The Paris Universal And Permanent Exhibition.

THE PARIS UNIVERSAL AND PERMANENT EXHIBITION .

( Translated from " LE C OSSTITUTIOXXEL , " 2 Stft August , 1 SG 2 . ) Within the precints of New- Paris , in the flourishing district of Awtev . il , where Boileau gave poetic counsel to lv . s gardener , where Moliore composed his chefs d ' osnvres in tho company of Racine , De la Fontaine , and De la Bruyere , industry , the queen of our epoch , is rising at this moment , a palace to modern

genius . Its aim is to place upon a new footing exhibitions , the utility of which is incontestable . They began by being exclusively national and temporary . From being national they became universal . Henceforth the products of science , the arts , industry , agricultural , and commerce , will find a place in a universal and permanent exhibition . The splendid palace now

building at Auteuil proves that the idea is leaving the realms of theory , ami approaching realisation . Let us first examine the practical advantages of the scheme ; we will then describe the building and its workmanship . Persons are fond of repeating that distance is annihilated

that frontiers are disappearing , and that modes of international communication are being multiplied . It is true . They delight in exalting the marvels wrought by the union of science and labour , the grand modern discoveries , the admirable inventions of industry—aud with good reason . But it is of the utmost importance to develope all the branches of human activity , ancl to expedite commercial transactions . The Universal and

Permanent Exhibition offers these advantages , for its object is to bring together the producer and the consumer . It will save the one numberless researches—often unproductive . To the other it will offer a continual stimulus , and place at his disposal objects from all quarters of which he has need . In periodical exhibitions one often sees exceptional works ,

true exponents of ability , but executed at great cost , and addressing themselves more to the curiosity of sightseers than the approval of practical men . These productions , which aim at effect , and are not meant for ordinary use , ought not to enter into competition with the samples of industrial labour . The Universal and Permanent Exhibition , on the contrary , will give satisfaction to industrial and commercial interests . It will tend

to improve the welfare of the labouring classes , by leading the producer to unceasingly improve his work , until he at length attains a point combining excellence with economy . We aro able to add that the scene of this , pacific tournament will bo worthy of the city which Europe truly considers the capital , not only of France , but of tho whole world . The idea once conceived , its realisation was imperative . This

is often the most difficult part . Happily for the project of universal and permanent exhibitions , it has found powerful support among large capitalists , who have undertaken to defray the cost of construction .. When the building is finished it will bo placed at the disposal of exhibitors , a very long list of whom is already published . Tho programme is headed by those

memorable words which were uttered by an august personage on a solemn occasion : — " Approach , all you who think that the progress of agriculture , the industry , and the commerce of a nation contributed to its general welfare , and that tho more reciprocal intercourse is multiplied , the more national prejudices will be effaced . " Also when this project was submitted to the

Emperor , his Majesty -was pleased to express to its authors his approbation of it , and the pleasure with which he should regard its realisation . Their Excellencies the Ministers of Finance , Agriculture , and Commerce have accorded , by two official despatches , various permissions which show the sympathy of the Imperial Government with the idea of" establishing in Paris an exhibition universal and permanent . For a project of this nature the choice of site was of the

The Paris Universal And Permanent Exhibition.

greatest importance . Of course the founders would have greatly preferred to establish themselves in the centre of Paris . But they encountered insurmountable obstacles . How could they find in the heart of a great city an area sufficiently extensive ( 130 , 000 square metres ) ? Ancl even if they had overcome this first difficulty , the excessive value of the around would have

alarmed the greater number of exhibitors . At tne same time it w-as necessary that this site should not be too distant from business quarters , and that it should be united with tho capital by rapid and economical means of communication . A large piece of land , situated on the verge ofthe Bois do Boulogne , between the gate of St . Cloud and the station at Auteuil , united all these advantages . It- is now the property of a company , and the workmen are progressing with such rapidity , that already

the plan of a monumental palace intended to receive the artistic and industrial products of the whole world is clearly defined . When an edifice of this kind is required , its proportions must be colossal . The palace at Auteuil will present a coup-d ' ceil 500 metres in length , that is to say , an elevation double that of the Palace of Industry in the Champs Ely-sees . The facade will extend along the new Boulevard granted by the city of Paris , commencing at the banks of the Seine , and terminating at the

main street of Auteuil and the other ways of approach , which will complete the Parisian network . The effect will be magnificent . Imagine one of these constructions invented by modern architecture , light hut solid , where iron and glass rest upon stone foundations . An entrance portal , in keeping with the grandiose character of tho edifice , will give access to tho centre of the building , which will be crowned by a dome more lofty than that of l'Hotel des Invalides . At each end of the structure , elegant

pavilions will complete the palatial effect , and will be accompanied on the right by a Machinery Annexe , on the left by a vast rotunda , intended for concerts and charitable fetes . Such is the tout ensemble of the building in course of construction by an army of workmen , under the direction of skilful engineers . In the interior , the height of the building will be divided into two stories ; but by a happy arrangement , this division will not show externally , and one range of windows , extending the whole

height , will give light to the treasures exposed in the galleries . We hope ( and the activity which presides over the work authorises us to entertain this hope ) , that the inauguration of the universal and permanent exhibition will take place early in the ensuing year . Meanwhile , the enterprise is organised on a solid basis . The most influential representatives of universal industry have already sent in their adhesion , and head the list of exhibitors . This adhesion , however , does not at present

imply any pecuniary contribution . The founders are liable for all expenses up to the time when the exhibitors take possession . AVe may add , that during live days of the week admission will be gratuitous , and that the detailed internal regulations will he settled by committees from the different nationalities . Such has been the rapid advance of an idea conceived in a liberal and straightforward manner . It deserved to be conceived and carried out in an epoch which has already accomplished such grand undertakings , ancl iu a kingdom where industrial progress advances in concert with tho national grandeur .

Cases Of Emergency.

CASES OF EMERGENCY .

Extract from Grand Master Ensign ' s Address , delivered before the Grand Lodge of Connecticut , May 14-, 1862 : — " Tbis brings me to another point connected with the same subject , which is that no balloting for candidates should take place except at tiic regular communications of the lodge . I know that some object- to this inionthat oftentimes there

op , happen cases of emergency , which require immediate attention , or the opportunity v .-iii bo lost of admitting men of acknowledged worth to a participation in the benefits of our institution . That in such cases delay would be almost injustice , appears at first sight- plausible ; but a slight examination of tbe subject will cause the objection to fall of itself . Whence does such arise ? In ninety cases out of a hundred they are

emergency men who have lived all their days in our midst , knowing there was a Masonic Lodga within a stone ' s throw of their home , passing almost daily before tho very door , at which they never had a thought of knocking , until when about to engage in some hazardous enterprise , or perhaps to visit foreign lauds or distant cities , they happen to think , all of a