The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-16
Of American Mechanics at the
Worlds Fair.

1
The following account OF the triumph q
American skill must be in the highest degree
gratifying 10 every friend OF his country. We
copy il from an Interesting letter of the New
York correspondent of the Buffalo Republic
II should operate as quietus upon the Inns o
the hdebound John Bull who have Indulge
in contemptous sneers at the American porior
ofthe Worlds Fair.
The success of our splendid ocean steamers
has put John Bull on his metlle. Not only
do the Pacific and Baltic outstrip the fastest o
tho Cunarders, but John finds that our Cha
grcs steamers so monopolize the West India
and South American traffic that his West In
dia steamers are a losing spec. He is. there
fore, building five additiona' first class steam
ships of from $500 to 5000 tons burlhen, 10
run from Sonthamnton 10 Chagres. touching
at St Thomas. Two ofthese vessels are al
ready ahost, and the remainder will be launch
ed in the course Of the ensuing month, and
are to commence running early in October.
am glad to see tha, the old boy has got some
pluck leli in him, ip spite OF his repeated fail
ures to compete with us, Go ahead old fel :
low, we are bound to beat you, any way.
The meanness and positive dishonesty of
the course pursued by the English Press to-
ward this country, since the opening o. the
Crystal Palace. surpasses anything Of the kind
ever before Witnessed; but "murder will ou,.'
and so will truth. We ara beginning to have
justice done us. The contest between Mr.,
| Hobbs, the agent of Messrs, Day & Newell
the celebrated lock. makers, of this city, and
Mr.. Chubb, hitherto considered in England
the best lock-makers in the world, in which
countrymeD came of triumphant, has led 10
some course developements in relation to the
conduct Of the English press towards Amer
| lean exhibitors at the Worlds Fair. A gen
teman, connected with the American Legis-
lstiou al London, has kindly furnished me with
tho following interesting accom-; Of the "Bank-
lock War;" as it is called in that city; to which
| have no doubt, wide publicity will be given
by the newspapers Of this country. My infor-
nation says:-"When il was ammo unced, that
a Yankee lock- superior 10 any Of Chubb's
make, had been placed on exhibition in the
Crystal Palace, and that a Yankee lock maker
proposed 10 pick Cubb's lock, the only response
was shake of John Bulls stupid head. A
Yankee pick Chubb's Iock' Impossible. Mr..
Hobbs. the agent of Messrs. Day &c Newell, Of
your city, modestlv attempted to call attention
TO the productions of that firm, but his attempts
were unsuccessful; and Newell, splendid Pat
ent Paratopic Bank Lock was passed by, with
a sneer, by English noblemen and English
engineers. 1t came from America. and lha,
was enough 10 damn il in the estimation OF
every inhabirant Of the British Isle. Mr.
Hobbs put up with this trearment as long as he
could but he got mad, at last, crooked a ten
penny nail, and declared that Cubb's lock
shouldsbe picked forthwith"
"Mr Hsnsman, the Chief Engineer of the
machinery department of the exhibition, who
had discovered that Mr.. Habbs was man Of
superior abilities in his line, bought one of
Chubb's six tumbler locks, and circulated re-
port, that the Yankee locksmith' was agoing
a. ,i-i. n,L:- --setod quite an exoitcfheBi.
and Mr. Hobbs soon became something Of a
lion. As soon as proper preparations could be
made, Mr.. Hansman, Mr.. Roberts, OF Man
chester who is known all ov,r England as a
man Of great scientific and mechanical skill,
Mr.. Aphold, distng uished London Engi
neer. and several other celebrated engineers,
Mr.. Hobbs and myself, retired to Mr.. Hans
mans private room at the Crystal Palace
where the veritable Chubb lock was about TO be
demolished. Mr.. Hunsman locked the lock,
anu handed il 10 Mr.. Hobbs. who, with his Gu
rious!y crooked tenpenny nail, picked 10 in Just
seventeen minutes. Mr.. Hansmau re- locked
it, and Mr., Hobbs nicLee ed ed il 10 less ;iIan three
minutes. When we issued from the Engi-
neer's room large croud was anxiously wait
ing TO hear the result Of the experiment; and
tho announcement that Chubb's lock had been
twice picked in twenty minutes, created an in
tense excitement"
"On the following day Lord John Russell,
the Duke Of Wellington the Duke of Grafton,
and several other magistrates, called on Mr..
Hobbs and requested him to explain the prin-
cipe upon which Mr.. Neweps Paratopic lock
is constructed. Mr.. III. complied and his no
BILE visitors expressed themselves highly giai-
fed. Mr.. Lawrence, (the American Ambas-
sador. who has been a staunch friend TO Mr..
Hobbs ever since his arrival, was overjoyed
when he heard Of his success. Mr.. Lawrence
had invited the Duke Of Wellington TO accom-
pany him to inspect the Pauatopic lock, previ
Gus TO the demolition of the Cubb lock, but
his grace had not been able TO do so. % the
Queens last drawing room day however, when
the Duke saw Mr.. Lawrence entering the
room, he called ont to him so loud as to attract
the attention of the Queen, and every body
else, "l have Sc n your great American lock;
it is the greatest thing in the exhibition. and
am happy TO congratulate YOU" This is the
highest possible compliment, not only 10 the
makers ofthe lock, but to American mechan-
ical skill for il will be observed that the Duke
said. lit is the greatest thing in The erhi6ition,"
and he always means what he says. His re-
mark has caused much displeasure among his
countrymen, but Mr.. Lawrence is so veil
please with It that he tells the story TO every
body that calls on him, so Messrs. Day and
Newell may be considered on the high road to
fame and fortune, will conclude by stating
that although there are 900 guineas behind
Messrs. Day & Newelps lock as an induce
ment for some one TO open it, the English
locksmth have not as yet dared TO make the
attempt, thew being satisfied from close in
spection OF the Paratopic lock that it is abso-
luteIy unopenable, except by person posses
sing the right key"