A Princely Exhibition

by

Lauren Roberts

              

A half-century before the astonishing exhibits at the World’s Fair of 1901, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations took place in London, England. Lasting from May 1 through October 15, 1851, it was a phenomenal demonstration of beauty and technology and science, showcasing manufactured products from around the world in one place for the first time. Not surprisingly, it became the standard for all subsequent international fairs.

The exhibition came about primarily as the result of two intersecting factors: England’s growing world influence and power under Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert’s interest in science and technology.

Albert, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria, was born Francis Augustus Charles Albert Emanuel (Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) on August 26, 1819. He was educated at Bonn University, studying natural science, political economy, philosophy,  music and painting. He also excelled in gymnastics, especially fencing.

As the second son in a royal family, he had no expectation of an inheritance and no occupation. Blood ties to the British royal family—his first cousin was the future Queen Victoria—and family political interests dictated an interest in pairing them. The two had met as teenagers, but were not impressed with each other. Once Victoria took the throne, however, the matter of succession arose so in October 1839, Albert was invited for another visit, this time with more success. She fell in love, and her devotion was returned.

“It was with some emotion that I beheld Albert—who is beautiful,” she wrote in her journal. A few days later, Victoria, as was her royal prerogative, proposed. Albert accepted, and they were married on February 10, 1840. Though the marriage was a happy one, it was unpopular with many in the British government.

Albert’s role was initially a tricky one; he had no official standing. He was simply her husband, and a foreign one at that. Victoria had her advisors, most prominently Lord Melbourne, the prime minister. But when he died, Albert began to act as her private secretary. He also began to acquire power once she became pregnant since social sensibilities at that time demanded women (that is, high-class women) heavy with child remain out of public view. Albert confided to the Duke of Wellington that his goal was “to be the natural head of the family, superintendent of her household, manager of her private affairs, her sole confidential adviser in politics, and only assistant in her communications with the officers of the Government, her private secretary and permanent Minister.”

Though he exercised his influence with tact and concern, he never enjoyed great public popularity during his lifetime. Suspicions about his foreign influence remained; even his title of Prince Consort was not awarded until 1857, and then by Victoria herself (rather than Parliament).

The suspicions were unfounded as Albert took a great interest in many aspects of his adopted home’s cultural and intellectual life. He was a patron of the arts, a composer, painter, architect and educator. His interest in social issues led him to arrange for the design and building of experimental houses for working-class families. He helped design the royal family’s country houses, changed the curriculum of Cambridge University from a classics-and-theology approach to one of science and technology. And his passion for technological modernization within an increasingly international spectrum lead him to  organize and oversee the first world’s fair, the Great Exhibition of 1851, which had originally been proposed by a man named Henry Cole. In early October 1849, Prince Albert gave a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at which he noted:

The distances which separated the different nations and parts of the globe are gradually vanishing before the achievements of modern invention, and we can traverse them with incredible ease; the languages of all nations are known and their acquirements placed within the reach of everybody; thought is communicated with the rapidity and even by the power of lightning . . . the great principle of the division of labour which may be called the moving power of civilization, is being extended to all branches of science, industry and art . . . the products of all quarters of the globe are placed at our disposal, and we have only to choose what is the cheapest and best for our purposes, and the powers of production are intrusted to the stimulus of competition and capital . . . Gentlemen, the Exhibition of 1851 is to give us a true test and a living picture of the point of development at which the whole of mankind has arrived in this great task, and a new starting point from which all nations will be able to direct their further exertions.

Though it seemed a good idea to many, the fact is that Albert had to fight for every stage of the project. In the House of Lords, one member denied the right of the crown to hold it in Hyde Park, and in the House of Commons, predictions of foreign rogues and revolutionists who would steal trade secrets and destroy English morals were common. It didn’t help that Albert was German-born; abusive letters regularly arrived accusing him of intentionally corrupting England.

Eventually, the government was persuaded by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (of which Prince Albert was a member) to create the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. Its purpose was to establish the validity of hosting such an event.

