HIS LIFE AND WORK 



the United States magnificent evidence of 

 industrial progress. Its main promoter had 

 been Prince Albert, the husband of Queen 

 Victoria, and its success gave the keenest pleas- 

 ure to the young Queen. In a letter written 

 to the King of the Belgians, she thus describes 

 her impressions upon the opening day: 



"My dearest Uncle," she writes, "I wish 

 you could have witnessed the 1st May, 1851, 

 the greatest day in our history, the most beauti- 

 ful and imposing and touching spectacle ever 

 seen, and the triumph of my beloved Albert. 

 Truly it was astonishing, a fairy scene. Many 

 cried, and all felt touched and impressed with 

 devotional feelings. It was the happiest, proud- 

 est day in my life, and I can think of nothing 

 else. You will be astounded at this great work 

 when you see it. The beauty of the building 

 and the vastness of it all!" 



The crowning jewel of this Exposition was 

 the priceless Koh-i-noor diamond, which the 

 Queen had received from India the previous 

 year, and had loaned to the Exposition managers. 

 For five thousand years, so the legend ran, this 



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