The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-24

TINE GREAT ExHIBrrIoN-rfE FOREIGN covTIYBr
TIoNs-ARTIcLEs FROM RUSSIA AND AMERICA.
From the London Times April lO.l


From the London Times April lO.l
While all concerned making immense efforts
to complete their Preparations in time for the open
ing on the LIST Of May, and while from the rsis IN
dgesfaqus n'olts Of packages, painting operatives,
laborcrs fitting materials, and exhibitors forms Of
order and tasteful arrangement are slowly and pain
fully emerging invite the reader to make tour
with US round the Crystal Palace, aud to mark the
ever varying features Of that remarkable scene
which the interior now presents. Entering at the
south end OF the transept and satisfying the vigi-
lance Of the policemen and other officials who guard
it, approach, find ourselves suddenly in the centre
Of the building, with China close upon our right
and India on the left In front Of us workmen are
busily engaged laying the foundations Of Ostler's
crystal fountain, and beyond are the alloments
Of Turkey Greece, and other sunny regions Of the
South. But the first thing that strikes the eye ar:
the brilliant decorations OF Mr.. Owen Jones, and
the light and fairylike effect Of his coloring, now
displayed to full advantage, and completely vim
dicating his reputation as Il master Of the art OF
embellishments. Nothing can well be conceived
harmony with the general character of the edifce,
than the style of painting adopted. All the objec-
tions and criticisms which have assailed the artist
will be completely senced, and their injustice fully
acknowledged, when the public admitted to pro-
nounce their opinion on the result IL Will be re.
collected that slight departure from his original
plan was decided upon by the royal commissioners,
who, like Others formed an unfavorabe impression
of the general effect from the first specimens exh
bited; but in this respect Mr.. Owen Jones has
been allowed to have his own way latterly, and
building. Fears are still entertained that the calico
covering over the roof will dctract much from the
splendor of the colorng, and certainly, as far as
that OF the preparations has been carried the
result is not avorable but We hope that the injury
thus done above will be more than counterac.ed by
the brilliancy of the objects below and that uni
form shade may reconcile the eye to effects which.
seen at present imperfecty, cannot be fairly
judged of.
But not to nger longer in the centre of the build
ing, let us first pay visit to the principal foreign
compartments, for which purpose the yisiter turns
to the right and passes down the eastern half of
the nave. Through half open do or, on the left
hand side you catch glimpse OF Spain and her d-
minished possessions. A great earthen jar from
Toledo rests upon the floor one side, suggestive
of vineyards and the grape juice, and IA land favored
by Bacchus. In another part may be seen bags of
orange colored netting, suspended from the hoard
ing, containing dates from Madeira, while beneath
them lie great sugar canes, now beginning to look
dry and decayed, and a brass cannon peering tmd-
ly from its leather covering, as If it found itself oat
Of place amid 50 many products Of peace and indus
try. Still holding eastward on the left hand side,
and leaving the southern States of Europe behind,
the vister crosses Belgium, half warlike from the
display ofartillery and arms, and enters the ter
ritory of In belle France. Orr ncighbors are now
thoroughly in earnest about their preparations, and
every day make considerable progress, Quet,
active looking worhmen, bearded and lloased,
and forming striking contrast to our me
and an air of very great intelligence the
tasks severally assigned to them. On the north
side Of their allotment considerable quantity of
stationary machinery has already been fixed.
Handsome oak stalls, neatly inscribed with the
of exhibitors, up with great rapidity,
and against the boarding which separates the one
half Of the space from the central avenue the pro-
cess Of signpainting Is carried on in eTcry variety
of color and every imaginable kind Of ground.
In the nave, Nj. de Seigneur, with a band of a.
sistants, necessarily labors a. his group Of ~ Mi
chael and Satan; and under his continuous efforts
the enemy of mankind becomes every day more
hideous and the Archangel more seraphic. The
work promises, when completed, to be fne French
impersonation of Alilton's conception. Michael,
hut for his wings, would pass for Joan Of Arc and
the enemy OF mankind has his attributes of horns,
cloven foot, and tail distinctly developed little
beyond this group, another aspirant for artistic
fame makes rapid progress with his work The
subject is Godfrey Of Bouon, the great crusader,
mounted on gigantic charger The body Of tho
horse has been completed, but his legs have stl
to be supplied; and seated IN the interior of the
rider, whose figure has only been put together |
up to the waist, the artist, some one o. his !
assistants, may be observed quietly building W the
shoulders and chest of the trst Christian Ming #
Jerusalem. Dur neighbor: are, with their usual
ing wide passages for the cir ulaton NJ
the crowds who will visit their space: and while |
they have adopted the general system of dstribu-
ton recommended by the Commissioners, the
snowy character Of their display will enable them
to give il increased effect. The silks Of Lyons the
tapestry of the Gobelins, the carpets Of Subusson,
the porcelain Of Seyres, and the fancy cabinet
work, bronzes, and jcwclry of Paris, will show
magnifccntly, when concentrated, either side of
the nave. We understand that the fittings Of the
whole compartment are to be Of the most co.tly |
and tasteful description and far have they been
carried that there Is danger Of the French
hibition being late in consequence From France, |
let US now pass into Holland, and, pausing there |
for q moment IL admire some magnificent candida |
bra and flower vases and a fine chime Of bells, |
move onward into the Austrian division. "Aftcr |
Inc the delugc," said Prince Metternich--a fine |
saying, but false prophecy We trust At all |
events, the arts have persisted in the great re-
evolutionary inundation. Tho four fitting up |
in this compartment promise to be leading attrac-
tions in the Exhibition. There is a bejsteal in |
one Of them, booker sc in another and slcboard
and tables in a third. at the extraordinary beauty
OF which our cabinet makers and wood carvers will |
stand aghast Other objects Of corresponding mag
niiiccnee are being put up daily. and the whole
of this country high idea Of the taste and elegance
Of the Niennese. The only trophy from tho Aus
trian collection which has, yet, taken it, place
in The na,s is group in plaster Of Paris, repre-;
horse. We next pass on to the States Of the Iol-
ycrcn, amid piles Of packages significant Of CONF
mercal entefpre, and bands Of workmen who labor
necessarily in the construction Of great octagona
hall. How this hall is to be decorated remains to
be seen but doubt the Interior when con- pl. ted
will be worthy Of Germany. Two objects stand out |
in the centre aisle. between the northern and
southern sections Of the Iolvcrein allotment, which
must attract an immense amount of public attcn- |
ton and admiration. One represents a n.ountc |
Amazon, iavein in hand, which she is preparing to
hull W bBtEs upon Tue anu
neck q her afrighted horse. The shock Of the
savage animafs spring Is given by the artist with |
tremendous energy; and the figure and expression
Of the rider halt feminine, yet still warlike, are
surprisingly fine. The work rs open To some crit- /
c.n especially in the posture Of The horse, but,
the whole, II il noble example Of bronze satuary
aud i full Of genius. An immense bronze lion FROM
Bavaria is the other object which the German states
have placed in the nave and this is really |
grand production. The king Of beasts i Represented
with marvellous fidelity, and even to the light, |
half stealthy, yclyety tread, the likeness is COM
plete The great massive bones, the muscular de- |
velopcment, and huge chest and name, hrou ght
out with telling effect; and tho bcholder ne he looks
almost believes that he really "a lion in the
way" We now enter upon the department Of Rus |
sian industry-small. comparatively, when tho
tent Of the Cars domnions u remembered. aud !
with nothing at present to characterize IL. But
great expectations are formed Of the goods TO be