THE GREAT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 53, 3 July 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE GREAT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

(From the Home News, April 26.) An official announcement towards the close of last month notified the names of the Royal Commissioners appointed by the Queen to represent her Majesty at the opening of the Exhibition, which it was her Majesty’s desire should bear as much as possible the character of a national ceremony. The commissioners are : his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord High Chancellor, the Earl of Derby, K.G., the Lord Chamberlain, and Viscount Palmerston, K.G., G.C.B. For the past month the crush in the building appeared to render the opening of the Ist of may a sheer impossibility. XJp to within a few days all was chaos and confusion. Heaps of packing cases lay about in disorder, choaking up every foot of space, and an amount of work remained to he done which seemed utterly out of the question in so short a space of time. By dint, however, of gigantic efforts, and the issue of stringent regulations by the commissioners, there is now at last a chance that the portion, at least, of the building required for exhibition purposes will bo already in time. The work done by the officials, independently of the exhibitors, is almost incredible. The correspondence is of fabulous extent. More than 20,000 letters have been received applying for employment alone. The proprietor of the English refreshment department has received upwards of 3000 applications from young women seeking to be engaged as waitresses. The sale of season tickets has been enormous ; and demands for more are now pouring in so multitudinously that it has become a matter of some difficulty for the clerks to keep pace with the public. The courts occupied by our colonies exhibit considerable activity. South Australia has contributed a magnificent collection of ores, one block from the mines of Buvra-Burra weighing seven tons. There ore also from the same colony some pieces of malachite far exceeding in size any that Russia can boast. A very fair show of about forty different growths of wine has been supplied too, by South Australia, which flourishing possession of the British Crown had made great way in the culture of that branch of trade, when her enterprise received a check from the gold fever of 1851. It may be of some interest to our readers, by-the-bye, to know as nearly as possible the order in which our colonial exhibitors came on the ground. The first to get all rough work was New Brunswick, and the next in rotation were Prince Edward’s Island, South Australia, Newfoundland Bermuda, the Mauritius, Madagascar, Siam, Liberia, Canada, Nova Scotia, Vancouver’s Island, and Natal. L ancouver’s Island has furnished some splendid stags’ heads and horns, as well as a most beautiful collection of stuffed birds. From New Brunswick are varieties of woods, exquisitely polished. Some of their doors and furniture, in maple, will be a special attraction. The models of bridges, lor which this colonv is famous, of railway trains, and of other works of civilisation and progress will fill a space of 50 feet in length. Natal will supply the largest collection of horns and skins ever sent at onco to this country. The hides will include those of the rhinoceros, the buffalo, the lion, and every kind of goat and antelope to be found in that latitude. The method adopted by Natal for displaying specimens of wood is distinguished by practical good taste. Each variety is by a square pillar some five feet iu height. Its upper half is polished, the base being left rough ; while the whole is surmounted by a pretty glass case, containing the leaves and the fruit or berries of the tree. In panels of the eight portions of pillar charts of the country will be framed. IVc may safely assert that no arrangement could possibly surpass this for perfect simdle adaption of means to effect. Among the contributions from Natal may be noticed also a very curious assortment of Kaffir weapons, robes, implements, and utensils. There is a pillow so ingeniously uncomfortable as to recal the Highland story of a chieftain reproving his son for luxurious notions when the latter rolled a ball of snow to rest his head upon. This Kaffir realisation of comfort and repose consists of a bar of black wood, on a row of tooth-like legs, with a stand at either end for drinking vessels, the one to hold beer and the other some sort of spirits. Three trophies of stuffed birds complete the list of the more noteworthy objects from Natal. The Haytian people send us some domestic furniture of a fashion indescribable by any English standards. A few bales of cotton which they have likewise forwarded will bo of much interest just now. In 1851 the courts for naval and military appliances and weapons of war were but poorly represented. It is a significant commentary on the change which has within 10 short years come over the spirit of nations to find that the classes which comprise naval and military weapons iu this Exhibition will be almost better represented than any other building—that the great trophy of Armstrong, rising from the coils to the finished gun, or the