The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-20


he Pyjnce IN WSslSa lke Princes Royal, Hsr
Afo,<sdRs Mtsisteys, ne Fueign Ambassadors,
Nth ~ Asaapatlogs ssithin the Crystal Palace
of 10000 nwsoms.
From NJ Eayop<mn Times. .Msy g.
After several days sxcitement, during which
the public curiosity has been wound up to the
highest pitch, the morning OF THURSDAY, the day
fixed for the opening Of the Great Exhibition
of the Industry Of all nations, opened most au-
spiciously On the preceding day we had rain
AID hail, with very cold weather; but the glori-
Gus lst of May was uninterrupted by scarcely q
cloud and ut midday, when the Queen ascended
the throne, the efuIgence of the sun left no
other wish ungratiied. A. far as the mortal
arrangements depended upon man, they were
perfect; and rejoice to say that the day passed
off without single accident that have heard
Of found upon reaching Piccadily at nine in
the morning, line of carriages which reached
from the Exhibition to the eastern end of Long
Acre, a good couple of miles, and the same thing
existed west, north and south. Finding this to
be the case, alighted, and walked into Hyde
Park. entering the commissioners gate without
the slightest Inconvenience. The scene upon
entering was beautiful in the extreme. Already
every seat was occupied; but a member OF Par
lament who was an exhibitor, contrived to
make a little coterie IN the Tunisian department,
to which was admitted, and ] saw the whole
Inauguration scene under the happiest point of
view. The company kept pouring in until the
last moment and at half-past eleven o'clock, ]
gazed upon the wonders of the grand transept,
and heard the mighty organ from the west end,
the tones waiting their sounds through the
maze of British manufactures and productions
whilst at the eastern extremity you saw the
American eagle proudly conspicuous over the
bold inscription which marked the region Of the
United States productions-long lines Of beau.
tiful women, with officers and gentlemen, filling
up the back ground and in every way the eye
was turned some surprising natural or artificial
object was to be seen; the fola ensemble was al
together most beautiful. Principally at twelve
o'clock the Queen arrived, her entree being
marked by long and animated cheering. She
seate herself on chair raised on platform,
surmounted by spacious elegant blue canopy,
adorned with feathers, with P.ince Albert on
her left. They were accompanied by the Prince
of Wales and the Princess Royal.
The court circle was now completely formed,
making iableau never to be forgotten. The
Queen looked remarkably well. She wore the
order of the garter, pink brocade dress, shot
with gold, and the Prince looked calmly and
proudly happy. The Duke of Wellington, who
this day completed his eighty-second year, had
been there nearly two hours before, and the
commissioners, and all the officials, and ladies
of the household, surrounding the throne, pre-
scented a scene Of extraordinary splendor. The
national anthem was performed, and the music
produced most delightful effect in the glass
building. Prince Albert, with the commission
ers, presented himself before the Queen, and
read the report as described in the official pro-
gramme. | could not hear the tones of the
Queen when she read her reply from the spot
where was placed, but the fact is, any mortal
voice is lost in the vast ediice. The Archbishop
of Canterbury then delivered the prayer of in
aupuration, which was followed by the Hal
leluah chorus Of Handel. under the direction Of
Sir Henry r. Bishop. Thu effect of this was
most striking, and the voices of the choristers
were heard in the fullest perfection. process
sion was then formed of a most interesting
character The state heralds, preceding
Messrs Paxton, Fox, and Henderson, led the
way Then came all the officials engaged in
constructing the building; afterwards the for
eign acting commissioners; and most singular
was it to see all the various costumes worn by
hard-headed capable men from every quarter of
the world Then followed the royal commits
sioners, amongst whom noticed Mr.. Golden,
dressed in n plain black coat Then followed
the venerable Duke of Wellington walking side
by side with the Marquis of Anglesea both
were loudly cheered The foreign ambassadors,
among whom Mr.. Lawrence appeared to con-
siderable advantage from his age and command
ing appearance, followed, and her Majesty's
ministers, headed by Lord John Russell. These
were loudly applanded; and, lastly, the Queen
and Prince Albert, the one leading the Prince OF
Wales, and the other the Princess Royal, clos
ing the procession, with the royal Prussian
guests at the palace, and the ladies of the house
hold. The procession first marched along the
British or western nave, and then recrossing the
transept. passed on to the eastern extremity, the
United States end. At every step new accla-
nations arose the music from the various or
gans sauted the procession as it pissed, and
thus every person in the building was enabled
to see every individual in the cortege. The
Queen then declared the Exhibition opened y
and the trumpets and artillery announced the
fact to the countless multitudes outside. The
whole auditory arose to give parting cheer, or
series of deafening reclamation Of joy, and the
ceremony terminated by the retirement of the
Queen, who went back to Buckingham Palace
in the state in which she had come The null
titudes in the park we're countless. ] looked
through the glass window, and sea of human
beings surrounded me on all sides. Everybody
was in good humor, and all the superstitious
presentnents of mischief which had been
formed in the imagination Of some minds, were
wholly falsiied. Never was so great spectacle
naupurated with so much good order and tran
guilty, in the presence of perhaps half million
of human beings.
The Queen having left the building, the COM
pany began to circulate. Perhaps your readers
at distance will proceed with me in rapid
tour throughout the various departments Of the
Exhibition The first objects which strike the
visiter upon entrance, either Mt the north or
south end of the transept, are two magnificent
gates stretchir across, which having passed,he
finds himself in the centre of the building,
amidst statuary, fountains, palm trees, and rare
tropical shrubs, the equestrian statues of the
Queen and Prince Albert forming the most
prominent features, amidst Infinite multitude
of objects, each of which is displayed to the
best advantage. Along the nave both towards
the east and the west, there is n succession of
gigantic statuary, in marble, iron. bronze, and
zinc, the latter of very remarkable character
q Il.