Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/reportoneleventhOOwyat t A REPORT ON THE ELEVENTH FRENCH EXPOSITION OF THE PRODUCTS OF INDUSTRY. PREPARED BY THE DIRECTION OF, AND SUBMITTED TO, THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS. BY MATTHEW DIGBY WYATT, Architect. 11 Park Street, Westminster, Sept. 1849. LONDON : CHAPMAN AND HALL, 186 STRAND; JOSEPH CUNDALL, 21 OLD BOND STREET; and DAVID BOGUE, 86 FLEET STREET. 1849. TABLE OF CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Section A . — The 'present Exposition. PAGE 1. Tlie Building, its Cost, &c. .. .. .. . . ..5 2. The Classification of Products . . . . . . . . . . 7 3. Their Nature and Character . . . . . . .- . . . 8 4. General Excellencies and Defects of the present Exposition . . . . 9 Ground Plans of the present and of the last Exposition .. .. ..11 Section B . — The past Expositions. 1. Origin of such Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2. First Official Exposition in 1798 . . • • 14 3. Second 33 33 in 1801 . . . .. 15 4. Third 33 33 in 1802 . . . . 15 5. Fourth 33 33 in 1806 . . . .. 16 6. Fifth 33 33 in 1819 . . . . 17 7. SLxtli 33 33 in 1823 . . . .. 17 8. Seventh 33 33 in 1827 . . . . . . 17 9. Eighth 33 33 in 1834 . . . .. 18 10. Ninth 33 33 in 1839 , . 18 11. Tenth 33 33 in 1844 . . • . • .. 20 12. Eleventh 33 in 1849 . . . . • • . . 21 Comparative Tables of past Expositions. Nos. I. and II. . . . . . . 23 Section C . — The Official Arrangements. 1. The Duties of the Ministry .. .. .. .. .. ..24 2. The Sovereign Power . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 3. The Provincial Authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 4. The Central Jury . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5. The Award of Prizes — their Amount, &c. . . . . . . . . 26 Appendix — Of Official Documents, fyc. 1. Sketch of the Labours of the Jury of 1844, and Analysis of its General Decisions 27 2. Circular addressed to the Presidents of the Agricultural Societies . . . . 29 3. Circular addressed to the Chambers of Commerce and Consultation . . 30 4. Report to the President of the Republic . . . . . . . . 31 The President’s Decree . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 5. Circular addressed to the Prefects of Departments . . . . . . 32 6. Circular addressed to the Members of the Chamber of Commerce . . 34 7. List of the Members of the Central Jury, and Analysis of their Qualifications . . 35 A REPORT ON THE ELEVENTH FRENCH “EXPOSITION OF THE PRODUCTS OF INDUSTRY.” To the President and Council of the Society of Arts. Sir, my Lords, and Gentlemen, IN accordance with instructions which I had the honour to receive from you, I have visited the French metropolis, for the purpose of collecting' all such details concerning the quality, extent, and general character of the present “ Exposition of the Products of Industry,” as might seem most deserving of the careful attention of your Society. On my arrival in Paris I lost no time in studying the actual position of the Chief points stu- building — the system which had been adopted as the basis of its distribution — the c *‘ et ^ official arrangements connected with the selection and reception of the works of art exhibited— their leading characteristics, as contrasted with the parallel existing products of English manufacturing energy — and their comparative excellence in relation to the previous history of French commerce. I endeavoured immediately to make myself acquainted with the printed records of all previous similar National Exhibitions, and to put myself in communication, not only with the authorities, but with gentlemen not officially connected with the administration, from many of whom I have been fortunate enough to gain information of the most valuable kind. When we consider that during the last fifty years constant and sedulous Action of Govern- attention has been paid by the Government to the great interests of manufacture ™ f a*c t u re ° ° ^ in France, by precept, example, premiums, public exhibitions, the institution of Elementary Schools, “ Societies of Encouragement,” and, above all, by an incessant attempt to elevate the social and intellectual condition of all engaged in the great work of supplying the necessities, gratifying the tastes, and ministering to the resources and revenues of their native country, we cannot be surprised to find in the year 1 8 -1-9, that the impulse originally conveyed to manufactures limited in extent, and serving cliieflv for the use of a small proportion only of the citizens, has been transmitted through infinitesimal ramifications, until it has become infused and incorporated into the very essence of the spirit of the people. The traditions of excellence in manufacture reach in France to a very remote Early excellence of period : as early as the commencement of the thirteenth, century her celebrity in the f rencl1 industry ; production of stained glass, of goldsmiths’ work, of Limoges enamel, of ornaments in carved ivory, and of illuminated manuscripts, had become European. Aided by the influence of the great banker and merchant, Jacques Cceur, the industrial arts attained an almost unrivalled developement at the beginning of the fifteenth century ; and under the patronage of the royal connoisseur, Francis the First, the union of the highest order of artistic ability, with the mechanical skill and experience accumulated during many centuries, stamped with a peculiar and unmistakeable character of perfection many of the celebrated productions of the period of the Renaissance. The establishment of the silk trade at Lyons about the year 1 1*50 — the ancient proficiency of Paris, St. Denis, Lagny, Beauvais, and Cambrav, in all other branches of weaving — the Gobelin tapestry — the carpets of 4 originally chiefly aristocratic, now popular ; influence of Na- tional Expositions on this change ; testimony to their excellent effects upon trade. Division of Report under the heads of— Present Exposition ; Past Expositions ; Official arrange- ments, and Ap- pendix of public documents. the Savonnerie — the Sevres China Institution — and the commencement of the employment of cotton about the end of the seventeenth century, are all land- marks in the great scheme of French manufacture. Now, although in all the departments of trade enumerated, the highest art was associated with manufacture in supplying the wants and gratifying the tastes of the lay and clerical aristocracy , it was not until the advent of the Revolution that the attempt was made in France to popularise any of these productions. From the year 1797 we may date a gradual attempt to disseminate, from the few to the many , the luxury of beautiful design in all objects of daily and universal use. It is true that, since this tide has set in, we have met with no such artists in manufacture as Benvenuto Cellini, Jean Goujon, Leonard de Limousin, Petitot and Bordier, Clodion, Girardon, Bernard de Palissy, Girolamo della Robbia, Pierre l’Escot, &c., but in their stead have arisen myriads of earnest men, anxious to afford additional employment to the swelling masses congregating on the great points of centralisation : and desirous, at the same time that they supplied to all at a moderate rate, an approximation to the enjoyments of taste, formerly the appanage only of the minority, to establish and maintain that great bulwark of the wealth, intelli- gence, and respectability of their native country — the enormous and now all- powerful Bourgeois class. This generalisation and dissemination of “Art Manufacture” has been much excited and aided by the establishment of great National Expositions, exhibiting from time to time the actual condition, advantages, deficiencies, capabilities, and variations of industrial exertion throughout the country. It may be scarcely necessary to prove the excellence, in principle and practice, of the institution of such a systematic stimulant to public emulation, since a recapitulation of the names of such men as Francois de Neufchateau, Chaptal, Napoleon, Berthollet, Dupin, Louis Philippe, &c. (all of whom, though differing most widely in their political views, have united in prosecuting these Exhibitions with the greatest ardour), would alone suffice to convince the most sceptical, that France at least has acknowledged the great public benefit of such competitions. When, furthermore, we find that similar exhibitions have been organised in Belgium, Italy, Austria, Spain, Prussia, Sweden, Bavaria, and Russia, and that the number of exhibitors has augmented in one constantly increasing ratio, it is manifest that the manufacturers themselves have derived a practical benefit, as direct and important as that received by the public. As far as I have been able to remark, there does not exist one single writer who has ventured to assert, either per- sonally or anonymously, that France has ever acquired aught except benefit from this admirable Institution. In order to convey, in as short a compass as possible, the facts prepared for your examination, it may perhaps be well to arrange them under three heads, giving,— Firstly — A description of the present building , and generally of the nature of the present Exposition (A). Secondly — A short account of the history of the institution of past Expositions, and their connexion with the industrial progression of the country (B). And Thirdly — An analysis of the official arrangements, their routine, and in an Appendix copies of public documents connected with the organisation of the present and past Expositions (C). 5 SECTION A. The present Exposition. No. 1. The Building , its Cost, Sfc. THE vast edifice which has been erected to contain the specimens of The Champs El y- manufacture selected for exhibition in the year 1849, is situated on the same site s ^ es a good situa- as that occupied by a similar building in the year 1844. The Carre de Marigny, OI tie U1 ' on which it has been placed, is a large oblong piece of ground, abutting on the main avenue of the Champs Elysees, and as a site offers every possible advantage, being of a gravelly soil, already efficiently drained, and placed on the line of a continually moving series of public conveyances. The Champs Elysees, though at some considerable distance from the great centre of Parisian population, are still so universal a place of resort, that they may be fairly assumed to be “ in the way ” of even the poorest classes of the community. The elevation may be admirably seen from all the approaches to the building, and it has the advantage of being in President of the Republic. in the year 1844 (the date of the Difference between almost similar to the present one, tlie building of , but presenting less complication lg49< lans the two appended plans, the differences of his i nse rted opposite immediate proximity to the residence of the The architect, M. Moreau, was en .gaffed last Exposition) on the design of a exhibiting a somewhat analogous O o of form. Bv a comparison of *? building arrangement of the Palace of Industry in 1844, and that in 1849, will be page 11.) apparent ; and it will undoubtedly be perceived that the interior of the vast rectangular courtyard in the plan of 1844 must have presented a magnificent coup cl’ ceil, which is totally wanting in its fellow of the present year. The whole plot of the present building (exclusive of the agricultural Plan, distribution, department) covers a vast parallelogram of 206 metres by 100 (about 675 x 328 buddin^ feet English), round the outline of which runs a gallery about 90 feet wide, divided into two avenues by a double range of pilasters. In the centre of each avenue is a set of stalls, placed back to back, for the exhibition of merchandise ; and both between the central pilasters, and round, and upon the walls, other objects are placed, so that on traversing either of the four gangways (each about ten feet wide) the public have upon their right and left hands objects for inspection. In the part of the building appropriated to large machinery, of course this system cannot be carried out with the same regularity. The vast parallelogram, enclosed by a somewhat similar gallery in the year 1844, was left as one magnificent hall, within which were placed the most important objects ; in the present building we find it divided by two transverse galleries, similarly arranged to those we have described, forming three courtyards ; the central one being about 140 feet square, and the two lateral ones 80 feet by 140. The central courtyard is open to the sky ; in the middle rises an elegant fountain placed on a platform of turf, and around are disposed sheds for the exhibition of flowers and horticultural ornaments and implements. One of the lateral courts (enclosed) receives a large collection of objects in metal work, cast-iron, &c., and the other contains an immense reservoir, in which all the drainage from the roofs is collected, so as to form a supply of water immediately serviceable in case of fire. In addition to this great building, which corresponds with that previously erected, there is this year constructed a vast shed for the exhibition of agricultural produce, and stock. It extends to a length rather greater than the width of the great parallelogram, and is about 100 feet (English) wide. Its construction is ruder than that of the “ Palace,” but it is not on that account less effective. It appears to have been originally contemplated to fill the whole of this gigantic hall 6 Agricultural gallery. Materials. Expensive con- struction. False and unne- cessary ornament. Total cost about 450,000 francs. Difference between the cost in 1844 and 1849. Materials only hired. Comparative total areas. Proportions of gangways, &c. to stalls. Half and half a good proportion. Cost per square metre. Cost per foot English. with cattle, &c., and to place the agricultural implements in a long narrow gallery intervening between it and the main building; but as the stock of animals forwarded for exhibition has not proved so large as was anticipated, it has been half filled with semi-agricultural machines, and the whole of the long narrow gallery alluded to crammed with stoves, and miscellaneous domestic mechanism. The whole of the building is constructed of wood ; the roofs