The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-16


reduced to mere cyphers, that they stand there
az types and emblems OF the disgrace of the
South, and as representatives Of her degradation
French View Of the Great ExhibItlen.
| Translated from the "Phar9, Of NsU York
This exhibition is not only the great indus
trial event Of the age but it il also great event
in human affairs. From England to China, from
the United States TO Russia, every people, Of
every religion, climate and color, here display
to each other their discoveries, their inventions
and their works. Ii is an immense fact They
are now beginning to communicate with each
other, through the agency Of material things
they will arrive next at an intercommunication
of mind That common language which ad-
dresses tho sight, will prepare them for that
language which speak to the intellect. This is
the road which must conduct US to that heaven
of dreams; the universally ofpeace, in the lib
erty Of mankind.
The Crystal Palace is perhaps the reverse Of
the Tower of label. e
| At the moment of entering, the first impression
is dazzling to giddiness. Imagine the "Winter
Garden" Of Paris, two stories high, and fifty
times larger. From HE four great avenues, as
wide as tho Rue de Ia PAX, converging from
the centre, run numerous branches from the en-.
ormous trunk--a hundred galleries with two
hundred halls and eight stiarcases. And along
all these ways, and over every portion of this
city Of glass, come and go without confusion
| embarrassment or restraint, q multitude of all
nations, in which the English predominant, but
where oriental costumes amalgamate charmingly
with black suits, and where we might easily
find interpreters Of every idom in the world
| There we have mass Of human beings, OF
labor and of wealth accumulated together. Here
have been congregated the efforts and the genius
of 5000 years. What does it show 1t veriies
the material results Of the past and the present.
Men promenade among their own works; an
ever moving crowd circuates among immovabe
things, which it has created, and which it will
re-create az actively again rs ever. Life which
passe, away, admres itself, in the life that lasts
and the universal suffrage of the working men
| of two continents come here to tell and know
what o'clock it is in the march of industry.
| At each corner of the upper gallery we can
embrace at a view the whole interior--frst we
distinguish the immense crowd-then four lines
Of the most beautiful stalls, and the most pre-
cious works Of art--nnd lastly the statues, the
mirrors, the glasses, the rich stnffs the diamonds
and the carpets. The great jet Of water in the
centre spreads its crystal liquid from the shaft
Of solid crystal--her. and there organs are play
ing the ia ional airs of every people; the pene-
tratnc perfumes of exotic flowers recalls the
senses to absent countries; and in order that
divine nature, which has never varied or changed
since the deluge, should be represented, three
immense trees of Hyde Park spread their massive
branches with ease under the crystal and little
birds, caught Unexpectedly in this snare, like
men fanrying themselves free because their
prison is great, sing gaily amidst the din and
hum of many voices.
1t is the grandest Of spectacles! To England
ia due the honor Of having presented it to the
wo-'I and we are not among those who think,
tina. 2 was France W ,ich should have proceeded
her il the realization Of the idea. We shall
say Ia CT, what we think France ought to do in
her turn.
In the meantime, England has the right, and
probably had alone the power to hold the first
industrial Jubilee Let it be borne in mind that
| it required year to construct this marvellous
crystal cathedral Let not be forgotten that
one single foundry furnished the metal, and one
single establishment, the glass-and then con-
| slider, that twenty thousand persons crowd there
every day, paying at least five franks each to
| enter.
| 1t will be acknowledged that without boast
| ing, we accord to England all that she deserves
of riches and power Now, in this friendly duel
in which every nation is contending with its best
arms, and is represented by its best productions,
where America sends railway bridge, Spain
her mantelas, Portugal tobacco, and Austria a
statue of Radetzki lin the tattle Of peace,
which of the two principal soldiers Of civiliza-
ton, at the present moment, France or England,
seems to have borne away the palm Of victory
There is the true question.
We will reply with simplicity, and according
to the dictates of our conscience, although COM
L It'll nd q L.. L
informed that the French commission, out of
decacy wished to refuse pronouncng judgment
and limit itself to mere report without con-
illusions. NJ. Chas. Dupin insisted, however
that France should give its vote, and we praise
him for it. 1t is necessary to be just, even in
ones own favor. Our sincere and profound con-
vction result of the first general impression OF
| the exhibition, We will announce
! England has the advantage in all that requires
will, perseverance, patience, indomitablc labor
and material force.
But the superiority of France is so incontesta-
BILE in every thing that demands genius, grace
art, talent and soul, that there is no possibility
of comparison.
England may protest, and perhaps in good
faith against this Judgment, precisely because in
these question, she is a very bad judge. But the
truth of it will be not the less evident to nil
Europe. If the domain of the finite belongs to
England, the infinite belongs to France. II
England has every thing that man can accom-
plish France has all that which God gives.
1t Is not necessary for us to produce proofs
by IA comparison with our productons--the
proofs are in the English exhibition itself
Art-which we search for every where as the
supreme expansion of industry--shines here nd
mirably in three portions of the English exhibit
ton; and 1t is exactly these three luminous
points, which render the surrounding shade so
dark, so void, and 30 sad.
We find first Of all, an enclosed hall which is
! called the Medieral Court. There are reunited
furniture and ornamental objects copied by
artists and modern workmcn from existing
models of former workmen and artists of the
middle ages. They are perfectly exact, and
/ ell, o.,d .x.ix