162 THE MICROSCOPE. [August, 



thing for exhibition, and did not care to incur the expense of 

 doing so when no direct pecuniary compensation could result. 

 Ultimately, however, the enthusiastic work and magnetic influ- 

 ence of the '-'• Prcsideiit Directein-.'' Dr. Van Heurck, secured 

 an ample representation of continental manufactures, and also a 

 considerable variety of amateur and professional microscopical 

 work. 



No adequate participation was obtained from England, which 

 country was represented b}- only two prominent manufacturers, 

 and a scarcely larger number of microscopists, yet received a 

 liberal number of the higher prizes. In America some interest 

 was taken in the enterprise ; but, with the single exception of a 

 few notable photographs contributed jointly by Prof. J. D. Cox 

 and an English collaborator, absolutely nothing was done. The 

 distance would naturally increase the inconvenience and expense 

 of participation ; our manufacturers, like those abroad, seem to 

 be fortunately above the need of exhibition as a means of increas- 

 ing trade, or else they feared that the difference in prices would 

 have prevented sufficient sales abroad to repay the expense in- 

 curred. Admitting, from a business point of view, the suffi- 

 ciency of these reasons, it is still impossible not to regret, as a 

 matter of national repute if not of pecuniary profit, that we could 

 not have been represented. We should not have hoped to com- 

 pete for the first prize, as it was evident from the beginning that 

 that must go to Jena ; but with a reasonable effort v^'e could have 

 expected to take several in the very high grades. 



Excellent local arrangements were made. The exhibit was 

 housed in the palatial building of the Athene Royal. Competent 

 local agents cared for the interests of non-resident exhibitors, at 

 a reasonable cost. The greatest courtesy was shown to foreign 

 visitors, and unlimited opportunities \vere oflfered, to those known 

 to be competent, for examining every thing at their own pleasure. 

 Nothing could be more unjust, according to the writer's experi- 

 ence, than the representations, that somehow got into print, 

 that the articles could only be seen in glass cases. 



A series of lectures, illustrated by projections with the screen 

 microscope, was given, during the continuance of the exposi- 

 tion, by Dr. Van Heurck and his associates ; and occasional con- 

 certs furnished entertainment to the visitors, and improved the 

 financial situation at the ticket office. 



Probably most visitors were disappointed, at first sight, at the 

 smallness of the exhibition. It was difficult to wholly throw off' 

 the feeling that an international exposition ought to be a great 

 affair, extending tlirough a large number of rooms. But it soon 

 became evident that a great microscopical exhibition need not 

 occupy a very large space. The display grew with familiarity, 

 until it finally presented itself as an interesting and instructive 



