The southern press., 1851-04-05
The Crystal Palace Exhibition.

Jean du Scionear, representing ST. Michael over
throwing Satan The subject is taken from Mil
ton. This group is thirteen feet high, the fig
ures being nine feet in proportion. The concep-
ton is bold aaAAa4ginal
| VALUABLE WORK OF ART FROM SPAIN.
| gentleman has arrived in England from Bar
celona, having with him mosaic table Of the
most extraordinary beauty. It would be diff
cult to form correct notion Of the immense la
Dor bestowed on this production of skill, or Of
its exceeding beauty, without seeing it, and
having explained to the behoder the almost
numberless pieces which it comprises, and the
period that large number Of individuals have
been occupied in its composition. We believe
that it is intended to offer this extraordinary
work Of art as present to the Queen and then
to request her permission for it to form part
of the ensuing exhibition.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE BLIND.
The Gateshead Observer states that, if on no
other account, the fact that her Majesty is the
patron of the Royal Victoria Asylum for the
Blind, established in Newcastle upon Tyne,
would have prompted the committee to aid an
exhibition Of industry projected by her royal
consort, Prince Albert. But there is also the
additional motive Of winning new wreaths for
the blind girls, aud attracting new customers to
the institution. Therefore, all the resources of
| the fair inmates have been taxed, and three con-
| tributiOns have been made, which will vie in
taste and ingenuity with any productions of the
kind that may be sent by rivals endowed with
the advantage of sight There is first, veil of
white linen thread, an exact counterpart of the
tribute loyalty paid by the Victoria Asylum to
the queen on the High Level Bridge. This will
be exhibited on light blue satin. There will
also be a veil, similar in pattern, made from
black woollen thread, exhibited on orange satin.
The third and last contribution, is a Spanish
mantia of black woollen thread exhibited on
orange satin, which must strongly tempt many
maiden's heart to disregard the tenth COM
mandment. The three contributions will be
enclosed in glass case, lest fair fingers should
itch to handle the shawl and wells. "Try them
| on"
THREE MILLION STITCHES.
Jersey sends to the Crystal Palace beau
| tifuI jacket, knit in silk, with blue and white
stripes. On the breast is the Prince of Wales's
feather; underneath, Albert Prince de Gales"
1t is work of great labor, and contains up
wards of three million stitches.
THE EXPECTED CROWD OF FOREIGNERS.
! From the London Times, March l4]
/ We have but little time left to set our house
in order, before the arrival of our expected
visters from the continent of Europe. Great
activity is shown on certain points, and great ne
glect upon Others Now, We much doubt if any
very great discretion is exercised in the selec-
ton of improvements For example, almost
preternatural activity has been displayed in
hitching the marble arch into position at Cum
berand Gate. 1t is question if eyes which
have been accustomed to rest upon the Are de
l'Etoile, or the Brandenburg gate, will derive
much qualification from the spectacle. Again,
rs we have been informed considerable exer
tions have been made to get the armed warriors
of the Tower, and the apartment appropriated to
their use, into presentable trim. Henry VIII,
has been for some weeks past envel ped in a
richly-sprgged dressing gown; a railway rug
has been wrapped around the shoulders of the
gallant Brandon; and the heads of the buff
coated soldiers of the commonwealth have been
comfortably swathed in linsey y-woosey night
caps lest their armor should contract soil or
stain while the identifying is in progress. This
e is oil well enough in its way, but foreign
G visters could very well have dispensed with this
, excess of steel dandyism 1t would have given
: us more satisfaction to hear that the shabby
d dean and chapter of the metropolitan cathedral
r had finally suppressed the paltry fee exacted at
: their gates. Far be it from us, however, to
sneer at the exertions Of those who, within their
: particular departments, are doing their utmost
= to polish up the sights of London" We
? would only suggest that there are other points
of more immediate Importance to the comfort of
our visters, which should not be lost sight Of
in the midst of all this scrubbing and varnish-
ing. The principal object which Il Frenchman
or a German, or an Italian, will have in view
during his stay in London will of course be the
"great exhibition" itself The practical problem
for his solution will be how, in the most
economical and comfortable manner, he can be
10 'ged, fed and conveyed about the town dur
ing the period Of his stay.
The question of supplying beds and board
to our expected guests must, Of course, be left
in the hands of private spectators. Some mis-
givings we may secretly entertain upon the
amount of comfort they may manage to extract
from our feather-beds and underdone beef
steaks; but in such matter administrative in
reference is a mere impossibity. The few who
can afford TO pay largely will fare well. The
many who must look somewhat closely to the
cost of their entertainment will no doubt ex-
perience various degrees of discomfort and sut-
fering. But if we can do nothing for them on
this point, at least we can insist that every IA
cty shall be given them for traversng the
streets of London without being subjected to
any very grievous extortion or annoyance. The
distances of London, even to the inhabitants of
the largest continental capital, appear enormous.
In addition to this evil which is irredeemable, it
must be remembered that the uniformity in the
appearance Of our streets renders it n task of
very great difficulty for any but well seasoned
Londoner to find his way from one corner Of
the town to the other. Foreigners under
the absolute necessity of relying upon public
veyances--omnibuses, cabs, and the like.
As far MS the omnibuses are concerned, we are
not aware that much can be done, beyond en-
forcingi aperemptory rule that notice shall be
given in some unmistakable manner of the
: points at which half-fares end and whole fares
begin. Even if a certain degree of imposition
is inevitable under this head, at least we have
the comfortable reflection that it cannot exceed
Sd. in amount Omnibuses besides, will always
contain certain sprinkling of London passen-
gers, who, it is to be hoped, will stand between
our visiters and any very outrageous act of ras-
calitY. With cabs and cab drivnrs IL Ia othe-