rth a loud accompaniment.

The opening ceremony being thus accomplished, the Queen and the Royal
visitors proceeded to the Royal box, where they remained during the
performance of a selection of music. The programme included a cantata,
written for the occasion by Sir Michael Costa, and the Prince Consort's
_Invocazione all'Armonia_, which was first performed when Her Majesty,
in 1867, laid the foundation-stone of the Hall this day opened.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1871.

_May 1st, 1871._

During the twenty years that had passed since the ever-memorable
Exhibition of 1851, there had been many Exhibitions, one of which, that
of 1862, might aspire to the title of Great, and proved fairly
successful. But so numerous were the imitations of the first great
example, to which, at home or abroad, none approached in romantic
interest and universal popularity, that at length the idea which in 1851
charmed all the world, had come to be somewhat tiresome to the public.
Inventors and manufacturers found it troublesome and expensive to
exhibit, not without doubt whether there were not more disadvantages
than advantages in such international displays. Some of the later
Exhibitions were little better than huge bazaars or trade shows.

Having regard to these conditions, the Royal Commissioners of 1851, with
the Prince of Wales as President, allowed matters to rest awhile,
although still feeling under obligation to carry out the grand purposes
which gave rise to the first and grandest display in Hyde Park.

It was resolved to open at South Kensington, in 1871, an "International
Exhibition of the Fine Arts and of Industry;" to be the first of a
series, each with some definite aim, and mainly confined to certain arts
or industries, instead of forming a miscellaneous museum of all sorts of
objects. As the Queen approved of this proposal, the opening of the
Exhibition of 1871 was undertaken by the Prince of Wales on Her
Majesty's behalf, and was made the occasion of an imposing State
pageant. In the Court Circular of May 2nd, and in the journals of the
same date, a full account is given of the ceremonies of the preceding
day, with lists of the illustrious and notable persons present, and
other details. The Prince made formal proclamation of the opening.

In all his labours in connection with various exhibitions, at home or
abroad, the Prince has had most able lieutenants, such as Sir Philip
Cunliffe Owen, K.C.B., but eve