ENGLISH EXTRACTS. OPENING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION. (From the "Illustrated London News," May 3.)

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 562, 3 September 1851, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS. OPENING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION. (From the "Illustrated London News," May 3.)

At length the great event to which the whole civilised world has been for the la*-t eighteen months looking forwaid with mingled interest and curiosity — the opening of the Great Congress of Industry— has been accoin* phshed and witli a pomp of orcum stance and a solemnity of observance commensutale with the important social interests which, in its future results, it so deeply involves. On Thursday, the Ist of May— the clay fixed upon from the very outset of the put pose— the Crystal Palace of industry, in Uyde-Paik, was inaugurated by the Queen, accompanied by Prince Albeit, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and many other blanches of the Royal family, besides several foreign Princes, who had come over expressly to assist in the imposing ceremony. Further in order to give mci cased importance to the occasion, to stamp it with the solemn adhesion of her Majesty's political advisers, the officers of State, both of the Government, and of the household, attended upon her Majesty, forming a magnificent and glittering cortege. Many an anxious doubt, many a weak misgiving which had at limes been suffered to encroach upon the minds of the most zealous piomoteis and friends of thisgrcat undertaking, are now happily dispelled ; the fondest aspirations of those who h.ivc worked unceasingly in biinging it to bear have been realized, and moie 'ban i Utilized; for confident we aie that the most glowing anticipations of successful and splendid result which the most enthusiastic labourer in this gieat industrial field could have indulged in, have been surpassed by the glorious and gratifying reality of Thuisday'h graceful pageant. In the fust place, spite of all predictions to the con* trary— spite of the faint-hearted foreboding of " imposibility" which the wild confusion the in.ciioroi the Building presented during the last few days would almost have excused, if not justified — spite ol unfriendly elements, and of home unpunctual contributors, the Building was ready, and furnished forth with the world's wares in time At two o'clock on Wednesday, according to notice duly given, the intciior of the Cryslil Palace was cleaiedof exhibitoisand their assistants, and of the favou'ed loungers who had pi enviously been permitted to watch the proceedings in the busy hive, two companies of the Gienadier Guards, unarmed, assisting the police, quickly and ouieily swept the avenue of nil poisons not immediately engaged upon the construction and arrangements of the Building, and then the preparations lor the " opening day,'' which had been previously partially commenced, weie set about with an earnest and undivided zeal which defied denial. What their air.uigemcnts were, and their effect, will be picscntly described, when we come to recoid the proceedings attending the Royal ceicmony. Never dawned a brighter morn than on this evermemorable " May-day ;" the sky clear and blue, the sun coining forth m undimmed splendour, the air crisp, cool, yet genial, as a poet's spiing morn should be. London, with her countless thousands, was early afoot ; by six o'clock, the hour fixed for opening the park-irates, streams of carnages, all filled with gailyultired company, came pouring in from all parts ol the metropolis and the surrounding distiicts, while whole masses of pedestrians matched in mighty phalanx towaids the scene of action, All St. James s Park, all the way up i onstitution Hill, all the way along Knightsbndge and Rotten-row, was one sea of heads, whose owners were all intent upon one object — to catcfi a glimpse of her Majesty and splendid suite on licr way to the Palace of Industiy. The line of route was kept by the Uorse Guards and the police, who, we are glad to add, appeared to ha\e experienced little difficulty in preserving oider, whilst they interfered as lit. tleas possible with the pleasurable enjoyment and freedom of action ol the multitude — so fully did all appear animated with the one desire to signalize this truly popular ceremonial wiih generous and kindly feeling and a respect foi the rights and duties of