The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-02 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO THE CRIS•

TAL PALACE AT SYDENHAM.

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To the brief notice of this event in yesterday's Expess,
we add the following :

The trite epithet of " A Queen's day" wee never
more applicable to the state of the weather than yesterday,
the Ist of November, when her Majesty was pleased 10
' honour the yet incomplete Crystal Palace at Sydenharn
with a visit, and carefully to inspect those works which,
when finished, are destined to hold a prominent place
among the wonders of the nineteenth century. November,
foggy November, had completely forgotten its traditions;
the sun shone out with all the genial glow of early spring
time; the atmosphere was clear and elastic, and the green
sward that stretched itself over the whole face of the land,
from Westow-hill down into the fertile vale of
Kant, showed as fresh • verdure, as if Nature were
only putting forth her powers, instead of resting
exhausted after the completed work of the year. The un-
expected character of the visit rendered it comparatively
a private one, but still there was a tolerably strong muster
of distinguished people within the building itself ; and the
immediate locality now rapidly becoming populous, sap-
plied abundance of well-dressed groups, who occupied
every vantage ground, and cheered loyally and enthusias-
tically as the royal cortege passed rapidly along, and
also when the illustrious party entered and left the
building.

As the public may probably be glad to know to what
happy combination of circumstances the " busy bees" who
work so unceasingly on Penge•hill owe the honest! of a
royal visit, it may be as well to mention that the directors,
when calling the potent spirits of art and
science about them did not forget photography.
They secured the services :of Mr. de lal Motte whose
duty it has been to take, weekly, sun pictures of the
progress of the works, and copies are duly and regularly
laid before her Majesty. The Queen's absence in the north
caused a large accumulation of these pictures at Windsor, and
on her Majesty's return so much (it is said) was she struck
with these evidences of progress during her absence, that a
royal visit was immediately arranged, and yesterday, pane-
tacitly at twelve o'clock. the royal carriages arrived at Syden-
ham. Those who have recently seen the works will probably
imagine that the whole of the vast pile presented some scene
of confusion. But no such thing. The royal intimation was
only received on Saturday :evening, and on Sunday, of
course, nothing could be done, but " organisation
will do anything," and accordingly early on Monday

