THE EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2518, 4 May 1882, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

There is probably no branch of industry in which the refining effects of Exhibitions has been made more apparent than in the production of glass and china. Prior to 1851 the products of our potteries and glass works , were, though creditable, not by ony mesna artistic. The competition and friendly rivalry induced by comparison with tho products of other nations where the artistic education of the workmen had been carried to a far higher degree, induced our manufacturers also to take a step in advance. Hence the artistic forms in ghss and china with which we are now familiar. Of this fact, the exhibit under charge of Mr Andrews, which attracts the eye of the visitor immediately on entering the British Oonrt, is a notable example. Mr Andrews represents Messrs Thos. Webb and Sons, of Stourbridge; the well-known firm of Josiah Wodgewood (tho Btruria Pottery) and Bevington, of Longton, Staffordshire. First in order of notice comes a richly engraved glass claret jug, with every description of insect most artistically delineated. This jug is by Beauni. Tho word “Claret” appears on the front in rustic letters, interwoven with which are representations of birds, insects, &c., each one engraved out of tho glass. This ia supposed to bo one tho finest pieces of glass engraving extant. Some idea of the amount of work and artistic ability expended on this may bo gathered from the fact that the pries of it is £l5O. Fronting the entrance hall is displayed an engraved glass clarat set, comprising jug and twelve glasses. Tho subjects of tho engravings are for the most part Roman, and are noticeable from the bsauty and delicacy of the finish. Close by, on the same table, is exhibited tho handsome glass vases, also engraved with dancing frogs. This, as iho visitor will allow after inspection, is one of the best pieces of grotesque glass engraving over executed. In the same portion of the bay is a handsome collection of cut glass, comprising dishes, decanters, water sets, io., also some very handsome three-light crystal brackets and two-light fitted for flowers. The whole of the articles described are from the works of Messrs T. Webb and Sons, Stourbridge. The difficulty of carrying out the design engraved on the glass claret jug already described may be gathered from the fact that it took six years to complete, tho work being so arduous and trying to the eyes that tho engraver could only work a quarter of an hour per day. Next in order wo come to the productions of tho world famed Btruria pottery. Fronting the British annexe there is displayed a handsome majolica hand painted jardiniere, by Allan. The subject is a flower piece, most admirably executed. The same firm also have a largo assortment of flower vases, jugs, teapate, &o ,in jasper. Mr Bevington’s exhibits comprise china of all kinds. Hera are shown some beautiful specimens of guelder rose pattern flower vases, and metallic bronzing on porcelain. In these the whole wreath of flowers surrounding the vase contrasts finely with the dark surface. Tho other exhibits of chinaware comprise break fast, dinner, tea and dessert sets. The latter are hand-painted by Allen, the paintings represented being English scenery. Those aro perfect gems in their way, and well worth a visit. Mr Andrews also exhibits a choice collection of vases from the celebrated Doulton pottery. The specimens of Minton ware are mounted plaques ; of these half-a-dezon aro exhibited in tho bay. They are hand-painted on ivory and gold, the subjects being figures, flowers and fruit. A novelty is shown from the glass manufactory of Mr Thomas Webb, in the shape of bronzed glass flower vases. These are copies of the celebrated vase found by Dr Sohliomann at Troy duriug hia excavations. The surface of the glass may bo likened to the old crackle porcelain, only that in this bronzed glass it is indistinct. The shapes exhibited are the Oriental, squat, and others. Mr Andrews also exhibits a vary large collection of every description of china and glassware, both useful and ornamental. Hare can be seen almost every requisite for the house in this particular lino, together with a number of elegant nioknacs for toilet tables, drawing room mantels, &c. It may be noted that Mr Webb and Messrs. Wedgewood took tho grand prix at Paris, gold medals at Philadelphia, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. In Melbourne Sir Henry Parkes, acting for the Q-overnor of New Sou h Wales, bought the celebrated “ Aurora ” vase exhibited by Webb and Sons for the Art Gallery at Sydney, the price