Year: 1871

Opening Ofthe ''Royal Albert' HaII-Tbe


CeremOnies-Speech of the Prince of


Wales-How the Queen Appeared, Etc.


Our London correspondent, in a letter pub
lished yesterday, gave some important facts
relative to the New London nondescript enti-
tied the "Royal Albert" Hall. The following
additional particulars of the opening, from Eng
lish papers just at hand, will be read with
interest,"


Queen Victoria says the London NeaoS, was
dressed in slight mourning. Princess Louise ap-
peared in what looked like semi bridal costume
namely, bonnet, dress, and mantilla of white
corded silk, and looked fairer than on her we'd
ding day week before while the MARQUIS of
Lorne, who had assumed the kilt, made as hand
some and gallant young bridegroom as eye
could wish to see.


In the intervals of the ceremony an animated
conversation was carried on among the quartet
formed by the Queen and her royal daughters and
daughters-in-law; and when the little Princess
Beatrice, who dressed in pale green silk
and with her pretty faxen hair hanging loosely
down, appeared to call the Prince of Wales at
tention to a somewhat ludcrous incident then
in progress the good-humored gayety increased.
well-known metropolitan engineer was ad-
vancing from the position he originally took up
on the dais to a more prominent central place
opposite the royal chair, and while edging
round inadvertently turned his back upon the
the Queen more than half the way. 1t is not
always easy to be natural when in the imme-
date presence of royalty, and the spectacle
of distinguished professional gentleman
walking laboriously sideways, but with
the wrong side outwards, supplied the element
of humor to scene which had lacked little else
previously. On the dais or
platform every one was either in uniform or in
professional or court dress. 1t seemed little
hard on MIR. Bruce to be compelled to hold the
Queens official reply to the address in his hand
during nearly the whole of the proceedings, for
it is difficult to carry cumbrous roll of parch-
H., IL .l.-lF.
gracefully, and the Home Secretary was moved
to keep it in his arms as If it were baby in
long clothes-moving it mechanically to and
fro, as If he were embarrassed with the same
baby or the Prince OF Wales were reading 1t
lullaby.


SPEECH OF THE PRINCE.


"MaY it please your Majssty:-As President OF
the Provisional Committee OF the Royal Albert Hall
of Arts and Sciences it is my high privilege and
qualification to report to your Majesty the successful
Ui ts mall M an er Of
general culture OF your people, in whose improve
ment he was always deeply Interested. Encouraged
by your Majesty's sympathies and literally sup
ported by your subjects, we have been enabled to
carry out the work without any aid from funds de-
pressing our confidence that this building will justify
the conviction we expressed in the report submitted
| on the occasion Of your Majesty laying its first
stone, that by It's erection we should be meeting
| great public want. Your Majestys Commissioners
for the exhibition OF 1851 In further prosecution Of
my fathers design for the encouragement OF the
arts and sciences, an object which he always had
warmly at heart are about to commence series OF
annual international exhibitions. to the success OF
which this hall will greatly contribute by the facili-
ties which 1t will afford for the display of objects
and for the meeting Of bodies interested In the
industries which viii form the subjects OF sue
cessve exhibitions. The interest shown in the
hall by the most eminent musicians and composers
OF Europe strengthens belief that it Will largely
| conduce to the revival among all classes OF the
Majesty win hear with satisfaction that results
have justified the original estimate OF the cost OF
the building, and that, aided by the liberal assist
| AX iQgiO no
| ration will commence its management unfettered
| by pecunary liabilities and under conditions emil
nently calculated to insure success. 1t is my CRATE
| full duty to return to your Majesty humble
| thanks for the additional mark or your royal favor
which is conferred upon us by your auspicous pre-
sepce the present occasion, when our labors as
| provisional committee are drawing to close. We
our functions into the hands OF the governing body,
| which will be elected under the provisions of the
royal charter granted to u.s. your Majesty will con-
| tDue to the corporation that measure OF support
| which has been always graciOusy given TO u.s."


The Queen in few words expressed her ad-
| miration of the hail. but her formal reply was
not read. 1t was printed in all the morning
papers, but is unimportant.


| At the conclusion of a prayer by the Bishop
| of Lond0n, the Prince of Wales turned to the
auditorium and exclaimed in loud voice, "The
Queen declares this hall OPEN" Then came q
tremendous burst of cheering, clangor from
trumpets and loud booming from the park guns
Mighty sounds burst forth from thousands OF
lusty throats, and the vast crowds who were
| WdlIluR OuIslue hodIu TIC CuceIlnS, anu LOOk II
up until the enthusiasm within and without was
acting and reacting, and cannon and musical in
strumeuts were intermingling with indeseribahle
effect. The Queen moved from the dais to the
royal box, taking up her position there as q
spectator and auditor, the ceremonial o.
opening being over. Her Majesty and
the royal and distinguished people
round her proceeded from the daii
down the crimson path, and;past the Beef-eaterc
in the same order as on the arrival, the Princess
Louise and the Marquis of Lorne enlisting much
attention, and the Queen bowing and smiling
graciously on all sides A few minutes more
and her Majesty is again bowing her acknow-
Judgments, but this time from her private box
The whole company is on its feet again, and the
Queen, who occupies the central seat between
the two divisions of her box curtsies deeply
three times, directly she is visible, and twice
again when she gains her seat in front.


After the opening of the Hall had been for
mally declared the national anthem was agar
given, FIRST by the orchestra then verse by tn,
choral sopranos accompanied on the organ; tn,
next verse by the altos, with orchestral wine
Instruments and the concluding portion in full
choral harmony with orchestra and organ.


Two brothers named Smalltubs, recent,
married in Michigan, took the names of thei