The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-12 00:00:00

In our first edition of Saturday we were enabled
to bring our account of the opening of the Crystal '
Palace up to the arrival of her Majesty at three
o'clock. We now proceed to lay before our readers
an account of what took place subsequent to that
hour.
Her Majesty was received at a private entrance
prepared for her on the right of the grand transept
by the directors of the company. Within, the
cheers of the multitude outside proclaimed the
fact, and at once there was a movement of height-
ened interest throughout the building. A short
time previously the police had quietly made all the
arrangements for giving full effect to the proces-
sion by clearing the broad avenue of the nave.
When, therefore, preceded by the directors and sec-
retary of the company, and more especially ushered
in by Mr. Laing and Sir Joseph Paxton, the Royal
party appeared in the grand transept, the whole
assemblage, rising to welcome them, thundered
forth its cheers with electrical effect. They pro-
ceeded at once to the raised dais, where the Queen
took up her position, with the King of Portugal
and his Royal Highness the Duke of Oporto, the
Duchess of Kent, the Princess Royal, and the Prin-
cess Alice on her right, and with his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, Prince
Alfred, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess
Mary of Cambridge on her left. Behind stood the
Duchess of Sutherland, the Duke of *Wellington,
the Earl of Breadalbane, the Marquis of Abercorn,
the ladies in waiting, household officers, equerries,
and other personages usually upon such occasions
in attendance upon Royalty. They all appeared in
full dress except her Majesty and the Royal chil-
dren, who wore morning costume. Scarcely had
the illustrious party taken their places, and the
cheers with which their arrival was welcomed sub-
sided, when the music of the National Anthem was
rolling in rich volumes of sound over the length
and breadth of the Palace. The solo parts were
sung by Clara Novello with most thrilling effect,
while the reverberation of a Royal salute fired from
the park served to mark with an additional gran-
deur the powers of the great orchestra and chorus.
Never, perhaps, was this noble anthem heard with
more overwhelming effect. When the performance
of the National Anthem had terminated Mr. Laing
came forward, and, having ascended the steps of
the dais, though still " standing afar off," read to
her Majesty the following address :
" May it please your Majesty graciously to accept
the assurance of our devoted loyalty and attachment to
your Throne and person, and of our gratitude for the
kind condescension with which your Majesty has con-
sented to honour with your presence the ceremony of
this day.
"Among the many memorable events of your Ma-
jesty's happy reign, the Great Exhibition of 1851 occu-
pied a prominent place. The idea, for which the nine-
teenth century was indebted to your illustrious consort,
Prince Albert, of an Exhibition open to the products
of all industries and of all nations, marked of itself an
era in the annals of civilisation. It marked the disap-
pearance of old commercial jealousies and international
prejudices, before the combining influence of modern
science, and the liberal spirit of modern legislation.
" The realisation of tins idea was worthy its con-
ception. An entirely novel order of archir4,4 ire, pro-
clueing, by means of unrivalled mechanicai ' Igenuity,
the most marvellous and beautiful effects, sprung into
existence to provide a building. In this building, a col-
lection of the choicest products of all that the human
intellect contrives, and the human hand executes, was
exhibited during a period of six months, for the instruc-
tion and delight of assembled millions.
" The conduct of these millions was, of itself, one of the
most remarkable features of this great event. The per-
fect order and decorum which prevailed, the enlightened
interest and ready appreciation which were displayed,
afforded the most conclusive refutation of the prejudice
which regarded the industrious masses of our English
nation with mistrust, and represented them as rude, des-
titute of refinement, insensible to the humanising influ-
ences of art, and incapable of rational and enlightened
enjoyment.
"The Great Exhibition of 1851 afforded a conclusive
proof, by the enlightened interest and ready appreciation
which were displayed, that the people of England wero
prepared to receive instruction when it was afforded to
them, and to embrace whatever opportunities were given
for the cultivation of taste and for the development of the
instinctive love of the beautiful.
" The establishment of this fact, and the recognition
of the civilising influences so widely exerted by the
Great Exhibition, led to a general feeling, when its re-
moval from Hyde-park became necessary, that some
attempt should be made to perpetuate those influences
in a more permanent form in another locality.
