LITERARY GAZETTE.
"Within a small compass we have here gathered together all that is interesting in connexion with the great undertaking of the present year—an undertaking which must form a most important chapter in the world's history. We are bound to say that the work has been judiciously done, and the result is a very satisfactory review of all that has been effected in the way of Industrial Exhibitions up to the present time."
MORNING CHRONICLE.
"Gilbert's Popular Narrative of the Exhibition.—With this title a small work has just been published, written by Mr. Peter Berlyn, from authentic and official sources, tracing the origin, history, and progress, and pointing to the prospects, of the Great Exhibition. The author has carefully avoided all speculation and gossip on the subject, and has applied himself with very considerable ability to the statement and elucidation of all those facts, derived from authentic records, which bear upon the progress of this most important national movement. Many interesting facts are stated in connexion with the previous expositions which have taken place on the Continent and in this country, and the difficulties with which, upon its first announcement, the present undertaking had to contend, and the means by which the Executive were enabled to overcome them, are clearly and consecutively stated. The work also contains some valuable statistical and other information connected with the building, and copies of the most recent of the regulations issued by the Executive. We would cordially recommend this very interesting work."
EXPOSITOR.
"The volume before us has fair claim to its title of a Narrative of the Exhibition. It commences with an account of such British and foreign exhibitions as may be supposed to have led to the idea of the great international show of industry to be held in the present year. The work also contains a complete account of how the world's industrial products have come to be housed in the present building; gives all the rules and orders of the Commissioners and Executive Committee; special instructions to colonial and foreign exhibitors and Custom-house authorities; names of authorised agents for foreign countries; Custom-house agents recommended by the Royal Commissioners; and such other information as renders it a really useful volume of practical information to all exhibitors and visitors at the Exhibition."
SUN.
"Within the compass of an elegant pocket-volume the author of the present narrative has contrived to furnish his readers with a very copious history of the origin, progress, and prospects of the Great Exhibition. Throughout the work he has written with an especial regard at once to simplicity and perspicuity, so that we rest satisfied his labours will prove eminently successful, the book being incontestibly the narrative of the Great Industrial Exposition. Beginning with all the preliminary particulars, which are absolutely essential for the comprehension of the entire scheme of the Prince Consort, the narrative describes very lucidly the growth of the first crude idea to its present gigantic dimensions. The share taken in the project by the Society of Arts is duly celebrated, and the influence of the successive expositions of French industry especially notified. The volume is altogether a very clever and most complete work."
WEEKLY DISPATCH.
"Works upon the above subject will become highly popular from the very necessity of the case; and consequently that which the public must chiefly look for amidst all the competition that will ensue will be correctness and compactness combined with economy. Mr. Peter Berlyn's book combines every requisite information regarding the Exhibition from first to last. Its clever compilation, tasteful form, quantity and variety of information, and the dependance that may be placed upon it for correctness, combine with its early appearance to render it one of the most valuable hand-books that are likely to be generally used."