The Express.
London, England, 1849-10-31 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE COAL EXCHANGE.

The following additional particulars will interest
many of spur readers :
It has been a reproach of our modern architecture that it
does not, at a giance, announce its purpose or proclaim to
what it is consecrated. The New Coal Exchange is the first
successful attempt elf the kind that hos been made, and
strikp s at once the eye as something 'pleasantly original.
This is as much felt In the plan of the whole, in its distribu-
fiat as in the details—from the delicately painted fossils
in the pendentive, to the carved panelling of the floor, in
which a large anchor and other nautical implements are
, deigned. There are three tiers of balconies over the area,
' the ornamental iron of which consists of an unending coil.
The retiring sslonn on the first floor was very tastefully
decorated with elaborate marquemiie, tapestry, and furni-
ture, which contrasted well with the pink and white silk
with which the walls were decorated. The compartments
on the ground floor were perfect pictures, finer banquets
in their richness, ease, and grace, than any we ever saw
painted.
Yesterday the floor was covered with crimson cloth, and
at the end opposite the entrance, under a canopy of crimson
velvet, was a raised dais, covered with a cloth of gold, con-
taialeg three chairs of state for Prime Albert, and the
royal children; that of his Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales being ornamented by a large plume of feathers
in frosted diver. Around the hall a narrow portion
was railed off behind which V.* ladies and families
of the aldermen, and some ()thin of the more
distinguished guests, stood during the ceremonial. At
about twenty minutes past one the heralds and state trumpe-
ters, sounding a royal fanfare, entered the hall, and were
followed by the members composing the civic procession, the
Lord Mayor, In a new crimson velvet state robe, and bearing
the state sword, being last. After his rdship cams his
Royal Highness Prints Albert, leading the Princess Royal
on his right hand and the Price. of WSW on his left, and
behind were the officers of state, the Lady in Waiting,
Lady Lyttelton, and several of her Majesty's minis-
ters. The appearance of the royal party was the signal
for a general burst of hearty and protracted cheering.
The frank and manly bearing of the Prince of Wales, and
the graceful and laeylike demeanour of the Princess Royal,
as she acknowledged the courtesies of those who had the
privilege of addressing her were the theme of universal
admiration and surprise. As soon as the 11,yal visitors had
taken their seats, the distinguished party in the body
of the ball formed a group around them, and at
this time the view from the galleries was extremely
brilliant and striking. The eye everywhere fell upon
stars' crams, and decorations, waving plumes, naval
and military uniforms, among which those of the Royal
Artillery, the Guards, and the State Windsor uniform were
conspicuous. Interspersed with these were court dresses, '
civic robes and furred gowns, and groups of ladies in all
varieties of fashionable costume. The Recorder then ad-
vanced from the centre of the group surrounding the Royal
party, and reed an address to his Royal Highness.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert replied :
tt I have received with satisfaction the assurance of your
attachment to her Majesty the Queen, and I thank you for
the expressions of concern with which you have noticed her
indisposition. I Mehl* to hear that a great increase of the
number of mariners employed has taken place through that
branch of the coasting trade which has required the erection
of this magnificent building. Her Majesty ever relies on the
fidelity and loyalty of her subjects, and it is her earnest hope
she may be regarded with three feelings of affection which
ars at all times the best security of the throne."
The delivery of his Royal Highness's address was followed
by lend and enthusiastic cheering.
The Chairman, Mr. Wood, and the seconder of the ad-
dims' Mr. Edkins, were then severally presented to his
royal highness, as was also Mr. Bunning, the architect.
The royal party then, under the conduct of the Lord Mayor,
amended the staircasi at the back of the dais, and were con-
ducted through ithe state apartments which had been pre-
pared for her Majesty's reception, and which are models of
the most exquisite taste and elegance. They consist of a '
suite of three apartments splendidly carpeted and curtained,
and famished with couches, chairs, fauteuils 'ninon,
the hanging of the rooms being fluted crimson and white
drapery. In one of them is a well executed model ef the new
Exchange. Leaving the royal children in these apartments,
his royal highness proceeded to view the other offices of the
building i and during hit absence from the hall the crimson
cloth with which it was covered was removed, so as to die-
play the beautifully inlaid flooring, and enable us to give a
more particular description of it. This flooring, which is'
sixty feet in diameter, deserves especial notice ma being the 11
first instance in which the novel system of wood inlaying
which it display. has been applied to publc buildings. It
is composed of desiccated wood, and is arranged in the
form of a gigantic mariner's oompass— the needle pointing
due north, to the left of the entrance. In the centre is the
City shield, the anchor, and other r ?neonatal devices, in
brilliantly contrasted colours. The prevailing hues
of the floor are dark and light brown and white,
very tastefully winged, and the whole consists of
upward* of four thousand pieces, which we are
given to understand were, • very short time sines,
either in the tree, in the growing state, or cut front
wet unseasoned logs. The woods t mpl.pyed are black ebony,
clack oak. common and red English cob, wainscot, white
holly, =showy, American elm, red and whim walnut
(Prenco and English), and mulberry. The black oak is a
curiosity in Well, bap( part of an old tree which was disco-
vered and remised from the bed of the Ty ne • bout 12
months since. It is 'append to have grown upon the spot
where it was found, sad owing to its large dimensions

most have been at least 400 or 600 years old at the
time it fell; although how many centuries it may have
lain embedded in the bed of the river it would be im
possible to say. The mulberry wood introduced in the
Wade of the dagger in the City shield has also some hicori-
eal interest attached to it, being a portion of a tree planted
by Peter the Great when working as a shipwright in this
country.
The funds for the erection of the building, which we un-
derstand that upwards of 40,0001, were partly raised by the
rate raised under the provisions of the Coal Act, for the re-
pairs of the ancient mart in St. Botolph, and partly by a
liberal advance from the other recources of the corporaticn.
Ose of the most remarkable features of the building is a very
ingenious and judicious arrangement, for the purpose of in -
caring an effective ventilation.
On his Royal Highness's return to the hall, he appeared
much struck with the beauty of the lioorinv. The royal and
distinguished gnats were then conducted to the refreshment
room which opened Iron several points into the area of the
hall. The Lord Mayor advanced to the entrance of his Royal
Highnetes saloon, so as to be seen and heard by all present,
■nd announced that with his Royal Highness's permission,
and in the name of bar Majesty, be would give them the
health of her Majesty the Queen. The toast was received
with this* times three, and much cheering, the band play-
big the National Anthem. The Lord Mayor afterwards
gave seriatim the health of her Majesty the Queen Dowager,
the health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the health
of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Prince ss
Royal, and the other memo. ra of the royal family, and,
lastly, " Prosperity to the City of London," which was
drunk with all the honours, and the sir of " Rule Bri-
tannia."
At about a quarter to three o'clock the diotinguiled
party broke up, the procession returning from the hall in
the same manner in which it had entered, amidst the re-
newed acclamations of the assembly. The general company
then betook themselves to the well-filled tables, which were
provided by the proprietors of the Albion for the refresh-
ment and entertainment of the visitors, where we left them
pouring out a fbwing bumper of Burgu•dy, champagne,
and claret, to the health of their Despicable entertainers,
the corporation, and to the continued prosperity of the City
of London.