The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-01

will to-day present q scene such as has never
before been witnessed in its stirring and
eventfui history. At all times spot of unu-
sual interest, 1T will to-day see inaugurated
within its limits the most comprehensive, and,
no doubt the most successful, gathering of
the worlds industry, products, science, intel
lect and art that has ever been held in any
nation OF the globe. Twenty-Five years ago
the grand idea of drawing together the works
OF industry OF all countries for mutual infor-
nation and advancement, originating in
the mind of Prince Albert, was brought to
a practical result by the opening of the
English Industrial Exhibition. The success
OF that undertaking stimulated similar enter
prises, and the London Crystal Palace of 1851
was quickly followed by that of New York in
1853, of Munich in 1854 and of Paris in 1866.
It also gave rise to the erection of the perma-
nent structure at Sydenham, in the neighbor-
hood of London, and was the father of the
later international exhibitions, ending with
that of Paris in 1867. But the great Vienna
Exposition, which is to commence its brilliant
career this day. promises to surpass all that
have preceded it in the magnifcence of its de-
sign, the extent and variety of it's contribu-
tions and the usefulness of its results By the
time these lines reach the eyes of our readers
the Austrian capital will be pouring out its
hundreds of thousands along the streets and
avenues leading to the peoples park the ex-
hibitors will be busily preparing for the
inspection Of their goods by the multitude
that will visit the building on its opening
morning; the tongues of oil nations will be
heard commenting on the wonderful scene,
and all the life, hustle, confusion, vexation,
fun and enjoyment of first day amidst a
mob Of spectators and middle of hastily
arranged and yet incomplete departments will
no doubt be at their height.
This great world gathering at Vienna may
mark the commencement of a new era in the
history of civilization. Through the agencies
Of steam and the electric wire the nations of
the earth are drawing nearer and nearer to-
gether year after year, and learning by practi-
cal experience the fact that the happiness ad-
vancement and prosperity Of the whole human
race are to be promoted by association,
and that common interests should bind
together in friendly ties common humanity.
The time is happily approaching when the
people of all countries will understand that
they are not necessarily divided by differing
nationalities that the enmities jealousies
and conflicts that have hitherto sprung up
between them have been mainly the work Of
ambitious rulers; that Germans, French
men, Englishmen Russians, Americans and
Il III c+bo
ground of art and science, Of thought and
intellect, to their mutual benefit, and may
live together forever in peace and good fell
lowship, cemented by an interchange of ideas
and community of interests. These
thoughts, floating through all reflective minds,
are likely to gain solidity from the influence
of the Vienna Exposition, where intellect and
art will meet together from all parts of the
globe; where the literature, science and in.
dustry of every cline will mingle, converse
instruct and lssrn, and where the strength
and power of the people cannot fail
to make themselves strikingly manifest
Who can foretell the effect that may be
produced upon the world by this fellowship of
the representatives of so many different
nations? Prejudices that have heretofore
existed may be removed; national pride may
be taught useful lesson Of humility the
keenest minds may become convinced that
they have something yet to learn ; the most
selt-reliant may find that they cannot safely
hold themselves Independent of the world !;
above all, the people may discover
that they have interests which are in
conflict with the schemes of ambitious
and avaricious rulers, and which demand
that the peace of nations shall not be reck-
lessly disturbed. There are those whose
opinions cannot be lightly regarded, who fear
the speedy bursting Of the thunder-cloud Of
war over the European Continent, and the
turbulent condition Of some Of the nations OF
Europe seems to afford ground for the appre-
hension. But if the people learn properly the
lesson taught by this great world-gathering Of
peace and progress, their powerful influence
may yet avert the threatened calamity.
The universal interest felt in this importan,
event has induced the HERALD to endeavor to
present its full history to the American people
from the pens of distinguished writer's whe
will view it with equal intelligence and judg
ment but from entirely different standpoints
To accomplish this object we have secured the
services of Edmund Yates the English novel.
list and journalist of John Russell Young,
the well-known and brilliant American jour.
nalist; Of Berthold Auerbach, the graphic
and attractive German author, and
of Louise Mihlbach, whose fame is world
wide and whose popularity as novelist is
unsurpassed in the present day. The brie1
sketches of the literary careers Of our con.
tributors which will be found in to-day's
HERALD will be read with interest by those