The Express. — London, England, 1862-05-02 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 2, THE OPENING OF THE and "coign of vantage." Some mid tn.. were thirty, some forty thoussuid persons present, comprising large numbers of outpresent, nobility, the whole elite of our gentry, and such a sprinkling of naval, military, smut, maul cipal, and volunteer uniforms as perhaps bad never before been witnessed under one roof tie t country. From the quaint pea-green of the old Scottish archer, to the light grey of the young volunteer, every variety of military costu mewas observable; with fierce yeomanry dragoons, Queen's officers in their plain and unpretending tunics, and whole troops of common-councilmen in every pos ,sible shade of mazarine and minever. Every one now admitted that it was a grand sight, and com posed themselves to wait patiently for the arrival of the procession. THE CEREMONIAL. In the special arrangemen ts of the day for the ceremonial proper it had been decided that the Queen's Commissioners for opening the ambition should assemble at Buckingham Palace, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Prussia and his Royal Highness the Prince Oscar of Sweden, and escorted by the Life Guards, they should proceed in royal carriages through Hyde-park, and arrive at one o'clock at the en trance of the Exhibition building which is situated under the picture galleries in Cromwell-road, where a guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards was stationed. In order that the Queen's Commissioners should be duly met and honoured on their arrival at the building, the Royal Commissioners for the Exhibition, her Majesty's Ministers, the Foreign Commissioners, and all those personages ap pointed to take part in the procession, as sembled at the South Central Court at half-past 12 o'clock, and there awaited the advent of the Commissioners " par excellenes." With commendable punctuality, thus endeavonring, at least in one particular, to prove themselves fit representatives of her Majesty, the Queen's Com missioners arrived at the time appointed. A brief space of time was occupied in the reception at the entrance, and just before a quarter-past one a loud flourish of trumpets announced that the cession was was formed, and making its way through the somewhat confined space which had been reserved for them within the barriers. Pass ing into the nave at the South Central entrance, it wended its slow way along in the following order, taken from the official programme; and so far as per sonal observation, somewhat limited by the exigen cies of the arrangements in the vicinity of the dais beneath the western dome, euabled e us to ascertain, it was carried out with no manifest or remarkable omissions. As regards most of the notable and distinguished personages, ministers of state, diplo matists, members of the House of Commons, and public men, with whose persons a tolerably length ened experience has made us somewhat familiar, we may venture to guarantee their presence. For the large number of persons whose distinction on this occasion arises from their connexion with the Exhibition, of course it would not be possible to warrant their actual presence in the procession, but it is more than probable that every one of them who could walk took care not to be absent. First came trumpeters of the Life Guards in state uniforms, and in long succession they were followed by the coirrascroas' surzamrsinnarrs. Mr. Clemeace. Mr. Ashton. Mr. Wallis. Mr. MAIM Mr. Taylor. Mr. Stevens. DICORLTOR. DRAUGHTSMAN. BURVITOR. J. 0. Crate, Esq. E. Messes, Esq. H. F. Gritten, Esq. --. " , SIFTS 01 LIHTBITION aaassoinierrs. _ . LNTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. We contrived to be at our allotted entrance betimes yesterday, and found even at that early hour & very respectable crowd, bot h as to appearance and numbers, but nothing calculated to excite the slightest alarm on the part of the guardians of the gate. They, however, thought differently, for no sooner were the doors thrown open than they nit peered in the entrance, with arms uplifted and exhibiting every indication of extreme panic, shout ing, " Have your tickets ready !" "No crush ing !" "We must sh ut the doors " There will be some dreadful accident!" with other and similar ex clamations, all the time that the company were letting themselves in in the most orderly manner, the ladies adjusting their draperies, and the gentle men consulting ea to the best positions to seek for seeing and hearing the great features of the ceremonial. They very soon were able to select most desirable places, but, we regretto add, were in most cases very peremptorily ordered to resign possession. lt appeared that in addition to the season tickets, for which every one had paid the same price, certain favoured individuals — amounting to seveisl hun dreds—had also been provided with printed vouchers, in right of which they took all the best places, leaving the great mass of the com pany to shift as they best could, and some of the latter we believe came off very badly. As this sud denly disclosed arrangement caused an immense amount of ill-feeling, and as, without explanation, it has some appearance of unfairness and breach of faith with the public, we mention it here, feeling confident that the instructions of the commissioners must have been miennderstood by the police, or else, that some very good reason can be given for what' at first blush appears to have been a very questionable proceeding. Having at last found our way into the nave, we felt conscious that we formed a unit in a rapidly increasing crowd ; yet so much was that crowd broken up by the interior arrangements, that the public, generally the most imposing feature on occasions of this kind, made no appearance worth speaking of. The nave we found to be two-thirds encumbered and blocked up with unsightly erections popularly known as "trophies," we suppose because they are the results of so many victories by persevering exhibitors over the too obliging Commissioners. Some of them looked hie four-post bedsteads without the curtains, others might have stood for models of the Eddy stone Lighthouse, whilst a third variety were of so nondescript a character as to look as if they had been merely put up, like the Martell° towers, for the purpose