ART JOURNAL.
"A very useful and sound history of the rise and progress of the Great International Exhibition of 1851, in which the first movements towards it are carefully and ably detailed; and a very good analysis is given of all preceding industrial exhibitions, at home and abroad, as well as a large amount of information connected with the construction of the building itself, and abstracts of official documents connected with the entire movement. The author has done justice to the efforts which have been made to interest the English manufacturer, and stimulate him in his artistic endeavours; and we feel bound to acknowledge his courteous notice of the exertions made by 'The Art Journal' in helping forward its consummation in 1851."
LEADER.
"For those who wish to know all about the rise and progress of the Great Exhibition and its Crystal Palace this neat hand-book is the very thing. Mr. Berlyn has performed his task with laudable industry. He has drawn together and arranged a large amount of scattered information regarding the Exhibition in a pleasant form. As an elegant and trustworthy hand-book, the narrative deserves to be popular."
OBSERVER.
"This neat volume gives a history of previous Exhibitions—some on small, some on large scales—that have taken place in divers parts of Europe of late years. It then points out the precise origin of the Exhibition of all Nations, snowing the share his Royal Highness Prince Albert had in it; its history and progress are thus minutely detailed, and its prospects are foreshadowed without exaggeration. We cordially recommend it as a pocket-companion necessary to all those who have not as yet mastered the chief facts connected with the erection of the Palace of Industry."
JOHN BULL.
"An able and complete history of the scheme, which we have all to accept as un fait accompli, and a useful guide to the transparent mazes of the Crystal Palace."
WEEKLY NEWS.
"Of the works already published, and professing to treat of this gigantic undertaking in its national, social, scientific, and artistic light, we have not met with one so completely pervaded by a spirit of universality as this book of Mr. Berlyn's. In matters of detail and relation his narrative is explicit and lucid; where he has touched on the history of an art or a manufacture he is correct in his data; and in tracing the Exhibition to its true source he has displayed a highly philosophical insight into the spirit of the age. Within the pages of his book will be found a faithful record of the most important meetings of the Royal Commissioners, as well as those convened by the corporations of cities, by societies, or by private individuals, for the furtherance of the great work in hand. To these is appended a verbatim report of the speeches delivered at these meetings by the distinguished men who were invited to preside over them; and the enlightened, liberal, and hopeful spirit which pervades their addresses forms a cheerful contrast to the ominous predictions of certain political and theological fanatics. After a full discussion of what may be termed the business portion of the subject, Mr. Berlyn closes his excellent little book with a brief but eloquent and comprehensive consideration of the beneficial results which are likely to accrue from this great national undertaking, not only to ourselves but mankind in general. The entire absence of partiality or prejudice throughout the book, and the very interesting information contained in it for all matters directly or indirectly connected with the Exhibition, induce us to recommend the author to publish editions of it in the French and German languages. By this means he would be conferring a boon on our country's guests."