The biggest problem with the pre-exhibition work was the Crystal Palace itself. Originally, the Society of Arts had negotiated with a building contractor to erect a suitable building. Funds for that as well as a prize of £20,000 would be repaid through gate receipts. When the Commission met in January 1850, its first act was to cancel the contractor’s contract. It then set up a design competition, and received proposals from 233 architects. None, however, seemed exactly right to the Commission so they prepared and printed their own design. Howls of outrage from competing architects did not stop their preparations, but finances did. Building materials alone for the design came to £120,000-£150,000.

Then, through contractors Fox and Henderson, an amended design appeared. It came from Joseph Paxton (later knighted), an English gardener for the sixth Duke of Devonshire and an architect of his greenhouses. Paxton was fairly well known by 1850, having published several books on gardening. It was his experience with the greenhouses that allowed him to come up with the idea of a repeating structure of cast-iron frame components and glass which was used to create the entire building based on 24-foot intervals (the maximum size of a sheet of glass that could be manufactured at a reasonable cost). It was not only less expensive than the previous designs, but it allowed the large elm trees on the site to be preserved and actually become part of the building.

Because of the time that had been lost so far, Paxton moved fast once approval came through. His original design was on a sheet of blotting paper; within nine days, he had made a complete set of plans that he presented to the contractors on June 22, 1850. A modification of it to include a domed roof was made, and the Commissioners accepted it.

Despite the enthusiasm, doubts were raised about the stability and safety. Though the iron girders were fine—they were designed to withstand several times the expected weight—it was the resonance that worried Professor Airey, the Astronomer Royal, and other important commentators. Would a large crowd moving about in the structure cause it to vibrate more and more until it collapsed?

This day is one of the greatest and most glorious days of our lives, with which to my pride and joy, the name of my dearly beloved Albert is for ever associated! It is a day which makes my heart swell with thankfulness . . .

The Park presented a wonderful spectacle, crowds streaming through it, carriages and troops passing, quite like the Coronation, and for me, the same anxiety. The day was bright and all bustle and excitement. At 11 the whole procession in 9 State carriages was set in motion . . .

The Green Park and Hyde Park were one mass of densely crowded human beings, in the highest good humour and most enthusiastic. I never saw Hyde Park look as it did, being filled with crowds as far as the eye could reach. A little rain fell, just as we started, but before we neared the Crystal Palace, the sun shone and gleamed upon the gigantic edifice, upon which the flags of every nation were flying . . . The glimpse, through the iron gates of the Transept, the waving palms and flowers, the myriads of people filling the galleries and seats around, together with the flourish of trumpets as we entered the building, gave a sensation I shall never forget, and I felt much moved . . .   

In a few seconds we proceeded, Albert leading me, having Vicky at his hand  and Bertie holding mine. The sight as we came to the centre where the steps  and chair (on which I did not sit) was placed, facing the beautiful crystal  fountain was magic and impressive. The tremendous cheering, the joy expressed in every face, the vastness of the building, with all its decorations and exhibits, the sound of the organ (with 200 instruments and 600 voices, which  seemed nothing) and my beloved husband, the creator of this peace festival “uniting the industry and art of all nations of the earth”, all this was  indeed moving, and a day to live for ever.

