The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-01 00:00:00

The dais of state was raised under a magnificent canopy,
and the whole area was adorned with a display of sta-
tuary, among which the beautiful equestrian statues
of her Majesty and of Prince Albert were particu-
larly conspicuous. Groups of statuary were ranged
on each side of the transept, from the door of entrance
up to the nave, so that the transept is, in fact, a great
hall of statuary.
The Foreign Ambassadors arrived shortly after ten
o'clock, and at eleven the members of the Executive
Committee and the Foreign Commissioners arrived
and took their places.
The general appearance of the Palace is one of
light and airy elegance. The painting, concerning
which there was so much controversy, has succeeded
wonderfully. Nothing can be more pleasing to the
eye than the manner in which the colours harmonize
and blend together. The exposition of the va-
rious articles, although still far from com-
plete, has progressed much more than those
who have not recently visited the Palace can
imagine. To attempt to give an account
of the various descriptions of articles exhibited would
on this occasion be inappropriate ; but we may state
that the English portion of the Exhibition appears to
be in the greatest, and the French portion in the least,
state of forwardness, whilst all the exhibitors from
the United States have carefully covered their
goods with canvas, so that it is impossible
to judge as to the state cif forwardness, or
even as to the nature of the goods exposed.
Massing with, and setting off the more brilliant co-
lours, were the choicest productions of the hot-house,
and the beautiful and graceful palm trees and furs,
and the white sails of some beautiful models of ships,
formed a tout ensemble of picturesque beauty, of
which it is impossible to convey any idea by words,
and which might set the most accomplished painter at
defiance to reproduce.
At five minutes before twelve a flourish of trum-
pets announced the arrival of the royal procession,
and at twelve o'clock precisely her Majesty, with
characteristic punctuality, entered in state, leaning on
the arm of Prince Albert, and leading the Prince of
Wales by the hand, Prince Albert leading the Prin-
cess Royal. Her Majesty looked extremely well,
and smiled and bowed most courteously in
acknowledgement of the compliments paid to
her. Prince Albert was dressed in Field-
Marshal's uniform, and the Prince of
Wales was attired in Highland costume. Her Ma-
jesty was accompanied by the Duchess of Kent, the
Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Duchess of Suther-
land, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and the
Prince of Prussia.
The appearance of her Majesty was the signal of
a most enthusiastic outburst of loyalty, salvos of
cheers followed each other in rapid succession for
several minutes, and re-echoed through the Pa-
lace, almost drowning the voices of the choris-
ters, who were singing the National Anthem.
On arriving at the dais her Majesty took her place
by the throne, having the Princess Royal and the
Prince of Wales on each side of her. A beautiful
canopy, 32 feet square, with the corners taken off, is
suspended over the throne, at a height of 30 feet.
It is divided on the under side into twelve compart-
ments, each 8 feet square, and four halves
divided diagonally from point to point.
Each compartment is fluted in the centre
with blue silk, and has a star of Brunswick (gilt).
Where they meet, round the outside of the canopy,
is a drapery of blue fringe, with blue and white silk
ornaments, and ropes dropping a little at each angle.
This is surmounted by a cornice with gilt mouldings;
and upon the facia a bold enrichment of laurel
leaves, gilt, upon blue ground, and a plume of blue
and white ostrich feathers at each angle.
The performance of the National Anthem was
under the direction of Sir George Smart; Mr.
Turle, the organist of Westminster Abbey,
presiding at the organ, which stands in the north
end of the transept, and which has been built
by Messrs. Gray and Davison. The Hallelujah
Chorus was performed under the direction of Sir
Henry Bishop ; Dr. S. Elvey presiding at the organ.
Among the vocalists present we noticed Miss Birch,
Miss Dolby, Madame Caradori Allan, Miss Wil-
liams, and Messrs. Henry Phillips, Lockey, Bodda,
and other singers of eminence.
When the National Anthem was concluded, Prince
Albert descended from the dais, and joined
.his bro-
ther Commissioners. The report of the proceedings
of the Commissioners was then handed to
his Royal Highness, who, advancing to the
foot of the throne, read the report to
her Majesty, and afterwards presented it to
her, together with a catalogue of the articles exhi-
bited. Her Majesty then returned a gracious answer,
but neither the report or the answer were audible
where we were placed. The Commissioners were
then presented to her Majesty by Prince Albert. The
Archbishop of Canterbury then said the following
prayer, invoking God's blessing on the undertaking :