of puzz li ng posterity. All these im mense piles of Dutch candles, Russian bristles, and Prussian ironwork must—and we understand will—be removed to more fitting quarters, and then the nave will be seen throughout its entire length with a glimpse of the domes at each end, and the splendid show of jewellery that adorn its sides. At present, in consequence of those obstructions , if you stand under the eastern dome, you cannot see the western ; and if you take your place in the centre of the nave, you can see neither the one nor the other. In consequence of the presenceof these trophies we foundthe crowd broken up into groups, and until the great orchestra filled with the chorus, and the visitors had forced their way to the galleries, we had no idea how vast was the crowd which had assembled to assist at the opening. It was impossible, on entering the nave for any one who had witne ssed the cere monial opening of the Crystal Palace of 1851, to avoid making a mental comparison between the two tableaux. In the first all was brilliancy, light ness, and transparency. The very roof under which we assembled was the greatest wonder of the whole Exhibition. Trees of gigantic size grew and flourished under its concave, and in the centre of the noble transept stood the Queen, and by her side the illustrious Prince, to whose memory many a tear stole down during yesterday's celebration. Yesterday's opening had,. therefore, to undergo the ordeal of a hard and trying comparison, for never was the proverb, which tells us that "The king's name is a tower of strength," more true than in the cases of great English national solemnities. The Queen was, perforce, not there, and in that fact fully half of the comparatively sober first effect is accounted for. Those, therefore, who on entering the nave yesterday said off-hand, "Oh, this isnothingconiparedtothe'slExhibition,"mustma ke allowance for such facts, and they must go again and again, the truth being that if they go twice a week from this to the final closing of the Exhibi tion, they will not have exhausted the attractive objects which have been poured in from every corner of the world for their inspection. In the earlier part of the day the attraction con centrated itself about the western dome, under which an estrade had been constructed with royal canopy, throne, and chairs and tabarets of state. Here were to take place the presentation of the address, the reply of the Duke of Cambridge, and the marshalling of the procession previous to its marching down the nave to the concert. At the edge of this phstform,in a temporary orchestra, were stationed the military bands, under the direction of Mr. Godfrey, who made musical war with the glass roof over bead with great vigour at intervals during the morning. From this point we could command the entire nave, except where the " trophies" in-1 terrupted the view, and found the mist so thick in the roof as nearly to extinguish Mr. Crane's de licate colouring, which in truth appears to have been put on in too minute a pattern to produce the required effect on such a vast surface. The gradual filling of the great orchestra, with its %500 choris ters, bad a very pretty effect, as had also the ga: leries, which in a very short time became crowded with well-dressed company. Perhaps, however, the sort of glimpse which an artist would have liked beet would have been that which was to be obtained through the Byzantine screens at the corners of the transepts, beyond which could be caught the arches and staircases of the courts, looking like so many ecclesiastical interiors. Many distinguished persons now began to drop in from behind the throne, and od to their allotted places. We noticed the proceeded Sutherland in court uniform, accompanied by a noble Walachian in the picturesque costume of his country. Then Earl Granville, bearing his wand of office, passed rapidly across the platform, seeming to be entirely satisfied with the visible result of his lordship's mouths of trouble and anxiety. An Austrian of distinction, carefully muffled up in a fur pelisse of immense value, which suited admirably with the temperature of the day, next flitted across the scene,and was closely followed by the Japanese embassy, who, we are bound to admit, did not make anything which, by the greatest stretch of imagination, could beworked tip into a "sensation " nitric. The stran gers are small and slight, they toddle rather than walk, and would, we were informed, have much preferred sedan chairs, bad it comported with the programme. Their costume, which everyono expected to have been splendid, was of the plainest description, the only decoration of their green caftans being a round dot between the shoulders behind, something in the style of Mr. Boucicault's last playbill. Until they had passed away into their allotted places very few of the company were aware of their entree, or no doubt they would have had a grand reception. Mu nicipal functionaries then dropped in ono by one, all evidently having made praiseworthy attempts to comply with the directions respecting " uniform ;" then a lithe Parsee would pass stealthily along with a lady of his country leaning on his arm, both clad in their rich and graceful Orients' axe tume. The Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by the Sheriffs, and attended by his sword and train bearers, was kept for some time waiting before proper arrangements could be made for hid ceremonial reception. Wu were now gradually approaching one o'clock, and people began to listen for the blast of the trumpets by which the arrival of the commissioners was to be announced. On looking up and around on every aide, we could perceive that the crowd had increased enormonsly, filling nave, transepts, gaol.) is, even the roof, and every corner OIJIMMIIIMRIIMM • sr. -- Beat, Captain Redgrave, R., Esq., B.A. Some, 0., Esq. Shereon, Capt. A. N. Clark, D. K., Eaq. Simmoode , P. L.,Esq., E.SS. Creewiek, T., Esq & R.A. Smith, W., Erg. Candid', Jos Thompson, B. A., FA+ Filth, J. G., Traer, - J. R., Foq., Gibbs, T. Brandreth, Esq. Wallis, G. Esq. Bunt, R., Seq., F.R.S. Waring,J.B.Eaq.,F.B.LB.A. Leighton, J., Eaq., F.S.A. Watson, Dr. Forbes Moffatt, Major Weld, C. 8., Esq. Oldflold, Edmund, F. S.A. Whiting, Sydney, Fag. Qnin, C. W., Esq., F.C.S. Wright, T. A., Esq. las mines COMNIMIONIRd surimmuDiorrs cos WILDING PUBLIC WOW. Captain rhillpotta, B.R. Lieutenant Brooke, R.F. corniacrou AND ANCILITNCT. John Balk, Esq. Thomas Lama, Esq. Charles Lime, Seq. Captain Fork., R.