The Vienna Exhibition will probably be a great success, perhaps
the greatest of the series of all the world-shows, some time before it closes. As yet it can hardly be said to be other than a rough sketch of such projected success ; and it was opened under circumstances that would be accounted enough to constitute failure at Paris or London. Amid wet and gloomy weather, the Emperor inaugurated its almost empty courts, while a cab-strike ruled the streets, and the hotel tariffs were such as only the new rich can endure. But in Austria people take disasters with the utmost good-humour. Solferino and Sadowa were for- gotten almost as soon as fought ; and the unprepared condi- tion of the Exhibition when it opened seems to have been generally taken only as giving an ample opportunity for admiring in detail the magnificence and beauty of the Exhibition Palace. The latest letters give proof that the work of unpacking and arrang- ing is going on with commendable rapidity ; and the products of the Austrian possessions, a very magnificent display, are probably now fully disposed. Germany and France are said to be much behind-hand ; and of all foreigners, the Japanese to be the most advanced in their arrangements. How soon shall we hear that the _Mikado has invited the world to an International Exhibition at Nagasaki ?
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