128 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



that when it should be announced that this magnificent building 

 was about to be consecrated to American Industry, and that all 

 foreign products were to be excluded from competition with those 

 of our own countrymen, in accordance with the genius and policy 

 of the American Institute, nay, they felt assured that such an 

 event would be hailed with gratulation by every lover of our 

 common country. 



Nor had our managers any apprehension of their failure to at- 

 tract visitors to their Fair in sufiicient numbers to cover the 

 extraordinary expenses, which the occupancy of this edifice would 

 occasion, provided only that their exhibition should merit the 

 public patronage. To this latter object, therefore, they devoted 

 all their energies, and the result is before you, in an exhibition, 

 which for extent, variety, novelty, and utility, we venture on 

 their behalf to claim, has never been exceeded in this or any 

 other country. While the public patronage extended to this Fair 

 has far exceeded our most sanguine expectations, this immense 

 structure being often found insufi&cient to accommodate the 

 thronging multitudes, who, to the number of more than 15,000, 

 have eagerly hastened hither to our nightly illuminations.. 



Indeed, it has been computed that during the fair, which com- 

 menced on the 1st of October, and which, after six weeks of con- 

 tinuance, we are now about to close, more than half a million of 

 visitors, from city and country, have inspected the fruits of Ame 

 rican industry and American art, as here collected for exhibition. 

 The liberality of the Board of Managers, in profusely distributing 

 complimentary cards of admission to an extent never before prac- 

 tised, and encouraging the young, by reducing the price of tickets 

 for their admission, together with the favor of the American 

 ladies, which has been extended to us far beyond any former ex- 

 hibition, have all contributed to the success of the Fair which is 

 now to close. Nor can we forbear to mention among the attrac- 

 tions of the present exhibition, the grand military display of our 

 citizen soldiery, for which tliis building has afforded so ample 

 space; while from these spacious and lofty galleries thousands 

 of our country-women rewarded their tactics and skill with their 

 brightest smiles, and the inspiration ever beaming from the eyes 

 of a whole galaxy of beauty gave luster to the scene. 



It now only remains to announce the awards of gold and silver 

 medals, diplomas, and other testimonials, which have been de- 

 creed to the meritorious products of American industry, which 

 have this year been offered for competition. Let the arduous la- 



