ON SILK MANUFACTURE IN THE EXHIBITION. 237' 



intrinsic beauty of French fancy silks, there are prejudices in their 

 favour here to be overcome, which it would be difficult to exaggerate. 

 But great as they are or have been, and however much they may impede 

 the full flow of commerce now opened up, with few exceptions, to the 

 markets of the world by the general repeal of import duties, their in- 

 fluence on purchases cannot be long continued when interest and know- 

 ledge are combined to dissipate and expose them. 



There are also indications that the classes of goods which seem best 

 to suit the genius of our manufacturers, viz., fancy silks where elaborate 

 design is not required, and plain textures, whether like moires antiques, 

 satins, and glaces, which being comparatively expensive, suit only the 

 wealthy ; or small checks, stripes, and self-coloured Gros de Naples, are 

 likely to meet with an extensive demand for export. Buyers of all 

 nations have already availed themselves of the opportunity of com- 

 parison which the present Exhibition affords, and texture for texture, 

 and value for value, it cannot be gainsaid that these goods of English 

 production are evener, more free from knots and floss, and generally 

 cheaper than foreign silks of the same nominal character. If all this be 

 true, can the necessary result be other than a question of time. 



Zollverein. — This confederation includes a vast area of distinct 

 German governments, of which it is not necessary to take separate 

 notice, as the most important of them, especially as regards this class, 

 is Prussia, for out of forty-four collective exhibitors no less than thirty 

 are from that kingdom, to twelve of whom Medals are awarded, and 

 Honourable Mention is made of nine. Of the united contributions 

 from the Zollverein, fourteen are in the former, and thirteen in the latter 

 category. 



The industry of silk is a most important and increasing one in 

 Prussia, for besides a large home trade, their products in velvet, velvet 

 ribbons, hat plushes, and other articles of large consumption find 

 profitable markets in England, France, and the United States. For 

 reasons already assigned in another part of this Report, and which are 

 equally applicable to the statistics of this country, the exceptional con- 

 dition, especially for the last two years or more, of European commerce 

 would render any official quotation of quantities and values, both of 

 imports and exports, a most imperfect authority from which to extract 

 evidence of progress or decadence since 1851. And indeed the materials 

 furnished to the Jurors of the Exhibition of 1862, being limited in 

 quantity and variety, do not materially assist them in forming such an 

 opinion on these points as the instructions of the Council of Chairmen 

 would seem to require. But besides these difficulties the " specialites '' 

 of Prussian silk manufacturers, velvet, &c, do not afford scope for 

 obvious improvement ; but so far as a judgment can be formed from the 

 specimens exhibited, they fully sustain their former reputation for care 

 in the selection of suitable silk for their goods, and for skill in the 



