niture Court, where the furniture
is placed; and of the fixed machinery beyond it, the massive iron form
of each machine looking as much as to say "move me, if you can." Then
the procession passed the enormous dome of iron and glass, the two
gigantic statues, the figure of Shakspeare, and the many other objects
which adorn the centre aisle; leaving behind the furs of bears, and
other wild animals, hung beneath the galleries, and the carpets which
lent their brilliant colours to finish the decorations; it reached the
western entrance, where it was reflected in the immense mirror,
exhibited at that point. Then, turning round by the model of the
Liverpool Docks, it was returning on the south side of the nave, when
the gigantic organ placed there, suddenly hurled forth an immense
volume of music, which sounded extremely fine: but every one was
already so much astonished, that I do not think anything more could
surprise them. At length the procession reached the transept, round
the south end of which it proceeded, and then swept into the Foreign
Department of the Exhibition, where great efforts had been made to
receive it properly. The French had collected together all the
choicest specimens of their manufactures to grace the foremost part of
their division; and I am sure you would have admired the tasteful
manner in which the contributors decorated the collection. Some of the
other countries, as their exhibitors had sent in their contributions
sooner than the French, were of course able to make a more
satisfactory appearance. The two organs, from France and Germany,
each, in turn, poured forth their music as the procession passed; and
two or three of the Queen's bands played a march as the pageat moved
round the eastern end of the building.

At last the procession returned along the north side of the nave, the
cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, which had continued all
the time getting now more joyful than ever; and the Queen returned
once more to her throne. One of the noblemen, named the Marquis of
Breadalbane, then called out in a loud tone of voice, that Her Majesty
declared the Exhibition open; a flourish of trumpets, and a roar of
cannon, told the people outside that all was now concluded, and the
Queen, with the royal family and other attendants, left the Crystal
Palace, the choir again singing the National Anthem.

In order that the workmen and their families, who come to see the
Exhibition, should live