The Palace of Glass and the Gathering of the People: A Book for the Exhibition

by John Stoughton

Transcribed from the 1851 Religious Tract Society edition by David Price. Many thanks to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Local Studies, for allowing their copy to be used for this transcription.

THE
PALACE OF GLASS
AND THE
GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE.

A BOOK FOR THE EXHIBITION.

BY THE
REV. JOHN STOUGHTON.

Humani generis progressus,
Ex communi omnium labore ortus,
Uniuscujusque industriæ debet esse finis:
Hoc adjuvando,
Dei optimi maximi voluntatem exsequimur.

The progress of the human race,
Resulting from the common labour of all men,
Ought to be the final object of the exertion of each individual.
In promoting this end,
We are carrying out the will of the great and blessed God.

LONDON:
THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY,
DEPOSITORY, 56, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND 65, ST. PAUL’S
CHURCHYARD.

1851.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Writer of the following pages has, from the first announcement of the project, taken a sunny view of the nature and tendency of the Great Exhibition. Originating in the disinterested suggestions of the Illustrious Prince Consort—designed and adapted to promote the interests of art and commerce, and the fellowship of nations—supported by persons, who, in addition to the distinctions of rank or wealth, are remarkable for knowledge, benevolence, and piety—promoted generally from a desire to advance the welfare of our country and mankind—responded to very extensively abroad as well as at home with manifest cordiality and good will—and calling forth and securing the prayers of Christians in reference to the undertaking—it appeared to the Author to warrant cheering and hopeful anticipations. The wonderful scene on the day of opening—as must have been felt by those who have read the graphic descriptions of it in the public prints, and especially by those who were privileged to behold that unprecedented spectacle—was of a character to strengthen favourable expectations of the result of the enterprise. The order, harmony, and mutual kindness manifested by the vast multitude on that occasion—the moral impression which it certainly made on many—and the religious element introduced into the august ceremonial, evidently awakening sympathy in thousands of hearts which then beat with strange emotion—surely may be regarded as tokens for good!

The Author is far from intending to assume a tone of confident prediction—remembering that only the Infinite and All-wise One can embrace the entire bearings and tendencies of human events—but he may be allowed to confess, that while he does not overlook the incidental evils to which such a vast gathering of the people may give rise, his hopes decidedly predominate over his fears. The following pages, expressive of thoughts and feelings which are pervaded by the spirit thus indicated, are now commended to the candid attention of the reader, with an earnest prayer for the Divine blessing on their perusal.