It was a feast of colour and splendour to sit and gloat over—a congress of all the nations for the most hallowed and blessed of objects—one, perhaps, that made the two old soldiers, as they tottered backwards and forwards across the scene, the most noticeable, because in such a gathering for such an object, the mind could hardly help looking upon them as the last of the warriors to whom the nation would owe its future greatness. At a few minutes before the appointed hour, the royal carriages with their bright liveries were seen to flash past the windows of the northern entrance—then darted by a troop of the Life Guards, with their steel helmets and breast-plates glistening in the sunshine, and immediately after, the glass sides and roof of the Crystal Palace twanged with the flourish of trumpets, that announced the arrival of the Queen. At this moment the gates were flung back, and within the crimson vestibule appeared a blaze of gold and bright colours. Then advanced the royal retinue, with the ushers and chamberlain in front, bowing as they moved backwards towards the throne; and after them the Prince leading the Princess Royal, and the Queen with the Prince of Wales, and followed by their court. The equerries, in their golden-striped coats and powdered hair, and the Life Guards with their glittering steel accoutrements, brought up the rear, and formed the background to such a picture as could be seen perhaps in no other country but England. As the Queen moved onwards with her diamond tiara and little crown of brilliants scintillating in the light, the whole assembly rose, and waving their hats and fluttering their handkerchiefs, they shouted forth peal after peal of welcome. [Illustration: THE OPENING OF THE GREAT HIVE OF THE WORLD MAY 1 1851 OR THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF ALL NATIONS ] Then was sung the National Anthem—the white head and bright blue coat of the courtly old leader appeared in the red rostrum raised above the royal entrance, and high in the air his baton might be seen waving to and fro; while, as the “melodious thunder” of the organ rolled through the building, the choristers in their white robes chanted in the rich unison of many voices. The Archbishop then invoked a blessing on the objects of the building—this was followed by a chorus sung in exquisite harmony by the large band of singers—and then the Queen and Prince, preceded by the officers of state, walked round the building in procession; while, as she went, the people who lined the nave and galleries saluted her and her consort with their acclamations. On her Majesty declaring the Exhibition opened, there followed another flourish of trumpets, and the gorgeous ceremony was at an end. Immediately were heard the booming of the hundred guns without, telling the people of the metropolis that the Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations had been formally inaugurated.