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Courtrai , follow in their order . The character of the collection is plain , but creditable . The Prussians are great in such fabrics as beavers , beaverteens , cotton velvet , and the mixed fabrics of cotton and wool . Rhenish Prussia ( as might be expected ) shows to the best advantage , and some of the Gladbach and Elberfield factories are evidently in the hands of very skilful
manufacturers . The Swiss collection , as has been before indicated , is one of the most extraordinary features of the Exposition , presenting the most unique series of embroidered muslins probably ever groiiped together . The fine-spinning from Saint Gall and Zurich , illustrating the Second Section of the class ^ nd the ginghams , percales , and cloths illustrating the Third , are all good in their way , but the Sixth Section is that which is best illustrated , and which forms the star of the collection . Seven exhibitors alone are to be found here , but those are of world-wide reputation . Herisau and Saint Gall are the only two contributing towns , but these insignificant figures can serve to convey not the slightest idea of the nature of the display . Muslins embroidered with silk and metallic threads , patterns thrown up in crochet , embroideries in every variety of stitch , guipure lace and imitation point of every description , curtains , robes , handkerchiefs , collars , and sleeves , —such
are the component parts of this collection , which , for infinite variety and beauty of design we have never seen surpassed . The embroideries , however , belong more especially to Class 23 , and we must reserve a fuller description of them until we come to that part of the Exposition . The printed cotton stuffs from Glaris are also very noticeable . Although , strictly speaking , the Swiss embroideries are correctly classified as cotton fabrics , they certainly stand in quite a different category from all other descriptions of cotton manufactures . Objects of luxury and art rather than use , and necessarily very costly , they scarcely fall within the scope of a survey exclusively industrial : still they are interesting to the political economist in more respects than one , and not the less so for the illustration which they afford of the patient , wealth-producing industry of the Swiss population , and the native taste which seems to come to them as naturally as their native air . It is a curious and somewhat analogous fact that the rude and uncultivated Irish peasantry are the most successful and tasteful imitators of lace -with the
crochetneedle , and that their superiority lies chiefly in the imitation of guipure which has no regular pattern , but takes its form from the imagination of the worker . The Spanish exhibitors are all from Barcelona , and their collection is highly suggestive of the present state of the cotton manufactures in Spain . It is well known that many intelligent capitalists in that country , seeing the advantages which they possessed in a port directly communicating with America , abundant fuel , extremely cheap labour , and a direct communication with England for machinery , have been for some years past cultivating the cotton manufactures to a very extensive extent in Barcelona . English mechanism has been obtained , English managers and overlookers hired , and the
condition of the factories with which that city now teems is such , that if Spanish institutions stood upon a sounder basis , and Spanish capital were more plentiful , it would be to the south of Europe and not towards the banks of the Rhine that the English cotton-spinners would look in fear of successful rivalry . The collection here exhibited is an additional proof of the great good sense which guides the Spanish manufacturers . Few fancy stuffs are to be found in it , and its staple consists of those bleached cottons , prints , &c , which indicate an ambition to manufacture for the million . The necessities of journalism and the relative importance of the collections alike require that the remarks , upon the next eight contributing countries should be very brief .
The Netherlands , represented by the towns of Harlem and Goor , send some good and cheap calicoes . The Grand Duchy of Baden sends pockethandkerchiefs and waistcoatings , not calling for any special remark . Denmark has a few good muslins and cotton shawls , Saxony (^ reat in woollens ) sends a small , but creditable collection of furniture stuffs , cotton thread , jaconets , and embroidered muslins : some of the last very beautiful . Tuscany calls for no remark . Sardinia has some very good calicoes , madapolams , lustrines , and prints from a joint-stock company calling itself Societe" Anonyme de la Manufacture ( VAnnecy et Pont . Wurtemberg displays some good drills , fustians , and velveteens . Greece sends a little of that native cloth of light texture , which it generally imports from Manchester ; and Mexico supplies two exhibitors to illustrate the calico and light stuffs so largely worn by its natives .
