American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-06
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
The Worlds Fair--The Beginning and
ha

Inc exhibition IN the Crystal Palace seems to
have had its origin with Prince Albert and
some sduans with whom he is associated, and
with whom he consults. Whether the idea
originated with him, or was suggested by others
to him, is of little consequence, SO far as his
own reputation is concerned. In either case,
he is entitled to great credit. He has added n
wreath of fame to his previous honors, which,
few princes, comparatively, have had either the
opportunity or the disposition to obtain. Iehe
purpose was a benevolent one, and in kee ping
with his general character 1t seems to have
been reluctantly adopted by the British rninis
try, and only under the impulse of Alberts po-
sition rs prince They could not run
the risk of offending the Queen, in the present
state of parliamentary majorities, as TO do SO
might turn the balance against them upon the
first occasion of important defeat. They know,
by the history of England, the serious effects
OF Queens resentment, or even that of one
near the person, and possessing the ear of
majesty. Lord John Russell is good histo-
rian, and has himself written WELL He knows
the consequences that have attached to spiling
a cup of tea on lady's gown, and those of
spreading costly garment for lady's feet
But after being forced to take up the pur-
pose, the British ministry proceeded with a
tolerably good grace and with general wisdom
in carrying it out. Proposals for plan of the
building were published, and two hundred and
forty-fve plans submitted for examination
These came from different individuals of diff
ferent countries. Mr.. Paxton, gardener of the
Duke of Devonshire, proposed glass Hesita-
ton and reluctance were, by his able arguments
and sketches, changed to approval In the
lighthouses of the Duke he had learned the
properties or powers of glass, and was, by his
native genius, able to expound them.
The materials for the building, principally of
glass and iron, were to be collected, and per-
sons found capable of constructing it safely and
skilfully. In England they were not wanting.
1t was built at a cost of over $4,000 pounds
sterling, or upward of $685., 800.
The building proved, when finished, well
adapted to the great object in view; and on
the first of May, 1851, was opened. Appro-
pirate quarters had been assigned to different
countries, and the arrangements in this respect
were highly judicious. The Russian autocrat
and the American republic were each furnished
with accommodating space. They had, as had
all others, fair field for this intellectual and
mechanical conflict. There came to that arena
the Russian, to show his progress from the age
in which, in a certain sense, it had begun-the
age of Peter the Great. The proud descendant
of that monarch sent forward the proofs of
Yna ha artu lal
which have been cultivated in his country since
the time of Peter the ship-carpenter and shoe
maker-for in his zeal to introduce the arts
into Russia, Peter the Great learned both these
arts.
The American Republican was there with the
products of his skill and intellect, and some of
hisraw materials. Some strong argument was to
be deduced from the articles exhibited, of rela-
tive mutual progress in the respective countries,
and in which Of them moral and political insti-
tutions had been most promotive Of human ad-
vancement The monarchies were exultant; !;
the great body of the exhibitors were monarch
lists, as were nine-t -tenths of the judges; there
was not the least room to suspect any bias to-
ward any production or invention of a republic
and if it at all succeeded, it must be by the mere
force of its own merits. Those going thither,
clad in the garments of o democracy, were as
uncouth to the eye of the vast majority of the
spectators and judges as Ulysses in rags to the
eyes of the suitors on the festal day, when the
hand Of Penelope was to be won by him who
could draw the bow of the renowned chieftain.
The feeling with which the American contribu-
tors were received and viewed is well described
in the homely but vigorous lines of Punch:
"Yankee Doodle sent 10 town
His goods for exhibition;
Every body him down,
And laughed at his position"
If, then, in the sequel he should bear off any
great prize, it would be from no doubtful cause
it would be in case as clear rs sunshine. Pal
nam qui merut yferdt would be truly said of all
laudaton he might receive, and of every medal
given him.. Days and nights passed in which
the porcupine quilts Of the press were fretfully
thrust at the Americans, who sometimes no
doubt were irritated and wounded. The yacht
America was probably not regarded as more
likely to win the race than the American reaping-
machine was deemed worthy prize of the first
class This last, after grave deliberaton, and
consultation no doubt, with British or other me-
chanicians, the Time, described previous to trial
as ybrid between chariot carriage and q
wagon. That journal also described the Ameri
can ploughs with similar ludcrous epithets and
jeers. But the flippant sayings of national pre-
judice or inadequate intellect do not pass mus
ter with men of real science; nor does the man
of genius and experience, who is really pro-
found inventor, hide his head for the laugh of
such inferior critics rs he has often to encoun-
ter. The Americans did not run away from
the great exhibition, although by these prelimi-
nary displays of British courtesy they were
invited to do so They might safely appeal, in