503 
FRENCH NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIONS. 
be convinced of this. In the shops of Paris, we 
see a hundred, yea, a thousand swords for sale to 
one scythe — a thousand bayonetted muskeis to one 
sickle — a thousand steel breast plates and helmets 
to one steel shovel or hoe. Now, turn all the 
ingenuity and skill employed in the invention and 
manufacture of these implements of war, to the 
invention and manufacture of implements of agri- 
culture and husbandry, and we would see plows, 
harrows, scythes, and sickles equal to any in 
the world. The elements, I repeat, are not want- 
But what is applicable to agriculture is not 
applicable to the sciences and manufactures, par- 
ticularly those of fancy articles, or fanfaisies, as 
they are called. Here the French excel, if at all. 
At least, one is constrained to think so, after 
walking through the immense halls of the exhibi- 
tion palace. A description of the articles to be 
seen there would be entirely too long for any jour- 
nal. A list of the names and addresses of the 
persons admitted to show these articles alone, fills 
a volume. Now, when we remember that some 
men have on exhibition a sample or specimen of 
every article grown or manufactured by them, we 
may form some idea of the extent of the exhibi- 
tion. Everything is shown us desirable or imagin- 
able for the kitchen, the parlor, the boudoir, the 
bed chamber — from the patented cooking stove to 
the finely-sculptured marble mantel piece ; from 
the child's rattle to the rich-toned and highly- 
finished piano ; from the straw-bottomed chair to 
the elegant mahogany sofa; from the common 
stone or deal table to the costly marble or rose- 
wood one. In fact, here is furniture and fancy 
articles for every taste and every condition. 
The silk culture is quite extensively carried on 
in some parts of France. Thus Lyons silks are 
known the world over. We have then, as might 
be expected, the most improved plans adopted for 
pursuing this interesting and important business; 
such as shelves on which the worms are fed, reels, 
looms, &c. In fact, every step, from the rearing 
of the worms to the manufactured articles them- 
selves, ready for market, handkerchiefs, cravats, 
silks for ladies' use, and every variety of satin and 
velvets. 
Next is linen and the various forms and uses to 
which it is put, from the finest lace work, equal to 
Brussels lace, to table linen and stuff for gentle- 
men's shirts and pantaloons. 
Then there is all sorts and descriptions of cotton 
goods. Different machinists have brought in almost 
enough of their work for a large cotton mill. 
Pickers, jennies, looms, and apparatus for printing 
and coloring, and such a variety of patterns as 
would rejoice the eye and heart of every American 
housewife. 
But it is for its woolens, such as broad cloths 
and cassimeres, that France is particularly cele- 
brated. And the show of these articles does not 
do discredit to its reputation. I do not say that our 
American woolen manufactories cannot turn out as 
good cloths as those of the French ; but the French, 
everyone is ready to admit, are peculiarly happy 
in their dying department. It is no wonder it is so. 
The government, having always been the encour- 
ager and protector of the arts and sciences, is, in a 
great measure, the cause of this superiority. Does 
a man make a discovery, or even, in some cases, 
think he has made one, by which any branch of 
industry will be benefitted, money is furnished him, 
that he may institute new researches and experi- 
ments, and complete his discovery. Besides this, 
French chemists rank among the first in the world, 
and have brought their knowledge of this science 
to bear upon the art of dying. A course of public 
and gratuitous lectures, continuing ten months, is 
every year opened at the manufactory of the Gob- 
lins, entirely devoted to this branch of industry. 
It can be no great subject of wonder, then, that 
French cloths are noted for their good colors. 
With a large number of our manufacturers, this is 
the only difficulty ; and I cannot but express my 
opinion that it would be greatly to their advantage 
to send some intelligent person, who is already 
acquainted with the elements, at least, of chemistry, 
and the French language, perhaps, to this country, 
to attend this course of lectures, with several more 
on chemistry applied to the arts, also public and 
gratuitous. His field of study, of course, would 
not be confined to these lectures. I ask pardon, it 
is all I do ask, for this suggestion, but must insist 
upon its practicability. 
The city of Roubaix is represented at the exhibi- 
tion by more than sixty manufacturers. You may 
imagine some good cloths are shown. The mills 
of Roubaix, however, are not confined to the manu- 
facture of woolen cloths. They are for every va- 
riety of woolen goods, from shawls to pilot cloths. 
The single department du Nord, bounded north by 
the channel and Belgium, employs over 20,000 
w T orkmen in this branch of manufacture. 
Time fails me, or I could go on indefinitely in 
the enumeration of articles. I will, however, write 
down a few from my note book. Glass work, from 
the most delicate wine glasses up to immense re- 
volving light houses and mirrors, ten by fourteen 
feet square ; all sorts of iron and iron work — fur- 
naces and forges, steam engines, fountains, pumps, 
and fire engines; india-rubber work; boots and 
shoes (no pegged ones, though) ; paper, blank 
books, binding, &c. ; soap and perfumes of every kind 
and quality; instruments for every purpose — sur- 
gery, optics, physics, mathematics, Daguerreotypes, 
&c, &c. ; jewelry of all qualities and at all prices; 
gold and silver watches; clocks for houses and 
church towers ; plate, pure silver and silver gilt ; 
fowling pieces, rifles, muskets, pistols, cannons, and 
swords ; earthenware and porcelain, some most 
beautiful from the manufactory of Sevres; carpets, 
tapestry, and paper hangings; and a great many 
more things too numerous to mention. The num- 
ber of competitors is generally very great. It is a 
question now to continue the exhibition to the 15th 
of September. To examine everything as it deserves 
would almost require that length of time, though 
" the game might not pay for the candle." 
Paris, July 30th, 1849. Egrec. 
We are much obliged to our correspondent for 
the above interesting article on French agriculture 
and manufactures, and if these lines meet his eye, 
we beg to assure him we shall be happy to hear 
from him airain. 
