Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-09-02
me cryssaI palace Speculation.

Under the specious pretence of an American edi-
ton of the Worlds Fair, company of New York
spectators paIming on the country the yilesti
and most contemplate humbug even of this age of
humbugs The New York Crystal Palace in its con-
ception and management would do no discredit to
the genius of Barnum. The idea of an EXPOSE
ton Of the Industry of all Nations had lts birth,
we believe, in the royal brain of Vctoria's consort,
and its object was to impart impulse to the pro-
gress of and science, and promote the interests
of universal peace by bringing rival nations togeh-
er in a friendly competition of industry. The exc
cution of the scheme commensurate with the
grandeur and felicity of its conception. The New
York show of wares and merchandise is the poorest
possible parody on its prototype of Hyde Park Its
aim not the promotion of art or industry, but
the peculiar benefit of some score OF cute lndlVld-
uals who hit upon the scheme of a New York Crys-
tai Palace simply and solely device for raising
the wind. In the success of the imposture, every
living creature in New York directly interested
Not only the hotel keeper and the merchant but the
cabman, the faro dealer, the pick pocket the law.
yer, and indeed every individual Gothamite, Will
feel the refreshing influence Of the stream of loose
cash which the Crystal Palace is sucking in from
every quarter Of the country. The Press too, with
shame be it said was accessory to the cheat. lie
President of the Crystal Palace Company. with a
pleasure heightened by surprise, acknowledged the
fact that he had not been put the expense of pur
chasing solitary puff of the newspapers! True to
the interests of their city they gratuitously coop
Grated with Mr. Theodore Sedgewick in gliding the
bait for country gulls.
We have been caught Thousands of inquisitive
people from the South have travelled TO New York
through dust and heat have suffered the torments
of an over-crowded city, have gone to the Crystal
Palace, had their pockets picked their persons
searched, their toes mutilated, and for what! 10
behold the triumphs of industry and the creations
of art? To collate and compare the productions OF
the mechanical skill of all the nations Not at a L.
In the paltry display of wares which the managers
of the lrystal Palace have got together they found
but IL poor compensation for their trouble lhey
may return home wiser men, hut not from the IN
stru ctve spectacle inside the Crystal Palace. They
wiser, not as respects the productions OF the
mechanical and the fine arts, but respects the
means and contrivances of popular deuslon.-
! Theirs is the wisdom of the burned child.
| By incessant and irresistible importantly, Presi-
dent Pierce was induced to lend the ecla of his pre-
sence to the pompous ceremony of the inauguration
| of the Crystal Palace. A few famous pieces of art
give gree to the exhibition. But, except the visit
of the President and two pieces of statuary
and painting, nothing Of interest has been seen IN
the Crystal Palace. The Government of Sardinia
sent national vessel with some choice specimens OF
Italian art, but, if we mistake not, the commander
of the San Giovanni refused to entrust them to the
managers and set sail before the opening of the eX
hibition A live English Earl seen or
twice in the Crystal Palace but he got disgust
ed and has long since left the country. And Sc
with others of the British Commission. In fine. the
whole thing was mi>erably stale, fat and un
profitable.
But it served its purpose 1t put money in the
pockets of Mr.. Theodore Sedgewck & Co. 1t at
traced immense number of visitors from all part
i of the country, and thus augmented the current
cash of Gotham. 1t diverted Southern merchants
from Richmond, Baltimore and other Southern CT
ties, and induced them to lay in " stock II
Broadway and Pearl. Twas nice cheat-a beau
tiful humbug -Richn,ond Enquirer.