THE OPENING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 635, 3 September 1851, Page 3

THE OPENING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

[From the Liverpool Journal, May 3.] THE ROYAL PROCESSION. The history of this eventful May-day commences with the Royal procession from Buckingham Palace to the Great Exhibition building. The day opened beautifully fin?. It was one of the “Queen’s days.” In the morning the atmosphere was clear and crisp, the sun shone brightly ; and there was every indication that, even with regard to her climate, England would on this occasion look her best. This pleasant and promising state of things continued up to about eleven o’clock. The sky then became slightly overcast; light clouds floated about—the relics of April straying into May — and about half-past eleven o'clock a sprinkling shower fell over the parks ; but it was the shortest shower of the spring, and it ceased exactly and precisely as the procession was about to start. It then continued fine until the royal cortege reached the Crystal Palace,

All pedestrian London flocked into the parks. From six o’clock in the morning the population of the Surrey side poured across the bridges ; the hordes of the far east precipitated themselves into Holborn and the Strand ; and at eight and nine Piccadilly and Oxford.street, Parliament-street, and the Kensington-road, presented one denselypacked mass of human beings—all intent upon one object— to see the palace, and, if possible, at the same time, to see the Queen; but, at any rate determined to see what was to be seen. Hyde-park filled first. Crowds had rushed in from the first moment at which the gates had been opened. Not until apparently the word had been passed that Hydepark could hold no more did the people fall back.into the neighbourhood of Buckingham Palace. Across the Green-park, on their way from Westminster Bridge to Hyde Park, some hundred thousand men, women, and children, might be seen to pour for three consecutive hours up to eleven o’clock. It was as the flight of locusts—ceaseless and dreadful; and, like locusts, they must have destroyed the grass on their way. These having ascertained that Hyde-park-corner was impassable, at last sacrificed the hope of getting into proximity with the palace, and gradually filled the Mall, Constitution-hill, and the ground in front of Buckingham Palace, and to the right at the heal of Birdcage-walk. In time motion ceased, as if farther motion in the densely packed place were impossible ; and then there was a still orderly mass—densest near the front of the palace, but everywhere dense. To a person standing with his back to the gates of the royal palace, and facing the Mall, the spectacle was wonderful. All that was visible was a sea of heads, hats, and bonnets, dotted here and there with a mounted policeman or guards-trooper, and fringed with the light foliage of the Mall trees. It is probable that so many human beimrs were never, until nn® caan »r>r.o.ko- - *-» ", — — •t'gVHIVI tn London. The most perfect order was maintained throughout.

From the palace up Constitution-hili, to Hyde-park-corner, the horse guards and the police kept a line for the procession. This, it should be understood, was not a “ mob.” Well dressed gentlemen and ladies were present in thousands; and the female part of the crowd received an amount of attention honourable to our national politeness. There were not so many foreigners in the crowd as might have been expected: but there they undoubtedly were in great numbers.

The Queen is always punctual, and, precisely at the time appointed for her setting out—the horse guards widened the path, and the brigaded band of the household troops within the quadrangle was heard to play “ God save the Queen.” At this moment the new front of the palace was pul to a use never contemplated by those who have been so eager in their denunciation of the architect. The many windowsgavetoherMajesty’shousehold the opportunity they never before enjoyed so perfectly of seeing a state procession. The balcony over the centre bronzed gateway was occupied by a most interesting party, —the royal children, attended by several ladies. They attracted great attention. The royal procession consisted of seven or eight carriages. It was, in its order, in many respects different from the state processions with which we are all familiar on the occasions of opening or proroguing a session of parliament. We saw none of the gentlemen ushers, none of the exons and yeomen of the guard. There were trumpeters, however. And, as the most important distinction, the carriages, even her Majesty’s, were drawn by single pairs of horses. Her Majesty’s carriage was not the state carriage; but it was sufficiently open to enable most of her subjects to see her to advantage. The occupants of the carriages were the lords and ladies in waiting, the lords of the household, the maids of honour, with some of the ladies of the suite of the Princess of Prussia.

