The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-02 00:00:00

THE ALEXANDRA PALACE AND PARK.
The position of advanced maturity now attained by
the enterprise set on foot by Mr. Fuller and his friends
in order to develope, for the public benefit, the resources
of the Alexandra Park and Palace, has naturally excited
considerable interest as to the prospect of its being carried
out thoroughly. Even now, after that a complete organ-
isation of local committees for the purpose of collecting
the names of subscribers, has been formed in the northern
districts, doubts are expressed in some quarters as to the
ultimate issue of Mr. Fuller's labours.
It may, therefore, be useful to call to mind a few cir-
cumstances connected with former efforts made and diffi-
culties overcome by this gentleman.
In 1849, when a series of exhibitions of British art and
manufacture was in contemplation, Mr. Fuller visited the
French Exposition, and on his return induced the late Mr.
Thomas Cubitt and Mr. Scott-Russell to place before the
Prince Consort his conviction that an exhibition on a
much greater and more 'important scale than that of
Paris could be got up in London. The consequence of
this representation was that the views of his Royal High-
ness became much more comprehensive than they had
they had previously been ; and, after consultations with
Mr. Fuller, Mr. Cole, and Mr. Scott-Russell, it was
determined that the forthcoming exhibition of 18M
should be not merely national, but " International " and
" Universal," these terms being suggested by the Prince
himself.
Up to the period of Mr. Fuller's visit to Paris, and sub-
sequent energetic representation to royalty, no idea had
occurred to, or at all events had been expressed by, any
one, that anything so grand, so cosmopolitan, so condu-
cive to moral and physical, artistic and industrial progress,
not -only in England, but throughout the world, was
practicable.
There had been several exhibitions of the products of
art and industry at the Society of Arts, attended with
partial success, periodical exhibitions of Irish works had
been held in Dublin, and the French expositions had been
held for many years on a gradually increasing scale, but
such a spectacle as that whichlhe world witnessed in 1851
had not been contemplated. In strict and logical truth,
therefore, that magnificent "and unparalleled display of
the results of human ingenuity and industry, repre-
sented by all nations, is due to Mr. Fuller's conception.
But though the value of that conception and the prac-
ticability of realising it were so readily discerned and ap-
preciated by Prince Albert, dfficulties which, to his Royal
Highness and others, appeared insurmountable, presented
themselves at the outset. Many persons from whom cor-
dial co-operation might have been expected thought the
scheme " too large"—" too ambitious." It was thought
that the manufacturers of the country would not support
it—that the public would stand aloof—that by affording to
foreign manufacturers a knowledge of the processes used
by our own, we might raise up competitors abroad, sad
thus injure our industrial interests. The policy agreed to
between the Prince and Mr. Fuller and his friends had been
the issuing of a Rofal Commission ; but funds were wanted
for initiative objects. Government refused alike to grant,
advance, or become answerable for a shilling. The
willingness of the public to subscribe was gravely doubted.
Then, to add to the complication, Lord Taunton (then
Mr. Labonchere) upon the part of the Ministry of the
day, objected that it would be altogether inexpedient, and
out of rule, to issue a Royal Commission without a sub-
stantial guarantee that money would be forthcoming suf-
ficient to cover all the estimated expenses of the under-
taking. Amongst other details, Mr. Labouchere, after-
wards Lord Taunton, stipulated (we believe) that an
essential feature in the plan should be the offer of prizes
toa large amount for the most meritorious objects exhi-
bited, and that the total tmount of these prizes should
not be less than £20,000; and further, that it was
indispensable to have that sum deposited before hand
and the expenses of the exhibition building guaranteed
before his Royal Highness's name could be compromised
by appearing at the head of any commission which might
be issued with the sanction of Government.

4 It was supposed to be impossible for these conditions to
be fulfilled. The total sum required, between prizes and
cost of building as then estimated would be little less than
£lOO,OOO, and as the only source of repayment was to be
the receipts for admission, sale of catalogues, refresh-
ments, &c., no expectation was entertained that any
person would be found adventurous enough to incur the
possibility of losing so large a sum for the sake of any
possible profit which might accrue from so risky a
speculation.

