In this estimate the price of one penny a-mile may perhaps be thought high, especially when it is known that many will go on foot, others in omnibus, others in their own carriages: but in order to remain the same number of hours in the present building, from the extra time required to visit it, it will be necessary for many persons to spend one additional day in London, which could scarcely be done under twenty pence even by the poorest visitor. The allowance of six miles an hour for travelling in omnibus or carriage, considering the stoppages of the one, and the crowd on the single road of approach for both, will be admitted to be moderate. The rate of four shillings per day, or twenty-four shillings per week, as the value of the time of the visitors, will probably be thought less than its average value. There can be no doubt that under these disadvantages the actual site must cause the loss of a large number of visitors, who would have partaken of the enjoyment in the more favourable position. The amount of _pure loss_ thus suffered by the visitors as a class, must be withdrawn from the sum they intended to expend on their visit. One of the earliest acts of the Commission was to advertise for plans of a building suitable for their purpose. Certain principles were laid down. It should be _temporary_ in its character—it should be economical in its cost—it should be fire-proof or nearly so—it should be built and fit for use in an inconceivably short time, and capable of being removed in still less. A lithographed plan of the ground assigned for it, was circulated for the use of all who chose to make suggestions, or to compete for the prizes offered for the most approved designs; this insured a certain amount of uniformity in scale, which rendered comparison easier. Although, from necessity, a very short time could be allowed for preparation, yet 240 designs for the building were offered. These were exhibited to the public at the apartments of the Society of Arts; a certain number of them were selected as worthy of praise, and some as deserving more substantial rewards. There appears to have existed from the beginning in the public mind, not only in England but on the Continent, a belief that the Commissioners would not be very rigid in interpreting their rules. This was probably confirmed by the sudden and unlooked-for withdrawal of the large prizes that had been promised to the public at the commencement. Accordingly, the various plans seemed to vie with each other in violating the rules laid down by the Commission; those selected for reward were not the most consistent with them. In order to give confidence to the future, it would have been expedient, previously to examining their merits, to have rejected all which grossly violated the conditions proposed by the Commission.