Smyrna times., 1855-05-16
The Paris Exhibition.

! The Emperor Napoleon has not suffered the
war IN the East to interfere with his grand OBJ
Ject of holding an Exhibition of Industry and
the Arts In Paris duning the coming SUMMER
IL has probably been opened ere this and every
one who appreciates French tact and taste, as
well as the energy of the French. sovereign,
Will readily take it for granted that there is bv
tins time grand display. The building erec-
ted for the Exhibition is built of stone, in an
ornamental style of architecture, and designed
to be a permanent structure. In magnitude
and magnificence it probably surpasses any
building ever constructed for any other than a
government purpose. There are palaces in the
great capitals, designed for the residence of
j soverelgns, which may be more ornate exter-
nally and more sunptuously furnished. But
nothing intended for the use Of the people at
; large has probably ever been built in such a
/ style of elegance.
! There are, however, doubts about the success
OF the enterprise. Public attention in Europe
Ids so absorbed by the war, and the work of ar
lists, artisans and manufacturers has been so
interrupted by the stagnation of trade end the
dlfhcultes of the money market that the array
OF works, in any branch of the arts, is not cx-
pected to be equal to that of the London eXhi-
bItIon, which enterprise had, too, the para
mount advantage OF entire novelty, which al
ways excite curiosity and attracts crowds
Another difficulty it will have to contend with /:
the French are so accustomed to visiting the
finest collections OF works of art without
charge, and they see in the streets and shops
OF Paris, daily, such magnificent displays
OF fabrics of all kinds, that it is feared tbev
will not be willing to pay such fee for admis-
sion to the Patais de L Industrie as the cost of
that establishment will make necessary. Two
three francs IS nroOoSpl fi,a L..
the company; while the people at large insist
that it should be only two or three sous. At
| the latter rate there would have to be myrads
OF visitors daily to make the concern paw /:
while at the former rate it is feared that the
attendance, after the first excitement of the
opening has subslded, will be very moderate
and unremunerative. 1t is not unlikely that
the government will be called upon to sustain
the establishment, and as the Emperor has, TO
| some extent, identified himself with it, there
can be little fear that he will suffer it to Ian
gulsh or fail.
What have the United States done towards
making respectable appearance in the French
Palace Of Industry! Nothing at all worthy of
US as a nation, SO far as we can learn. A vast
space in the building has been allotted to us.
but we hear of no liberal contributions of any
kind. A great many States have appointed
Commissioners, and at present it seems proba-
Bile that we shall have nothing American TO
show to the world in Paris but numerous
body of Commissioners. Pennsylvania is par
! tlcuarly rich in such offerings. Gov. Blger,
before retiring from office, rewarded several of
his POLITICAL friends by appointing them to re-
| present the Keystone State but as it was an
nounced that only one Commissioner could be
received from each State, one of the party was
chosen, in whose favor the others resigned.-
| But Gov. Pollock, we are informed, has also
appointed Commissioner, and there is likely
TO be contest as to who is the proper repre-
| sentative of Pennsylvania, he that was appoint
ed by a Governor who went out Of office four
months before tho Exhibition, or he who holds
a commission from the present Governor. This
is "A delicate question, and one which, we are
told, sadly perplCXes the authorities in the Pal
ace of Industry. We cannot pretend to decide
point which may puzzle any one of our law
yers; but it is very well that there is something
| to excite interest III the American department
of the Exhibition. For as there is no prospect
of having any inanimate objects from America
worth showing alongside or European products,
a contest between rival Commissioners will
sup ly the gap. 1t will be we'll to put all
! the Commissioners from each State into a
glass case and let an "intelligent Jury =" of
| Frenchmen decide on their, claims. The sue
cesstul candidates might then be labelled as
| Prize. Commissioners, and America would come
in for some share of the glories of the French
Observation-Disclosures Bulletin.