176 
LOI^DON INTEENATIOKAL 
preparation for this test of their powers, and had come from 
both hemispheres to submit the products of their industry 
and genius to the inspection of the world, and all of whom were 
there at sacrifice of time and means and at risk of reputation, 
were waiting with intense anxiety for the hour that should re* 
veal their success or defeat. 
The great day at last came. Nothing had been spared by 
the executive to make the arrangements perfect. Indeed, two 
schemes or programmes had been prepared—one for fair 
weather and the other for wet—so that there could be no sur¬ 
prise from the elements! Once again, however. Providence 
favored London with sunny skies and a balmy atmosphere. 
The weather was perfect, and the ceremonial could be held in 
the beautiful gardens of the Eoyal Society; where, at an 
early hour, the throne was placed, surrounded by an immense 
platform for the Eoyal Commission, the council, the juries, 
the court representatives of foreign countries and the large 
number of distinguished guests, and where, long before ten 
o’clock, tens of thousands of eager spectators had gathered— 
thousands along the avenues of approach, thousands about the 
throne, and multitudes composing 'gay and fantastic groups 
about the reservoirs and fountains. And yet countless thou¬ 
sands still poured into the palace from every avenue and en¬ 
trance, until it seemed that all London and the rest of the 
world were coming. Bands of music in every quarter—in the 
palace everywhere, in the music houses, in the terraces, and 
on the lawns—each playing its own airs for the enjoyment of 
its own group or admirers, and yet sufficiently remote from 
every other to interfere with none. Cheers went up on the 
arrival of each of the royal guests at the entrance to the con¬ 
servatory, where already the groups of nobles, dukes and 
princes was large and brilliant; until finally the procession of 
nearly 700 jurors and eouncillors, some in academic and 
some in court costume, radiant with gold lace and bullion, and 
a few in the plain, simple dress of the American citizen, 
headed by the band of the Eoyal Engineers, passed from the 
palace into the gardens, and by a graceful sweep made its way 
