234 ON SILK MANUFACTURE IN THE EXHIBITION. 



to the natural influence of a less stringent tariff than then oppressed the 

 industry of the nation ; but until the exports and imports of silk axe 

 absolutely free of duty, a country so favoured by Nature for the suc- 

 cessful cultivation of this trade, ■will not occupy the position to which 

 it is otherwise entitled to aspire. 



Switzerland. — If the eight Medals awarded to the forty-nine ex- 

 hibitors, and the Honourable Mention made of five others, afforded the 

 only reliable evidence of the true position of this trade as compared 

 with 1851, it would not justify the favourable terms in which it may 

 now be honestly noticed. The manufacturers of this country continue 

 to address themselves to the production of low-priced silks, which do 

 not afford scope for individual distinction, but in which they have 

 arrived at a perfection of economical workmanship, which enables them 

 to compete in many markets with the ribbons of St, Etienne, and the 

 thin textures of Macclesfield, and of other places in France, England, 

 and Germany. 



Turkey. — The expectations in which the reporter on the silk de- 

 partment of this country in 1851 ventured to indulge as to the progress 

 of this trade, principally in the raw and thrown material, have been so 

 far justified by the result, that whereas, on that occasion only two 

 Medals were awarded, on this the Jurors have given eight, and made 

 Honourable Mention of eight others, out of forty-two exhibitors. 

 There is room, however, for still greater improvement for the dis- 

 turbance to the natural flow of commerce which has prevailed so 

 unfortunately since 1851, until recently, and which takes its origin 

 from political complications, having given place to the introduction of 

 foreign capital and customs ; and being now assured in the safe appro- 

 priation of the former by a ruler and government capable of protecting 

 their material interests, there is no reason why this important trade 

 should not occupy the position to which, favoured as it is naturally 

 by climate and other necessary elements of success, it is entitled. 

 Turkey still engages the favourable attention of European statesmen ; 

 and if it does not soon emerge from the abject condition into which it 

 was thrown by the cupidity and ambition of some neighbouring 

 countries, and the dishonesty of some of its own executive, the fault 

 and misfortune will be its owm. 



United Kingdom. — The number of exhibitors is fifty-nine, to 

 thirty-three of whom Medals have been awarded, and of fourteen 

 others the Jurors make Honourable Mention : thus affording pretty 

 strong evidence of the prominent position this important manufacture 

 is entitled to occupy in this and other countries. 



The writer having, at the request of the Board of Trade, furnished 

 a report of the " silk and velvet " (Class XXI.) department of the 

 Paris International Exhibition of 1855, in which he treated at some 

 length on the rise, progress, and then condition of the silk trade of the 



