Crystal Palace.—One especial object of interest in the southern vicinity of London is the far-famed _Crystal Palace_. This structure, in many respects one of the most remarkable in the world, owed its existence to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park. The materials of that building being sold to a new company towards the close of that year, were transferred to an elevated spot near Sydenham, about 7 miles from London. The intention was to found a palace and park for the exhibition of objects in art and science, and to make it self-paying. The original estimate was £500,000, but the expenditure reached nearly £1,500,000—too great to render a profitable return likely. The palace and grounds were opened in 1854; the water-towers and great fountains some time afterwards. The marvels of this unparalleled structure cannot be described within a limited space. [Picture: Crystal Palace] The building is about 1600 feet long, 380 wide, and, at the centre transept, nearly 200 high. It consists of a nave and three transepts, all with arched roofs, and all made chiefly of iron and glass. Within, the building consists of a central nave, having marble fountains near the two ends, and lined with statues and plants throughout its whole length. On each side of the nave are compartments to illustrate the sculpture and architecture of different ages and countries; such as Greek, Roman, Assyrian, Pompeian, Egyptian, Alhambraic or Saracenic, Romanesque, Byzantine, Mediæval, in its English, French, and German varieties, Renaissance, Palladian, and Elizabethan. Other compartments illustrate certain industrial groups, such as cutlery, porcelain, paper, encaustic tiles, &c. On the first gallery are large collections of pictures, photographs, and casts from medallions and small works of art. Near the centre transept are all the necessary arrangements for two concert-rooms—one on a stupendous scale, in which 5000 singers and instrumentalists can sometimes be heard at once. [Picture: Interior, Crystal Palace] An orchestra of unparalleled dimensions is constructed here for great festival commemorations, and similar musical meetings. The botanical collection within the building is very fine; and to preserve the exotic plants, one end of the building is maintained at a high temperature all the year round. Some portions of the galleries are let out as stalls or bazaars to shopkeepers; and very extensive arrangements are made for supplying refreshments. In an upper gallery is a museum of raw produce. In long galleries in the basement are exhibited agricultural implements, and cotton and other machinery in motion. [Picture: Crystal Palace Fountains]