The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-03


present time; and Brazil, Mexico, and Greece seem
equally datory. From Norway and Sweden some
small consignments have been forwarded, and kns-
STA has already contributed about oOpackages. The
quantity Of goods which have reached the build
ing itself from Austria is inconsderable, the bulk
OF the products Of that country being retained IN the
dock warehouses until the space set apart for their
display is fitted up. number Of German carpen-
ters at present busily employed and nearly the
whole of the counters and cases in that portion OF
the Austrian compartment which is on the
north side Of the central avenue, will be con-
structed by them. The most coplous contri,
butors hitherto are the Zollverein, Belgium, and
Switzerland; and in the Chinese compartment there
is already a respectable assemblage Of eases.
France, however, strange to say, is very much
behindhand. The number Of packages received
from that country up to yesterday, did not much
exceed l2O. This unusual inactivity on the part
of our Gallo neighbors does not however, arise
from indifference to the result of the friendly con-
test in which they have engaged. On the contrary,
they deeply impressed with the Importance of the
advantages which will be obtained by those who
victorious in the struggle, but certain misappre
tensions respecting the amount OF space placed un-
der the control Of their commissioners have cfecu
ally retarded the transmission to this country of
their contributions. The space assigned to France
is exceedingly ample, embracing in the whole about
hundred thousand square feet, and constituting
little less than tenth of the whole exhibiting
space Of the building. Out Of this one hundred
thousand feet, it was most distinctly nti-
mated by the executive committee, during their
$1,000 feet should be deducted for walks and pas
sages 1t would seem, however, that the French
local committees dealt with their contributors as if
the whole 100000 feet available for the display
Of their productions. Notice was given to persons
who had obtained gold medals in their own EXPOSE
tions that an unlimited quantity of goods would be
received from them, and silver medallists were led
to believe that their treatment would be little
less liberal. The natural consequence Of these in
considerate proceedings was an influx Of contribu-
tions for the accommodation of which the very
ample space accorded was totally inadequate.
Upon the discovery Of this unpalatable fact, various
devices were put in requsition by the French au-
thorties, to procure either an extension Of their
spaces, or curtailmant of the extent of the pas
sages by which they are traversed. The execu
tive committee, however, were memorable They
pointed to the fact that the original number Of
British contributors was 1900, who, by the exercise
ofjudicious wedding and selection by our local CON-
mittees, have been reduced to 5000 and they
called on the French commissioners to exercise a
similar system Of vigorous compression, and to
ject everything not stamped with indisputabe excel
lence Of some kind. They at present employed,
we believe, in this work Of pruning, and when the
vast mass Of contributions with which they have to
deal shall have been reduced within the requisite
dimensions, the arrivals of French productions at
the building viii no doubt be large and frequent.
Among the most interesting of the foreign arrivals
during the last few days is a colossal figure OF 4
lion in bronze, which has been forwarded from Baya
ria, and is the work of the sculptor, f. Miller
1t is upwards Of nine feet high, and will form one
OF the most remarkaDle ODJectS IN the
In the British half Of the building the visible
signs of progress during the past week are even
more striking than in the foreign compartments.
The stalls and fittings in the galleries multiply
ing fast and no small advance has been made in the
adjustment of some of the heavy machinery which
has arrived. The goods now pouring in are, Of
course, of the most miscellaneous character. The
light spring cart conveying some delicatey con-
structed piece Of mechanism, which is handed in by
its fabricator with much and tenderness if
it a sick infant, alternates with the ponderous
wagon sustaining some huge piece of machinery
whose reluctant weight is dragged with difficulty to
its destination by the united efforts of dozen horses.
On Thursday about five hundred tons weight of
machinery arrived at the building. Amongst this
was the celebrated Britannia hydraulic press. by
which the lifts Of the tubes of the railway bridge
over the Menai were effected some detached por-
tons Of this wonderful machine weigh no less than
Is tons. Amongst the heavy machines fixed in
their places are machine for illustrated printing
rick-makng machine, an enormous but very beau
tifuly constructed and powerful crane, and smoke
consuming machine. The foundations of several
others in progress, and strenuous activity pre-
walls in the s.machinery quarter" Of the building
an activity by no means uncalled for, when the
shortness Of the time is taken into consideration, in
which the fixing the vast assembage Of machines.
destined for exhibition, must be completed.
The painting Of the interior of the building is
now proceeding at a rapid rate Messrs Fox and
Henderson having entered into a fresh contract by
which they are bound to have it completed within a
fortnight Judging from the progress made within
the last few DAYS there is no doubt but that they
will accomplish the task they have undertakcn-
The gallery ratings are nearly all in their places,
and the starcases are quickly approaching compile.
tion. Carpenters are at present employed in con-
strueting frames which are to be employed in test
ing With shot the strength Of the galleries. These
frames on casters, and each contains 80 COM
partmenis for the reception Of 6Slb. shot; all move
able in any direction, and with the necessary amount
Of speed, with the greatest facility.