The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-10 00:00:00

and as to the ladies, they appeared determined to .
defy anything of the kind, judging from their
attire, which was of the lightest texture and of the
gayest and most choice colours.
When it was known that admission had com-
menced, there was a general rush towards each of
the doers, and the consolatory ejaculations of the
police that there was ample room and plenty of
time, with polite intimations to keep back, were of
no avail, for the squeezing and crushing went on
until the mob outside had considerably lessened,
and in the scramble the dresses of the male as well
as female visitors got considerably disordered.
On entering (at the point mentioned) we were
forcibly struck at first sight with the great resem-
blance of the building to its progenitor in Hyde-park;
but scarcely a moment's reflection was required to
pronounce it infinitely superior as regards de-
sign, decoration, and the interior arrangements.
The stiff straight lines which marred the prospec-
tive view of the old palace are done away with
here by the addition of two end transepts, and
other judicious alterations in the construction—
the whole mass of glass is totally unobstructed by
o)jects of exhibition—the monotonous blue and
white of the Hyde-park building is relieved by a
happy mixture of red and yellow. The gorgeously
decorated Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Greek, Al-
hambra, Mediaeval, and other Courts are marked by
artistic taste of the highest and most refined descrip-
tion, and while devoid of any semblance to places got
up for mere show, appear to have all the solidity of
those edifices they are meant to represent. We
may add, that, among the other things which tend
to render this place infinitely more beautiful and
perfect than the last, is the tasteful division of the
whole ground floor into garden plots, with plants
and trees of every imaginable description, remark-
able for beauty and abundance of flower or foliage,
and likewise the numerous ornamental wire baskets
which are suspended from the galleries in all di-
rections, with choice ferns and flowers hanging
gracefully over their sides.
The throne for her Majesty is erected on a raised
dais in the centre transept, and is overhung with a
huge but rich and elegant canopy in crimson and
gold, with the mottoes, Dieu et mon droit, Domine
Salvam fec Reginam, &T., upon it. Here the
Queen will sit with her face towards the east.
Behind the throne is an incalculable number of
seats for the band and chorus, under the direction
of M. Costa, and on the right and left and front
(extending to the opposite end of the transept)
there are reserved seats for distinguished persons
and those who have privileged tickets.
At 2 o'clock every seat was occupied, not only
here, but along the whole north and south naves
along which her Majesty and the procession will
proceed.
The coup d'ceil from the extreme northern gal-
lery looking to the south is grand in the extreme,
and outstrips all that was seen at the opening of
the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Her Majesty, accompanied by her illustrious
visitors, arrived at the Palace shortly before three
o'clock.
The scene which the centre transept presented
shortly after two was one to which the superlative
degree of all words signifying grand, magnificent,
imposing, and we know not what else, might very
justly be applied. To give any description which
would be at all adequate in this hasty notice would
be quite impossible, but a few details may assist
our readers in forming some notion of what pre-
sented itself to the eye of the spectator here.
The place set aside for the orchestra ani
eke-
ris'ess, which we have already mentioned, was in
the form of an amphitheatre, extending from the
greund upwards to the third gallery, and
sely packed as it was with instrumentalists
and vocalists—numbering a thousand—it was
a sight the like of which we may venture
to assert has never been witnessed in this, or in-
deed, we may say, in any other country. The
lower portion was appropriated to the band (M.
Costa's seat being immediately in the front)—the
centre to the male, and each side to the female
choristers. The top row of seats was occupied by
two military bands.
Her Majesty's Ministers stood in the space to
the left of the dais ; that to the right was occupied
by the ambassadors, and some of the more notable
members of the Houses of Lords and Commons,
and the seats immediately before the dais were
filled by members of the corporation of London,
headed by the Lord Mayor.
All the Cabinet Ministers appeared in their
official costumes. The moment Lord J. Russell
was recognised, he was loudly and enthusiastically
cheered; none of the other members of the Cabinet,
as far as we are aware, met with a similar flattering
welcome.

Of the members of the late Cabinet who attracted
considerable notice were, the Earl of Derby and
Mr. Disraeli, who wore the Windsor uniform.
At a minute to 3 o'clock much commotion was
caused in the immense assemblage in the centre
transept by the announcement that the Queen had
entered the building, and just as the clock pointed
to 3, her Majesty entered by the avenue to the
left of the throne, leaning on the arm of Prince
Albert, who was attired in the uniform of a field-
marshal.

Her Majesty was greeted with the warmest
demonstrations of loyalty as she passed along, but
when she ascended the dais the cheering became
general, and it was prolonged for some minutes.
The instrumental and vocal performers then
struck up, with thrilling effect, " God save the
Queen. "
On her Majesty's right stood the King of Portu-
gal and his royal brother, the Duke of Oporto
(two very handsome youths, with fresh, English-
like complexions), the Princess Royal, and the
Duchess of Cambridge ; on her Majesty's left, the
Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the other
junior members of the Royal family. The Duchess
of Sutherland and the other attendants of the
Court stood behind the throne.

When the music ceased, the directors of the
company proceeded to the dais, and the Chairman
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-
pe trance of old commercial jealousies and international
prejudices, before the combining influence of modern
science, and the liberal spirit of modern legislation.
" The realisation of this idea was worthy ` its con-
ception. An entirely novel order of archit --!4,-ire, pro-
ducing, by means of unrivalled mechanical 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 prejuf ice
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 were
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, origi-
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 undertaing and impressed it
with a national character. Tne liberality of foreign
governm,mts 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 orna•nent of the
,greatest metropolis
of the civilised world—an unrivalled school of art and
instrument of education—and a monument worthy theage, 'l
and of the British empire.
"It was hoped to prove that the spirit of n free
people can not oily oreate wealth, extend commerce and
colonies, and take the lead in every department of moral
and materiel progress, but can at the same time rival the
proudest works of absolute monarchs, lavishing the re-
sources of nations in the decoration of a favourite resi-
dence or the embellishment of a chosen capital.
" With these views the Directors embraced three lead-
ing objects in their undertdzing—amusement and recrea-
tion—instruction—and cornmenlal utility.
" The first object was sought to be attained by the
creation of a new Crystal Palace, far exceeding the
original structure of 1351 in dimensions arid in architec-
tural effect— of a terraced Garden and Park on a scale
of magnificence worthy of the Palace—and of a system of