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The Morning Chronicle from London, Greater London, England • 2

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London, Greater London, England
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2
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

mi. iONICLE FRIDAY. MAY THE MORNING 2 constructive skill within so brief a period. It is to GUV wonderful industrial discipline our consummately arranged organization of toil, and our habit of division of labour that we owe all the triumph. Wanting these qualities, year3 instead of months would have been consumed in the construc-: tiou of the Crystal Palace.

Perhaps, indeed, one generation would have seen the first sod turned, and another the last pane placed. Offering, then, as we most heartily do, onr congratulations to all COUCH rued in the miahtv task just finished to now very commonly described as that which ordinarily mark-i a Jenny Lind night," was being enacted at every one of them. Your well-bred ami well-dressed crowd squeeze just as heartily, and get just as hot and flustrous over the struggle, as the" candidates fur the first gallery row on lh.xing-day. Palrician elbows are just as sharp as plebeian ones, and they are, on occasions, as we can testify, used with decided vigour and effect. Outside the gateway, a iic tion was prevalent that the slowness of the transit was by the holders of season tickets being obliged to sign their names and many jocose recommendations to translate signatures into marks, were forthcoming from facetious gen.

tlernen in the rear. Gradually, however, the crowd became absorbed by the many portals, and as the struggling mass of ladies and gentlemen disappeared from without I ho walls, a similar jostling and thronging group pushed madly to and fro within. Then came the fight for places. Everybody had some sort of ticket some sort of Shibbo- lel" which he or she appeared to regard in tne lhdit of a universal "Open besame. iot a soui, male or female, in black pantaloons or pink ribbons, but appeared to be possessed by an urgent desire of getting to some other position than that held during the moment, so that everybody pushed by everybody everybody stamped on everybody's toes everybody considered everybody else as a mere interloper, and secretly wondered how such people had been let in at all.

Not that there wa any bad humour but the confusion beat chaos. There was a ceremony to be performed which could only be seen, as a matter of physical possibility, by about 4,000 or 5,000 people, and there were 25,000 so anxious to see it as to have paid their two and throe guineas a piece for the sight. Furthermore, sitting accom. modation was provided for about 5,000, aud it was gained and kept, in the vast majority of cases, not by right, but by sheer effrontery. It is perfectly astonishing what brass will effect in such cases as great public festivals like the Exhibition.

It was wonderful sometimes to see a charge made by the police, and a couple of (lies of Sappers and Miners, to drive back the crowd from a particular spot. Back, at first, they certainly would go but iu ten minutes the old position would be gradually won again. The slow, silent pressure of the crowd would insensibly but irresistibly prevail, and in ten minutes after they had been driven ignominiously to the rear, the old position would be recovered, and the old placid faces would re-appear in the old ground, quite ready to be driven back again, and perfectly prepared to recover their position in another ten minutes after. The jumble of orders, instructions, and remonstrances constantly passing between the authorities and the thronging, eager multitudo was very strange. Every ticket holder seemed to be bent upon going the wrong way, and could get nobody to tell him which was the right.

Now then, policeman, where is stair No. 5 In China, sir. Go to China if you want to go to stair No. 5." Here you, No. 101, where am I to go with this You must go round by Greece, sir, and along the corner of Persia, down by Asia Minor, to the staircase." And this ticket here, I know it's all right.

Gallery, No. 11. Which way Any way, sir. Anybody will tell you. Somewhere in the nave.

All right. Move on." Furthermore, the education of the police in matters connected with the points of the compass had been desperately neglected. They asserted with the most solemn asseverations, backed by very specious arguments, that north-east was south-west, and were continually proving triumphantly that nobody had any business to stay anywhere. But, my good man, where arc wo to go Well, you can't stay here. Go anywhere.

Anywhere in the nave but this place must be kept clear." All this time the reader will understand that the crowd is rapidly accumulating that uniforms and Court dresses are glittering among the struggling groups and that ladies, en gramle toilette, of whom there were a few, are beginning to have their feathers terribly rumpled. The seats have beeu by this time all tilled, except a single platform, which, although mysteriously reserved, has been besieged and partially gained possession of. This is the platform to the east of the transept, and the most spacious one built, commanding a good and tolerably close view of the ceremony. All at once the ladies and gentlemen who have snugly taken up their stations are ruthlessly turned out, and all sorts of strange rumours go about as to the destiny of the tabooed structure. It is for the corps diplomati'iue It is forthe juries of departments It is for the principal exhibitors and at length an outrageous notion comes into fashion that it has been kept for the Lord Mayor's family," an intimation which is received with a shout of popular disapprobation, and with many epithets by no means flattering to the dignity of the Mansion-house.

All, however, is tolerably good hu mour, arm the controversies carrieu on are pleasantly seasoned with jokes. Our foreign friends are particularly facetious. Now, perhaps, a little drummer or lifer, or something in the juvenile military line, makes his way through the crowd to join his comrades. Instantly, as he passes a group of lor.g-bearded black-eyed men, there rises a shout Place pour lo petit tambour." Dites done qu'il est gentil, le petit drole ia." Oh, mon Dien, voila le petit guerrier, avec la trompette." The aspect of the gentlemen, principally from the City, in Court dresses, also strikes Continental Europe in general with lively curiosity and interest. Ono magnificent specimen, in an overpowering cocked-hat and marvellously tight breeches, evoked an involuntary exclamation from a party of Parisians of "EhDieu! qu'est-ce que e'estque' cette espece d'homme-lii All this time the police and the party of Sappers and Miners did their spiriting most gently.

