896 
PARIS UNIVERSAL 
element of value, there has been almost nniversal improvement 
since the exhibition of 1862. Through the influence of schools 
of design and the revival of art, that love of the beautiful 
which made the memory and the works of Greece and 
the homes of mediaeval art immortal, has had a greater diffusion 
in both the old and new world ; so that traces of its yet partial 
influence are distinctly perceptible in very many of the col¬ 
lections of crystal, porcelain,gold and silver and pottery wares, 
tissues, prints, ornaments for personal and household use, fur¬ 
niture, utensils,and nearly all else to be seen at the Exposition. 
If all manufactures have not cheapened during the period in 
question,it has not been the fault of either the scientist, the inven¬ 
tor or even the manufacturer. In the normal condition of so¬ 
ciety the necessary effect of the introduction of improved 
means of production is to both diminish the price and increase 
the demand. 
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE. 
Had it been superior to its predecessors in no other respect, 
the Exposition of 1867 has won for itself a shining place in his¬ 
tory, and for its far-seeing imperial projector immortal honors, 
by the incorporation, in the plan of its organization, of a separ¬ 
ate group (X), having for its direct object the encouragement 
of all agencies and instrumentalities specially designed, “ for 
the amelioration of the moral and physical condition of the 
population.” 
It was not enough that the nations met to compare the fruits 
of their genius and labor, each learning from and teaching the 
others; it also needed to be put into their thoughts and into their 
hearts that the great object of this gathering of the peoples and 
products of all lands was the social advancement of the 
whole human race. This noble end was doubtless before the 
mind of the good and philanthropic Prince Albert, when he 
sent abroad the first invitation to the nations ; but it was left 
to the great ruler of the French Empire to embody that idea in 
definite form, and to become, himself, the first competitor for 
the honors to be conferred upon those who should most wisely 
