THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

THE "Exhibition of all Nations," which is now going forward in the "Crystal Palace," London, deserves more than a passing notice in our journal. Its influences, social, economical, political and religious, will, in all probability, be not only powerful but perma

nent.

The idea of industrial exhibitions appears to be derived from France. The first French exhibition of this kind, recognized as national, occurred in 1798. Others followed in 1801, 1802, and 1806; but it was not until 1817, that the Exhibition assumed a systematic and influential form; since which time, exhibitions of machinery, and manufactures, &c., have been common in England and other countries, including our own. Other French national exhibitions on a larger scale, occurred in 1823, 1827, 1834, 1839, and 1849; the latter, the eleventh and last, taking place in a building erected on the Champs Elysées, covering more than five acres of ground.

Prince Albert has the credit of suggesting the idea of an Industrial Exhibition of all nations; and the British government has carried out the proposal on a scale worthy of the most enlightened monarchy of the age. The plan of the building-itself the greatest wonder of the exhibition-originated in the mind of Joseph Paxton, the celebrated horticulturist. Two hundred and forty plans were presented to the Commissioners, some good, most worthless, but not one to be compared with that finally adopted.

The extract which follows is taken from the "New York Evangelist" of July 17th.

"The site of the Crystal Palace for this great Exhibition is in that part of Hyde Park which lies along the Kensington Road, about half a mile west of the Duke of Wellington's mansion at Hyde Park Corner.

The ground plan of the building is a parallelogram, 1851 feet long by 456 feet wide in the broadest part, with a transept of 408 feet long and 72 feet wide, intersecting the building at right angles in the middle. The side walls rise in three steps. The outer wall rises from the ground 24 feet high. The second rises 20 feet higher, or 44 feet from the bottom of the pillars below; and the third rises 20 feet higher than the second, or 64 feet from the bottom of the supporting pillars, giving within the building a great central avenue or nave 72 feet wide, and on each side of it three avenues 24 feet wide, and two 48 feet wide, the transept being 108 feet high, to give ample room for the large elm trees which remain under it, and which from their value, the Government were unwilling should be destroyed. The roofs of the different sections of the main building consist of a series of ridges and valleys, of 8 feet span, running transversely, so that there is a valley at the top of each column. The transept has a semi-circular roof, with a radius of 36 feet, or 72 feet span, and 108 feet high, under which are now a number of lofty elms, clothed with a dense green foliage, around whose trunks on the ground are arrayed a great variety of plants in full bloom, and together present a beautifully picturesque appearance, and suggest the pretty idea of venerable patriarchs surrounded by their children. The space occupied on the ground floor is 772,784 square feet, and that of the galleries above, 217,100 square feet, making together about 21 acres. The

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total cubic contents of the building are 33,000,000 feet. There are four exits at the east end, four at the west, and six on the south side. The main entrances are three in number: one at the south end of the transept, with seven pairs of doors, each of eight feet span. The other main entrances are at the ends of the centre aisle, each with nine doors of a similar width. "The plan is so simple," says Mr. Paxton, who originated it, in all its details, that a section of one part shows the whole; for it is only by the multiplication of those parts that the stupendous structure is extended, resting in every part on columns 24 feet apart, which form regular avenues through the building." The columns are all hollow, it being well known to scientific men that a hollow pillar is much stronger than a solid one of equal gross diameter.

The building is supported by 3300 iron columns, 2224 cast iron girders, and 1128 iron beams for the galleries, and about 900,000 superficial feet of glass, weighing 400 tons. The surface water from the skylights is received into the longitudinal or three way gutters, and these again empty themselves into the framed transverse gutters at either end. The hollow iron columns act as rainwater pipes in carrying the water from the roof into the cast iron drain-pipes running in parallel lines along the whole length of the building. The flooring on the ground floor consists of boards nine inches wide, laid half an inch apart on sleepers, so as to permit the dust in sweeping to fall through the spaces between the boards, and this necessary operation is rapidly performed by a moveable hand engine, immediately followed by a sweeping machine, consisting of brooms, fixed to an apparatus on light wheels, drawn by a shaft.

