The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-05 00:00:00

2!NE wIT.KLY P21661i11i Or 2112 M
TEPNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

(From the Society of Arts Journal.)
Piro months ago the area at the southern extremity of
the llorticultural Gardens was an open field ; already the
enormous space of, about 22 acres is more or less covered.
The chaotic masses of timber and iron which periodically
litter the ground rapidly melt away, while column rising
on column, and joist upon joist, tell the tale of their con-
sumption. A sufficient portion of; the building is com-
pleted to realise fully the general plan as well as the propor •
tions.

The opals of the n.-:,ve with the adjoining galleries are
raised thrutt;;leint, its entire length, and at the eastern end
seven ribs of the roof and seven windows of the clerestory
a
are erected; three ribs of the roof are fixed on the eastern
transept. The galleries also arc being Pushed forwarci nd
mark the position of the glass counts. The southern pic-
ture gallery is completed to the roof line, and 14 principals
of the roof ate fixed, being half the whole required,
Perhaps the most novel and interesting portion of tbo
works at present consists of scaffolding. That intended for
the erection of the eastern dome is finished to the height of
ISO feet, and is probably the largest timber scaffold ever
erected in this country. It consists of about 30,000 cubic
feet of timber piled up in eight stories, The corresponding
scaffold at the other end of the navo is wally half done.

In order to raise the ribs of the nave, a travelling scaf-
fold has been erected, to move on a tram throughout
its entire length. Thii,beautiful piece of workmanship is
about 95 feet high, and has cost the contractors the sum of
£5OO at least. Notwithstanding its size and weight; it can
be run along the tram by four men. To prevent the tram-
way from being driven into the earth by the superincum-
bent structure, it has been found necessary to drive piles
for it to rest on.

The machinery-shed in Prince Albert's-road is in a very
forward state. It consists of four aisles, lighted from the
top, and presents a noble picture of elegance and light-
ness, with rather a Gothic look given by the intersection of
the circular ribs. The cheapness of the cost of its produc-
tion is a no less remarkable feature of its construction, and
offers a useful suggestion for any temporary buildings, or
for those intended for agricultural purposes.
In the meantime the arrangements fur the Exhibition it-
self are progressing quickly and favourably.
The 30th of September was the last day on which appli-
cations for space were received. The total number of ap-
plicants from Groat Britain and Ireland amounts, speak-
ing roughly, to 10,000, and, as might be expected, a very
large number of these have only come forward at the last
moment. On Friday, the 27th, 200 applications came in ;
ou Saturday, 300 ; on Monday, 500 ; and on Tuesday, the
last day, nearly 600.

Foreign countries are expected to notify to her Majesty's
Commissioners the manner in which they will utilise the
space allotted to them, on or before the Ist of November,
soon after which period the position of the different coun-
tries in the building will be fixed, As at present proposed,
the machinery of all countries will be exhibited together.
So' llso photography and education will form international
exhibitions.

Some amount of dissatisfaction has been expressed by all
the large countries on the Continent at the smallness of the
space placed at their disposal, and they point to the much
larger space which they occupied in Paris in 1855, as a claim
for an increase on that allotted to them on this occasion.
It should be remembered, however, that her Majesty's
Commissioners are unable to accept the Paris Exhibition as
a precedent; practically the extent of ground at the com-
mand of the French Commissioners in 1855, as well as the
funds provided by an Imperial Government, were unlimited;
the area occupied by her Majesty's Commissioners in 1862
is not susceptible of extension, and the capital is the result
of the private liberality of a thousand guarantors animated
only by public spirit. Speaking generally, and considering
the space to be reserved for ceremonials and passages, the
whole space available for the actual exhibition of works of
industry will be scarcely, if at all, larger than that occupied
in 1851.