The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-02 00:00:00

T Ilre, S N.

SPORTING NOTES.
No X [XII.
SCIZAPS CONCERN!NG CH F.,,,TER., WITH A GLANCE
AT THE Ni:WMARKET SECOND SPIUSG MEET-
! ING.

OPENING

'HE GREAT EXHIBITION
OF ALL NATIONS.
(YESTERDAY.)

[A portion of the following appeared in our Fourth
Edition of last night:—]

ADDITION AL PARTICULARS.

The western nave is devoted entirely to the con-
tributions of Great Britain and her colonies, and it is
not a little gratifying to observe the extreme state
of forwardness in which the departments of our
fellow-countrymen were found. We do not at-
tempt to enter into the details, but for extent
and grandeur it is certainly not too much to
say that their quarter entirely bears off the
palm from all competition. There is food for a
day's observation on almost every counter; and we
can assure those alarmists who foresaw disgrace and
shame to our countrymen from a competition with
our neighbours, that the result must be to impress
them with a still greater sense of our intellectual and
manufacturing greatness. The display from Canada
is remarkably fine, and the contributions from Guern-
sey and Jersey will not be found the least attractive.
The machinery department of itself would require
a week's survey ; while, on the other side, we should
despair of ever withdrawing an antiquary from the
mediaeval department while light served and the pangs
of hunger permitted him to continue his survey.
As the royal suite entered the Crystal Palace an
interesting incident took place, which displays in a
most favourable manner the goodness of heart and
amiability of her Majesty. Right in the middle of
the path, as the Royal pair advanced from their car-
riage, stood two young children, the grandchildren,
we believe, of Mr. Younghusband, who has the con-
tract for supplying the provisions and refreshments in
the building, with bouquets in their bands, as offerings
to the royal children on their first entering to the
Crystal Palace. Her Majesty graciously signed to
the Princess Royal and Prince of Wales to advance
and take the bouquets, which they bore in their hands
for the remainder of the day. _ _ .

Before taking her seat on the throne her Majesty
turned to the right and left, and cast a glance from
one end of the building to the other. A thrill of
pride seemed to dilate her form and fire her eye as
she marked the countless throng which bad assembled
to do her homage and her ear caught the prolonged
acclamations which in almost every tongue swelled
through the building. This must indeed have been a
proud moment for her—east, west, north, and south,
wherever her glance rested it met faces full of loyalty
and enthusiasm, voices of blessing swelling up nave
and transept, prompted by loving and truthful hearts.
A more convincing proof of the grandeur and great-
❑ess of the British nation, of the loyalty and affection
which they bear to the person of the Sovereign, and of
the security of British institutions could certainly not
have been presented to the illustrious foreigners who
were present.
A more illustrious crowd, conspicuous for rank,
birth, and intellect, certainly never was collected
together—statesmen, warriors, senators, poets, artists,
men of science, the aristocracy of wealth, all were re-
presented ; but we were sorry to remark that one final
ray of glory was wanting—the Hon. Member for
Lincoln was not present—the appearance of Colonel
Sibthorp would certainly have given an assurance
that even the last lingering ray of prejudice against
the Exhibition had been extinguished.

A GENERAL SKETCH OF THE INTERIOR.
On entering the Exhibition at an early hour, and
before many had arrived, the view from the top of the
eastern nave was the most magnificent which the
imagination could picture. Being cleared entirely of
all the implements used in the construction or decora-
tion, the different articles for exhibition being
placed in appropriate situations, and arranged
in great order and regularity, though the
arrangements still bear the appearance of
haste and incompleteness, an uninterrupted view was
obtained, and an excellent opportunity afforded of
judging of the effect as a whole. At intervals along
the whole length of this part of the building the eye
is attracted to gigantic figures in sculpture, to large
fountains, and to the splendid draperies and car-
pets which are suspended in the gallery.
Then the lightness and fairy-like nature of
the structure, together with the playing

of the fountains, and the presence of a huge tree in
full blossom, and a number of palm trees and exotic

plants, lent a charm to the enchanting scene. The
fortunate visitors seemed to be content with the spec-

tacle thus presented to then, and did not trouble

,hemselves with an examination of the many objects

of interest and wonder which were to be seen

at every step. They confined their attention chiefly
to the opening ceremony, probably intending to de-
fer until some future occasion their minuter inspection

of the world's rich store. Indeed, if they had ever in.
tended to scrutinize minutely all that was worth see

ing, the rapid arrival of the company and the necessity
of every one securing a good seat as soon as possible,

at once convinced them how hopeless such an attempt
would be. Some of the principal objects, however,

attracted the attention of a great many, among which

may be mentioned the great Koh-i-noor dipmond,
or " the mountain of light," which was securely placed

in a large gilt iron cage, on a beautiful crysta
fountain, immediately in front of her Majesty's
throne, and the carpets and articles of embroidery in
its immediate neighbourhood. Long before eleven
the interior appeared completely filled ; some had the
good sense to take their seats at once, but the majo-
rity promenaded up and down the different naves until
the police intercepted their progress simultaneously
at different places, and compelled them to choose
seats or positions within certain limited boundaries,
notwithstanding they had tickets for more desirable
situations. At first many were disposed to grumble
at this, but the propriety of it was afterwards made
apparent, as it enabled the police to have a clear
passage for the procession without cramming too
many persons on one spot, or leaving
other parts unoccupied. The arrangements of
the police, in fact, were most excellent,
and deserve great praise and some acknowledgment.
It was gratifying to find that the fair sex bore a very
large proportion of the vast assemblage, and whether
England may or may not carry off the palm as re-
gards its share in the Exhibition, certain we
are that no other country can present such an
exhibition of female beauty as was seen to-
day. Elegance and richness of dress, and
the pleasure, if not joy, which i such an occasion
naturally produced, heightened charms which would
at all times command our admiration. Many, no
doubt, spent the interval between their arrival and
the appearance of Royalty in feasting or gazing on
the galaxy of beauty which adorned the interior
in every direction. At least we may safely
say, that the chief attraction, until the proceedings of
the day commenced, were the ladies and the cele-
brated and renowned characters who every now and
then arrived. The Duke of Wellington, dressed in
his uniform of Field-Marshal, appeared in one of
the galleries overlooking the throne in company with
his daughter-in-law, the Marchioness of Douro.
He looked extremely well, and appeared in
high spirits at the gay scene below him.
He afterwards left the gallery and took up a
position near the throne amongst a party of other
distinguished persons, and was frequently cheered on
his progress thither. The other visitors who were
observed with great interest, and applauded on being
first recognised, were Sir Charles Napier, the late
Commander-in-Chief in India, the veteran warrior the
Marquis of Anglesea, Lord John Russell, and the
Prince of Prussia.
At twelve o'clock the transept had a very brilliant
appearance, all the officers of state, who were in their
different uniforms, the foreign and other commis-
sioners, some of the former being attired in the
garb of their native land, having arrived and
stationed themselves near the throne. There were
not so many foreign dresses• to be seen as might
have been expected ; but this may be attributed to
most of the foreign Commissioners assuming what re-
sembled, as nearly as possible, the ordinary attire of
Englishmen. It is impossible to give an adequate
idea of the enthusiasm which prevailed when, after
ttehreflourWl of trumpets was heard, her Majesty en-
and
ed, walked to the throne, and stood bowing