More good temper and reasonable feeling were never displayed under similar circumstances. Joking arguments were carried on betwoen the people and their blue-coated rulers, in which the former proved to admiration why they should be allowed to encroach upon the ceremonial space and in which the latter, with smiling faces but stoutly-pushing shoulders, demonstrated their view, on the contrary, that the central square ought to be and must be kept clear at all hazards. The officers in command were also most courteous, and especial mention must be made of the perfectly gentlemanly and kindly demeanour of an officer of the Engineers, to whom the writer is indebted for the excellent position which he at last attained. The mention of a square space kept open forthe coming ceremonial brings us naturally to a slight descriptive sketch of the arrangements actually made. We need hardly say that the spot selected as the most central for the chair of state of her Majesty was the intersection of the transept with the nave.

Imagine the lattera vast avenue, crowded with agorgeous sue cession of great works of art, and showy examples of decorative taste and skill statues, carved screens, enormous furniture pieces, gigantic models, arranged in one great motionless procession from east to west. At the point of intersection of the transept stands a magnificent crystal fountain its fault being, however, that there is too much glass for the water- too much body, and too little soul. Round the glittering pile stretches a circular basin. To the south, always in the transept, rises another succession of statues and works of art. To the north, just beyond the point of junction with the uave, and between the fountain-basin and another assemblage of statues, smaller fonts, models, and eastern exotic trees, palms and palmettos, carrying the mind away at once to the desert and the tropics between these two groups of objects, extending along the transept, imagine a goodly open space, a great portion of which is taken up by a dais raised by three or four steps from tho general level of the floor.

Upon the dais stands a chair of state, of crimson velvet and gold. Above the chair of state hangs a glorious canopy, also of velvet and gold, surmounted by plumes of snow-white ostrich feathers. In the chair of state, upon the dais, and underneath the canopy, the Queen will sit. Meantime a square epace, embracing both the dais and the glass fountain in front of it, is kept perfectly clear by four double lines of police aud sappers and miners. These are the civil and military authorities, whose good humoured combat with the multitude we have already attempted to sketch, They stand in mutually aiding rank, keeping a perfect square, and British squares were never broken.

Inside the favoured space groups of officers have mustered. Gentlemen in nondescript uniforms, which are not clearly understood by the bystanders, but which are set down as either Russian regimentals or Yeomanry regimentals, appear to have a pro-vokiugly great liberty of locomotion and gentlemen in more unpretending attire rush hither and thither with glass carried away t)e v. tlu galleries are fat the four corners abiiuin ri 1 tabooed space, which have been reserved tVr the cremc of the diplomatic, political, and Ulj Further away along either nave the Iwmv i.i.u and the foreign to the cait-ttie ranged in vast vistas, fading away in the these full-grown ladies and gentlemen sreiu 1 Itil pins heads, ana giving rise to mind of the philanthropic beholder a to hat tl: far a liber viduals in question will sec, at least the aj goes, tor tueir money. By ten o'clock, or thereabouts, peopin have shaken rn-sclvcs into something like order, and lanes and croud have been successfully i i along wlncn gentlemen in an sort oi uuuau-ion otuiiiv a pear to find a ready passage, but in which no p. ai.0 anco of tickets or passes seem to be available White P- blue cards, pink cards, yellow cards, are all rcjccte-l 'jen.

are tlcmen in state of mingled perspirath.n ami courteously requested to make detour to their places of destination much upon the same principle as if to request a friend to go from Bund-street to round by the Strand, Fleet-street, (he City, an, j. Finsbury and the New-road- and the perplexity and ton. stcmation of iiereely-dragged-abont ladies are at their summit. It was towards half-past ten o'clock that the of notabilities iu the crowd began to excite attemiun and to give rise to sundry local and partial of chttrir." The Duke of Wellington was, as usual, early in tin: fn-IJ, All at once his Grace appeared, giving his arm to the Marchioness of Douro, at the angle of the gdlery al.ove the in-dustrial empire of Persia, and a vigorous cheur iiistantlv broke forth. The Duke, who looked exceedingly well, and was evidently in high spirits, acknowledged the greeting, and then there suddenly passed through the croud the uio d'ordrc, This is the Duke's birthday his eighty-second birthday and immediately another and a louder cheer rung up from the thronged uave, and was caught and re-echoed down the long vistas of aisle and gallery.

Shortly afterwards the appearance of Signor hablache, struggling iu the crowd, like an Arctic ship beset with pack ico, attracted general attention, and the successful issue of the great lasso from the pressing-match to which he had been subjected called forth decided demonstrations of gratified feeling. As tho morning advanced every arrival of a distinguished personage was greeted with lusty oncers by the few who chanced, from their immediate vicinity, to be cognisant of the fact and these partial outbreaks of enthusiasm, relieved from time to time by a few full preluding chords of the organs, impatient, as it were, to break into their jubilant outburst of harmony formed the principal features of more than one tedious waiting hour. It was not from causes which have been already stated until nearly eleven o'clock that we gained our proper 'vantage ground, and had a fair prospect of the mvp-d'oiil beneath. It was, as may be imagined, brilliant in the extreme. All round the square described was ranged the gaily-dressed throng of expectant company.

