The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-17 00:00:00

1853.

sau-street,Westmorland-street,Aston's- quay,Parliam ent-
street, to Dame-street,where their carriages were drawn up
with the horses' heads to the east, to await the arrival of his
Excellency, and to have the honour of accompanying him
to the Exhibition Building. At half-past eleven o'clock
a buzz gave note of his Excellency's approach, and in the
course of a few seconds the Viceregal equipage drove into
the Upper Castle-yard. The procession was then formed
without loss of time, and proceeded from the Lower
Castle Yard, through Dame-street, (where it was joined
by the Corporation,) College-green, Grafton-street, Nas-
sau-street, Leinster-street, and Clare-street, to the Grand
Entrance of the Exhibition in Merrion-square, in the
following order :
The City Marshal, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, on horseback,
en militia re.
A Troop of the 11th Hussars and Band.
The Civic Officers in carriages.
Carriages containing the Aldermen and Councillors of the
Corporation.
The state Carriage containing the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor
and the Lady Mayoress.
The Officers of the Illustrious Order of the Knights of Saint
Patrick in carriages.
The carriages containing the Knights of St. Patrick.
Carriages containing his Excellency's Household.
A Squadron of the 16th Lancers.
The Lord Lieutenant's State Carriage, containing
His EXCELLENCY and the COUNTESS Of ST. GERMANS.
A Squadron of the Ist Dragoon Guards.

Cheering continued along the whole of the densely-
crowded line. From the beginning to the end of the
route the scene was of the most exciting description.
Every balcony and every window—nay, every roof—where
it was possible to obtain a view, was full of eager occu-
pants, and the streets on each side presented a dense and
unbroken mass of human beings. The space in front of
the College was crowded to excess, and the cheering which
greeted the procession at this point was enthusiastic in
the extreme. The scene was altogether imposing and
magnificent. At ten minutes to twelve o'clock the pro-
cession entered the west side of Merrion-square, amidst
the enthusiastic applause of the assembled multitude, the
largest concourse ever witnessed, perhaps, in Dublin.
Each window had its fair tenants, and each lamp-post and
railing its proportionate number of spectators, while on
terra firma the crowd was such as to require all the efforts
of the police to keep them within bounds. The entire
side of the square nearest to the building was filled with
spectators, and the fountain especially, was covered with
sight-seers, who clung with all the tenacity of leeches to
each projecting stone, which could offer a more elevated
position, and consequently afford a clearer view of the ap-
proaching train. The utmost patience and good feeling
was evinced in every quarter, and we have not heard of one
single instance occurring to disturb the serenity of the
day's proceedings. Upwards of 400 police constables
were stationed in and about the building, under the im-
mediate command of Colonel Browne and the chief super-
intendents. Detachments were likewise in attendance
from the 17th, 46th, 52d, 63d, 90th, and 91st Regiments,
which were drawn up in line in front of the building, and
on the arrival of the procession, the guards of honour,
consisting of companies of the 2d Queen's Bays and
the 11th Hussars, filed off to either end of the line,
thus producing at once a grand and pleasing appearance.
In order to prevent the confusion necessarily attendant
upon the crowding of carriages, on the suggestion of Col.
Browne, two barriers were erected,—one at the end of
Lower Merrion-street, and a similarly situated one at the
extremity of Upper Merrion- street—thus preventing any
carriages approaching by either of those routes, except
those which were proceeding to the building with visitors.
