were used for expedition, each of which accommodated two glaziers, and travelled on wheels in the gutters, as in railway trams, and spanned a width, or one ridge and two sloping sides, of the roof. The workmen sat at the end of the platform, which they moved backward by a winch, as they inserted a pane of glass before them; and thus they travelled throughout the nave roof, their supplies of sash-bars, glass, putty, &c., being, from time to time, hoisted through an opening in the stage of the wagon. In bad weather, the workmen were protected by a sort of tilt of canvas upon hoops. By aid of these wagons, eighty men, in six days, put in upwards of 18,000 panes, or 62,600 feet superficial, of glass. The greatest number of frames inserted by a man in one day was 108, being 367 feet 6 inches of glazing.

The thickness of the glass was important, but the width was equally so. Thus, if a piece of glass of a certain thickness and width be broken by hailstones, reduce the width, and it will bear their force. Now, the panes used in the building are 49 inches long, and 10 in width. If, instead of 10-inch width, it had been 15, the glass, it is calculated, would have been broken in the first hail-storm.

In order to facilitate the great amount of labor that would be required in making the sash-bars, a machine was invented by Mr. Paxton, which accomplished the work with great rapidity. Its peculiar working feature was, that the bar was presented to the saws below the centre of motion, instead of above it, (as is usual,) and to the sides of the saw which were ascending from the table, instead of those which were descending; this arrangement being necessary to suit the direction of the teeth to the grain of the wood. It was essential that the machine revolve 1200 in a minute, to finish the work in a proper manner.

The gutters employed in this building, from their designer, have been termed the "Paxton gutters." It has also been termed a three-way gutter, from its having in its upper surface a semi-circular groove, to receive the water from the external glass roof, which springs from it on both sides; and from its having also, on each of the two vertical sides, lower down, an oblique groove to receive the condensed vapors from the inner surface of the glass; the ends of these gutters being connected by oblique cuts with the box-gutters. The Paxton gutter is of the bell-shape inverted, from that form expanding upwards, and therefore being less liable than any other to become obstructed. The gutter is cut in lengths of 24 feet, which would bend or sag," were they not trussed by rods of iron fixed beneath the gutter, secured to its two ends by cast-iron shoes, and pressed up by cast-iron standards at eight feet intervals, with a rise of 24 inches in the entire length; thus trussed, the gutter will support 1 tons weight. Similar gutters were employed by Mr. Paxton in the Chatsworth Conservatory in 1837; they were then made by hand, but machinery has since been employed in their construction.

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The details of the transept correspond with the other parts of the building, so far as columns, girders and galleries are concerned. At the level of the flat roof the main difference commences by the springing of the lofty and semi-circular roof, the two end faces of which are handsomely distinguished by their radiating frame-work. The transept

consists of a main avenue, 408 feet long by 72 feet wide, and two aisles, each 408 feet long by 24 feet wide. The larger of these areas is spanned by the semi-cylindrical roof, formed of semi-circular ribs, the ends of which are inserted in the hollow columns; these ribs are strengthened by stout timbers, placed between the ribs, and at right angles to them, and which act as purlins, and great intermediate sashbars. Upon this simple and effective system," observes Mr. Saunders, "sixteen light and strong ribs have been made to span a width greater by one foot than the nave of Westminster Abbey, including its side aisles, and that at an elevation greater by six feet."

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In order to provide for a ventilation of the building, the whole of the basement part, to the height of four feet, was made of louvre boarding; and at the top of each tier of galleries a similar provision of three feet was provided. By a simple arrangement of machinery, the whole of this louvre boarding can be opened and closed instantaneously, with the greatest facility. To modify the intensity of the light, and at the same time to aid in keeping the building cool, the inner side of the roof was painted sky-blue, and the outer covered with canvas attached to the ridges throughout the flat roof. This latter arrangement also diminishes the chances of leakage from imperfect jointing or broken glass. The method of flooring to the building was after a plan adopted by Mr. Paxton in the construction of horticultural edifices, viz., trellised wooden boarding, with spaces between each board, through which all dust, on sweeping, falls into the vacuity below.

The arrangement of galleries, which form an essential part of the building, is as follows: There are four main galleries running the whole length of the building-two on the north and two on the south side of the great central aisle, the whole being connected by two cross galleries, one at either end of the building; besides twenty intermediate transverse gangways, or crossings. The collective length of the galleries, restricted to the second tier, is 9456 feet, or more than one mile and three quarters, and the width 24 feet; so that the whole area, or surface of gallery-flooring, is equal to 210,240 superficial feet, or nearly five acres. The exposed sides of the galleries are protected by an ornamental iron railing.