one another. One fact alone will seive to exemplify and justify this statement which we make with unfeigned satisfaction, namely, that at the time when the pi occasion was awaited, amidst the usual excitement attendant upon such events the weaker sex were allowed to remain hi front of " the line," the men, who behaved like men, generally conceding to them the best places. The only houses fiom which a sight could he got of the piocession were those in Grosvernor-placC and at Hyde Paik Corner; and these were crowded with well dressed persons, chiefly ladies, even to the very roofs. The roof of Apsley [louse svas fully tenanted after this fashion, so was also that of the park keeper's lodge ; and at this point, when the piocussion emerged from the triumphal arch at the top of Consti-tutional-hill, tfie cheering, which had been enthusiastic all along the line, rose into a shout which almost rent the air ; whilst lints arid handkerchiefs were waved from every hand. The windows of the new front of Buckingham Palace were also filled with eager spectators of this portion of the day's proceedings, consisting chiefly of peisons attached to the Royal household ; the centre balcony being occupied by the younger Princes and Princesses, attended by several laities. Piechely at eleven o'clock the Horse Guard- commenced widening tne path for the procession • mid at half past i-levrn, the l»and of the legiment pl-'ying " God save the Queen'" the Royal cmtegc het foith, in picsencc of a vast multitude, mho checied with umuistakeable heaitiness — a giccting which her Majesty and her Royal coti&ott acknowledged by repeatedly bowmg, smiling all the while with undisguised satisfaction. The Royal procession consisted of eight oiniigesi the coachmen and footmen all in then state livctiesit whs, however, in its oider, in many respects dilhTent from the state processions with which we aie all familiar on the occasions ol opening or proroguing a session of Pailiament, We saw none ol the Gentlemen Ushcis, none of the Kxons and Yeomen ol the Guard. There were trmupcleri! but we did riot hear their tiutupets. And as the most impoitaut distinction, the cauiages, even that of her Majesty, wetc drawn by » pair ol horses each. Her Majesty's carnage was jioj, the large uncomjoi fable-looking "glass coach," hut a " dress can i age;" sufficiently open, however, to enable most of her subjects to sec her to advantage. The occupants ol the other can i-igcs were the Louis and Ladies in Waiting, the Louis of the lions- bold, the Maids of Honour, with some of the ladies of the suite of the Princess of Prussia. The caniages were driven^t a rather smatt trot

along llii' i onto, and thus curiosity wa<- not bo perfectly satisfied .>s at ntliei hpscs, when Royalty m state pie* sents ltsclt in public. At i quarter to twelve o'clock flic Royal piorcssion readied the noithcm enhance ol tlie Ctystal Palace, lite baud sl.itiniud (lieie stnking up "God save the Queen,' 1 v'ukt ;i sa!\tU> was fired t ruin a li.ittety j>re jnviett on (!>c noilh i r luithcr sido o( the Serpentine, the nun ti.'l noise ol winch, however, was (downed in th' v nioie hcai Mnspii ing acclatnati"!is ot thousniiils of Queen Victoria's peaceful and peace-loving subic-cts. At the moment her Majesty cuteied the building of the Exhibition the Ko)'al staudaid was displayed liom a sUIF oiected at the top ol the extieme end of the northern tiansept, which floated piondly above the hunched and one Hans, of all nations, with which the exterior of the IWuhhns; had from an eaily hour in the morning been cheesed. l'>clore closing our account of the out-of-doors proceedings of tlio daj', -we should sta'e that at eight o'docU iru>-t of the metropolitan (lunches sent foi th a nieny jhml ; the union jack being at the same time hoisted fioin their steeples. 