The wooden palisading in front of the building was en-
tirely removed, and in its place lay a curved footway lead-
ing to the building, which afforded an elegant promenade
for those who were so disposed, and had besides a very
good effect. Iron railing, of elegant design, has likewise
been appended to either end of the building, which is like-
wise an advantage to its appearance. The exterior of the
structure itself presented an appearance both lively and
animated, hundreds of gaily dressed visitors, having as-
sembled in the gallery or balcony, fronting the exterior of
the great hall, and several other persons having likewise
succeeded in reaching the gallery surrounding the dome.
from which point the view was extensive and interesting
in the highest degree. Flags were also hoisted on staffs
erected for that purpose in front of the building. Public
expectation had been wound up to the highest pitch by
the time the procession made its appearance, and his
Excellency, on alighting from his carriage, was warmly
applauded. From an early hour in the morning the
workmen were busily employed in the building. The
active secretaries, Mr. Roney and Mr. Deane, while at
their onerous posts, superintending the arrangements,
and Mr. Dargan was also present, lending his valuable
assistance in the decoration of his giant child, and the
preparation of it to meet the public gaze. At nine o'clock
a vast concourse of persons were admitted into the build-
ing, the object being to prevent a rush and enable the
public to obtain accommodation. The galleries seemed
to be preferred to the body of the hall, and in making this
selection, a vast number showed forethought and judg-
ment ; for the galleries commanded a very fine view of
the building and the proceedings. The Great Central
Hall is a capacious, airy, picturesque, and beautiful part
of the building. The building extends from East to West.
The dome is lofty, the galleries capable of containing a
nnmerous array of persons. At the head of the hall is
Telford's organ, a splendid specimen of art, and beneath
it is the orchestra, the most commodious ever seen in
Dublin, at least, in recent times. At the extreme end
of the hall is another organ. From the great organ were
suspended the flags of the Orders of the Garter and the
Bath, and at either fide of the Great Hall were ranged
national and civic banners, conspicuous among which we
noticed those of Liverpool and Manchester. Below the
'orchestra a dais was erected for the Viceregal party.
Behind the seats, appropriated to the Lord Lieutenant
and the Countess of St. Germans, was the statue of Eve,
by MacDowell, a chaste and exquisite work of art ; at
the right of the orchestra is a statue of Dargan, by Jones.
At each side of the dais were seats allotted to the nobility,
the judges, the corporate officers, the collegiate and other
dignitaries, the families of the nobility, executive com-
mittee, and members of the Royal Dublin Society. The
feature in the Exhibition which deserves a prominent
notice was the august assemblage of the judges, the vene-
rable bulwarks of the constitution. The judges present /
were the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, the
Lord Chief Justice, Chief Justice Monahan, the Lord
Chief Baron, Baron Richards, Mr. Justice Torrens, Mr.
Justice Crampton, Mr. Justice Perrin, Baron Greene,
Mr. Justice Jackson, and Mr. Justice Moore. Amongst
the other distinguished personages present were the Mar-
quis of Kildare, the Marquis of Drogheda, the Earl of
Meath, Wm. Dargan, Esq., Mrs., and the Misses Dargan ;
Lord Cloncurry, the Bishop of Meath, the Peruvian
Minister, Mr. S. C. Hall, the Provost, Fellows, and
Scholars of Trinity College ; Dr. Cullen, R. C. Archbi-
shop of Dublin, in costume, as Pope's Legate ' • the Right
Rev. Dr. M'Gettigan, Bishop of Raphoe ; Right Rev.
Dr. Spalding, Right Rev. Dr. M'Nally, Bishop of
Clogher ; Sir Philip Crampton, Bart. ; Sir Robert Kane,
President of Queen's College, Cork ; Sir Edward Blake-
ney, Commander of the Forces in Ireland, accompanied
by a brilliant staff ; the Right Hon. J. Napier, M.P. ;
Lord Rossmore, the American Consul, Sir Wm. Somer-
ville, Earl of Meath, Earl of Dunraven, Lord Clanmorris,
Lord Clarins, &c. The following Knights of the Most
Hon. Order of St. Patrick were present :—Marquis of
Conyngham, Marquis of Headford, the Earl of Cherie-
mont, Lord and Lady Massareene, Lord Carew. There
were also present Lady Clonmel, Lord and Lady Castle-
reagh, Earl and Countess of Carnwath, Earl and Countess
of Dunraven, Countess Dowager of Dunraven : Countess
Dowager of Donoghmore, and the Lady Hutchinson ;
Lord Fitzgerald and Vesey, Countess Dowager of Desert,
Earl and Countess of Mountcashel, Lady Louth, Right
Hon. More 0' Ferrell, Earl and Countess of Portarlington,
the Mayors of Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, and Shef-
field ; Sir William Hamilton, Astronomer Royal; Lord
Naas, Mr. Napier, Q.C., Mr. Whiteside, Q.C., Sir Jos.