Here 'hey sat and stood in serried files of gaily tinted colour there they rose into pyramids and ledges, clustering up upon the irregularly constructed platforms. Above towered the spacious galleries, sweeping away into long vistas of symmetrically disposed lines, bright and garish with never-ending changes of colour aud costume, and fluttering with the waving handkerchiefs, ribbons, and scarfs which flickered down the long ranks of richly dressed ladies. Meantime the police and the engineer corps have been with, drawn from the boundaries of the central square, and in their place there marches in a body of, as we understood, the gentlemen-at-arms," magnificently dressed in scarlet uniforms and brazen helmets ornamented with long plumes of white feathers. Each carried an antique partizan, each woro a bristling moustache, each glittered in gold and scarlet, and altogether a more gallant-looking body-guard could not have been imagined. Shortly after the square had been thus finally formed, the advent of the notabilities became thick and threefold ministers, ambassadors, distinguished peers and distinguished poured iu from every avenue and the effect of the vast variety of uniforms in every possible style and of every possible colour, continually intermingling and interchanging their hues and metallic shades, of gold and silver richness the effect, we repeat, of such a picture, carried out by the stately lines and gorgeous adornments of the galleries, became every moment more and more sparkling, and we may almost say more and more bewildering.

Then, one by one, appeared in the reserved galleries, and in the open space beneath, the leading men of the nation. The Ministers wore the usual Cabinet uniform, and appeared, like Swift's captain of horse, all daubed with gold lace." Lord John looked worn and pale, but seemed in good heart and spirits, hord Palmerston was as buxom, blythe, and debonnairc" as usual, and chatted and joked with the corps diplomatique. Earl Granville wore a yeomanry uniform. The Lord Chancellor, in the usual state drees of his high position, a court suit of black velvet, walked about for some time by himself, and then proceeded to patronize the exhibitor of a fountain, with whom he entered into a lengthened conversation, terminating in a series of hydraulic experiments upon the piece of mechanism in question, Mr. Cobden was the sole member of the commission who appeared in ordinary evening dress all beside him were glittering in gold aud glistening iu silk.

Imagine now about half-past eleven o'clock the grcit square space tolerably well occupied by groups of diplomatists, and statesmen. Try to summon up a mental glance of the variety and brilliancy of the uniforms. There stand, blazingwith crosses, orders, and decorations, the representatives of every civilized country upon the face of the earth. France is there, indicated by all her Republican diplomati-ts Russia sends her representatives in green and silver-Prussia's distinguishing colour is blue Austria is arrayed in silver and white while the Fez cap and the far more picturesque turban mark the emissaries of the Mussulman. A still more tho rough -going Oriental a Chinese clad in his homespun silks adds another feature tothe glittering group.

All this while the choir and principal orchestra have been assembling in the music gallery over the northern transept entrance. The ladies are dressed in white, and make a py show the gentlemen are in evening costume. Sir George Smart takes his place in the conductor's chair the organists, Messrs. Goss and Turle, assume their posts. All eyes are directed eagerly to the gradually creeping clock hands, and the advent of the principal personage of the day is momentarily expected.

By this time all the authorities and notabilities have assembled. The Ministers, officers of State, and foreign Ambassadors form groups round the fountain and before the chair of state. The Corporation of London, headed by the Lord Mayor and Recorder, have marched in, in lengthy procession. A blazing cortege of heralds and trumpeters perfect marvels of red cloth and gold lace have assumed their places. The beef-eaters have duly arrived from the Tower, and line the path with formidable halberd from the entrance-gato to the chair of state.

All the official personages havo descended from platforms and galleries into the central square, and the whole vast assemblage stands tiptoe with expectation. They have not to wait long. Through the glass walls the Crystal Palace is seen a wavering and a movement among the thronging crowd outside. Then come the faintly heard sounds of distant cheering. In another moment, the gay horse-hair plumes and glancing corslets of the Guards are seen dashing along at a high trot, and then carriage after carriage, known to be the vehicles of the royal party, flash along the line of transparent wall.

A moment of solemn silence succeeds, when out there burst clear. and high, and loudly nealincr. the resonant- nni the trumpets. We never heard a flourish executed with more effect the volume of sound was so strong and clear, and the instruments so perfectly in tune. Still her Majesty did not at once enter.

She had passed first to the robing-room, and a second flourish of trumpets announced her actual approach, when tho bronze and gilded gaW leading to the transept was flung openthe full crash of chorus, band, aud organ burst into the Queen," only to be drowned in a moment by the outbreak of acclamation which simultaneously rose from floor and galleries, from nave and aisles, as the royal procession appeared and amid the whole expectant and upstanding multitude every hat was waved, and every handkerchief was flourished the Princess Royal a frock similar in colour ami material to having skirt and moment. Abjve, the exception of which it is at once her Majesty's high merit to deserve, and happiness to receive, whenever she appears amongst hcr subjes HYDE PARK CORNER, A vast assemblage of people was collected at the entrance of Hyde-park to greet the advance of the royal procession. 1 The long stream of carriages which had been flowing uain- terruptedly along the whole line of route Irom nong Acre, ,1 liwrairiifns towards the Exhibition, trom as cany eecni an hour as half-past 0 o'clock, was accompanied by a large bntiy of pedestrians, whose ranks swelled larger and larger as they approached Hyde-park Comer. There they were met by crowds of nearly equal magnitude thronging towards the great centre of attraction from Knightsbridgc and St. James aim every one seemeu uupiessv cl with the behel that, of allother localities, that at Hie inside of the great gates of the park was the one best fitted to afford a good view of the royal cortege.

