The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-09 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY SYEIMM, MAY 9, 1862.

THE INTERNATIONAL KXHIBITIOH.

The French critics who are so hard on the archi-
tectural sins of the Exhibition building, should go
and take a look at it from the garden of the Horti-
cultural Society, when they will see it assume a
different and very much improved appearance. The
two domes are there taken in at one view, and the
Italian façade which runs between them has a light
and pleasant effect. We do not mean to say that
even then the building looks quite as well as might
be, but it certainly looks better from the gardens
than from any other point of view and it is only
fair to the architect that now, even in the eleventh
hour, his strong point should be made known to
the public. Another advantage for those who have
the privilege of the gardens is, that some excellent
military music is to be heard there every day, a
thing which the rules of the Exhibition do not per-
mit within the building.
There is a subject which is discussed daily within.
the building with much animation, and to which
we think now is the proper time to call attention.
The shilling days are rapidly coming round, and
therefore it is quite time for those upon whom the
safety and comfort of the shilling public will de-
pend to take counsel as. to the beat means of mous-
ing both. As the articles and easel ass qt, ill
apiraged, there are grave doubts as to whether the
circulation could be maintained with k cidwd Of,
say forty or fifty thousand people. 'Until now the
nave was completely blocked up, and it is in the
nave that the first pressure of the crowd will be
felt. The general opinion is that, with the excep-
tion of some sculpture or light marginal ornaments,
it should be completely cleared, and then, with the
open platforms under the domes at each end, a
great advance will be made towards securing elbow
room for the public. Messrs. Hunt and Itcekell's
case was removed yesterday, and the diesaind-caves,
a very large obstruction, are also en route. The
cereal trophy is condemned, and hopes are enter-
tained that the great telescope may also take its
departure to some more fitting locality. Mr. Ema-
nuel, although having gone to great expense
in fitting up his attractive jewel cue, has, we
understand, expressed himself in a most liberal spirit
of concession ; and we learn further that Mr. Cole
has been most successful in his diplomacy with all
the other exhibitors.
Although the weather was beautiful yesterday,
the attendance was not at all crowded, even in the
picture galleries, which since the opening have
generally attracted the majority of the company.
The May meetings, which have just commenced,
might have drawn away many of the ticket-
holders, but it is obvious that people also stay
away in consequence of the unfinished appearance
of the interior. Minton's great fountain is still
hoarded round, and the pots of flowers which ere
waiting to ornament its base have a hard struggle
to preserve their bloom, and even existence, amid
the dust which the workmen continually ruble.
Another enemy against which precautions must
be taken is the rain, which on Wednesday severely
tested the domes and the glade roofs of the courts.
Active measures were being taken yesterday to
make the building water tight, and Mr. Ashton, to
whom the duty has been entrusted, has a confident
expectation of making the building impervious to
future showers.

BFOMIYO INTELLIGENCE.,