STATE OPENING.

81

on behalf of tlio kingdom and people of this land. Wo acknowledge, O Lord, that thou hastmultiplied on us blossings which thou mightest most justly have withheld. Wo acknowledgethat it is not because of works of rightoousnoss which wo have, done, but of Thy groat morcy,that wo are permitted to como before Thee with the voice of thanksgiving ; and that, insteadof humbling us for our offences, Thou hast given us fresh cause to praise Thee for Thine abun-dant goodness. And now, O Lord, wo beseech Tlioo to bless the work which Thou hastenabled us to begin, and to regard with Thy favour our prosent purpose of uniting togetherin the bonds of peace and concord tlio different nations of the earth ; for with Thee, O Lord,is the preparation of tlio heart in man. Of Thee it comoth that violence is not hoard in ourlaud, wasting, nor destruction within its bordors. It is of Thee, O Lord, that nation doos notlift up the sword against nation, nor learn war any more ; it is of Thee that peaco is withinour walls and plonteousnoss within our palaces ; it is of Thee that men go to and fro in safety,and knowledge is increased throughout the world, for tho spirit of man is from Thee, and theinspiration of tho Almighty givetli him understanding. Therefore, O Lord, not unto us, notunto us, but unto Thy name bo all tho nraiso. Whilst wo survey tho works of art and industrywhich surround us, let not our hearts tie lifted up that wo forgot the Lord our God , as if ourown power or tho might of our hands had gotten us this woaltli. Teach us over to rememberthat all this store which wo have prepared comotli of Thine hand, and is all Thine own. Bothriches and honour come of Theo, and Thou reignost over all; ami in Tliino hand it is to makogreat and to give strength unto all. Now, therefore, O God , we thank Tlioo ; wo praise Theo,and entreat Tlioo so to overrule this assemblage of many nations that it may tend to theadvancement of Thy glory, to the diffusion of Thy holy word, to tho increase of general pros-perity, by promoting peace and goodwill amongst tho different races of mankind. Let themany mercies which wo recoivo from Thee disposo our hearts to serve Theo more faithfully,who art tho Author and Giver of them all. And, finally, 0 Lord, teaoli us so to use thoseearthly blessings which thou givest us richly to enjoy, that they may not withdraw our affectionsfrom tlioso heavenly things which Thou hast prepared for thorn that love and sorvo Thee,through tho merits and mediation of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Theo andtho Holy Ghost, bo all honour and glory for ever and ovor. Amen.”

After which tho Hallelujah Chorus was sung by tho Choir .

A Royal Procession was thou formed in tho following order :—

Pursuivants of Arms, viz.:—

Bluemantlo, llouge Dragon,

H. Murray Lane, Esq. Edward S. Dondy, Esq.

Portcullis, Rouge Croix,

George W. Collen, Esq. William Courthope, Esq.

Contractor,Mr. Fox*

Architect,

Joseph Paxton , Esq.+

Superintendents of the IFor&s.

C. H. Wild, Esq. Owen Jones, Esq.

Financial Officer.

F. S. Carpenter, Esq.

Member of the Duilding Committee.

1. K. Brunei, Esq.

Members of the Finance Committee..

Samuel M. Peto, Esq., M.P. Sir Alexander Young Spearman, Bart

Treasurers.

William Cotton, Esq. Arthur K. Barclay, Esq.

Secretary to the Executive Committee.Matthew Digby Wyatt , Esq.

Executive Committee.

George Drew, Esq. Francis Fuller, Esq.

C. Wentworth Dilko, Esq. Henry Colo, Esq.

Lieut.-Colonel William Reid, Royal Engineers, C.B. $

Austria .liavaria .Belgium .Denmark .

Foreiyn Acting Commissioners.

. M. C. Buschok, Chevalier do Burg.

. Professor Dr. Sohafliaiitl, M. Theobald Boehm, M. Haindl.. M. Charles Cuylits, M. do Brouokero.

. M. Regnar Wostenliolz.

* Now Sir C. Knx.

t Now Sir.I. Paxton.

t Now Sir W. licit!.