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gilt, the handle enriched with enamels; an engraved glass butter-dish and cover, with plated stand-Greek; pair of fish carvers, beaded handles; spoons and forks, Princess and other patterns, dessert, butter, and fish table knives; engraved waiters, various designs, &c. All these articles are grouped together with considerable taste, and, in the comparatively small space allotted them, the Messrs. Prime make a most rich and varied display

Mr. Thomas, of New Bond Street, exhibits many beauti

ful and highly.

finished speci

mens of the
silversmith's
art. His at-
tention has evi-
dently been
directed to the
production of
such articles

as would be re-
quired in daily
use. There
are also several
specimens of
repoussé work,
which deserve
notice on ac-
count of the
general bold-
ness of style
and vigour of
execution.
The Bradgate
Park Testimo-
nial, a large
rosewater dish
or sideboard
shield, the re-
sult of a penny
subscription,
subscribed for
by the poorer
inhabitants of
Leicester, and
presented to
the Earl of
Stamford and
Warrington, is
of a most ela-
borate charac-
ter, and is a
fine example of
chasing. Th
small, but
prettily ar-
ranged, case of
this exhibitor
contains nu-
merous pieces
of plate, ably
modelled, and
of a very high
order of merit;

many
admir-
ably adaptel

yachting, volunteer, and other presentation prizes. Mr. J. A. Wheatley, of Carlisle, shows specimens of Cumberland lead, lead ore, Cumberland silver, jewellery, and a pretty design, known as the Cambrian cup. The body of the cup is composed of white glass of the form of a Roman urn, with Cumberland silver mounts, standing on an ebony plateau, designed to symbolise the peculiar features of Cumberland scenery. The same exhibitor also shows a paper-cutter, designed in the form of a Roman sword, ornamented with scroll work, and bearing on one side the words "Murus Severi," and on the other "Luguvallium," the name borne by the city of Carlisle when a Roman station; a vinaigrette, the lid bearing a crown in frosted silver, surrounded by a wreath of thistles and roses entwined; a miniature portrait of Napoleon I. in water colours, by Colanton, representing the emperor in his coronation robes, and mounted in a splendid wreath of diamonds (the portrait is original, and was painted for the mother of Napoleon, and by her bequeathed to one of the old nobility of France); together with a few fine specimens of goldsmiths' work in gold; gem and enamelled brooches, bracelets, and gem and signet rings of new designs, manufactured by eminent London firms; and scarf pins, with a new safety guard, the invention of the exhibitor, suitable to sporting or valuable gem pins, being a security against loss, and very simple in operation.

Mr. B. Lee, of Rathbone Place, shows several suits of ladies' jewels, of new and elegant designs; ladies' brooches, bracelets, eardrops, rings, necklaces, chatelaines, necklets,crosses, lockets, pencil-cases, book-markers, charms, and riding-whips; gentlemen's Albert guards and keys, guard chains, pins, rings and studs. Miniature and device brooches. A choice collection of designs and specimens of hair devices for brooches and bracelets. A large bouquet of 80 flowers, formed of delicate shades of hair, and other novelties in the art of hair-working.

Messrs. Attenborough, of Piccadilly; Barker, of Birmingham; Jamieson, of Aberdeen, Lambert, of Coventry; Johnson, of Dublin; Payne, of Bath; and Wilkinson, of Sheffield, also show various capitallydesigned objects, in silver and electro-plate, besides many British and foreign jewels. In fact, the workers in the precious metals all display, variety, richness, and taste, far in advance of the show made at any previous exhibition.

THE CAIRO JEWELLERY.

In

THE portion of the Egyptian Court which will excite most interest is the contributions from the Cairo Museum. The Viceroy, among his other titles to distinction, has the credit of being the first Mussulman sovereign who has formed a museum. Instead of destroying the monuments of antiquity, he has done all in his power to preserve them; and, under the care of the accomplished director, M. Auguste Mariette, who acts as his chief commissioner here, a collection is rapidly being formed at Cairo, which, though now only two or three years old, is, in some respects, already superior to any of the European museums. one of the cases in this Court is exhibited a collection of ancient Egyptian jewellery, of extraordinary rarity, all the results of researches carried on by M. Mariette, at Thebes, and, with one or two exceptions, all forming part of the funeral ornaments of Queen Aah-Hoteh, the mother of Amosis, the first king of the eighteenth dynasty. Without going deeper into the mysteries of Egyptian chronology, we may say that her Majesty lived about 1900 B.C., or five hundred years before the time of Moses, which will bring her somewhere about the time of Joseph. Visitors should bear this in mind, when they remark the beautiful finish of the workmanship, and the still brilliant colours of the stones with which they are ornamented. The savans are sure to cluster round this case, and to examine every ornament minutely; but, for the general public, it is sufficient to specify some of the principal objects. In the front of the case is a poniard, the blade of which is elaborately chased with figures representing the fight of a lion and a bull, and close by the hilt is the cartouche, or private seal of King Amosis. Behind is a diadem, of massive gold, in the front of which is a box, with the cartouche graven on it, supported by two exquisitely carved sphynxes. The posterior portion is set with

