The Express.
London, England, 1862-04-29 00:00:00

10 deeply deplane. (Hear, hear.) Eleven years ago, before marked that there was nothing which foreigners visiting
the Exhibition of 1851 was opened, mar Persons this country could contemplate with greateradvantage than
doubted whether such large assemblages of people
of various nations as were anticipated could take the parliamentary institutions with which it woe blamed
adding that one of the great characteristics of the House of
place. The late Prince Consort persevered, however, • Lords was, that although it was an hereditary legislature, it
Needfully and unremittingly in the object which he was hew 'osnatmay fad and recruited from the run]s of
had in view when the undertaking was projected, and its the peep&
sUMeirs was far beeped what any one had hoped for. That I The next toast was, " The House of Commons," coupled
succesdul gathering has been any
by wrath onet,_in
other countries. A second meeting is now with the name of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
-
place in our own cottony ;but ales !be whom
genius and ; Mayor, permit me to convey on my own part, and
energy inaugurated the Brit bin° 'menu amongst us to on' ,on behalf of the House of Commons, the expression
joy the fruit of his taste and his labours. We all, however, icf our sincere gratitude
ardently hope that the great undertaking with which he h. been
pies.dtthrt for y
to
the compliment
thatbodiyd wtrech .y.orti.
was so closely connected may be brought to • happy and anoe that on all occasions it is agreeable to us in the
successful Men. Permit me to add thee I think if there be high" t degree to be chosen by the suffrage' of the people of
any mode in which this object which your lord-
thecountry to represent them in parliament, and that we
ship mentioned could be brought about, any mode
feel great. pleasure in meeting any of them, in accordance
by which war could be made to cease and peaceful avow- i with lament custom at your festive board as joint
toms to prevail, it is by such friendly eon sincere inter' .. partakwia
aware
that are of your
the H
splendidoud eoin
hospitality.. a
fiad(C hunpla.)c.
.Ipcnaiiii
course es those international exhibitions must produce. I .
the list of touts in every distinguished pane. TWA
consider this one of the most important elements connected
i house is so wrap{ up, both in its virtues and in its tailing.,
with the International Exhibition of 1862 ; and I earnestly
with the virtues and failings of the nation, that the one
hope that the Lord Mayor's wishes may be aided by the ,
`.may truly be said to be • mirror of the other. (Hear,
courtesy and friendliness with which we receive oat
foreign rusts, and by the spirit in which they accept the beer.) Whether in times of prosperity or of gloom,
italitiee proffered to them. (Cheers.) I idealise in times of torpor or of excitement,
ini ]fax, R.N., returned thanks for the Mattis and .for long years and long generations the people of England
Colonel Ward, . the new eninalende" of the Ist Qs, el hue found, and for long years and long generations 1
Laden ftlpde, for the Volunteers. I believe the people of England will Mad the faithful ex-
The neat toast was, "The Archbishop of Centerline, end , Inoue of its wishes, the true guardian of its interesta,
the Churoke for which the Pants= returned thanks. On those whom they send to sit in parliament. (Omen.)
The Loan MAYOR Mid he was now about to offer what • Bat, may lord, on this occasion it is not fitting
might well be considered the twist of the evening--.. The that I should dwell upon, or even that I should
Halt ot the Ito* Commissioaers for the Exhibition of allude to the battles, bloodless battles though they be, of
18.11- --Sibessil.) Notatigtpg_ to interpose between the . the eselresentthive chamber. We have met here for • spe-
sempany end the eloquence of those who lied yet to epesistlhelvthiserto do houour te a
peat undertaking. From
he abould ;strain from expressing his urn feelings with i the first inception of the Grad Exhibition of IE3I the
regard to the advantages that might be expected to result scheme was certainly not viewed with indifference by the
from the peat event which was close at band, and should House of Commons of that day. If the public purse
limit bin sail to proposing the heath of thou who by royal . were not made to contribute it was not because
desire bad undertaken to prepare for the great work of . there was any indisposition on the part of the government
°peeing, and who in such a wonderfully short soma 1 or of parliament to render aid, but it was because there was
of time bad brought their labours to a con a general conviction that the public would fully reoog-
the possibility of which was doubted by many. A few Wee the value of the design itself, and that the resources of
months, nay, even • few weeks ago, it seemed scarcely the astims, viewed indirectly, would flow forth
possible to complete the great building in time to open it to seek amplitude and abundance that there would
on the let of may. Now there was no cause for apprehen- be no necessity for what I remember the late Ellz
the ; and although • few pea '
-awe might be stowed Robert Peel used to all the vulgar expedient of • resort Se
away, be bad the mitid of declaring his conviction the consolidated fund. (laughter.) We live in dare
that on the lit of may thew, distinguished gentleman would when that vulgar expedient is more in vogue than it was in
open the building to the public. (Cheers.) He concluded the days of Sir Robert Peel. This, however_ , I may my.
