Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Manufactories, Mining, Industry, Archaeology, Discovery, Cultural Geography, Education, Morality, Utilitarianism, Commerce

Institutions mentioned:

Exposition Universelle (1867), Paris

    Describes the triumphant opening of the new dockyard at Barrow-in-Furness. Refers to the town as 'A Barrow out of which they are tipping 600,000 tons of iron every year. A Barrow, big enough to hold a Monster-Iron-Mining-and-Smelting Company'. Proceeds to note the excitement caused at another barrow—the archaeological finds of William Greenwell 'in the North'. Also explains that the 'master-spirit' of the iron company of the dockyard is Henry W Schneider, who was ejected from his parliamentary seat for bribery but now has an opportunity to 'repair' his mistake. Notes that Schneider has the same name as the 'heart and head of the admirably-conducted firm [founded by Joseph E Schneider] which has made the iron manufacturing district of Le Creusot, a model as yet to be imitated among the great English industries of the same kind'. Presents a correspondent's account (reprinted from PU1/52/2/6) praising the lifestyles of the inhabitants of Le Creusot, a 'manufactory that has grown into a town'. Concludes by suggesting that the English Schneider could restore his reputation by making 'Barrow-in-Furness the Le Creusot of England', in morals, manners, civilisation, education, domestic culture and culture, as well as in industry and money-making'.