In this state of affairs general despondency prevailed
amongst the friends of the enterprise, and it was seriously
supposed that it would have to be abandoned, or at least
postponed until some time when public sentiment should
become more advanced and enlightened with respect to
the objects and results contemplated by it.
This was the juncture at which Mr. Fuller stood for-
ward, and declared his conviction that as contractors
could be found in this country to do anything, some firm
would prove to bo possessed of sufficient enterprise and
public spirit to provide the means on condition of sharing
in the profits which might be reasonably contemplated.
The general impression, however, was entirely opposed
to this view, and Mr. Fuller's arguments were virtually
ridiculed, when that gentleman intimated his readiness to
prove, the accuracy of his conviction by personally finding
a contractor willing and able to do all that was
required. At the instance of the Prince he set about
doing so, one or two other gentlemen consenting to make
a similar endeavour. In this, however, they failed, and
it was not, in fact, until after several efforts in various
directions, including such firms as those of Brassey, Buller,
Peto, Jackson, Truman, &c., that he at length succeeded
in prevailing upon Messrs. Munday to find the money,
erect the building, and carry out all the behests of the
Royal Commissioners upon terms emphatically recog-
nised by Prince Albert as most liberal and advantageous
to the nation, and which the Prince himself described as
having enabled him to announce the Great Exhibition of
1851.

From this it is evident that but for Mr. Fuller's prompt
perception and vigorous action upon it, the comprehen-
sive plan of the Great Exhibition would not have been
brought forward. It is equally evident that the financial
and other difficulties which became manifest at the
threshold of operations, when all shrank from responsi-
bility, would have smothered the undertaking, but for Mr.
Fuller's wisdom, energy, and courage in coming to the
rescue, procuring the funds, and virtually securing
success.

At the crisis just mentioned probably not six men in
England believed in the success of the Exhibition of 1851,
and their belief was derived from Mr. Fuller's unswerving
and constantly repeated expressions of absolute confidence.
It was these that kept the plan alive and led on to its
splendid success.

The recollection of the circumstances and opinions
existing in 1850 may suggest some useful contemplation as
to the probable issue of Mr. Fuller's movement for the
opening and development of the Alexandra Park and
Palace.

Since 1851 a marked advance 'has taken place in the
intelligence and good taste of the public—a result to
which the Great Exhibition and the subsequent establish-
ment of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham have, it is ad-
mitted, materially contributed. The necessity of pre-
serving and even'creating open spaces in the neighbourhood
of the metropolis, the size and population of which will
by and bye be doubled, is better understood, and has been
practically recognised by the opening of new parks in
various directions. One of the latest and best results of
this improved feeling has been to rescue, if not the whole,
at least a very considerable portion of Hampstead Heath
from being swarmed over with bricks and mortar.
The Alexandra Park, including the ground connected with
it, comprises about 400 acres (nearly twice the extent of the
portion of Hampstead Heath which is to be preserved),
and larger than Hyde Park. The site is one of the finest
in the environs of London, commanding noble views in
various directions. It is splendidly timbered, endowed
with some of the most charming rural characteristics; and
in addition to its crowning glory, the magnificent palace,
it possesses spacious archery grounds, a noble cricket
ground, and other features calculated to increase its
attractiveness as a grand arena of exercise, recreation,
amusement, and sport, in the least objectionable accepta-
tion of the latter term. Of the Palace itself it may suffice
to remark that whilst in every attribute of general com-
modiousness it would compare, not unfavourably, with the
Crystal Palace, it is far superior to it in solidity, durability,
and therefore in economy of repair and maintenance; whilst,
as a conductor of sound—a quality in which, from the
peculiarity of its construction, the edifice at Sydenham is
very deficient, the Alexandra Palace is unsurpassed,
probably not equalled, amongst buildings of large dimen-
sions. This characteristic is obviously of the first import-
ance, in view of the fact that concerts, vocal and instru-
mental, varied from time to time by musical gatherings on
the grandest scale, are prominent in the programme of the
contemplated entertainments.
Mr. Fuller's plan, as described in an interesting
pamphlet recently issued, is to preserve this beautiful
place, which in a few years will probably be surrounded
by dense populations, from being misused for the house-
building speculations with which it is threatened, and to
open it for the public good by means of an organisation
called "The Alexandra Park Tontine and Art Unions,
conferring valuable privileges and benefits ou the mem-
bers, encouraging fine art and art manufactures, and