by coupling with the toast the name of Earl Granville. that the
rexampe then set, springing as it did huh from
The tout having been most cordially responded to. the hea of the people, had • far more beneficial
Earl (MAYVILLE said it wasimpassible for him in rising influence on the world than would have been
to respond to the tout on behalf of her Majesty's Commis- Produced by any external or artificial stimulus
such as would have been afforded by the public
sinners of the Exhibition, not to advert to •• loss which wee
„rd. puree. And when the House of Commons was appealed to
felt by the whole nation, but which to them bad
calmly diminished the interest and pleasure of the fee aid in the supplementary measures which followed the
laws:joie.
portibitioonn,
osfadtacquiring
lithat Exhibition estahibirionattalikenaingtes pia:, on
great work eetrusted to their hands. At the same
time they felt it almost • lured duty to work
with still plater activity and aaroestns, in order readily respooded to the call made by the executive
to attain those results which the late Prime Con- government of the day. Whether the demand has been
sort considered necessary
to
mate the fin, Beet conception that we should interpose and give aid from the public re-
of his mind a raid mom, and not what he was pissed to sources, or whether it were thought better to refrain from
call • mere tom triumph. What the commissioners asking for each aid, the House of Commons always viewed
of the present Exhibition bad to do was con- with • friendly eye that important Exhibition. lam per-
sidershly lightened by the previous labours of the Goaded that the same feeling still prevails. Indeed,
Prince, they having only to • p ply the rules which I may venture to say, and perhaps you will allow me to
he framed, after much consideration, in 1934 with announce it es an important fact, that on Thursday,
certain modifications to meat altered „nonstenc„ and pm- the Great Exhibition is to be opened, although the genii
ticidar. cases. In many ways these was a pent contrast under whose auspices we sit are most exacting, yet on that
between whet occurred in 1851 and in the present year : one Particular oreterith, is honour of the Exhibition, and in
small °outcast struck him forcibly. In both cues they re- order that all members of parliament may be able to
ceived the greatest kindness and encouragement, not only take part in the ceremony, instead of meeting
from the Gay of London, but specially from its municipal at • quarter to four the house will not meet
authorities. It was allotted to one Lord Mayor to encourage till °ix We gene o'doeL As the Hon" of the Commons we
the beginning of the Exhibition of 1861, and to ante wish most entire sUeoCal to the labours of her Majesty's can-
tier to see its Clues. Now they received from the City not mbwienere, and the excellent oolloolfgoo who are associated
only genethus and courteous ertoouragemeut in the begin- with them in this important work. We wish wall to the
rang of the work, as well as practical advice and assistance, Erhibition shire on commercial and social grounds ;we wish
but the Lord Mayor gave that magnificent banquet which well to it because we believe it will accelerate the growth of
conveyed, he hoped, to those representatives of foreign arts, indushy, end contribute to the wealth and comfort both of our
Mimes, and lidustry who were present, the grateful and own countrymen and of their fellow-labourers abroad; we
cordial feelings and pleasure with which they were wed- wish well to it for a still higher reason, because we think
corned to thou shores. (Cheers.) Another contrast was It will contribute to the work of silently knitting the satiate
that the enterprise in 1851 was so new, and so little together in sentiments of pekoe and brotherhood, and will
andantaa& that there a., hertily any sort of „surd panic tend to promote through the medium of friemily intercourse
or alarm -isatsh did not exist in consequence of the Huai. the happiness and welfare of mankind. (Loud cheers.)