From a very early hour the' vantage ground of observation surrounding the Achilles monument had been taken possession of by a band of the more resolute and patient of the sight-seers. The lower windows and gardens of Apsley House were filled with observers-very many of them elegantly-attired ladies. The roof of the gate-house to the park also contained its full share of spectators, and even the ward-room windows of St. George's Hospital were converted for the nonce into posts of observation, from which beauty and fashion might gaze upon the gorgeous ceremonial by which the World's Fair was inaugurated. As the hour approached at which theQueen'sarrival was expected, the crowd, if possible, became still more dense; and were it not for the good humour and mutual endurance exhibited by all, some apprehensions might have been felt in consequence of the extraordinary pressure and the intense anxiety manifested by every one to obtain a good view of the royal party.

The space immediately on the inside of the entrance to the park was kept clear by a large body of police, who performed their arduous duties with a forbearance and temper deserving of the highest praise. Ry half-past eleven o'clock the stream of carriages conveying the visitors to the Crystal Palace had ceased to flow and the vast crowd, no longer broken by the passing of the vehicles, subsided into a compact and serried mass, waiting the appearance of the royal party in anxious and expectant silence, and good humouredly beguiling the time now with a laugh at the vain efforts of a policeman to dislodge an active little urchin from the branches of one of the park trees, in which he had esconced himself, and now with admiring the glittering armour of the Life Guards and the sagacious docility of their horses seconding the efforts of their riders to keep the lines clear. Some idea may be formed of the immense number of vehicles which were proceeding from all parts of London to the park, when it is stated, from a calculation which was made by persons interested in arriving at the facts, that if the carriages had been placed in a direct line, they would have extended over a space of nearly twenty miles. Of the vehicles which arrived at the park gates up to twelve o'clock at noon there were 1,050 state carriages and carriages of noblemen, and others of the highest rank, 800 broughams, 600 posting and hack carriages, 1,500 hack carriages and cabs, 300 clarences, and 380 vehicles of other descriptions. At ten minutes to twelve o'clock, the first of the royal carriages appeared under the archway at the top of Constitution-hill, and crossing the street at a rapid pace, entered Hyde Park.

It was quickly followed by the other carriages of the royal cortege, and the procession, brought up by a troop of the Life Guards, quickly swept out of view along the avenue leading to the Crystal Palace. A feeling of disappointment seemed to pervade the anxious crowd at the rapidity with which the royal procession was concealed from view the more particularly as the handbills which were widely distributed by industrious vendors along the principal routes had leu the numerous purchasers to expect a pageant of unusual pomp and splendour, including a train of six carriages, each drawn by six horses, and the state coach, with eight cream-coloured Arabian horses." Many could not be brought to believe that the royal cortege had actually passed, until the discharge of the guns announced that her Majesty had arrived at the Crystal Palace. PROGRESS OP THE ROYAL PROCESSION THROUGH HYDE PARK. From an early hour, crowds of people began to take up their position along the Rido between Hyde-park-corner and the northern entrance to the Exhibition, at which her Majesty and the Prince were to alight and at ten o'clock a dense concourse, whose numbers it would be impossible even to conjecture, had poured in, like an incessant and impetuous current, and formed themselves into solid and compact hedges of eager spectators lining either side of Rotten-row, along its whole and unbroken length, up to the very doors of the northern entrance to the Crystal Palace. In addition to this, every available intermediate point or elevation commanding a favourable view of the royal route literally swarmed with human beings of every class, age, and sex.

The balconies, windows, and roofs of the houses at Albert-gate were put in requisition, and tested to their utmost capacities of accommodation and the sloping ground nearly opposite and adjacent to the Serpentine-bridge, promising a fine prospect of the procession to those who were not fortunate enough to be in time for the front ranks on the road sides, was rapidly taken possession of by countless and closely-packed thousands, coveringevery inch of ground between the palings of Rotten-row and the railings of the Serpentine. Hour after hour, in eager expectation, waited the indescribably multitudinous gathering, with a laudable and good-humoured patience, amidst inconvenient crushing and squeezing the quick and continuous succession of splendid equipages, with their endless variety of gaudy or sombre liveries and each bearing to the scene of action a Minister, a distinguished peer, a right reverend prelate of the Church, or some distinguished foreigner or member of the corpsdiplomatiquc furnishing the vast assemblage with passing objects of interest and attention to while away the interval before the ardently anticipated splendour and gorgeous retinue of royalty should disclose themselves to their wondering and admiring gaze. More exciting sources of merriment, occasionally found in the often unavailing efforts ot the police to prevent the moro adventurous mombors of the concourse from climbing the trees in order to gain a more advantageous view than their neighbours and this species of diversion for the crowd was considerably heightened as ever and anon the fences and palings gave way with a sudden crash, precipitating to the ground in a ludicrous manner numbers who had mounted them for the sake of their elevation, but not (as far as we perceived) causing any one any serious injury. About half-past eleven o'clock, the galloping backwards aud forwards of the mounted police, and the speedy arrival of a body of theRoyal HorseGuards, withdrawn swords who were distributed in twos, and stationed at equal intervals along the line of route, for the purpose of keeping the course clear were generally taken as an intimation that the royal procession was about to leave the palace, although the idea seemed generally to prevail that that event would be heralded by the boom of the cannon. The only announcement of her Majesty's approach, however, was the general cheering that arose in the distance about a quarter to twelve o'clock and this ebullition of loyalty, being gradually caught up by nearer and nearer voices, at length swelled along, the whole line of route into a loud and deep chorus of enthusiasm as the royal cortege steadily wended its way down the avenue of the Drive towards the northern entrance of the Exhi bition.

