The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-08 00:00:00

THE SUN,

spouse to the too flattering account of me by my
friend Mr. Gishoree, I ask you to forgive me if I fail
to express to you as I ought my most heartfelt grati-
tude and thanks for this most distinguished mark of
your public approbation. I am not so vale but I
know how much of the praise you are good enough
to award me is due to your own kindness; but it
would be affectation more offensive than vanity if I
did not frankly acknowledge that I am proud at
being connected with anything that has this day
brought together so large a number of my friends.—
(Cheers.) Were Ito consult my own feelings, I
should, after offering my fervent thanks in, I fear,
most feeble words, resume my seat, and thus relieve
myself of a rather onerous duty. But, gentlemen, I
feel that this is no ordinary occasion, but one
on which I shell he expected to do more than
return you my thanks.—(Hear, hear.) When
the Exhibition, the great event of our times, was first
propounded, I hailed it with unmixed pleasure ;
it appeared to me like a beam of light of vast mag-
nitude, embracing a field of operation, the true ad-
vantages of which could only be felt in after times,
when the great efforts made would unfold themselves
in a thousand different and unloolsed-fur channels.
This is the seed time, the harvest will assuredly fol-
low. Not only will the mechanical ingenuity of man
find means for extended improvement, but the social
nature of man will receive its reward in the sweeping
away of national prejudice, and establishing between
nation and nation, and man and man, a kinder ap-
preciation of each other's worth, and a more charit-
able view of each other's frailties. The first great
fruits which the Exhibition has produced is now
taking place at Paris.—(Cheers.) Nothing could be
more hearty than the reception given to us every-
where from Boulogne to Paris. All appeared to vie
with each other in giving a cordial and hearty wel-
come. The magnificent reception given at the Hotel
de Ville might almost have shaken the prejudices even
of Colonel Sibthorp. We have no place in England
where such a dinner could be given as that of the
Hotel de Ville, and no place where there could have
been so magnificent a reception. What has long
been desired among nations has been a more free
and unrestrained communion of their inhabitants with
each other; when this shall fully take place it will
not require the abstruse study which is now requisite
for a foreign secretary or minister to conduct the
affairs of nations with satisfaction to all parties. I
believe England has added another wreath to her
Crown in the glorious part she has taken in first esta-
blishing an Exhibition of All Nations.—(Cheers.)
It is a rather curious fact, that there never bas been
a National Exhibition similar to that of many other
countries, and that we should thus at once enter upon
so gigantic a task as an Exhibition of All Nations
before we had an Exhibition of our own. To his
Royal Highness Prince Albert the world is mainly
indebted for carrying out this most wonderful under-
taking, and to his Royal Highness belongs the credit
of having persevered through most difficult and haras-
sing circumstances to so happy a result.—(Cheers.)
It was while this magnificent scheme was passing
over the shoals and quicksands that always beset great
undertakings, that my humble efforts were called into
request, and at the risk of being thought tedious, I
will venture to give you a short history of my con-
nexion with it, and the reasons which induced me to
furnish a plan.—(Hear.) You are aware that as soon
as the Royal Commission was formed, gentlemen were
selected as a building committee ; to this committee was
deputed the onerous duty of devising a proper building
for the Exhibition. Their first public act was to send
out invitations for designs for a suitable structure.
About 240 designs were sent in, but the committee
not finding any of these exactly in accordance with '
their views, set about devising a plan of their own ;
and on this being completed, they prepared detailed
drawings and specifications for the purpose of ob-
taining tenders. The structure they proposed to
erect was severely commented upon in the public
journals, on account of the vast amount of bricks that
would be used in the construction, and the permanent
character of the work. It was not until this war of
words was raging with great fierceness that the
thought occurred to me of making a design which
would obviate all objections. Fortunately, at the
time I was erecting a house of peculiar construction,
which I had designed for the growth of that most re-
markable plant the Victoria Regia; and it is to this
plant, and this circumstance, that the Crystal Palace
owes its direct origin. Being in London, and having
to see Mr. Ellis, the Member for Leicestor, on busi-
ness connected with the Midland Railway, I sought
him at the Houses of Parliament, and found him at a
morning sitting in the new House of Commons, which
was held there on that day, for the purpose of testing
its fitness for use. Sir Cnas. Wood was addressing
the House, but not a word of what he said could be
distinctly heard in the Speaker's gallery, upon which
I observed to Mr. Ellis that I feared they would
make a mistake in constructing the Great Exhibi-
tion Building, and that I had some thoughts of send-
ing in a design that would obviate the difficulties
complained of. After a little further conversation,
Air. Ellis went with me to the Board of Trade to see
Lord Granville. We did not find his Lordship
within ; but Mr. Henry Cole, one of the Executive
Committee, happened to be there. I went to No. 1,
Oid Palace-yard, and, after conversing some time
with Mr. Cole, I found that the building committee
had advertised that the plans and specifications for
contractors to tender would be ready in about a fort-
night; and I also heard that the specifications would
contain a clause by which those who tendered might
also tender for designs dieering from the plan of the
building committee. From this moment I decided
that I would prepare plans for a glass structure, and
the first thing I actually did was to go to Hyde-park
and step over the ground, to ascertain the extent in
length and breadth on which the building was to
stand. Having made an engagement to be at the
floating of the third tube of the Britannia-bridge, I
could not commence the plans until after my return ;
and it was at the Midland station, in this town, in
one of the committee-rooms, that the first mark on
paper was made of the Crystal Palace; and the most
remarkable fact connected with the Crystal Palace is
that the blotting paper sketch indicates the principal
features of the building as it now stands, as much as the
most finished drawings that have been made since.
