The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-25
Our London Correspondence.


&c, &c.
Truly the Exhibition is mar rvellous exposition
Of civilization. The opening scene was gloriou, ia
it's assemblage Of intellect grace beauty, elegance
and the gorgeous masses Of masterpieces Of art;
and now, after the lapse of several days careful
examination and critical investigation, must can
didly confess that there are gems Of surprising
merit go ayishly spread FORTH that the combination
surpasses the most extravagant dreams of the ina
gination. There is a refreshing charm in wander
ing beside the crystal fountanthe fragrant exotcs,
the balmy air, kisses the cheek; and eye and ear
are captivated with sights and sounds rcdolent Of
poetry and music. And to-day especially, was one
Of those exquisite days which force even the most
reluctant abroad The sun above was unolouded-
the wind whispering words Of spring and flowers
you enter the aereal palace, and above your head
waves tho ancient elm stamped with the impress Of
generations. The trsnsept is before you, rising
aloft until it seems to kiss tho blue armament; and
under its ample canopy are groups Of statlary,
crimson covered seats, fragrant exotics, soothing
fountains; and then, such lovelincss Of form and
feature framed and set of in graceful garniture.
that one is seized with deepemotion, and recalls the
fervid dreams Of youth, when first he pondered
over the tales Of the genii My previous letter con-
veyed an outline Of the inaugurating ceremony,
and the disposition Of the various products there
exposed, -.
gently improved by those contributors who
were unable to complete their arrangements
by the prescribed day; and even yet Russia is
almost blank, save Q few exquisite vases,
and specimens Of arms and armor from the Cau-
casus-a power stronger than the Autocrat's, chains
in its frozen feters the products OF Northern Europe
America, of all foreign nations, may boast of
having furnished within tho time, the NEST com
plcte branch of the exhibition. 1t is signaIed for
the perfect order and classification which prevail.
and is only open to one objection, namely, that,
with the abundant stores so profusely scattered
throughout the widespread regions ofthe republic,
embracing every soil and cline, the specimens of
art and nature were 20 limited. There l. yet time
to rcctify the OMISSION and relieve the American de-
partment from this reproach. France has yet
much to perform, though, even now, one Is fasei-
mated with the byotaoie-diamonds, brocades, rib
bona, Scripture paintings, and porcelain so avishy
displayed. One wreath Of diamonds, vau,dat many
Thousands. draws many female eye; but the dia-
mond par ercdlencr is the famous Kohl noor-the
Mountain Of Light, 1t is placed an iron pedss-
tai, near the transept. II is covered by small
glass shade and the shade is covered with "a lofty
cage Of golden colored bars, while policeman
stands sentinel to guard the precious gem. The
great value of this diamond demanded extraordi-
nary precautions, and those were secured by intro
ducirg mechanism within the pedestal, whereby,
should any one seize the barr of the cage to force
them open, the kohi-noor would instantly disap-
pear, sinking down into the metal SHAFT.