Last of all comes Great Britain ; and here , without any national boasting , we may confidently aver that the land of Arkwrighfc , Crompton , Hargreaves , and Roberts still retains its pristine superiority - Blest by nature with those advantages of position and of material to which we have before referred , England is , par excellence ^ the mother-country of the cotton manufacturers . Without unduly exaggerating the national importance of this fact , as it is very much the custom to do , we see in it great matter for pride and gratification . Ear bo it from us to diminish the glory of those brave pioneers of the Cotton Trade who made Lancashire what it is , but it seems to us that if the manufacturers of that country only keep the vantage ground which chance has put under their feet , they cannot bo dislodged from their superiority over the world . Cheapness of transit , of building , of machinery ,
and of fuel , added to the abundance of its capital , more than counterbalance the costliness of labour , the sole condition in which it is inferior to its competitors . So long as these happy advantages arc at its disposal , Lancashire must remain the Shirt Maker to the World ., and the French may ceaso to wonder at the distance by which the English manufacturers surpass them in the quality of cheapness alone , when they remember that from India itaelf , the birthp lace of the cotton manufacture , raw cotton may bo brought over to England , spun , woven , bleached , dyed , packed , . sent buck ajjain , and then sold at a less cost than it could bo manufactured for in Calicot itaelf . Tho Manchester Committee , whoso display ( ills ft largo space of the ground-floor , in tho south-cast corner of tho Palais do { 'Industrie , have contrived with great judgment to scloct from tho wealth of material at their disposal a very perfect and comprehensive ! monograph of tho English cotton
manufactures . Perfect series of carded cottons , rovings , and yarns from the commonest counts up to the finest products of Houldsworth ' s a ' nd of Bazley ' s mules ( we beg pardon for intruding upon the anonymity of these well-known firms ) ; calicoes and longcloths , of every quality and state of finish ; sackings , drills , madapolams , beavers , moleskins ( humourousl y translated in the catalogue peaux de taupes ) , swanskins , cords , satins , jeans , and cantoons ; damasks , yestings , and fustians ; jaconets , cambrics , nainsooks muslins , tarlatans ; ginghams , nankins , and chambrays ; gambroons , welts ' and mocks , and every variety of cotton print ; cotton velvets and mixed fabrics in great variety . . Such is a mere outline of the Manchester series . In sheetings and longcloths it is ' very rich ; but the longcloths exhibited by Mr . Edward Hollins , of the Royal Sovereign Mill , Preston , will probabl y turn out to be the best in the Exposition .
Glasgow sends some worthy representatives of its celebrated muslins , and Paisley of its fine spinning . That Glasgow , the mother-city of the English muslin trade , should maintain its reputation in that branch of the cotton fabrics , was to be expected . The collection of calico-prints and muslins sent by Messrs . Black is very fine , and some cases of fine-spun thread will repay examination . Dagliesh's display of fine muslins in the nave is splendid excelling in dyes , though not perhaps in fineness , the fabrics of Tarare . Belfast also sends beautiful muslins , both plain and embroidered . The readers will do us the justice to bear in mind that the imperfect condition of the Exposition has thrown difficulties nearly insuperable in the way of a satisfactory survey . Anything approaching a thoroughly conclusive comparison of individual merit would be altogether impossible , if not somewhat beyond the scope of our duty as journalists . It is not our province to anticipate the verdicts of the juries , but a few leading remarks may possibly be of service , and will probably not differ in any essential point from the ultimate decision of the jurors .
It appears to us that both in point of excellence of manufacture and cheapness of price England stands far ahead of all competitors . The Rhenish factories ( notably of Mulhouse and Sainte Marie-aux-Mines ) and the looms of Tarare may rival her in muslins , and for certain purposes of fancy embroidery and for lace the threads of Lille and Paris may take the lead ; but where qualities required are substantiality and cheapness , Lancashire will claim an undisputed supremacy . In some of the lighter cotton fabrics , such as fine muslins and bobbin-nets , France will probably rank in the first grade , contesting with Glasgow the first place . In longcloths Lancashire is not to be approached , nor in prints and stuffs woven out of dyed yarn . Spain , Austria , and the Zollverein will contest the second rank .
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TO THE AMERICANS . Sons of England , though ye hate her , Though ye hate her , still her sons . Yet her lion stands victorious , Yet her lease of glory runs . Still the flag your fathers followed , From your fathers rocks unfurled , Waves to mark the home of freedom In the serfs and tyrants world .
Still it floats ; but fast around it Banded priest and tyrant close . God is with the hearts that guard it , Europe is with Freedom ' s foes . It may fall . The flame of freedom Quenched in freemen ' s blood may die , And the despot ride triumphant Where your fathers' aahes lie . Ye will gaze with joy and laughter , Brooding o'er an ancient hate , Thinking of the bales of Boston Envying England's proud estate .
While the meek-eyed monk of Jesus Ambling by the soldier comes To tho shame of English maidens , And the wreck of English homes . Well ! our fall atones our greatness , And unenvying you may tell , Thoughtless of the bales of Boston , How Old England fought and fell . You may trace each Roman council , Each high deed by field and flood , And forget the balos of Boston In tho pride of English blood .
Lovo or hate—revile or praise us—Howsoo ' or your hearts may bo , | When tho despot reigns in Kngland . Think that yo alone are free . Rail at Kngland's fame and story , Keep her great tradition true ; And when sets her sun of glory , Lot her freedom live in you .
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572 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 16, 1855, page 572, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2095/page/20/
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