The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-19
From the London Times.
Opening Of tho Great E4hibttion


There was yesterday witnessed sight the
like of which has never happened before, and
which, in the nature Of things, can never be
repeated. They who were SO fortunate as to
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 editice, the treasures of nature and art COL
lected therein, the assemblage, and the solem-
nifty 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 coronatiOns, fetes, and solemnities;
but they had not seen any thing to compare
with this. In a building that could easily have
accommodated twice as many, twenty-five thou
sand persons, so it is computed, were arranged
in order round the throne of our sovereign.
Around them, amidst them, and over their heads
was displayed all that is useful beautiful in ma
ture or in art Above them rose glittering arch
far more lofty and spacious than the vaults of oven
our noblest cathedrals. On sithcr side the vista
seemed almost boundless. Under II was enthroned
a youthful matron, the QUEEN of this land, sur
rounded by her family, her court, her ministers;
by the representatives of other countries, and by
all who had any share the suggestion or manage
mcnt of this great undertaking The minister Of
religion was there 10 ask q blessing on the work;
tho song Of loyalty and the anthem Of praise
rose from the whole assembage. This is but
bare enumeration of particulars, which to those
who were present made one vast whole. was felt
to be moro than what was seen, or what had been
intended. Some saw in il the second and moro
glorious Inauguration of their sovereign; some
solemn dedication of art and its stores; some were
most reminded of that day when all ages and
chimes shall be gathered round the throne of their
Maker; there was much that seemed accidental
and yet had meaning, that no one could be con-
tent with simply what he saw. A taste Of no COM
mon order had contributed to the illusion, not TO
say the reality, of the scsne The fresh foliage of
two lofty elms dwarfed by the height Of the dome.
the numerous tropical plants that served to tell the
extended reign of the sovereign whose throne they
adorned; splendid fountains, and the brightness OF
the decoration, all contributed effect 20 grand
and yet natural that il hardly seemed to be put
together by design. TO be the work of human ar
tifcers.
Such has been the ceremony of the lst Of May,
the subject Of such long anticipations and so many
apprchensions. Fortune has at length favored the
courageous and perscvering little band who origin.
aed and resolved to carry through this Undertaking
Ifn the result we even than they were con-
scous Of designing, and five sometimes suspect that
they looked too exclusively too much to the more
advancemento wecannot, ON thee other hand, be
blind to the great industry and judgment they have
displayed. wesay it advsedly-w we believe that the
Royal Commissioners Of the Great Exhibition have
had than the usual proportion of difficulties to
contend with. So vast building was not to be built
and adapted for the purpose so many exhibitor
were not to be invited and provided for 90 many
objects were not to be accepted and arranged 20
many smaller affairs were not to be despatched
without amount of hard work and harass which It
il fearful to think upon Good temper and honesty,
diligence and method, have overcome them ALL Il
is true, that some of principal exhibitors and
nearest neighbors have found themselves sorely
belated. The lst of May has surprised not a few
who refused to give the Englishman credit for his
proverbial punctuality. The grand avenue of the
nave, indeed, il moro than sufficiently stock
ed and decorated. Nothing il wanting anywhere
TO the general view. But when we leave the
broad walk, with its endless succession Of maRni.
icent trophies, and pass under the galleries into
the numerous by paths Of the Exhibition, we find
ourselves sometimes in vacant areas, surrounded
by unfinished cases, unopened boxes, and prepara-
tious which IL will apparently take weeks to con-
cIude But what Of thati II may be unfortunate 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 10 already
far moro than It 10 possible for any ordinary man
to master within moderate time. II has been &C.
tmated that thirty visits will hardly be sufficient
for those who wish 10 get up" the whole Exhibi-