Washington sentinel., 1854-04-02
Industrial Exhibition at New York.

The report of the English commissioners,
appointed to attend the Exhibition of Industry
in New York, appears in the London journals
1t is addressed to the Earl of Clarendon, and is
dated December lst, 1853. The report (which
we briefly noticed in our issue of Wednesday last)
| states that, on the arrival of the commissioners
in New York, in June last, there was SO little
probability that the arrangement of the various
contributions would even by the middle of July
be in a sufficiently forward state to allow Of
that examination and scrutiny SO necessary for
the proper consideration of their merits, that it
was decided, after consideration, that the yari-
GUS localities of the United States in which raw
materials were likely to be most abundant, me-
chancal skill most largely applied, manufac-
turing industry fairly established, and art and
science most perfectly developed, whether edu-
cationally or practically, should be first visited,
as far as the limited time at the disposal of the
majority of the members of the commission
would allow.
The various departments Of art and labor
were divided among the six commissioners,
who, from their observations in various parts
Of the country, and such opportunities as the
exhibition itself offered to them before the time
at which it was necessary for them to return,
prepared elaborate reports. Of these reports,
the most interesting, both to Englishmen and
Americans, will probably be that upon agri-
culture, mineralogy, geology, and kindred sub
jects, from Sir Charles Lyell, and that upon
machinery, the electric telegraph, and the pat
ent laws, from Mr. Joseph Whitworth.
The only opinion expressed in this report
upon any particular subject is the following
upon the arts of design, which, coming from
Lord Ellesmere will be read with interest;
The exhibition afforded us no sufficient ma.
terials for a judgment of the condition of the
arts of painting and sculpture in the United
States. gallery of considerable extent, for
the reception of pictures, engrafted on the ORR
ginal design Of the building was still only in
process Of construction at the period of our de-
parture; and no specimens of sculpture had yet
reached the main building, which could enable
us to certify that such artists as Messrs. Power
and Crawford were following out their already
distinguished career, or meeting with competi-
tors among their countrymen. We may be al
lowed, however, to express an opinion, founded
on observations too casual and limited to allow
US to particularize individual masters, that the
art oflandscape painting bids fair to flourish in
North America. In newly settled country, as
regards the works of man, the elements of that
which consent denominates the picturesque,
must necessarily be in a great measure deficient.
The aspect of nature, however, in North
America, has peculiarites of its own, in respect
alike of form, of color, and atmospheric effects,
which can hardly fail to attract genius to their
historal representation, and would Justify and
reward its highest efforts. We venture to pre-.
dict that several of the artists whose pencils
are already employed on the scenery Of their
native country will do justice to its claims
upon art, and establish national school Of
landscape of high order"
The closing paragraph, evidently expressing
the judgment Of the same enlightened noble
man, shows an appreciation Of the causes Of
the prosperity of this country rare in q man
of his lordship's rank and nation.
aIntelligent, from the practical influence of
that early education which is alike afforded to
all, and indeed made almost imperative ON
all, either by an enlightened public opinion or
legal enactment; ingenious, industrious, ener-
getic and painstaking, as the producing classes
of so busy community must necessarily be,
where popular education is made subservient
alike to individual intelligence and natural apti
tude for manufactures; with ready apprecia-
ton OF oil really useful inventions and improve
ments, great original power, and immense ac-
tivity, it will be wonderful indeed If, ont of
such display of European art and science,
skill and industry, the people of the United
States do not gain in no ordinary degree
large amount Of valuable information, and
.hus receive q great stimulant. to their already
welestablished manufacturing systems, and
hints towards the commencement Of
,thers,"