For safety from fire, a 9 inch water main, charged constantly with a 70 feet column of water, has been laid, and from it 6 inch pipes run all around the building, with 16 branches into the interior; so that an immense quantity of water could-be poured on with hose. An engine has been put up specially at the Chelsea Water Works, which can supply, if needed, 300,000 gallons a day. Besides the immense space thus devoted to the purposes of the Exhibition, there is on the north side of the building a room set apart for the reception of machinery. The dimensions of this department are on a scale proportionate to the important branch of inventive industry to which it is dedicated. The room is 946 feet long, 48 feet broad, and 24 feet high. The engine stands at the northwestern side of the Glass Palace, and furnishes steam to the extent of one hundred horse power to the models within the building. Its steam prints off copies of newspapers, works all kinds of looms, and in fact does more at once than steam from any single boiler has ever accomplished.

An electric telegraph is constructed in the building, to enable those employed officially to communicate with each other with the greatest possible facility, and without any running about in confusion. As no brick and mortar were used, and all the proportions of the building depended upon its iron pillars and girders, nearly all the materials arrived on the spot ready to be placed and secured in their destined positions. Yet vast operations were necessary even then in its construction, and called forth the most admirable display of scientific ingenuity, systematic arrangements, and great energy. Hardly any scaffolding was used, the columns as they were set up answering the purpose. Machines for performing all the preparatory operations required to be done on the spot were introduced into the building, some of them invented for the occasion. The first column was fixed on the 26th of September; and the building, though not completed in all its details, handed over on the first of January to the royal commissioners. When the whole structure was elevated and completed, every beholder was struck with its grandeur and simplicity, says Professor Cowper, as one of the most astonishing and successful examples of imagination, contrivance, science, industry, and engineering skill, the world has ever known. In the week ending September 6, 1850, says the report of the commissioners, 39 men were employed; October 4, 419 men were employed; November 1, 1476; December 6, 2260; January 3, 2112 men-averaging about 2000.

The rapidity with which this edifice was erected outrivals all precedents. "A building covering 753,984 superficial feet, having an exhibiting surface of about 21 acres, was roofed in and handed over to the commissioners within a little more than three months from its commencement-constructed almost

entirely of glass and iron, the most fragile and the strongest of working materials, combining the lightness of a conservatory with the stability of our most permanent structures." Enchanted palaces that grow up in a night are confined to fairy-land, and in this material world of ours the labours of the bricklayer and the carpenter are notoriously never-ending. It took 300 years to build St. Peter's, at Rome, and 35 to complete St. Paul's. The new palace of Westminster has already been 15 years in hand, and still is unfinished. The Great Palace of Industry in Hyde Park is something different."

The articles on exhibition in this great building correspond with its purposes, and are on a grand and comprehensive scale. A description of them will be found in the secular press, particularly in the "London Illustrated News," where the descriptions are accompanied by suitable pictorial illustrations.*

As an exhibition of this kind contains materials of profitable meditation to the Christian, we present to our readers an interesting train of thought from the pen of the Rev. W. K. Tweedie, of the Free Church, Edinburgh. Although written for "the Children's Missionary Record," we think our most intelligent readers will find it to be among the best religious notices of the Exhibition that has yet appeared.

"All our readers know that a magnificent fabric has been built in London, all of glass, and called THE CRYSTAL PALACE. In that grand building, there are displayed manufactures and works of art from every part of the civilized world. Not only France, and Italy, and Germany, and Russia, but Turkey, and Persia, and China, and Africa,† have sent articles to be displayed at the Great Exhibition. It is actually called THE WORLD'S FAIR, as if the whole world had come to our island to sell or buy.

Now, surely so grand and so amazing a sight may supply some lessons to us, if we have learned to imitate Jesus, and seek spiritual good in every thing that happens, as He did.

1. And first, Are all the nations represented in the Crystal Palace? Then will not the time come when the Lord shall gather in his redeemed "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation"-when "all the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ?" Just as men from every land are gathered together now in our metropolis, will the gathering of the nations yet be to Christ-nay, we see that work already begun, for have not Hindoos, and Chinese, and Persians, and Africans, and men from every land, already acknowledged that Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father? When the Church of Christ does its duty to heathen lands, the final gathering of the nations will soon take place.

