المجلّد ١٩٣: ١٨٥٤\٥٥ بلاد فارس؛ عام [ظ‎‎٦‎٦] (١٦٢/١٣٨)

[ 642 j
were unsuitable to the rooms of this country. I may also adduce the numerous imitations of
Indian fabrics in the fashions of the day, and what is still more to the purpose, that from the
&reat admnatiou elicited for Indian manufactures, Messrs. Kisdell aud Ashcombe were induced
to order a quantity of goods of different kinds from India, for sale iu this country, and have
established a depot for the sale of such goods. With regard to the great admiration excited
bv the Indian carpets at the Lixhihition, I may mention that having' lately visited a gentle
man, who has just built-a new house, and had it furnished by Webb, of Bond Street, I saw
ludirin caipet^, apparently of Mirzapore nianufacture, in the dravvinrr rn mrm ; while,Mr.
Williams, the Superintendent of the Sehool HTrlhe Reform of Thugs at Jubbulpore, informs
me that Jlessrs. Watson and Bell, of Bond Street, have agreed to take as many carpets of
Indian patterns as lie can make. This is important, as India does not afford a sufficient
domand for the suppoit of the School as far as the*carpet-makers are concerned.
It is from a consideration of these facts that I entertain no doubt of the advantage to
the Natives of India of their displaying the results of their taste and skill in a fresh field,
especially as it is one where their excellences will be so readily appreciated, and one with
which there are already considerable commercial relations, susceptible of still greater exten
sion, and where also it will be gratifying to the Exhibitors to know that their merits, as he
pi onuses, will be watched over by the Baron Dupin himself, and recognised in a more
liberal spirit than in the Exhibition of 1851.
Assuming it as desirable that India should contribute to the Paris Exhibition, the next
point to consider is, how this can best be effected. The Society of Arts having attempted
to induce Native manufacturers and European merchants in India to contribute on their
own account to the Indian Exhibition which they propose to have held in London during
the past season, it would be useless to rely on a similar plan, as few sent contributions from
India. Hence it would appear incumbent on the Government of India to adopt measures
similar to those jo^successtul Oil the hisr nee.ision. and-wkw4> sppm t.n ho
to the present state of India and its inhabitants.
In adopting such a course it is necessary to consider the expense which must necessarily
be incurred, but this I believe need be much less than would appear credible. From the
experience which I had at the last Exhibition, as well as at the Indian Sale, I am of opinion
that such an Exhibition may be made, nearly, to pay its own expenses. This I say after
having compared the prices at which the several articles were brought and sold, arid the
sum total which was realized after the separation from the collection of the whole of the raw
products, tools, models, and the articles for the Museum, as well as the presents for Her
Majesty. It would be unnecessary to have a fresh collection of raw products, of tools, of
models of shipping, &c., many of which were bulky, aud cost much in freight. A much
smaller space would probably be allotted to India, a less numerous staff would therefore be
sufficient, and the Police or Soldiers would probably be supplied by the French Government,
while the double payment for the Custom House inspection could easily be avoided. Fur-
ther, by confining the selection to such articles as were most admired, and do most credit to
Indian taste and i?kill, as well as by multiplying the smaller articles for which good prices
were realized, and which by their greater number would produce as good an effect as fewer
of the laige and least saleable products, I am of opinion that a sufficient sum could be
realized by a judrcsmi3 sale tu jm y « gitui ji.-uot~Uie vdi«i^^T^lTT(r&rpcnses of strch an
Exhibition. It is not probably necessary to enter into the details of the arrangement, but if
required, I could.prepare such instructions as would bring together a collection such as
would be creditable both to the Government and people of India. It might also be as effective
and moit instinctive, even if moie compact, from our increased experience and greater time
for preparation, and at the same time more directly beneficial to the Native Artists and
Merchants. For in the first place it would be essential for each article sent to be accurately
labelled in India, not only with the name of the article, but also with that of the manufac
turer or merchant from whom it was purchased. This, I believe, would have the
advantage, if at the same time the prices of the goods were made known, that many orders
would be scut diiect to India, and thus be directly beneficial to the producers. I believe.