& COUNCIL OF HORTICULTURAL BOCIRTT, AND SUMMIT. Blandy, J. J., ER. Lee, J., Feq. Cooper, Robert, Esq. Pownall, H., Ng. Cluttoo, J. Esq. Saunders, W. W., F A ci. Dille% Sir Charlee W., Bark Somers, Right H oc. Earl of Dacia, The Bight Hos. Earl Veitch, jag., Esq. of Winchoster, the Right ROT. Fleming John, Esq. Lord Bishop of. Godson, S. H., Esq. Lindley, Dr., P. 8.5., Secretary. COUNCIL or THE SOCIETY 07 ARTS, AND SECRITART. o ti : iJohn, Esq. Simpson, W. 8., F.Aq. B r ; • W. H., Esq. Tooke, William, Req., F.A.S. Oole, enry, C.B. Wilson, G. F., Seq., F.R.S. Graham. Peter, Eaq. Winkworth, Thariss, hu t ior Hope, H. T., Fag. Pege Wood, Vioe-C Mackrell, W. T., Esq. Sir W. Phillips, Sir Thomas Foster, P. Le Nem, Esq., Secretary. DITITTATION or TEN OCIANANTORII OF TEI ITRIBITION. Balderson. Henz 4 :sq. Hollins, Michael D. Esq. Bates, Joshes, . Pakington, Right l'i'on. Sir Chambers, Dr. T. J. S.. Bart. Colman, Edward, Esq. Peel, George, Esq. Fowler, Charles, Esq. Rose, W. A., Esq., Alderman. Gurney, Sammd, Fsq.,2LP. A3BII3TANT SICRITART TO HIT MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS TOR 1862. Lords Lindoo, Fag. SICIRTART OF 7RIANCS owormws. Lord Frederick CarendliJi. FINANCIAL OFFICER. J. J. Mayo, En. MIDIBIRS OP THII BUILDING COMITIES, AND fumanravir. Earl of Shelburne. William Fairbairn, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S. Hon. Edwin B. Portman, Seentary. SPECIAL COMVISRIOBRIt FOR JURIES, AND SECILMARY. Dr. Lyon Playfair. .1. F. Iselin, Es+, ILA., Si—. CMAIRMILI OP JUR/LS. Clam Chun L—Sir Roderick Murchieoe, 19.—G. Meviasen. G.C. St. S. 20.—Arlernifour. 2.—Babird. 21.—Ch. Offermana. 3.—Roussinganit. 22.—Cylvain Van de Weyer. 4.- -Cher. de Schware. 23.—Professor Holley. 6.—Duke of Sutherland. 24.—Fortamps. 6.—Gee. Mono. 26.—GabL Kameneky. 7.—W. Fairbsirn, F.R.S. W.—Farl of Scesborough. ft.—Michel Chevalier. 27.—Joseph GunkeL 9. —Marquis de Persia'. 26.—Ear1Statthope, F.A.S. 10.—Marquis of Salisbury, W.—Marquis Gustavo Benin K.G. di Cavuur. P.—General &a. Burgoyne, 30.—Dr. Berg. Bert.,_G.C.B. 31.—Dr. Eon Steinbeis. It—RobertNapier. 32.—Lord Wharncliife. 13.—Professor Dove. 33.—Lord Stratford de Red- Il4.—Baron cliffe, G.C.B. 15.—Viscount &Mills Major. 34.—Pelouse. 16. —Right Hon. Sir George 30.—Right Hon. W. E Glad- Clerk, F.R.S. 'tone, M.P. 117.—Jaa. Byrne, F.R.S.E. 36.—Sir Thomas Phillips, IS.—Trios. Easley, M.P. ; end the Right Honourable Lord Taunton, President of the Council of Chairmen of Juries. AUTING COMMISSIONERS FOR COLONIES, DRPERDMIGOIS, &O. Australia, West—A. Andrews, Eq. Australia, South—F. S Dutton, Esq. Bah2erglss—S.llerris, Esq. __ William Baker, Baq. Itarbadoos—S. Carve, Faq., M.P. Itnrmtula—W. C. rabbi Tucker, Fag. British Colombia--Captain Mayne. British Guiana—Air W. H. Holmes. Cauada—Air W. E. Logan. Ceylon —E. Rawdo• Power, Esq. Grenada—Th. Mulkey, Esq.. M.P. Hong Kong P. Campbell, Esq. Jamaica—His Excellency C. E. Darliag, Fag. Liberia—Gerard Ralston, Esq. Malta—Hoe. F. W. loglost. Hayti—J. C. Atiffel, Eq. Mauritius—J. Morris, Feq. Neal -W. C. Sargesunt, Eaq. New Brunswick—TlC. Daniel, Esq. Newfoundland—F. N. thaborne, £sq. New South Wales —E. Hamilton, Bag. sad Sir D. Cooper. Now Zosiand—J. Morrison, Esq. Nova Scotia—A. Unnicke, Esq. Prinre Edward's Island—H. Hemel, Esq. Qunonshm.l—M. H. Marsh, Esq., 11.1'. M. Plumed—Dr. Btaarole. Taluimini—Sir H. E. rux Young, C.B. Trinidad—W. Rtnnie. Vancouver's Island- -Flu, A. tangier. Victoria—Air Redmo n d losiau Llaarle-11. Drummeed Wolf, Keg. POSZION aerate connnweetiorna. P. C. Owen, Esq., Soperialeadent of Patric Deparlmesit Argentina Republio—J. Fair. Austria—Omar Ssecitsayi, Boom Is Hothasitild. Chevalier de Schwas; Count SFaldatola. Bast-er. Dieu. Baratta—Dr. Charles Bees. Belgium--Charles de Orelle and Octave Delepierra. Brazile—W. B. Clark, Esq. Costa Rice—O. W. Ewell. Esq. Denmark—A. Westeitholz. Ecuador.— Fopt--Kr. Marlette and L. Lore. Fisnos—Merdear Ls Play. Gmsoe—A. 0. Imam, Fag. ()mimesis—John Samuel, Faq. Haomar—Dr. Charles Kannarsch. Hanes Towns—Monsieur (Ream and Moneieur A. L. F. Maier. Hems Darmitedt—Monsieur F. Fick. 111—E. Grassi, Faq., and Cavaliers G. Devincenzi. Hariiinde—Baron Von Brieuen sad S. A. Van Ityk. Niceragna—E. F: t v= d Esq. Norway—Emal Portugal—Le Viscount de Villa Maim. Prussia—Augustus Altgelt and Charles Heldman. Boma—Henry Doyle, Bag. Russia—GeoricliPetereos, Fag., and Gabriel de Kamenaky. Saxony—M. L. eisroer. Spain—G. Esteban Boller', Fag. Sweden—C. F. Warn. Switserland—Gnsteme Vogot, Esq., sad Frans Bathing. Turkey-040ml Minnow Bay and Paul Cadman, Eaq. Two Mecklentairghs—Dr. Dippe and Baron Maltzahn of Volnithanhe. United States—J. E. Holmes, Faq. Uruguay—Graham Gilmour, Req. Venezuela— F. Hemming, Eaq. Wurtemburg—Dr. Von Stein is. The Lord Provost of Glasgow. The Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Lord Mayor of York. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Maoebesrer and Swordhemer of the City of London. preceding The Right Hon. William Cubitt, the Lord Mayor of London, G. J. Cockerell, Faq. W. H. Twentymea, Faq. Sheriffs of London and Middlesex. PRIBMINTS OF FOIUDON OONNIGNIONS. Belgium—Mons. M. Fertampc Haase Towne—Mr. Rucker. Nethertande—Moos. J. W. L. Yen Oordt Rusnis—Alasie Levahin. Switeiriand—J. Rapp, Dig. Turkey—Nszim Bey. United Statas—Oolocel Johnstone. Uruguay—B. B. Neill,Ewl. Kaßraman—Mane.& Hoene. liilimemeerfe CONltts3lol43llB TOE 1851, AND 811DINFART. His Grace the Duke of Bumleach, K.G, F.R.S. Bight Hon. theßarl of Rows, K.P. Pr. of R.S. Right Hon. Lord Portman. Right Hoe. Lord Overstone. Right Roo. Lord Taunton, Right Hon. W. Cowper. Bight Hon. B. Nato li , M.P. • t Roo. R. Lowe, M.P. Sir A. Spesnaan, Bert. Sir C. L. Eastlake, P.R.A., F.R.S. Sir C. Lyell, F.R.S. Thos. Barley, Esq., M.P. T. F. Gitisoni. a w: John Gott, . J. Hawkohaw, A. Ramsay, FAR. H. Thring, .Feq. E. A. Booting, Bag., C. 8., Secretary. HB NAMINIYES coif glealOttlati roc Taa *memos or 1862, AND RICILITAZT. The Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G. Hie Grace the Duke of Bockinglisin and Chandoa. Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart. Thomas Baring, Fag., M.P. Thomas Fairbairn, Esq. F. R. Sandfool, Faci., Secretary. The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London, Aooompaoud by the Rev. John Sinclair, IL A., the Arehdeeeou of Middlesex, and The Bev. W. J. boos, D.D., the Incumbent of the Pariah. eQ NAJIISTT'S Not being either Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1862, or Special Commissioners for the Opening. The Right Hoe. 0. I'. Villiers, President of the Poor-kw Board. The Right Hoe. E. Cardwell, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Right Hoe. Lord Stanley of Alderley, Postmaster- General. The Right Hon. Thomas Milner Gibeon, President of the Board of Trade. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Chancellor of the --- --- Exchequer. Him Grew the Duke of Somerset, First Lord of the Al. miralty. The Right Hon. Sir o.Wood„Bart., G.C.8., Secretary * for India. The Right Hon. Sir G. Cornwall Lewis, Bart., Secretary for War. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Right Hon. Rail Russell, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Right Hon. Sir G. Grey, Bart., G.C.8., Secretary of State for Home Department. ILAJPOTT'S SPECIAL COIORSSIONUS 101 TIM OPISING. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, B.Q. His Gram the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Right Hon. the Lord Westbury, Lord High Chanoallor. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby, KG. The Right Hon. the Viscount Sidney, Lord Chamberlain. The Right Hon. Viscount Palmerston, K.G., G.C.B. The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of Commons. ROYAL PISSONAGIL9 ATFINDING TSB OPINING. His Royal Highness the Prinos Oscar of Sweden. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Prussia. Gentlemen in attendance on Royal Personages. Pipers of the Septa Fusilier Guards. AB the bead of the procession appeared in the nave there was, as may be supposed, a stir in the vast assemblage, and a surging to and fro of the many thousands who were in the happy condition of not being able to see anything except the anxious individuals in the galleries or in the 'body of the nave exactly opposite. The latter, however, were more fortunate—if theyesteemed it so—for the con tracted space through which the procession passed brought most of the personages who formed it into close contact with those who occupied the front seats. It must be confessed that there was not much reciprocity in this respect. The members of the procession who chose to cast their eyes on each aide of them were gratified by beholding a long line of such charming faces and fine forms as the womankind of no other muntry in the world could show ; while they bad the questionable privilege of gazing on an as oddly-assorted and queer-looking set of gentlemen as it was possible to bring together in a given area. It is no use disguising the matter, but the component parts of the procession were not imposing, and in the gross the effect was by no means good. There was an ill assortment of oos tumes ; here a splendid military uniform, British or foreign, carried by the wearer as if he was quite comfortable in it ; there a diplomatic blue and gold, with the stiffness which seems inseparable from that peculiar costume ; now a crimson and furred robe, and in immediate proximity to these the swallow-tailed cost, and even the shapeless peletot of private life, whose owner seemed principally oc cupied in wondering how, being neither rich nor rare, he happened to have got where he was. But this was not all ; nobody except the military men seemed to know exactly how they were to walk ; and when they reached the grand entrance beneath the western dome, where the throne—which was to remain vacaut, a painful significancy—and the gilded chairs of the Queen's special oom misitioners were placed, they seemed to tumble on to the dais, and to fall into such places as the genius of wel-arrangement seemed to suggest to them. Some peculiarities of the compo sition of the procession may be mentioned. For instance, the Bishop of Winchester,a prelate who is only fifth in the episcopal list, Ind who enjoys special privileges and dignities, to-day walked weekly in his every-day costume (saving the rib bon and badge of the order of the Garter, of which he is prelate) at the tail of the council of the Hor ticultural Society. Sir John Pakiugton, who is only physically a small personage, was content to walk amongst the guarantors of the Exhibition. Lord Stratford de Radcliffe, Earl Stanhope, the Dske of Sutherland, Sir John Burgoyne, Sir George Clerk, and Lord Taunton figured as chairmen of juries; ; the Duke of Buccleugh held a place es one of the commissioners of the Ex hibition of 1861, amongst whom walked, side by side, and in amicable if not amiable, and occasionally jocose conversation, Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Lowe, gentlemen who, in another plate, have e xhibited A certain antagonism, which it would seem is more political than real and personal. Conspicuous amongst that which we do not hesitate to call a crowd, as the procession attempted to deploy on the plat- form, were several black faces, and in ore instance *slave aresilly mestioned that the musical a roamer of ooltpir must have balm a distil- 'par of the ceremonial of the day began with .guished perm in Ids own country, fier be wore the performance of the National Anthem by the star of some order of knighthood. When we/ the full chorus * and instrumental band. The was at length made for the passage of the Queens cWilue numbered two thousand voices, and there Commissioners, many eyes sought for the Earl d j were four hundred instrumental performers. Derby, for it bad been rumoured that that noble-When they were all arranged in the orchestra man would probably be unable to be present, owing greeted under the dome, the coup-dreil was similar to the indisposition from which he has of late Ind- to that of the orchestra of the Crystal Palace at the fend. However, he was in his place, though great Handel festivals, though of much smaller walking feebly, and leaning hastily on a stick. dimensious. Those who heard it must have re- Lord Palmerston looked well and cheerful, exhi- ' ceived very dissimilar impressions, aceording to biting, however, many marks of the octogen- their positions. To multitudes, no doubt, even arian. As we are dealing