Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-05-31
Opening of the Greet Exhibition.

Park, was tilleu with a itFli1P uut ALMOST un-
moving mass of people. Nothing but the most
admirable arrangements among the police ana
special constabulary force could have Ell
fected what was effected, the safe and timely
admission Of $4,000 people within the build
ing. Every available point or elevation com
handing a favorable view of the Royal route,
literally sw; rmed with human beings of every
age, class, and sex. The balconies, windows,
and roofs ofthe houses were put in requlsltlon
and tested to their utmost capacities OF accom-
mediation, and the sloping ground near the
Serpen;ine bridge. the trees scattered along
the route, the gates, lamp posts, and the tops
of fences, held such a numerous and apparent
ly good natured assemblage, as defes all de-
s%cription.
Favored by n pass from the Lord Chamber
lain, | obtained an easy entrance within the
gates at about 9 o'clock, and a most excellent
position for hearing and seeing all that occur
red. The whole of the immense building was
at that hour filled with spectators. Along the
aisle, beneath the transept, through the nave, in
the galleries, nowhere was therea
siutty, frieze, or coigns of vantage
that had not been occupied by people, and even
far up in the roof, where 4 beam, or girder, or
raiter, showed Il secure place for observations, a
favored few had found Judgment. Beneath
the arch of the transept a large platform had
been erected, and upon this the chair of state
was placed. All along the avenues were sta
toned The body guards Of the Queen. Sur
rounding the platform We're the Coldstream
Guards in full uniform. Lining the entrance
from the north door stood in double rank the
Tower Guards, a,..c,ing much attention by
their antiaae armor and dress. On one side
of the platform were ranged the Royal Com
missioners in full dress; on the other the Fo-
reign Commissioners, some forty in number,
each distinguished by the dress or uniform of
his country. 1T was about half past 10 o.
clock that the appearance of notabilities in the
crowd began to attract attention. The Duke
OF Wellington was az usual early in the field.
His Grace appeared all at once, looking "ell,
covered with the decorations that almost every
country in Europe has showered upon him, and
as he passed to his place was greeted by the
shouts of the assemblage. AS he tottered
along, somebody cried out, This is the
Dukes birthday" Hurrah for eighty-two ~ |
and immediately another and a louder cheer
re echoed down the long vista of aisle and
gallery. wei.
At this junction the police and engineer
corps were withdrawn. and in their place march, |
ed in gentlemen at arms masniicently dres-
sed in scarlet uniform and brazen helmets, each
carrying an antique pariizan, slittering in gold
and scarlet. Immediately upon this, the advent
OF the notables became rapid. Ministers, ana
bassadors, peers, commons, officers Of the ar
my and navy, judges, barristers, bishops, her
aids and keepers of the CROWN, passed along,
anc the effect OF the vast variety of uniforms,
continually iniermingling and interchanging
Their hues, and the quaint, antique and peculiar
costumes, known to an American only through
prints and paintings, was singular and almost
bewildering. Then the officers Of State in
Cabinet uniform, the Earls in yeomanry dress,
the Lord Chanc ellor in his suit Of black velvet,
The Russian Minister in green and silver, the
Austrian in blue, the Prussian in silver and
wfire, the fez cap and turbano of the Mussulman,
and the real Chinese in his blue and white silk
half petticoats, all made up a wondrous and.
gorgeous scene half Of 70 ~ and half Of formI
The hour Of IL had been announced as the
time for the entrance of the Queen, and. al
ways punctual, as the clock began to strike, the
Queen entered, leaning on the arm Of Prince
Albert, and holding the tartaned little Prince
of Wales bythe hand. She was attired in pink
and white, the bosom of her dress glistening
with pearl, and a diamond tiara sparkling in her
hair. As she entered cheers greeted her from
every portion Of the building from which she
conld be seen, and as she slowly advanced, re-
with quiet and smiling courtesy the hon
ors she received; appearing greetings burst
forth with 1lore and more vchenence at every
step she took. 80 ~
Arrived at the platform, the Ministers and
great officers of the household gathered aroundI
forming a group Of splendor indescribable.
The Queen, standing erect with the Prince and
her children on each side, looked for a moment
with quiet w~onmnly dignity over the assem-
blage, when there pealed forth a trumpet blast
from the chair, and as the vast multitude, moved
by sudden impnse, again waved hats and kerr
chiefs, the sudden stir through all the aisIes
md galleries, the sudden fluttcr of draperv, and :,
lash Of light upon satin, silk and velvet, shone :
ike a, cleaning sunburst playing upon the ,
'roWd. As she took her seat, Prince Albeit :
eft her side, and advancing at the head of the :
toyal Commissioners read. aloud the report to }
she returned gracious answer. The "a
Archbishop of Canterbury then read 4 prayef3E.s
he organ with its accompaniment of more thar
hree hundred Instruments and ei~ghtknudred
'oiees peaIed out its Ha lelujah, Ntescruwd.
round the throne fell back, and hhesprocession =
eggah again to form. e.
At this moment the Mandaean, in,felled. BY
ONE sudden impulse, dastM through the hal
and nearly eserturning Lord John :
russell in his speed, sY8fpstrated himself for a
at the QueeWs feet, touching his fore .
cad upon the hooAFhough this part of the Il
was not i6the programme and excl n
at first some kaale stir, her Majesty receiv- I"
d the salaam winfhRlg,racious c%oo;ness, and The o.
agaiAstarted After visiting every %
orion Of lkfhaye, during which she was con- =
iantly CHI 9ed. the Queen returned to the
latform a. Through the Lord Chamberlain
nnounceds Me Exhibition opened. Herdepar-
1re, like hetsentranee, was the signal for loud
heerla1kSttonl the crowds within and without !:
'e b~uIidingg. Thus was opened the Worlds y;
air, and through yesterday and thus far to- day, -
emiry thousands Of visitorseare wandering -
,roug1ats galleries and examining its won.