being covered with zinc : of the latter material 400,000 kilogrammes, equal to nearly 4000 tons, are stated to have been used ; and of the former, nearly 45,000 pieces of timber. It is hoped that the accompanying plans, which have been prepared from some recent authorities, and an inspection of the sketches given in the pages of the Illustration and other journals, will convey a tolerably good idea both of the exterior and interior arrangements of the exhibitions. They will serve to shew at least that a somewhat unnecessary expenditure has been gone into, and to mani- fest the possibility of constructing a much more simple building, possessing all the advantages of this one, at a far less cost. Both externally and internally there is a good deal of tasteless and unpro- fitable ornament ; all the pilasters are papered and painted in a species of graining to imitate light oak, and even the ceiling is covered over with the same work. Large carton pierre trusses apparently support the timbers, and a painted bronze bas-relief fills the tympanum of the pediment, at the principal entrance. The architecture of the whole is mesquin, although the gigantic scale of the building necessarily elevates the general effect into something of impressiveness ; not, however, to nearly the extent which the same outlay might have produced. In spite of a statement which has been going the round of the French papers, declaring that the building has cost 900,000 francs, I may, I believe, state with certainty, on the authority of M. Audiganne (Chef du Bureau de Nndustrie), who has kindly communicated to me a few official details, that nothing like that sum has been expended, and that about 450,000 francs is the real amount. In a letter I had the honour to receive from him, he informs me that — Francs. £ The cost of the building in the year 1839 was 363,791, about 14,550 „ ,, 1844 „ 376,406 „ 15,050 „ „ 1849 „ 400,000 „ 16,000 If to this last amount we add 2000 /., the lowest estimated cost of the agricultural shed, making the whole sum expended equal to 18,000/., the difference of about 3000/. between the outlay of the present year and that of the year 1844 will be satisfactorily accounted for. It is, of course, to be remembered in these calculations, that the money is paid only for the hire of the materials for about three months, the whole re- maining the property of the contractor at the termination of the Exhibition. We find that the Exposition of the year 1839 contained a total area of 11,3625 1844 „ 19,497 > metres. 1849 „ 22,391 J That of these total areas, In 1839, 5806 metres'! consisted of space available f 5,5569 metres remained for the 1844,9051 „ for goods; and, conse-2 10,445 ^ passages, hall, gang- 1849, 9734 „ J sequently, that — 12,657 J ways, &c. &c. We may, therefore, infer that about half-and-half is a good working pro- portion ; and since, Squaie Francs. £ s. d. Metres. In 1839, a total of 11,362 cost 363,791, that is 1 5 7 9 1844, „ 19,497 „ 376,406 „ 0 15 04 >per square metre. 1849, „ 22,391 „ 400,000 „ 0 14 4 J It follows that, In 1839, the cost of the building was at the rate of 1844, 1849, s. 0 1 1 2 1 34 5 per square foot English. 2§J 7 Now, setting aside the year 1S39 as a manifest extravagance, we learn that Is. 3d. has been the average of the cost of building per foot square in the two last French Expositions ; but at the same time it is to be remarked that the work is done in an extravagant style, and that the expenses of some branches of building are considerably greater in France than in England. N.B.— It has not been possible to obtain more detailed information of cost, the returns having not yet been officially made up. These figures must, there- fore, be regarded only as the nearest approximation to correctness procurable. No. The Classification of Products, fie. NOT only in laying out the scheme of building, but in the arrangements pre- liminary even to that point, it becomes necessary where objects of such various descriptions are to be assembled, to adopt some general system of natural or artificial classification, in order that facilities for the proper grouping of analo- gous arts may be uniformly and consistently provided, both in the Exhibition, the Catalogue, and the Report of those appointed to examine into the merits of the workmanship or design. In the three first Expositions no system of classification was adopted, and consequently the labour of all employed in studying them must have been and still is very much enhanced. If one of the objects of these exhibitions be, as it most assuredly should, to instruct the public, the clearness of their memories and impressions mainly depends upon the simplicity and perfection of the system of succession, subordi- nation, and classification of all the elements composing the great display. If it be otherwise, they gain only a confused sense of weariness, instead of a series of important, mutually dependant, practical conclusions. In the year 1806 we meet with the first attempt at arrangement by M. Costaz, who edited the Report of the jury on the Exposition of that year. He proceeded on a geographical analysis, and treated his examination of all the objects exhibited, under the heads of the departments of France from which they emanated. In the year 1819 lie again edited the Report, and on that occasion adopted an entirely material or natural system, dividing all the arts into thirty-nine heads. The consequence was, of course, great confusion. In the year 1827, M. Payen took up a purely scientific arrangement into five great divisions, namely — System of classifi- cation of products should be early laid down. None in the first Expositions. Importance to popular education of good classifi- cation. The first adopted topographical ; 1819, natural ; 1827, scientific ; 1 . Chemical \ 2. Mechanical 3. Physical l Arts. 4. Economical 5. Miscellaneous j This was deemed almost too artificial and abstract, and, accordingly, in 1834 1834, anthropic; we find M. Dupin very wisely establishing his system of division on the basis of the relation of the arts to man. Thus — 1 . Alimentary \ 2. Sanitary 3. Vestiary 4. Domiciliary 5. Locomotive > 6. Sensitive 7. Intellectual 8. Preparative 9. Social / Anthropic Arts. In 1839 M. Dupin’s analysis was adhered to, and found to work very well. In 1844 the jury adopted a more material classification, uniting something of the spirit of each of the three former systems. They divided the Manufac- turing Arts into — 8 1844, material. Present arrange- ments confused. Suggested classifi- cation. Uncertainty of the uniform supply of goods from year to year, consequent lati- tude to be allowed in all arrange- ments. French taste. , Arts on the accidental or natural system. This arrangement led rather to confusion, and unfortunately, as may be seen by a reference to the plan of the building of the present Exposition, in which this system (if any) has been followed, it is sufficiently complicated to render it ex- tremely difficult to refer to any particular object, from its proximity to others having any analogy with it. Perhaps some of the elements of Mr. Fergusson’s excellent analysis of the Anthropic Arts might be advantageously adopted, or some classification referring to modifications of material in the raw state, in the manufactured state, in the ornamented state — treating them as representatives of the science of production, of manufacture, of decoration, might be found available in default of other better arrangements. 1. Woven 2. Mineral 3. Mechanical 4. Mathematical 5. Chemical 6. Fine 7 Ceramic 8. Miscellaneous No. 3. The Nature and Character of the Products. IT was a matter of common complaint among all connected with, or interested in, the present exhibition, that, owing to the commercial crises of 1848, it had become almost impossible to foresee either the probable amount or character of the goods forwarded for exhibition. I fear, therefore, that the most careful computations as to the relative spaces occupied by different trades would rather mislead than inform, if they were likely to be regarded as the slightest indication of what might be probable in England. On examining and comparing the leading features of all the previous Expositions, we find that each one was specially characterised by some feature peculiarly its own. Thus, Machinery, which this year is the great and predo- minating attraction, in 1839 was comparatively a minor item ; while the products of Mulhausen, which in 1839 actually required a special great hall for themselves alone, this year sink into the ordinary space allotted to many other branches of industry. In forming a judgment as to the proper space to be occupied by any specific manufacture, in reference to its actual importance, much must naturally be left for decision to the constituted authorities for the time being, and they in turn must be swayed more by a sense of duty and justice, than by any laws with which precedent could provide them. In quality of her position, as “ mistress of the reigning mode,” France this year, as in duty bound, exhibits a dazzling array of pretty and tasteful objects. Evidence is exhibited on all hands of the extent to which the education of her workmen has been carried. Scarcely ever do we recognise a piece of bad orna- mental modelling ; where the human figure is introduced, it is rarely ignorantly drawn. In the departments of manufacture requiring tender manipulation, such as the more delicate articles of jewellery, carving, tooling, &c., we recognise a practised hand, acting in unison with an ever-thoughtful head. Everything seems produced, to a certain extent, con amore ; and on conversing with every tradesman he will be found to take an immediate pride in his occupation, as a means of elevating him in the social scale, rather than as a drag to prevent his entering into competition with a class, whose hopes, fears, associations, prejudices, virtues, and demerits, have little natural affinity to his own. Thus, French manufacture has a certain peculiar charm, which frequently paralyses the judg- ment in appreciating the numerous structural defects which her productions constantly exhibit. If a piece of furniture be well and artistically carved, the ordinary eye cares little whether it be or be not well fitted or well seasoned. A beautiful silver gilt ornament is at once preferred to an ugly gold one, and a paper-hanging printed in two tints which harmonise is far preferable to one executed with sixty, all of which “ fight” and weary the eye. The only important 9 branches of manufacture in which, to judge from the present Exposition, France Some manufac- seems decidedly behind England, are those of the application of mechanism to »n u behind carving on a large scale, the manipulation of gutta percha, tin-plate and Bri- En^land S ; JC ^ tannia-metal working, earthenware, and japanning on papier mache, and generally, perhaps, in her immediate adaptation of new machinery to facili- tate, and consequently cheapen, production ; while in many departments, such, for instance, as the cultivation of the art of enamelling, of bronze- working, of others in which the production of artistic stone-ware, the making and colouring of terra cotta, she Is in advance - and of riband and silk-weaving and dyeing, she appears as decidedly in advance. In such a Report as the present it would he needless to particularise the differences between the manufactures in detail ; hut it may, perhaps, he well to remind those interested, that the predominating feature of this year’s exhibition in France is the manifestation of her power to get up those machines, on the possession of which our facility in production has long depended, and that if once she attain in this department anything approaching our mechanical resources, at the same time retaining her present artistic capability, there is little doubt that she will be enabled to command many markets to which we alone now procure access, and which we are too apt to regard as permanent property, rather than as requiring peculiar and continued exertion to monopolise. The exhibition of raw silk of the finest quality should make us turn with French and Eng- peculiar interest to the details of the experiments lately made, with a view to lisl1 raw Sllk - introduce the subject to the notice of the English cultivator, recorded in the last portion of your Society’s Transactions, and encourages us to hope that ere long this important material may be naturalised in England. The raw products of Algeria seem to promise much as a field for the outlay Raw products of of French energy and capital. Algeria. No. 4. General Excellencies and Defects of the present Exposition. PERHAPS the chief excellencies of the arrangements may be deemed the Excellencies; extreme liberality with which the building has been constructed, and the noble style in which the whole affair has been managed, as regards the unlimited liberality of ex- supply of public money, the number and civility of the keepers and attendants, penditure ; and the ease with which the enormous masses of visitors were enabled to circu- late by the width and uninterrupted lines of the gangways. There was con- siderable benefit in the opening of numerous outlets, though the public were generally admitted by one entrance only. The advantage afforded by this was, that if any persons were inconvenienced by heat or pressure, they could readily freedom of circu- find an exit ; while limiting the points of entry secured a tolerably unanimous lation ; movement, without driving those on whose inclination led them to dwell espe- cially upon one particular spot. It also considerably simplified the overlooking and checking the receipts on entry. The placing at all these doorways, ladies, who benevolently devoted themselves to the collection of funds to be dedicated money collected to the service of the poor, and more particularly to relieve those suffering from for hie P oor - the cholera, has been productive of very gi'eat good, and by their means large sums of money have been raised for the purposes of charity. The system which has been heretofore adopted of grouping together goods Goods misplaced, of a similar kind — affording great facilities for comparison and study — and increasing the ease with which particular classes of manufacture may be sepa- rately examined, without confusing the memory with the labour of recalling the exact position of kindred objects scattered about, it was found impossible to fully carry out, owing to the feverish political excitement, which, up to a late period, rendered the existence, even of this year’s Exposition, quite problematical. A mode of arrangement of products of manufacture so topographical as to ex- hibit together all the energy and relative power of production, of different dis- tricts, has been suggested, but never tried to any great extent ; the general opinion being that it would not convey as much practical information, or in half so agree- able a form, as if effected by the usual practice. Classified indexes to the Cata- logues would probably unite the advantages of both systems, and to a slight extent they have been adopted in France. The Catalogue as at present arranged consists of two parts. The first, The Catalogue. 