THE GLASS PALACE, LONDON.

GREAT interest has been excited, not merely in almost every part of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, but also, in nearly every part of the civilized portion of the world, in consequence of the wonderful Exhibition which is to be made in London in the summer of the year 1851. Prince Albert, the husband of our good Queen Victoria, has the honour of having proposed the intended Exhibition. He thought that it would promote good feeling among the different nations of the earth, and advance the interests of trade and commerce, if arrangements were made for exhibiting, in one place, natural and artistic productions from all parts of the world. This, however, it was seen, could not be done unless a very great expense were to be incurred.

After Prince Albert had made known his plan, many persons of property expressed a willingness to commence a subscription, to raise the money required for carrying the plan into effect. A Central Committee was formed in London, with Prince Albert at its head. Committees have also been formed in many of the towns in Great Britain; large sums of money have been subscribed; invitations have been given to manufacturers and others, in all parts

of the world, to send, to the Committees, descriptions of the articles which they are willing to send to the Exhibition. A very great number of persons, from all parts of Great Britain, France, Germany, other European Nations, America, and elsewhere, have arranged to send articles to the Exhibition. Such a collection, of natural products, and of curiosities produced by mechanical ingenuity, as will be thus brought together, we believe, has never yet been witnessed in any age or country.

For the reception of the immense number of specimens that will be thus collected, the erection of a very extensive building was requisite. Such a building is now in progress, and will soon be completed. We have visited the spot on which it is being erected; and were greatly surprised at its vast extent, simplicity of arrangement, and grand appearance.

The site of the building is in Hyde Park, near the western end of Knightsbridge barracks; and is not far from the Serpentine River and Kensington Gardens. Its length will be one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight feet; its width four hundred and eight; with an addition on the north side, nine hundred and thirty-six feet long, and fortyeight feet wide. Near the centre is a transept seventy-two feet wide, with a roof in the form of a half-circle; the top of which is one hundred and eight feet high. On each side of the transept, the building is in the form shown at the end of our engraving. The centre is 66 feet high; two parts of the roof on each side of the centre are fortyfour feet high, and the outer sides twenty-four feet high. The floor of the building will cover 752,832 superficial feet; and the floors of the galleries will contain 102,528 feet. Nearly all the covering of the building will be formed of glass, laid in narrow frames. The building will have 900,000 superficial feet of glass. There will be 3,230 iron columns ; 2,224 iron girders; 1,128 intermediate bearers; 358 trusses for supporting the roof; 44 miles of gutters for carrying water to the columns, which are hollow, and serve as waterpipes; and 202 miles of sash bars. The circular part of the roof of the transept will be an immense mass of glass;

the roofs on each side of the transept consist of ridges and valleys of eight feet span; and the top of the building will be ornamented with flags.

The building, when completed, will be a splendid structure, covering 21 acres of ground. Galleries will run the whole length of the building. The glass in the roofs, and on the south side, will be covered with canvass or calico. Thus, the glass will be protected against damage from hailstone; and the air in the interior will be kept cool. Arrangements are made for properly ventilating the building, by letting in fresh air at the bottom, and by the escape of the corrupted air at the top of the building.

The plan of this wonderful building was desigued by Mr. Paxton, who superintends, the extensive works connected with gardening, for the Duke of Devonshire. Mr. Paxton did not think of making a plan for the Exhibition building until a few days before the expiration of the time for laying plans before the Committee. It was proposed by some persons to erect the building with brick walls. This Mr. Paxton thought to be very objectionable, on account of the great expense which it would occasion, and the time which would be required for its erection. In nine days after he determined to set about making a plan, he had all his drawings ready, and sent them in to the Committee.

Although the cost of this building will be very much less than a brick edifice would have been, it will, from its great dimensions, cost a large sum of money. The contract for its erection has been taken by Messrs. Fox and Henderson, at the sum of £79,800; they being also entitled to remove the whole of the materials after the Exhibition, and to dispose of them for their own benefit; and to receive the sum of £150,000, instead of the before-named sum, if the building be permanently retained by the Committee.

It is expected, that persons from all parts of the world will, in great multitudes, visit London to see the Great Exhibition. It is expected that the Metropolis will be so full from the next month of May, and during the summer

months, that lodging accommodation will be very scarce and dear. The Glass Palace and the Exhibition will, no doubt, be well worth seeing; but all the wondrous things which will there be seen, will be unworthy of comparison with the glories of heaven. Many of our readers will not be able to see the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, London; but this they need not very much regret. "The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing." All the things of earth are unsatisfactory. All our readers may, however, after a short time, see the unspeakable glories of heaven. These will satisfy the soul; these will not pass away; they will last eternally, and retain undiminished beauty; filling the souls of those who have believed in Christ, our glorious Redeemer, with rapturous joys for ever. As then our readers desire to enjoy this happiness, we earnestly entreat them to fear and love God, to believe in and serve Christ who died for them. One moment's view of Christ in heaven, will be worth more than to see all the wonders which can be seen on earth!

HILLEL; OR, THE TRIAL OF TEMPER.

THE following Talmudic Narrative, with the comment accompanying it, will serve to show the advantages and felicity of a temper unruffled by the little petty annoyances and artful provocations which continually try the dispositions of men. Some individuals are prepared for great evils-they have fortitude for the heavy trial which they can see before them, but are easily overcome with unexpected trifles. A slight touch like a lucifer-match sets their temper all on fire; and though the blaze expires as soon as kindled, yet is it destructive of peace, and leaves its sad effects behind. The temper of the soul is like a garrison which needs a watchful defence. We may be sufficiently on our guard against an expected attack, but a sudden and apparently insignificant sally of the enemy, at an unexpected point of attack, may overcome us unawares.

66

Every man should strive to become as patient and forbearing as Hillel, to whom the following fact occurred:

: