English and Foreign.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 495, 1 August 1857, Page 3

English and Foreign.

INAUGURATION OP THE

at?T TREASURES EXHIBITION AT A MANCHESTER.

(From the 'European Times, May 16.) The Great Exhibition of the Art TreaeS of the United Kingdom was formally SUr n ed on Taesday, the sth, at Manchester, *?P d t he inauguration passed off with every *?Mt His Royal Highness Prince Albert eC , ' gu j te left Euston station at half-past 6 fn the morning, and arrived at Cheadle, hich is near the mayor's residence, at half W t eleven o'clock in the forenoon. P The opening of the Exhibition under such distinguished auspices was naturally regarded as a grand event in Manchester, and at twelve o'clock all the mills were stopped, and a general holiday prevailed. Flags were suspended from all the principal luildings and from many private houses ; the fountains before the Infirmary were kept in play; and Stretford-road, with all the other streets which his royal highness was to traverse in his progress to the building, were lined from an early hour with a dense mass of spectators. Many of the trade and benefit societies appeared also to have turned out with their regalia, and a guard of honour, composed of several, companies of the 25th regiment, was drawn up at the entrance of the hall. A] squadron of the 7th dragoon guards, at present stationed in Manchester, get off as an escort to his royal highness, who left Abney Hall at one o'clock in a state carriage, accompanied by the equipages of 1 the nobility and other distinguished guests, and on reaching the boundary of the city, proceeded to the building at a slow pace along Stretford-road. There appeared to be considerable dubiety on the part of the crowd as to which of the carriages contained his royal highness, who was dressed in a fieldraarshaU's uniform, but wherever recognized he was enthusiastically cheered by the crowd. The weather, fortunately, was ail that could have been desired, and the crowd was consequently immense. At 20 minutes past two o'clock the booming of the cannon and the cheers of the multitude announced the arrival of the prince at the palace. The building was thrown open at eleven o'clock, and a continuous stream of carriages for the next three hours poured into the entrance all the rank, beauty, and fashion ot the city and its neighbourhood. Although: the admission was restricted to those holding season tickets only, we should think that at least 6000 persons would be present. The ladies were all fashionably attired, and with such a constellation of beauty, set, as it were, in a framework by the master-pieces of art, which hung upon the walls, our readers must imagine for themselves the splendour and magnificence of the scene. The majority of the visitors were accommodated with seats down each side of the grand hall. They were thus mixed up with the statuary, and the effect was curious, as the heads of the figures were just seen peering over as if they also were interested spectators of the inaugural proceedings. A grand dais had heen erected both at the east and west end of the hall. At the first of these it had been arranged that the Prince should be presented with an address from the corporation; the latter, however, immediately in front of the grand organ, had been fitted up with more elaborate care, and it was here that the interests of the proceedings centred, and the galleries overlooking the spot were thronged to excess. Many gay military uniforms tended to give a lively variety to the crowd below, and here and there a gentleman in court-dress was to be seen flitting ' bout, .looking antiquated and picturesque —we will not say absurd. The mayors of the various towns in the neighbourhood were attired in their official robes, and the corporation of Manchester —the alderman glowing in scarlet, the councillors in purple gowns trimmed with fur—were to be seen drawn UP in a circle at the dais near the eastern entrance to the hall.

His. Royal Highness, on entering the building, was received by the Right Hon. Lord Overstone, president of the general council of the Exhibition; Mr. Fairbairn, the chairman; the members of the executive committee; Mr. J. C. Deane, the general commissioner; and Colonel Hamilton, the Secretary, and conducted in the first instance to the state reception room. ■He did not stay there, however, more than two or three minutes, and then made his appe&rance in the grand hall, accompanied by his suite and a number of distinguished guests. Amongst those recognised were Jw Excellency the Earl of Carlisle, Lordof Ireland, the Right Hon. the ■tarl of Burlington, Lord-Lieutenant of the county; Earl'and Countess Granville, the JJuke of Argyll, the Duke of Newcastle, , ° Marqm 9 of Abercorn, Viscount Torringl°n,the Hon. C. Grey, Lord Cavendish, M.P.,

Lord Wrottesley, the president of the Roya Society; the Earl and Countess of Yarborough, the Earl of Lincoln, Lord Ward, Lord Broughton, Lord Elcho, LordDufferin, Mr. Dallas, the American Minister; General Sir Harry Smith, commandant of the district; many members of Parliament, and a number of leading literary and scientific men. We are informed that Mr. Charles Dickens, amongst others, was present; and there was a host of other celebrites whom we have not time to enumerate.