13 10 The Catalogue ; its system ; defective. Advantages of allowing exhibitors to fit up their own stalls. The unpunctual forwarding and arrangement of goods, and its con- sequences. Faults of present building — that it is unfitted for any national fete ; that it could not be extended with good effect. containing the numerical series in the order in which the products stand in the several stalls, the names of manufacturers, their addresses, and the nature of their goods, placed somewhat thus : — No. 19. No. 20. No. 21. James White John Smith James Brown Leeds Broad Street, Birmingham Mosely Street, Manchester Patent Malleable Iron. Cast-iron goods. Cotton Prints. And the second, the names of manufacturers arranged alphabetically, followed by the number of the stall, &c., thus : — White, James Wilson, Robert Wood & Smith Patent Malleable Iron Stocking-frame, with patented Improvements Painted and Ornamental Glass No. 19. No. 524. No. 4218. In all cases where honours have in former years been awarded to individuals, their nature is indicated by distinctive marks attached to each name. In truth, however (excepting as a book of reference after the close of the exhibition), the French Catalogue, as at present arranged, is almost valueless : the names and addresses of each exhibitor being attached in a clear and legible form to every stall, and some one representing his firm being generally present to take care of his or her master’s goods, and to convey whatever information may be re- quested. The present construction of the Catalogue is, on the whole, to be regarded rather as a defect than as an excellence. The self-evident principle of regulating the line of progression, and fixing the numbers so as to fall in with that order, seems to have been quite lost sight of, and thus considerable con- fusion would be created by any one who persevered in following out the series presented by the Catalogue. If it were determined to have one up and one down- current in a gangway, it would be well to let the numbers follow each other on either the right or left-hand sides ; if, on the contrary, the whole stream of visitors poured in one direction, it might be well to place the odd numbers on the left-hand side-stalls, and the even numbers on the right, and thus the classes of fabric and material might be kept tolerably together in the Catalogue. Now on the former, the present French system, they get very much scattered about. There is considerable advantage in allowing the exhibitors to fit up (under certain general restrictions) their own stalls, at their own expense ; since it affords an opportunity for the exercise of individual taste, is gratifying to those who would be dissatisfied if the charge of arranging their goods was entrusted to any but themselves, and effects also a considerable saving of time, trouble, and expense, to the executive. It is, however, absolutely necessary, that all goods should be finally arranged some time prior to the opening of the exhibition, and that none should be received after a certain day, except under the most extra- ordinary circumstances. The non-observance of such a regulation completely marred, for some time, the effect of the present Exposition ; instead of inaugu- rating a perfect and splendid spectacle with fitting national solemnities, and thus interesting at once the people and the press, the saloons were opened half filled, or even less than half filled ; upholsterers hard at work in all directions ; boxes, packing-cases, lumber, and heaps of straw, dust and dirt, disfiguring and spoiling the whole effect. For nearly three weeks these inconveniences existed, in a greater or less degree ; and, as might naturally be expected, the press scarcely praised, scarcely noticed, and the better class of citizens and foreigners scarcely visited, the exhibition for the first month. It is needless to insist on the import- ance of this error. One of the most striking defects in the plan of the building was the total impossibility of converting it, for any great national purpose, into a vast hall, in which a multitude might assemble to witness such an exhibition as the bestowal O of the prizes. In no position could more than a fourth of the whole extent be seen at one view, so that not only was the effect of a possible ensemble, similar to that which might have been gained by the adoption of a design proposed in the Revue cl' Architecture, by M. Hector Horeau, entirely lost, but the stupendous effect of one enormous impression of grandeur on entering was perfectly sacrificed to a fancied regularity of plan. Another great disadvantage was the impossi- bility of adding to the beauty of the effect by the additional galleries, and the acquisition of more space to be appropriated, in the event of the contributions proving more numerous than was expected. 1844 . if PLAN i i F THE PALACE OF INDUSTRY. n n n n ii n ' ' \u„J lit - H II 15 1 f' J I l II 1 l 0 1 ! CARRE MARICNY CHAMPS ELYSEES. L r~i fl'-H I T T 11 1 I T TTTTTTT TTl T1 [TTITTT1 T I TT T1 H ll II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i fit i i 1 1 1 i N tTmTTrnrrTTiriTn N A T I O N A L £ X H / B / T / O N of the PRODUCTIONS of FRENCH INDUSTRY, 18 49 . TOWARDS THE R / V E R 11 One peculiarity, which architecturally was most distressing, was, that a system of sham seemed to preside over all the ornaments and construction. Great carton pierre trusses which supported nothing — painted bas-reliefs to imi- tate bronze — fir covered all over with paper to make it look like oak, — were all unnecessary and wasteful professional forgeries. If each simple material had been allowed to tell its own tale, and the lines of the construction so arranged as to conduce to a sentiment of grandeur, the qualities of “power” and “truth,” which its enormous extent must have necessarily ensured, could have scarcely failed to excite admiration, and that at a very considerable saving of expense. The Agricultural portion of the building was by far the best in design, though comparatively rude ; hut, unhappily, since the exhibition was a very poor one (the provinces being scarcely at all represented), almost twice as much accommodation w r as provided as was needed. We fully believe, that a better building might be erected, affording the same area and advantages as the Parisian Palace of Industry, and avoiding most of its defects, for an amount less — probably by one-fourth — than that which has been expended upon it. Architectural forgeries in construction. Agricultural build- ing good, but the display bad. Possibility of ob- taining a better building for less money. 12 First idea generally- ascribed to Fran- cois de Neufcha- teau. Credit due instead to the Marquis d’Av&ze. The Marquis’s own account. His labours at the Theatre des Arts. Appointed, in 1797, Commissioner of the State Manu- factures, the Gobelins, &c. Distress of artizans. Scheme to relieve them by an Expo- sition, sent to the Minister of the Interior: approved ; choice of the Cha- teau of St. Cloud. The Chateau granted. SECTION B. The past Expositions. No. 1. The Origin of such Institutions. DOWN to so late a period as 1844, the date of the publication of the ex- cellent historical essay of Messrs. Challamel and Burat, all writers on the subject had admitted without question the claims of the learned and accomplished Fran- cois de Neufchateau to be regarded as the originator of these Exhibitions, which all concurred in esteeming as productive of the greatest possible good to the whole community of France. Shortly subsequent to the appearance of their treatise a pamphlet was brought out, written by the Marquis d’Aveze, then a very aged man, which placed the subject in quite a different light. We cannot do better than give this account in the words of the autobiography. The Marquis tells us, that “ No sooner was the Directory installed, than in conjunction with MM. de Parny, de la Chabeaussiere, et Caillot (a celebrated actor of the Italian Opera), I was named Manager of the Academy of Music, then called the Theatre of Arts. We received this fine establishment from the hands of the artists united for its support in the most wretched state — in a posi- tion, indeed, menacing immediate downfall. “ Thanks to the efforts of our management, which lasted for three consecu- tive years, we bequeathed this splendid theatre to our successors in a most satis- factory condition, and in that high road to success which it has constantly fol- lowed until the present time (1844). “ In the year V. (of the Republic), 179? 5 I had not yet quitted the Opera, when the Minister of the Interior summoned me to undertake the office of Com- missioner to the Manufactures of the Gobelins (tapestries), of Sevres (china), and of the Savonnerie (carpets). I had no need to stay long in these establishments to perceive the misery in which they were plunged. The workshops were de- serted — for two years the artizans had remained in an almost starving condition — the warehouses were full of the results of their labours, and no commercial en- terprise came to relieve the general embarrassment. Scarcely can I depict the effect produced upon me by such a scene, but at that moment a sudden and luminous thought presented itself to my imagination, and appeared to console me for the miseries of the present in the hopes it offered for the future. “ I pictured to myself, in the most glowing colours, the idea of an exhibition of all the objects of industry of the national manufactures. I committed my pro- ject to paper, I detailed the mode of its execution, and prepared a Report, ad- dressed to the Minister of the Interior, which was written throughout by my own hand, and delivered by me to M. Lancel, then at the head of the section of Arts and Manufactures, in whose office the document, in question should still exist. “ My Report soon received the approbation of the Minister of the Interior, M. Francois de Neufchateau, who commanded me to carry it into effect by every means useful and suitable to the Government. “ The chateau of St. Cloud w r as then uninhabited and completely unfur- nished, and this appeared to me the most appropriate and eligible spot for the Exposition which I had projected, and likely to invest the Exhibition with all the magnificence and eclat so necessary to attract strangers, and to further the sale of the objects exhibited, the produce of which might mitigate the sufferings of our unhappy workmen. “ The chateau of St. Cloud was obtained without difficulty. I established 13 myself there and requested the attendance of Messrs. Guillaumot, Duvivier, and Salmon, directors of manufactures. I explained to them the intentions of the Government, and found all these gentlemen ready to further their object with zeal and activity. In a few days, by their obliging exertions, the walls of every apartment in the castle were hung with the finest Gobelin tapestry ; the floors covered with the superb carpets of the Savonnerie, which long rivalled the carpets of Turkey, and latterly have far surpassed them ; the large and beautiful vases, the magnificent groupes, and the exquisite pictures of Sevres china, enriched these saloons, already glowing with the chefs-d'oeuvre of Gobelins and the Savonnerie. The Chamber of Mars was converted into a receptacle for porcelain, where might be seen the most beautiful services of every kind, vases for flowers, — in short, all the tasteful varieties which are originated by this incomparable manufacture. In the centre of the saloon, surrounded by all these beauties, was a wheel of fortune , containing tickets for lotteries eventually to be drawn — every ticket was to obtain a prize of greater or less value, the price of each ticket was twelve francs. I had attained to this point when the Minister gave me an assistant in the person of M. Leseurre, a young man of great merit, with uncommon zeal and intelligence. I had already, for some time, enjoyed the advantage of the services of M. Peyre, a young architect of exquisite taste and distinguished talent. He it was who superintended the arrangement of the Exposition, and when this was completed I referred to the Minister to fix the day for its being opened. It was decided that this should take place in the month of Fructidor; but previous to that time a number of distinguished persons in Paris, and many foreigners, visited the Exposition, and made purchases sufficient to afford a distribution to the work men of the different manufactures, thus yielding a little temporary relief to their necessities. The fame of this forthcoming exhibition inspired the citizens of Paris with an eager desire to enjoy it as soon as possible ; they anticipated with impatience the 18th Fructidor, the day fixed for public admission to S t. Cloud. The courtyard was filled with elegant equipages, whose owners graced the saloons of the exhibition, when, in the midst of this good company, I received an official notice from the Minister to attend him immediately, and to defer the opening of the Exposition. I obeyed the mandate on the morning of the 18th. I waited on the Minister, from whom I received an order to close the chateau. Already on the walls of our city was placarded the decree of the Directory for the expul- sion of the nobility, with an order for their