being 4&0 guineas. Tba Worcester Royal Porcelain Company has had to take refuge in the Victorian Court, through want of space in the British annexe They are represented by Mr Apsley Pellatt, who has made a very attractive show with tho various articles. The exhibits also comprise specimens of Wodgewood, Belleek, Limoge, and Worcester ivory porcelain. The most noticeable item in the collection is a pair of Worcester ivory porcelain vases, with raised natural wild flowers, which are really exquisite. There is also a handsome pair of hand-painted vases iu the same material, the flowers being beautifully executed. A quantity of the same quality of wore in all shapes is exhibited, the various articles all showing artistic design and workmanship of the highest order. There is also shown a variety of articles illustrative of Japanese bronzing. Tho design of the waterlily has in these articles been adapted to a variety of forms. The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company is one of the oldest established English manufacturers of porcelain, and their goods have always taken the highest position, having been awarded medals at all Exhibitions since 1851. They have furnished services, not only to her Majesty the Queen and H.B.H. the Prince of Wales, but also to many European potentates. Mr Pellatt also exhibits Stourbridge cut glassware from the firm of Boulton and Mills. Thera is a very large assortment of all kinds of glass, but particularly noticeable amongst them is a toilette table set called a bridal set. This is manufactured of the richest out diamond glass, with mirror and plateau to match, framed in rich maroon velvet. This is a very exquisite exhibit; indeed, one of the finest that has ever been seen here of its class, and ia well _ worth a careful inspection. There is also a unique set of glass, comprising decanters and wine glasses. The pattern of this ia suoh as to delight the most devoted admirer of Oscar Wilde, as it is the very latest development of uijthetioism. It is a beautiful laoelika pattern. Other services of glass are also exhibited, very elegant in design and also low in price. Amongst other novelties exhibited by Mr Pellatt are a number of musical card plates, hand painted, on Limoges ware. The card, say of a warrior bold, can be presented to the air of “ Lo, here the sabre,” and so on. There are also teapots, beer jugs and decanters musically inclined, thus rendering oven the common objects of every day life “ a thing of beauty and a joy for ever.” A very small but choice selection of Doulton ware is exhibited, which bears the ticket of “ sold,” a tribute to the artistic ideas of our citizens. )The lovers of the antique will rejoice to (' notice some specimens of real old Murano glassware, and one choice bit of Missen china.

“ There is reason to believe that carpet making is an industry ot great antiquity, originating in that birthplace of art manufactures, the Bast. According to the most authentic information procurable, the Moorish conquest of Spain was the means of introducing carpets into Europe, but it was not till tho reign of Henry VIII. that any serious attempt was made to establish the manufacture in this country. Mainly through the far-sighted policy of Oolbart, the Minister of the Grande Monarque, the industry had been fostered in Prance, and the revocation ot the Edict of Nantes in 1685 was the means of transplanting the carpet manufacture to our shores, many of the Gallic artisans who sought refuge in England from Catholic bigotry being carpet weavers. Axminster, Wilton, and Kidderminster were early seats of the industry, which may bo said to have attained considerable importance only during tho last hundred years. No place is so intimately associated with the English carpet trade as the last named town, whose skilled population of some 25,000 finds almost exclusive employment in this particular division of the textile industries. In common with other great manufactures, that ot carpets, while distributed generally in different parts of Great Britain, localises in special centres of production its respective branches. Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dewsbury, and Heokmondwiko are famous for the kind of carpet which takes its name from Kidderminster (whence it originated) and patent Axminsters; Halifax and other Yorkshire towns produce tapestries; while Kidderminster itself is principally noted for Brussels carpeting. Of course none of these centres of production confine themselves to the manufacture of these special classes of goods to the exclusion of all others, but with the branches noted they are nevertheless most prominently identified.

