The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-28 00:00:00

the broadest basis. If the public resigned the management
of It to the government, and the government undertook to
pay the cost of its maintenance out of the taxes, so as to
provide a free admission, the certain decline of the whole
institution at no distant period may be predicted. The very
motive for fresh and continued exertion to gratify the pub-
lic would at once be taken away if the building were pen-
sioned on the Consolidated Fund. Besides, the people in
the country would thus be made supporters of an institu-
tion of which the London public would derive the chief

advantage.
On the contrary, let those pay for the use of the glass
roof who use it; but fix the payment as low as possible
during the greater portion of the year, adopting a some-
what higher charge at other times to obtain revenue. Thus
the garden and sculpture portion of the building might be
open to the public for the first four days of every week on
payment only of Id. each person; on the Fridays the pay-
must might be Gil., and on Saturdays 6d. Perhaps horse-
men might he admitted at a higher charge, my Is. It ma
be estimated that fur all other purposes of revenue, as well
as of additional public convenience, it would suffice to re•
serve about twenty days in the year, when a higher pay-
ment would be made. On these occasions the garden might
be turned to a more extended use by holding agricultural,
floral, horticultural, and perhaps other fetes to it.
The revenue which might be expected from these sources
has been estimated to be about 14,0001., and the details are
given below.•
These elaborate calculations show that the scheme
proposed has been thoroughly digested ; but it is not
certain that all the details of the plan would be both
practicable and popular.
No sooner had the pamphlet of Denarius re-
ceived attention, than out steps the author of the
Crystal Palace personally to declare his opinions on
NAP sallis*P•Aiii

WHAT IS TO BECOME OF THE CRYSTAL

PALACE?
BY JOSEPH PAXTON.

duce
cost
view

which mingling with the surrounding atensiphere, gives
vigour to man's body and cheerfulness to hiy spirits.
In this winter park and garden, the trees and plants
might be so arranged as to give great diversity of views and
picturesque effect. Spaces might be set apart for eques-
trian exercise, and for carriage drives; hut the main body
of the building should be arranged with the view of giving
great extent and variety for those who promenade on foot.
Fountains, statuary, and every description of park and gar-
den ornament, would greatly 4eighten the effect and beauty
of the scene.
Beautiful creeping plants might be planted against the
columns, and trailed along the girders, so as to give shade
in summer, while the effect they would produce by festoon-
ing in every diversity of form over the building, would give
the whole a most enchanting and gorgeous finish.
Besides these there might be introduced a collection of
living bird: front all temperate climates, and the science of
geology, so closely connected with the study of plants,
might be illustrated on a large and natural scale, thus
making practical botany, ornithology, and paten-, familiar
to every visitor.
The alterations necessary to the building itself, to pro-
the effects I have suggested would out be many or
much mousy. Shortly will be published by me a
showing how the whole may be finished so as to do
with all idea of smoke, chimneys, or other kind of
—,...ante. The details of the alterations necessary I
do nut propose to treat of now ; but I may mention, for
the information of those who live opposite the Crystal
Palace, that I should recommend the wood boarding
round the bottom tier of the building to be removed
and replaced with glass ; the present appearance of
it is heavy, and gives anything but tilt idea indicated by its
name; when glass is substituted for wood, the appearance
will be marvellously changed ; those who drive and ride in
the park will even in winter see the objects within as they
bye. sad the whole will have a light aerial appear.
ance totally unlike what it has at present. In summer I
should recommend the whole lower glass tier to be entirely
removed, so as to give, from the park and the houses oppo-
site the Palace, an appearance of continuous park and gar-
den. Here I must state what I believe will be the posi-
tion of those who live opposite the Crystal Palace. I
fully admit they have had just cause of complaiut by having
all the turmoil of so vast an undertaking as the Great Ex-
hibition developed under their ey.s end, with all its
attendant inconveniences; but if the building is allowed to
stand, and be adapted as I propos:, the advantages deriv-
able to them will fully compensate for all the evil they
may have sustained in that respect. The baarding being
all removed and glass substituted, they will have, within a
few minutes' walk, a beautiful park, decorated with the
beauties of nature and art, under a Ay-roof, having a
climate, warmed and ventilated for the purpose of health
alone, furnishing, close to their own firesides, a promenade
unequalled in the world, and, for the six winter months, a
temperature =ulcerous to that of Southern Italy ; and I
have no doubt the property in that immediate neighbour-
hood would, from such an arrangement, considerably ad-
vance in value, because of the recreation and exercise
afforded to the inhabitants and t:teir
The advantages derivable front such an appropriation of
the Crystal Palace would be many, and may be thus sum-
med up.
In a sanitary point of view its benefits would be incalcu-
lable.
By its various objects it would produce a new and tooth-
iug pleasare to the mind.
The great truths of nature and art would be constantly
exemplified.
Peculiar facilities would especially be Oven for the de-
velopment on u large scale of the sciences of botany, geo-
logy, and ornithology.
A temperate climate would be supplied at all seasons.
Taste would be improved by individuals becoming with
objects of thn highest order of art, au.l by viewing the more
beautiful parts of nature without its deformities.
Pleasant exercise could be taken at all times, and in every
variety of weather.
It would serve as a drive, for equestrian exercise, for a
promenade or lounge, and as u place which could at all
navel, be resorted to with advantage by the most delicate.
Although the Crystal Palace at priaeut, with its magnifi-
cent display of useful and ornament 11 articles, is truly won-
derful, yet if the building be converted into a winter park
and garden, and arranged as I propose, 1 feel confident it
would become a still more extraordinary and beautiful

object
These thing; all considered, I cannot help expressing an
earnest hope that the building will be allowed to stand, and
be converted into so laudable a use.
The cost of forming it in the first instance must entirely
depend upon the extent to which my proposition is carried
out. Should it be decided for the building to stand, and
be so appropriated, a calculation of the cost could readily be
given.
I have, however, thought it right to state what I believe
would be the annual outlay, if the whole were kept in
first. rate condition and constant repair; of course aless
sum would be required if a high standard was not aimed
at; and this yearly sum might be obtained either by a
national grant, or by making the building itself self-
, supporting.
ANNUAL EXIMNDITUItIi.
Labour, fuel, water, implements, gravel for walks,
feeding and attendance to birds, and general
superintendence
Besides the above, constant painting and renewal
would be required; fur this a reserve fund should
be provided, and by which the building might be
renewed for ever

Making a total of £12,000
So fur Mr. Paxton.

Last, and most important perhaps of all, we have
the declaration of Lord John Russell, which ap-
pears in our parliamentary report this day. This
declaration puts the matter as plainly as it can be
put. The prime minister says it rests with the peo-
ple to decide the question, now so keenly discussed.
Tlw public are plainly told they may have the Crystal
Palace if they please. If they speak out boldly and de-
cidedly it will stand—if they are lukewarm and
careless this structure, that has excited so much
wonder and admiration, will, like a vision, dissolve
as quickly as it rose, and like the gorgeous palaces
of Shakspere's fancy, "leave not a wrack behind."
Thehe people are the piry—and the world awaits their
det—" To stand" or " To fall."