IL is absolutely impossible to convey even brief
sketch of the many articles of surprising worth
which strew your path on every side, though each
country exhibits some specimen to which visitcrs
throng-thus, Italy furnishes two superb pictures in
Mosaic, and they alone worth voyage from
your shores. Austria boasts marble figure veiled,
delcatey fashioned that you discern the features
beneath the veil, and pause and wonder at tho skill
Of the artist There stands the lovely female figure,
calm, cold and motonless yet evcry outline OF the
face is clear and palpabe, though over all Is spread
he tran rant AZ ri A zIil of
furnished after tho Austrian fashion, with inlaid
floors, richly decorated and painted ceilings, and
furniture elaboraey carved, are one Of tho attrac
tons. When ! passed through, the artist for the
Illustrated N7rS was busily engaged sketching tho
forms. to transfer them to the sheets ofthat Journal
where you may soon see them, with many other
maryeis now in process Of production. The work
men OF Prussia. Of Austria, and Of France, dressed
in their respective national costumes, are busly
occupied preparing cases and frames u receive the
vet uhpackcd goods. The contributions Of the
Iollycrein are elias scd together, aud You wander
amid the ingenious productions Of Dresden, Ber-
Lin. Saxony, Wurtumserg and Baden-specimcns Of
stained glass, o! rare merit, coored glass OBJ
let's, vases and urps, aud those decorative gor~
nsments for which the Zovercin renowned
The meerschaum Of Germany has not been omitted,
and samples shown eyincing the ingenuity OF
tho artists. In mecrschaums alone thers must be
many hundreds in the rows Of cascs. Some Of them
arc superb pipcs, aud are lavishly and expensvcly
ornamented. have been agrceably disappointed
with respect TO the crowds anticipated u Is true
that from the galleries YOU may look down unon
moving thousands ranging Through tho diorent
departments; but no prcssurc or Inconvenience II
experienced, aud thus YOU can estimate the huge
proportions OF the palace. Yesterday, especially,
being warm and bslny. nri sue irosf to the
pact cold weather, drv v forth an unusual mass Of
ylcrs yctro where thore the slightest stoppago
or delay. Early in tho day Ia Duohesse d'Odsans,
the Comte de Paris and Ia Duehessc 10 Ncmours
passed through tho fronch department. Ihoy
we're received with profound respect. Tbc liucl
opened, . rgffge was formed, and the lifted hats
saluied them la Duchessc de Nemours Is u worry
lovely woman, tail, rather thin, With NAKED fsa-
tures and n clear complexion. she wpse light
white gauEe bonnet very much spread ia front.
The old Duke of Wellington is n constant atteui.
ant dressed in his little short cloak, lie goes pCcf-
ing about and talking 10 himself. Tue Qaeeu
comes occasionally. she regrets, faacy, having
excluded the exhibitors the FIRST day, aud noN
tries 10 mako amend for nvolle-s al sf i13i-
Witty. No one ean explain why such apprc 1easols
were felt about tho rcaceshlc inauguration. All
sorts of rumors circulated. menacng every form Of
Danger. Very many letter. seut a. the y ssaa
waTningh crnot "a attond. They not de. veroi;
but they ind 1cnced the ceremonial for instead Of
proceeding in state. the proceeded With hut pair
Of horses to her carriage The precautions gainst
an (fas4aC Or rioting very fprnidable--poiico
| literally swarm about the bulding, aud BODIES of
troops are kept on hand in Tho vicinity. A state
1 ball was given the other evening, and then two
thousand assembled % The occasion, including ths
cite of the English snd foreign asistooracy. Thorc
4 arc 10 be one or moe lovees and drswngrpoms.
\ An absurd incident took place 1t previous lcvce.
/ Lori Cough. the lrdisn soldier, was there. IL
1 iutimated 10 him thst the Queen wished 20 speak
I to him. lie was brought forward; she held ont
her hand which the old took In his, instead u
! kissing She was nettled With his stupidity, and
remarked aloudi " \ u possible any one can bc 90
4 ignorant Of cti9uettor Talking Of Tough reminds
1 me of another indian general-Sm ~. Smith, nos
deep he kafr lie didnot stand high in India
though he made mastery movement vhenhCi Joined
Sir III Litcr in face Of superior Sikh force losing
! ell his baggage. The kaffr war viii be 20 England
what Algeria Il to france--an Unsuitable dovourcr
| Of blood and gold The kaffrs fight well. and or
| eel the whitee In craft. They provl about the
camps. and often shoot down nen within hundred
ysrds Of tho sentry An ofhoer recently from the
scene Of operations, mentioned IN anecdote 70 M,
which will explain to you the character of the
| A quantity " cattle we're guarded BY seutrios
placed all round the enclosure; during tho night, a
ksfhr crswlcd in and uttered ono Of their informal