220 [ASSEMBLT 



could be collected together to make a respectable show even in 

 that limited space ; but thanks to the progress made by our man- 

 ufacturers, our artisans, our mechanics, and our agriculturists, 

 we are now enabled to fill this immense building with an almost 

 endless variety. 



In the Machine-room are exhibited steam engines, machines 

 for planing, spinning cotton, &c.; and in the floral and agricul- 

 tural department, elegant specimens of fruits, flowers, and vege- 

 tables. 



The specimens of pianos, tapestry carpeting, cloths, shawls, 

 hardware, silverware and glass, almost defy competition. There 

 are numerous other beautiful specimens of American skill which 

 cannot be enumerated in this short address, but which will am- 

 ply repay the trouble of a careful examination. 



To show the progress of the Institute let us examine the receipts 

 and expenditures of the Fair held last year, and contrast them 

 with those of 1835. In the year 1835, the receipts were $5, 156.70, 

 and the expenditures $3,005.14. The managers then awarded 

 as premiums sixteen gold medals and ninety-one silver medals, 

 valued at $905.40. 



In 1850 the receipts were $21,955.17, being four times greater 

 than the receipts of 1835. The expenditures were $14,694.51, 

 nearly five times greater than 1835, and the premiums awarded 

 were ninety-two gold medals, eighty-five silver cups, and three 

 hundred and twenty-six silver medals, amounting in value to 

 |3,527.09, about four times the value of those awarded in 1835. 



The value of the premiums awarded last year amounted to five 

 hundred dollars more than the total expenses of the Fair of 1835. 



It has been charged against the Institute, and most unjustly, 

 that gold and silver medals were awarded to exhibitors only 

 nominally, and that they were not furnished except at the expense 

 of the exhibitor. Such may possibly have been the fact at one 

 or two of the early Fairs, when the receipts barely paid the ex- 

 penses ; but from the year 1835 to 1850, inclusive, the money 



