OF THE WORLD'S INDUSTRY.

9

CHAPTER II.

TOYS.

THEIR IMPORTANCE — PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL CHARACTER—AMERICA—AUSTRIA AND

ITS EXHIBITORS—BAYAEIA—BRITISH COLONIES—FRANCE-TOT TRADE IN PARIS —FRANKFORT

-HAMBURG—PRUSSIA—SAXONY—SWITZERLAND—UNITED KINGDOM —VALUE OF TOTS IM-PORTED—WUETEMBERG.

If, as the poet tells us, “ Men are but children of a larger growth,” then we shall need noapology for introducing the subject of “ Toys” to the consideration of our readers;especially when we call to mind the remark of one of the most eminent modern philo-sophers, viz., that “boys* toys are the most philosophical things in the world;” andthat of an equally renowned statesman, who, taking another view of their importance,affirms that they are an index to the character of a nation. Now we beg leave to remark,that it is to the toys of the male sex that the observation of the sage philosopher issolely applicable, inasmuch as they are always directed to the more intellectual qualityof the masculine understanding, or to its bellicose propensities; whereas the toys con-trived for the amusement of the gentler sex are invariably such as minister to the gentleraffections of the heart, to tenderness, to love, and the whole range of domestic virtues.In illustration of the first position, as it is observed in the Report of the Juries, a fewexamples may be cited. A boy’s kite, in the hands of a Franklin and a Romas, has servedto identify lightning with electricity, and convey an instructive lesson on the compositionof mechanical forces. The pea-shooter not only affords evidence of the elastic force ofgases, but also of their economical employment when used expansively. The suckerillustrates the weight, of the atmosphere, and its equal pressure in all directions; and thesling, the hoop, and the top, show the property of centrifugal force : when the topis in rapid motion, it converts for the moment, every spot and bruise on its surfaceinto an elegant zone, and thus also imparts a good lesson in physiological optics. To areflecting mind toys afford ample food for thought, aud they might be made, perhaps,to yield much solid instruction to the child, were it not generally far more wise, for acertain period, at least, to limit its inquiries rather to the discovery of the weakest partsof its plaything. With regard to the assertion, that toys indicate the genius of anation, it is evident that, as the natural tendency of children is to imitate the employ-ments of their elders, they will always take the most interest in such toys as will assistthem in this propensity, and lead them in their sports to do that which they see thosearound them doing in earnest. Hence, in countries which are of a military disposition,flags, drums, trumpets, guns, swords, and the accoutrements of soldiers, are much indemand for the pastime of even the youngest boys. In a maritime nation toy-ships willbe esteemed, and thus the very pastimes of childhood might be made available inpromoting the welfare of such services as the particular state most requires. TheExhibition, therefore, might have afforded an interesting opportunity to statesmen andphilanthropists for studying the diversity of character exemplified by the contributingnations, had they been all as well represented in their toys as they were in their othermanufactures. This, however, was far from being the case, many countries, althoughlargely employed in the manufacture of toys, having nearly or altogether neglected sendingspecimens. America , for instance, was extremely deficient in her contribution of toys.

Austria , on the other hand, was well and copiously represented in the toy-trade.From Vienna there were two exhibitors, one of whom sent a great variety of automaton-

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