'Ihioughout the day the parks and the lines of tboioughfaie presented a scene of indescribable animation ; cioivds of people rushing hither and tlrther; cai ringer, calis, cutts, and omnibuses crammed inside and out, forming a difficult passage tin ough the dense uncounted and uncountable tluong. Jn short, the opening: of the" World's Great Fair" appeared to be kept by all, with one consent, as a national holiday — all the shops in Knighlsbndge, and a gieat propoition of those in Piccadilly and other neighbouring streets, being closed. The hour fixed for the opening of the various doors to the hohlcis of season tickets was nine o'clock ; but long bcfoic that rime eveiv possible point of access to the Building was thronged with well-dressed persons — a great" propoitioti of them ladies— eagcily waiting for admission. Considering the iininei so number who eventually were admitted— some twenty-live thousand or thirty thousand at least -the proceeding was conducted with womleilul oider and legulanty, «md with much less peisonal inconvenience than genet ally attends the congiegntmgof lam> assemblies. '1 he first coup d'wd ol the Building on entering the nave was grand and goigeous in the extreme- the vast dimensions of the Building ; the breadth of light, partially subdued and agreeably mellowed m tjie na\e by the calico covci ings placed over the loof, whilst the at cited tiansept soaicd boldly into the clear arch ol heaven, com ting, admitting, mid distributing the full cilulgencc ot the noonday sun ; the bright and striking colouis and forms of the several aitick 1 * m rich manufacLuicd goods, works in sculpture, and other objects displayed by the exhibitor-,, dissimilar, and almost ineongiuous in their vailety, were blent into an harmonious picture of immense giandeur, by the attendant circumstances of spare and light to which we have just alluded ; and the busy hum, and eager and excited movements of the assembled thousands, infused the breath of life into a picture, which, at the peiiod of the crowning incident of the day, became truly sublime. The ccntie area of the intersection of the naves and transept was that set apait for the reception of hci Majesty and her Court, and the other distinguished persons, who were to take paitin fhe interesting ceremonies of the day. At the noithci n pottion ol this area a dais was erected, covered with a splendid carpet, worked by 150 ladies for her Majesty, and graciously accepted by her ; ami upon this was placed ii magnificent Chair of State, covered with a velvet iobe, or mantle of crimson and gold. High over head was suspended an octagon canopy, trimmed with blue satin and draperies ot blue and white. Before the chair ruse the beautiful glass fountain, glitteiing as a precious stone in the morning beams. Behind rose the stems of the Oriental plants and the stately elm, one of the most i\griec.\hle and lefreshing parts < f the whole view. Along the galleries of the mam western avenue, the department for British goods, a succession of the most beautiful caipetry was suspended, like bannerets, only inoje splendid, in a knightly hall of old. Along the foreign avenue everything stood revealed in its best; and the vista alone the whole line was perhaps the most splendid and evtensive, as a piece of ait and hum in contrivance, ever piesenled to human view. As II o'clock approached, the hour at which the admittance ol the public terminated, the invvaid tide became very heavy, and some little struggling at one moment was given way to, but, only lot a moment. The immense mass ol spectators were settled down into their places, the ladies having seats in front, the gentlemen htandintr behind them, along the piincipal avenues and in the galleries. The Duke of Wellington was cnily in attendance, arriving, with the Mnichioncss of Douro. about ten o'clock ; and the Knowledge that it was his Grace's biithday, peihaps contributed to incieasc in volume and wni mth the henrly enroling with which he was greeted as he passed to his place near the central nrea. fehoitly aftervv.iuK. the members of the corp\ dipla* «i»/» ue ni.d the foi < ign commissioners began to drop m, Jim! after them the uiembeisot the Cabinet, a laint cheer being attempted foi Loid.John ltussell, and another for Loid I'almerston ; the latter, with tiue statesmanlike policy, thinking to ensure the harmony of his reception amongst the industnal repu-senUtives ot the woild, by walking up the lianscpt under the portly wing of Lablache, who looked as goocUlnnnouied as ever. Nearly the lutest of the arrivals at the north entrance was the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, with various civic authoi ities, all decked forth in their robes of office. By this time the honourable corps of GcnUemcn-at-Arms, in their gay uniforms, had taken up their station at the rear of the dais, whilst the time-honoured body of Beeleateis were ranged along the outer line of piocession. The trumpeters and heralds stood icady to proclaim the arrival of the Queen of these isles, and the heralds to marshal the