Decorations of the Building. The decorations of the building were carried out under the direction of Mr. Owen Jones, on a somewhat novel and ingenious plan. By the system of coloring adopted, every line in the building was marked distinctly, thus tending to increase the appearance of its height, its length, and its bulk. Externally the main lines are a delicate blue upon a white and stone-colored ground. In the interior, the principal portions of the roof, of a delicate blue tint, harmonize most brilliantly with the light of the sky, beaming through the crystal roof. The transept is artistically splendid; the under side of each of the twenty-four ribs corresponds in color with that decorating the square fillets of the columns supporting the ribs, viz., light blue; the part of the under side corresponding to the circular surface of the column is in deep chrome yellow; upon each side of this color is a stripe of white, dividing it from the blue; upon the smaller ribs, the "" returns are colored red, the edges chrome, and the sides blue; the

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diagonal tie-rods are painted bright yellow, with gilt centres; the sashbars white, and the cross-bracings blue. The wood panelling, and louvre boarding, with which the lower story is filled in, is colored in imitation of dark oak. The whole effect of the mingling of these various colors is gay and elegant, without the least approach to tawdriness. Flags of different countries are placed upon standards, which rise from the outer edge of the roof of the nave, and thus greatly relieve the monotony occasioned by its long, flat surface.

General Internal Appearance. The general internal appearance of the building may be thus described, supposing the entrance to be from the main portion of the structure. "Through a vestibule the visitor is admitted into the transept, with its semi-cylindrical roof, springing at 68 feet from the ground, the diameter of the vaulting being 72 feet. Its length from south to north is 408 feet, on each side of which is an aisle 24 feet wide. About midway from the transept, extends eastward and westward a nave, upwards of 900 feet in each direction; the entire length of the building being 1848 feet. The nave is 64 feet high, and 72 feet wide, and is flanked with aisles 24 feet wide, above which, at the height of 24 feet, are carried galleries extending round the whole of the nave and transept. Beyond each of these first aisles is an avenue, 48 feet wide; and, next, a second aisle of corresponding width, and in like manner covered throughout with galleries on the same level as those over the first aisles. The several lines of galleries communicate with each other by bridges, which cross the 48 feet avenues, and, at the same time, divide them into courts, each of which has a very unique effect, more especially when viewed from the galleries. The avenues and second aisles are roofed over at the height of 48 feet from the ground; the rest of the building is but one story, 24 feet high to the roof. From the ground floor of the whole building, access to the several galleries is obtained by ten double staircases."

Completion and Opening of the Building. The first column of the exhibition building was set up on the 26th of September, 1850. On the 1st of February, 1851, it was delivered over to the committee for tho reception of goods, although not entirely completed in many minor details; and on the 1st of May, the Exhibition was inaugurated with appropriate ceremonies. The work, from the commencement to its completion, was under the sole supervision of Mr. Fox. In order to show how severely this has taxed his energies, we quote the following extract from an address made by this gentleman at a dinner given him at the completion of the work. After giving a statement of the progress of the undertaking, Mr. Fox said: "Before completing our tender, and with a view to a more precise appreciation of the magnitude of a building covering 18 acres 1848 feet long, 408 feet wide, and 64 feet high, irrespective of the arched roof of the transept-I walked out one evening into Portland Place, and there setting off the 1848 feet upon the pavement, found it the same length within a few yards; and then, considering that the building would be three times the width of that fine street, and the nave as high as the houses on either side, I had sented to my mind a pretty good idea of what we were about to undertake. Having satisfied myself on these necessary points, I set to work

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and made every important drawing of the building, as it now stands, with my own hand. These occupied me about eighteen hours each day for seven weeks, and as they went from my hand, Mr. Henderson immediately prepared the iron-work and other materials required in the construction of the building. On the 26th of September we were enabled to fix the first column in its place. And from this time I took the general management of the buildings under my charge, and spent all my time upon the works — feeling that, unless the same person who had made the drawings was always present to assign to each part as it arrived upon the ground, its proper position in the structure, it would be impossible to finish the building in time to insure the opening on the 1st of May; and I am confident that if any other course had been taken, or if, as is usual in the construction of large buildings, the drawings had been prepared by an architect, and the works executed by a contractor, instead of, as in the present case, these separate functions being combined by my making the drawings and then superintending the execution of the work, a building of such vast dimensions could not have been completed within a period considered by experienced persons as altogether inadequate for the purpose.

Continuance and Close of the Exhibition. — The arrangement for the exhibition of articles was effected by the division of the building into courts, or areas, of 24 feet square, included between four columns, which were appropriated to the different countries contributing productions, or to particular classes of materials. Any attempt at description of the various wonderful and curious objects exhibited, would be impossible in the space allotted to the present work. Many, which were of unusual novelty, or which displayed remarkable ingenuity, we have described elsewhere under appropriate heads. An examination, however, of the catalogue of articles exhibited, will show, that comparatively few inventions or discoveries, originating and belonging to the history of the progress of science in the years 1850 and 1851, were brought forward or illustrated at the Great Exhibition. Many of the most striking objects displayed were of a class which might have been produced equally well centuries ago, as at the present time; for example, the statuary, wood carving, ornamental work in gold and silver, etc. Other articles were the result of patient industry only, or of processes which, although not old, are yet generally familiar. All these illustrate the general progress of the race up to the present epoch, but have little pertaining to the history of advancement during the past year.

