HYDE PARK 49 



been stupendous. It was when this plan was under 

 consideration that Paxton showed his idea for the 

 building of iron and glass so well known as the Crystal 

 Palace. It was 1851 feet long and 408 wide, with 

 a projection on the north 936 feet by 48, and the 

 building covered about 19 acres. 



One stipulation was made before the design was 

 accepted, and that was that three great elm trees grow- 

 mg on the site should not be removed, but included 

 in the building. To eiFect this, some alterations were 

 made, and the trees were successfully encased in this 

 Crystal Palace, and the old trunk of one of them is 

 still standing in Hyde Park. There is a railing round 

 it, but no tablet to record this strange chapter in its 

 history. Some smaller trees were cut down, which led 

 to a cartoon in Punch and lines on the Prince Consort, 

 who was the prime mover in all pertaining to the Great 

 Exhibition. 



" Albert ! spare those trees, 



Mind where you fix your show ; 

 For mercy's sake, don't, please, 

 Go spoiling Rotten Row." 



The Exhibition was opened by the Queen on May 

 1st. The enthusiasm it created in all sections of the 

 population has known no parallel, and in the success 

 and excitement the few small elm trees were soon for- 

 gotten by the delighted people, who raised cheers and 

 shouted — 



" Huzza for the Crystal Palace, 

 And the world's great National Fair." 



Hyde Park never saw more people than during the 

 time it was open from the ist of May to the nth of 

 October, as 6,063,986 persons visited the Exhibition, 