with contrasts, we the loudest wts of the music must have been may refer to that which existed between the Lord • • almost inaudible. In front of the orchestra Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of ! the effect of the National Anthem was 'lathe Commons,who both, costumed in gold and brocaded 1 factory. The broad muses of simple choral robes and full-bottomed wigs of the exact same harmony were very grand, and the full swell of the pattern, presented that difference which may be female voices was rich and beautiful This sub supposed to prevail between a very tall and stately lime strain—sublime from its very simplicity, and man and a short and—not to speak it profanely— still more sublime from the feelings with which it somewhat punchy gentleman. The Duke of Cam- is associated—was listened to by the immense bridge lookedstaw art and imposing, as becomes one crowd uncovered and standing, and bushed in of that royal family which has produced deep silence, till the last sounds died away, when some of the finest grown men of the last two a univer sal shout" burst from every bide, mak generations. The Crown Prince of Prussia, ing the walls ring again. notable for the simplicity of his uniform ' showed The first piece of the special music was Meyer slim and graceful ; and Prince Oscar of Sweden, beer's grand overture of the rehearsal of which at though somewhat dark, not to say sallow, in coin- Exeter-hall, on Tuesday last, we have already plexion, is the happy proprietor of a tall and well- given some account. Its effect on the whole ,did set fi gure, which displayed to advantage a hand - not disapp oint the ex p ectations of those who had some military dress, conspicuous in which was the heard it on that occasion, and who were large yellow plume of his cocked hat. At length able to hear it distinctly. It consists of three the order of things somehow was made to proceed. divisions or movements. In the first, a short iu- The Queen's commissioners took their seats on the troductory passage, calculated to awaken the atten platform immediately in front of the throne. The tion of the audience, leads into a triumphal march, Duke of Cambridge, of course, occupied the ten- in that grandiose and imposing style with which tral plate. On his right were the Crown Prince of all who know Meyerboor's principal operas are Prussia, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord familiar. No composer excels him m the Chancellor, and the Earl of Derby ;on his left were art of adapting instrumental music to vast placed Prince Oscar of Sweden, the Lord Chamber- localities. He is certainly the modern han, Viscount Palmerston, and the Speaker of "Brian= with his hundred hands." Of this the House of Commons. As soon as the Queen's Triumphal March it may well be said, that Commissioners had thus "assumed their state," " Jove's own thunders follow Mars's drums," it was necessary that they should have the Royal for the thunders of the orchestra rolled Commissioners for the Exhibition full in their view. through every corner of the building. The This, however, was for the moment prevented, second movement was a religious march, of a sub owing to a number of the gentlemen who had clued cud mournful character. This is, perhaps, figured in the procession having ranged themselves the finest part of the work, and yet it was compare ' in a line in front of the dais, with their backs grace - tively ineffec tive, sim p l y because it was imperfectly fully and courteously turned on the represeutotives heard by nine-tenths of the audience. In this of her Majesty. Sir Wentworth Dias', equal to movement the stringed instruments are chiefly the occasion, rushed forward, and by a series of called into action ; and it is well known that m vigorous pushes, no doubt accompanied by powerful music performed in the open air (as this music may mental objurgrory ejaculations, cleared off those be said to have been) it is impossible t o produce, by physical obetacles, who subsided somewhere into means of stringed instruments, a full and resonant the somewhat confused and ill-grouped crowd that body of sound. The last movement, however, occupied the erred°. This was an awkwardness --• quick march, or pas redouble, full to say the least of it ; but happily it did not attract of fire and energy, again arrested the much attention, as it was only a part of the curious general attention ; and when the inspiring strain divergences from order of a very awkward squad. of "Rule Britannia," mingling with this quick But the next event was remarkable. In the march, and rising by degrees to • marvellous official programme it was laid down that as soon as climax of power and grandeur, brought the p iece the Queen's Commissioners were seated a verse of to an end, loud acclamations hailed this the National Anthem should be performed by the triumph of genius and art. magnificent orchestra, vocal and instrumental, There was a short pause, and then Dr. Stern which was assembled under the eastern dome. dale Bennett's Ode began, conducted by M. But the genius of mischief somehow inspired Lord Sainton. It was admirably executed, and being Granville to forget an important portion of the ar- a choral work—of all kinds of music the most =cements, which he must no doubt have had • suitable for performance on such an occasion as powerful hand in preparing, and wholly ignoring the present — its effect was complete, and it was "God save the Queen," he stepped briskly forward felt that Tennyson's magnificent poem was united to speak the address which on the part o f the Royal to music worthy of it. Bennett's music in the Commissioners for the Exhibition he was to deliver official programmes is called a chorale ; a title before the Queen's Commissioners. He bad got which gives an erroneous idea of its nature. The through his first sentence when there came • word chorale is technically used to designate a wailing sound from the other end of the nave, which psalm or hymn tune ; whereas this is a work on • by a superhuman effort on the part of the me- large scale, and of grand though simple structure. cutants was in &little time made to reach the ears of Still it is not entirely wrong to call it a chorale, those assembled under the western dome in some- for a chorale forms the subject of the piece, thing like the phantom of a vocal and instrumental and its impression is constantly kept up, delivery of the National Anthem. This sound, though it is expanded by episodes arising faint but yet distinct, prevailed during the whole out of the theme, and treated with consummate time that Lord Granville was speaking, and when contrapuntal skill. It opens with this choral sub he ceased the Duke of Cambridge. prudently re- ject ; the whole voices bunting, fortissimo, into solving not to have his speech subjected to such an the words, " Uplift a thousand voices full and accompaniment, paused for several minutes, until sweet," in four parts of plain harmony ; and the the unconscious °rehear*, who no doubt supposed same strain is repeated with still greater force, and that they were doing their spiriting effectually and reinforced by the whole strength of the orchestra. effectively, bad concluded. 