" This undertaking, the inauguration of which your
Majesty this day honours with your presence, oried-
nated in this feeling—Private enterprise, appealed to
in the interests of civilisation, supplied the funds. The
men whose names had acquired European ability in con-
nection with the Crystal Palace of 1851, placed their
services at the disposal of the directors in their respec-
tive departments. The enlightened patronage of Roy-
alty, the sympathy and support of public opinion, the
generous co-operation of distinguished men in science
and art, urged on the undertaking and impressed it
with a national character. The liberality of foreign
governments threw open every museum, and afforded
facilities never before known for acquiring a com-
plete series of the finest works of ancient and modern
art.
"Thus aided and encouraged, the original idea ex-
panded into wider dimensions. It was resolved to
attempt the creation of a palace and park which should
be at once a fitting ornament of the greatest metropolis
of the civilised world—an unrivalled school of art and

"I receive with much pleasure the loyal and dutifu
address which you have presented to me upon the pre-
sent occasion.
"It is a source of the highest gratification to myself
and to the Prince, my Consort, to find that the Great
Exhibition of 1851, which was so happily inaugurated
under our auspices, suggested the idea of this magnifi-
cent undertaking, which has produced so noble a monu-
ment of the genius, science, and enterprise of my subjects.
It
is my earnest wish and hope that the bright anti-
cipations which have been formed as to its future destiny
may, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be com-
pletely realised ; and that this wonderful structure, and
the treasures of art and knowledge which it contains,
may long continue to elevate and instruct, as well as to
delight and amuse, the minds of all classes of my people."
Mr. Fuller, as managing director, then had the
honour of presenting to her Majesty a fine series of
medals struck by Messrs. T. R. Pinches and Co.,
to commemorate the opening.
Mr. Laing again addressed her Majesty, and
said—
" May it please your Majesty,—Sir Joseph Paxton,
to whose genius we are indebted for the design of the
palace, park, and waterworks, will now, with your Ma.
jesty's permission, have the honour of presenting the
general hand-book descriptive of this undertaking, an
undertaking which owes its existence in so great a de-
gree to the unparalleled zeal and ability with which he
has superintended its progress.
When Sir Joseph, who was loudly cheered by
the assemblage, and favoured with a most gracious
recognition from the Queen, had presented his hand-
book, the Chairman said--
"May it please your Majesty,—Mr. Owen Jones, who,
in conjunction with Mr. Digby Wyatt, brought toge-
ther the treasures of art in this building, and who has
presided over its artistic decoration, will now, with your
Majesty's permission, have the honour of presenting
handbooks describing the Egyptian, the Greek, the
Roman, and the Alhambra Courts, and the Courts of
Modern Sculpture, works executed under his immediate
-superintendence. The names of those who have mainly
contributed to the perfection of those works are recorded
in the various handbooks."
Mr. Owen Jones, having presented his hand-
books, Mr. Laing spoke in the following terms of
Mr. Digby Wyatt
"May it please your Majesty,—Mr. Digby Wyatt,
who has shared with Mr. Owen Jones the responsibilities
of the department of art throughout the undertaking,
and whose restoration of the Pompeian-house and series
of courts illustrating the progress of Christian art are
among its chief ornaments, will now, with your Ma-
jesty's permission, have the honour of presenting hand-
books descriptive of these works. In them he has re-
corded the names of those from whom he has received
most assistance in his labours."
Mr. Samuel Phillips, in presenting his handbooks
to her Majesty, was thus spoken of by the Chair-
man :
" May it please your Majesty—Mr. Samuel Phillips,
the director of our literary department, whose name is
honourably associated with efforts for the diffusion of
popular literature, will now, with your Majesty's per-
mission, have the honour of presentir, the remaining,
series of our general handbooks, which have been pre-
pared under his eye, and front whose hands some have
proceeded.
" Among the latter may be specially mentioned a
handbook containing short biographical sketches to ac-
company the very complete series of busts of remarkable
men of ancient and modern times which has been brought
together in this building.
" The directors trust that these handbooks will be
found to constitute not the least important of the edu-
cational means which they hope to make gradually useful
to the public."
Of Mr. Fergusson Mr. Laing said—
" May it please your Majesty,---The discovery by an
English traveller in the East of a gorgeous palace of long
forgotten kings buried under mounds of rubbish—the
identification of those kings with the race of Assyrian
conquerors mentioned in Holy Scripture—are events
which strike every reflecting mind with reverential won-
der. This palace, restored under our crystal roof in all
its ancient splendour, carries us back from the midst of
the 19th century to the days of Sennacherib.
