The great Centennial Exhibition

Introduction

HIS Introduction to the Great Exhibition of 1876 may be brief. All that is requisite for our purpose will be best set forth in the pages which follow; the general public has been so fully informed upon the several topics connected with the event, that to go into details here would be to occupy space which may be better expended. The fame of the Exhibition has gone forth to the utmost bounds of the civilized world. The extent of its aim, as an Exhibition of the natural productions, the arts, sciences, manufactures, and fine arts of all nations — the ingenuity of its plan, the vastness of its departments, its exactness in particular, its beauty as a whole, its success in all the objects for which it was undertaken, the feelings of amity and benevolence it called forth, the enlargement of mind it gave rise to, the practical benefits necessarily springing out of the scientific contemplation of its contents, the unceasing source of delight it afforded to the thousands upon thousands who flocked, day after day, to behold its treasures, the brilliancy of its opening, the harmony of its close, the thankfulness and gratitude inspired in every reflective mind, during months of peaceful and rational enjoyment, undis¬ turbed by any painful accident or jarring feelings, — all these are chronicled in such variety of form and language as to defy the power of oblivion ; and we may safely pronounce that the Centennial Exhibition will exist in the annals of history long after the vaunted pyramids of Egypt, of which the builders and the object are already alike unknown, shall have crumbled into dust.

This book has been written for the purpose of supplying a descriptive and critical analysis of the principal objects exhibited at the International Exhibition. The descriptive particulars are, for the most part, based upon the observations of the Authors, who have had frequent opportuni¬ ties of examination. In addition, they have availed themselves of the co-operation of exhibitors in verifying and authenticating the descriptive matter of the work, to whom, in the majority of instances, proofs have for that purpose been submitted. These gentlemen have willingly responded to the Authors’ applications, and they embrace this opportunity of acknowledging their courtesy. Upwards of three hundred and fifty objects of Art, Industry and Mechanics have thus been accurately noticed, or described in detail: constituting a compact Cyclopaedia of the best things of the Exhibition, valuable as a text-book for students, and as a 1 work of reference for all readers.

In the arrangement of this work the Authors have, in general, followed the classification of the buildings adopted by the Commissioners for the International Exhibition, and comprehended in the Official Catalogues.

Part I, on Fine Art : Paintings, Sculpture and the Fine Art Buildings.

Part II, on Industrial Art, and the Main Building, with its Annexes.

Part III, on the Manufacturing Machines and Tools for Working in Iron, Wood and other Materials ; and the Machinery Hall. v

Part IV, on Agriculture and Horticulture and their buildings.

Part V, on the Pavilions, Grounds, and Appendix relating to other International Exhibitions.

Though the Authors do not hope to satisfy everybody, they have endeavored, to the best of their ability, to do honor where honor is due; and, while they have avoided needless commentary, they have given prominence to the more remarkable works exhibited, in defining the course of improvement. The Engravings will be found of great advan¬ tage in illustrating the text.

In order that the Engravings should be faithful transcripts from the actual objects they profess to delineate, the proprietors have been at the expense of having all those objects photographed on the spot, with a patience and exactitude that would not pass over the smallest imperfection or deficiency, and whatever was not fortunate in the first instance was reproduced, till complete success was obtained. The labor of rendering facsimiles of these minute creations was immense, as will be readily believed upon inspection of them. The expense was of course proportion-

INTR OD UCTION.

ate ; but this expense, great — it may almost be said enormous — as it has been, the proprietors have willingly taken upon themselves, in the full con¬ fidence that they shall ultimately be remunerated by the generosity of an enlightened public, alike quick to discover excellence, and liberal in rewarding it, and which they flatter themselves will regard these exquisite gems with feelings somewhat akin to those inspired by the skilfully por¬ trayed features of a valued friend, delighting equally from the truth of the resemblance, and the pleasing remembrances they call forth.

With regard to the account of the rise and progress of the Exhibition itself, the ensuing pages will be found to present the lively and graphic description that might be given in the course of social converse. The objects selected for representation are chiefly such as will always con¬ tinue to gratify the lovers of beautiful forms, elegant designs, practical utility, and truthfully elegant illustration of the more remarkable buildings, and of which the descriptions will be found permanently useful, in guiding the taste, and inciting to excellence in whatever branch of ingenuity or of the fine arts it may be sought.

To review the Exhibition, if not altogether a task of entire satisfaction, is, at least, a source of profitable pleasure ; the hundreds of thousands of all nations by whom it was visited cannot have failed to derive thence a powerful stimulus by which to judge rightly and wisely of Art in its many ramifications.

The Artist, the Manufacturer, and the Artisan learned the valuable lessons that are derived from comparison in actual and practical schools; they saw, and no doubt studied, the perfections and defects they are required to imitate and to avoid. Of the former especially there were innumerable examples, each of which might have been accepted as an instructor. Already there is evidence that such teachings were not in vain ; and, with time, out of this Exhibition will issue immense results for the advancement of Science and Art and the spread of their salutary influence.

It is well to state that this is the only work of its kind which is attempted, as far as the Authors and Publishers know, and the expense of producing such as this is likely to deter others, and, now that the Exhi¬ bition is closed, it would be difficult indeed to gather the drawings neces¬ sary to produce the illustrations.

P. T. S.

Table Of Contents

PACE.

Introduction, . 5

International Exhibitions, . 515