106 A VISIT TO THE GREAT EXHIBITION. 



large field for comparison which the Exhibition affords ; and the only- 

 regret which I feel in common with thousands, is that when the great 

 show is ended there will he no complete or detailed catalogue of the 

 contents for after-reference and consideration. Special catalogues there 

 are without number, and some of them (especially those furnished by 

 the colonies) are full of the most valuable information ; but they lack 

 uniformity in size and style ; will not bind into one volume ; and, more- 

 over, some of them are not to be procured either for love or money. It 

 seems left to the periodicals and general literature of the day to supply 

 the deficiencies of a comprehensive catalogue, and I gladly avail myself 

 of the pages of this Magazine to continue my notices of certain exhibits, 

 specially attractive to its readers. 



One of the most beautiful objects pertaining to the mineral kingdom, 

 which I have observed in the Exhibition, is the onyx marble of Algeria, 

 contributed by that French colony, in which department the visitor 

 will find specimens of the material illustrating its, peculiar properties, 

 and attractions ; whilst in the French Court itself there are several 

 statues of bronze, robed in this same substance, not only proving the 

 special suitability of the marble for such works of art, but also the skill 

 of Gallic artists in the mystery of combination. In colour this marble 

 so-called, is a yellowish brown, with the layers of colour somewhat 

 merged, and yet sufficiently distinct to render the prefix onyx appro- 

 priate. 



The efforts made of late years to develope the quarries of our own 

 country have not been unsuccessful, nor are they likely to go unrewarded. 

 Italy and Greece no longer monopolise the supply of marbles for our 

 mantelpieces and furniture, but native stones are now commonly em- 

 ployed, and amongst them the Serpentine, from the Lizard, is not the least 

 attractive. Sundry useful and ornamental articles from the Serpentine 

 are contributed by the company which works the quarry, and they are 

 worthy of inspection. But of all the building materials which Great 

 Britain affords, there are none more durable and characteristic of the 

 people than our granites ; and it is pleasant to observe their growing 

 employment in the construction of buildings, both public and private. 

 Cornwall is the chief source of the serpentine marble, and is also cele- 

 brated for its granites, that from the Penryn district having been worked 

 for many years ; whilst the Cheesewring granite, more recently quarried, 

 is gaining ground in public estimation, both on account of the excellence 

 of its quality and the skill manifested in its preparation. 



In 1851, a medal rewarded the enterprise of the Cheesewring Granite 

 Co., and now again, in 1862, the jurors have been compelled to acknow- 

 ledge the great merit, both of material and workmanship which belongs 

 to the articles exhibited by them. Only a few weeks since I had an 

 opportunity of inspecting the works of this Company, and a few parti- 

 culars may serve to elucidate some of the difficidties connected with the 