" Mr. Fergussen, who has superintended this resto-
ration, will now, with your Majesty's permission, have
the honour of presenting a handbook, written by Mr.
Layard, in whioh this interesting memorial of bygone
ages is fully described."
In presenting Professor Owen and Mr. Water-
house Hawkins Mr. Laing expressed himself thus :--
"May it please your Majesty,—The restoration from
a single fossil fragment of complete skeletons of creatures
long since extinct, first effected by the genius of Cuvier,
has always been considered one of the most striking
achievements of modern science.
" Our British Cuvier, Professor Owen, has lent us his
assistance in carrying these scientific triumphs a step
further, and bringing them down to popular apprehen-
sion.
"Aided by the zealous and indefatigable exertions of
Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, who with his own hand
moulded their forms, the gigantic iguanodon, the icthyo-
saurus, and other monsters of the antediluvian world
will now present themselves to the eye as they once
disported themselves and pursued their prey amid the
forests and morasses of the secondary and tertiary
periods.
" In the illustrations of geological strata the directors
have had the valuable assistance of Professor Anated.
"Professor Owen, with your Majesty's permission,
will now have the honour of presenting the handbook
in which this department of our undertaking is de-
scribed."
The last presentations were those of Dr. Latham
and Professor Forbes, who were supported by Mr.
Waterhouse, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Thomson, and
of whom Mr. Laing said—
" May it please your Majesty,—Dr. Latham and Pro

instrument of education—and a monument worthy the fessor Forbes will now, with your Majesty's permission,
age, and of the British empire. have the honour of presenting the handbook which de-
"lt was hoped to prove that the spirit of a free scribes the attempt made to illustrate the sciences of
people can not only create wealth, extend commerce and natural history, comprising ethnology, zoology, and
colonies, and take the lead in every department of moral botany, by representations of characteristic groups of
and material progress, but can at the same time rival the different races of the human family, surrounded by ap-
proudest works of absolute monarchs, lavishing the re- propriate illustrations of the animal and vegetable world.
sources of nations in the decoration of a favourite reel- "Dr. R. G. Latham has superintended the ethnological
deuce or the embellishment of a chosen capital. department, and Professor Forbes those of zoology and
" With these views the Directors embraced three lead- botany, assisted by the valuable aid of Mr. Waterhouse
ing objects in their undertaking—amusement and recrea- and Mr. Gould, and the zealous exertions of our super-
tion—instruction---eand commercial utility. intendent of the natural history department, Mr.
"The first object was sought to be attained by the Thomson."
While creation of a new Crystal Palace, far exceeding the
original structure of 1851 in dimensions and in architec- le this part of the ceremony was in progress,
the vast assemblage amused themselves by watching
tural effect—of a terraced Garden and Park on a scale
of magnificence worthy of the Palace—and of a system of the manner in which the blushing authors of the
fountains and waterworks surpassing anything which the handbooks went through the difficult process of re-
world has yet witnessed. tiring from the Royal presence down two flights of
" The educational object embraces a complete histori- steps without turning their backs. Sir Joseph
cal illustration of the arts of sculpture and architecture Paxton, in designing the dais, had probably not
from the earliest works of Egypt and Assyria down to foreseen the formidable obstacle he was raisin°,
modern times, comprising casts of every celebrated t raising
statue in the world, and restorations of some of its most in the path of loyal gentlemen unaccustomed
perform such courtly evolutions with small swords
remarkable monuments. slung by their sides, or perhaps he intended it as
In science, geology, ethnology, zoology, and botany
some practical likely
to afford ' fun by way of set-off
receive appropriate illustrations ; the principle of which
has been to combine scientific accuracy with popular effect, to the chairman's speeches, which, however well
and in its ultimate development the directors are bold expressed and just, nobody could hear. Happily
enough to look forward to the Crystal Palace of 1854 all came down safely, though two or three had very
becoming an illustrated encyclopaedia of this great and narrow escapes, and one distinct case of stumbling
varied universe where every art and every science may was followed by a precipitate and unceremonious
find a place, and where every visitor may rind something retreat, much to the amusement of the spectators.
to interest, and be taught through the medium of the A procession was then formed in the following
eye to receive impressions kindling a desire for know- order :
ledge and awakening instincts of the beautiful. Superintendents of Works and Principal Employes.
