(Huelva Gazette article)
London, A new epoch in the annals of human endeavor was ushered in last Thursday, the First of May, as Her Majesty Queen Victoria, with unparalleled grace and splendor, inaugurated the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. Hyde Park, transformed by the ethereal beauty of the Crystal Palace, played host to a spectacle of magnificence hitherto unseen by human eyes.
Indeed, it is no mere figure of speech to declare that “all the world” was present at this momentous ceremony. A vast concourse of half a million souls, swelled by a great influx from our provinces and the first waves of visitors from the Continent, thronged the environs of the Palace. The very air hummed with anticipation as carriages of every description, stretching for nearly twenty miles, converged upon the northern entrance. The day, in its entirety, was deemed “beautiful,” a passing shower serving only to quell the dust and invigorate the sun-warmed air, rendering it a “delightful holiday” for all.
Her Majesty departed Buckingham Palace at twenty minutes before noon, her procession, though not a slow State affair, conveyed by nine carriages and pairs, bearing the Queen, her illustrious Consort Prince Albert, and their two elder children. Upon her arrival at the Crystal Palace, signalled by a flourish of trumpets to the thousands within, the immense crowd outside greeted her with a most enthusiastic welcome.
The Crystal Palace itself is a testament to the ingenuity and industry of our age, a structure “entirely novel in its construction”. Resembling a colossal conservatory, it spans over 15 acres, a colossal length of 1,851 feet, and a breadth of 456 feet. Its graceful frame is capable of accommodating 40,000 visitors and boasts an astonishing ten miles of frontage for the display of goods. At its heart, where the nave and transept majestically intersect, stands an “extremely beautiful crystal fountain”. The Exhibition itself is a grand tapestry of human achievement, categorized into four great classes: Raw Materials, Machinery, Manufactures, and Sculpture and Fine Arts.
Upon Her Majesty’s entry into the edifice, she first retired to the robing-room, a space “tastefully decorated”. Soon thereafter, appearing with her attendants and the Prince and Princess Royal, she passed through the beautiful iron gates crafted by the Colebrook Dale Company, taking her place upon the Throne. As she did so, the National Anthem reverberated throughout the colossal space, pealed forth by the gigantic organ in the north transept and accompanied by a chorus of several hundred voices, including singers from the Royal and Cathedral choirs and pupils of the Royal Academy.
Following this stirring overture, His Royal Highness Prince Albert joined the Royal Commissioners, who then approached the Throne to present to Her Majesty a comprehensive report of their diligent proceedings. It was revealed that this magnificent undertaking has been sustained entirely by the “voluntary contributions of the people of this country”. Her Majesty’s “most gracious donation” served as the signal for these contributions, which have now swelled to approximately £65,000. Local committees, formed throughout the United Kingdom, our colonies, and the territories of the Honourable East India Company, have rendered “the most zealous co-operation”. It was with great pleasure that the Commissioners acknowledged Her Majesty’s own gracious condescension in contributing “most valuable and interesting articles” to the Exhibition.
The building, a testament to the energy of its contractors and the industry of its workmen, was erected within the remarkably brief span of seven months, its first column having been laid on September 26th of last year. Every detail for the opening was meticulously prepared, from the coconut fiber matting laid along the processional route to the careful arrangement of seats for ladies in the galleries.
As the day progressed, notable figures drew the attention of the admiring crowds. His Grace the Duke of Wellington, appearing in robust health, was observed in the north-eastern gallery, engaging in spirited conversation with a circle of beautiful ladies. Applause erupted as he was recognized, a tribute to the old warrior, who, on this very First of May, had reached his eighty-second year.
Thus, the Crystal Palace stands, a beacon of global industry and a source of immense pride for our nation, promising to inspire and enlighten all who pass through its magnificent halls.
