tors, in directing that no distinction should be made between their merits, if their productions came up to the standard requisite to entitle them to a prize, but that all should, without exception, take the same rank and receive the same medal.

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The commissioners, however, considered it right to place at the disposal of the council of chairmen a peculiar or council' medal in the cases to which your lordship has referred. Important discoveries in many branches of science and of manufacture have, in this Exhibition, been brought under the notice of the public; and it seems just that those who have rendered services of this kind to the world, should receive a special mark of acknowledgment, on an occasion which has rendered so conspicuous the advantages which the many have derived from the discoveries of the few.

"The grant of the council medal for beauty of design, and for excellence in the fine arts, as applied to manufactures, though made upon a somewhat different principle, is also compatible with the views of the commissioners, since in the cases in which it has been given it does not mark any greater comparative excellence of manufacture, or assign to one producer a higher place than is accorded to others, but is to be regarded as a testimony to the genius which can clothe the articles required for the use of daily life with beauty, that can please the eye, and instruct and elevate the mind. Valuable as this Exhibition has proved in many respects, it appears to the commissioners that there is no direction in which its effects will be more sensibly and immediately perceived than in the improvement which it may be expected to produce in taste, and the impulse it has given to the arts of design; and a special acknowledgment is justly due to those who have afforded the best examples of art, whether pure or applied, and led the way in this interesting career of improvement.

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It now remains for the commissioners once more to return to your lordship and your colleagues their cordial thanks; and they must not omit to include in these acknowledgments those gentlemen who have in various ways assisted you in your labours, particularly those who have acted with you as associates or experts for the purpose of assisting your judgment in matters requiring very minute and special knowledge of particular subjects; and the commissioners are well aware that these gentlemen have frequently been of the greatest service. In the hope that the jurors and associates might desire to possess a lasting memorial of the Exhibition, a special medal has been struck in commemoration of their Special important services.

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It is the intention of the commissioners to publish not only the names of those whom the juries have awarded prizes, but also the valuable reports which they have prepared on the state of science, art, and manufactures, in the several branches of the Exhibition with which the juries have been conversant. The royal commissioners fully appreciate the zeal and talent displayed by those

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jurors who have accepted the laborious office of reporters to the juries; and they doubt not that their reports will form most inter1851 esting records of this Exhibition, and will afford important materials for ascertaining the progress of human industry, at any future time, when another review of its productions, like the present, may be determined on.

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'It now becomes my pleasing duty on behalf of the royal commissioners, to deliver my most sincere acknowledgments and thanks for the hearty co-operation and support which the Exhibition has constantly received from foreign countries. The foreign commissioners, who have left their own countries to superintend the illustration of their respective national industries at the Exhibition, have ever shown that desire to aid the general arrangements which alone has rendered possible the success of the undertaking.

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To the Society of Arts, which by its exhibition of works of national industry, prepared the way for this international Exhibition, the royal commission and the public feel that their acknowledgments are especially due, and the commission have to thank that body for having carried out the preliminary arrangements to an extent which justified me, as their president, in the application which I made to the crown for the issue of a royal commission.

“The commission have also to acknowledge the valuable services afforded by the eminent scientific and professional men who, on the sectional committees, aided most materially in founding a scientific basis on which to rear the Exhibition.

"To the local commissioners and members of local committees, but more especially to those who have undertaken the onerous duties of secretaries, our best acknowledgments are also due. Without their zealous aid it would have been impossible to have obtained an efficient representation of the industrial products of their respective localities.

“And, finally, we cannot forget that all the labours of those thus officially connected with the Exhibition would have been in vain, had it not been for the hearty goodwill and assistance of the whole body of exhibitors, both foreign and British. The zeal which they have displayed in affording a worthy illustration of the state of the industry of the nations to which they belong, can only be equalled by the successful efforts of their industrial skill. The commission have always had support and encouragement from them during the progress of the undertaking, and they cannot forget how cheerfully they submitted to regulations essential for their general good, although sometimes producing personal inconvenience to themselves. If the Exhibition be successful in aiding the healthy progress of manufactures, we trust that their efforts will meet with due reward.

'In now taking leave of all those who have so materially aided us in their respective characters of jurors and associates, foreign

and local commissioners, members and secretaries of local and sectional committees, members of the Society of Arts, and exhibitors, I cannot refrain from remarking, with heartfelt pleasure, the singular harmony which has prevailed amongst the eminent men representing so many national interests; a harmony which cannot end with the event which produced it. Let us receive it as an auspicious omen for the future; and while we return our humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God for the blessing He has vouchsafed to our labours, let us all earnestly pray that that Divine Providence which has so benignantly watched over and shielded this illustration of nature's productions, conceived by human intellect, and fashioned by human skill, may still protect us, and may grant that this interchange of knowledge, resulting from the meeting of enlightened people in friendly rivalry, may be dispersed far and wide over distanct lands; and thus, by showing our mutual dependance upon each other, be a happy means of promoting unity among nations, and peace and good-will among the various races of mankind."

The prince's elocution is remarkably distinct, yet little beyond an occasional word or two was heard by the majority of those within the privileged square, owing to the immense extent of the edifice. Much applause followed the close of the address.