The exhibition, which opened on the 1st of May, continued until the 11th of October, when the final closing took place, accompanied with the awards of the jurors, and the distribution of medals. The number of prize medals awarded was 2918; the number of council medals, 170; of others, honorable mention was made. The prize medals were awarded for the attainment of a certain standard of excellence; utility, beauty, &c., being taken into consideration. The council medals were given for such articles as might be expected, from their originality and ingenuity, to exercise a more important influence upon industry than could be produced by mere excellence in manufacture. The whole number of exhibitors was 17,000.

The following are the awards made to exhibitors from the United States.

CLASS I.

ton; W. Seabrook, cotton; Rev. C. Thomp

Mining, Metallurgy and Mineral Prod- son, woods; J. Nailor, cotton; Oswego

ucts.

Prize Medals. Adirondac Manufacturing Company, New York, steel and iron; Morris, Jones & Co., plate iron; New Jersey Exploring and Mining Company, zinc ores, iron (Franklinite) ores, smelting process; Trenton Iron Company, iron of fine quality, ores, &c.

Starch Factory, starch.

Honorable Mention. E. R. Dix, flax, hemp, and guano; G. Dominick, lard oil; T. Emory, lard oil; E. Feuchtwanger, bleached shellac; F. Frank, lard oil; L. Goddard, whalebone; Holbrook & Stanley, lard oil; F. O. Ketteridge, corn-husk fibre; R. J. Pell, woods; Truesdale, Jacobs & Co., cotton.

CLASS V.

Honorable Mention. Adirondac Manufacturing Company, New York, cast iron, &c.; Morrell, Stuart & Co., sheet iron; Mor- Machines, including Carriages and Nava. ris, Jones & Co., boiler plate iron.

CLASS II.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Processes.

Prize Medal. Power & Weightman, Chemicals.

Honorable Mention. Wetherell & Brother, various salts.

CLASS III.

Substances used as Food. Council Medal. Gail Borden, Texas, for meat biscuit.

Mechanism.

Prize Medals. C. Childs, a slide-top buggy or phaton, enamelled leather apron of very superior quality, the whole well got up and neatly finished; G. W. Watson, a sporting wagon, very neatly finished in all respects.

CLASS VI.

Manufacturing Machines and Tools. Council Medal. D. Dick, various engineers' tools and presses.

Prize Medals. Blodgett & Lerow, sewing machine; T. K. Earl & Co., card clothing; W. Hayden, drawing regulator for cotton; Lowell Machine Shop, self-acting lathe and a power loom; C. Starr, book-binding machine; J. P. Woodbury, wood planing, tonguing and grooving machine.

Prize Medals. W. Barnes, maple sugar; T. Bell, soft wheat from Genesee; L. Dean, maple sugar; Dill and Mulchahey, cavendish tobacco; C. Duffield, ham; J. H. Grant, cavendish tobacco; Hecker & Brother, Genesee flour; E. T. Herriot, Carolina rice; B. B. Kirtland, a collection of maize, thirty-five varieties; New York State Agricultural Society, collection of wheats; Raymond & Civil Engineering, Architectural and

Schuyler, flour, (thirds); P. Robinson, cavendish tobacco; Schooley & Hough, ham, Cincinnati.

Honorable Mention. John Bridge, oil cake; George Dominick, lard; Hecker & Brother, farina; W. Hotchkiss, wheat;

CLASS VII.

Building Contrivances.

Prize Medal. Ryder's patent iron bridge; Iron Bridge Manufactory, N. Y.

CLASS VIII.

ing, &c.

James Lee & Co., oil cake; Mookler & Naval Architecture, Military EngineerChiles, cavendish tobacco; Oswego Starch Factory, fecula of maize; Öyler & Anderson, cavendish tobacco; James Thomas, cavendish tobacco; Thomas & Co., cavendish tobacco; M. White, Muscovado sugar.

CLASS IV.

and

Prize Medals. National Institution of Washington, models of ships of war large merchant vessels; J. R. St. John, nautical compass, purporting to show the presence of any disturbing forces upon the

Vegetable or Animal Substances used for needle, and also to show the amount of the

Manufactures, &c.

Prize Medals. S. Bond, cotton; Cockerill, wool; W. Colegate & Co., starch; J. H. Ewing, wool; W. Hampton, cotton; George Hicks, tillandsia usnoides; G. L. Holmes, cotton; H. G. & L. B. Hotchkiss, oil of peppermint; J. R. Jones, cotton; J. V. Jones, cotton; A. M. Kimber & Co., wool; W. W. Macleod, cotton; The State of Maryland, collection of produce; J. B. Merriwether, cot ton; Perkins & Brown, wool; J. Pope, cot |

deflection resulting from these causes.

Honorable Mention. Samuel Colt, revolving rifles and pistols; W. R. Palmer, target rifle; Robbins & Lawrence, military rifles.

CLASS IX.

Agricultural Machines and Implements.

Council Medal. C. H. McCormick, reaping machine.

Prize Medal. Prouty & Mears, plough.