ABSTRACT
In a manuscript entitled ‘Visit to London & “The Exhibition” June21st 1851’, John Tod, from Lasswade near Edinburgh, recorded his two-week visit to London. He was accompanied by his parents and siblings, and they stayed in lodgings in Ebury Street, Pimlico. As a young skilled artisan who worked in St Leonard’s paper mill, owned by his father, Tod showed considerable interest in the technological innovations prominently displayed in the Crystal Palace. The great topic of conversation of Britain, and throughout a great part of the world in the beginning of the year 1851 was the ‘Great Exhibition of the works of Industry & Art of All nations situated in Hyde Park, London. Every tongue was loud in its expressions of wonder & amazement. Every newspaper had special columns devoted to explaining, praising or detailing, at every public meeting, party, or visit, this was the prevailing theme.