The Queen and Prince Albert were greatly cheered as they passed into the park from the palace. Her Majesty and her consort received the welcome of the people in a manner intimating undisguised satisfaction. The Duke of Wellington, arm-in-arm with the Marquis of Anglesea, walked in the procession, and attracted marked attention. It is the Duke’s birth-day; he is eighty-two years of age. The royal cortege passed in an avenue of human beings along the whole route. Her Majesty never heard such loud and lengthened cheers before. Half a million of voices must have convinced her of her popularity. As the procession passed on, the “ line” behind was, of course, broken, and for an hour there was great confusion. Nevertheless, we have not heard of any accidents. The worst day of the World’s Fair—for we shall see no such crowd again—was, therefore, so far fortunate,

The great Exhibition is a triumph, and the Queen did it all,

It is useless to quarrel with humanity; it has its weaknesses, and one of i's weaknesses is to see—to look with bodily eyes —on celebrities. Even those who are notorious are infinitely more attractive than those who are famous ; but the popular curiosity, much to its credit, delights most in the gratification derived from seeing the good and the great. The Queen is good and great. “ Favours to none, she smiles to all extends;” and the decorous course of her royal life derives positive dignity from the virtues which adorn the wife, the woman, and the mother. She is loved by her people, not only for the high station she makes conducive to the nation’s happiness, but for the tempered greatness which makes that station illustrious. It is these things which make her a “ queen indeedand it is the popular affection that she inspires which compels every one to hallow her public movements by involuntary approbation.

Although she is never sparing of her presence, and gladdens the most distant provinces almost periodically, the people are never tired of looking at her, —of testifying courteously, but eagerly, their regard. When it was announced that the Great Exhibition was to be opened privately, the whole kingdom expressed its sorrow, —-not so much for the Exhibition, but because they cared much for Her Majesty. To gratify their wishes has been the delight of this royal lady ; -and, at once, in her own free choice, she announced that she would open the World’s Fair in person, with all the circumstance, pride, pomp, and glory of royalty. This decision of Her Majesty accomplished the purposes of the Crystal Palace ; it made it famous—it made it profitable. To talk commercially of profit in conjunction with state ceremonies, may appear awkward ; but lips, though rosy, must be fed, and palaces, whether of glass or stone, must be paid for. T'Vsa follr nknii* el*®* —— *l— ,5 • tut vpuuiugj LUC uisuussions as to admission, gave additional notoriety to the event; and notoriety, as we have already observed, is very attractive. The sale of season tickets languished for weeks; it stopped for a long time at 4,000, and hardly exceeded 5,000, until it was known that the Queen would be in the presence of the visitors at the opening. Then the sale took a start: 12,000 was a boast, 15,000 a’wonder, but ultimately the applicants exceeded 30,000. Some 23,000 were sold at three guineas each ; Prince Albert, with the correct feeling which, has always distinguished His Royal Highness, forbad a chapman’s bargain when the applications increased, and refused to sanction a rise in price to four guineas.

The people in London—a wonder loving generation—refuse to talk of anything, think of anything, look at anything, but the Crystal Palace. Speak to whom you may, listen, if you could not help it, iu the public way, and the World’s Fair was uppermost in every one’s mind. There was a “sight” to be seen, and on Thursday morning every body was up before five o’clock to see it. We turned out at seven, and already Oxford-street was receiving the contributions of private carriages from every artery that pours fashion into the parks from the West End. The glass coaches and the hackney coaches added, by contrast, to the gay and opulent look of the lordly vehicles; and such was the objection to the pedestrian movement, that we sought in vain for a cab. As we advanced to the mouth of Hyde Park, the carriages stopped the way, extending all down “ Rotten Row,” and crowding not only the “ drive,” but the Park road parallel with Knightsbridge. Brilliant eyes sympathising with laughing features shot through each glass window, happy in anticipation, and glad that they had reached within sight of the Crystal Palace. Piccadilly was also filled with the vehicles of the nobility and gentry, and their admirers, the “ well-dressed mob,” already crowded the parks. The flood still poured in, and the splendid trees which environ the Glass Palace soon bore a kind of live fruit, in the form of lads and men, who sat like rooks amidst lhe boughs. The morning was truly a “ queen’s morning her Majesty going forth being proverbial for indicating fine weather. The cold of the preceding days had ceased, and a balmy air removed all apprehension of the sitting two hours ’ n *lioir r.rriaac. erpttinor cold.