retirement, within four-and-twenty hours, to a distance of at least thirty leagues from Paris, and this under pain of death. My name was in the list, and, consequently, my immediate withdrawal was imperative. The barriers were strictly guarded, and it was impossible to pass them without the order of the commandant. My position was doubly painful ; on the one hand it was essential to obey the decree of the Government, on the other I had an account to render of all the treasures in the chateau of St. Cloud. I found no difficulty in explaining my'situation to the Minister and the commandant of the place, the Marshal Augereau. I requested him to furnish mo with a sufficient force for the protection of the chateau, in which so many precious objects were deposited. He gave me a company of dragoons, under command of Captain Vatier, and ordered a passport for me, by means of which I could leave Paris and return to St. Cloud. I caused an inventory to be made in my presence of all I left in the chateau. I closed the gates and delivered the keys to M. Marechau, the keeper, in compliance with the order of the Minister. I posted all around the military which had been granted to me for its security, and, my duties fulfilled, hastened to obey the decree of proscription. “ Such is the true and exact history of the first idea of a National Exposition, and of the first attempt to realize that idea.” On his return from proscription to Paris, at the beginning of the year 1 70S, the Marquis immediately resumed his labours, though on this second occasion the objects he collected were distributed in the house and gardens of the Maison d’Orsay, Rue de Varennes, No. 6G7. In looking over the list of specimens which composed this exhibition, we must be struck by its entirely aristocratic nature. The richest furniture and marqueterie produced by Boule, Riessner, and Jacob ; the finest clocks and watches by L’Epine and Leroy ; the superb porcelain and china from the manufactories of Sevres, of Angoulcme, and of Nast ; the most elegant books, bound in the richest manners, and fully supporting the traditionary excellence of Grolier and De Thou ; silks of Lyons ; historical pictures by \ incent, David, and Suve ; landscapes by Hue and Valencienne; flowers by The goods arranged. The great lottery. The day fixed for opening. The banishment of the nobility. The departure of the Marquis, and consequent aban- donment of the experiment. The second attempt successfully carried out by the Mar- quis in 1798. 14 Vandael and Van Pankouck ; and many other objects of an equally luxurious character, served to shew upon what class of the community French manufacture had up to the period of the Revolution mainly depended for support. In the further progress and developement of these Expositions we shall be able to trace the gradual expansion of the market, and adaptation of the character of supply to the wants of the masses. There can be no doubt that the success which attended The influence of this attempt, on the part of the Marquis d’Aveze, hastened the adoption of his the exertions of the idea by the Government, as supplying a truly laudable stimulant to manufacture, Marqms as pie- worthy of national recognition and support, and that it thus led directly to the paratory to , , i ■ i , ° • 1 - r J establishment ot — No. 2, The First Official Exposition. the first official AT the end of the year 1?97> on the return of Napoleon from the successful Exposition. termination of the Italian wars, peace and its arts were universally demanded on the part of the nation ; and as eager to triumph in this department as he had shewn himself to be in its opposite, the great general at once determined that Industry should have its ovation, as War had already achieved its triumph. On the same spot in the Champ de Mars on which the army had celebrated the inauguration of the noble collection of Italian spoils, and but six weeks after that The “Temple of fete, the nation erected the “ Temple of Industry,” and exhibited specimens of the Industry” blessings and advantages of peace. The temple stood in the midst, while around it were arranged sixty porticoes tilled with all that Paris and its vicinity could produce, either of use or beauty. The galleries remained open only during the open for three days three last complementary days of the year VI. of the Republic, 1798 ; but excited the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country. The system of entrusting the judgment on the merits of the several exhibitors to a jury composed of a few men, the most distinguished in science and art, was at once adopted, and so satis- factorily has it been found to work, that it has been constantly acted upon up to the present time. It may be interesting to observe the constitution of this first jury. It consisted of nine men only — (this year the number has been increased, in a ratio somewhat commensurate with the increase of exhibitors, to as many as 64). The members of the jury of 1798 were — Molard, member of the Society of Arts and Manufactures ; Chaptal, member of the Institute ; Vien, painter ; Gillet Laumond, Commissioner of Mines ; Duquesnoy, of the Agricultural Society ; Motto, sculptor ; Ferdinand Berthoud, chronometer-maker ; Gallois, a man of letters ; and Darcet, member of the Institute. Their Report, which has become of extreme rarity, and which 1 believe exists only in the MS. copy preserved in the Bureau of Industry, under the charge of the Minister of Agriculture, I have been kindly allowed to peruse, but have not found it to contain much more than the dry enumeration of the relative merits of the several competitors. M. Julien Lemer, in his interesting little work, the “ Manuel de 1’ Expos ant,” offers the fol- lowing list of the principal manufacturers who gained prizes at this first Expo- sition, most of whose names have become “household words” in the history of Character of goods French manufacture, — “ M. Breguet, whose name is intimately connected with contributed. the progress of watch and clock making in France ; Lenoir, the celebrated inventor and maker of mathematical instruments ; Didot and Herhan, who so much influenced the perfection of printing ; Dilh and Guerliard, whose manu- facture of painted china rivalled the beauty of Sevres ; Desarnod (the French Rumford); Conte, known most popularly by his chalks, but whose talents as a mechanist and engineer were of the highest order, and to whom we are indebted for the application of machine-ruling to engraving ; Clouet and Payen, who had established a great manufactory of chemicals ; and Denys de Luat (Seine-et- Oise), who exhibited cottons spun to all degrees of fineness, from the most common to No. 110.” First experiment So thoroughly successful was this first experiment deemed, that the Executive considered so sue- a j- once determined to institute similar exhibitions annually ; and in order to cessful as to leiid renc j er them fittingly universal, and not Parisian only, they at once addressed periodical Exposi- letters to the prefets of all the departments, informing them of their intention — tions as a national requesting them to form committees, whose office it should be to determine on the .nstitution. spot, what local products were worthy of being forwarded to Paris at the public expense, and of becoming eligible to carry away the prize either of twenty m 1798. Appointment of the first Central Jury; their names ; their Report. 15 silver medals offered by the Government, or one gold one to be awarded to whoever should have opposed the most formidable rivalry to English manu- facture. In offering you some notice of — No. 3, The Second Official Exposition, I CANNOT do better than transcribe literally the excellent remarks of M. Lemer. He tells us that — “ In spite of the circular of the Minister of the Interior (M. Francois de The second Expo- Neufchateau), promising annual exhibitions, the second took place after an sltlon taking place interval of as much as three years. The Consulate had succeeded to the j;j^ e |Mj: ars aftcl Directory, and public credit was re-established as an immediate consequence of our glorious victories. The First Consul at this time placed his title of Member Exertions of Napo- of the Institute before every other ; he visited, accompanied by his illustrious leon. friends, Berthollet, Monge, and Chaptal, the workshops and great factories of Paris, Rouen, Lyons, Milan, Brussels, Liege, and Aix-la-Chapelle, stimulating all to progress, and distributing everywhere encouragement and reward.” This Exposition, dedicated, like the first, to celebrate the anniversary of the The building. Republic, took place in the Quadrangle of the Louvre, under elegant porticoes expressly prepared for this solemnity. “ two hundred and twenty exhibitors were admitted to the competition, — The competitors about double the number of those who had figured in that of 1798 ; seven who and the medals, had already obtained gold medals were set aside. It was necessary also to separate from the list the eight best manufacturers, placed in the second order in 1798, in order to reserve the silver medals for their equals in industry. From this necessity arose the custom adopted in subsequent Expositions, of voting only confirmation of previous rewards (le rappel des medailles,) in favour of those who maintained honourably their already acquired position. Altogether ten gold, twenty silver, and thirty bronze medals were awarded. “Names which will pass to posterity were included among those of the The jury, members of the central jury, — Berthollet, Berthoud, Guyton de Morveau, De Prony, Vincent the painter, and M. Costaz, who four times obtained the honour of being commissioned to prepare the Report upon four successive Expositions.” It was on this occasion that the immortal Jacquard obtained a bronze Appearance of medal, and subsequently a pension of 1000 francs per annum, which was Jacquard ; ultimately increased to 6000. It must, no doubt, be a gratifying circumstance to your Society to remember that it w r as in consequence of reading the advertise- his talents called ment of a premium offered by your Society that he (a straw-hat manufacturer) JV l^^ocicty was induced to turn his attention to the study of that loom which has since 0 " 1 b ’ on n ' rendered his fame so universal. The principal features of this Exposition were the improvement in the The principal quality of wool as a raw material, owing to the influence of the Rambouillet flock, features of the and the exertions of MM. Tessier, Hazard, and Gilbert. The woollens of Iix P 0i5R ‘° 11 - Louviers were represented by Decretot ; those of Sedan, llheims, and Vervins, by Ternaux, &c. Cottons spun a la Mall jenny, and otherwise. “ The carpets of Sal- landrouze ; the china of Sevres ; the earthenware of Sarreguemines ; the morocco leather of Choisy le Roi, which surpassed in beauty that of Turkey itself ; and the perfect printing of Didot, Herhan, and Piranesi, claimed the attention of, and were especially commended by, the jury.” In the following year, 1802 (X. of the Republic), — • No. 4, The Third Exposition, TOOK place in the same locality as its predecessor. As the number of The third Exposi- exhibitors at the second of these competitions had doubled that of the first, so t'on in the follow- did that of the third exceed that of the second in the same ratio ; and this in => ^ eai ’ 16 manifested. extraordinary system of “ progression” was even carried on to the fourth ; thus affording the clearest proof of the success of the scheme, and of the national recognition of the benefits it conferred upon the best interests of industry. Although the interval of time between the second and third exhibitions was Great improvement so short, still it had been a period of extraordinary exertion and activity, and a developement of a corresponding character was accordingly manifested. The most striking features of this year were the extended application of mechanical and chemical science to facilitate production, and the consequent great reduction in price of all articles of popular demand. The hydraulic-ram of Montgolfier ; the stocking- frame of Aubert ; the silk spinning-machine of Vaucanson ; and the chemical products of Messrs. Decroisilles of Rouen, and Amfry and Darcet of Paris, among a crowd of other scarcely less worthy objects, were rewarded with gold medals, of which this time no less than twenty-two were distributed. One of the immediate and most important results of the extended popularity of these insti- tutions was the establishment, shortly after the close of this Exposition, of the Societe d’ Encouragement, one which has aided, in an extraordinary degree, the inventive talent of France, and the application of abstract science to the wants and requirements of manufacture. In its original programme it offered only four premiums, the total value of which did not then exceed 3600 francs- — less than 150/., but their prizes have since been gradually increased until they now attain the great amount of many hundred thousand francs. “ Among the principal original share- Napoleon principal holders of the Society were included the First Consul, who subscribed for one shareholder. hundred shares, the Minister of the Interior for fifty, and M. Recamier, who entered his name for a similar number.” It is by no means an uninteresting illustration of the mutual action and reaction upon each other of excellent institutions to remark, that while in France the Society of Arts and Manufactures is indebted for its existence to the interest excited by public Expositions of the Products of Industry, in England the establishment of corresponding national exhibitions will probably be mainly owing to the efforts made by its Society of Arts and Manufactures to demonstrate the utility and feasibility of the permanent incorporation into our commercial system of such periodical stimulants. If we institute a comparison between the first efforts of the Directory, in 1798, and — Establishment of the Societe d’En- conragement. No. 5, The Fourth Exposition, in 1806, The fourth Expo- sition, after an interval of four years. The building. Improved manu- factures exhibited. The isolation of France beneficial to her industry. THE last of the Empire, we shall bo