The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-07-28
THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
The Building and its Treasures.
Curiosities.

The Building and its Treasures.--Yhe
Curiosities.
ssA We gather the following from the reports
in the New York papers of yesterday-the Tri-
bune, Herald, and Courier
THE BUILDING AND THE YIsITERS.
The weather on Saturday was extremely un-
favorable for the Exhibition. The rain fell in
torrents at intervals, and the mud, especially in
the three streets upon which the Palace faces,
was great beyond belIef-and, by the way, as
the Clty Authorities have no shame left as to
their duty OF keeping the streets clean, regard
ing neither the comfort Of the denizens, nor the
reputation OF the town with strangers from afar
crOwding into it, we would suggest to the direc-
tors themselves of the building to have the SITS.
about it cleaned. If they wait until the dirty
authorities take the matter in hand their pa
tience their visitors. and our sufferings, will be
ayear or more older; for we do know of streets
that have been cleaned but twice in three
years.
The interior of the building has improved
much since Friday, although huge gaps are yet
10 be filled out Still we know of no resort in
town where day may even now be spent with
greater pleasure and profit than at the Crystal
Palace The number of vsiters on Saturday
was about {, ZOO exclusive of exhibitors about
1000 tickets were sold, and $4,000 received at
the doors.
fELftIS.
In the manufacture of velvet, Italy is inferior
TO no other nation In the world. Genoa is par
ticularly celebrated for the superior quality of
her velvets, and, we believe, has more extensive
manufactures than any other Italian city The
purple velvets which formed the imperial robes
of the Italian sovereigns for many centuries
were manufactured here, and at time they
were worn all over Europe. The specimens which
we have seen on exhibition are unsurpassed by
anything of the kind yet displayed in the other
departments The pile is very close and thick,
but exceedingly fine and smooth to the touch
One piece of maroon velvet which shown to
us could not be excelled either in texture or
quality. 1t was embellished with broad stripes,
consisting of limitations of lace, which gave it a
peculiar but pleasing appearance. The speci-
mems of figured or Powered velvet were also ex-
ceedingly beautiful and rich. This is what they
call furniture velvet, and in our judgment it is
preferable to the most costly damask. Some
pieces of this are worth over sixty francs a
yard.
MOSAIC CENTRE TABLES.
The works in Mosaic are among the finest
specimens of art in the Italian department, and
attract they justly merit, the at ention of the
visitors. The designs are all worked on black
marble, and the whole forms the top of circu-
lar table, or what is commonly known as Mo-
sale centre table. Working in Mosaic is one of
the oldest arts, and was known in the days of
ancient Greece and Rome. History tells us that
the walls and payements of their temples were
ornamented with Mosaic, and that the effect
beautiful beyond conception. At present we be-
lieve Rome and Florence furnish the best de-
scrption of this beautiful work, and their artists
are superior those of any other part of Europe.
Working in Mosaic is exceedingly tedious, and,
besides skill and artistic taste In ombination,
requires ordinary degree of patience IN the
workman. Some idea may be formed of the
value of these tables, when we state that there
is one among those on exhibition which is worth
over three thousand dollars.
A CRUCIFIX.
Another article which is well worthy of notice
among the other treasures OF the Italians. is
crucifx, the whole of Which, excepting the arms,
is made from single piece of ivory. 1t is about
two feet long, and a work deserving prominent
position among the fine arts. 1t made by a
monk, and purchased at cost Of twenty-five
hundred dollars. This is apparently an enor-
nous sum for such treasure; but it is rea-
sonable valuation of it, considering its artistic
merits. The countenance, expressing the agony
of death, the calm repose of the muscles Of the
body after the spirit had passed away, and the
nail-pierced hands and feet, all vividly remind
one OF the trials Of our Saviour when he bore
the blows and buffets of his prosecutors, and,
in obedience to the cry of the multitude, ''Cru>
city him, cruelty him." died upon the CROSS
Those who visit the Crystal Palace will not re-
gret the time given to the contemplation of this
admirable work.
COLUMBUS.
Among the various articles displayed in the
Italian department, is statuette of Columbus.
This is certainly q work of great merit, and as
beautiful as it is novel. The statuette is silver
flligree, and enclosed with glass case. 1t re-
presents Columbus standing upon half column,
a helm being fully displayed behind him, and
with one hand he raises a veil from the terres
trial globe, and with the other points to that
portion of it upon which is mapped the New
World The column which supports the whole
is fIligred, with Doric base, and the height of
the entire statuette is about thirty inches. The
fneness of the threads of which the statuette is
composed, the remarkable beauty of its construc-
tion and above all, the originality of the design,
cannot fail to elicit from all spectators, the ad-
mission that this is a work well worthy of admi-
ration. Notwithstanding its dininutive size,
and the small quantity of silver of which 1t is
composed yet it is valued at one thousand dol
lars it was made by Joseph Bennett, of Genoa,
the most celebrated city in Italy, or perhaps the
world, for work of this kind.
LILLIPUT STEAM ENGINES.
Two of the most interesting curiosities in the
English department, and probably IN any depart
ment of the Crystal Palace, are two small steam
engines both of which are complete In all their
parts, and yet so small that the aid of the mi
eroscope is needed for their inspection One OF
these, high pressure engine, stands upon an
English fourpenny piece, and excepting the ny
wheel, it might be covered with a thinble-both
of these engines were made by Mr.. Warner,
matchmaker, England; and some conception