2. But again, Where will that structure, with all its elegance and beauty be, say in two hundred years? Where will it be in one hundred years? Nay, where will it be in fifty years? Its elegance

*This paper can be obtained in New York, Philadelphia, and other cities.

The Rev. writer has left out the United States, probably because our articles are insignificant in comparison with those of other countries.

may have utterly vanished. A storm of hail may have shivered it to pieces; the lightning may have melted it; or the hand of slow decay may be crumbling its beauty into dust. We admire it now; but almost while we admire it, it melts before our view. But there is a city which hath foundations. There is a building resting on a rock which no tempest can overthrow, or no accident injure; and were it not a blessed thing were the felt frailty of the palace of glass to induce some of the crowds who throng it to think of the New Jerusalem-the palace of the Great King-into which, according to the promise which cannot be broken, "they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations?" Look at that poor Persian; in his own rich land he worships the sun and fire. See that poor Chinese; he adores Buddha, or, perhaps, only Buddha's tooth. Next, see that swarthy African; he is from a land where slaves taken in war often form the horrid banquet of their captors. Or see that Frenchman; amid all that is deemed refined and exquisite in taste, he perhaps denies that he has a soul, or that there is a God. Now, at sights so painful as these, does not the soul feel relieved by resting on the assurance, "They shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into that great city, having the glory of God?"

3. Further, the works of all nations are crowded into the Crystal Palace, and there has been great competition and jostling for proper places to exhibit these works. Now, in one sense, man's works will yet be tested and scrutinized on a far more grand and searching occasion. There will be less of competition there; but there will be a far purer standard, and far stricter justice. The eyes which are like a flame of fire will examine all. He who cannot look upon iniquity will be Judge of all; and, oh, what masses of works, apparently attractive and beautiful now, will then be burned up! What heaps of wood, and hay, and stubble, will be utterly consumed, when men are judged "according to their works," and when every one "shall receive according as his works shall be!"

4. Lastly, we have all heard how difficult it is to secure access to the palace of glass. Large prices have been given for admission. Thousands have murmured because they were excluded; and even the Queen, in her kindness, has been obliged to take measures to stay the murmurs. But how different with the palace of the Great King! "Whosoever will" may enter there; the gate is never shut. "Without money and without price" we are invited to come. "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out," is the announcement of the King himself; and those who are excluded are self-excluded. It is true, "many shall seek to enter in, but shall not be able;" but that is because they refuse to enter in by Him who is the door. They who enter there will find peace and rest unto their soul. How many of our young readers, then, will enter into that rest?"

Bousehold Choughts.

THE FAMILY OF ELI; OR, PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THE signal and awful example of domestic affliction in the family of Eli, recorded in the beginning of the first book of Samuel, is strengthened, in all its painful outlines, by an extraordinary union of aggravations.

1. The pious and venerable priest had taken under his patronage, and into his family, a child of distinguished birth and of remarkable promise, who was rising to be the chief magistrate of the nation, and one of the most eminent of the prophets of the Lord. That child, before he was old enough to know his sacred and honourable destination, at a time when prophetic inspirations were rare, and given only in private, was called to receive from the Lord an overwhelming denunciation against the family of his reverend friend and patron; and he received it as a secret, which he could not be persuaded to communicate, but by the most urgent and solemn appeal. "And the Lord said to Samuel, behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house. When I begin I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And, therefore, I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquities of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice, nor offering for ever." This astounding and distressing denunciation was the more grievous to the father, from being given, not to himself immediately, but to a mere child whom he had taken to train for the public and sacred service.

2. The family of Eli was so conspicuous in civil and religious station, that its fall was notorious and memorable. The father was a priest, and, besides this, had been the highest magistrate of the nation well nigh forty years; and his two sons, who were bringing infamy on their father's house, were obtruding their vices with shameless effrontery upon the public notice, and prostituting the sacred office which they had received as a divine endowment and trust from a consecrated ancestry.

3. Eli himself appears in the history as a man of sincere and unquestionable piety. He received, with true submission, the dreadful message he had extorted from the child; and when his troubles began, when his army fell before the Philistines, when his two unworthy sons were slain, and the ark of God was taken, the good