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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 60

Part Third

page 7

Part Third.

The Loudon Great Exhibition of 1851 was truly a splendid success; although the vast, moral results pronosticated by the most sanguine have not yet been realised,—say as to universal amity, the total ending of horrid ruinous war, and so on. But, but, as a great writer the other day said. "God Almighty is never in a hurry." A thousand years (Oh!) with Jehovah God like as one day. Most assuredly wars shall and will cease, and cease forever! But not yet.

I was pleased to see at that magnificent Palace of glass, representatives from all the chief nations, well nigh from all the nations, amicably and happily exhibiting; all hearty, cheery, and glad; some coatless in shirt sleeves working very hard with a will and with spirited hilarity: I rather think a marvellous and new printing machine for "The Times" was there: and, I, solitary, all alone in a crowd, full of thought, slightly tenebrious because of lack of means and opportunity to study there a week or more.—Was there five or six hours only; and—saw.

The wonderful machine department was especially interesting to many. No doubt many of the operatives, there and then engaged, got some new ideas—caught a wrinkle, as they say; indeed it seemed to be an excellent purpose prevailing there, to diffuse special knowledge, to disclose and show peculiar art. I reflected, Surely vast good will come out of this fine exhibition of inventions, and this happy showing forth of international goodwill. Was also pleased to know that the originators and promoters of that world's great Show were Prince Albert (Consort to our Sovereign Queen); Richard Cobden; Joseph Paxton, and several other philanthropic celebrities. The building itself was verily a wonder, and probably, altogether, unprecedented, not to say unequalled. "The Glorious Alhambra" (so called) of Granada, Spain, of Moorish fame, is not glass. There have since been many imitations of that Palace Exhibition in all parts of the world, most of them successful. That Great and excellent Exhibition at London, '51, was an advance on, and did advance civilization.

I have said grand exhibition; gran is, I think, the Spanish for our English word great. We have tacked on one ultimate letter to the word and made it mean exceeding great.

The appointment of great and grand Exhibitions for New Zealand is very well and good. May Divine Providence vouchsafe success!

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page 8

It is believed by the intelligent, and has been more than once stated and published by scientific experts, geologists and others, that the physical intrinsic wealth of the two fine islands of New Zealand is inestimably vast. Much of it at present is latent, known by index and needing disclosure, yet showing unmistakably throughout both islands, north and south (and, remarkably, each and both pretty much alike for interior worth) ostensible riches and vast potentiality.

William Edmund Sadler.