The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-16 00:00:00

silo have left their own countries to superintend
Ee illostration of their respective national industriea at the
zhibition, have vver shown that desire to aid the general
arrafigments which alone has rendered possible the success
of the undertaking.
Tu the Society of Arty, which by its exhibitions of works ,
of national industry, prepared the way for this international !
Eahihition, the Royal Commission and the public reel that
their arknowledgusents are especially due, and the Cum-
mission have to thank that body for having carried out the
preliminary arrangements to an extent which justified me
as their president in the application which I made to the
crown for the issue of a Royal Commission.
The Commission have also to acknowledge the vs/a:No
services afforded by the eminent scientitic and pmfessional
men who, on the sectional committees, aided most mate-
rially in founding a scientific basis on which to rear the
Exhibition.
To the local commissioners and members of local com-
mittees, but more escx cially to those who have undertaken
the onerous duties of secretaries, our hest acknowledgments
are also due. Without their zealous aid it would have been
impossible to have obtained an efficient representation of
the industrial products of their respective localities.
Awl finally, we cannot forget that all the labours of those
thus officially contorted with the Exhibition would have
been in vain, hod it not been for the hearty good
will and assistance of the whole body of exhibitors,
both foreign and British. The zeal which they have
displayed in affording a worthy illustration of the state
of the industry of the nations to which they belong, can
only be equalled by the successful efforts of their
industrial skill. The Commission have always had
support and encouragement from them during the
progress of the undertaking, and they cannot forget how
ehe, rfully they submitted to regulations essential for
their general good, although sometimes producing
personal inconvenience to themselves. If the Exhibition
be successful in aiding the healthy progress of
manufactures, wo trust that their efforts will meet with a
due reward. . _

In now taking have of all those who have so materially
aided us in their respective characters of jurors and associates,
foreign and local commissioners, members and secntaries
of local and sectional committees, members of the
Society of Arts, and exhibitors, I cannot refrain from re-
marking, with heartfelt pleasure, the singular harmony
which has prevailed amongst the eminent men representing
so many national interests—a harmony which cannot end
with the event which produced it. Let us receive it as an
auspicious omen for the future ; and while we return
our humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God for
the blessing Ile has vouchsafed to our labours, let us all
earnestly pray that that Divine Providence whirls has so
ben:itnantly watched over and shielded this illustration of
Nature's productions, conceived by human intellect and
fashioned by human skill, may still protect us, and may
grant that this interchange of knowledge, resulting from
the meeting of enlightened people in friendly rivalry, may
be dispersed far and wide over distant lands ; and thus, by
showing our mutual dependance upon each other, be at
happy mean, of promoting unity among nations, and peace
and good will among the various races of mankind. (Loud
emirs)
Those near enough to hear this speech cheered
various pamages, but to the majority of the company
the proceedings on the platform must have been
mere dumb show. The place was too vast for any
human voice to fill. At the part of the Prince
arch in which the ForeioCommissioners were men-
tioned, all those gentlemen ascended the dais, and
thi, portion of the affair was loudly applauded.
On manning his scat, the Prince was again greeted
with loud cheers.
This part of the ceremonial being concluded, the
organs again gave voice, 'and another verse of the
National Anthem was sung. After which the Bishop
of London offered up a prayer.
The prover being finished, the hallelujah chorus was
given by the choir, aided by the tones of one of the
large organs ; after which Prince Albert retired, ac-
companied by the royal commissioners. The entire
(Ammonia, occupied only thirty-five minutes.
After the Exhibition had thus been formally
aims!, it became known that the honour of knight-
hood had been offered to Mr. Paxton, to Mr. Cubitt,
the engineer, and to Mr. Fox, the contractor. This
compliment to the chief constructors of the Crystal
Palace may probably be regarded as a sufficient
acknowledgment in the case of two of them; but
the third—Mr. Paxton—is clearly entitled to a
money reward for his services, in addition to this
flattering but still empty honour. Out of the balance
of some quarter of a million sterling now in the hands
of the executive committee—all received, he it remem•
bend, from the supporters of the Crystal Palace—
something substantial may surely be spared to the
man who in truth originated that novel and
marvellous building. Ten thousand pounds and
a knighthood would be a handsome reward,
but the title without the cash sounds hollow.
Mr. Paxton is a favourite with the public, and
the public will scarcely be satisfied unless he be
liberally treated by thole who have so largely pro-
fited by his skill and suggestions. Another popular
favourite, though in a much smaller degree, is the
Crystal Fountain. A recent letter in our co-
limns suggested its retention on the spot
where it attracted so much admiration. If the
exteutiee CV ' tee would order its restoration,
they would attract a host of thanks and good wishes
to themselves; and be establishing, at small cost, at
least tine beautiful memorial on the central spot
round which was gathered the now departed glories
of the Great Exhibition.