His Royal Highness having taken his stand iii front of the corporation, bowed his acknowledgements, and after a short pause, James Watts, Esq., the Mayor, addressed to him a few words of congratulation, and then Mr. Heron, the town-clerk, who appeared in court attire, read and presented to him an address.

To the address, his Royal Highness Prince Albert made the following reply :—

Mr. Mayor, Aldermen, and Gentlemen, —I have received with feelings of no ordinarygratification the address which you have presented to me, expressing such kindly feelings towards myself, and professing to represent the good wishes of the vast community which is collected in and around this city. It will, I am sure, be most pleasing to the > Queen to receive, from the expressions contained in the address, a fresh assurance of the loyal interest taken by her people in all that concerns her happiness. I most willingly attend here this day to assist at a ceremony which the inhabitants of Manchester may well witness with pride, as its object is to inaugurate an exhibition collected by the exertion of their enterprise and public spirit, and intended, not for the amusement and gratification of the neighbourhood alone, but for the instruction and improvement of the nation at large.

You justly allude in terms of gratitude to that compi'ehensive and liberal spirit which has adorned the walls of this building with the choicest specimens of art from so many private galleries of the kingdom. It added much to the pleasure with which the Queen and myself have complied with the application for works of art belonging to us when we found this example so generally followed by the possessors of treasures which are in general so reluctantly entrusted by their owners to the care of others.

The Queen will, I am confident, be glad again to visit Manchester, not only to mark by her presence her approval of the object and successful execution of this great undertaking which we have this day to celebrate, but from a recollection of the enthusiastic loyalty exhibited when she had formerly an opportunity of visiting this, great centre of industry.

This part of the ceremony having been concluded, his RO3 al Highness, accompanied by Lord Overstone, the chairman, and members of the executive committee, and those who attended.on him from the mayor's residence, passed in procession up the central hall to the dais prepared for his reception in the transept, when a powerful orchestra which had been engaged, under the leadership of Mr. Charles Halle, struck up the. national anthem with thrilling effect. It was afterwards given vocally, the solo soprano parts being taken by Miss Clara Novello, whose sweet voice was heard distinctly even at the other end of the hall. The other vocalists were Mr. Weiss, Mr. Lockey, Mr. Sims Reeves, &c, and the choruses were powerfully rendered. We may however observe that a state chair or throne had been placed upon the centre of the dais for the use of Prince Albert. It was of beautiful Venetian work, covered with rich crimson velvet, and ornamented with gold and applique work. To the right and left of the chair red banner poles had been placed on standards formed of groups of dolphins in bronze and gold. From these poles hung large Venetian banners. The one to the left passing up the hall had upon it the Queen's arms, and th motto " Dieu et Mon Droit ;" and on the one to the right were emblazoned the arms of Prince Albert, with his motto underneath, " Treu %md Fest." Round the west gallery and at the back of the dais, were suspended national banners of different colours bearing under the arms the names of the most distinguished artists of each country.

When the band had ceased, Lord Overstone stepped forward and presented an address from the general council of the Executive Committee. His Royal Highness made a suitable reply.