coloured stones, lapis lazuli, cornelian, and turquoise, and it bas a peculiar tongue rising above the head, which served to divide the hair of the wearer. A hatchet-the symbol of divinity-has on the blade a curious representation of Amosis sacrificing a barbarian captive, and on the handle a complete genealogy of his Majesty. A massive gold chain, pretty nearly a yard long, is suspended to a scarabæus of marvellous workmanship, and near it is a collar of equal beauty, with three large golden bees suspended from it. The most curious article is a golden boat mounted on four wheels, with twelve oarsmen in silver, and a figure in gold seated in the midst, probably an effigy of the dead queen. This is supposed to symbolise the voyage of the soul after death, and may be regarded as another proof of the belief of the Egyptians in the immortality of the soul. The most elaborate of all the ornaments is a pectoral, or brooch, which represents King Amosis between two divinities, who are pouring over him the water of purification. Both sides of this ornament are beautifully finished-one side in gold, the other in coloured stones. There are a profusion of other ornaments-bracelets, rings, necklaces-in gold of excellent quality, all of which were found on her Majesty's person, and all of them, it is conjectured, made specially for her adornment in the coffin. The two great earrings are of a later date, and bear the cartouche of Rameses, of the twentieth dynasty. On the other side of the court is a case which contains a complete pantheon of the Egyptian deities, among which a beautiful figure of Isis is, perhaps, the rarest and most beautiful. A small figure of an Egyptian demon, about the size of one's little finger, in blue enamel, is unique, and a great price has already been offered for it by the director of the Museum of the Louvre. The figures of the hippopotamus and the little head below are remarkable for the beautiful shade of blue-the real bleu d'Egypte, which modern manufacturers have in vain attempted to reproduce. It has generally been believed that the Egyptians had no knowledge of the art of enamelling; but this theory is destroyed by these specimens, as well as by a votive vase found in the tomb of Amenophis (the Greek Memnon), which is ornamented with small plaques of various coloured enamels. The most curious object in the case is a sort of model mummy case. By the side of the body sits the soul, and on the side of the coffin are inscribed prayers supposed to be addressed to the body by the soul, beseeching it to remain undisturbed until the day of resurrection, when the two will be found together again. We have mentioned these articles because, though they are perhaps not altogether within the scope of the Exhibition, they are unique of their kind, and are certain to excite great admiration among all persons who take an interest in these subjects. Over this very complete illustration of ancient and modern Egypt is fitly placed a fine portrait of Mehemet Ali, the energetic founder of the modern prosperity of the country.

THE MANUFACTURE OF THE ARMSTRONG GUN. THOSE who visited the Exhibition of 1851 will probably remember a few military rifles exhibited by the skilful gunmakers of France, These arms bore names then new and strange to English ears, such as "Carabine à tige," "Carabine Militaire Système Minié," and attracted very little attention except from those who were aware that they were precursors of a revolution in the science of projectiles, which must of necessity soon extend from small arms to artillery. From the moment that it became evident that the Minié and the Enfield in skilful hands could silence field guns, efforts were made by mechanics and artillerists both in this and other countries to introduce such improvements in the construction of ordnance as should restore to this arm its superiority of range. The accomplishment of this object was only to be effected by pursuing the same course in regard to artillery which had been so successful with the infantry. The introduction of the principle of rifling in ordnance, to throw a much heavier shot from the same calibre of gun, at once solved the problem; but the extra strain of the elongated projectile, over and above that of the round shot, involved the necessity of immensely increased strength, greater than could be obtained in cast-iron guns,