Through the kindness of Captain Ellerton —one of the “ Executive” —a few representatives of the provincial press were admitted by a private door, and at nine o’clock the public entrances were opened to holders of season tickets. At first the rush was fearful ; but, the arrangements being perfect, no inconvenience occurred beyond a slight damage to a few gentlemen’s dress-coats. The ladies were privileged, and the gallantry of lhe other sex did bononr to the There were no “ unprotected females,” for those previously in possession of the barriers constituted themselves “genllemen-al-arms;’* and, by joining hands high up, formed, a ca-

iiopy under which beauty and fashion passed freely. There was an amusing incident at one of the doois. Ladies at first only were admitted ; but one loving husband refused to be separated from what seemed his bride, but the police dissolved the union; and the young lady observed to her companion, “ Poor fellow 1 he is so fond of me !”

In some respects the building resembles a monster cathedra]. There is a nave rising from end to end, and parallel with the nave two aisles, one on each side, but very much larger than the nave. As in most cathedrals, a transept crosses the building from side to side midway, making a gap, as it were, in the nave and aisles, and lifting itself much higher than the roof right and left. This transept was an after thought, and without it all had been fiat and unsightly; it is about four times as large as the large room in St.' George’s-hall, and like the rest of the edifice, it is covered with glass. The nave is encroached on, on either side, by compartments which constitute showrooms; and over the show rooms runs a continuous gallery, which gallery is continued round the transept. In the end of the building next Kensington the galleries are picturesquely separated, apparently into compartments, by suspended carpets which do duty as tapestry did of old. The galleries in the end opposite Apsley-house are devoted to the exhibition of contributions from foreign nations, and have none of this drapery. The ground plan and galleries are now before you. If you want to be pleasingly surprised, you will enter, on your first visit, the door in the south transept. All is light and brilliant; gay colours charm the eye from either side ; aud two large elm trees, green in spring’s first vestments, terminate either end within the building, imparting a kind of sylvan charm to this fairy palace. The iron throughout is painted in blue, white, and yellow—not very effective, but agreeing with the glass around. Great taste, and a nice appreciation of effect, are displayed in the arrangement. On either hand, as you enter the transept, are placed several of the best statues, each reposing, as it were, in a tent of red doth. A parallel line of statues runs from end to end down the centre, interrupted only by a brilliant glass fountain some forty feet high; atid a smaller series of fountains further back, in the north transept, watering, as it were, an oriental garden of palms and other exotics, furnished, we believe, from the royal gardens. Over these are an organ and the orchestra, and at the opposite end a dock and another organ. When you reach the centre of the transept, pause and look to the right, and then to the left down the nave towards the east and towards the west. The first feeling is one of astonishment at a place so novel, vast, and gay. The length of the nave is such that, according to the law of perspective, it grows small by degrees, and beautifully less; irritating, at the same time, the curiosity, and prompting to the desire of exploring not only the remote extremity, but the mysterious crypts on either side. You advance towards the Kensington end. At intervals, along the nave, you encounter a pyramid of Keith’s drapery, statues of Lords Eldon and Stowell, “ fountains” spouting through the air, a glass lighthouse, a terracotta church and steeple, Lord Rosse’s telescope, Lough’s “ Manners,” a dead knight, a weeping lady and a sympathizing horse, Jordan’s mechanical carving (specimens), and a cast-iron rustic temple frorfi the Coalbrookdale Company’s works, and beyond question the finest thing in the Exhibition. A hunter has just discharged his bow, the arrow has pierced an eagle under the dome. Further on are models, —the Liverpool docks being by far the best of the lot. Above the entrance is an organ, apparently unfinished.