I “By reason of its aotaal extent and the fact of its operations embracing newly all tfce branches of the carpet manufacture, the L'Btttbliuhment of Messrs John Brinton and C 0.,. who exhibit hero, has the foremost chins to be considered representative among the Kidderminster carpet factories. The works stand on an area of about six acres, and are intersected by the Hirer Stour. To the peculiar properties of the water of this Stygian stream were attributed at one time the durability and brilliancy of the colors associated with the carpet fabrice of the district. We say at one time, for nobody would care in these days to maintain the ancient theory in view of the turbid and polluted stream. The proximity of the Stour avails Messrs Brinton little enough, as they prefer to raise pure water for dyeing and other manufacturing purposes from a deep artesian well. Aa regards the motive power required for operating the complicated system of machinery, it is derived from five engines working up to nearly 1000-horse power. Seven large boilers of the Lancashire type generate steam for the engines, and supply an important agent for wool preparing and dyeing purposes. Tho first department of the works which claims attention is that devoted to worsted - spinning. Unlike the majority of their brother manufacturers, the firm themselves spin the yarn for their carpets. While a very large consumption alone would render this course expedient on economic grounds, the resulting advantages are tolerably obvious. Besides pocketing the profit which would otherwise foil to the yarn spinner, they are able to produce material exactly adapted for the requirements of the carpet manufacture. The wool warehouse is a largo five-storied building, containing large stocks of various kinds of wool, drawn from most of the producing countries of the world. There is a preponderance, however, of that grown on home pastures, tho English wool, from its superior quality, being best suited for carpet making purposes. Sorting and blending tho raw material occupy a good many people, and call into play some technical knowledge for aa many as fifteen different classes of worsted are made for tho various grades of carpet. The sorters separate the different qualities of wool with ready dexterity, oarofnlly eliminating the short staple, which, although unsuitable for worsteds, is utilised in the cloth and blanket manufacturing districts. Preparatory to its delivery in the spinning mill the wool is washed and dried by tho aid of machinery, being then ready to pass through the carding, combing, drawing, roving, and spinning processes by which its conversion into yarn is effected. The worsted spinning mill is capable of producing from 100 1o 120 packs (pack equal to 240!bo) of yarn weekly. The machinery, the whole of which has been added within the last few years, is of tho beat and newest construction, and the spinning department, like that of every other in the works, is under the immediate personal supervision of one of the partners. The spinning mill contains 10,000 spindles, and to each girl is allotted the care of 160. No means are neglected to ensure the production of even, well-conditioned worsted. In the tho wool and worsted departments about 500 hands are employed.”

la the Wellington octagon is exhibited some very splendid carpets from the factory which we have been describing. These comprise Brussels and Wiltons. The manufacture of the former may be briefly described as follows :—“ The yarn it delivered from store into the dyo-house, and nflier having been scoured by machinery finds its way into the ‘ dye vat.’ It is not necessary to follow up the dyeing processes, which are identical, whether the resulting colored yarn be intended for carpet weaving or any other industrial purpose. The usual dye-stuffs of commerce are employed, but a great variety of color is produced, as many as 600 different shades of yarn haviog been dyed by Messrs Brinton in the space of six months. The demand on the resources and skill of the dyer’s art in a manufacture depending so greatly on color must obviously bo great, and commensurate attention is bestowed by the firm on the dyeing department of their business. The moisture attaching to the dyed yarn is expelled by the centrifugal action of a hydro-extractor, and the drying is completed by the agency of hot air. In order that our conception of the manufacture may bo the clearer, it is necessary to follow the processes in their consecutive order, so, leaving the yarn ready to go into the carpet loom, wa take a look at the designing rooms. Here a numerous staff, carefully guarded from intrusion, is employed, evolving new designs. These are first drawn in miniature, and colored; then, if approved, reproduced on a