however well fabricated. This led to the employment of wrought-iron and steel, and to vastly improved modes of manufacture, all of which are fully represented. The most prominent object, and at the same time one of the most interesting, is the War Department trophy, erected in the centre of the court, illustrating the manufacture of the famous Armstrong gun. In this fine series of specimens from the royal gun factories at Woolwich is shown the embryo Armstrong gun, first in the shape of a bar of exceeding tough compound iron, coiled round a mandril, and forming an open tube, some foot or foot and a half in length. It is then heated, and by repeated blows of a heavy steam hammer, welded into a perfectly homogeneous mass. The next process is that of boring it out to the required calibre of the gun intended to be made. A number of these cylindrical sections are then joined lengthwise to get the required length for the gun, by cutting a right angle groove on the outer edge of one section, and on the inner edge of another, fitting these two grooves to each other, heating and welding them into one length. When completed, this tube forms the inner core of the gun, being of the same thickness from end to end.

To give the additional strength at the breech, larger sections, of similar construction, are shrunk on, at a low red heat, to this inner core, until the required thickness is attained. The visitor will see that, by turning the screw-handle at the breech, and removing the vent piece, which slips into a slot cut to receive it, in rear of the trunnions, the gun is an open tube from end to end. The cartridge is inserted into the rear aperture, pushed forward by a rammer clear of the spot occupied by the vent piece, the vent piece is dropped into its place, the handle turned to secure it, and the gun is ready to be discharged. All the guns are rifled with a number of fine rectangular grooves. A number of beautifully-finished 9-pounder and 12-pounder Armstrongs, with several of larger calibre, are exhibited as forming part of the trophy. Forming part of the War Office exhibition, the visitor will find Armstrong guns of various calibre, from the 100pounder naval or siege gun, down to the delicate looking little weapons which a strong man would find no difficulty in putting on his shoulder and carrying off, intended for mountain warfare, and to be transported on pack-saddles.

NEW OBJECTS IN THE EXHIBITION.-There has been lately added to the Minton collection a fine memorial vase, presented by Her Majesty to the Princess Alice on her marriage with Prince Louis of Hesse. This work of art, which is of the most delicate material and workmanship, bears portraits of the Queen and the late Prince Consort on either side. Its prevailing colour is the famous gros bleu; and the medallions are in the style of the Limoges enamels. Several productions have been added to the collection within the past few days. Among these were a pair of exquisite vases, which exhibit the most finished skill on the part of the painter. They are of lilac tint, and the encircling groups of figures are of the same hue, painted so as to resemble the Antwerp bas-reliefs. Another object is a majolica plateau, of antique design, the subject of which is "Cupid stealing the thunders of Jove." Blended with the vigour and breadth of this peculiar kind of fictile art, the painting of the plateau possesses the quality of high finish and a remarkable brilliancy of colour.

WHILE speaking of additions to the Exhibition, we should not omit to mention a specimen of Zostera Marina, the substitute for cotton discovered by Mr. Harben, and exhibited by Messrs. Harben and Mountcastle. This interesting object will be found near the spinning machinery in the Western Annexe. In the same locality, but more removed towards the far end of the building, are placed the American flax and fibre machines of Messrs. Sanford and Mallory. The invention thus exemplified is noticeable for simplicity, cheapness, economy of labour, portability, and excellence of production. The weight is scarcely above five hundred weight, and with the aid of one machine about 130lbs. of perfectly clean fibre may be produced by two persons in a day. A serious want is supplied by Messrs. Sanford and Mallory's machine, and its value will be especially recognised in India, and all climates yielding plants of the agave, aloe, plantain, yucca, and pineapple families.

MACHINERY AND HAND-LABOUR.-The Saturday Review says: "All that is to be seen at Brompton is a vast and ingenious system of joinery. Scarcely anything is made on the spot. There is absolutely not one solitary fragment of work-wood, iron, or glass, which is not executed by machinery. It would be perhaps difficult to point out one single square-inch of work which is due to skilled manual labour. The iron is all cast, the bricks are all machine-made, the wood is all machine-planed; the very capitals of the vast columns, the one and only feature in which ornament has been attempted, are all run in plaster moulds. The glass is all cast. All that man has to do is to screw and nail, and tie and mortice and cement ready-made materials together. It is the tendency of modern work to destroy skilled labour

which requires anything more than mechanical precision. It absorbs the man in the machine. The more the workman is brought down to the level of a piece of unerring and irresponsible machinery, incapable of praise or blame, the better he is fitted for our present great building works. No doubt this is the cause why this vast structure is probably the least satisfactory which has emanated from human skill."