Returning, and crossing the transept, you see, in the remote distance, the arms of the United States ; and as you advance towards them, you pass the art contributions from all the countries in the world. China fills its alloted space on the right, and opposite to it Turkey ; then follow India, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, and Belgium, as indicated by printed boards above their respective compartments; but abouthalfthe space is assigned to the United States and the nations of the Zollverein. In the centre of the various compartments that are along the nave, are placed at intervals vases, bronzes, statues —those from France and Italy far less effective on mind than those from Germany: Italy, France, and Belgium are coldly classical—Germany is more original, dignified, and grand. If the reader is puzzled by the terms transept, naves, and aisles, perhaps he would regard the transept as the drawing-room, the nave as the grand or ball-room, and the aisles the less obhusive, but not less useful apartments, and lie will have a household conception of the whole.

Agreeably to the rules of etiquette, the ladies were first shown into the drawingroom. Behind the glass fountain that is be-

tween the large and small fountains, and under, as it were, the shadow of the palms, the throne, if we may so call the royal seat, was placed, above it being a magnificent canopy. Immediately in front of the state chair an open space was kept, and beyond that forms were placed for ladies. To the left of the chair, seats like the segment of an amphitheatre rose one above another ; and these and the gallery over were devoted exclusively to the nobility. Fewer seats were placed cu the right, and the gallery above was tenanted by a privileged class. lu the naves or balls-rooms, two forms, with an avenue between them, ran on either side from end to end. All these forms, in transept and naves, were filled with ladies, the gentlemen standing behind them. In the galleries above these, seats were also provided for the ladies, and at eleven o’clock there was not a vacant seat. In taking places there was no confusion whatever; each visitor, on receiving his season ticket, received also a card with a number on it, indicating where a seat was provided for the holder.

Although every one was at liberty to view the articles in the Exhibition, an exaggerated fear of losing their places kept the majority in their seats, and, at eleven o’clock, all the company being present, the doors were closed. As early as ten o’clock the Duke of Wellington, in a marshall’s uniform, appeared, and was greeted with cheers by those near him. He was very active at one time in the gallery chatting with ladies, anon on the ground floor conversing with members of the committee, and then walking quickly down the nave and through the aisles. Age on his grace has done its work, not unkindly, but has given an additional massiveness to his head. Like Pisistratus’s, it seems to feel heavy. Soon after eleven, the foreign diplomatists entered the open space in front of the throne, and they were soon joined by the officers of state. Her Majesty’s Ministers, Lord John Russell, Sir Charles Wood, Sir George Grey, Lord Palmerston, and others. The “ executive” appeared in court dress, and among them Mr. Cobden, in a dress coat and white neckcloth.

The scene now was more imposing than it ever was before, or than ever will be seen in this place again. Ten thousand ladies challenged the world's admiration, and gladdened the gallantry that looked at and admired them. They were all in morning costume—the blossoming white bonnets, dotted here and there with pink and yellow ones. The gentlemen were nearly ail 1 in full dress, and the beauty and fashion ih the gallery added much to the effect The charmed circle round the raised platform on which was the Queen’s chair was filled with men of note, and the hour of waiting was enlivened by the “ talking aside” among the visitors, The town-bred man astonished his country cousin by pointing out to him Lord John Russell, Mr. Cobden, the ‘ Duke,’ the Earl of Anglesea, Lord Stanley, and other notabilities; and the representatives of Turkey, Spain, Italy, Germany, and America excited remark by the peculiarities of their dresses. A Chinese commissioner, boasting of three peacock’s feathers, was among the diplomatists. He was the last remnant of national barbarism, but looked, sooth to say, as if he would never accept any civilisation than his own. Nature has made him peculiar, and, according to our notion- bv no means—good looking. The hand of time was now slowly approaching the hour of twelve. There was a distant sound, and a murmur " she comes,” but it was only a tower gun heard indistinctly. Another sound of human voices in a roar, and a cry of hats off.” But no, another disappointment. A third murmur from without, and more distinct, and the organ breathed out “ God save the Queen but this was a false start, and the organ ceased and the choristers resumed their seats. Anon, however, the cheers grew louder, nearer, the doors flew open, and the royal heralds entered. The Queen, Prince Albert, the Princess Royal, and the Prince of Wales, walked smartly towards the chair, and ascended the platform. Her Majesty bowed her thanks for cheers which might flutter any heart. Immediately on her right stood his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and next him his royal sister, under the approving smiles of her grandmother the Duchess of Kent. Prince Albert receded a few steps from her Majesty’s left, and behind the royal pair stood the Prince of Prussia, the Duchess of Sutherland, and the maids of honour.