The Bishop of London (in full canonical costume) then offered up the following prayer of thanksgiving; the audience, of course, standing :

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"O Almighty and most Merciful God, Father of all mankind, Who has made of one blood all nations of men, to serve and worship Thee, and by their words and works to glorify Thy holy Name; Who didst send Thine only Son into the world to reconcile it unto Thee, and to unite all men in one brotherhood of holiness and love, we, Thine unworthy servants, most humbly beseech Thee to accept our offering of prayer and praise. From Thee alone proceed all good counsels and all useful works; and by Thee alone are they conducted to a prosperous end.

"We acknowledge with all humility and thankfulness the gracious answer which Thou hast vouchsafed to the prayers of our Queen and her people, in blessing with a wonderful measure of success an undertaking designed to exhibit the glories of Thy creation, to promote the useful exercise of those faculties which Thou hast implanted in the sons of men, and to encourage the growth of peace and brotherly love.

"We humbly thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast graciously prospered the counsels of him who conceived, and of those who have carried out that great design; and that Thou hast mercifully protected from harm the multitudes who have thronged this building. We acknowledge it to be of Thy goodness that a spirit of order and mutual kindness-of loyalty to our sovereign, of obedi

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ence to the laws, and of respect for the sanctity of Thy Sabbathshas been manifested by the people of this country, in the sight of those who have been here gathered together from all parts of the world.

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"We thank Thee, also, that Thou hast disposed the hearts of many nations to enter upon a generous and peaceful competition in these arts which, by Thy merciful appointment, minister to the comfort of man, and redound to Thy glory, as the giver of every good and perfect gift.

"We devoutly pray that all may be led to acknowledge Thy power, wisdom, and goodness, in the achievements of man's industry and skill; and may depart to their several homes to speak in their own tongues the wonderful works of God.' Continue to them, we beseech Thee, Thy favour and protection; let Thy good providence conduct them in safety to their native land, and bless them with prosperity and peace. Grant, O Lord, that this gathering of Thy servants from every nation may be the token and pledge of a coutinued intercourse of mutual kindness between the different branches of Thy universal family. May it contribute to the growth of Christian love, and hasten the coming of that blessed reign of peace, when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.'

Lastly, we pray Thee with Thy favour to behold our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria, the Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and all the Royal family; to continue to this nation the manifold gifts which Thy goodness has so long abundantly showered upon it; to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, to bless Thy people committed to their charge. Give them grace, that they may in all things seek Thy honour and glory, and be diligent in the heavenly work of enlightening and purifying mankind, of diffusing through the world the blessings of peace, and of extending the kingdom of Thy dear Son, who has taught us to approach Thee as our common parent, and to say:

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Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. AMEN."

The ceremony being ended, another sign was made, and the immortal "Hallelujah Chorus" rose in its majesty of devotional gratulation. This composition, it will be remembered, was performed on the day of the inauguration, and it will be thought to have been equally, if not even more, fittingly chosen, as the con

cluding utterance of national sentiment on the day of the triumphant close. The chorus being over, Prince Albert withdrew, and was followed by the royal and foreign commissioners, the latter being afterwards introduced to his royal highness in the commissioners' room, for the purpose of a final leave taking. The prince soon afterwards took his departure. Many thousands, however, still lingered in the building, as loth to take a last farewell of that noble achievement of art and industry—the wonder of the world, and a proud witness of the reliance of foreign nations upon the stability and honour of England, and of the respect which the people pay to the laws under whose protection they live. Such a spectacle may never again be presented to the world, in this or any other country.

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The balance-sheet of the Crystal Palace offers several curious Receipts. particulars. Altogether more than half a million of money was received by the Exhibition authorities; the exact sum being £505,107 5s. 7d. This amount includes some very curious items. More than four hundred pounds were paid for the use of the washing places, and no less than £2,427 on account of other essential conveniences attached to the building. The small fee, exacted for taking care of sticks and umbrellas, produced £831 3s. 3d.; the royalty taken upon the shilling catalogues turned £3,200 into the Exhibition exchequer; whilst a still larger sum, £5,500 resulted from the sale of the privilege to feed the visitors with buns, pound cake, ices, ginger beer, and the other dainties of the refreshment counters. Of the money received at the doors, £275,000 was in silver, and £81,000 in gold. The weight of the silver coin so taken (at the rate of 28lbs. per £100) would be thirty-five tons, and its bulk 900 cubic feet! The rapid flow of the coin into the hands of the money-takers prevented all examination of each piece as it was received, and £90 of bad silver was taken; but only one piece of bad gold, and that was a half-sovereign. The half-crown was the most usual bad coin; but a much more noticeable fact is, that nearly all the bad money was taken on the half-crown and fiveshilling days. The cash was received by eighteen money-takers; on the very heavy days six extra ones being employed during the busiest hours. From them it was gathered by three or four moneyporters, who carried it to four collectors, charged with the task of counting it. From them it went to two tellers, who verified the sum, and handed it to the final custody of the chief financial officer, Mr. F. G. Carpenter, who locked each day's amount in his peculiar iron chest in the building till next morning, when, in boxes, each holding £600, it was borne off in a hackney cab in charge of a Bank of England clerk and a bank porter.

The first shilling day produced the smallest daily amount received, which was £920 2s.; the last shilling day but one afforded the largest daily taking, it being £5,283 3s.