The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-03
England and Ru Sit.

England has put her best foot forward
in this Exposition. The close competi
ton existing between her and France,
| Belgium, and the United States, threat
ems her supremacy as the chief source of
supply of iron and steel work for the
continent. Countries which, at the time
of the last Paris Exposition; had only
raw materials to exhibit, now send manu-
featured goods to worlds fairs. The
wines, silks, and Sevres ware of France
do not occupy as important place in the
Exposition as does her iron working ma
chnery; Belgium is a mass of iron and
steel; while the machinery display made
by the United States is the feature of the
section. At such critical period in her
commercial history it is not surprising
that she has strained every nerve to make
an extraordinary display of her manufac-
turing capacity, and his Royal Highness,
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, has
completely enslaved the affections of his
loyal subjects by the interest he has taken
in making the department of Great Bri-
tain the largest after that of the country
in which the Exposition is held. He can
now cut all sorts of capers, and the House
of Commons will vote him supplies with
out murmur, and the solid citizens of
London will pray for him every Sunday
with renewed JUNCTION.
AS an example of the advance of con-
tinental nations in manufactures, it is
interesting to note the display made by
Russia. These two nations, Great Britain
and Russia, are expected to have grand
time together some day, and the latter
seems to be making strenuous exertions
to take care of herself. 1t is said that at
the Exhibition in London in 1851 the
only noticeable contribution from Russia
was malachite; at this Exposition she oc-
cupies as much space AS the United
States. Not only do st. Petersburg, War
saw, Moscow, and Odessa send contribu-
tions, but there are dozen towns whose
names are almost unknown represented.
The display of machinery includes steam
engines, locomotives, fire engines, water
wheels, pumps, and variety of small
articles in iron and steel. am told that
the steam engine contributed by Odessa
is very well made. Of cutlery swords,
and tools of the best steel there is a large
showing, and there are some very good
carriages, sleighs, saddles, harness, and
boots. OF course there is plenty of the
| finely tanned Russia leather which has
such an excellent reputation in the trade,
and there are big trunks made of the
reddish Russia leather" that gives forth
pungent odor, which has been success.
fully initiated 10y some makers of porte
monnaies and pocketbooks in the United
States and elsewhere. AS there is plenty
of tallow in Russia, there is naturally a
good display of candles made, and of raw
wool, hemp, and furs there is no end.
Very good looking articles made of cot
ton came from such unheard of places as
| LODI and Parassa, and the better known
cities send manufactured wooden and fur
goods, chemicals, laces, gloves, womens
clothes, and all sorts of haberdashery.
The magnificent work of the Russian
silversmiths is tittingly represented, but
apparently is no finer than 1t was in 1876.
1t is in the more useful manufactures that
Russia has made the greater progress. Of
course Prince Demidotf, whose fortune
rests on the solid foundation of mines of
malachite, sends a few tables and vases
worth several hundred thousand dollars,
and slabs of lapis lazuli, destined to be
cut up into jewelry for the moderately
rich, or to line the walls of a salon in the
palace of the Gar. Some of these almost
precious stones of Russia have been cut
in forms of fruits, and very "liteike"
white grapes are made OF amber Large
bronzes there are in plenty, and brasses,
and one magnificent silver vase which is
marked sold at IS ,000l The government
makes display of some of its higher
schools and of the work done by their
scholars, notably the chronological insti-
tutions of ST. Petersburg and Moscow, in
which young men of the lower and mid
die classes are taught how to make an
engine, build bridge, construct house,
or analyze chemical compound. The
exhibit of the st. Petersburg school con-
tains the tools and machines made by the
students The Minister of War shows a
museum of models, either maps in relief,
albums of pictures, costumes, or PAPER
mache and plaster models of insects,
quadrupeds, and of the parts of the
human frame, philosophical apparatus,
etc, in all nearly 5000 different pieces.
This portion of the Russian exhibit is
very fine, and shows what pains are taken
by the government to develop the re-
sources of the enormous empire 10y assist
ing the youth of the country to secure
practical knowledge which shall be turned
to the use and advantage of the country
which supplied the means. The display
of grain is very tine-one of the best in
the Exposition. In fact Russia shows
herself to be one of the great countries,
not alone in point of size, which used to
be her great reputation, but for the rich-
nnss OF her resnnrces and the manner in