The New York herald., 1873-08-28

A Scientific Authority the Great
Hapsburg Enterprise.

Scientific Authority on tho Great
Hapsburg Enterprise.
We publish below brief letter from an of1cer
in the United States navy, addressed to Professor
Pierce OF the Coast Survey, giving his views on
the Vienna Exhibition and the causes which have
largely contributed to make 1t characteristically
Hapsburgian rather than international or sue
cessful:-
VIENNA. July 20. 1873.
MY DEAR PRoFEssoR-I have been nearly four
weeks at Vienna, and each day adds to my admira-
ri0r In display, as in extent to those preceding it
at Paris and London. Austria has played well her
the full extent OF their respective ability, except
f' ns espeStsS sSsS s2tss 2e s f5s as4S{ sSS %
useful Inventions, elegant manufactures and and
represented. This lack of interest in the Exposi-
ton may be due to our distance from Vienna; to
ventons and new applications of old principles to
the delay OF the appropriation by Congress; or to
the management; perhaps to all combined.
In compliment to the country devOting 80 much
thought and money to the Exposition and to the
high character OF her Commission, the leading
countries responded by sending as managing com.
mssoners men who were distinguished at home
for their high official position, for science and tor
the confidence entertained IN their ability and
character; and this was also advisable in some
measure to secure full consideration Tor the eX.
hibtors
0C,
not iu representatives Of our progress in the arts
and sciences, are very credtabe and will take many
medals. The jurors have already finished their ex-
animation and rendered sealed verdicts, to be
opened next month. The on ait is, that medals
wlll be thrown broadcast so as to please every.
body.
The first allotment by Austria for the Exposition
was 6,0oo,ooo horins, the second 100000 forms,
amounting in al! to about $1,000, 600. This has
been all expended. The daily expenses are about
$4,000 to $4,000. The attendance Is failure. The
price OF admission has lately been reduced to
TWENTY-FIVE cents except on two days Of
cents. The number Of daily visitors expected
was $4,000 1t has hardly averaged 80, OOO and the
building is SO immense and the grounds so full OF
attraction that there is no crowd and no excite
ment, and in consequence many visitors come and
60, and without thought or appreciation declare
the Exposition TO be u shiftless AFFAIR.
have devoted myself principally to group four
teen, which includes astronomical and surveying
instruments. and propose to make snort report
special class Of articles has to be hunted up, re-
quiring close examination OF every corner In the
immense building to find what you want: It is to
building for the Centennial Exhibition of
Philadelphia articles OF the same class will
be brought into juxtaposition. The countries
may radicate from common centre, and the
concentric circles be devoted to goods OF the
same character. In this way each country will be
distinct, and yet each visitor may be juror by
being able to examine and compare the same
articles by merely following the cOncentric circle
In which they are ranged, country alter country.
find here many instruments of beautiful work
manship. Those OF portable character, especially
the theodolltes and translts, are constructed to
perform more duties than we require OF them in
the coast survey, and cannot give results OF equal
value to those oil more simple form. The prin-
cipal Observation-Disclosures and mechanIcians Of Eu-
rope are not represented at the Exposition. The
improvements, or what believe to be improve
will be described III my report to you. am, very
respectfully and sincerely yours r. ID. q.