An address was then read and presented by Mr. Fairburn, on behalf of the executive committee. His Royal Highuess having replied, The orchestra then performed "The Heavens are Telling," by Haydn ; and the Lord Bishop of Manchester then offered up a beautiful and eloquent prayer, invoking a blessing on the undertaking. A procession was then marshalled, and moved from the transept to the right, entering the gallery of the ancient masters by the western end, and proceeding through it to the door leading to the southern division of the museum of art. It crossed the main hall near to the armoury court, and entered the eastern door

of the gallery of modern painters, and proceeding through that his Royal Highness was again conducted to the dais in the transept. He was repeatedly cheered during his progress, and graciously bowed his acknowledgments on every hand. The cheers however, were not of that vociferous character evoked from a popular assemblage, and it must be confessed that the proceedings throughout were more decoious than enthusiastic. Still everything went off well, and with the utmost eclat. During the progress of the procession, the orchestra performed the march from Athalie, and a selection from the Ode to St. Cecilia, by Mendelssohn. His Royal Highness having taken his place then declared the Exhibition open, when the orchestra with full power burst out into the Hailelujah Chorus, and the state ceremonial closed. Prince Albert next proceeded by himself and suite to take a more leisurely inspection of the paintings, and the temporary barriers were then removed, so as to allow of the free circulation of visitors. Prince Albert left the building about half-past'four o'clock, and proceeded in somewhat similar state to that which marked his arrival, to the Mayor's residence at Abney Hall.

(From the Argus correspondent)

London, May 16,

In the House of Commons last night the premier moved for leave to introduce the Government measure relating to Parliamentary oaths'; which measure contemplated the twofold object of relief to conscientious Christians as well as Jews. One oath is to be substituted for those of allegiance, supremancy, and abjuration ; and the words" On the true faith of a Christian " are proposed to be left out. A vigorous, but ineffectual opposition, led on by Sir F. Thesiger, may be expected on the second reading, which is not to come on until after the Christmastide holidays. With the exception of this debate, and the declaration of Lord Palmer-, ston the other night about Reform, there, is little prospect of this Session being a very animated one. And therefore that attention -which, under other circumstances, would have been concentrated on St. Stephen's, is now diverted to other objects, of which, in all conscience, this metropolis at the present moment presents variety enough. First in importance comes the " Equalization of the Poor Rates " question, regarding which no end of meetings are being held; but, to judge by the reception just given to a deputation who waited upon the President of the Board of Trade on the subject, there is little hope°of any immediate alteration in the existing system. The term " London Improvements " implies much more than is expressed : it implies the pulling down of old houses as well as the erection of new ones ; it means the clearing way of alleys and lanes, and, of course, sending their inhabitants to starve —I was going to say " live "—wherever they can. The under stratum of society, ruthlessly rased from one spot, seeks to lay itself down, not in Tyburnia or Belgravia, but in those'eastern districts which are already ovei-stocked with poor, the consequence is that, as/ improvements " proceed, those parishes which are ablest to contribute poor-rates get gradually eased of their burden, while poor localities are made still poorer by the reception of the westward outcasts. The object of . the " equalization" movement is to make all metropolitan parishes pay alike for the support of the poor. The sad accident, which has happened on Saturday last, in Tottenham Court Road, is drawing attention to an evil incidental in London. A great deal of the brick and mortar of this huge city is mere buildingspeculation. Houses are run up, no matter how, so as they have attractive fronts. Leases are short—money is scarce and dear —and can substantiality be looked for under such conditions? Many of our narrow streets and lanes are networks of props ; and the wonder is, not that three houses in Tottenham Court Road tumbled down about the ears of their occupiers, but that we have not a similar catastrophe every day. " Miles upon miles of street in this great city," says the ' Daily News,' " are the results of building speculation on ninetynine years' leases. If the dwellings of which they are composed outlast the century, they endure beyond the period for which they were originally constructed." If our social grievances are sufficiently numerous to engage the attention of every grade of the social reforming class, that larger, if less useful portion of the community, the [pleasure seekers, have a bill of fare of vanity to satisfy the most fastidious. The crystal Palace, with its oratorios, its natural beauties, and its fountains, grows in attractiveness. The theatres are in full swing. By the way, the Princess's narrowly escaped destruction by fire the other night. Grisi, Marai, Didee, Alboni, Mario, continue to administer to the tastes of the musical;