The procession having passed, the crowd gave way in a moment, as if suddenly moved by a simultaneous instinct of disappointment at the comparatively sober and unostentatious nature of the display. Indeed, here as elsewhere, this feeling was so strong, that the crowd hardly appeared for a time to believe their own eyes in proof that her Majesty and her illustrious Consort had arrived. Having at length recovered their self-possession, great portions of the crowd dispersed themselves about the walks and mazes of the park, to await her Majesty's return but in extricating themselves for this purpose from their jammed and jostled position, into which they had for several hours been consolidated, fearful pressure and crushing ensued from the rush outwards, and the simultaneous tide for" wards of late-comers, who pressed in resistless numbers across the Serpentine-bridge, opposite the Albert Gate, to occupy the vacuum and no doubt, if the railing adjacent had not been constructed of strong iron, hundreds 01 persons wouiu nave Deen uriven into tne water, most people in the crush appeared, however, to maintain their own ground with admirable spirit, and no serious accident occu.ieo auy uuc urn, no It was only when we attained the southern margin of the 1 Serpentine that the eye could tako anything like a compre" hensive view of the immense assemblage which so mo" mentc.i: an occasion had brought together. At this vantage I I I I there was disclosed to our gaze a mighty throng peopling the whole of the opposite bank, comprised between 1 the upper ami lower bridge, tiers of heads, rising one above another, far up the gentle sh rc of the water's edge. All London must be out there really can be nobody at home was the natural and seemingly just exclamation, of many a by-stauder.

ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL CORTEGE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE About twelve o'clock the royal cortege approached the i entrance to the Crystal Palace but previously to describing its arrival at what may be called the grand terminus of the procession, it may be well to say a few words respecting the appearance of the locality, not only at the moment of he1' Majesty's visit, but for some time before that event had oc" I Ti, to wns chosen for the place 0 tliNUU. III. IIUI.HI" i coinntimi wiis a n.ost hannv one. as the (Uiu in i i i spacious avenue approaching it, and the open ground in front, extending to the Serpentine, afforded ample space Co1' the effective display of one of the most gorgeous spectacles that could be presented to human vision, bo early as mo I ll.n in the vicillitV O' oiuoa IU inc mum. fa' the building were occupied by the earnest class of spectators, who rose with the lark to secure a good position for the day.

In quick succession, as the morning advanced, fresh masses poured into the surrounding area, until every available spot in the immediate vicinity was occupied. The pressure still increasing, some mounted the trees, occu" pying in the first instance the low and sturdy branches but new aspirants for so favourable a position urged the earlie tenants to take a higher flight, until a living pyramid wa formed in every tree, capped by juvenile sight-seers, who clung with desperate resolution to the upper branches, which benfaud crackled beneath their weight. The crowds then stretched along towards the Serpentine, and in the direction of Kensington Gardens, and some of the later comers were to bo seen congregated on the northern shore of the river-and grouped along the grassy slopes that rise from the water's edge. In that great gathering of the nations thousands upon thousands were closely wedged together, yet not a word of complaint was heard every one bore his lot patiently, and forgot all feelings of personal inconvenience, in eager anticipation of the great event they had all assembled to witness. Never, in a meeting solely composed of Englishmen, was move good humour displayed than in this great cosmopolite assemblage, thus affording an illustration of the rapid advance of kindly feeling amongst the nations of the world.

On the summit of the Crystal Palace the inhabitant almost of every clime might behold the flag of his native land unfurled to the breeze, in peaceful conjunction with many a banner against whose supremacy his countrymen had in former days contended but now no longer is there a rivalry of arms the rivalry of arts has succeeded the temple of Mars is closed and the auspicious proceedings of yesterday may lead to a contest in which each nation and each individual will only struggle for the well-being of their kind. The water as well as the land presented a scene of animation. Tho smooth surface of the Serpentine was studded with small craft, displaying their fluttering pennons and towering majestically above them were to be seen the light and graceful proportions of a model British frigate, her yards manned by British seamen and decorated with the flags of foreign nations, surmounted by the broad ensign of Old England. At either side of the avenue leading to the Crystal Palace long lines of spectators were ranged in perfect order. A description has been already given of the densely crowded area extending to the Serpentine.

It is also necessary to mention that the area extending towards Knights-bridge was also occupied but as the facilities for seeing the procession were not so great as those presented at the other side, the pressure was consequently not so intense. The police and other arrangements were admirably conducted, and through the instrumentality of single files of policemen placed at intervals along the avenue, the lines were kept unbroken, until after her Ma" jesty's arrival, when the living current that hurried on impetuously after the royal carriages pressed in upon the already over crowded ground, and burst through the barriers but when the period arrived for the return of her Majesty, the crowd, at the suggestion of the authorities, quietly receded from the place on which they had temporarily encroached, and things assumed their former appearance. At length eleven o'clock arrived, and anxious expectants gazed wistfully in tho direction of Hyde Park-comer, with the fervent hope that her Majesty would be soon amongst them. In the meantime the tedious half-hour that must necessarily elapse before that hope could be realised was seasonably filled up by the arrival of numerous bodies of visitors. Amongst some of the earliest arrivals were the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and members and officers of the corporation, Lord John Russell, Lord Stanley, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir George Grey, the Marquis of Clanricarde, and the Earl of Carlisle.

Some of those noblemen and gentlemen woro accompanied by the ladies of their families. Amongst the later arrivals were his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the Turkish Minister, Prince Henry of the Netherlands, and the Bishop of Oxford. Simultaneously with these arrivals a party of the Yeomen of the Guard made their appearance, and took up the position assigned to them. They were followed by a guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards, with colours, bauds, and drums, which as formed in a line of double file in front of the entrance. The baud of the 2d Life Guards next took up their position, thus completing the military arrangements for her Majesty's reception.