In nine days from the time of making the blotting
paper sketch I found myself again at Derby, with
a roll of plans under my arm, on my way to London.
These plans, five in number, had, with the exception
of one, been prepared by me at Chatsworth. The one
not prepared there had been made for me by Mr. Bar-
low, the eminent engineer of the Midland Railway,
who kindly gave me his valuable assistance in calcu-
lating the strength of the columns and girders. At
the Midland station 1 had the good fortune to acci-
dentally meet with Mr. Robert Stephenson, who had
come from la ewcastle by the same train in which I
was going to London. On our journey I showed the
plans to Mr. Stephenson, and got him to read the
specification. He expressed his unbounded admira-
tion of the design, and promised to lay the plans be-
fore the Royal Commission on the following day,
which promise he fulfilled. As Lord Brougham had
said so much in the House of Lords against a brick
building being erected in Hyde-park I waited upon
his Lordship and explained to him the nature of my
plans : from that day Lord Brougham has never
uttered a word against the Exhibition building, but
on the contrary his Lordship became my warmest
supporter.—(Hear, hear.) I also showed the plans
to Lord Granville before they went before the
Royal Commissioners ; and here I must re-
mark that to Lord Granville the country owes
much in respect to the success of the Exhibition. The
easy access and courtesy of manner displayed by his
Lordship to all who approached him, added to most
excellent business habits, has removed many difficul-
ties that would not otherwise have been effected.—
(Cheers.) After my design had been laid before the
Royal C. ommissiouers, and had been investigated by
the Building Committee, and seen at Buckingham
Palace by her Majesty and Prince Albert, I took the
plans to New-street, Spring-gardens, and had the
good fortune to find Mr. Fox at his office. Mr. Fox
was much pleased with the design, and at onceiagreed
to go heartily into it. Mr. Henderson (Mr. Fox's
partner) and Mr. Robert Lucas Chance, the great
glass maker at Birmingham, were telegraphed to be
in London early on Monday, and after a long con-
sultation my plans were sent to Birmingham for the
purpose of having detailed estimates and drawings
prepared. The Royal Commissioners were made
aware of the fact of Messrs. Fox and Henderson's
intention to tender for my design, andi? Mr. Cole went
to Birmingham to counsel Messrs. ox and Hender-
son to tender for covering the ground in the exact
roof as marked out by the ground plan prepared by
the building committee. Mr. Brunel also suggested
that the interior columns should be placed 24 feet
apart instead of 20, in order to suitthe Exhibition. Dur-
ing the preparation of these plans and estimates, Messrs.
Fox and Henderson came to Chatsworthto settle with me
some of the more important details, and I went twice
to Birmingham to see the progress of the plans and
estimates. During the preparation of these plans Mr.