" Combined with art and science, industry receives its Contractors.
due representation. The Industrial Exhibition is based on Architects of Industrial Courts.
principles of commercial utility, taught by the experience Principal Officers and Heads of Departments.
of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The advantage to na- Directors.
tional interests of a place where the best products of Sir Joseph Paxton. Mr. Laing, M.P.
different industries and localities could be seen and ap-
preciated was no loss manifest than the importance to THE QUEEN.
individual producers of such an unrivalled means of
H.R.H. The Prince Albert, the King of Portugal, the
publicity, and the conveniences to buyers and sellers Royal Family, H.R.H. the Duke of Oporto, and their
of such a World's Fair for the exhibition and inspection respective Suites.
of goods, and the transaction of mutual business.
" The Crystal Palace of 1854 will perpetuate those ad-
The Foreign Ambassadors and the Foreign Ministers.
vantages under regulations suited to the permanent charac- The Archbishop of Canterbury. The Cabinet Ministers.
procession
ter of the Industrial Exhibition. As in 1851, the doors will The
h n turned to the right, moved to
i
d of the Nave by its west side, return-
be thrown open freely for the products of all nations ; the south
and
side,
and then passed round the
and the presence of so many distinguished representa-
tives of foreign Governments, on this occasion, affords a enag by l
east side of the Central Transept, and down the
gratifying proof that enlightened men throughout the north end of the nave by its east side, returning
world are alive to the advantages of such common centres by its west side to
i the Central Transept. The pro-
of friendly union, both to the arts of industry, and to cession all along its route was received with loud
the higher interests of peace and of civilisation. and continuous cheers.
" Such, may it please your Majesty, is a brief outline
The dais being again reached, Costa awakened
of the objects which the promoters of this undertaking from the lull into which, with the orchestra, he had
have proposed to realise. It will be apparent that the
comprehensiveness of the plan precludes the idea of abso-i fallen after the first performance of the National
invoked
in n the
Anthem, waved his baton with more than usual
lute completeness. The colossal scale of the proposed .
energy, and the majestic music and noble words of
system of water-works makes another year requisite to
tho,, Hundredth Psalm pealed through the vast ed.i-
insure their proper display. The industrial department
sThesi n
g o f the Archbishop
Deity of
on Canterburythe
undertaking
being of a permanent character, cannot, as in the caseT The
ef
of a temporary exhibition, be finished by a given day.
blessing
and everlasting God ! who dost govern all
following words
plants and flowers, which will form such a main feature .
things both in heaven and earth, incline Thine ear, we
:
of attraction, require time for their growth. The educe- tialciee:
tional scheme is purposely traced so as to leave room for
future development. entreat Thee, to Thy people, which call upon Thee, and
"Under these circumstances, the directors have con- graciously receive our prayers. Without Thee nothing
sidered it their duty to throw the Palace and Park open is strong, nothing is holy. ' Except the Lord build the
to the public as soon as they are sufficiently completed house, their labour is but lost who build it.' And now
to enable a fair judgment to be formed how far the under- we entreat Thee to bless the work which we have accom-
taking deserves success, and how far it has achieved . plished in this place, and to render it the
"Your Majesty has heard the statement of the motives moting Thy
glory, means of pro-
f the grin- May those who admire the wonders
in which this enterprise originated, and
.to
rests
w.gh of nature which are here displayed be taught to perceive
ciples on which it has been conducted;in those the vigour of that creative wisdcur by which all
Iperformance
your Majesty now to judge whether the things fulfil the purposes which they are designed to
and Park,
and whether the Palace
equals the promise,
with their varied contents which surround us, are worthyl
-industry which surround them to remember that it is by
to be considered—what the directors, whose organ am, Thee that knowledge is increased, and science made to
would think their highest praise—a legitimate offspring minister to the benefit and comfort of mankind ; for
of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and an appropriate the spirit of man is from Thee, and the inspirationf
one of the noblest ideas of modern of the Almighty .
• •
development o i
,
civilisation." l ' Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy
To this address, which Mr. Laing presented to . name be all the praise.' While we contemplate the