, 1867-05-14

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unready, but their unfinished Courts are
almost absolutely empty. The English,
however, though they have unpacked
their goods, still find a very considerable
difficulty in getting rid of their empty
cases; at the first glance, therefore, the
Court appears as incomplete as many
infinitely less advanced, for its progress
in the great work of unpackiug and ar
ranging is at first sight more marked by
the litter Of straw and empty boxes than
anything else. When one has time and
opportunity 10 look round, however, it is
easy 10 see amid the crowded assemblage
of black cases and stalls what a really fine
display of objects is being prepared. AS
the English Court, unlike all the others
on both the French and foreign side, is
not closed against any one, il is constant
iy crowded, and some of our hest displays
are already a theme of admiration through
cut the building. In proclaim the chief
exhibitors have almost completed their
arrangements. The English icwclry and
goldsmiths' work will, I am told, be as
deficient as the display Of Sheffield goods.
With one or two rare exceptions it is said
to be far below the merit of our average
standard, which is by no means high.
France and Italy are likely TO carry off
the chief hOnours in this class, for our
own exhibitors, as we'll as the best indie
pendent foreign jurors and commissioners,
slate that both these countries will show
goldsmiths' work and enamelling on gold
such as have seldom or never been seen
before IN modern times. In glass, how
ever, as far as it has yet been displayed,
the superiority of The English metal, cut
ting, and engraving, is allowed by com
mon consent TO be without chance Of
rivalry.
In other departments the English Court
is equally forward. Within the last two
days an immense advance has been made
in the English picture gallery. From
dawn till dusk the men are kept at work;
and such progress has been made in hang
ing The works of art that there now seems
little doubt that this part of our display
will be as ready as that of France, which
attirSt took the lead of all other countries
in getting her pictures in order. [ am
only giving ulterance 10 a general opinion
wEn I add that, with a few notable ex-
captions, the regret here is universal that
English painters should on this great
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Some pictures have come which | believe
the Commissioners would much rather
hang outside the building. The truth is
that picture collectors and picture dealers
have learnt such a lesson from these con-
slant Exhibitions during the last few
years as will not induce them TO lend
their art treasures for show again. In
water colours, however, The English gale
ry will, of course, contain a fine collec-
ton, and in this beautiful branch of art
competition is not even attempted by
foreign countries.
All the arrangements as to what is call
ed 'the opening on Monday next are
still kept profoundly secret. The result
Of this excessive secresy is a general feel
ing that at the last moment the Imperial
Commissioners, seeing the impossibility
of really opening the building, will give
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