Life Guards in scarlet coats, bright
cuirasses, and glittering helmets: they were escorting the Queen's
carriage, which was followed by a goodly number of other carriages.
You should have heard how the crowds huzzaed and shouted when they saw
the Queen, who looked very much pleased, bowing and smiling to her
people. She entered the building amid the loud cheers and hurras,
followed by Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess
Royal. After staying a short time in the elegant robing-room, which
was fitted up in a single night, her Majesty proceeded to her throne,
between flower stands, and tropical plants, past the Coalbrookdale
gates, and the fountains and statues with which the centre of the
palace is adorned. When she appeared, the twenty-five thousand people,
who were present, rose to welcome her.--Ladies waving their
handkerchiefs, the gentlemen their hats;--and you may readily guess
how splendid the scene looked. Even the sun popped out his head from
the clouds, and poured a flood of golden light in through the
glittering dome of the transept, to illuminate the brilliant
spectacle.

As soon as Her Majesty was seated on her throne, one of the organs
commenced pealing forth the notes of the National Anthem, the choir,
which was collected for the occasion, singing to the music. After
this, Prince Albert joined those gentlemen who have directed the
affairs of the Great Exhibition, and going near to the Queen, read to
her an account of the Exhibition from the commencement; to which Her
Majesty answered, when the Prince had finished, that she was much
pleased with the description of the proceedings, and that she hoped
the World's Fair would do good to all mankind, by encouraging the arts
of peace and industry, strengthening the bonds of love between all the
nations of the earth, and promoting a friendly rivalry among our
fellow creatures, in the useful exercise of those faculties which have
been given by GOD for the good and happiness of all mankind.

The Queen having read this answer, the Archbishop of Canterbury
approached the throne, and offered up a prayer to Heaven, intreating
the Lord's blessing on the Exhibition; that it might benefit every
body on earth, making them love and help each other. I hope all that
heard the prayer, joined in it with heart and soul: and I hope, too,
that my dear little readers will think of it when they go to the
Crystal Palace.

At the close of the prayer, the choir sang t