2 o'clock. The dancing was kept up till a
much later hour.

A grand review of the troops in garrison in Dublin
was held this afternoon on the Fifteen Acres, in the
Phoenix Park. The Duke of Cambridge took the
command of the troops. They were reviewed by
the Prince of Wales and the Lord-Lieutenant;
Lady Wodehouse, Mr. Edmund R. Wodehouse, the
Hon. Ralph Harbord, and other members of the
Viceregal Household accompanied the Royal party.
The number of spectators on the ground was
greater than on any similar occasion since the visit
of the Queen in 1849. The Prince of Wales, who
was attired in the uniform of the 10th Hussars, of
which Regiment his Royal Highness is Colonel, was
received with the greatest enthusiasm. On the
arrival of the Prince, at a quarter past 3 o'clock, a
Royal salute of 21 guns was fired, and the troops
having been inspected the review at once com-
menced. It terminated at half-past 4 o'clock.

BEDOUINS.—DIRTY, BUTPICTURESQUE!—Mr. Sala,
as special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in
Algeria during the Emperor's visit, says They are
highly picturesque, these Bedouins, but the nastiest sot of
animals you ever saw. Rags are worn en Arabesque, sem&
with pathos ; legs au natured : papouches a la slipshod, or
down at the heel ; and oh ! if you could see their toenails!
There is not a child of the desert on the Place du Gouverne-
ment but who might dig his great-grandmother out of her
giave with his pedal claws. I suppose that when Igo into
the interior I shall see the Arab in all the nobility and
dignity of primitive nature. I hope he will be' a little
less ragged than the specimens—to the number of some
hundreds—l have yet seen. Bat it is the old story. Take
ever so copious a stock of illusions with you to the bright
Orient, and within half an hour after landing you are as
bankrupt as the Bank of Deposit. You see a lank, weedy
screw, with a switch tail, blear eyes, and of the colour of a
Danish carriage dog; that animal, you are told, is a full-
blooded Arab horse. That lumbering vicious, groaning,
wheezing brute is the camel—the famous djemel, the ' ship
of the desert,' the offspring, as the Arabs poetically declare,
!of the ostrich and the. gazelle.