LEEDS MERCURY.
"A popular narrative of the origin, history, progress, and prospects of the Great Exhibition, with a guide to the future rules and arrangements, by Peter Berlyn, has just been published by Gilbert, of Paternoster-row. It is a very able and useful volume, beautifully got up, and at a cheap rate."
LEEDS TIMES.
"Mr. Berlyn's book supplies a desideratum. It is the first attempt, so far as we know, to give a consecutive narrative of the circumstances which have given birth to the great design, whose realisation is to illustrate the history of the present year. He has done his work well. The narrative is entirely derived from authentic and official sources, to which Mr. Berlyn, from his connexion with the undertaking, had peculiar opportunities of access. The author regards the Exhibition, not as a sudden individual thought, but as the natural result of certain industrial ideas and tendencies which have been gradually developing themselves during several years; and this view leads him to trace the history of various prior exhibitions on a minor scale in this country, such as the polytechnic exhibitions in different towns, and the exhibitions of art and manufactures which have taken place, many years, in Manchester, Birmingham, and the metropolis. The proceedings more immediately connected with the great World's Exhibition now in preparation are then related from the commencement, and in a manner at once concise and complete. Finally, we have a full account of the rules and regulations determined on for the conduct of this remarkable undertaking. The volume contains several excellent illustrations, is tastefully bound, and in a portable form."
LIVERPOOL COURIER.
"This is an exceedingly interesting and useful book. It has been got up as a hand-book for the visitors to the Great Exhibition, but its object is more to give a condensed account of the history of the event than to serve as a guide within the building. The writer, who treats his subject most clearly and ably, enters into a brief narrative of all that has been hitherto done, in this and other countries, to foster national taste in connexion with these public displays. In our own countries he goes on, at length, into an investigation of what may be termed the initiatory exhibition lately held at Birmingham, and which, in its results, far exceeded the expectations of its founders. He also gives a concise history of the proceedings relative to the 'Palace of Glass,' from the time that its erection was a dreamy idea until it rose in its gigantic transparency to astonish the world."
LIVERPOOL ALBION.
"This is a book for the times and to the purpose. Its title-page tells with what object it has been written, and is well borne out by its contents. When we open it we find a concise and faithful account of the causes and progress of the world's gathering which is just upon us. In preparing his volume the author has taken care to avoid all 'culling of simples,' and to give only such information as may be depended upon, and which possesses more than ephemeral interest. It abounds also, in practical suggestions and philosophical observations. We will only say further that the publisher, although he does not puff the work by talking of giving it away, certainly comes as near as possible to that point in the price which he has fixed upon it. We can safely recommend it."
BIRMINGHAM JOURNAL.
"A cleverly-written and carefully-condensed little volume, containing all that has been done, and much that should be known, respecting the great event of the year. The author culls with great judgment from the addresses delivered at various meetings held throughout the country; the regulations issued by the Executive Committee are also introduced. Altogether, a more complete record, within the same amount of space, it would be impossible to find; it confers great credit upon the writer, who in addition is evidently an enthusiast in the work about which he writes so well."