The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 .. . tion of excellence. By this action the provin-cialisms of the world displayed by nations will eventually be made to disappear, INDUSTRIAL ART. 507 and its skill and taste become an universal possession. To this the artistic nationsmight object (as the selfish manufacturers rejoicing in a temporary superioritymight object) that when the whole world is skillful, the value of skill will dis-appear, and that what is the property of every country will be of no particularadvantage to any one. In reply we should say that some th
The masterpieces of the Centennial international exhibition of 1876 .. . tion of excellence. By this action the provin-cialisms of the world displayed by nations will eventually be made to disappear, INDUSTRIAL ART. 507 and its skill and taste become an universal possession. To this the artistic nationsmight object (as the selfish manufacturers rejoicing in a temporary superioritymight object) that when the whole world is skillful, the value of skill will dis-appear, and that what is the property of every country will be of no particularadvantage to any one. In reply we should say that some things are so preciousand so necessary to perfect human happiness that the mere thought of monopo-lizing them is a crime against the human race, whilst the more completely they are possessed andenjoyed by one,the more freely arethey available toevery human crea-ture. If every coun-try in the worldwere free from des-potism, would lib-erty be less enjoy-able to the Englishrace ? Who but aknave could rejoicein his personalfreedom and loveto hear the clank-ing of his neigh-. health and strengththe perquisite ofa few who wouldvalue it less if allwere healthy andstrong? Is there notsunshine enough torejoice our heartsand go all roundthe world withoutdepreciating thevalue of sunshine ?And in the samemanner that asliberty, health andsunlight exist forthe whole world,and can be univer- Sevres Vase. bors fetters ? Is sally enjoyed without decreasing their value to any individual, so good art maybe the common possession of all peoples without a single country or a solitaryindividual being injured thereby. Let it therefore be acknowledged that the Qfeneral elevation of industrialart will be of universal benefit, and that the objectors thereto must be likethose who would monopolize liberty, health and sunshine, and other commonenjoyments, and we shall become reconciled to International Exhibitions, anddisplay the charity which, besides being a good thing in itself, is said, on excel-lent auth
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherphila, bookyear1876