PRAYER.
." Almighty and everlasting God, governor of all
things, without whom nothing is strong, nothing holy,
accept, we beseech Thee, the sacrifice of our praise
and thanksgiving, receive our prayers which we offf-r
up to.Thee.this day, in behalf of this kingdom and land.
We acknowledge, 0 Lord, that Thou hest multiplied
the blessings which Thou mightest most justly have
withheld ; we acknowledge that it is not
because of the works of righteousness
which we have done, but of Thy great mercy,
that we are permitted to come before Thee this day
with the voice of thanksgiving. Instead of humbling
us for our offences, Thou hest given us just cause to
praise thee for Thine abundant goodness. And now,
0 Lord, we beseech Thee to bless the work which
thou hart enabled us to begin, and to re-
gird with Thy favour our present purpose of
uniting together in the bond of peace and
concord the different nations of the earth;
for of Thee, 0 Lord, and not of the preparation of '
man, it cometh that violence is not heard in our
and, nor contentions nor violence withi❑ oar borders.

It is of Thee, 0 Lord, that nation does not lift up
sword against nation, nor learn war any more.
It is of Thee that peace is within our walls
plenteousness within our palaces, and men go
forth in safety, and that knowledge i 3 in-
creastd throughout the world. Therefore, 0 Lord,
not unto us, but unto Thy name, be all praise. Whilst
we survey the works of art and industry

which surround us, let not our hearts

be lifted up that we forget the Lord our Gud,

or that it is not of our own power, or of the might
of our hands that we have gotten in this wealth,

Teach us to remember that this store which we have

prepared is all Thine own, in Thine hands it is to make

great, and give strength and honour. We thank
Thee, we praise Thee, we intreat Thee to over-

rule this assembly of many nations, that
it may tend to the advancement of Thy
glory, to the increase of cur prosperity, and to
the promotion of peace and goodwill among the differ-

ent races of mankind. Let the many mercies we
have received dispose our hearts to serve Thee more

and more, who art the author and giver of all good
things. Teach us to use those earthly blessings that

Thou haat given us so richly to enjoy, that they
may not withdraw our affections from those
heavenly things which Thou bast prepared for them
that love Thee through the merits and mediation of
Thy son Jesus Christ, to whom with Thee and the
Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without
end. Amen."

After which the " Hallelujah" chorus was performed
by the choir, and the roy4l proce,s,2ion was then
formed in the following order:—

Heralds.
Contractor, Architect,
Mr. Henderson. Joseph Paxton, Esq.
Superintendents of the Works,
C. 11. Wild, Esq. Owen Jones, Esq.
Financial officer.
F. H. Carpenter, Esq.
Members of the Building Committee,
I. K. Brunel, Esq. C. Cockerel!, Esq„ Professor Donaldson.
Members of the Eina.ice Committee,
Samuel Peto, Esq. Sir Alexander Spearman, Bart.
Baron Lionel de RothschilTdreasurers,. Sir John W. Lubbock, Bart.
William Cotton, Esq. Arthur Kett Barclay, Esq.
Secretary to the Executive Committee,
Matthew Digby Wyatt, Esq.
Executive Committee.
George Drew, Esq. Francis Fuller, Esq.
Charles Wentworth Mike, jun., Esq. henry Cole, Esq.
Lieut . Colonel William Reid, Royal Engineeis, C. B.
FOREIGN ACTING COMMISSIONEIIS.
Austria—H. C. Buschek and Chevalier De Bourg.
Bavaria—Professor De Schafhault, M. Theobald Boehm,
and M. Haindl.

Contractor.
Mr. Fox.

Belgium—M. Charles Caylits and M. de Broucken.
Denmark-118par Westenholz.