order of her coming. Meantime, Sir George Smart stood, baton in hand, perched up m a small rostrum, in front of the north tiansept organ gallery, leady to beat time to (< Cod save the Queen," for the five hundredth time in his life. Meantime the Lord Chamberlain and his suhordinvte officeis glided about, looking very well satisfied with all their arrangements, and Mr. Commissioner IWaync 'was here, there, and every whet c, smiling so good-huinouiedly as for the moment to rob even police law of its tenors. Everybody was on the tip-toe of expectation lor the arrival of the Royal personages who wcie to grace the day with their attendance. At half past eleven the Duke of Cambridge an ived at the noi th door, but did not enter the aiea, awaiting the arrival of the Duchess of Kent, who accompanied by the Piinccss Mary of Cambiidge, followed shoitly after him. The.ii Hoyal highnesses now entered the retiring room, which had been prepared for her Majesty's reception, an elegant little apaitment, co\ered with tapestry, and lined with silk, pale buic and white fluted, with a crown overhead in the ccntie. The Com missioiiers and foiei^u ministers now made their way down to the enhance hall, icady to pay their lespects to her Majesty on her auival. I xactly at ten minutes to twelve the Queen and her Royal Consort, accompanied by the Prince ot Wales and the Pnncess Royal alighted from their carriage ; and after repairing to the Mtiring-room, proceeded to enter the magnificent edifice of the production of which his Royal Highness hud been the chief promoter. The Queen wore u <liess of pink satin, biocaded m gold ; Pi nice Albert, a held Marshal's umlbini; the IVmce of Wales n. Highland dress ; and the Piinccss Royal, a white lace chess, wiiha wieathof flowers round her head, 'i he Royal party, especially] the young Piince and Princess, appealed much struck and delighted with the stately giiindcur ot the scene which burst upon their view. A tremendous burst of cheeiing, renewed and prolonged from all parts of the Building gieeted the announcement of the near nppioach of the Queen. [Here follow the Address to the Quvi.n, ipadby His Royal Highness Prince Aunnr nt the head of tho Royal Commissioners, and Her Majisiy's giactous Reply, together with tho Prayor offoral up by the Aichhishop of Caniliuiuiiy, — all of which appeared m tho New Zeulander of Saturday .J Tho Royal procession was then formed in the following order :■—■

Hmlrit; Aiclutcct, Joicph Paxton 1j8(|. Contractor, Mi. Fox. Suuuiiileudciitbol Hie Woiks-C. H. Wild l'\q. , O.Jonts, Esq. Financial Otlieei, Y. 11. Carjientci, Esq. Membetsof the Dmlding Committee— l K. Jliuncl, Esq.; Clus. Coikeicl, hsq.; I'iofessm Donaldson. Mcmbcis of the Fnunce Committee-. Samuel l'cto, Esq.; Sir Aluiandu 8])(-.uiiuii, Halt. Ticismcis— li,no» Lionel dc Rothschild, VVm. Cotton, Esq.; Sit J. W. Ludbuck, Js.ut. ; A. K. Is.uci.iy, Kiq. Sccict.iry to the Foicign Committee, M. I). Wy.ilt, J'3i'| ii\cciitiv< Coiiuiiiticf — Ccoiuc Drew, E«q. ; t'l.tucit Fuller, F,K). ; Chailn Wmlwoith Dilko, Jim., Uiq. ; Hmiy Cole, lisq., Lteut.-ColoncJ Willi.nn Held, Hoy.il EnKineeis, C.li. IORI'ICN AC! INO (OnUI&SIONMtM. Austita— M. C. UusLhtk, Che- Homo— Siehoi C.ulo Tnbbi. Vdlier <le limp; Ituisi.t— Af (!<il)iu>( X uiu'iisky. IJ^v.tiia — I'lotpsm)! Di.Sdi.iT- .Saidmi.i— Oliev.ilioi la'iicis.i. haiill, M. Thtobald Jioclun, S.i\ony— Dr. Seyll.uili, LLD. ; M. ll.iimll. M. (Jii-jliivn-j DoiMlini;. Dclgiiini— A!. Chaiks Ciyht/, Sp.nn— M- Manuel <!<• Yw-ii, M. dc UniiuLun. M. Hamoii do la St»i.t, M. Denm,iik — H i'^ii.u Wuslc.ii- H.iinon de Edicvaiia. liul/. Swudi'ii .Hid Nonv.iy —M. Fi.iirc— M. .Sallandioiibc de Cli.nlci 'I'ottie. liiniomnix. S\vjt/i il.ind - l)i. Jsolley, M. (Junil Duihy of Jlcsie— M. Kitlihol/ei. lto«slri Tumi— Siguui Hauiilit Klin - (Jictlu— M !l.tlli. kiddcm, M. S.intilli (mII. him Tm\ in— M Pigltic mi. Idpictci and sc(/< t.uy). llolhnd-M 00011i0,,, M. J. I'mkey— jM. Kilned Zoln.ib. I. UwUti 'ii Hal. 'Itni.my— |)i. Comdi. Noitluin (iuiu.iny— M. No- United Sutra— Mi. Kdsvaid b.iiA. ltiddlc-, Mi. N. S. Dodge PoHiiijil— M. P. J Vin/,clU;i, (siLitt.ny). Al. Antonio VaUU/. Wuripiiilmur— Mi. C. Hv.md. I'iiHHia— Hai on llcbtlci. Zollveiein— M. Ji.iuatii Slcin. Sticirlaiu-K to th< 1 Uoj.il C'dinmiSKion— lid^ar A. HoweiniL', lii(|., Sir St.tiloid H. Noilluotr-, Jl.nt , J. Scott Uiwttl, IW\. B|)«'ci,il Cominjhsiyiitij --Dr. Ijyon I'laylmi ; Licutf nanc-Culonel Lluyd.