The royal anthem now poured forth from the orchestra, and not only the royal consort, but the royal children, joined in it. Her Majesty all this time was under the influence of the occasion ; she was overcome with joy and pride, and at intervals found relief in deep sighs, her bosom heaving in correspondence. Prince Albert evinced no

emotion; the Piince of Wales seemed a little frightened, but the Princess Royal looked around in careless glee, smiling herself and provoking smiles in her brother by the vivacity or wit of remarks sub voce. She is a sweet lively child, the father and mother blending pleasingly in features that are already beautiful. The Prince is, apparently, a delicate, timid boy, but evidently a child of fine sensibilities. He looked pale, and is rather small for his age. He was dressed in Highland costume, and is the image of his father.

When the anthem ceased, Prince Albert descended, and being joined by the Royal Commissioners, read an address, a little too long, to her Majesty. She received it from his hand, and handed it to Sir George Grey, who handed her the reply. This reply she read quickly but distinctly, and was heard well at a considerable distance. Prince Albert then took place, and his Grace of Canterbury invoked a blessing on the undertaking. At its conclusion the Chinese commissioner went in front of the Queen and did obeisance. Her Majesty curtseyed most lowly, and rewarded the representative of the celestial empire with a gracious smile. Prince Albert regarded him with astonishment. While the procession was forming, her Majesty talked to the Prince of Wales, the Prince Consort, and the Duchess of Sutherland. A kind of conscious pride seemed to beam in her eye as she turned to Prince Albert, for in that noble and numerous assembly he was not only in form the finest man, but the best looking. Her Majesty knew “ how to choose a husband.”

The procession formed two or three abreast; the heralds, the ministers, the diplomatists, in any order they pleased. The “Duke” looked about apparently confused, when the Marquis of Anglesea seized him by the arm, and they toddled after the others. Did these aged heroes wish, like Richelieu, for one hour of youth ? They must have thought of Waterloo; who will ever forget it, for that indeed was a thing of glory. Prince Albert now gave the Queen his arm, and the little prince ran round and took his father’s hand, the Queen holding that of the Princess Royal,—the Prince of Prussia, the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Sutherland, and the maids of honour, following. The procession made the entire circuit of the nave and transept, going up one side, between the forms on which sat the ladies, and down the other. The ladies-rose as the Queen passed, the gentlemen cheering, and hgr Majesty had smiles for all. The procession pleased everybody, for the Oddfellows are not the only people to whom a procession is a delight. This procession had one great satisfaction, — it brought everybody within a few feet of the beloved Sovereign. The procession over, the royal cortege departed, and most of the visitors were as eager to leave as they were to enter. In a few minutes the building was comparatively empty and we took another survey of the place quietly. The building is, as we said before, vast, novel, but not grand. It is literally a showplace, a temporary structure to please, and is therefore exposed to the application of the epithet—flimsy. Still nothing like it has ever been seen before, and never will be seen again ; for novelty in this country is not likely to continue long enough to pay for a second ; and no other country is ever likely to realise £60,000 from people solicitous to see a sovereign. The Crystal Palace is the wonder of the day, and all who are fond of wonders, and can afford the expense, will see it. Beyond the gratification of the eye nothing very beneficial is likely to arise from a visit, for the works of art are not, except in a few minor instances, new, and with a few exceptions, such as Paver’s Greek Slave, lack excellence. Painters and seulptors do not pretend to derive any advantage from the Exhibition; and for reasons sufficiently obvious to practical men, manufacturers will seek in vain, from objects in view, for instruction. The world is now a “ known world.” Savagery has been explored to its utmost extent, and civilization, by means of rapid locomotion, has been unusually equalised. Artizans have, whatever they may pretend, no secrets, and thus this Exhibition displays a uniformity of productive industry perfectly satisfactory to all who see human advancement in a diffusion of intelligence,