enabled to trace very clearly the advance and extension of French industry under the influence of the master mind of Napoleon, aided by the knowledge and talent of such men as Francois de Neuf- chateau, Chaptal, Berthollet, &c. In every department of textile fabric an amazing improvement had been effected. In 1806, in a splendid building erected on the Esplanade of the Hopital des Invalides, for the first time appeared the printed cottons of Mulhausen and Logelbach. Silk thread and cotton lace, blonde, cloth, mixed goods, and above all the beautiful imitations of Cashmere shawls, exhibited a perfection scarcely to be anticipated, if we take into account the terrible financial fluctuations of the period. The manufacture of iron by the aid of coke instead of charcoal, and that of steel by new and greatly improved processes, supplied arms at once to the peaceful and the warlike, tools to the workman, and deadly weapons to the soldier. The application of the power of transferring ornament from copper plates to the surface of porcelain, aided much in increasing the demand, and lowering the price of this most important article of domestic comfort. That isolation, which for many years separated, in so great a degree, manu- facturing France from the other producing powers of Europe, while it placed her in many points of view in an unfavourable position, yet by forcing her energies to supply alone what other kingdoms derived from mutual co-operation and dependance on each other, laid the foundation for that facility and universality of manufacture which so eminently distinguish her in the present day. It is partly- owing to this absolutely inevitable state of continued exertion, in despite of wars 17 and troubles which, under ordinary circumstances, would have tended to crush completely her nascent industry, that we find France, on the occasion of — No. 6, The Fifth Exposition, in 1819, STILL in the high road to honour and distinction. In compliment to the The fifth Exposi- restored monarchy, it was on the fete of St. Louis that the splendid galleries, tion > after an inter - which on this occasion were constructed in the court of the Louvre, were thrown valuftllirteen y cars - open to the public. The leading feature of this exhibition was the improvement which had been Its leading features, effected in the manufacture of metal work, and the superb and numerous specimens contributed. The great iron-works of the Loire forwarded excellent castings ; while from the forges of Grossouvre (in the department of the Cher) proceeded iron, no longer hammered, but admirably rolled ; anchors, wire, tools of every description, jewellery, plate, and plated goods ; damascene work, bronze, steel, stereotype plates, and oxides admirably prepared as pigments for vitrification, demonstrated the extent and perfection of this important department of industry. The exertions of Daniel Koechlin, the Thomson of French calico-printing ; of Raymond of Lyons, the inventor of the famous process for fixing Prussian blue in silk-dyeing ; and Widmer de Jouy, whose celebrated green has been universally esteemed, tended to improve the character, without increasing the price, of all the garment fabrics most in demand throughout the country. Jacquard re-appears, gaining a prize more worthy of his great abilities. Jacquard 360 medals of different kinds, and If crosses of the legion of honour, were awarded reappearing, to the 377 elected, out of 1662 competitors. No. ?. The Sixth Exposition, in 1823. ALTHOUGH, as compared with its predecessor, this exhibition displayed The sixth Exposi- a slight falling off (from 1662 to 1648) in the number of exhibitors, we must not tion > a ( ter an inter * from that circumstance assume that it w r as necessarily in any respect inferior in va ot foui ^ cars " importance. The fact that the Central Jury and the Government thought fit to increase the number of rewards from 809 to 1091, is a tolerable testimony to the merits of the articles contributed. The most notable progress appears to have Progress mani- been manifested in the application of the improved manufacture of iron to tested, machinery and construction, and the consequent devclopement of civil engineering as a profession. The most remarkable novelty was the model of the first French suspension bridge; it was designed by MM. Seguin, freres, to traverse the Rhone between l ain and Tournon. The duration of this exhibition extended It remained open to fifty days, a considerable increase on any previous one. tlt 7 v da y s > No. 8. The Seventh Exposition, in 1827, PRESENTED the exact converse of that of 1823, displaying a considerable The seventh Expo- increase in the number of contributors, and a diminution in the amount of medals sltion ’ after an m " awarded. Great improvements in the arrangement and classification of all the tuva 0 0111 > cai> ' various branches of industry represented were introduced by M. Payen, the learned chemist, whose Report on the manufactures of' the department of the Seine is a perfect model of clearness and intelligence. The building, which this year The building, was on a much grander scale than those of either 1823 or 1819, like them occupied a site in the interior of the great court of the Louvre. The influence of the application of steam, as a motive power, began now to Steam power be- make itself sensibly felt, and while in evenness and regularity of finish the goods § inn ' n p t0 tel1 on contributed shewed a manifest advance, the prices at which it was found possible manu ac ure ’ c 18 Introduction of silk- production into France. General advance- ment. to deliver them to the market, not only greatly extended the home consumption, but laid the foundation in many departments of production for a very considerable export trade. Thus the manufacture of merino, which fifteen or twenty years before had scarcely existed, had now increased to such an extent, that fifteen mil- lion francs’ worth were annually disposed of. The shawl, silk, tulle, and blonde trades had also expanded in an equally magic manner. From our invaluable guide, M. Lemer, we learn that “ an important problem had been resolved in the production of silk. Confined hitherto to the depart- ments of the south (long deemed alone favourable to its cultivation), it gradually extended to those of the ‘ centre,’ and appeared to be advancing to some of the northern districts. While the raw silk was much purer, the processes of winding and throwing were very much improved. The carefully-prepared spun silk furnished the constituent matter for a thousand varieties of new stuffs. Fabrics of mixed silk and wool were especially to be admired in this Exposition.” Cotton printing for the million began to assume a gigantic developement, and in ginghams particularly attracted attention. The application of machinery to making paper in endless lengths speedily affected the manufacture of paper hangings, and enabled the superior French taste to rival and ultimately monopolize the favour with which up to about this time the English productions had been regarded. In connexion with engineering, the brilliant results of the experiments of Vicat placed the scientific study of natural and artificial cements on an altogether different footing from any on which it had been previously based. Improvements in plate-glass manufacture, and the revival of the processes of painting and staining that material, added another element to the resources of ecclesiastical decoration. No. {). The Eighth Exposition, in 1834. The eighth Expo- sition, after an in- terval of seven years. The principal novelties. The extent of the arrangements, &c. IF no other circumstance had tended to make this Exhibition especiallv interesting, the mere fact that it had called forth the ability and knowledge of Charles Dupin, and procured for France the most able Report which has yet been made upon the past, present, and possible future of her industry, would alone have sufficed to render it remarkable. In almost every department of manufacture a steady progression may be traced — in silk, in cotton-printing, in flax-spinning, in tools, and chemical productions of every kind especially. Among the principal novelties introduced into the collection of 1834 may be enumerated — paper-hangings printed from cylinders, by M. Zuber of Mul- hausen ; the revival of the arts of enamel and “ niello,” by Wagner ; the forma- tion of elastic tissues by means of India-rubber ; the factitious ultramarine, by Guimet ; the re-creation of the art of wood-engraving ; and the attempt to emulate the traditionary excellence of Boule and Riessner in marqueterie and ornamental cabinet and inlaid work. The precious goods contributed were this year deposited in four pavilions erected on four sides of the Place de la Concorde. The number of exhibitors amounted to 2447 ; of whom 697 were rewarded with medals, 23 with decora- tions of the legion of honour, and the merits of no less in all than 1785 were dis- tinctly recognized by the Central Jury, over which M. Dupin most ably presided. No. 10. The Ninth Exposition, in 1839. The ninth Exposi- THE declaration of the leading elements on which the Central Jury founded tion, after an inter- its appreciation of the products exhibited on this occasion, bears a strong testi- val ot five years. monv to the increased extent of the French export trade, to the growing demand Introduction of the on the part of the public for vast quantities of goods at the lowest price, and to system of “ large the consequent adoption by the manufacturers of the principle of “large sales “ sma ^ and small profits,” a system not previously very much favoured in France. This declaration stated, that the principal points regarded by the jury were: — 19 lstly. — Inventions and improvements, classed according to tlie importance of Testified by the their results, as affecting manufacture. declaration of the 2ndly. — The extents of the factories, and their topographical situation. Jur y- Srdly. — The actual and commercial quality of the goods. 4 which persons desirous of exhibiting are required before a certain day to enter a number of particulars. t On calling in these lists, and examining into the claims of those filling their powers and them up, the jury of the department proceed to invite as many goods as possible duties; to be sent to the chief town at which their meetings are held. They then select from the specimens contributed all they deem worthy of being forwarded to Paris, and give notice of rejection to all whose productions they regard as not possessing a sufficient title to the admiration of the public. In cases of machinery and enormously heavy articles of established reputation, they usually depute cer- tain members to make a visit to the manufactory, and report upon their nature to the general body, who then decide as to their admission or rejection. Having completed the selection of articles, they are then called upon to see to their safe transmission to Paris in proper time for the opening of the Exposition. Judging by the results of their labours this year, it is to be feared that their responsibilities as electors and politicians rather interfered with the proper execution of their duties as members of the juries of the departments. All appeals from the deci- controllable by the sions of the Provincial Juries are finally adjudged by the Central Jury, who Central Jury, communicate from time to time with their fellow-labourers, requiring from them local information, and verification of declarations furnished by competing manu- facturers. No. 4. The Central Jury. A REFERENCE to the Appendix, No. 8, will explain pretty completely the varied attainments represented by this most distinguished body. An appeal f See latter part of Appendix, No. 6. D # Appendix, No. 6. 26 The nature of the to No. 1 will give tolerably definite information on the subject of the nature, elements otdie^ extent, and importance of their critical powers ; and an examination of any one Append ix°No ' 8 ^ ast f^ ree Reports they have published will demonstrate how admirably their labours and they have given the benefit of those attainments to the public, and how firmly, decisions in No. 1 . judiciously, and kindly they have wielded the powers with which they have been endowed by nature and by delegated authority. I should but waste your time if I attempted in this place to detail the multifarious duties which, from the cha- racter of their office, they must manifestly be called upon to perform. No. 5. The Award of Prizes, their Amount, 8?c. Central Jury awards prizes, and reports on the merits. Value of the medals. The distinctions awarded the object of serious and eager competition. ON the completion of its labours as supreme judges, the Central Jury pro- ceeds to embody the result of its conviction in a Report, stating the manufacturers to whom they have awarded the several distinctions placed at their disposal by the Minister, and briefly the grounds of their adjudication in every case. This Report is afterwards printed, and the collected volumes form the most interesting series possible — presenting an admirable picture of the developement of every branch of French industry during the last forty years. The pecuniary value of the medals is by no means great : in 1839 it amounted to 2429 1 - 12s. only ; and in 1844 to no more than 3238/. The actual worth of the gold medal is but 500 francs = 20/. ; and that of the silver medal but 30 francs = 1/. 4s. 2 d. In the Appendix, No. 1, will be found a statement of the various classes of rewards adjudged by the jury. The distribution always taking place in public, under circumstances of extraordinary eclat — the hand of the Sovereign conferring the medals — the publicity and the local reputation attendant on success, — make to active and zealous manufacturers the attainment of one of these distinctions the object of extraordinary efforts, of years of unremitting exer- tion, and the pride and glory of their existence as citizens. 27 APPENDIX.