'The speech which Lord There is a pause, and the voices, in the softest and Granville delivered under these unusual circum- most subdued tone, take up in the relative minor stances was as follows : the mournful words, May it please your Royal Highness and my Lords Com. 0 silent father of our kings to be, missionen,—ln the name of her Majesty's Commissioners Mourn'd in this golden hour of jubilee, who have charge of the International Exhibition of 1862, with an effect inexpressibly pathetic. It I have the honour of presenting your,Royal Highness and struck us as remarkable that the h this move the other commissioners for opening the Exhibitiou • most meat was sung pianissimo from inning to humble address. We especially offer to her Majesty our en d, ye t no t a note of it was lost, owing condolence for the loss irreparable which her Majesty and the nation have sustained, and we thank her Majesty for to the breadth and simplicity both of the melody and the harmony, together with the allowing herself to be represented by your Royal Highness naturally penetrating quality of the human voice, and the other Commissioners on this occasion ; and we beg which no instrument poetesses in an equal degree. to express our great gratitude to his Royal Highness the After this beautiful passage there comes a piece of Crown Phnom of Prawns and his Royal Highness Prises choral recitative, in which the voices of each part, Owns of Sweden, for having honouredithe Exhibition with singing (or rather speaking) in unison, describe the their presence this day. We also offer our thanks to the varied riches of the Exhibition—a part of the poem Commissioners, British and Foreign, who have segued us extremely difficult to treat musically, but this mode in this work ; and we venture to express our confidence of treatment is equally ingenious and happy. There that Ode work will be thought worthy of ranking amongst is then a recurrence of the opening chorale ; but the international exhibitions which in the future may pad- the melody, being sung in a pucker time, and ac odically occur. companied by the orchestra in a florid style, as- His lordship then banded to his Royal Highness sum es a more flowing and air in y character. This the address, which we gave in yesterd a y' s Express • change mews at the passage the poem which To this hie Royal Highness the Duke of Cam- begins : And let the fair white wing peacemaker fly, bridge thus replied : We shallot Perform the duty which the Queen has done To happy havens under all the sky. us the honour to commit to us as hey Majesty's repress- The poet's idea is here beautifully expressed, and tatives on this occasion, without expressing our heartfelt echoed, as it were , by the music. After this par regret that this inaugural ceremony is deprived of her sage has been largely developed, by a variety of fine Majesty's presence by the sad bereavement which hes modulations and effects of harmony, the piece is, overwhelmed the nation with universal sorrow. We brought to an end by a few great chords, " alla share most sincerely your feelings of deep sympathy with breve," uttered with the whole power of the voices her Majesty hi the grievous affliction with which the and instruments. This grand work produced • Almighty has seen fit to visit her Majesty and the whole profound sensation. The deep silence which pre people of this realm. It is impossible to contemplate the vailed during its performance enabled every part of spectacle this day presented to our view without being pain- it to be clearly beard, and the loud and prolonged fully reminded how great a loss we have all sustained in the applause which resounded through the whole Illustrious Prince, with whose name the first Great Inter- building showed the effect it had produced. national Exhibition was so intimately connected, and whoa. I The last of these special performances, the Grand enlarged views and enlightened judgment were consolations March, by Auber, was INN effective than the others. iu his appreciation of the benefits which such undertakings Without any disparagement to this charming com ae calculated to confer upon the country. We sic e o n- poser, we cannot but observe that he does not seem mended by the Queen to assure you of the warm interest to be familiar with the treatment of gnat manses 1 which her Majesty cannot fail to take in this Exhibition' of sound. His March is admirable, full of melody, and of her Majesty's earnest wishes that its MONS may grace, and spirit ; but its facture (as the French amply fulfil the intentions and expectations with I which it call it) is too minute for such an occasion as this. Its delicacy and finish would be delicious at the was projected, and may richly reward the real and energy aided by the cordial co-operation of distinguished men of ()Peril Comique, but were lost in the vastness of various countries, by which it has been carried into execs ,. the Exhibition building. tion. We heartily join in the prayer that the International The only other great musical performance was Exhibition of 1862, beyond largely conducing to preient the " Hallelujah Chorus'," the effect of which was enjoyment and instruction, will be hereafter recorded an an inexpressibly sublime. Some pieces were played important link in the chain of International Exhibitions, by by military bands, but they were scarcely beard. which the nations of the world may be drawn together in the noblest