THE AMERICAN REAPING MACHINE.—We have already alluded to the contents of the American court, which, although not very numerous, include several of those novel and ingenious inventions for which Brother Jonathan is remarkable. The court is, in fact, in a very similar situation to the American Court in 1851, being very sparingly but very curiously furnished. The great American "lion" of that exhibition year was M'Cormick's reaping machine, then as great a novelty as the cow-milker is now, but which since then has established itself completely as a most valuable agricultural invention. The inventor now comes to us again with an improved reaper, which he claims to be as great an improvement on his first invention as the first was on the methods of harvesting known to preceding generations. Former reaping machines had either required the labour of extra men to deliver the corn in sheaves, or had laid it in a continuous swathe. Mr. M'Cormick's invention in his present machine consists of a light revolving fan of four arms, one of which, by means of a wheel revolving in a "cam," picks up the corn with a delicacy and ease bordering on human intelligence, and deposits it in sheaves by the side of the machine, and outside of the track to be traversed by the horses in the next round. Nothing is left to be done but for the binders to follow and bind up the corn, without the aid of a rake. At the trial of reaping machines at the late meeting of the North Lancashire Agricultural Society, there were nineteen entries of reapers, and of these eight or rine entered the field. After a very few rounds the opinions of the judges were unanimously expressed that Mr. M'Cormick's machine was superior to all others on the ground; and to it was awarded the first prize of £15 and the society's medal.

MODEL OF THE EXCHANGE. In the Eastern Annexe will be found a remarkable contribution by Messrs. Fauntleroy and Co., of Bunhill Row. It is a model of the west front of the Royal Exchange, composed of various specimens of hard and other woods to the number of 434, together with the cowgo nut, or vegetable ivory, and the coquilla, cohoan, and betel nuts. The model is designed and arranged by Mr. T. D. Roch, and the execution is due to Josiah Bennett, cabinet maker. A classified list of the various woods employed in the production of this model, together with a map or plan, is appended, in which each piece is numbered for reference. A very com

petent acquaintance with the fancy wood trade may be acquired by an examination of this curious and valuable model, in which each piece is numbered for reference.

NEW PENTOGRAPH.-In the Berlin Court of the Zollverein M.

Wagner exhibits an engraving pentograph applied to the production of those curious bas-relief engravings with which the public have lately become familiar. M. Perreaux exhibits his straight line dividing instruments, such as are used at Kew and by all the leading philoso

CENTRE PIECES FOR EPERGNE.

MESSRS. E. AND E. EMANUEL.

phical instrument makers. He also shows a novelty since 1851-a spherometer, for measuring the curves of object glasses. This instrument is of such extreme delicacy that, when adjusted to zero, even placing the hand on the ground glass plane beneath, from which the slender index works, is sufficient to deflect it instantly.

ODD CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EXHIBITION.-Julia Pastrana's embalmed body having been declined by the Commissioners, they have not excluded a pig "preserved whole." A gentleman who proposed to display his feats with a flying machine, under the hollows of the domes, has been warned off; but if he imitates other persistent enthusiasts, the ladies may be astounded some fine morning, by his appearance in mid-air. Among other odd things that were offered, was a patent moustache guard, to enable soup-eaters to dine. A poetical catalogue of the whole Exhibition was proposed by a French gentleman, who intended to work up the reports, decisions, and minutes of the Commissioners into an epic poem !

FRENCH CALCULATING MACHINE. -In the gallery of the French department, on the left, as the visitor goes towards the west dome, he will find the calculating machine of M. Thomas the Babbage of France. Unlike the elaborate instrument we have produced, it is so small as to fit in

a compass not greater than that of a good musical snuff-box. Yet, by simply winding a handle, 18 seconds suffice to multiply 8 figures by 8. To divide 16 figures by 8 figures, only 24 seconds are required, and a square root

of 16 figures is obtained within a minute. And all this is done by machinery!

GLASS PHOTOGRAPHS.-F. Joubert exhibits, in the French Court, a series of very beautiful pictures burnt in on glass, a marvellous adaptation of the photographic art in an absolutely new direction; and here perfect permanency is obtained, at least so long as the glass will last. By a pure photographic process he produces on the glass, in ceramic colours, a picture, which by exposure to heat in the furnace becomes burnt in like any other picture on glass or china. By an artistic manipulation he has produced effects in several colours, and a cheap and artistic ornamentation of our windows is brought within the means of the many.