No. 200.] 199 



part of the country are made known to all other parts ; the wants of 

 the community are conveyed to the manufacturers, and competition 

 for our premiums secures improvement in the quality of workmanship. 



Those visiting the fair are too apt to pass by the articles exhibited 

 without giving them proper examination, and thus suppose they are 

 only seeing duplicates of the Broadway stores. This is unfair, both 

 to themselves and the manufacturers. Let them examine each arti- 

 cle critically, and they will find yearly improvements, both in quality 

 and beauty. 



How many manufacturers would be for ever without a market were 

 it not for our fairs. Here the dealers see the articles, and ascertain 

 the names and residence of the makers, and thus sellers and buyers 

 are brought together for their mutual benefit. 



The improvements in stoves for burning anthracite coals alone, has 

 made a greater saving to the country than the whole amount paid by 

 visiters at this and all other fairs. 



Where can youth receive better instruction than at these fairs ? 

 Here, ihey not only are excited to ask questions, but in many instan- 

 ces ihey see manufactures and machines in operation, with persons in 

 attendance to explain ihem. Every article before you has its use, 

 and any improvement in its quality or reduction in its price are equal- 

 ly beneficial to every inhabitant of our common country. 



With all these facts before you, is it possible you can for a moment 

 doubt the great usefulness of the American Institute ? Is it not worthy 

 your fullest endeavors to sustain ii ? You, perhaps, may desire to 

 know the manner in which its affairs are conducted. We refer you to 

 our published statements, which always appear in the public prints 

 soon after the close of each fair. By these you will learn that the of- 

 ficers and directors receive no compensation for their services, that 

 the superintending agent and his clerks alone are paid, and that for 

 ihe first seven years of his labors he received no compensation. 



Look at the amount of labor performed and responsibility assumed 

 by our managers ; the obtaining all these articles for exhibition ; the 

 endless numbers of circulars and letters to be sent all over the coun- 

 try to obtain them ; the selecting and appointing of several hundred 

 judges, and the consequent labours of the premijm committee in in- 