the. (Heer, bear.) Up to the moment of opening the The Duke of CAYBRIDOI proposed the health of the Lord
opposites woe films sod violent ; but the reaction, they ma or, which was cordially drunk.
all remembered, was equal to that opposition. (Cheers.) Its LORDSHIP having returned thanks, proposed the
Now, on the present aeouion. they hardly heard soy oppo- Commissioners of the Exhibition at 1851, coupled with the
@Woo to the enterprise, except that gentle breath of crith name 4,.....Xr• Disraeli._
_,_ _ , i , ,
cism which was necessary to prevent stagnation, and keep Mr. IJolakr-us to eannneneUttnii_ AO toast, commented
them up to the mark. Without that sort of criticism no briefly upon the advantages of e Exhibition, and feelingly
possible undertaking a the 'fishnet importance had the alluded to the death of the Prince Consort
slightest chance of succeeding. At first there ens a general B•Twal other towns having been given, the company
feeling among eome great producers that the present Exhi- separated at • late hour.
litho would follow too soon after the previous one. He
did not complain of that, because he experienced it himself,
and his own colleagues also, in • great degree ; and
be might add that the Prince Consort himself, after
much consideration, had great doubts upon the subject.
What had palmed however entirely answered the objection.
He need only allude to the demands for space both on the
part of foreign and British exhibitors. beery single foreign
oaths oomplained of not having thace enough in the build-
ing, which was one third larger than that of 1851, while the
commissioners had been obliged to reject sizeieveuths of the
articles tendered for exhibition by persons in oar own coun-
try. (Hear, hear.) He really believed that the chief fault
which would be found with the Exhibition was that in every
part it was too crowded, but he would venture to say that it
was not crowded with rubbish, hat with articles which would
beer Ithoerable contrast with any in the previous Exhibition.
What was their position when they undertook the work'
They ware complete paupers. The Bank of England de-
dined to advance them 2001. or 3001. unless upon their in-
dividual menrity so thoroughly untrustworthy did they
believe them to be in their corporate capacity, but they
were soon relieved from this difficulty by the noble conduct
of the guarantors above 1,0001. who came forward to
Resist them. The Prince Commit led the way, and the
Duke of Beedeuch, and other wealthy persons followed his
example, and what was extremely satisfactory that many
of the guarantors were intimately connected with the
industry, arts, and sciences. The commissioners of the
Exhibition had really become • most despotic body,
bemuse they bad been entrusted with supreme con-
trol over the management and expenditure of the
large funds thus entrusted to them. Some persons
on whose judgment he was disposed to rely pointed
out that, looking to the dangers on all sides, it
would be wise and prudent to conduct the Exhibition on •
small and contracted wale. The commissioners felt, how-
ever, that it was for the credit of England that it
should be dose on a large scale ,• but with every
possible economy. Some criticisms bad been passed upon
the building. (Hear, hear.) He was quite free to admit
that, looking at it from the north, if the original design of
the architect had been carried out in its great central
features, it would have presented a much more imposing ap-
pearance ; but it was their want of means which pre-
vented their doing all they could wish. In the
some manner, it was not their pride, but their poverty
which obliged them, in imitation of the Roman republic, to
build in brick, but he was confirmed by persons of the
highest taste and knowledge in these matters in the opinion
that if there was in that WI another Augustus who de-
sired either by himself or with the aid of others to turn
that brick into marble, or even into a commoner stone, he
would find that great building ready to his hand, and
that as regarded its proportions, grandeur, and simplicity 69, Ecelestonamere, April 26.
