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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
Of the quality of our work, as well as of its ingenuity, we had every reason to be proud. It is an undoubted fact that to-day the average character of our machines excels in this respect that of every other nation.*
The English exhibition of machinery was much smaller and more meagre than was to have been expected. It is possible the distance discouraged their manufacturers, but a more prominent reason would seem to be the degree to which the Germans are beginning to copy from them everything good brought to their notice. There is also observable, I think, less energy in pushing themselves and their productions than in former times. In this they present a great contrast to the Germans, who, especially since their late wars, seem to be awakening in every direction. As the German marine is said to be taking the place of the English in many waters, so in the matter of manufactures they are very ambitious of replacing the English, at least on the continent; and it seems to be the general testimony of the English observers that they will have to bestir themselves if they would prevent this.
Although this industrial activity has manifested itself, especially under the stimulus of the great events of the Austrian and Prussian wars, it is in reality principally a result of the system of thorough, universal and enforced education which has been established in the different countries of Germany for the better part of a generation, and which is now beginning to show itself in a class of workingmen far more sober, industrious, intelligent and educated than the average English workman. It is true they have not yet acquired all those details of manual dexterity which are the inheritance of some classes of Englishmen, but they are fast learning all that can be acquired by instruction from English foremen now employed in many of the continental establishments.
While, however, the continental factories are producing machinery in considerable quantities, and at very moderate cost, they are almost absolutely dead, so far as any originality or invention is concerned. To an American, the lack of ideas
* “ I was surprised to find so small a space allotted to a nation (America) which, if not producing the best machines in the world, certainly stands second to none, and it must be admitted, turns out machinery of faultless workmanship of modern design, and tools of the newest and best description,—a fact which is proved by the number of continental manufacturers making tools exactly the same as their (American) patterns .”—Artisan Reports on Vienna Exposition, p. 177. Manchester.