The aisles that is, the apartments on either side of the great central avenue —constitute a great, but dull bazaar. The counicto aie encumbered with goods—shopmen are in attendance ; but there are no sales. You may admire, but you cannot purchase there. No doubt the finest productions of the loom, the workshop, and the smithy, are there; but there is nothing new among them. You have seen them, or something like them, before. In the majority of cases, the London shopkeepers have nearly emptied their show-win-

dows and show-rooms into the F-a-, for tb« place lacks nolhiog, from pJ' S; celain, from jars to jewellery. IJ . l ° ft. out of ten, the exhibitors sought Ji"’*®** vertisement; but the extent o f ? M * destroys the objects of individuals vincial shopkeepers have sent f.* w “ e l>fc and provincial manufacturers, extern J 1 ‘S glass and iron houses, have sent onlv patented and well known, or invent undertake to do everything, and well. All the abortive machines are placed conspicuous enough to ■ ed or laughed at. The effect of the Exhibition on variously estimated. The people of j regard it as a kind of gold dig R |‘,»’ #< ” hence the monstrous exaggeration, f London press. There can be no don! it will bring thousands of visitors and fc* sands of pounds into the metropoll . there is as little doubt that the on V Thursday caused to be distributed so? ” hundred thousand pound? amonghaberd l**’ drapers, and dressmakers, buttoa Me .,* the fashion-of the thing expired on th,^ 1 Those who dressed for that occasion dress for any future one in the same p] l(f , Jj* as London becomes vulgarised by in'tf ' cheap train visitors, the nobility and will leave it. Already they evince thK respect for the whole proceeding a« lowju manufacturing ; and it was remarked opening that comparatively very few o [.i nobility were present. It was also remarked although no doubt purely accidental, thathtj Majesty never turned her eyes in the dittt. tion of the seats prepared for them dun» part of the ceremony. ’

Although London will, therefore, gain siderably in one direction, she will lose t«» thing in another ; and in respect totheprovinces, their loss is certain—their gains aif, Already the Exhibition has seriously trade. Economy, in people of all preludes a visit to London. Workpeople are saving their little in the hope of accomplish, ing a cheap trip, and tradespeople are huj. banding their resources for justifying a visit to the “ great metropolis.” Many refuse is lay out their money in Liverpool and othet towns, because when people go to Lonfe they must, almost as a thing of necessity, purchase some “finery or “foolery” then for themselves or others. The total expenditure, however, resulting in visits to th Crystal Palace will, probably, be much lea than is calculated ; but still it will be conaid erable; whatever the amount, it will be a much abstracted either from trade or from th ordinary outlay of families. In either us the disadvantage appertains to proving shopkeepers. There is, however, another and perhspst higher view of the matter. Everybody ougk to see London some time in his life—the earlier the better. It is not only a worldii itself, but it is the only place where lb world can be seen. Man, there, loses is identity in the flux of life, and becomes a* alted in the millions he mingles with, lk great losing their greatness in the vast crori of humanity. What art, science, liteistwt industry, enterprise, and necessity can dd done, there, better in most things than where else; and it is done better became London concentrates that excellence in hens which would be universal if the province! oftener poured themselves in the metropolis and, in appreciating her, learn to have nW respect for themselves. The provinces bi" great and peculiar advantages, and these w* be greater if London were better known. W are not, therefore, averse to people seeing Crystal Palace, because they cannot w* temple of industry without seeing the at the same time, of 2,500,000 hum*” That is a “sight” worth an effort, ft* more than in Dr. Johnson’s day, the fol lB * of life flows past Charing-cross. There is now no apprehension, cently existed, of London being overcr’* There is “ ample room and verge ***£ for all who may come. Hotel an “* house keepers are beginning to suepe* the Exhibition will be less profit*” l6 j they anticipate. Up to the people have kept away, and the fairly opened, people will go cheap train from Paris will ta*c visitors back as cheaply; and while • come to see the Thames, “ Britw.. go to see the Rhine or the Rhone.