It is a glorious sight to see So many thousands meet, Not heeding creed or country, Each other friendly greet. Like children of one mighty sire, May that sacred tie ne’er cease; May the blood-stained sword of War give way To the Olive-branch of peace.
But, hark! the trumpets flourish, Victoria does approach, That she may long be spared to us Shall be our reigning toast. I trust each heart it will respond To what I now propose-- Good-will and plenty to her friends, And confusion to her foes.
Great praise is due to Albert, For the good that he has done, May others follow in his steps The work he has begun; Then let us all, with one accord, His name give with three cheers, Shout huzza for the Crystal Palace, And the World’s great National Fair!
The Exhibition was opened on the first of May, and, as over forty years have passed since then, a good account of the ceremony will, doubtless, be grateful to very many of my readers, whilst to those who are old enough to remember it, it will be a pleasing reminiscence. _Forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit._ The following is condensed from _The Times_ of May 2nd, 1851.
“That the ceremonial of the opening may be distinctly understood, let us sketch, as rapidly as possible, the appearance of the interior about half-past 11 o’clock, when the doors closed and admission ceased. In the north half of the transept, and grouped around the throne, were assembled the Royal Commission, Her Majesty’s Ministers, the Executive Committee, the Diplomatic Corps, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen of the City, the Commissioners of Foreign Powers, the Special Commissioners, Dr. Lyon Playfair and Colonel Lloyd, the architect, Mr. Paxton, the contractors, Messrs. Fox and Henderson, and the principal officers of the Executive, including Messrs. Digby Wyatt, Owen Jones and C. H. Wild. A list of the great and distinguished persons present would only be a repetition to the public of names with which they are familiar, and we, who have watched, from the commencement, the progress of this great undertaking, think it only justice, in describing an event such as that which occurred yesterday, that those who, by their energy and skill, have contributed to the success which has been accomplished, should chiefly be remembered.