Henderson suggested the transept. To this lat first
objected. I did so on these grounds—namely, that as‘
the Exhibition was to be a fair competition of skid
for all nations, I held it to he fair and right that each
exhibitor should have an equal advantage as regards
position, which they could not have with the introduc-
tion of the transept. Another objection I entertaineed
was, that it could not stand in the centre of the build-
ing as the ground plan was then arranged; but the
moment Mr. Henderson said it would impart strength
and solidity to the building I assented to its introduc-
' tior.—(Cheers.) At length the day for sending in
the tender came ; but considerable delay took place
before it was finally 'accepted. I have before stated
. that order to get the tender in, it was necessary
the building should cover the exact space marked
out by the building committee ; but in conforming
to this plan, the transept was obliged to be put
into one side of the building for the purpose of
avoiding the great trees which now stand within it,

LONDON,

hut which, according to the tender sent in, were to be
in an open court. At one of the meetings with the
building committee, it was suggested by them that the
transept should include the great trees ; but there ap-
peared at first sight a good deal of difficulty in accom-
plishing ties, as at that time all the roofing was de-
signed to he fiat. We promised to see what could be
done 1:e fore the next meeting of the committee. I
went direct with Mr. Fox to his office; and while he
arranged the ground plan sn as to bring the trees into
the centre of the building, I was contriving how they
were to be covered. At length I hit upon the plan of
covering the transept with a circular roof similar to
that o❑ the great conservatory at Chatsworth, and
made a sketch of it, which was copied that night
by one of the draughtsmen, in order that I
might have it to show to Mr. Brunel, whom I had
agreed to meet on the ground the next day. Before
nine o'clock the next morning Mr. Brunel called at
Devonshire House, and brought me the heights of all
the great trees. In the note containing the measure-
ments Mr. Brunel wrote thus—" I mean to try and
win with our plan, hut I have thought it right to give
your beautiful plan all the advantages it is susceptible
of."—(Cheers.) I then showed Mr. Brunel the plan
I had made the night before for covering in the
trees, with which he was much pleased. I have been
led into these minute details—first, to show that
the circular roof of the transept was designed by
myself and not by Mr. Barry, as currently reported ;
secondly, to show the kindness and liberality of
Mr. Brunel. At the time of the tender being ac-
cepted the building committee asked me if 1 had any
objections to my design being improved in some of
its details. My reply was to the effect that I should
have great pleasure in agreeing to anything that
could be shown to be an improvement. I must here
tell you how some alterations had become necessary.
When the gallery columns inside were changed from
twenty to twenty-four feet apart, it put the outer
columns and outer sashes quite out of proportion as
to distance ; instead of there being one intermediate
column and sash between the twenty feet opening
there were two intermediate columns, and two sashes
in the twenty-four feet ; and the plan Mr. Barry
made for improving this had my entire approval, be-
cause it brought back the design to its original pro-
portions. As soon as my design had been accepted,
it was decided by the Royal Commissioners to in-
trust the superintendence of its erection to Mr. Wil-
liam Cubitt, the President of the Civil Engineers'
Institute ; and Messrs. Fox and Henderson bad,
as contractors, to submit the detail drawings re-
specting the strength of the building for his ap-
proval. Just after the contract had been ac-
cepted, I was obliged to leave England fur a
month ; and at the last interview I had with Mr. Fox
before my departure, in the presence of Mr. Leech,
he promised that all should be carried out in accord-
ance with the design, and that no alteration should
be made without my approval. When I first thought
of sending in a design I had to consider not only
what I knew well myself, but what would be thought
practicable by others ; besides, I had to keep in
view not only the probability of the mechanical reali-
zation of my design, but also the possibility of its
realization within a given time. That I did not err
in this last respect, I owe to the ability, energy, and
transcendent skill of Messrs. Fox and Henderson ; and
if I have one word more than another that would ex-
press my approbation of their exertions, I should
have infinite pleasure in using it. Not only did
they arrange all the details for carrying on the
works with great precision and speed, but they en-
tered into the project with hearty good will ;
and there is a great deal of credit due to them
for having taken up my design in the man-
ner they did.—(Cheers.) The structure was an
entirely novel and new one to them previously ; they
had no experience in the peculiar plan of roofing and
drainage, which was for the first time brought before
them in my plans for the roofing, and therefore they
had to rely entirely upon my experience in all these
matters. They ventured, however, to embark their
money and reputation upon plans and information
which no one had experience in except myself. They
fully relied upon me, and I must say they deserve im-
mense credit for having thus ventured their fortunes
and reputation on the faith of one man. If I could
speak more strongly in their praise I should be happy
to do so. I have great pleasure in seeing Mr. Hen,
derson here to-day. Just before the building was
completed his health was very precarious. It arose
entirely from his anxiety, and from the overwhelming
work on which he was engaged, and it is a great
pleasure to find him now completely restored to
health.—(Cheers.) I could detain you much longer
in speaking of other individuals to whom I owe a
deep debt of gratitude—such as Mr. 0 wen Jones,
Mr. Geach, and Mr. Cooper ; but I must not tres-
pass further on your attention.—(Hear, hear.) If
there had been sufficient time given, there
would have been no difficulty in putting up the
Crystal Palace—if a year had been afforded, instead
of a few months, the accomplishment would have been
comparatively easy, because the building is composed
of simple parts, and it only requires favourable wea-
ther and a multiplicity of hands to erect a building to
any extent. Now, gentlemen, I wish to disclaim all
part in the building that doss not belong to me. It
has been said that " it was a fortunate idea ;" but the
idea, though fortunate, was not a fortuitous one.—
(Hear, hear.) It was the result of long study and
long labour, without which no really practical idea
can be worked out into a distinct and palpable design.