God bless my dearest Albert, and  my dear Country, which has shown itself so great to-day. One felt so grateful to the great God, whose blessing seemed to pervade the whole undertaking. After the National Anthem had been sung, Albert left my side and at the head  of the Commissioners,—a curious assemblage of political and distinguished men—read the Report to me, which is a long one, and I read a short answer. After this the Archbishop of Cantebury offered up a short and appropriate prayer, followed by the singing of Handel's Hallelujah chorus, during which time the Chinese Mandarin came forward and made his obeisance. This concluded, the Procession of great length began, which was beautifully arranged, the prescribed order being exactly adhered to. The Nave was full of people, which had not been intended, and deafening cheers and waving of  handkerchiefs continued the whole time of our long walk from one end of the  building to the other. Every face was bright and smiling, and many had tears  in their eyes. Many Frenchmen called out “Vive la Reine”. One could, of  course, see nothing but what was high up in the Nave, and nothing in the  Courts. The organs were but heard little, but the Military Band at one end  had a very fine effect, playing the march from Athalie as we passed along.  The old Duke of Wellington and Ld. Anglesey walked arm in arm, which was a  touching sight. I saw many acquaintances amongst those present. We returned to our place and Albert told Ld. Breadalbane to declare the Exhibition to be  opened, which he did in a loud voice saying “Her Majesty commands me to  declare this Exhibition open”, when there was flourish of trumpets, followed  by immense cheering. We then made our bow and left.

All these Commissioners and the Executive Committee etc. who had worked so hard and to whom such immense praise is due, seemed truly happy, and no one more so than Paxton, who may feel justly proud. He rose from an ordinary gardener’s boy! Everyone was astounded and delighted. The return was equally satisfactory, the crowd most enthusiastic, and perfect order kept. We reached the Palace at 20m. past 1 and went out on the balcony, being loudly cheered. The Prince and Princess were quite delighted and impressed. That we felt happy and thankful, I need not say, proud of all that had passed and of my beloved's success. I was more impressed by the scene I had witnessed than words can say. Dearest Albert’s name is for ever immortalised, and the absurd reports of dangers of every kind and sort, put out by a set of people the soi disant fashionables and the most violent protectionists, are silenced. It is therefore doubly satisfactory that all should have gone off so well and without the slightest incident or mischief. Phipps and Col. Seymour spoke to me, with such pride and joy at my beloved one’s success and vindication after so much opposition and such difficulties, which no one but he with his good temper, patience, firmness and energy could have achieved.

On entering the building for the first time, the eye is completely dazzled by the rich variety of hues which burst upon it on every side; and it is not until this partial bewilderment has subsided, that we are in a condition to appreciate as it deserves its real magnificence and the harmonious beauty of effect produced by the artistical arrangement of the glowing and varied hues which blaze along its grand and simple lines . . .

Forming the centre of the entire building rises the gigantic fountain, the culminating point of view from every quarter of the building; whilst at the northern end the eye is relieved by the verdure of tropical plants and the lofty and overshadowing branches of forest trees . . . the objects which first attract the eye are the sculptures,  which are ranged on every side; some of them of colossal size and of unrivalled beauty . . .

We have here the Indian Court, Africa, Canada, the West Indies, the Cape of Good Hope, the Medieval Court, and the English Sculpture Court... Birmingham, the great British Furniture Court, Sheffield and its hardware, the woollen and mixed fabrics, shawls, flax, and linens, and printing and dyeing . . . general hardware, brass and iron-work of all kinds, locks, grates . . . agricultural machines and implements . . . the mineral products of England . . . the cotton fabric and carriage courts, leather, furs, and hair, minerals and machinery, cotton and woollen power-looms in motion . . . flax, silk, and lace, rope-making lathes, tools and minerals, marine engines, hydraulic presses, steam machinery, Jersey, Ceylon, and Malta with the Fine Arts Court behind them; Persia, Greece, Egypt, and Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Madeira and Italy, France, its tapestry, machinery, arms and instruments, occupying two large courts; Belgium, her furniture, carpets and machinery; Austria, with her gorgeous furniture courts and machinery furniture, North of Germany and Hase Towns; Russia, with its malachite doors, vases and ornaments, and the United States, with its agricultural implements, raw materials, etc.

We pass from the United States to Sweden, part of Russia, Denmark, a division of the Zollverein, Russian cloths, hats and carpets, Prussian fabrics, Saxony, and the Austrian sculpture court, another division of France with its splendid frontage of articles of vertu and ornamental furniture, its magnificent court for plate, bronzes and china; its tasteful furniture, and carpets, its jewels, including those of the Queen of Spain; its laces, gloves and rich embroideries; Switzerland, China and Tunis . . .

