that, ever since the time of Charles IX., when the Navigation Laws were first imposed, France has had to depend, frequently, to its serious loss, on the ships of foreign nations for supplying its population with, not merely the luxuries, but the actual necessaries of life: the restrictive system, therefore, though remaining so long in force and apparent vigour, has ever exhibited a gradual tendency to decline, and, by slow degrees, has been worn away by the current of events flowing towards Free-trade.
English Exhibition of 1851. It was not, however, until the year 1851 that the eyes of the people of France really began to be opened to the advantages to be derived from a policy of commercial freedom. In that year, the people of Great Britain had reared in one of the beautiful parks, by which their capital is adorned, an elegant structure. The idea, originating with the Society of Arts, was readily adopted by the Prince Consort of our beloved Queen.[1] Perhaps no grander and
- ↑ This Exhibition was followed by a similar one in Paris in 1855, and, when the Emperor Napoleon came to visit the Queen just before it was opened the merchants of London presented him with an address. The late Mr. Samuel Gurney was one of the deputation. After shaking hands with those of its members whom he knew, the Emperor remarked to Mr. Gurney that it was a long time since they had met. "Yes, Sire," said the fine old Quaker with one of his blandest smiles, "it is a long time, and there have been many changes since then;" having, evidently, in his mind at the time, the means, whereby his Majesty had risen to power, and the Crimean war. "I hope," continued the Emperor, "you will visit our Exhibition next year, and that you will allow me the pleasure of seeing you there." "It is my intention, Sire," replied Mr. Gurney, "to visit thy great Peace Demonstration, and, should I do so, I shall not fail as thou wishest to pay my respects to thee." The Emperor was, doubtless, pleased with the ready manner in which his old Quaker friend had construed his Exhibition into a demonstration of peace, and, especially, peace with England, which, at that time, and, as I believe throughout the whole of his reign, he was most anxious to maintain.