The great experience I had in the erection of glass
structures, and the invariable success which had at-
tended my exertions, emboldened me to produce that
design ; because I had not a doubt of its practicability,
if properly carried out. I had two objects in view in
offering a design ; the first was, that my proposal
would be exactly suitable for the Exhibition ; and
next, it would meet a long-cherished idea of mine for
a national winter garden ; so that, like Goldsmith's
piece of furniture, it was contrived

" A double debt to pay,
By nature dressed to-morrow,
As by art to-day."
—(Cheers.) I have stated to you that the Victoria
Regis was the immediate cause of my sending in a
design for the Crystal Palace ; but the Crystal Palace
does not derive its origin from the existence of that
noble plant. No ! It owes its erection to a nobler
work of nature. The Noble Duke whom I have had
the honour and the pleasure to serve for more than a
quarter of a century.—(Loud cheers.) It is to his
fostering hand I owe all I possess; he took me when
quite a youth, and moulded me according to his wants
and wishes; he has given me all the advantages of
extended travel with himself, which could not fail to
produce fruit in due season ; by his confidence and
liberality I have had placed before me ample means
for various experiments, and without which, depend
upon it, there never would have been a Crystal
Palace; and if there is one thing more than another
that would enhance the pleasures of this day, it is that
his Grace has done me the honour to be present to see
the flattering tribute which you have paid me. Gen-
tlemen, one word more, and I have done. You can
readily believe how great the anxiety and responsi-
bility I imposed on myself when I undertook the de-
sign for the Crystal Palace; but believing that I could
remove the many serious objections urged against the
erection of a building composed of bricks and mortar,
I considered it a duty I owed to my Sovereign and
my country to waive all personal considerations
and do my utmost to save so grand a project from
failure.—(Cheers.) From the day I sent in my de-
sign to the time of the successful accomplishment of
the Exhibition my anxieties have been almost over-
powering. I felt what must be my fate if by any
accident my design should not be successfully carried
out, and any failure would have reflected back upon
me; but great as that anxiety has been, and laborious
as have been my duties even up to the present time,
this day's proceedings amply reward me, and give me
a triumphant finish to the wole. It is now twenty-
five years since I came into this county a compara-
tive stranger; you then received me kindly; that kind
ness has since ripened into friendship, and it has, I am
thankful to say, been my happy lot to make " troops"
of friends. 1)1y public duites have been many and
onerous, but in the performance of them it is my
happiness to know that I have never lost a friend.
The marks of respect you have shown me to-day will
sink deep iuto my heart, and the recollection of it
will afford me delight the remainder of my days.
Mr. BALGUY, in complimentary terms, then pro-
posed " Messrs. Fox and Henderson," remarking,
that whilst they admired the genius of the designer
they ought not to forget the genius and knowledge
of those who carried such a magnificent design into
effect.—(Cheers.)
Mr. HENDERSON, on rising to return thanks was
most enthusiastically received. After remarking on
the candid and cordial manner in which Mr. Paxton
had received and acted upon every suggestion which
appeared likely to carry his great object into effect,
he observed that an impression seemed to prevail that
Mr. Barry was the originator of the circular roof for
the transept. Now that was not correct, for Mr.
Paxton originated it and carried it out according to
intention.—(Cheers.)
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every day during the week until that evening, and
he knew the difficulty. Mr. Paxton had suggested
that the covering should be by a circular roof. He
did not think that Mr. Barry knew that arrangement,
and on Monday morning Mr. Barry produced a
sketch, giving to the transept a circular roof. This
statement would reconcile the discrepancy which ex-
isted on the subject.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Henderson
then expressed his gratitude for the valuable assistance
which had been afforded to his partner and himself
by all the parties with whom they had been associated
during the construction of the work, particularly
mentioning the names of Messrs. Dowson and
Co., timber merchants ; Messrs. Chance and
Co., glass wicinufacturela; and Coch-