— No. 1. Official Sketch of the Labours of the Jury of 1844, and Analysis of its general Decisions. THE first sittings of the central jury were occupied in hearing a great number of the appeals brought before them, and in deciding upon the evidence with all possible despatch. It was resolved that each point of debate should, in the first place, be examined by a proper committee, wbo should report upon it to the general assembly, which in its turn would then pronounce a final decision. The greater part of these appeals were purely personal, and from the decisions of the jury very few opinions have resulted which it would be worth while to publish; we shall, therefore, confine our attention to those possessing general interest. Several retail dealers who sell works of art, &c., of which they are not the makers themselves, or which they have at different times caused to be manufactured from models and designs purchased from artists, have put forward pretensions to be considered as pro- ducers, and admitted under this title to the Exhibition. The central jury, after much dis- cussion, has decided that, notwithstanding its wish to recognise the services rendered by commerce to industry, it should not lose sight of that object for which it was principally instituted, namely, to reward the results of the efforts and talent of originators ; that it was on such alone that reward could be bestowed ; and that the participation in this great com- petition of dealers, not being manufacturers, would be followed by the inevitable and unwished-for result of often excluding' the humble designer who might find himself in an absolutely dependent situation. It was, consequently, decided that no one should be per- mitted to display any other than his own productions, and that articles not made by, but manufactured from designs or models furnished by the vendors and would-be exhibitors, should not be regarded as coming under that denomination. The central jury having remarked the tendency of certain dealers to apply to their own profit the success rightly due to the talent of inventors, decided : That all tickets indicating that the articles exhibited had been ordered or purchased by retail houses should be removed ; as well as those which should make mention of orders executed for public or private establishments : this regulation not applying to pur- chases or commissions from members of the royal family. The dyers, who contribute so largely to the commercial success of the manufacture of woven goods, having experienced in many cases difficulties in making understood the extent and nature of their co-operation, the jury decided, that in the exhibition of fabrics or other dyed articles it should be allowed to indicate by tickets the name of the dyer, making known that he had been admitted by the jury of bis department, in the case of this part of the labour not having been executed in the establishment of the chief exhibitor; and that it shall be specially expressed on the ticket that the fabric exposed is admitted as a specimen of dyeing. In order to limit to a convenient extent the permission which should be granted to every exhibitor to explain and shew the working of his machines or models, the jury decided that each committee should in this matter take measures for avoiding accidents, hindrance, and other inconvenience, which the abuse of such a regula- Xotice of orders or purchases by com- mercial houses, of 3d May. Instructions relative to dyed goods. Setting in motion machines, models, &c. tion might give rise to. Various appeals having induced the central jury to take upon themselves to modify decisions arrived at by the juries of the departments, a long and serious discussion was entered into as to the manner in which the central jury should use the power given it on this head by the ministerial circular of December 15, 1843. The central jury, recognising fully the importance of the meeting of the juries of the departments, the confidence their decisions ought to create, and the necessity for giving them as much authority as possible, and therefore desirous to act with suitable caution in their revision, decided as follows : “Each committee shall examine the especial circum- stances upon which an appeal has been preferred against the decision of the jury of a department, and shall report to the central jury, who, after a special deliberation, shall decree from the conclusions furnished by the Report.” The jury being strongly sensible of the numberless inconveniences and abuses which would be the consequence of any notice or exhibition of medals, rewards, or commenda- tions, whatever they might be, bestowed by learned or industrial societies, decided, that such announcements should be strictly forbidden in the galleries, and that anything apparently alluding to them should be removed. As to the rewards granted by preceding juries, it is decided that any mention of them should be authorised by the signature, and under the control of, the director of the Exhibition. With regard to the statement of patents granted to exhibitors, the jury decided that they should be tolerated only on condition of the special object of the patent being ex- plained, and the right to it established when demanded by the director of the exhibition, or members of the jury. Decisions of juries of departments (sit- ting of May 18). Notification of me- dals, rewards, and commendations, be- stowed by learned and industrial societies (sitting of May 18). Patents (sitting of May 18). 28 Prolongation of the exhibition for com- pleting the examina- tion of the commit- tees (sitting of June 28). Quinquennial period of the exhibitions (sitting of July 25). Recognition of past rewards (sitting of July 25). Statement of the price of productions (sitting of July 25). Exhibitors becoming bankrupt and not re-established. Identity of produc- tions, and limit of period of reception. Rewards to be grant' ed to collections of various articles. Admission given by the juries of depart- ments. Mark impressed on articles exhibited. Abuses in private exhibitions. Foreign productions. Graduated scale of rewards. On the proposition of several members, the president of the jury wrote to the Minister of Commerce to request that, notwithstanding the closing of the exhibition, the articles exhibited might remain in their places a week longer, provided that the galleries should he closed to strangers unknown to the jury. The Minister, in his letter of the 1st of July, consented to authorise this measure, which was carried into effect, and was productive of all the advantage that had been expected. The jury, after a prolonged discussion, arrived at the opinion that it would be better to adhere to the quinquennial period, adopted in the later preceding exhibitions. The central jury has judged it best in the exhibition of 1844 to respect the precedent established by custom, and to report but rarely (and then in exceptional cases only) the recognition of rewards granted at preceding exhibitions ; and the only restraint imposed has been relative to the manner in which the fact should be alluded to in the Report: but impressed with a sense of the inconvenience of thus reporting awards, which would in some manner cling to firms, notwithstanding changes from time to time in the constituent mem- bers, and sometimes even in the nature of their manufacture, the jury, after profound con- sideration, without pretending to bind their successors by its vote, is of opinion that the following measures would obviate the principal difficulties : — 1. It would be inconvenient to grant to an exhibitor, or to an establishment, many successive notifications (rappels), or the mention of rewards obtained earlier than the pre- ceding exhibition. 2. The recognition of honours gained on previous occasions should be granted only to an establishment continuing to carry on the same manufacture. 3. The jury reserves the power of awarding or refusing notifications of rewards gained at the preceding exhibition. Upon this subject the jury has declared that it will be best to require at the next exhi- bition a statement of the selling price of all articles admitted. The jury is of opinion that uncertificated bankrupts, and persons to whom the Bourse is closed, should be excluded from participating in the rewards of the exhibition. To put a limit to the abuse of the admission of articles contributed at the last hour, and of productions not formally submitted to, and accepted by, the jury of the department, the central jury has directed that all productions should bear the certificate of admission of that body, and not be admitted into the galleries of the exhibition after the opening deter- mined by the first visit of the central jury, unless by special permission of the Minister of Commerce, to be granted in extremely pressing cases. The jury being aware of the evil resulting from the practice of awarding premiums of great value to collections of various articles, and thus attributing merit to special produc- tions not excellent in themselves, suggests that every variety of goods should be separately judged, and that in the text of the Report cross references should be made from one class of products to another. The central jury desired that in future the prefects should be asked to distribute to the juries of their departments the formal declarations of all desirous of becoming exhi- bitors a fortnight previous to their meeting, in order that time might be allowed to verify the facts therein contained, to regulate the claims to admission, and to collect information to place at the disposal of the jury of the department. In order to prevent the same article from being displayed at several successive exhi- bitions, the jury propose to adopt the following method: It will have the power, if thought convenient, of putting a distinguishing mark on articles for the particular merit of which rewards have been granted. The jury being aware of the abuses existing in exhibitions opened, under various pretences, by private societies and private speculations, has decided : That the Minister shall be asked to represent to the Intendant-General and Adminis- trator of the Civil List, the propriety of refusing for the future the use of the gallery of the Louvre to parties pretending to invest their individual collections with a recognised national character, and thus leading the public into error. In order to facilitate the means of ascertaining correctly our own progress in indus- trial arts, the central jury has expressed its opinion, that the Government would much encourage the cause of native industry, and the extension of our commerce, by sending into England, Germany, and Belgium, persons of capacity as agents, to procure information and specimens fitted for the instruction of our own manufacturers ; and also by entrusting to these agents the task of examining the productions likely to figure in the approaching exhibitions of Berlin and Vienna ; and lastly, by requiring them to draw up Reports on these collections when they shall be completed. Classification and Distribution of Rewards. THE jury has followed the practice heretofore adopted, of graduating the rewards according to merit. 1. The gold medal. 2. The silver medal. 3. The bronze medal. 4. Honorable mention. 5. Favorable notice. 29 The recognition of rewards obtained on former occasions has been permitted, whenever The recognition of the manufacture had been continued successfully ; but care has been taken to point out in P ast rewards, the publication of the Reports whether this notification was in any way a fresh reward granted to successful labour and perseverance, or merely a concession to a custom, which the jury considers open to abuse, and which it has sought to remedy by new measures already alluded to. When perceptible progress has been made by producers already praemiated, the jury still thinking them not entitled to a higher reward, will give to them another of the same value as the last, which it holds to be a higher mark of approbation than the allusion only to any previously acquired. In conformity with precedents and the ministerial instructions, the jury gave prizes to persons who had rendered to the industrial arts, services not capable of being represented toy productions exhibited in their name. As to manufacturers who employ prisoners under confinement, the jury, recognising Employment of pri- on one hand the excellence of their productions, as well as the service they are rendering soners as labourers, to society by contributing to ameliorate the condition of these prisoners, still does not feel it just to place them on the same level with those who employ free workmen, taking into account the difference in the wages paid to the two classes of labourers. Their reward must be limited to an “ honorable mention,” without wishing by this to prejudice the quality of their productions, to which the text of the Report should elsewhere do justice. AFTER thirty-one general sittings, the central jury closed its proceedings on the 25th of July, and settled the list of rewards. On July the 29th the distribution of prizes awarded to competitors in the industrial arts took place in the palace of the Tuileries. The King and Queen, surrounded by their Royal Highnesses the Princess Adelaide, Ceremonial of the the Duke of Nemours, the Duke of Montpensier, and accompanied by the Minister of Agri- distribution of prizes, culture and Commerce, entered at one o’clock the Salle des Marechaux, where the members of the jury were assembled. The exhibitors being next introduced, M. le Baron Thenard, President of the Jury, took up his position in the midst of the assembly, and delivered to the King a long and interesting address, pointing out the remarkable progress in every department of production, manifested by the exhibition of 1844. APPENDIX.— No. 2. Circular addressed to the Presidents of the Agricultural Societies. Paris, 1 1 tit October , 1848. Citizen, NEXT year will take place the great public Exhibition of French Claims of Agricul- industry. Up to the present time Agriculture has only been represented in these dis- ture to the benefits plays of our national riches by some agricultural instruments and dressings , and some few of sharing in the samples of wool and silk. The Government of the Republic has resolved to employ every Expositio11 ' effort likely to lessen and remove this relative inferiority. It is, indeed, to the credit of agricultural industry that it furnishes manufacturers with the elementary materials of the greater portion of the products to which they put the finishing stroke; it is equally the right and duty of agriculture to vie with manufacture in the merit, value, and variety of its productions: in short, agriculture should prove its equal aptitude in bringing forth raw materials, and perfecting the fabrication of all produce in which it is concerned. 