The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-03 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS,

TIMES.— The splendid ceremonial in Paiis on
Monday is worthy to be called a political event. In
the presence of the French Emperor and Empress,
of the Sultan, of the Viceroy of Egypt, the Prince
of Wales, and other exalted personages, in the pre-
sence of all the chief Governments of the world,
represented by Ambassadors and Envoys, and before
a great multitude to which every every nation con-
tributed, the prizes were distributed to the success-
ful competitors at the latest and, grandest of Inter-
national Exhibitions. The Frenchman who cast
his eye around that vast and well-proportioned
building, on the brilliant assemblage of the princely
and the noble, on the intellectual or energetic
throng who were to receive the reward of their ex-
ertions, and on the great civilised society which had
gathered to do honour to the guests and the enter-
prise, had reason to be proud of his country. The
reflecting European might be as much impressed
with the spectacle as the Mussulman ruler who for
the first time has set foot on Frankish soil. It is
so Much the custom on occasions to glorify
modern civilisation, to expatiate on the wonders of
art and industry, and to foretell unnumbered bless-
ings as the consequence of every social gatheiing,
that what might be said with truth of this pageant
has become commonplace by repetition on less im-
portant occasions. Every one, however, who has
seen the great collections of art and industry at
Paris, who has observed the diverse nationalities of
the visitors even in this early period of the year, te-
fore the real tide of foreign travel has set in, and
who has, moreover, considered how great must have
display which has
bb
re
oe
un
gthhte
si
on
vt eerreesi
gt
nesx cal
nt edd
pbryi
ntehees
civilised and bet--
basic, from the ends of the caith, w"'. admit that
it would be difficult to exaggerate the interest
.and
importance of the occasion. If ever rhetorical
phrase be excusable, it is in describing a people, a
city, and a show which have roused the curiosity of
all nations, have impelled the proud, the timorous,
journeys,
and the apathetic to undertake lengthened
and have made the Court of the Tin'eries the
gatheileg place of kings. The speech of the French
Emperor is conceived in a spit worthy of the oc-
casion and the theme. He would be justified in
claiming for France an eminent position in connec-
tion with this great work. It is true that the Ex-
hibition, being universal and international, i 5 the
production of all nations. It is true that some of
the most important contribiitions have -been- made
by foreign exhibitors. If some nations have in cer-
tain departments not done themselves justice, while
every variety of French art and industry is fully
represented, it is no less true that in many parti-
culars foreigners have shown incomparable
origi-
nality and skill, and their labours are among the
chief attractions of the Exhibition. But the impress
of the French mind is on the whole. The d'sposi-
tion of the building, the airangement, at once
simple and scientific, of the departments or classes,
the central court, the girdle of restaurants, the
sureoundnag park, with its wonderful buildings of
all kinds, are undeniably French, and foreigners
have paid a tribute to the excellence of the concep-
tion by the readiness with which they have fallen
in with the conditions imposed, and the general
acceptance which these conditions find now that
they are understood and themprinciples appreciated.
It is universally admitted that though the birlding
has no architectural pretensions, yet, enN_roned as it
is without and tastefully arranged within, the
i effect
is most pleasing, and that in no building has t been
easier to pass whither one wi=hes and to see what
one wishes to see. Perhaps no other shape and dis-
position of building would have allowed such an
immense number of objects to be seen to equal ad-
vantage. We must do the French thejustice to say
that they have by their trste and power of organi-
sation made the Exhibition successful, and that the
praises it receives from every sisitor are principally
due to themselves. Their share in the enterprise is
even greater than is represented by the section they
have reserved for themselves in the btrlding. In
this latter respect, in the actual contest of produc-
tion, they may, when they look upon their country's
display and compare it with that of the rest of the
world, exclaim, " Nec pluribus impar." French
art, French skill in manufacture, French power of
adaptation to new branches of industry as shown in
the machinery and ironwork, deserve the admiration
of every beholder, and these, combined with the
skill which has given a fitting
receptacle to all the
swpiematk so
nin t
hteh emnearimtse
ooff
hFisrcoanuene:f
y The Emperor,
wonders of the united world, would justify one who
dwells-
will confer on mankind by .bringing however, in speaking of the
them together
nEgi.xhnhigebdiitlipatned,
chiefly on its universal character, and on the benefits
it
a.nd giving them common objects and a peaceful
He also notices a happy characteristic of
this Exhibition—that objects which minister to the
pleasure of the wealthy and the luxurious are com-
bined with an extraordinary number of contrivances
for making necessaries cheap to the multitude. He
truly says that "the interests of the labouring
classes have never aroused more lively solicitude."
" Their moral and material wants, their education,
the conditions of life at a 'chaps rate, the" most
productive combinations of association, have been
the object of patient inquiries, of serious study."
Phis o:speak, plebeian character
of i s
much utilitarian
that
ta
is shnod,
wn SG t
53 a
good sign in an Exhibi-
tion which is to instruct a'l the nations of the
world, many of which, little advanced in civilisa-
tion, need rather the comforts than the graces of life.
The Emperor concludes his speech by a patriotic
and political appeal which almost rises to eloquence.
Of the greatness of France, for which he challenges
the admiration of the world, and of which he bids
Frenchmen be proud, we have sufficiently spoken.
Its prosperity is equally beyond a doubt. The
great city in which the ceremonial of Monday was
celebrated is not more a proof of the magnificence
and taste of the Empire than of the increasing
wealth of the nation which requires and can create
such a capital. Paris could not have grown as it
has except through the extraordinary development
of industry which has given fortunes to men of all
sorts and conditions, who now come to spend pal t
of their time and mokiey in their favourite city.
Paris has doubled in popula'ion in our time through
an invasion of provincials, even more than through
the increasing concourse, of foreigners and those
who minister to them. the third glory of France
whichthe Emperor bids his subjects notice is its
liberty. To discuss this subject would bring us to
a political discussion which on such an occasion it
is desirable to avoid. Thus much, however, must
be admitted, that the French nation as represented
at its elections is satisfied with the order of things
which now exists. The Emperor can at least say
that France, once disquieted, is now laborious and
calm, and can point:to her industrial exertions as a
proof that she now thinks less of revolution and
will
war. Foreign nationsreciprocate the language
of the Emperor respecting the esteem and sym-
pathy entertained by France for them, and her
sincere desire to live at peace with them. Let us
hope that in a few years the principle now enunci-
ated and the instincts now encouraged will produce
their effect in the dinnoution of those armaments
which now weigh down the energies of Europe.