1851-1924.
By a curious coincidence the Spectator publishes • this week its 5000th number. For 5,000 weeks the Spectator has been recording the events of the day— has been trying to give a coherent running commentary on the great story of our national life as it has unfolded itself. Hence it may be appropriate for us this week, in which the British Empire Exhibition has been opened, to turn back to the volume of the Spectator in which the last Great Exhibition, that of 1851, is recorded. Anyone who does this cannot fail to' be astonished 'at the similarity between the stories of the " Great Exhibition " and the " British Empire Exhibition."
The first considerable mention of the scheme is in the Spectator of March 9th, 1850. Xvidently the early stages of an Exhibition were no less difficult seventy years ago than they are to-day.
" Doubts are suggested to the public mind that while the scheme for the Exposition of 1851 expands in vastness, the conduct of its official managers fails to indicate fixity of purpose. . . . The corn- field of Europe.. . . The woolly races of Australia, the vicunha of the Andes, the goat of Cashmir—all these and many more spacious and multifarious forms of industry and commerce will call for room. . . . Yet the central body is changeful and uncertain. One danger against which a. guard will be needed is, that the subject may become a bore' before it is realized. . . . ` The Exposition of 1851 ' runs a chance of being's nuisance both to eye and ear."
One of the great difficulties was then, as now, the choice of a site. The Spectator, we are glad to say, favoured Hyde Park. It dealt severely with the other suggestions. Victoria Park was " only mentioned as the splenetic sally of individual contempt for the project." Regent's Park was " too far out." Battersea Park was- " one of the great backyards. of London. To the west lies Wandsworth, a village of singularly impeded ventila- tion . . . to the north the river, with stagnant Chelsea and odious Ranelagh. . . . The only attraction is the fashionable resort of Cremorne Gardens." Those who objected to Hyde Park were told that their' pleas were not really based on " contingent detriment to patrician prospects," as they evidently asserted, but that the real reasons might be found in Protettionist interests. Lord Campbell, however, considered the whole scheme " unconstitutional, if not illegal." The. Spectator did not even reason with him. During the autumn of 1850 we hear of all the same problems that were raised last autumn- of accommodation. in London, the danger of speculation (or as we should say " profiteer- ing "), &c., &c. An added complication was; of course; that this was an international exhibition, and the Spectator speculates that " gentlemen in love at first sight ' will ' pop the question ' in Russ, and receive answers in—it matters not what language, for the eyes will serve as a glossary."
The Spectator considered that the Exhibition was a " meeting which will be the harbinger of an era of peace," but, cautious as ever, it adds, " At least we hope so."
In November there was trouble with the German exhibitors on the question of prices. The Germans wanted all the goods to be priced, as theirs were cheaper than other peoples'. The Spectator considered that " To the natives of Germany it might operate as some set-off to them for the many drawbacks under which they suffer from the perpetuation of guilds and other restrictive interferences . . . . in that somewhat old- fashioned country." So much for Germany in 1850 !
In January in 1851, the Spectator was considering the provision of amusements for the foreign visitors. " The best way to amuse our visitors will be to let them see us amusing ourselves in the way we like best." An elation is suggested. " Will none of the Metropolitan Representatives be so patriotic as to resign his seat, that the whole world may witness the humours of an English election ? " Then, " Could not the trial of the Sloanes be deferred till May, and . Westminster Hall be selected for the scene of action ? " It was decided that there were " no possibilities of amusement in Parliament," but the " Alderman and Corporation will, of course, have a prize mad ox in readiness to show our guests what execution the brute can do of a. market day." Jealous for the national honour, the Spectator was especially anxious that London should appear at its best before our foreign guests ; for this end it advocated " that we should look into the ethics of omnibus drivers l " On May 3rd we come to, the account of the Opening Ceremony itself
The- PirtA of May' heneeforward be. a red-letter day in
the Court Register, as well as in the•popular almanack. On that day the Queen inaugurated the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations,' which the Prince Consort eonceiVe4 and which now fills the world with the- fame of -its beauty and, success. The Queen and Prince Albert with the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal rode in one carriage, drawn by two cream- coloured horses ; their friends from Prussia and Holland rodeo in another carriage. . . . Soon after the Queen had returned to the Palace she brought the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal to 'the front windows, and acknowledged with a' beaming face • both the pleasure of the ceremony she had gone through and her feeling of the attachment which the people had manifested.. . ."
The Duke of Wellington, we are told, "was looking extremely well in the face, and was conversing with his' accustomed gallantry of manner to a numerous Circle• of beautiful ladies grouped around him." At the end of the opening ceremony the Royal party walked round' the Exhibition :— " Her Majesty led the Prince of Wales and Prince Albert the' Princess Royal, both parents and children looking• extremely' well. The Queen bore herself with courteous but difaified. restraint, as if feeling more excitement than she would duiplay. Prince Albert appeared lees composed ; his emotion • at the suc- cessful realization of his. own idea was very. visible."
Finally. the Spectator commented as follows :— " It is done ; the work is accomplished ; all has gone well. Not a cross, not a frown, on man's face or heaven's. . . . Prince Albert, who did a right- princely thing in so clearly appreciating- and so heartily adopting. the enterprise, must have sustained a: good weight of care, not unshared by his crowned wife.. . . We. - do not hold, that 'the gates of J'anus ere for ever shut bocatise the- Exposition-is' opened--al.dWugk,Mr. Cobden_ wan there introduced : to the Duke of Wellington ; but that races the most 'diverse were there made to feel a fellowship in labour, a common allegiance, a cosmopolitan friendship, is an Assertion not stronger) -than the truth ; and such a...gathering must' have -noble fruits.
Could we do better to-day than echo this -hope for the Exhibition at Wembley—that " such a- gathering: must have noble fruits " ?
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