"Mr. Berlyn's book is all it professes to be. It contains an ample and popular narrative of the circumstances connected with the conception and ultimate realisation or the idea; and incidentally throws much light upon the progress and effects of similar exhibitions abroad. The author deserves the greatest credit for the lively, interesting, and accurate manner in which he has recorded all the leading events connected with the Exhibition. In doing this we are happy to perceive also that he has the manliness to do justice to those who first introduced the idea of such Exhibitions into this country, and who had to struggle with all the difficulties which usually dog the footsteps of innovators and inventors. The first exhibitions had to encounter prejudice and apathy, and the funds for carrying them out were comparatively small, and difficult to be procured; they had not the _prestige_ of princely and titled names, to give them acceptance with the vulgar herd, who eagerly copy the fashion set by the great. They were the production of a pure love of art, and science, and industry, and a desire to promote the improvement of public taste and skill. One of the first promoters 'of the plan of National Expositions, similar to those on the Continent,' was Mr. George Wallis, formerly master of the Manchester School of Design; of whose exertions Mr. Berlyn makes honourable mention. It is exceedingly interesting to have presented at one view the gradual expansion of the original idea, through a succession of varied phases, to its ultimate development as an Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations. It appears clear that Prince Albert is entitled to the merit of giving it this cosmopolitan character; other exhibitions have always been either local, provincial, or national. The idea of making that of 1851 universal is due to the Prince Consort alone. The circumstances under which Mr. Paxton conceived the idea of the structure which now attracts the admiration of every beholder, in Hyde Park, read more like a sketch of the imagination than a sober reality; and the almost incredible rapidity with which the plan has been translated into a great fact is one of the proudest testimonies that can be borne to the industrial resources, skill and enterprise of this country. Of all the marvels that will be exhibited at the World's Fair next May, none will be so marvellous as the structure in which they are collected; and we confidently commend Mr. Berlyn's book as an agreeable companion and guide to every visitor, as well as a record of the growth of the Exhibition, well deserving of preservation on account of its intrinsic merits and historical value." MANCHESTER EXAMINER AND TIMES.