ABSTRACT
My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen, before I submit to you the outlines of the proposal which his Royal Highness Prince Albert has charged us, the members of the Society of Arts, to communicate to the citizens of London, I would ask you to bear in mind that these proceedings are strictly preliminary. His Royal Highness wishes that you should not take anything as absolutely settled with regard to his proposal, beyond the fact that it is intended to have a great exhibition ofworks ofindustry; and it is his Royal Highness's desire that we should lay before you the details of the plan - which I shall endeavour to do with all possible brevity - in order that, when the proper time comes, you may be prepared to aid his Royal Highness with your counsel and advice, if you should think fit to carry his proposals into effect. (Hear, hear).