cases which show the first step in the manufacture of the Enfield till the rifle is completed, will be looked upon with more interest than any branch of trade or manufacture which exemplifies material progress and civilisation. England alone has grown from Brown Bess to the Enfield rifle, from long 32’s to rifled 300pounders, from wooden three-deckers to huge, fast, black-looking iron frigates, one of which would be a heavy overmatch for a whole Channel fleet. All the foreign sections will be well represented The French number nearly 4000 exhibitors, onefourth of whom belong to the colonies of the empire. The collection of raw produce is large ; also of wines, vinegar, honey and wax. Germany will be represented through nearly 5000 exhibitors. Austria will make a great display of raw produce. Hungary will hold the first position in the food and vegetable produce classes. The Zollverein is determined to make its mark iu the mining and engineering classes. Holland and Belgium will show through about 1200 exhibitors in most of

the industrial classes. Denmark, Sweden, and Norway promise to do well for the extreme north of Europe through between 1200 and 1300 exhibitors. The collection from Denmark will be spread thinly over about 32 classes, food and furniture standing prominent; Sweden will shine most in a collection of woods and metals, nearly half of its exhibitors (between 200 and 300) being in the raw material section ; and Norway sends a small but interesting collection, in which clothing holds the chief place. Russia is well repsesented iu furs, cereals, and minerals. Italy and Rome will be represented by more than 2000 exhibitors showing almost ovoiyihing with the exception naval architecture, bwitzcrland has between 400 500 exhibitors,, who will show in about 33 classes. The South of Europe is wonderfully well represented by Spain and Portugal in the wine and food class. Greece is represented by about 300 exhibitors, who show chiefly raw produce. Amei ica has got about 5000 sqnure feet of space, and that will be well filled with useful and ingenious aitides. China and Japan together will cover about 1100 feet. The collection from China is chiefly loot taken from tbat country during the last war. The exhibitors number about 23, and a good collection is sent by the Hong Kong commission. Porcelain vases, ivory carvings, pictures, and jewled cups, form the most ornamental part of tbe display ; and a mixed collection of Shanghai products the most useful part. The total of the foreign exhibitors will be between It,ooo and 18,000, and the colonial exhibitors will number at least 17,000 and English industrial exhibitors will be about 5500, and this will give a grand total of upwards of 35,000 exhibitors. This is nearly double the number which filled the Crystal Palace of 1851. * , The orchestra is completed. With the exception of the Ilamlel Festival orchestra at the Crystal Palace, it is the largest ever built in this country, and accommodate upwards of 2000 -performers. Projecting 60ft. under the dome, it extends the whole width thereof to some feet above the level of the gallery. The lower 31 rows will be occupied by instruments, the upper 23 rows bv *^ ! _ onis - There will be 1!)0 violins and violas, 90 violoncellos, and double basses, with about 112 wind instruments, drums, Ac. The chorus will comprise about 500 voices to each of the four parts. A glance at the interior of the building iu its picsent state would not bo an uninteresting prelude to the opening, of which we hope to give an ample account iu our next number. The prospect from any commanding point, such as the orchestra, some of the galleries; or the raised floor under the domes, impresses the spectator with the belief that lie is staiulino- in cathedral which has been made a place oi ivuig:* mr half the goods of the earth. It is not difficult to imagine that outside the building exists a town in a hot state of siege, ana that a!; the valuables and invalnablcs oftno scared inhabitants have h.-on hastily gathered up and crowded into the nave and transepts to bo sa 1 . ed >m the de'troyevs. If you turn in one nireetiuii you get a view of -m enormous broker s shop, w liere picuires, four-post bedsteads, wa>lmig-slanus, clocks, and statues are jammed together in most admired disorder. On one side von see piles oi richly grained woods side bv side wit a bottles ot food samples looking like physic, casks ot tallow ami wine, inlaid tables, and specimens of rough and ready tropnies of colonial produce, one oi w Inch reminds usof the famous greasy pole which wo remember in our childhood. Looking over a gallery in one direction, you sceanuniber of men struggling to build what appears to be a wooden show, very much like the late Mr. Richardsons: in another direction you see an open space filled with packages of all sizes and shapes like a quay on the river-side, or a warehouse in the London Docks : iu another direction you sec a number of men standing knee-deep in drain-pipes, filters, leaden tanks, and earthenware pans, as if they were doctoring a honm whose system was out of order, or you may look down on what appears to bo a bustling town of low-rocfcd shops* placed very close together. Struggling along the crowded