, 1873-06-11

Tho cnblo dispatches, yostoraay. brought tho
Intelligence Of tho destruction Of the Alexandra
Palaoc, noar London, involving loss Of about
threo millions Of dollars. As this pa1aoe waa
but 1uat fniahed, having beon opened to tho
public on the 9th ult., thore oro probably
hut few people who have any woll-deancd idea Of
it's character or usos. Tho Alexandra Palace
grow out Of tho Grent Exhibition OF 1862, and
portions Of tho Crystal Palaco at South
Konslngton were used, ia its construotion-
It had boon over oloven years tn pro-
oens Of construction, owing :. to n11mor-
Gus obstacles which stood In tho way. ,Opera-
dons woro many times suspended, hut at last
tho building waB dniahed It stood In the rnldat
Of park Of 22o aores, in tho beautitytng Of which
Art had assisted Nature The intcrior Of tho
palaoo mas mngnlhoently decorated. The nave,
which was 900 feet in length, was filed with
statues, fountains, shrubs, and 1owor-beds. In
tho contral transept- there being three tho vass
domo rose to height Of $40 foot, its cir
oumforence being 40 feet. In. this part
Of tho building D hugo organ had been
orectod undor the personal supervision of air
Michael Costa, and In this transeps grand oon-
certs wore continually to be glvon. a special
concert hall, capable Of holding 5000 people,
was salsoconatructod in another transopt, In which
thoro was also lnrgo organ. At tho opening
concert, on tho Gath, Costa had tho control of tho
band and tho chorus, upwards OF 1000 In num-
bor,-among tho singers being Milo. Titlons,
Madame Trobel1i-Dettini, Milo. Oarola, Sig
nor 0ampanini, and othor distinguished ar.
lists. In tho northern gallory, throo spa-
cious rooma wero sot apart for pictures, and in
these fooms we're works by Millals, Ward, FL
moro, Lnno1l, Colo, Coz, Prout, Hunt, Gilbert,
Turner, Cuttormolo, Morland, and other famous
English masters. In addition to these, there
woro several Of tho finest pieces Of tapestry in
England on exhibition. Tho London Ne,us says
Of the entertainments which wero announced to
tako place IN 1t:
Tho programme Of amusencnts which tho directors
havo issucd Ia almost bew1ldostng from Its variety.
Thore aro to be cat shows, dog shows, horno shows,
poultry md pigeon shows, cage-bird shows, rncos,
cricket matches, croQuct Hnchca archery matches,
volunteer fatea md royiows; thoro Is to DO gynna-
stun, m aquarium; nothing will DO neglected to Mt
tract visitors ut ali Of tho year. Tho refroal-
mont Is IN thu experienced hauda Of Meaara.
Ucrtram Roborts, who hava largo rustic banquet
ing hall in tho grounds and sitos Of very pleasant and
dining In the interior Of tho
building, There are, moreover, taatefullydecorated
retreshmont counters In varous parts OF tho palaco
Judging from tho general description Of tho
building, it was to DO devoted to public ontor-
talnmont in 4 variety Of forms, in special COM
petition with tho Crystal Palace ut sydonham.
On Saturdays, when thorc were special ontor-
tainmonts. the prico WAS fixed ut ono shilling,
but on other days 1t was to bo thrown open to
nll comers nt sixpenco each. Tho principal
losses to be deplorod aro those OF the art treas
urcs which 1t contained, and Of tie great organs
which had been constructed for concert pur
nnanH.