Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-26


fore, and which, in the nature of things.
can never be repeated. They who were
so fortunate as 10 see it hardly knew what
most to admire, or in what form to clothe
the sense of wonder; and even Of mystery,
which struggled with them. The edihce,
the treasures of nature aud art collected
therein, the assemblage, and the solemnity
of the occasion, all conspired to suggest
something even more than sense could
scan or Imagination attain. There were
many who were familiar with magnificent
spectacles; who had seen coronatons, fetes,
and solemnities; but they had not seen
any thing to compare with this. In a
building that could easily have accommo-
dated twice as many, twenty-five Thousand
persons, so it is computed, were arranged
in order round the throne of our sover-
eign. Around them, amidst them, and
over their heads was displayed all that is
useful or beautiful in nature or IN art. A
bovc them rose a gittering arch far more
lofty and spacious than the vaults OF even
our noblest cathedrals. On either side the
vista seemed almost boundless. Under 1t
was enihroned youthful matron, the
Queen Of this land. surrounded by her
family, her court, her ministers; by the
representatives Of other countries, and by
all who had any share in the suggestion
or management of this great undertaking.
The minister of religion was there to ask a
blessing on the work; the song of loyalty
and the anthem of praise rose from the
whole assemblage. This is but bare c.
numeration of particulars, which to those
who were present made one vast whole
II was felt TO be more than what was seen,
or what had been intended. Some saw IN
it the second and more glorious Inaugural
ton of their sovereign; some solemn dedl-
cation ofart and its stores; some were most
reminded of that day when all ages and
cirnes shall be gathered round the throne
of their Maker; there were so much that
seemed accidental and yet had meaning,
| that no one could be content with simply
what he saw. A taste of no common or
der had contributed TO the illusions, not to
say the reality, of the scene. The fresh
foliage of two lofty elms dwaiicd by the
/ height of the dome; the numerous tropical
plants that served TO tell the EXTENDED reign
of the sovereign whose throne they adorn-
ed; splendid fountains, and the brightness
of the decoration, all contributed to an et
feet so grand and yet so natural, thatit hard
ly seemed to be put together by design.
or to be the work Of human artlhcers.
Such has been the ceremony Of the lst
of May, the subject Of such long anticpa-
tions and so many apprehensions. For
tune has at length favored the courageous
and persevering little band who originated
and resolved to carry through this under
taking. Ii in the result we see even more
than they were conscious of designing, and
if we sometimes suspect that they looked
too exclusively or too much to be mere ad-
vancement Of art, we cannot, on the other
hand. be blind to the great industry and
| Judgment they have displayed. We say
it ad,isedly-we believe that the Royal
Commissioners OF the Great Exhibition
have had more than the usual proper
ton Of difficulties to contend with. SO
vast a building was not to be built and a
dapted for the purpose; so many exhibitors
were not to be invited and provided for; so
many objects were not to be accepted
and arranged; so many smaller affairs were
not to be despatched without an amount
of hard work and harrass which it is fear
ful to think upon. Good temper and hon
esty, diligence and method. have over
come them all. 1t is true that some OF
our principal exhibitors end nearest neigh
bors have found themselves solely eelated.
The 1st of May has surprised not few
who refused to give the EngliShman credit
for his proverbial punctualty. The grand
avenue of the nave, indeed, is even more
than sufficiently stocked and decorated.
Nothing is wanting anywhere to the gen
cral view, But when we leave the broad
walk, with its endless succession of mag
niGcent trophies, and pass under the gal
leries into the numerous by-paths of the
Exhibition, we find ourselves sometimes
in vacant areas surrounded by unfinished
cases, unopened boxes, and preparations
which it viii apparently take weeks TO con-
clude. But what Of that! 1t may be un-
fortunate for the country that does not
come in for the high tide Of interest and
the freshness Of curiosity; but, even with
these deductions, there is already far more
Than it is possible for any ordinary mai to
master within moderate time. 1t has
been estimated that thirty visits will hardly
be sufficient for those who wish to "get
M" the whole Exhibition, and make the
best profit of this rare opportunity. To
visitors ofthis serious class 1t can matter
very little whether the subjects of their
thirtieth days study are already open to
the view, or are hidden in packing-cases.
| The partial backwardness OF the cxhibl-
tors, then, is as little to the injury OF the
result as it is to the disparagement of the
commissioners, who have done their own
part in good time Their success to the
| iastin minor arrangements is evident from
the fact that $4,000 ladies and gentlemen
Yesterday assisted with cumfortat the great
ceremonial; that a multitude of several
hundred thousand persons surrounded the
building withoutany disorder; that astrlng
ofcarria ges, reaching from Charing Gross
to Kens;nuton, set down their occupants
easily and quietly; and that, in word.
hardly blow was struck or temper
rufiled during the whole day. Such re-
sui, reflects credit on the character Of the
country. and proves the deep fund Of good
nature and selfgovernment in the mass OF
the people.
1t is not to be expected ,ha. all will G.
ouallyenter intothe sentiment which seems
to US proper to such spectacle. There
are those who will seenothing hut glass
and iron in the building, men and women
in the myriads that visit it, and cotton or
silk in the fabrics exhibited. We expect
to hear il called an overgrown bazaar.
or vast advertising machine. We will
appeal, then, TO sense as well as ro-
nance. On the very lowest view of this
| Exhibition it is an opportunity of learn