A covered way, carpeted and matted, ran for some yards along the side of the building for the accommodation of the visitors who found it necessary to leave their carriages at some distance from the entrance. A slight shower, which fell most opportunely before the arrival of the procession, cleared the air and brightened the sky, and the warm rays of the May-day sun diffused their cheering influence around, with scarcely a cloud to dim their radiance. At length the royal cortege was seen advancing, and as it moved rapidly onwards through the scene already described, with its glittering and gorgeous trappings, and the glistening armour and helmets and nodding plumes of the attendant Life Guards, the tout entemble was in every degree most perfect and impressive. Her Majesty was loudly cheered as she passed, by the immense multitudes that lined the way the cheers were taken up by those more remote, and again and again repeated by those still further removed, until they died away in the distance. The royal carriages arrived in the order in which they started, and drew up at the entranco to the Exhibition building.

ENTRANCE OP HER MAJESTY INTO THE CRYSTAL PALACE. At twelve o'clock precisely her Majesty descended from her carriage, and, accompanied by Prince Albert and tho Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, stood within the precincts of the Crystal Palace, As her Majesty passed into the building the troops presented arms, the band played the National Anthem, a soldier stationed on the roof hoisted the standard of England on the flag-staff, and cheer after cheer burst forth from the multitudes around. THE TRANSEPT THE CEREMONIAL. As the morning advanced, down upon the vaulted crystal of the lofty chancel roof came a blaze of brightest sunbeams, shedding a glittering radiance and a glory upon all the splendid scene beneath. Queen's weather, indeed!" The phrase leaped from mouth to mouth, as through the many small wickets of the great southern portal long wriggling, struggling lines of crowd fought their way into the nave, and then hurriedly rushed hither and thither in a state of almost frantic eagerness, to secure the best or the appointed accommodation.

Queen's weather truly as the sun, gaining more and more power the great glass vault, and the stately galleries, rising in their symmetry and stretching in endless vistas, right and left aud the statues, and the fountains, and the trees palms and palmettos growing side by side with the brave old elms and the glittering masses of lustrous chan-; deliers and the spreading expanses of richest carpets and tapestry, and the trophies of silken stuff and brocaded stuff, and pictures and devices came out brighter and brighter, and fresher and fresher, in the glare. Our foreign friends soon caught up the phrase, and echoed it with immense satisfaction II fait temps tie lrt ftritm I Hfr Af rnpqtw'fl mpffinrrtlnrifnl fnvtunA lmrl nff deserteJ hel. The evident, would smile upon the pageant. We will suppose nine o'clock, or thereabouts, to be the hour as pointed to by the many clocks of the Exhibition and unite(j testimony to the fact 0f tho worka 0f most fiimous in the world, we proceed to note dow impression or two of the state of matters as existing in the transept at that juncture. The doors had bceB almdy flung openj nd a scene, which is I iu THE EXHIBITION.

GREAT THE OPENING. Finis coronat opus! The grand conception of a world-jubilee of industry the idea of erecting a museum manifesting the progress man in all countries and under all social circumstances, in the myriad arts and pursuits of civilization the thoroughly original conception of, if we may use the phrase, "taking stock" of the world's inventive ingenuity and manipulative skill the stupendous nroiect. short, of the Great Exhibition, lias at length been realised in all its entirety has at length lieen translated from a great thought into a great deed. The achievement, stands proudly forth in all the symmetry of completion. The.

greatest trophy ever erected of human progress, industry, and skill, has been triumphantly piled. Yesterday, amid organ peal and trumpet flourish, and the echoing volleys of artillery, Queen Victoria, from her throne in her Crystal Palace, announced that TUB EXHIBITION' IS NOW OPEN And at the magic words the mingled sounds of music and ordnance were drowned together in the mighty surge of that great roar of acclamation the voice of the multitude lifted up, like the sound of many waters in honour of the proclaimed festival, and in joyous recognition of the commencement of this great Battle of Peace between all the nations of the world As the first conception of the scheme now completed came forth from Buckingham Palace as a scheme so vast in its proportions and so important in its aim could only have been fitly suggested from the highest place of the laud so it was in keeping and in harmony with the whole idea and the whole execution of it, that the last finishing touch should have boon given by Royalty that Queen Victoria should have opened iu pcrsou the Great Parliament of Labour. A Parliament truly, in which, though all are silent, all are eloquent members. A Congress as well as a Parliament, with its representatives of all elin.es and zones torrid and icy of all the great divisions of the globe from Asia, the eldest sister, to Polynesia, the youngest of all continents and great islands of the earth of all states, territories, kingdoms, and republics, in which man lives and labours of all cities, towns, and districts, famed for arts and crafts, for intelligence, for industry, and for skill; of all swarming working-places, where hammers rattle and the loom is busy; of those gloomy spots where tall chimneys pour forth their never-failing tribute to the murky air; and of quieter and lowlier hauuts, where solitary men, in the field and in the wood, by the river or on the sea, still contribute their mite to the world's sum of manufactured wealth one vast brotherhood, obeying the eternal and immutable law which makes labour necessary to the due development and due evolution of human existence. The Exhibition in Hyde Park will form an era at once in the national and in the industrial annals of the world.

