Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-26
WORLDS FAIR,

We extract the following interesting account of the
Indian Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, from the N.
Y. Tribune:
In the Indian collections lind quantity of black
pottery, almost as thin the paper porcelain of China
smooth and polished as though carved out of ebony
covered with delicate traceres OF gold and silver The
forms OF these Objects precisely similar to those which
obtained in the days of Alexander the Great testv;nr
to the immemoral routine of Indian life are exceed
lngly SIMPLE yet graceful and striking, and seem to be
indigenous to the country, bearing no resemblance 10
those OF the gay grote que productions of China and
other neghboring nations. The SOFT unduIatng curves
OF these old world watervessels bowls and lamps the
elegant outline OF those vases surrounded by dem-6p-
ures IN rude bas-reef and surmounted by quaint coy
ers OF ribbed pen-work, terminating for the most part
IN crown-ke point, might suggest valuable hints to
European workmen.
The Indian department is, in general, one of the
richest and most complete in the Exhibition the East
India Company having expended no less than eighty
Thousand pounds sterling 10 forming this admirable
COLLECTION, IN which every natural product, every branch
sened that this wonderful land with its entire popua-
on seems to pass before the eye. Conspicuous in the
center AISLE fanked by enormous umbrellas of embroi-
dered silk rnged with gold, which borne over The
heads OF grandees on State occasions the large
cases OF the Lahore Jewels, around which eager crowds
are always congregated, who never weary of ex-
aiming the masses OF pearls rubies emerads carbun-
Giles and diamonds here displayed Sken Jacket,
whose golden embroidery only as a groundwork
to the epauettes of enormous pearls and the other or
naments OF precious stones OF incalculabe value with
and purest emeralds extant, set round with diamonds
head 'dresa es turbans, sword hits and housings stiff
with every species OF Jewels and pearls, Golfers snuff
boxes fans of peacock fea thers shields &c so sufad
with precious stones that one gets suriet of the mr.
tce; cups and covered dishes of white agate and cor
nelian nlad with wreaths OF emerald-leaves and ruby
fowers 10 delicate setting OF pures gold; cups of rock
crystal OF enormous value but OF tar less beauty than
good flint glass; carvings in ivoy objects in silver
hagree OF miraculous fineness, are here brought to-
geher with proiuson that more than realizes the daz-
Mt llrInp oil p,,tt
seen In bro daylight and dispassonatey Judged are
lar less beautiful than one would have imagined; the
clumsy setting OF most of them undoubtedly diminshes
the splendo of their effect, but even with due allow
ance on that the real jewels of Natures making
are, many OF them, less beautiful both n hue and bril-
lance, than the cunning limitations displayed in various
in great measure skiiiul setting and the day will
PROBABLY come when Art will equal, If not surpass
them; the exaggerated value which has been attributed
to them disappearing in company with other ancient
prejudices What indeed, be more absurd than tho
arithmetic OF the appraisers OF the Kohl moor and
other great diamonds, who thus "Ths diamo
cost tour hundred thousand pounds at such period; If
this sum had be accunula'ng ever since, with inter-
es, it would now amount 10 Two m lions serling-erpo
this diamond is worth two Millions
Inc art OF weaving Is evidently arrived at great per-
lection IN India; witness the shawls from Cachemre
OF such admirable evenness and decacy of texture as
no European skill approach, of sober rcnts IS of
color and grace OF design that leave all competitors at
Unreasonable distance, and promise to this ancient
birth place of these beautiful draperes an indefinite
prolongahon OF its old supremacy; witness also the
musllns OF most exquisite decacy, finer than cobwebs
and winter than snow, embroidered with gold and sill
yer, and bits of sparkling beetles wings, more brilliant
than Jewels kerchies and scarfs of the brightest and
most delicate colors, combined with wonderful tasle
and skill; rich silken stus for hangings cloaks and
urbans OF materials so lne and soft that can ha rd-
y believe the finest French nernos TO be kindred IA.
bncs, Initiated from them; beauty OF material, color
and design, all are combined in equal degree in these
magnificent, uniValled tissues In carpets however
modern Europe has disanced her ancient mistress
Making our way through the crowds that obstruct
the passage, we at length continue to get our heads in
side the charming Indian Saloon, where the most
delicate mal'lng carpets OF green and crimson velvet
Dreaded with gold sofas dvahs, aud CABIN els richly
carved IN dark native wood in ebony and in alabastsr
together with all the various para he raaa OF luxurious
Indian HE, exhae the peculiar perfumes OF the East
and present 10 view vertiabe Indian interior: a
glitter pomp, embroidery, and Incidence. Passing now
the long lines OF bazaars we inspect their treasures of
Spices roots seeds, and grans their cotton and woel-
EN- fabrics for the use othe poorer classes inferior 10
heir European nalogues; their samples of precious
v oods for perfumes and for cabinet making pupo-
ses their hookahs and pipes their objects nambe 60
silver and copper their terrific instruments OF music
cymoas OF twenty disks all strung rope through
hole In the centre OF each plate, mandolnes fprmi-
tive simplicity, with gllded copper strings and tam
tams giving out sounds that hardly be termed
musical without metaphor. See these magnificent
saddles OF velvet and gold, these daggers and pon-