larger scale on squared papers, eaeh square representing a stitch of the surface of the woven fabric. The colored designs now go into the - stamping* shop. Here a number of girls si amp the cards which, in connection with the Jacquard apparatus of the power loom, form the pattern of the woven fabric. Following carefully each design, the stampers prepare the cards in accordance with it, and these cards are then joined together, forming an endless chain, which is taken into one of the weaving sheds and connected with the Jacquard apparatus of, we will suppose, a loom about to bo set going. Behind this loom are five or six horizontal ‘frames,' containing as many sets of bobbins of different colored yarns, which have been arranged by the weaver in accordance with the pattern of carpet to be produced. It would bo useless to attempt, in our restricted space, any description of the Jacquard apparatus, by which the pattern of the fabric is produced. Its arrangements generally are very complicated, but its principles are remarkable for their extreme simplicity and certainty. As the 100m —itself a marvel of mechanical ingenuity—forms the fabric, the Jacquard apparatus bringsup to the surface stitches from the different frames of worsted, thus developing the figure of the carpet. The warp threads are made to pass over stout wires, the latter being withdrawn and again placed between the threads by a beautiful automatic motion of the power-loom. Thus the surface of a Brussels carpet consists of loops, and the difference between it and a Wilton is that in the latter the loops are cut. Both carpets are woven in the same way, but the wires used when Wiltons are being made have cutting ends, and on being withdrawn sever the loops, thus making a velvet-pile surface. This description of carpet is more expansive than ordinary Brussels, as thicker material has to be used in its manufacture. The appearance of Wilton carpet is rich and effective, the various shades of the design being so exquisitely toned down and combined in instances as to olmost suggest comparison with hand painting. “After leaving the weaving shed the carpets are passed over steam drying machines, and then go into the finishing department. Hero they are carefully examined by girls, who pick out any little knots, remedy defective stitches, &e. They are passed through an ingenious machine, which brushes, rolls, and meosuros them at one and the same time, its index attachment certifying the length of each piece with absolute precision. A ticket showing length, &i , is attached to each roll, and the carpets run on miniature tram cars to a hoist which deposits them in the warehouse beneath. So far wo have been speaking of Brussels carpet, and its variety known as Wilton. For the production of these particular fabrics Messrs Brinton and 00, have about 160 looms, which are capable of weaving, and in fact do turn cut, upwards of a million yards annually. It may bo doubted whether any single firm of carpet makers in the world has developed the Brussels branch ef the manufacture to an equal extent.

•< The ‘ backing ’ or groundwork of Brussels carpeting is composed of linen thread, and it also forms the ‘weft’ whioh in the loom knits the woollen threads of the warp into the carpet fabric. Messrs Brinton and Co. purchase the linen yarn, but prepare it for use themselves in a department of the works known as the “starching shed.” A series of large machines are hero at work, and through them the yarn is made successively to pass, issuing finally colored, sized, and dried —that is to say, ready for the loom. When the manufacturing capacity of the establishment is in full exercise from eight to ten tons of linen yarn are used up weekly, in addition to several tons of jute. “ Messrs Brinton and 00. manufacture such varieties os Axminster, Venetian, damask, &c., and the production of ruga of all descriptions constitutes a considerable branch of their business. Their trade is a far reaching one, and is practically only limited by the bounds of civilisation. Although their works are by far tho largest of the kind in Kidderminster, they are even now undergoing extension. The firm, we may mention, are their own builders, and are at present constructing a new range of offices and showrooms, which, when completed, will form a handsome frontage to tho works. About 1500 operatives, male and female, find employment in Messrs Brinton and Oo,'a factories, of whioh tho one