11l X M\JlHl\'» LOUVISSIOM US. MrAtaTUomnHi.il. Joint God, li« n . F»l Gi.uvwllc. ' R htephensoii, llsq. Win. t'ulutt, l«-q. Kail ot Jlosse. Win. Hopkins, I.hj. Thus. I'm/lij, Kiq. Sn C Ij. K.istlaVc. T I' 1 . (Jil)soii, Kii|. Tlhm. IJ.iunjr, Ksq. Hon. W. Cl.klslodl'. K. Cobilen, Fsq. % Sit Chalks Lyi 11. I,onlJ. Itussoll. <'lu<! Hauy, Hq. Nil H. Westinaoott Loid Stanley. J. Sneplici ii, Ksij. Hon. II LaboiiUieu. K.nlol Kllcimcic. P. J'li'iy, Ksq. Loul Ovm stone. Duke ot Buixloudi. Her Majesty's Mantel of the Ccicmonics. Foui[;ii Ambass ulor nu\ Mnuslori. Y. M. the Duke ot Wellington, Il'.I 1 '. M. Mfj. ol Aiiglriov, X 0., K.U., Coninianclci-iu-(Jhipf. Masli i-(J( n. of thu Oiilinnnte. Hei Majpsty'i Mmistiis. llis Grate the Art,hblbhop ol (J.intfibiiiy. While Wands, vi/,. Compiioliti ol Uw Household. TiUiisurei of tlie Household. Yi(,c-Ch.iuibLilaia. Loid Steward. hold Oiatnberlain. G.uici Principal King of Anns. His Ro>;il lljwlincM J'nnee Albeit, leading (let Royal Highness (he l'rintcss Koyn!. The Quli n, le.ulmi; his Rov.tl Hiu;tiiiLS!. Iho Putice of Wales. Ilia Jtoy.il Highneis the J'unce ol Piuaiia. ' Hn Kojal Highness the Duchess ol Kent. His lloyil Hii;hne < is Prime Heniy ol the Metheilands. ]lei Royal Jhtjhness the Princes of Puissia. His llojal Highness Punce Viedeiiek Williini of Piunsia. Hn Koyal fJighness Pnntcss Afaiy of Cunbudgu, His Reienc Highness Pi nice Edvraid of Suxe-Wennar. lln Itojal Highness tho Duke of Cimlnidjje. Mihlitss of the ltobci. Lady of the I'edchainber, Marchioness of Donro. Lady of the TictkhainbKr in Waiting. Maid of Honom in Waiting. Maid of Hotioui In Waiting. Bodtlumlier Woman in Wait- Lady SiitKMiiiteiideni — Lady ing. Caioline Jiarungton Foreign Ladies, and Lady in attendance on 11. R. 11. the Duchess of Kent. Gold Stick in Waiting. Master of the Horse. doom of the Stole to H. R. H. Pi nice Albeit. Captain of the Yeoman ot the Captain of the Geullemen at Gnaid. Amis. Master of tb« Buckhounds. Lord of the Bedchamber to 11. Loid in Waiting to the It If. Piinci! Albert in Waiting- Queen. (Jiimii oftho Bedchamber to 11. Groom in Waiting to the li 11. Pimcc Albuiliu Waiting. Queen. Clerk Marshal. Efrueirv to 11. K. 11. Piince liquerry to the Queen in Albert in Wailing. Waiting. Gentleman U.he, tg 11 *^"?^"? Gentleman U.h«r. Silver Stick in Waiting. l'ielrt officer in Brigade Waiting. The Ocntlcmcn in attendance upon their Royal Jlighnebbes tliti Duchess ot Kent, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Pnnco ,md Pnucess of Prussia Heralds, &c.