rivalry, and from which they may mutually derive At the conclusion of the orchestral performance the Bishop of London offered up idle following the greatest advantages. prayers : The next portion of the ceremonial consisted in kn ow n, almighty and pod, u rom .nC o o m wh e om . al hearts are be h o i se , nrl desires the formal presentation by Lord Granville, of what thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, may be called emphatically " The Key" of the that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy Exhibition. This is in fact and in reality a master- holy name : through Christ our Loch—Amen. key to all the locks throughout the building ; 0 tend, save the Queen. and has been wrought by Messrs. Chubb, entirely And mercifully hair us when we call upon Thee. by hand, out of a solid piece of steel. It was en- Endue Thy ministers with righteousness. And make closed on this occasion in a crimson velvet bag 0 Lord Thy chose? people joyf ul. With this, the ceremony which was app ointed to And bl n e. ve s inheritance. be held under the western dome was brought to a Give peace in our time, 0 Lord. close. The procession was, as the phrase goes, re- Because there is none other that fighteth for us, 'out formed ; and crossing over to the northern aide of only Thou. 0 God. the nave, passed along the space enclosed within 0 Loyd, we thank Thee for all the benefits Thou host lie barriers on that side, and with the pipers of the stowed upon us : for our national prosperity, and the bless- Soots Fusilier Guards "skirling' behind it, ^ro . limltivatZes T otdoof nUltlllns scions " O w lii " a e t itl o ll b ; rti n; " oeeded slowly along until the space in fronton , the f Thou bast not forgotten judgment.m da y that temperest or; rejoicing with sorrow. Thou givest years of quiet enjoy tohnighesspotra der t haundamethmeberedtearnuduommbee number of t rea r a i h n ed. guish A ed t went. end in a moment removest the blessings Thou bast rsonages. Here were placed the only members of lent us, when Thou Boost that the trial is for our good. the me Royal family, besides the Chief Commissioner of prtu!t h u . s . a b n e i e l n all for whom:e h rzy thi to s cr.;,:tter long Thy the Queen, who were present on this } occasion, usaa fully looked for u wl: i d i t, R :ll6 risen at last not v/J:loutorik namely; the Duchess of Cambridge and her cloud. Teach us, Lord, to bear our trials as the correction daughters, the Grand Duchess of Mecklen- of a Father's love, and grant us, following the examples burg Strelitz, and the Princess Mary of Cam- Thou bast mit bide r us, to work while life its, both more bridge. The diplomatic corps were here assembled, zealously and O singleness of purpose, as in Thy and a considerable number of noblemen and gen- tight tlemen, ex-ministers, ex-chsucellors, and the Ja- te the dry land and the gathering together 1,0 11 did Tho st u who of old dseeist create the heavens and the earth, panesc ambassadors. of the waters ,• who didst cause the surface of our globe at On the platform seats were provided for the members a the procession, and as sown an every Thy providenes ever SIPCO hest watch e d over and ble.aed first to bring forth abundantly of its hidden stores, and by one bad been accommodated—an operation which did not occupy any unnecessary amount of time-- inereue; 0 Th e ou rt w i l i so bar up re ri c alth e. th h e e de p !mitt °r:llnisofttlii'lleTlaridaaniid water and air with precion;, the orchestra, under Mr. Cada, commenced the very important part of the ceremonial which had beseech Thee. this ,Isy ou us who would dctlicute these been committed to their charge. things that minister to m an's en j o y ment ;look down. we tresaures to Thy service. O Thou who at first didet form man's body, and breaths into his nostrils the lweath of life : who has tavola him the wing eye sad the skilful heed, and all the eudowmenta ~on end of tent*: grant that we my oonsiwzate all to Thee. - . . O Thou who hut 'Woad to all the various tribe, of Earth the appointed plain of their habitation, marking out for each its peculiar teak ; and yet hest encouraged men to go down to th e sea in ships, and brave the dangers of the great waters, that they may bear the good things of one .ites another Mies that interchange of Thy gifts which we seek is this building to &dream. 0 Thou everlasting Father, who bast made of me blood all the maims that dwell on earth, remove all barriers that obstruct our union ; look down upon this gathering from divers countries, and bless it to spread the Gospel of Thy Soo. O Thon eternal Son of God, the Prince of Heaven, ie whose heavenly kingdom they shall so more hurt nor destroy, for no evil parkas them shall enter, foa m amoot r za b we pray Thee all kindly arta of peace, banish born all unholy strife, end stir the nations to generous rivalry for good. 0 Thou blamed Sperit of holiness and love, so role one hearts that mankind may be united in oue brotherhood through Jesus Christ, that se members one of another we may labour everywhere, each in his degree, to minister to the waste of all. 0 God the Father, bear our prayers through Jesus Ctuist oar Lord. Oar Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is is heaven. Give an this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tremor's, as we forgive them that Pompey' spin e t us. And teed us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. The pesos of God, which paaseth all understanding, keen you hearts end minds in the knowledge sod love of G m j and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blenice of God Almighty, the Father, the 800, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you s ad remain with you &Ivey& Amen. This was succeeded by Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." As soon as the grand sounds of that superb musical thanksgiving had ceased to vibrate through the dome, the Duke of Cambridge, rising, in his loudest tones proclaimed that the Exhibition was open. Like the prayer, this announcement was nevertheless not heard by those who occupied the extreme edge of the platform beneath the dome, and so, of course, did not reach the ears of the occupants of the nave, who, imprisoned within the long, relentless barriers that stretched from dome to dome, had nothing to do all day, except when the prooesaion was