334 Annual International Exhibitions. (July, 
that the exhibitors therein should be permitted to sell their 
goods, thus converting that part of the Exhibition into a 
bazaar or shop, whilst in other parts the exhibitors were 
often prohibited from even putting a person in charge of 
their several exhibits. From the reports on the 1871 Exhi- 
bition, published in Paris, we learn that in that year the 
articles sold in the French Annexe during the Exhibition 
were valued at over £20,000. This proceeding on the part 
of the Commissioners had, of course, the effect of handi- 
capping all other exhibitors besides the French, which raised 
a storm of indignation, especially amongst the English exhi- 
bitors, which the Commissioners were unable to withstand ; 
indeed many manufacturers positively refused to exhibit any 
further unless the odious distinétion were withdrawn, and 
that either all or none in the Exhibition should be allowed 
to convert their stalls into shops. In consequence of the 
firm stand made by the English trade representatives an 
attempt was made to prohibit the selling license to the 
French exhibitors, and the consequence of this was that the 
French Court was not opened at all last year. This year it 
is again accessible to the public, and purchases may be made 
as freely as ever; for notwithstanding the prohibition 
against the removal of goods until after the close of the 
Exhibition, we are aware of one instance, at least, in which 
the delivery of goods purchased in thesFrench Court has 
already been effected. 
The inevitable consequence of this course of proceeding 
on the part of the Commissioners must, under any circum- 
stances, have led to the early collapse of these Annual 
Exhibitions; but we understand that, besides this, other 
influences have made themselves felt which have induced 
the Commissioners to declare that this year’s Exhibition 
shall be the last. The faét is, we believe, that these Exhi- 
bitions are not attractive enough to the public, and the 
necessary consequence is that they do not pay. In other 
words, these Exhibitions are not popular, and no better 
proof could be desired of the indubitable fact that they are 
not only not required, but that they are evidently looked 
upon as unnecessary amusements for the London public. 
Looking upon these Exhibitions as Institutions for the 
Advancement of Knowledge, we think that the small at- 
tractiveness which they present to the general public is a 
sufficient condemnation of them from that point of view. 
As places of amusement they fail, because the London 
public is sufficiently educated to know how to discern _be- 
tween what is excellent and what is worthless. As Indus-_ 
