Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Commerce, Government, Machinery, Invention

People mentioned:

William Fairbairn

    Praising Henry Cole, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Art, as a 'potent soul' who has 'spread Fowke's design' and stretched his 'royal sway' from 'Boilers to Dish-covers', urges Cole to consider Punch's criticisms of the International Exhibition. Considers the need to clear the exhibition of its artefacts and wonders who will bear the cost of 'clearing this rubbish away'—the 'Commission who bade this Trade to build, or the Trade who but built as bid'. Goes on to the 'matter of Toll', specifically the high cost of the 'flimsy' exhibition catalogue and unsatisfactory refreshments, and warns Cole that 'this grabbing at fees, from tradespeople and contractors, / Is what Punch has lashed play-managers for, and other vulgar extractors'. Informs him that if 'printers, purveyors, and all that tribe, must tip the Commission a fee' then he should 'drop a hint to Charles W Dilke', one of the commissioners for the exhibition.