peening immediately More them, but to look wisVully at the numerous and gigantic trophies which literally blocked the aren before them, and w. order what was going on from time to time. This was the main defect of the arrange. men* which, however, we presume, was inevitable ,• whatever in the way of ceremoni a l was performed took place under one or the other of the domes, and so far as any single person whose place was on the floor of the nave and in the galleries overlooking that part of the building knew, it might just as well have been carried on on Salisbury-plain. The loud notes of the trum petst.n soon gave notice that the Exhibition had. declared open. The "removal of the barriers," and the freeing from their somewhat dull bondage the crowd which had sat or stood through some three or four hours of probation was to have followed. This consummation, how. ever, was not immediately attained, for the procession, with a difference, moved from the platform beneath the eastern dome, this time passing along the south side of the nave. No order was observed, official prooeesionists and the occupants of the reserved seats roam• ing about freely. The formality of the order of the going of the Queen's Commissioners was broken, inasmuch as the Duke of Cambridge warn accom ponied by his mother her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge • the Crown Prince of Prussia conducted the G rand Duchess of Mecklen. burg Stream ; and Prince Oscar of Sweden escorted the Princess Mary of Cambridge. As to the other Queen's Commissioners, we have some notion that the Lord Chancellor was seen struggling through the genteel crowd as well as he could, and in danger of separation from his mace and seals ; but for the others, they got absorbed in the moving mass, and were seen no more in their decidedly formal capacity. It is true that, with something of organisation, the Queen's Commissioners, and those who had been especially attendant on them, passed through the Picture Galleries ; but practi cally, from the time when the last notes of the Ns tlonal Anthem ceased, the ceremonial proper was at an end. The barriers were really removed at last, and the visitors at large roamed through the building at their free will and pleasure. The good impression made by the spirit and splendour of the opening festival was further in creased by the forward state of all the industrial courts—both British and foreign. Those who were familiar with the condition of the building even on Wednesday morning, and who had perfect faith in the energy of the different superintendents and the wonders to be performed by a diligent sub- division of labour, were hardly prepared. for the complete views of art and industry which met them on every side. The glass court shone through the iron columns of the nave—a perfect forest of frosted crystal ; the grace of British and foreign pottery was shown in innumerable cases ; glittering jewels lay imbedded in beds of velvet ; rich (supers, silks, and laces were hanging in profusion from every wall ; the furniture courts were thrown open, tilled with collections that looked like stray fragments of royal pekoes ; pianos tinkled,. as at the famous Crystal Palace, behind delicate screens; science put on its gayest face, its most brilliant costume, to honour the occasion ; and philosophical instruments proved that they had other and more superficial attractions beyond their ingenuity sad usefulness. In every corner a new wonder met the eye, and the chief avenues were filled with luxurious conches and loungers, as if the Exhibi tiara had been opened a dozen years, instead of only a few minutes. In the Machinery department — the western annexe—the huge wheels were ne volving, the broad straps were quivering on eaok side of the passages, and the warm gusts of steam, I with the clatter of the engines, told the visitors I what they might expect iu a few days. About three hundred machines, chiefly in the British part of the annexe, were in full eetivity—the only stagnant corners being in the foreign department , particularly in the space devoted to France and Austria. The French Industrial Court, which no one hardly expected to find open, was filled with the richest products of art industry; and although here and there a narrow lane of cases were covered up if in mourning for departed friends, the show was sufficient to attract thousands of visitors aryl to fill them with admiration. M. Christofle, the mat French silversmith, made a spleudid display of the Paris plate near the centre of the court, and ais tributes" his special catalognes by hundrede Thc Austrian courts were sparkling with a rich collec tion of fancy glass, which the visitor looked ,hares from the galleries ; and the Zollverein exhi bition, though huddled up by the erection of thea huge throne for the gate ceremonial nyder O western dome, was sufficiently advanced ie. be a leading point of interest. Most et the small states, or groups of states. vle equally forward, and except in the ginolea no ordinary visitor would probably iliscov:r fist any work remained to be done. The present fee ward condition of ourforeign visitors--which ahoy' a mked advance upon 1651—is largely this ie tas activity of British agents, and foremost swept these we must place Mesita. Morgan Brotheri: sad act for at least thirty states and colonic.. riere ' are the gentlemen who stepped in to pull tie FP nth Commissioners out of their serious difficulty at the beginuiug of the week ; who moved an acre of ing-cases in a single night; and who disoaverol thousand pounds' worth of property in one of the supposed empty imses—carelessly left there by the hurried French labourers. The eastern annexe throughout its It ot,ol .114 breadth was as clean and orderly as tie Museum, and its vestibule—so to speak —e., minted with a fine collection of works in and other stones. If there were not quite o. visitors here as at other parts of the builavie. must account for it by supposing that they :01. the entrance, which is rather low, and so lost •,"" lection which is worthy of every attention. The colonial display was set forth in all its r..:1,1 and interesting profuseness before the rov.al distinguielied guests ; and it was only and Taanutuia that any signs of back warhe visible. The timber trophy belonging w the hi•t' I \ IS r - L