On the 3rd January, 1850, Her Majesty was graciously pleased, on the repre-sentation of the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, of which His RoyalHighness Prince Albert is President, to appoint a Commission for the purpose ofconducting an Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations.

Among the duties entrusted by Her Majesty to the Commissioners, were thedetermination of the nature of the Prizes, and the means of securing the impartialdistribution of them.

For this purpose certain general principles were laid down by Her Majesty’sCommissioners, and Juries were appointed to whom the application of those principleswas entirely left.

The present volume, containing the Decisions of Her Majesty’s Commissionersupon this subject, the names of the persons to whom the important duties ofadjudication were entrusted, and the Reports submitted by the different Juriesto the Commissioners , has been ordered by them to be published for generalinformation, and a copy to be presented to every Exhibitor.

By Order of Her Majesty’s Commissioners,

(Signed) Edgar A. Bowring, Secretary.