58
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
ural buildings of the western European nations. In an obscure place, of special interest to only a fraction of the visitors, it was entirely unseen by the great mass, to whom it would have been a revelation of our mechanical skill and taste, had their attention been drawn to it by finding its exhibits before them while examining the other departments in one common building. The same thing is true of the German school system, of considerable portions of the Swiss exhibition, of the French, of part of the Russian, etc.
The most important points in designing a building for the purpose of an exhibition would seem to be,—
First , the study of some w T ater-tight arrangement for light' ing from above, by what are called monitor roofs, or otherwise, which would enable the architect to cover in as large a space, both in length and breadth, as he should see fit, in one open area, uninterrupted with corners or angles to break the view.
Second, an arrangement of exhibits by which the different nations should have all their goods together, so that what each had contributed to the Exposition could be at once seen, and and an idea easily gained of the character and quality of its productions in each group.
Third, the arrangement should be such that the exhibits in the different groups, if not directly contiguous to those of the same groups belonging to the next nation, should at least be disposed in the space of each nation according to some simple and easily understood rule, so that the position of any particular class could be found among their exhibits.
Finally, it would be a great advantage if, while the roof and its supports were erected in good season, the buildings were so constructed that the size could be readily extended in certain directions, so as to be prepared for an unexpected amount of goods from any nation without forcing that nation to break up the proper order and classification of its exhibits by putting a part of them in separate buildings.
In drawing attention to these points, it is to be remembered that, while an exhibition like this is of much interest and value to specialists, men of science, manufacturers and merchants, its great usefulness lies in its character of an instructor of the masses.