The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-03 00:00:00

EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRY OF
ALL NATIONS IN 1851.

The following is the report of the committee ap-
pointed to consider all matters relating to the build-
ing, made to her Majesty's Commissioners, Thursday,
May 9, 1850 :
May it please your Royal Highness, My Lords and
Gentlemen,—We have the honour to report that we
have examined the numerous plans so liberally contri•
buted by native and foreign architects in accordance with
the public invitation.

Exhausting in their numerous projects and sugges-
tions almost every conceivable variety of building, the
authors of those .designs have materially assisted us in
arriving at the conclusions which we have now the
honour to report.
We have been aided in our analysis of this subject by
a great amount of thought and elaboration thus brought
to bear upon it from various points of view.
We have, however, arrived at the unanimous conclu-
sion, that able and admirable as many of these designs
appeared to be, there was yet no single ono so accordant
with the peculiar objects in view, either in the principle
or detail of its arrangement, as to warrant us in recom-
mending it for adoption.
In some of the least successful of the designs sub-
mitted we find indicated errors and difficulties to be
avoided, whilst in tho abler and more practical of them
are valuable conceptions and suggestions which have
greatly assisted us in framing the plan we have now
the honour to lay before you.
In preparing this desing we have been governed
mainly by three considerations:—

1. The provisional nature of the building.
2. The advisability of constructing it as far as pos-
sible in such a form as to be available, with least sa-
crifice of labour and material, for other purposes, so soon
been as its original one shall have been fulfilled, thus
insuring a minimum ultimata cost.

3. Extreme simplicity demanded by the short time in
which the work must be completed.
For the arrangement of the plan we rely for effect on
honesty of construction, vastness of dimension, and fit-
ness of each part to its end.
The principal points of excellence we have endeavoured
to attain are-
1. Economy of construction.
2. Facilities for the reception, classification, and dis-
play of goods.
3. Facilities for the circulation of visitors.
4. Arrangement for grand points of view.
5. Centralization of supervision.
6. Some striking feature to exemplify the present
state of the science of construction in this country.
The first of these,—economy, is attained by doing
away with any internal walls (all divisions being made
by the necessary stalls), by reducing the whole con-
struction, with the exception of the dome, to cast iron
columns, supporting the lightest form of iron roof in
long unbroken lines, and by the whole Qf the work being
done in the simplest manner, and adapted in all respects
to serve hereafter for other purposes.
The second, facilities for the reception, classification,
and display of goods—The main central entrance for the
reception of objects for exhibition will, probably, be that
most approachable from the public road. All eases ac-
companying goods will be examined, registered, cata-
logued, &c., in the offices of the executive; the packing-
cases will then be put upon a truck running on a line of
rails laid down temporarily, and conveyed to the centre
turn-table, from which they znay be carried by a line
of rails at right angles to the first, to the end of the
transverse gallery, in which they may be destined to be
placed.
The most important condition to insure successful
classification is, that those to whom the duty of arrange.
ment may be confided should be hampered by no fixed
limits of space, such as would have been the case had the
building been divided into a number of halls, sections, or
chambers. The plan submitted fulfils this condition
perfectly; as objects can be arranged just as they are re-
ceived, and moved, if necessary, from gallery to gallery
with great facility.
The successful display of the goods would be best in-
sured by leaving, under certain general restrictions, the
fitting-up of each stall to the exhibitor, or his agent,
floor space only being allotted to each; and stands,
frames, brackets, shelves, &c., being put up by the con-
tractor's carpenter, at a fixed tariff.
The best light is provided, and the most economical
wall-space is proposed to be furnished by connecting
pillar to pillar transversely, on the extreme north and
south sides of the building, by rods, from which dra-
peries, &e., can be suspended.
The third, facilities for the circulation of visitors,
are thus attained :—The visitor, on arrival at the central
hall, proceeds at choice to any one of the four sections.
He will, most probably, desire either to follow the whole
course of the section selected, or will wish to go at once
to some particular class or object. Ho will be enabled
to do either the one or the other, without interfering
with the general current, by means of gates or other
arrangements, which shall insure the current of visitors
passing in one direction. If he desire to proceed rapidly
from one end of the building to the other, and finds the
great central gangway at all blocked up, he will, no
doubt, be able to get on by either the north or south
corridors, 15 feet wide. Numerous doors of egress in
these latter afford ready means of exit for a large
number of persons. Seats are provided in the middle
of the great central gangway for those who may desire
to rest.

The fourth, arrangement for grand points of view—
The view from or to the centre of the building will, from
its extent, bo necessarily imposing. The seats and main
avenues are arranged, so that on the occasion of the
distribution of the prizes an immense number of persons
may be accommodated. Most interesting views might
be obtained from galleries constructed at either end of
the building, and around the dome, for the admission
of the public, to which some small charge might be made.
The fifth, centralization of supervision—All the busi-
ness of the exhibition would be carried on in one spot,
and be readily under control. The Royal Commission,
the principal committees, clerks, accountants, police, &c.,
would be together, and in so large an establishment it
would be absolutely necessary, or much time would be
wasted in walking from one point to another. Passages
running behind the money-takers' boxes, with glazed
doors into them, would enable each accountant to detect
anything improper that might be going on, and to ex•
change and balance cheques, money, &c., at any mo-
ment. Telegraphic communications with each of the
pay-places will permit orders to be given, cash accounts,
&c., 0 be issued and returned from and to the head
accountant's office as often as may be necessary.
Four committee-rooms, one for a jury in each section,
have been provided at the extreme east and west-ends.
The duties of such committees being deliberative, and
not executive, it is not necessary they should be accom-
modated in the central establishment, where they would
be more liable to be disturbed than at the extremity of
the building.
A policeman stationed in each gallery would, from
his elevated position, be enabled to observed much
which might escape detection if he mingled only with
the crowd.

The sixth, some striking feature to exemplify the pre-
sent state of the science of construction in this country.—
In order that the building in which England invites the
whole world to display their richest productions may
afford, at least in one point, a grandeur not incommen•
surate with the occasion, we propose, by a dome of light
sheet iron, 200 feet in diameter, to produce an effect at
once striking and admirable. From calculations which
have been made of the cost of so grand a hall, we have
reason to expect that it may be executed for a sum not
greatly exceeding the cost of the simplest form of roof
likely to be adopted to cover the same area.
It is to be borne in mind that a considerable amount
of any such difference may be recovered, should this
portion of the building be converted hereafter to other
purposes, which is more than probable. This vast dome
it is proposf d to light mainly from one circle of light in
its centre, and thus the sonlpture will be pleasingly and
suitably lit.
Six out of the eight openings in the cylinder of the
dome would be well adapted for the exhibition of stained
glass windows of great extent, while the two remaining
arches will open to the main central gallery. The lower
part of some of the voids will admit the eye to tuff and
shrubs, and produce a great freshness of effect.
The immense continuity of the central avenue will be
broken and relieved by a variation in the roof opposite
the openings to the second and third sets of refresh-
ment-rooms' and windows for the reception of stained
glass may be placed at the ends of each transverse gal-
lery, thus terminating the vista for each.
It now only remains to explain the course of action
we would recommend for adoption so soon as the prin-
ciples of the plan, &c.; shall be positively decided.
We molder thin to be as ocoaeleu ups which the