1 he Administration has determined to neglect no means for the attainment of this result, and designs to devote to agriculture the largest part possible of the Exposition. In consequence of these resolutions I invite you to inform me without delay what Consequent invita- agncultural productions of every sort, and kind, and form, in every stage of vegetation, tion to exhibit, animals, plants, grain, flowers, fruits, &c., &c., could be supplied by the different localities within your jurisdiction ; at what periods they might advantageously be conveyed to Paris; and in what manner these removals would be best effected ? Health and fraternity from the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. (Signed) TOURRET. 30 APPENDIX.— No. 3. Circular addressed to the Members of the Chambers of Commerce and Consultation. Announcement of the recurrence of Exposition. Opinion requested as to date of opening. Established prece- dents. Importance of such an arrangement to stimulate the em- ployment of artizans during the winter season. Importance of inducing foreigners to visit Paris. The interests of Agriculture to he taken into account. Immediate reply re- quested. Paris, 19 th October, 1848. Citizens, YOU are aware that in 1849 recurs the period dedicated by long usage to the exposition of French industry. The Government has demanded from the National Assembly the funds necessary for this grand industrial solemnity. I am now desirous to consult you, citizens, as to the period for opening this exhibition which shall best assist the objects of the institution. if you refer to former Expositions, you will observe that considerations quite foreign to the subject have been allowed to influence the choice of the time of opening. Thus, from 1798 to 1806, the Expositions, which lasted but a very short time, began in the comple- mentary days towards the end of September, on account of the solemnities to which these days were consecrated. In 1819 and 1824 the month of August was chosen, because the fete of St. Louis was on the 25th. A similar motive led to the adoption since 1830 of the 1st of May, because that is the fete of St. Philip, as the day for the opening of three suc- cessive Expositions. At the present time the national interests, as connected with industry and commerce, must alone be considered in determining the period for opening the exhi- bition in question : it is with this view, citizens, that you will canvass the subject in all its bearings. You are aware that these Expositions always lead our manufacturers to the execution of works, which, though fabricated in the ordinary manner, are yet prepared with a special view to public exhibition. If, now, we fix on the month of May or June in the coming year for the Exposition, the articles our manufacturers may wash to send in can be in course of preparation throughout the intervening winter. Will not this furnish a motive and object for labour? to which circumstance much importance must be attached in the present state of things. We may also add, that in this case the construction of the building would furnish at a season when work, particularly of this kind, is so scarce, employment for a considerable number of workmen in various departments. You will bear in mind that, on the one hand, the Exposition attracts to Paris a large number of visitors from the country, and many foreigners, whose presence gives an impetus to trade and society in general ; and on the other hand this exhibition gives rise to im- portant commissions in the various branches of national industry. Would it not be desirable to furnish for the approaching year, from the beginning of the fine season, motives so powerful for the encouragement of labour, and likely to stimulate those indus- trial and commercial operations which will be resumed in proportion to the re-establish- ment of public confidence? I have thought it right to communicate the motives which influence my department in desiring that the earliest possible period should be assigned for opening the Exposition ; but my chief anxiety is to obtain positive and accurate informa- tion as to the true interests of the manufacturers, in order to reconcile, as far as possible, all the varying interests concerned in this matter. Another peculiar consideration has likewise engaged the attention of my department. Hitherto these Expositions have been especially devoted to manufacturers, and yet it appears just that agriculture, which holds so important a position in national labour, should also be admitted to a share of the advantages likely to result from the exhibition of its varied productions. It concerns us, then, in determining the period most favourable to the manufacturing interest, to bear in mind at the same time the just claims of agriculture; but whatever may be the date which you think fit to propose for this event, my department attaches the greatest importance to receiving an immediate notification of the opinion of your chamber. Health and fraternity from the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. (Signed) TOURRET. 31 APPENDIX.— No. 4. Report to the President of the Republic. Paris, 14 tli January , 1849. Monsieur le President, A LAW adopted by the National Assembly on the 22d of November Credit granted of last has placed at the disposal of my department the sum of 600,000 francs, intended to G00, 000 francs, meet the expenses of the National Exposition of Manufactures and Agriculture for 1849. Measures were immediately taken for the construction of a suitable building in the building approach- great square in the Champs Elysees. The work has progressed rapidly, and will be * n S completion, completed in the month of May next. For the first time, agricultural productions will be exhibited, as well as those of manufacture, and the exhibition has been constructed with a view to this combination. It now remains to fix the day of opening, to provide commissioners in the various Necessity of a decree departments to decide on the admission, or rejection, of the articles sent for exhibition, authorising the ap- and to appoint a central jury to confirm or otherwise the claims of exhibitors to the prizes P ointmei j ts j4 central awarded by Government. Such is the object of the subjoined Decree, M. le President, am P rcmncia J urKS - which I have the honour to submit for your signature, and which will, 1 trust, appear to you to be founded on the experience of the past, and a due feeling for the wants of the present. You are aware that ten Expositions have been successively held, dating from the year VI. I have arranged the following table to enable you better to appreciate the developement of this institution : — ■ GENERAL ABSTRACT OF THE EXPOSITIONS OF INDUSTRY. Periods of Opening. Days. Place of Exhibition. Number of Days and Months. Year. Exhibitors. Prizes. 1 Three last complementary Days 1798 (yr. 6) 3 Champ de Mars 110 23 2 Five complementary Days . . 1801 ( „ 9) 6 Louvre 229 80 3 Idem 1802 ( „] 0) 7 Idem 540 254 4 Idem 1806 24 Esplanade des Invalides 1422 610 5 25th Aug. and following days 1819 35 Louvre 1662 809 6 Idem 1823 50 Idem 1642 1091 7 1st August 1827 62 Idem 1795 1254 8 1st Mav 1834 60 Place de la Concorde 2447 1785 9 Idem 1839 60 Champs Elysees 3281 2305 10 Idem 1844 60 Idem 3960 3253 Abstract of previous Expositions. As you will observe, M. le President, by glancing at the preceding abstract, the period The first of June of opening the exhibition has hitherto been determined by considerations foreign to the proposed as day of objects of the institution. This year my department has endeavoured to consult the °P emn S- interests of industry and commerce before proposing to you a decision on this subject. The Council Chambers of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, have been appealed to for their opinion as to the time of year most desirable for the various interests represented by them. After having carefully weighed the result of their deliberations, and endeavoured to meet all emergencies, I think it well to propose to you in the first article of the sub- joined Decree to fix the opening of the Exposition for the 1st of June in the present year. The second article sets forth, that in conformity with previous custom a commission named by the prefect in each department shall regulate the admission or rejection of the objects for exhibition ; and further, shall state in writing the services rendered to agriculture or to manufacture by bailiff's or labourers, foremen or artisans. This is an addition you cannot fail to approve, since its object is that all those who aid, directly or indirectly, in the productions of agriculture or commerce, shall participate in national recompense. The central jury retains its ancient offices, viz. to examine the articles exhibited, and to prepare a Report, from which the prizes are adjudged, either to the exhibitors, or to bailiffs, foremen, &c. &c. The sixty-first article of the Constitution requires the President of the Republic Announcement to to preside over national solemnities. On you, therefore, it will devolve to award the prizes the President of the to those who shall have deserved them, which will yield a just remuneration for past imposed upon labours, and an effectual stimulus to new efforts. _ _ him by the constitu- While thus enlarging the sphere of the institution, the subjoined Decree maintains its character as one of the noblest and most fruitful sources of encouragement to national industry. Accept, M. le President, the assurance of the profound respect of your very humble servant, The Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. (Signed) L. BUFFET. 32 DECREE. IN THE NAME OF THE FRENCH PEOPLE. The President op the Republic, ON the Report of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, in Preamble. accordance with the law of the 22d November, 1848, which gives to the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce 600,000 francs, to be devoted to defraying the expenses of the Exposition of National Industry ; Decreed as follows : — Exposition decreed^ Article I. — An Exposition of National Manufactures and Agriculture shall be opened to open June 1,1849, j n p ar ; s j n the ^ rea t square of the Champs Elysees, on the 1st of June, 1849, and shall and close the 31st of , , , S 01 , J T i p n 1 J July following. 136 closed on the 3fst ot July following. Duties assigned to Article II. — In each department a commission named by the prefect shall regulate juries of depart- the admission or rejection of subjects proposed to be exhibited. This jury shall also ments " enumerate, in a written Report, the services rendered to Agriculture or Manufactures by bailiffs, foremen, artizans, or labourers. Goods selected to be forwarded to Paris at the cost of the state. Article III. — The productions, of which the admission has been arranged, shall be forwarded from the chief town of each department to Paris, and returned from Paris to the chief town of each department at the expense of the state. The department of the Seine is excluded from the benefit of this arrangement. Central Jury to de- cide on all merits. Article IV. — A central jury, named by the Minister of Agriculture and of Com- merce, shall be employed to decide on the merit of the subjects exhibited, and the claims of bailiffs, foremen, and others, to the prizes to be awarded. Report to be ren- The Report of the central jury shall be 'transmitted to the Minister of Agriculture deredtothe Minister and Commerce, and the prizes shall be distributed to those who have merited them by the of Agriculture, &c. ; President of the Republic, who, in compliance with the terms of the sixty-first article of the Constitution, who is responsible Article V.- for the execution of execution of the the decree. presides at all national solemnities. -The Minister of Agriculture and present Decree. (Signed) (Counter-sis of Commerce is charged with the L. N. BONAPARTE, ned) L. BUFFET. APPENDIX.— No. 5. Circular addressed to the Prefect. Monsieur le Prefet, Paris, 28 th February, 1849. Decree forwarded to each Prefect. Appointment of juries of depart- ments. Members to be se- lected : from what classes. YOU will have received, on the 3d instant, with a preceding Report, the Decree signed by the President of the Republic on the subject of the Exposition for the present year. You have doubtless taken immediate steps for the formation of a commission in your department, in accordance with the second article of the Decree, to regulate the admission or rejection of objects offered for exhibition. The success of the Exposition mainly depends on the discernment and firmness with which the commissioners fulfil their duties; it is very important that these should be persons of intelligence and extensive information, whose known respectability and independence fit them for such an office. Amongst those persons who, from their pursuits and position, will first claim your consideration, we may naturally mention the principal engineers of bridges and highways. 