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¬ 
ing on the site should not be removed, but included 
in the building. To effect 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 1st of May to the nth of 
October, as 6,063,986 persons visited the Exhibition, 
D 
