[Anon.], ‘The Opening of the Great Exhibition’, Illustrated London News (1851)

At length the great event to which the whole civilised world has been for the last eighteen months looking forward with mingled interest and curiosity – the opening of the Great Congress of Industry – has been accomplished, and with a pomp of circumstance and a solemnity of observance commensurate with the important social interests which, in its future results, it so deeply involves. Never dawned a brighter morn than on this ever-memorable “May-day;” the sky clear and blue, the sun coming forth in undimmed splendour, the air crisp, cool, yet genial, as a poet’s spring morn should be. The Royal procession consisted of eight carriages, the coachmen and footmen all in their state liveries. The centre area of the intersection of the naves and transept was that set apart for the reception of her Majesty and her Court, and the other distinguished persons who were to take part in the interesting ceremonies of the day.