whilst the lovers of fun and frolic are nightly entertained by Albert Smith, Woodin, and Miss Horton. The Surrey Gardens were opened on Monday evening with the oratorio of "Elijah," and the attendance not only was large in the hall, but the grounds were crowded, showing the improved tastes of the public. This favoured resort used to be noted for its fireworks—its musical attractions can now fill its grounds. The art season too is in full bloom. The Manchester Exhibition is elsewhere alluded to. In London, the Royal Academy, the National Institution, Exhibition of Water Colors, and an Exhibition of French Paint- ! ings are particularly rich in specimens of the genius of most of the living artists. Westminster Hall presents a sumptuous treat to the student of architecture. Government having invited designs for their new offices, the invitation was responded to by more than 200 contributors, who have sent in upwards of 600 designs ; and these, illustrated with numerous drawings, are now open to public inspection in Westminister Hall. Where all are so beautiful and meritorious, the judges will have a difficult and delicate duty to perform in the selection of the most appropriate. The new Library of the British Museum is also a worthy object of attraction, regarding the dome of which a critic says, " except the Pantheon in Rome, there is uothiug like it in Eurcpe. "

In literature and lectures the supply is abundant. In the latter, Sir E. Rawlinson has been enlightening the Geographical Society in the geography and military resources and capabilities of Persia; and Mr. Russell, the limes Special Correspondent during the Crimean War, has just given two of his long expected " Personal Narratives," the third of which is to be delivered to night. Willis's Rooms were filled with all the literary celebrities and the rank and fashion of London, to listen to the celebrated writer. In his new sphere Mr. Russell promises to be as successful as he was in describing in the columns of the " leading journal " the victories, the sufferings and the deaths of our noble army in the East. It is said—but with what truth I cannot tell—that he has entered into a contract with Mr. Beale, the caterer for the 'public in such matters, to deliver trade lectures at any time and place suggested by the contractor, for a term of three years, and to receive in return the handsome sum of £10,000. The ' Literary Gazette' and other publications have given currency to this report; its truthfulness is doubtful.

As Government have. resolved to allow the taking.~up of public and private bills at the stages at which the dissolution left them, the session, although short, will not necessarily be unproductive. The confidence of the reform of the Ecclesiastical Courts in the House of Lords will therefore be proceeded with; and in the Commons, the committees on the bank charter, as well as the Hudson's Bay Company charter, will resume their sittings. Sir George Grey is going on with the Transportation Bill, the provisions of which were noticed in a former letter. Lord Robert Grosvenor and Mr. Locks King persist in nibbling at reform; but there is evidently a disposition to let the matter alone until it comes to us, as promised, as a comprehensive whole, fresh from the hands of the Prime Mimister next session.

A petition was presented to parliament last night from Mr. Montgomery Martin, urging that the New Reform Bill would make provision for the representation of the colonies in the Imperial Parliament. Twenty colonial representatives were proposed—five for Canada, five for New South Wales, three for the West Indies, three for the Cape, and four the Mediterranean and Channel Islands.

From France we learn that the Grand Duke Constantine is tired of his hosts, and they of their guest; officially he quitted Paris a day or two ago, but really he is still there, going about strictly incognito. The Neufchatel affair remains unsettled. Several papers have been " warned," having dared to express some opinions of their own on an important matter.

A conspiracy in which the King is implicated is said to have been discovered in Spain. The plan was to get the Queen to abdicate. Documents in the King's handwriting are in possession of the Executive, which would substantiate a charge of high treason; but it is not intended to proceed to extremities.

The triumph of the .British in capturing Mohammerah, a frontier town between Persia and Turkey, promises to he but a barren success, for immediately after the event Sir James Outram received news that a treaty of peace had been signed at Paris. Until the treaty is ratified he cannot remove his troops from that position, which is said to be dreadfully unhealthy. Two mournful tragedies are reported from the scene of

action, the suicide of Brigadier Stalker, and of Commodore Etheridge. The act of the former is attributed to disappointment, in not being entrusted with the command of the expedition; there |is no cause assigned to that of the latter.

The Empress of Russia gave birth to a son on Monday last,.

The French Legislative Session has been prorogued a few days.

The King of Sweden has decided on abdicating-.