14
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
hardly fail to be incalculable. The people of Austria intellectually, politically and industrially are in a state of active transition. The disastrous results of the campaign of 1866 drove the Empire into a course of decided political and educational reform. The absolute necessity of a reorganization was made apparent even to those most wedded to the old ways, and from the battle of Sadowa may be dated a new era in Austrian history. Seven years of education had made their influence perceptibly felt in every department of national life, and not least in its industries. There was a general awakening. Upon a people in this receptive condition the effect of a universal exposition like that of the last summer cannot easily be overestimated. It is probably not too much to say that for the next score of years everything inventive or industrial in Austria will date a new impetus from it, as everything educational and political already dates from Sadowa.
Nor will the experience of Austria, if this expectation should be realized, be peculiar to herself. A remarkable illustration of a similar impetus given to English industries by the previous expositions at London was observable at Vienna. It was there generally conceded that the most brilliant success won was in the department of the ceramic arts, and in this the palm was generally conceded to the English exhibitors. The progress made by them, and the absolute excellence they had attained, were most noteworthy. This was attributed to the improved education and increased artistic taste of the country, largely due to the influence of the South Kensington Museum and the system of art schools of which that museum is the great centre. These again originated out of the first London Exposition of 1851, and remain as a lasting monument to its success and utility.
A more correct appreciation of circumstances and a more perfect organization of details, would obviate in a very great degree as respects the Centennial the danger of any such disastrous financial results as those experienced at Vienna. That which may be possible in London or Paris may be impracticable at Philadelphia. If, however, this appreciation of circumstances and regard to details could but be secured, it may well be questioned whether any civilized people is in a condition to derive more immediate or more im-