i at Leeds is, by comparison with that under notice, only a email affair. Some thousands of pounds ore paid yearly by. the firm to their designers, whnse artistic efforts are in all cases protected by registration." Noticeable amongst the exhibits of the firm is a largo made-up Brussels carpet with border. This ie a grand carpet of handsome pattern, quiet snd fall of repose. The firm took the gold medal at Paris with a carpet similar in colorings to the one exhibited. An assortment of patterns of Wiltons, &c., are exhibited, and there is also a view of the extensive works of tha firm. The exhibits give to the visitor b very faint idea of the resources of those Kidderminster firms, or of a tithe of the designs that are annually produced by them, Tho local reproaantaiive for these carpet firms ia Mr A J l . White, who has displayed the exhibits to the beet advantage. Messrs Watson and Naylor, of Kidderminster, exhibit five made-up Kidderminster carpets with borders, and a number of bedside slips. The speciality of the made up carpets is their being bordered to match, which gives a finish to the carpet as a whole. Tho firm exhibiting has a special reputation for this class of goods, and judging from the specimens exhibited they will be hard to beat. The next exhibit is from M. Whiltall and 00. Kidderminster. These are Wilton carpets, made up in modern patterns and style with rug to match. One of these, especially a flower pattern, is exceedingly pretty. Mr Pellat f , whose connection with glass and China exhibits have elroady been referred to, also represents a number of Victorie* manufacturers, one o f the moat noticeable beingtho exhibit of Mr Francis Longmore, manufacturing chemist. The case contains all kinds of drugs, essences, perfumes, cordials, &0., tho whole ot which is manufactured at the pharmacy of the exhibitors. The centre of the bay is occupied by an artistically arranged case of perfumery from Mr A. Bates, successor to the firm of A. Desart and Co., London and Paris. The whole of the perfumes exhibited are manufactured in Melbourne, and tho got up and general appearance of tha exhibit is exceedingly creditable. The same exhibitor represents the well known chocolate manufacturer, Menier, ot Paris, and specimens of his manufactures are on view. A very handsome exhibit ot brushwo.re from tho firm of Porteous and Gibaud, of Melbourne, is displayed next to the case occupied by _Mr Bates’ exhibits. The brushware is entirely of colonial production, and comprises every variety, from tho scrubbing brush to the most dainty hair brush for a lady’s toilette table. At the far end of the bay is perhaps one of the most interesting exhibits, as showing how one of our products—viz., flax, can be utilised. Mr John Bobertson, the eminent dyer of Melbourne, has an exhibit of matting from New Zealand flax, and dyed at his works. He also shows specimens of the fibre dyed in different colours. The matting is particularly noticeable from the fact that although manufactured of comparatively coarse material the variours colours come out most brilliantly, and the article, as exhibited, is worthy of a place in any house. On the outside of tie bay are displayed three plaques in majolica. The centre one represents the Prussian coat-of-arms, and the two on either side a lady and cavalier of tha Elizabethan age. These plaques are exceedingly handsome, all the details being worked out in fine relief. No doubt some of our connoisseurs will secure these charming works” of art. In the Victorian Court is also to bo found specimens of glue from the manufactory of P. Walker, Melbourne. The exhibitor has extensive works, and the samples shown are of good manufacture. Mr J. Temper’y, of Melbourne, exhibits a quantity of ornamental and highly decorated filters. Tho water of Christchurch is so good that filters are considerably at a discount, still as ornaments it for nothing else, Mr Temporley’s filters will take high rank. The same exhibitor shows spirit barrels and other articles in majolica ware. Mr Munday, of Geelong, exhibits a quantity of leather belting for machinery and other use, which is very good. L. Hesse and 00. have a fine exhibit of disinfectants, including fluids and carbolic compound. The same exhibitor also has samples of sheep dip These are represented by Mr H. T. Steven son

There was a very good attendance last night, when the Orchestral Society, under the baton of Signor Enrico Serge, performed. This was the musical treat of the whole competition. The pieces selected were the overture to “Li Q-azza Ladra,” and a soleotion from “ La Bemiramide,” introducing solos for clarionet, flute, euphonium, and cornet. The first number was admirably rendered, the time and fullness of tone being excellent. In the second it only needs to mention that the solos were played by Messrs O. Coombs, Clayton, and Rowley. This was a great treat. At the close of the performance, Mr Walton announced that the highest musical award in the contest, which presumably is gold medals to all engaged, had been secured by the Orchestral Society.