it was well calculated for future ornamentations. Dear Sir,—My attention has been called to several
(laughter and cheers.) With respect to the interior, he statements in the public newspapers reflecting upon me as
was loth to speak, when so many would have an upper. to the performance of Dr. Bennett's music at the opening
tent yof seeing it in • few days ; but he owned he would of the Exhibition ; and es it appears to be the object of
be disappointed if they did not admit that while the writers to induce the belief that 1 have through
in point of architecture and decorations the interior was caprice, or some other unworthy. motive. created ember-
better fitted than any other building for an intonational easement by " suddenly" declining to conduct Dr. Bee-
exhibition, the whole effect of it was of an exceedingly im- nett's composition, and virtually violated an e
pressive character. With regard to the foreign contri- ment previously made between me and he:11::
butiona it is impossible to speak too highly of the result. jesty's Commissioners, I must request that you will
All foreign countries had done more than they did in 1851 favour me by recaling to the recollection of the
for the honour of the occasion, and in the display of every oommisaiooms that at the very outset, when I was
cue of these nations we mark the greatest progress. (Cheers.) tint consulted on the subject of the musical arrengementa,
In none has there beeu soy deterioration. If early in July last, I made it a distinct condition of my ser-
they looked to France, they saw the same exquisite taste, vices being available, that I should not be expected to con-
and the same power of applying art to manufactures which duet any work of Dr. Bennett, if he should be invited to
they admired in 1851, together with • great improvement furaith one for performance on the occasion of the opening,
In some of the more practical and material departments. If as I must, for reasons which were explained to the cam-
they looked to Northern Germany and the Zollverein they miadopen, positively decline, with their complete assent,
would see the application of science to manufactures to to do so.
an extent which would give them cause to reflect upon Under these circumstances I shall esteem it as a favour if
the importance of • study of that kind. Austria and Italy the commissioner. will relieve me from the imputation now
they would disoover engagedin • pemodul rivalry. They would cast upon me, by admitting the fact as I have stated above.
us Austria exhibiting an extraordinary vitality, in her in-
—Believe me. dear air, faithfully yours, H. COSTA.
dustrial resources, not only in natural products, but in F. B. Sandford, Esc., ho.
articles of manufacture. There ware also some remarkable
Exhibition Buildings, South Kensington, W.,
points in the manner in which she exposed her different pro-
auctions te vise% With regard to Italy, they sew what they sll April 28.
might expert from that land—genius, taste, art, combined Dear filr,—ln reply to your letter of Saturday, her Ma-
with a greater display at the Ward products of the country josty's 0001Meinielleril desire me to express their regret that
thee was ever before exhibited. (Cheers.) Without the you should have experienced any annoyance from the un-
@lighten political allusion, he would say that much more founded reports to which you refer, and to state that
from Italy was now to be seen than reached these shores your letter Flue a perfectly 'correct account of the con-
from that country in 1851. The exhibition by RUNES, ilitiow which you laid down with respect to the performance
which was early in the field, would be veinarkable. of any work by Dr. Bennett at the opening of the Exhi-
Spain and Portugal would show well. There was one bitlos, when you kindly undertook to direct the musical
coontry, which notwithstanding all the double . expressed arneggeosets for that 000eS/00.
he rejoiced to say would also exhibit. America, ia spite of lam to add that Dr. Benuett, when applied to by her
the civil war which we deplored for them as well as our. Majesty's Commissioners, declined either to conduct his
selves, and which we hoped would speedily end, would be ewe chorale, or to name any the whom he would wish to
among the contributon ; and it was a endow de se, or, finally, to state whether 100 would prefer that his
fact that one of the inventions sent by Atha week should be intrusted to Mr. Alt cd Metes or Mr. Bain-
rice was probably superior to anything else 'which toe, whoa the commissioners offered to invite either of these
was exhibited. After referring to the uspeendeeted gentlemen to fill his place in the ortheetra.
etheedem 4 Nesters by English sad f'e mash= wtheld Medea these circumstances, the commisconere, knowing
mead be Opthyed, the noble earl oveled by pointing ' the ocedideuce that you place in Mr. &tiptoe, and the pod-
out the good effect the Exhibition would have fe promotiag 1 Mon which he fills in your staff, invited him to conduct Dr.
general pout (Cheers.) Bethett's work, and they have much satisfaction in think-
The Loan MAYOI thou peepormi "The Bonn al lark" lag that it is now in the bands of one so well qualitiol to
eittwith the sane of the Lied Gienselke. Ido jostles to its merits.—l am, ha
ememeacsiu, la utureleisieg the taut, sr Michael On* Nolo he., F. R. SasneoaD.

MUSIC.