It will attract, probably, the greatest human assemblage ever collected together upon one small spot of the earth's surface, and it will determine the exact degree up to which, in the middle of the 19th century, the skill andingeuuity of man have arrived. Iu future ages it is probable that the example now given will not be lost sight of. Perhaps at the close of the half century at the threshold of which we now 6tand, another great ba zaar of the world's industry will be collected another great labour jubilee will be proclaimed. Then there will exist the most interesting of standards whereby to gauge the advance in skill and science of those latter times. The records of our own Exhibition will be brought forth and contrasted with the productions of its successor.

Every forward stride will thus be measured. Every step gained in the grand struggle in which mind continually asserts her rights over, and encroaches upon, the domain of matter, will be registered and made clear. The world will kuow what its last generations have done for it and its glories. Meantime to our own age belongs the honour of having instituted what may thus turn out the first of a series of Labour Demonstrations, in which the history of the earth's industry will be practically written by the very (lite of her toilers. Under what difficulties against what obstacles, moral and physical the design has been carried to a successful completion, we need not now stop to recollect, or rocal.

There was the downright opposition of many from whom better things were to be expected, and there was the heartless apathy of many more, fi arrow-minded prejudice, and shortsighted and scowling bigotry did their worst. The promoters of the Exhibition were threatened with every calamity. Prophecies of war, of insurrection, of pestilence, were flung thick and threefold at their heads. The plan and nature of the building were gravely attacked, and seriously declared to be perfect mechanical and constructive fallacies. The iron would crack, and the glass would shiver.

The first shower would convert the Palace into a pond the first hail-storm would leave it a chaos of broken windows. Here it is, however, still erect and uninjured. Tests of a nature far more severe than the actual stress to be borne have beeu applied, and not a rivet started not a rod -cracked. Rains, heavy and continuous rains, have descended, and except in the cases where the prophets of evil had taken care to insure their own vaticiuatory credit, by plugging up the drains and gutters, uo seriously unpleasant consequences ensued while, as to hail, a few days only have passed since a severe and heavy fall rattled, like a legion of drums, upon the expanded roof, without even starring a single pane. No doubt the other doleful predictions will turn out to be about as well founded.

The opening day has come and gone, and Britons and foreigners have peaceably mingled together, and with joint enthusiasm hailed the inauguration of the great event. The feeling of brotherhood and goodwill was universal, and the perfect order and due decorum preserved spoke most gratifyingly for the prospects of the harmony and good humour of London for ti next few months. One more paragraph of preface, and we proceed to the actual business of the day. If there be one thing more wonderful than the Exhibition, it is the space of time within which the building was reared and its contents manutacturea, gathered, and arranged. It seems but yesterday a few short winter months have only passed away since workmen began to trace lines upon the open turf beneath the brave old elms since lecturers and aceuts were posting from town to town, indoctrinat ing the people with the first idea of the festival- and since we began to read scattered and desultory notices Of What this enterprise intended to effect, and of what it was probable that that country would produce.

Now, punctual to the month and the day, tho vast work is complete in all its noble symmetry. I It is probable that no other people the world could have achieved BUCh a marvel of 1 those whose noble conception first formed the I plan to those whose profound science, mate ability, and iudofatigable energy co sun i -and in- Ht fmi, nn rv vision to uusu, I UUUie lUIUlUJ UUllHltjLiiii-viii, vw, i exhibitors, from the Greatest to the meanest, ana tll0 army of workmen, from the highest to the lowest we proceed to give a history ot yesteraay ceremonies, and of the opening and inauguration of the Great Crystal Palace, commencing with some account of ST. JAMES'S PARK AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Never did St. James's Park present a more gay and animated appearance.

At an early hour all the approaches and avenues loading thereto were thronged by immense multitudes, wending their way up Constitution-hill or through the Green Park towards the Crystal Palace. As the hour approached for her Majesty's departure from Buckingham Palace, the crowd in the largo area immediately opposite increased in density, and it was not without considerable exertions on the part of the police that anything like a dear avenue could bo preserved for the royal procession. We certainly did not envy the task of some half-dozen mounted policemen, whose especial duty was to keep back the crowd, at the risk of crushing the feet of those in the front rank who were prevented from retreating by the pressure from without and many were the efforts, of the ladies particularly, to avoid the too close proximity of the prancing steeds, which performed their duty in the most gentle, but at the same time in the most efficient manner. In some few cases a slight collision ensued in attempting co force back the crowd, which might have been altogether avoided if a temporary barrier had been erected in a lino with the lamp-posts, on the outer side of which the spectators would have obtained an equally good view of the processionand this without at all interfering with the general arrangements, which, under the direction of Superintendents Slay and Haynes and Inspector, Durkin were exceedingly judicious. A few minutes before eleven o'clock the Marquis of Westminster, the lord steward of the household, drove up to the Palace.

He was shortly afterwards followed by the Duchess of Sutherland, the mistress of the robes, and the Marquis of Breadalbane, the lord chamberlain. The Archbishop of Canterbury drove up the Mall and along Constitution-hill soon after eleven o'clock. About this period, a small detachment of the 1st Life Guards, under the command of Colonel Hall, took up their station in front of the Palace, and at intervals along the line of procession. Soon afterwards, the royal escort, under the command of Colonel Parker, entered the area in front Of ntl lv einht of the royal carriages, urawu by pairs of horses. Precisely at twenty minutes before twelve o'clock the royal cortege issued from the Palace in nine car-riaues.