In the British half are the silks and shawls, lace and embroideries, jewellery and clocks and watches, behind them military arms and models, chemicals, naval architecture, philosophical instruments, civil engineering, musical instruments, anatomical models, glass chandeliers, china, cutlery, and animal and vegetable manufactures, china and pottery . . . on the opposite side perfumery, toys, fishing materials, wax flowers, stained glass, British, French, Austrian, Belgian, Prussian, Bavarian and American products.

After the Exhibition ended, the Crystal Palace was disassembled and taken to Sydenham in 1852 where it was reconstructed in what was, in effect, a 200-acre Victorian theme park. Paxton oversaw the re-erection of the building, and the new Crystal Palace park was  opened by Queen Victoria in 1854.

Though Paxton’s original design did not include any accommodation for sports, it was not long before all kinds of sports were being played there. As early as 1857 an area in the lower park had been designated as the cricket ground. The first Crystal  Palace football team was reportedly formed in 1861, and the Football Association in 1863. A motor racing circuit  was laid down in the park in 1936-37 and the first race meeting saw cars circulating at the then-amazing speed of 57 m.p.h. Race meetings were halted by World War II and did not resume until 1953, continuing from then until 1972. Numerous other sports—polo, rugby, cycling, archery, fishing,  croquet, quoits, ice skating, gridiron, even roller hockey—have taken place at Crystal  Palace over the last 140 years and continue to do so today; the National Sports  Centre is a key element of the modern Crystal Palace Park, though the original building, destroyed by fire in 1936, no longer exists. But the profits from the Great Exhibition contributed to some of England’s greatest public works which live on such as the Albert Hall, the  Science Museum, the National History Museum and the Victoria and Albert  Museum.

As much as it was a triumph for him, the Exhibition also marked the beginning of the end for its staunchest supporter. Prince Albert had turned forty in 1859, but chronic cramps and chills left him looking much older. He may have already had an inoperable illness by then, and in late 1861 he took to his bed with what may have been pneumonia but was diagnosed as typhoid fever by his physicians. He rose only once—to draft a letter for the Queen to be sent to the United States. It was his last duty to the country he had adopted. On December 14, 1861, he died. He was only 42 years old.

Queen Victoria never recovered from his death, wearing black mourning clothes for the rest of her life. The country that had viewed him with suspicion for so long also mourned. Future prime minister Benjamin Disraeli spoke for many when he said, “With Prince Albert we have buried our Sovereign. This German Prince has governed England for twenty-one years with a wisdom and energy such as none of our kings has ever shown.”  

Links:
The Great Exhibition
The Victorian Web
The Opening of the Great Exhibition

Bookmark specifications: Albert the Good
Dimensions: 8 1/4” x 2”
Material: Silk
Manufacturer: Unknown
Date: Approximately 1862
Acquired: eBay

Bookmark specifications: H.R.H. Prince Consort
Dimensions: 9 1/4” x 2 1/4”
Material: Silk
Manufacturer: Unknown,
Date: Approximately 1861-62
Acquired: eBay

Bookmark specifications: Present from the Crystal Palace
Dimensions: 9 1/4” x 2”   
Material: Silk
Manufacturer: Thomas Stevens
Date: 1854
Acquired: eBay


Almost since her childhood days of Mother Goose, Lauren has been giving her opinion on books to anyone who will listen. That “talent” eventually took her out of magazine writing and into book reviewing in 2000 for an online review site where she cut her teeth (as well as a few authors). Stints as book editor for her local newspaper and contributing editor to Booklist and Bookmarks magazines has reinforced her belief that she has interesting things to say about books. Lauren shares her home with several significant others including three cats, 800 bookmarks and approximately 1,000 books that, whether previously read or not, constitute her to-be-read stack. She is a member of the National Books Critics Circle (NBCC) and Book Publicists of Southern California as well as a longtime book design judge for Publishers Marketing Association’s Benjamin Franklin Awards. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it