Paxton, and Dr. Playfair. Amongst the array of English
Mayors and Scottish Provosts, the people of Liverpool
who were present could see no one whom they would have
preferred as their representative to Mr. Holme, who
appeared in his robes of office, and who appeared to be
immensely popular with the entire assemblage. The
insignificant-looking legate of the Pope sat with some
of his Romish confreres like a fish out of water; and not
the smallest token of recognition or respect did we notice
paid Dr. Cullen or his companions, by any person of in-
fluence or position. One of the most noteworthy people
present was the distinguished poet, Mr. Waller, who,
under the nom de plume of Jonathan Freke Slingsby, has
written many excellent things in the Dubt;n University
Magazine, which are universally popular in England and
America.
The Lord Lieutenant and suite arrived shortly after
twelve o'clock, and the company rose to receive His
Excellency. The ceremonials and the programme were
then gone through.
It was a sight worthy of such an occasion, to behold
the vast orchestra at the western extremity of the great
hall, filled with an array of musical talent brought together
from different parts of the country. It is estimated that
one half of the orchestra was composed of ladies and gentle-
men from England—a large number being from London ;
fifty or sixty, under the direction of Mr. Barlow, from
Manchester ; and an equal number under Mr. Sudlow,
from Liverpool. The Lancashire Witches were most
tastefully addressed ; and among the most beautiful
sights in that great temple of beauty was the corner of
the orchestra graced by the presence of the fair vocalists
from the other side of the channel. When the Viceroy
and the Countess of St. Germans, with the long array of
officials, passed up the middle avenue towards the dais,
the heart beat with emotion and the breath became
almost suspended, as from the many seats of the orchestra
their occupants arose, and after a pause of suspense the
National Anthem burst upon the ear. The effect was
most impressive. There was no longer room to question
the capacity of the building to convey sound, but it was
not until the conductor again gave the signal, and the full
choir were heat d in Martin Luther's solemn and dignified
psalm, the Hundredth, that those present could suffi-
ciently appreciate the resources brought to bear by the
presence of such a mass of associated singers. The
accompaniment to the Gloria Petri was remarkable for
the beauty and clearness with which it brought out the
subject, and in the hands of Dr. Stewart the organ was
played with the refined judgment and breadth of style re-
quisite for such an important instrument. Handel's
Coronation Anthem, " Zadock the Priest," followed the
psalm, and after the opening bars of the symphony, the
chorus was beard, "Queen of the Isles, Victoria reigneth ;"
and in the allegro movement, " And all the people rejoiced,"
the exulting strain shewed how appropriately the sound
and the sense went together. The Adagio at the close,
prefaced with great beauty the " God Save the Queen
and Allelujah." it was in reference to this and three
other Anthems that Handel had word sent to him by the
bishops, at which he took offence, as he thought it implied
his supposed ignorance of the Scriptures. " I have read
my Bible very well," was his observation, " and shall
chose for myself ;" and the result was, the
production of
some of the finest passages to be found in his works.
The Chairman, accompanied by the members of the
General Committee, and the principal officers of the Ex-
hibition, then came forward, and presented an address to
his Excellency, to which a response was read by his Ex-
cellency to the following effect :—" I congratulate you on
the completion of this great work, of which you have so
ably and successfully directed the execution. I congra-
tulate you also on the beauty of the building, on its per-
fect adaption to its purpose, and on the value, as well as
the variety of its contents. The liberal and patriotic
conduct of Mr. Dargan, by whom alone you have been
enabled to raise this noble structure, entitles him to the
gratitude of his countrymen and the aduairatiou