33 engineers of mines, architects ; and in maritime departments, engineers specially employed in such positions. Each commission, according as the department may be industrial or agricultural, should be further augmented by members of the general council of agri- culture and manufactures ; from the agricultural societies, from the consulting chambers of arts and manufactures, from the Cornells clcs prud’hommes, and the chambers of com- merce. The number of commissioners must of course depend on local circumstances, which you alone can appreciate. The commissioners will be placed under your personal superintendence. They will be the principal judges of the articles offered for exhibition, and must bear in mind that such general Expositions would be impossible, if not limited to the really important pro- ductions of our manufactures and agriculture. As concerns the former, those articles only should be admitted possessing veritable importance, either as evidences of progress or change, or of peculiar merits in point of execution, or as having attained extraordinary perfection. As relates to agriculture, those implements only should be received which have been thoroughly perfected, and productions valuable in quality, or which have been newly appropriated. It must be remembered that at this time we are not attempting so much a general exposition of agricultural produce as an experiment, of which the limits are necessarily confined. This observation peculiarly applies to the admission of live stock. The space reserved for this purpose does not allow our receiving many specimens from each department, consequently the commissioners should restrict them- selves to judging of the merits of the animals presented for their inspection, and preparing a list of those which they may approve in their order of merit for each variety of stock, whether horses, cattle, or sheep, stating the peculiar breed, &c. These lists you will have the goodness to forward to me, and 1 will immediately let you know what animals can be received from your department. I beg you to observe that each lot of sheep cannot in any case exceed four or five, male and female, belonging to the same breed or species. You will also inform those persons who may be desirous of exhibiting live stock, that the animals, for reasons which it is here unnecessary to detail, cannot be retained so long a time as is allowed for other productions. Further instructions on this subject will be addressed to you. The commissioners will take care that one farmer, or manufacturer, does not forward several specimens of one produce, and that the articles admitted shall be limited to the smallest possible number required to display to advantage the merits of any par- ticular fabric or invention. To obviate abuses, I have decided that every exhibitor shall, in presenting his pro- ductions to the commissioners, produce his patent, if a manufacturer. The number of articles admitted shall be stated in the lists, which should be forwarded to me with all possible despatch, and for which you will very shortly receive a model. It is important that manufacturers and agriculturists should know that the central jury is authorised to return articles, of which the admission does not meet their approval. I must particularly insist on the necessity of accurate and exact statements as to the prices of every article. Without this information the central jury must find it impossible to fulfil the arduous and important office confided to them, and will be obliged to overlook the claims of those manufacturers and agriculturists who have not complied with this requisition. You will take care, M. le Prefet, that no chemical or other preparation shall be for- warded susceptible of spontaneous ignition, either in its conveyance to the capital or in the overheated apartments of the Exhibition. The commissioners have received, by the Decree of the 18th January, a new office, to which I must, call your particular attention. They are required to state in a special Report the services rendered to agriculture or to manufactures by bailiffs, foremen, farm labourers, or workmen. Thus all those who assist in industrial or agricultural productions will be admitted to a participation in national recompense. In every case the commissioners must present a Report on this subject; and should they have no candidates deserving recom- mendation in this class, they must send a negative Report. You will give to the preceding instructions, as soon as possible after their receipt, the utmost publicity. You will open in your prefecture, and in every sub-division of your department, registers for receiving the names and propositions of the agriculturists, manufacturers, and others, who wish to exhibit. These declarations must state, as regards m an u fact u re rs, — (a.) The name of the candidate, his address, the nature of his employment, the situation and date of his establishment, the number of workmen he employs in his factories, or those he employs out of doors; the nature and extent of motive power, the number of his looms, fires, forges, furnaces, &c. &c. (fj.) The quantity and nature of the materials he employs, the annual amount in quantity and value of the produce, either for home consumption or exportation; the local advantages of such an establishment, the medals or other honorary distinctions which he has hitherto obtained. As relates to the productions of agriculture, — the names and surnames of the cul- tivator, his address, the branch of agriculture he pursues ; whether he is proprietor, tenant, farmer, or agent; whether holding arable or pasture land, &c. &c. ; the situation of his farm, and the length of time it has been under his management ; an account of its extent, and of the average produce, whether animal or vegetable ; the number of hands ordinarily employed; a list of the premiums, medals, or testimonials which may have been obtained at any previous time. All arrangements under the superin- tendence of the prefects. Points to he studied by juries. Instructions as to live stock. Patent of each manufacturer to be produced. Invoices to be sent. Exact statements of prices necessary. No combustibles to he forwarded. New office assigned to local juries. Publicity to be given, and registers for the enrolment of all willing to exhibit, to be opened in all country towns. Declaration to be made by each com- petitor : if agricultural ; 34 In conclusion, as to any other descriptions of industrial arts which, applying in some if horticultural. degree to agriculture or horticulture, and employed in their service, have been included under the head of agricultural productions, such as all farming instruments, utensils, machinery, &c. &c., and the descriptions given of such should he the same as those required for manufactures, strictly so called. I rely, M. le Prefet, on your zealous co- operation in carrying out the intentions of the government. List of jury to be Have the goodness, in acknowledging the receipt of this circular, to send me the forwarded. proces verbal of the constitution of the divisional commission. Accej^t, M. le Prefet, the assurance of my distinguished consideration. The Minister of Agriculture and of Commerce. (Signed) L. BUFFET. APPENDIX.— No. 6. Circular addressed to the Members of the Chamber of Commerce. Gentlemen, February 10, 1849. Advantage of be- coming acquainted with cotemporary foreign manufac- ture ; to be attained by comparison only. Difficulties attendant on carrying out this idea. Opinion requested as to concurrence in sentiments expressed. Detail necessary in the event of agree- ment. Experiment already tried at Mulhausen and Lyons. Forms ; matters of subsequent arrange- ment. Necessity of imme- diate decision. AT a time when I and my colleagues in office are busily engaged in doing all w'e can to give to the Exhibition, which opens on the 1st of June next, a cha- racter of public utility, it has occurred to me that it would be interesting to the country in general to be made acquainted with the degree of advancement towards perfection attained by our neighbours in those manufactures in which w r e so often come in compe- tition in foreign markets. Should we bring together and compare the specimens of skill in agriculture and manufactures now claiming our notice, whether native or foreign, there would, doubtless, be much useful experience to be gained, and above all, a spirit of emulation, which might be made greatly advantageous to the country. This 1 had thought of before the portfolio of Agriculture and Commerce was confided to me ; it has since been strongly confirmed in my mind by the similar views which I have heard expressed on the subject by gentlemen distinguished by their success in the indus- trial arts, and the consequent position they occupy. At the same time I cannot but foresee that difficulties would arise in carrying it out, were it unavoidable to admit without dis- tinction all the productions offered for exhibition. There would be no room to contain them, since the the area of the building intended for the Exhibition is calculated for the admission of native productions alone. This circumstance, no doubt, is of sufficient im- portance to delay the execution of this project, however useful ; but this obstacle might be overcome by limiting the admission to those foreign productions which, by their novelty, or evident superiority, might exercise a beneficial influence on our manufactures. You will, therefore, first give your opinion on the abstract principle of exhibiting the productions of other countries, and should you consider the experiment ought to be made, to enumerate to me officially the articles you consider would most conduce to our interest when displayed in the ensuing Exhibition. To this end I shall be obliged by your detailing precisely the objects it would most benefit us to become acquainted with, whether new applications of the arts, new produc- tions, or improvements of importance. Feeling anxious to preserve the twofold character which my predecessor had given to the Exhibition, I wish it to be understood that the implements and productions of husbandry, as well as the fruits of our manufactories, should he included in the list of admissible objects. The experiment we are about to make, if I am well informed, has been already tried in tw r o exhibitions, undertaken some years ago by the Chambers of Commerce at Lyons and Mulhausen. The example thus given in the province will, doubtless, be worth following on a more extended scale. As to the conditions and forms to be observed by foreigners, previous to the reception of their contributions, it will be my duty, should you approve of the principle of their admission, to consult with my colleagues the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Finance. You will oblige me, gentlemen, by taking into your most serious consideration the subject of this letter, and communicating to me, as soon as possible, the conclusions you have arrived at. It is needless for me to remind you that the Exhibition opens on the 1st of June, and that all articles must be in Paris, at the latest, by the end cf April. Your answer without delay will therefore oblige me. I beg to assure you, Gentlemen, of my highest consideration. L. BUFFET, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. 35 APPENDIX.— No. 7. Members of Central Jury , and Analysis of their Qualifications . Appointed on the 2Ath and ‘Id tic of April, 1849. Messrs. Arago, member of the Academy of Sciences, representative of the people. ,, Arlis-Dufour, merchant, Lyons. ,, Aubry Febvrel (Felix), manufacturer. ,, Barbet, retired manufacturer. ,, Blanqui, professor at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manufactures. ,, Bougon, formerly director of the porcelain manufactory at Chantilly. ,, Chevalier (Michel), engineer-in-chief of mines. ,, Chevreul, member of the Academy of Sciences, director of the dyeing department at the national manufactory of Gobelin tapestry. ,, Combes, member of the Academy of Sciences. ,, De Croix, breeder of stock. ,, De Dampierre, representative of the people. ,, Didot (Firmin), printer. ,, Dolfus, representative of the people. ,, Dufaud (Achille), of Fourchambault. ,, Dumas, member of the Academy of Sciences. ,, Dumas, retired manufacturer. ,, Duperrier, manufacturer, member of the general council of the Seine. ,, Dupin (Charles), member of the Academy of Sciences. ,, Durand (Amadee), member of the Society for the Encouragement of Industry. ,, Ebelmen, director of the national manufactory of porcelain at Sevres. ,, Feray, manufacturer at Essonne. ,, Feuchere (Leon), architect. ,, Fontaine, architect. ,, Fouquier-d’Herouel, member of the general council of Aisne. ,, Froment, mathematical instrument maker. ,, Gaussen, shawl manufacturer. ,, Geoffrey de Villeneuve, director of the stud department of the Aisne. ,, Germain-Thibault, manufacturer, member of the general council of the department of the Seine. ,, Goldenberg, manufacturer at Zornhoff. ,, Grandin (Victor), representative of the people. ,, Hericart du Thury, member of the Academy of Sciences. „ Ilerve de Kergolay, member of the National Central Society of Agriculture. ,, Julien (Amable), representative of the people. ,, Keittinger (Turgis), manufacturer, member of the general council of the Lower Seine. ,, Laborde (Leon de), member of the Academy of Fine Arts. ,, Lainel, inspector of manufactures for the War Office. ,, Lechatellier, mining engineer. ,, Leclerc (Louis), member of the Horticultural Society. ,, Legentil, president of the Chamber of Commerce at Paris. ,, Mary, district inspector of bridges and roads, professor at the Central School of Arts and Manufactures. ,, Mathieu, representative, member of the Academy of Sciences. ,, Mimerel, retired manufacturer, president of the general council of manufactures. ,, Mimerel, naval engineer. ,, Moll, professor of agriculture at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manu- factures. ,, Morin (Arthur), professor of mechanics at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manufactures. ,, Payen, professor of chemistry, as applied to the arts, at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manufactures. ,, Peligot, professor of chemistry at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manu- factures. „ Peupin, representative of the people. 36 Messrs. Pouillet, professor of physics at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manu- factures. ,, Randoing, manufacturer at Abbeville. ,, Roux-Carbonnel, representative of the people. ,, Sainte-Marie, inspector-general of agriculture. „ Salandrouze-Lamornaix, carpet manufacturer. ,, Sieber, partner of the firm Parturle-Lupin. ,, Seguier (Armand), member of the Academy of Sciences, and of the consulting committee of Arts and Manufactures. ,, Tourret, representative of the people. „ Villemorin (Louis), member of the Agricultural Society. ,, Wolowski, professor at the Conservatoire National of Arts and Manufactures. „ Yvart, inspector-general of the Veterinary Schools. tv London Printed by G. Barclay, Castle St. Leicester Sq. r