• matt the intlefa•igable Mr. Hendersonset to work, and
• the able as•oiance of his intelligent lieutenant, Mr.
Gamma, riders were cliued away, scaffolding was re•
moved• fissuring laid down all through the interior, end an
ioromeo vistibule ini;.euvised profusely ornamented with
minims and shout and reminding one in impartial cone
petinese of its ',Eli known predecessor in Hyde-park. la the
glands the celerity with which the arrangements were
male was equally remarkable. The tenacious and
&waist end, the tenor of autumnal visitors, had all die
4,p,med, and • Celan well-gravelled pathway wound right
mono
' all the objects aid points of interest, so that the
rya voltage of distort ry was entirely free from the incon-
enteaces which might have been expected under the cir-
onstimm me we are now on Sir Joseph Paston's terri-
tory to hiss must be gives the credit of rivalling Potemkin,
m the cepa:hal with which he created gardens for the re-
reptise of ilea ervenign.
The royal earriwes arrived at the entrance punctually at
1. oscLme, In the first were her Majesty, the King of the
,s, thDucLcos ol Brabant, and Prince Albert. In
the second wire the Dake of Brabant, the Count of
I.aaotn. the Prince*, Charlotte, and Lady Desert ; and a
mord einowed cue:ening the remainder of the royal pasty.
mojeaty,isho appeared to be in the best health and
a green arlk dress and crimson velvet mantle ; and
the Duchess of Brabant, woo is a remarkably fine young
leolladh a link dress and Stuart plaid shawl of a most
'alleges. pattern. On alighting from her carriage the
Winn wen ",, ~ by Mr. 1. ring, chairman of the com-
pany, Mr. Francis Fuller, managing director ; Sir Joseph
ratios, cue ews Glna arm ot enii, Fuquher ua', anducle, Calvertthe , dKing of
irectors.
The Quen M
Walt
ome
th, we, the Duchess of Brabant that of Prince
c.ntrt, the Prisess Charlotte and the young duke
tame next, sad the "old party, followed at • respectful
docent, by the visitors who had been so fortunate SI to
gain admteion, proceeded on their inspection of the
Interior. Hating seconded the staircase opposite the
south transept entrance her Jlajesty proceeded along
the gallery beneath which lie in succession the vari-
ous courts which are to exemplify the great epochs in an-
cient and seders art. As her Majesty went along l'rince
Albert frequently called her attention to points of view in the
intetisr which he at once recognised from a previous inspec-
tin of the photogrepits. Through the unexampled exertions
of the melons day, a clear passage had been obtained all
round the building, so that her Majesty's walk along the
g
dleries was only interrspted by the various es'.jects of
istmst, to which her Majesty gave a minute and careful
attention. The galleries having been disposed of, the royal
rty descended to the series of coons which will, when
templets,
form the greatest attractions of the building.
They are in different stages of progress, from the Alham-
bra, which presents little more to the eye than incompre-
beatable bricks and mortar, to the Pompeian Court. re-
oplandent in colour end perfect in proportion. The
Brae. hme Courts, although incomplete, contain many
!letup 4 thst arrested the royal curiosity, and
are rich in promise of the artistic gems of the
period. In paining through the Medieval nun, Mr.
Wyatt explained to the Queen that it %mild be furnished
with numerous specimens of the period, embracing the
fetes f (turf e of Gothic architecture in Germany, Italy,
and England, the various applications of the pointed arch,
with effigies and bassi relievi collected from all available
sources. l'rince Albert appeared to attach much im-
portance to this series, and stopped often to explain the
nature and uses of the different objects to his
illustrious companion. The Renaissance court through
whieli the royal party next
_tweed is consider-
ably &dewed. The celebrated Florentine gates by
fahlUerti, are in their place, and were minutely examined
by her Majesty. The restoration of the Hotel Bourgthe-
mild, at Rouen, is in active progress. Here will be alsn
specimens of English Renaissance in metal work, and a
graduated series of the modern Italian school, from Micheal
Angelo to Canon. The Egyptian court was then honoured
with a short inspection, and lastly the royal party proceeded
to the Pompeian court, in which a luncheon bad been pro-
vided for their entertainment. Of this court, which is now
almost complete, her Majesty expressed her entire approba-
tion, and by the royal command Signor Abbatti, to whom the
ornamentation has been entirely entrusted, was sent for and
had the honour of a presentation. The Queen was gra-
ciously pleased is say that she considered the court " A
complete success;" and there is no doubt that her Majesty's
judgment will be confirmed by the general public. No-
thing, indeed, can be more striking than the proportions,
nothing more harmonious and effective than the colouring
of this beautiful apartment. The pillars by which it is in-
tersected are coloured half•way up the shaft in deep red,
harmonising with the frieze, which is copied from the Par-
thenon, and showily coloured—a doubtful experiment.
While the Queen and her friends were in this
spartment his Grace the Duke of Devonshire arrived on
the grounds, and a message from without having informed
her Majesty of his arrival, he was graciously summoned to
the royal presence. After luncheon her Majesty proceeded
on a promenade through the grounds, resolutely exploring
every portion, and showing an activity which was strenu-
ously emulated by the young princesses. The King of the
Belgians appeared rather fatigued, but the Queen had evi-
dently made up her mind to leave nothing unseen, and
accordingly was conducted over the entire grounds by Sir
Joseph Purton. The last visit was paid to Mr. Hawkins's
specimens of extinct animals, after which the royal piety
returned to the interior, and having entered their ainnges
departed from the Crystal Pane amid loud and hearty
cheering, both within and without the building. The
police arrangements reflected much credit on Inspector
Lund and the officers under his command.