The first carriage, conveying Colonel Sir Ord Honeyman, the field officer in waiting Colonel M'Douall, silver stick in waiting and Counts Puokler and Goltz, in attendance on the Prince and Princess of Prussia. The second, conveying Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, equerry in waiting to the Queen Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Knvmm.iv pnuorrv in wailimr to the Prince Colonel Berkeley Drummond, groom in waiting to the Queen; and Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Seymour, groom in waiting to the Prince. The third carriage, conveying Lord Marcus Hill, treasurer of the household Lord Waterpark, lord in waiting to the Queen Lord George Lennox, lord in waiting to the Prince; and Lord Alfred Paget, clerk marshal. The fourth carriage, containing Viscount Combermere, gold stick in waiting Lord Foley, captain of the honourable corps of Gentlemen at Arms the Marquis of Done-gall, captain of the Yeomen of the Guard and the Earl of Bessborough, master of the buckhounds.

The fifth carriage, conveying the Hon. Mrs. Trevor, bed-chamberwoman in waiting; the Hon. Flora Macdonald and the Hon. Mary F.

Seymour, maids of honour in waiting and the Marquis of Abercoru, groom of the stole to the Prince. The sixth carriage, conveying the Countesses Hacke and Orsilla, ladies in attendance on the Princess of Prussia Lady Caroline Harrington, lady superintendent; and the Marquis of Breadalbane, lord chamberlain. The seventh carriage, conveying the Countess of Charle-mont, lady of the bedchamber in waiting; the Marchioness of Douro, lady of the bedchamber the Duke of Xorfolk, master of the horse and the Marquis of Westminster, lord steward. The eighth carriage, conveying their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Prussia, his Royal Highness Prince Frederick William of Prussia, and the Duchess of Sutherland, mistress of the robes. The ninth carriage, drawn by cream-coloured horses, conveying her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness the Prince Albert, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and her Royal Highness the Princess Royal.

Her Majesty's escort was composed of the Life Guards. The Queen wore a dress of pink watered silk, brocaded with silver, trimmed with pink ribands and blond, and ornamented with diamonds. Diamonds and feathers formed the head-dress. Her Majesty wore the riband and George of the Order of the Garter, and the Garter of the Order as an armlet. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal wore a white satin slip, with two skirts of Nottingham lace, and had round her head a wreath of pale pink wild roses.

Her Majesty, who looked remarkably well, was loudly cheered by the immenso concourse of spectators, and gracefully acknowledged their enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty and affection. Another detachment of the Life Guards brought up the procession, which moved at a brisk pace up Constitution-hill, accompanied by the acclamations of the assembled multitude. PROGRESS TO THE EXHIBITION. CONSTITUTION-HILL. Both sides of Constitution-hill, from Buckingham Palace to the triumphal arch opposite Apsley House, were thickly lined with eagerly expectant spectators long before the hour announced for her Majesty's departure from the palace.

The view front the crown of Constitution-hill was perhaps, upon the whole, the most interesting and picturesque which the line of the royal progress afforded. The long straight avenue terminated by the royal palace, bounded on each side by ranks of loyal subjects or foreign friends, now united in one not, as of old, meeting in opposing ranks and consisting largely of well dressed females, whose gay attire, appropriate to this cheerful season, relieved the lino from the monotonous appearance which the more sombre and unvaried tints of male attire would alone have presented and over-arched by the trees, whose half developed foliage now displays, even in the heart of the metropolis, the brightest vernal tints, and between which glimpses might be caught of the flowing undulations of the Green Park, thickly studded with holiday groups, at every point from which a view of the procession could be obtained while, turning in the opposite direction, were the aristocratic mansions iu Gros- venor-place, with their windows and balconies occupied by groups of elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen in attend- 1 anco upon them all joined to furnish acoup-d'ail, at once animated, varied, and picturesque, and one which, in its combinations of nature and art, an old and wealthy capita' can alone supply. The scene was iu every way appropriate to the display of the peaceful pomp of royalty. Although the sky presented some very threatening indications of an impending storm, just at the time when her Ma- jesty's approach was momentarily expected (and, in- deed, a few drops of rain actually fell), the spectators, i witn scarcely an p.csoeu um.i uU the good humour which ijnarked them throughout the hole nroceed un il her Majesty' arrival. The rapidity with mrlige JJ prevented anv recognitjon 0 of the cmyd of tlie distinguished occupants of the various carrjges but it is scarcely necessary to say that her ul.

r. Majesty and theRoyal Children were, along the whole line, greeted with those genuine tributes of respect and affection I i bundles of papers and despatches, as if tho safety of Following the Lord Chamberlain, and a group of the pria-the Exhibition depended upon their zeal. Party after cipal officersof the household, all of them walking backwards party of polico and military emerge in compact bodies from and ushering in her Majesty, came the Queen, leaning upon unthonght-of corners and angles, and all the military and all Prince Albert's arm, and holding the Prince of 'ale. by the the police make for the magic square, and range themselves hand. The Prince Consort conducted in like manner the round it, doing good-natured buttle with the constantly-, Princess Royal.

Her Majesty was attired in pink and white, growing number of their popular enemies. The platforms the bosom of the dress glistening with pearls. In her hair are now filling fast. The Lord Mayor's family" increase sparkled a diamond tiara, and upon the top of her head she and multiply alarmingly. People who have got comfortably wore a miniature jewelled crown.

Prince Albert was dressed settled to use lorgnettes, and laugh at their friends as a Field in the British army. The Prince of perspiring in the crowd, while people who have lorgnettes Wales wore plaid and kilt of the R.v.al and their eoat-pockela are calculating the chances of.

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About The Morning Chronicle Archive

Pages Available:
99,113
Years Available:
1801-1865