passages you pass through or bv a number of little rooms, some filled with the ornamental, others with the useful. A stained glass window looks down, perhaps, on coppers, stoves, and kitchen ranges : or a huge camion, bright, and mounted ready for act ion, is directed lull in the face of mirrors and high-art china. At one end of the building an elaborately carved pulpit, intended for nothing under an archbishop, is placed in such a position over a group oi vases and ceramic works of art, that it looks like an auctioneer’s rostrum ready lor business. Standing under the western dome, and looking through the arches under the northern window of the transept, you see a misty vista of enormous length, filled with giant forms in steel andiron, This is the machinery annexe—a place that would delight the Cyclops. Curiosity is ou the qi;i rive concerning the details of the approaching ceremony. London is filling rapidly. 'lhc streets already exhibit the high pulsation of an overcrowded* capital; and the pressure is beginning to tell upon the hotels and lodging-houses. Of thcf.'ie itself, we may state that the formal portions will take place in the centre of the nave, midway between the English and foreign divisions, where a canopied throne is to be erected on a raised dais of eight steps, the height from tue chair to the velvet roof heinc* more than 40 feet. On either side of the chair of state busts of her Majesty and the late Prince Consort will be placed, but the chair itself, as in fact, the throne for the time, on this occasion will of con* sc, net bo occupied. On the fir-t "jatforni of the raised dais in front of this, and just beneath the canopy and massive velvet curtains, the roval commissioners vim Smnci iu »heir robes of slate. Here the addresses and prayers will be read and from this dais tbe building will be declared opened. From the throne extending to the western entrance a number of military bands will be placed, and troops will be on duty iu the building to mark the line of the procession and add to the general effect of the spectacle. That this effect will be one of the richest and most beautiful possible, those who have seen the interior can easily imagine. Already the rich colors of the exhibitor's stalls fill the building with a glow of tints, and when these become a background, so to speak, to a procession of nearly a thousand persons, all in robes of state, uniform, or court costume, the spectacle

will be really most magnificent, and as much superior in show to the opening ceremonial of 1851 as the present exhibition will be superior to that of Hyde Park. Both before, during, and after the formal opening, the impressive programme of music specially composed for the occasion will be performed in the great orchestra. This huge amphitheatre is already finished and draped, and it seems to fill the east end of the building so appropriately that it is almost a pity that it should only be erected for a single day. The various pieces of music are contributed by Auber, Meyerbeer, Bennett, and Verdi. Eeport already speaks of the musical programme as likely to be one of the finest ot its kind, and from the care and attention which are being bestowed on the most minute details of its rehearsal it is evident that a surpassing effort will be made. The following are the words (by the Poet Laureate) to be sung to Profeseor Bennett’s music at the opening of the International Exhibition— Uplift a thousand voices full and sweet. In this wide hall with earth's invention stored, And praise th’ invisible universal Loan, Who lets once more in peace the nations meet, Where Science, Art, and Labor have outpour’d Their myriad horns of plenty at our feet, i O'. silent father of our Kings to he. Mourn’d in this golden hour of jubilee, Eor this, for all, wo weep our thanks to thee! The world-compelling plan was thine, And, lo i the long laborious miles Of Palace; lo! the giant aisles, Rich in model and design, Harvest-tool and husbandry. Loom and wheel and engin’ry, Secrets of the sullen mine, Steel and gold, and corn and wine, fabric rough, and Fairy line. Sunny tokens of the Line, Polar marvels, and a feast Of wonder, out of West and East, And shapes and hues of Part divine! All of beauty, all of use, That one fair planet can produce. Brought from under every star, Blown from over every main, And mixt, as life is mixt with pain. The works of peace with works of war. 0 ye, the wise who think, the wise who reign. From growing commerce loose her latest chain, And let the fair white-winged peacemaker fly To happy havens under all the sky, And mix the seasons and the golden hours. Till each man And his own in all men’s good. And all men work in noble brotherhood, Breaking their mailed fleets and armed towers. And ruling by obeying nature’s po svers, [all her flowers. And gathering all the fruits of peace, aud crown’d with 1 e regret to find, from a letter addressed by Signor Verdi to the Time s, that the royal commissioners have declined to accept his composition on the ground (which he denies) tiiat there was not time to study it. With reference to the differences between Professor Bennett and Signor Costa, it has been arranged that Professor Bennett’s cantata will be conducted by M. Sainton.