406 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
With, this view, then, the transparent walls of crystal are 
converted into impenetrable brick ; hght, ornamental iron 
arches give place, here and there, to temporary wooden ones, 
in order that more space may be afforded for the exhibition of 
works of industry ; and everything, from the porcelain foun- 
tain to the sohd refreshments, speaks of work — hard, earnest 
work, and its rich golden fruits. 
But the contrast with the Exhibition of 1851 is calculated 
to remind the spectator, not only of the material progress 
which has been made in the interim, but also of sad events 
that have occurred since then, and of others which are now 
taking place. 
We are sure the zealous noblemen and gentlemen who have 
taken so active a part in the execution of this work will pardon 
us ; nay, they will, we think, agree with us, when we say that 
there is a falling off in the grace and harmony of the display, 
owing to the absence of one who combined the solidity of our 
nation with the taste which characterizes his own, and to whose 
intelligence the success of the first Exhibition Avas mainly due. 
The presiding genius of the place seems to manifest, by the 
carelessness of her attire, her esteem for the Prince who pre- 
pared her first palace and was removed before the second was 
ready for her reception. 
Then there is another “ absence ” by which this great bazaar 
of all nations is rendered conspicuous. We miss (smile not, 
reader !) the long rows of Yankee hams, and pork, and cotton 
bales; ay, no one will deny that we miss those; the flour- 
barrels, full or empty, the heaps of gutta-percha soles and toys; 
we miss their rocking-chairs and then* reaping-machines. For 
their cotton bales are now being employed to make bonfires, 
or to protect brothers from the murderous fire of brothers at 
home ; and their reaping-machines are converted into scythes 
with which Death reaps his dread harvest. 
Fortunately for us we have peace at home, although the 
casual visitor who saunters down the great aisle would hardly 
think so ; for the display of rifled ordnance ; of thick plates of 
iron battered by deadly missiles, and of small arms grouped in 
stars and pyramids, would lead the stranger to suppose that we 
were either on the eve of a great war, or had just concluded 
one of long duration. JSTor would his surprise be diminished if 
he were told that all these terrible implements of warfare had 
been devised in order to enable us to maintain peaceful relations 
with a neighbouring people whose contributions to obi Show 
are the admiration of all beholders. 
Strange, then, and of a mixed kind, are the thoughts sug- 
gested by a cursory glance at our Great Exhibition of Industry, 
Science, and Art ; but we must do the bidding of the “ Com- 
