The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-19
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1865.
The French Exposition OF 1861.


compared, originated about the year 1850. In
conformity with the formation Of this index
to the advancement of the age, the first
Worlds Fair was held in London in 1851. AT
it all of the people of the Old World were
represented, and, to limited extent, the
inventions of the New had a place. Our Gov
ernment neglected to take any part in the
cheme, and lett us either without any proof
of our science, or else compelled us to
rely on the enterprise Of individuals.
few leading citizens sustained the ma
tional honor, and forwarded our inven-
tions to the Exhibition. OF the result
of this action, General BANKS said, with
truth, in his recent speech, that "every one
will agree with me in stating, so far as the
Government was then represented in the
Exhibition OF 1851, it was not only failure,
but disgraceful failure, and that it was only
the marvellous and unexpected skill and
power of our citizens, our own unknown me-
chanics, that saved the United States from
utter disgrace"
In 1862 the same idea again brodght forth
its fruit, and the "World's Fair" in London
was the result. We were not represented in
that vast palatial assemblsge Of the products
of the minds Of the greatest Of mankind. The
terrible civil war which was then rending our
land occupied all the attention of the people,
and with the exception Of few individuals,
America had no place in that magnificent
collection. Again, in 1868, was held similar
exhibition at Hamburg, but the same cause
which kept us from engaging in the London
Fair Of the previous year, acted as hindrance
to our representation at Hamburg.
) And now we come to the fourth and, prob
ably, the grandest affair of the kind of which
we can form a conception. The Emperor Of
French being desirous of not only rivalling,
but of surprising Great Britain, issued, last
year, an invitation to all the nations of the
earth to send their inventions, fruits. plants,
and merchandise to Paris, for in June, 1867,
he purposed having the grandest exhibition
Of all the inventions and products Of the
world which has ever been collected in one
spot In order 10 prepare for this great
event, NAPOLEON has appropriated 100000
francs ($4,OOOOOO) to fit up building worthy
of the magnitude of the enterprise, on the
Champ de Mars. The building is to cover
thirty six acres, and is to be elliptcal in form
A portion OF the vast space is allotted to each
nation, and iu due course of time America has
received 10000 feet, OF which 10000 is for
passage-ways, S, and 10000 or the exhibition.
By this allotment we come eighth in the
scale of nations, in accordance with the size
presented. 1t requires but q moments in
spection to see the utter insignidcance of the
space; but as Congress has passed special
appropriation for the enlargement of the
room, we may anticipate a full accommoda-
tion for all the varied articles which Yankee
ingenuity will send forth for the examination
Ct the Old World.
Taking all together, the promises and pros
poets of the great exhibition, we think we are
justified in predicting that it will be one of
the most magnificent collections Of the kind
has ever been made. If we glance for
a moment at one of the subdivisions into
which the plan is separated, we can form an
estimate of the amount to be seen, and the
length OF time required to see it. The FIRST
department will be devoted to works of art
1t will be composed of all the magnificent
relics Of past ages, which have been for centu-
ries the wonder and admiration of all con-
nolsseurs Of art RAPHA Ell and ANGELO will
be represented side by side with all the more
modern of their brothers. The old baronial
castle will send its choice gems, the italian
monastery will contribute its Invaluable posses
s.ons, and there will be collected in one small
space all OF the works the sight of which
generally takes hundreds of miles Of travel,
thousands of dollars OF cost, and years of ex-
animation. The attraction thus afforded
cannot be adequately estimated. For, to
examine the galleries of paintings alone would
consume years, and draw to the great centre
or European Ii le the countless multitude of
art pilgrims who throng around all the lead
ing products OF thepencils OF the ancient mas
ters.
When we think that combined with this will,
be all the other departments, each equally
complete in its way, we are not sur,
prised when we hear OF parties being already
made up to leave our shores for the purnosa
of attending this wonderful assemblage of all
the valuable and useful prodacts Of the earth.
We have cause to congratulate our readers
that Congress has appropriated the sum of
100000 to cover the necessary expenses of
ouI people in forwarding goods and preparing
for their reception. Yet this miserable pit
tance was not granted without the exhibi-
fion of that buncomha which ia dia0racaf,I 70