III. Platforms and wide passages for Ceremonials and Processions.

IV. Galleries for Refreshments.

V. The two Annexes of woodwork.

I. The Picture Galleries, stored with modern works of art, contributed by all nations.-This part of the building is of brickwork, three feet thick, and its upper storey forms the principal gallery, extending uninterruptedly along the Cromwell Road for the whole length of the edifice. It is 1150 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 50 feet above the ground floor. The lighting is on the principle adopted with so much success for the picture galleries at the South Kensington Museum, complete ventilation, so important in galleries of this kind, being provided for. At each end there is another picture gallery, at right angles to the grand gallery. Each of these is 600 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 30 feet high. The walls are covered with coloured paper, and they will afford about 72,000 square feet of hanging space, one half of which will be retained for our own pictures, the other half handed over to foreign artists. The grand effect of the principal gallery, so long, so spacious, filled with works of art, the choicest of our own and other nations, must be seen to be appreciated. For particulars as to the contents we must refer to the authorized catalogue.

II. Exhibition of Works of Industry.—Entering the Industrial part of the building from the Cromwell Road, the visitor passes under the centre of the principal picture gallery. The piers at the entrance are 14 feet wide and 7 feet thick. Crossing a vestibule and hall 150 feet long and 110 feet wide, he is conducted at once to the main body of the building. This portion is divided longitudinally by a nave 800 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 100 feet high, terminated at each end by a great dome. It is formed of pairs of columns, one circular, the other square, each 12 inches across, coupled together. These pairs of columns are placed 25 feet apart, the circular shafts carrying the roof girders, the square shafts those of the galleries, and the latter serve as pipes for the conveyance of water from the roof. Right and left of the nave are two side aisles, formed of iron columns, 25 feet apart. On the side next the Horticultural Society's grounds, and beyond the 25-feet side aisles, there are two other aisles, formed of a fourth row of columns and the garden party wall. On the opposite side of the building, and beyond the two side

aisles, there is a third aisle, which fills up the space up to the walls of the picture gallery. At each end of the nave there is a transept, equalling it in width and height, but having a length of only about 630 feet. Both nave and transepts are lighted on both sides by clerestory windows upwards of 25 feet long. On the north side of the nave are two courts, each 250 feet by 86 feet; and a central court, 150 feet by 86 feet. On the south of the nave there are also three courts, but of larger dimensions, the central court being 150 feet square, and the two others 250 feet by 200. All these courts are 50 feet high, and are lighted by glass roofs. The upper galleries, of which there is more than a mile and a half in length, inclose the courts, and extend along the sides of the nave and picture galleries. They are supported on cast-iron columns and girders, are 25 feet above the groundfloor, and are 50 feet wide, with the exception of those that run along the sides of the picture galleries, these being 25 feet wide. As to the chromatic decoration of the interior, it may be stated that many experiments were tried before it was decided to apply the colours we now see. The angular columns have been painted a bronze green, with a hue of buff along each angle. The round columns are also bronze green, and their capitals are alternately red and blue, with gilt mouldings. The bands at the middle of these columns are likewise red and blue alternately. Bronze green has been applied to the ornamental iron work along the front of the galleries. The roof of the nave is gray. The arching girders or spanners are alternately red and blue, with a buff line on the edges. Upon each of these spanners has been painted the name of some country.

And now as to the most striking feature of the whole structure-the great domes. We have already stated that there is one at each end of the nave. Each has a diameter of 160 feet, and a height of 250 feet. They exceed the height of the monument by 48 feet, and are the largest that have ever been erected, either in ancient or modern times. The dome of St. Paul's is only 112 feet in diameter, and 215 feet high, whilst the great dome of St. Peter's at Rome has a diameter two feet less than these, with a height of 263 feet. Each dome springs from the intersection of the nave and a transept, and is supported by eight hollow cylindrical columns, two feet in diameter, cast in five pieces, and bolted one piece on another by internal flanges. This work was done by a boy who was sent down the inside of

each piece, as it was mounted in its place. On the outside, the domes are surmounted by a finial, composed of a gilt ball, seven feet in diameter, and a gilt spike. The columns are held in their places by an iron collar encircling their tops, from which spring the ribs of the dome, which is of glass, and provided with an outer and an inner gallery. To judge of the immense size of the domes, they must be surveyed from a distance.

The level of the floor of the main building is about five feet below the level of the road; but the visitor, instead of descending at once into the building from the side entrances, has to ascend two steps to a platform under each dome, from which the descent into the building is effected by three flights of steps, 80 feet wide. By this arrangement, a striking view of the entire nave is obtained on entering from either end.

So much more space was demanded by exhibitors than had been anticipated, that after the planning and partial execution of the brick and iron buildings, it was decided to erect an additional wooden structure or annex on the east side, along Exhibition Road, for the reception of mining products and minerals, agricultural machinery, chemicals, animal and vegetable products,

etc.

III. From the general sketch of the arrangement of the interior already given, it will have been seen that the nave, transepts, and raised platforms beneath the domes, afford ample space, and splendid vistas for ceremonials and processions.

IV. The space allotted for the distribution of refreshments, viz., about 120,000 square feet, must be considered ample. Refreshments are to be obtained on the ground floor of the building, on the north side, next the gardens of the Horticultural Society; also on the first floor in two spacious galleries, each 160 feet long, besides other smaller apartments. The grand central dining saloon will be on the second floor. Both these floors command views of the gardens, and facing the north they will be cool. The façade will be of a highly ornamental character. Provisions are also supplied in the annex, and light refreshments in various parts of the building. As to the existing arrangements in regard to refreshments, and the prices to be charged, the visitor will examine the notices in various languages distributed about the building.

V. The Western Annex or Machinery Department is of a temporary character. It is placed alongside Prince Albert's road,

and is 915 feet long, divided partly into three, and partly into four avenues of 50 feet wide, with an arched roof of 25 feet radius. The ribs of the roof spring from a height of 10 feet from the ground, from the lateral columns. It is entirely made of framed timber-work, without any joining. Looking at its highly effective appearance, the simplicity of its construction, and the small quantity of material employed, it does very great credit to the designer, Captain Fowke, who has furnished the designs for the whole of the buildings, wood, brick, and iron. The roof, which is on the ridge and furrow plan, is of woodwork and glass, in about equal proportions, the whole of the light coming from above. The wooden part of the roof is covered with felt, the roofs of the nave and transepts being covered with zinc upon felt. At the north end of the annex is placed the steam-engine, which drives the machinery in motion. It has six furnaces, with a chimney 100 feet high and 12 feet in diameter, and is capable of working up to 300 horse-power, at a pressure of 30 pounds per square inch.

The Cellars. The contractors for the refreshment department pressed so strongly upon the commissioners the desirableness of cellars for storing beer and other articles, that it was determined, when the rest of the edifice was nearly finished, to excavate a capacious depository for this purpose. Accordingly, three cellars have been constructed at a cost of nearly £5000; one under the eastern portion of the refreshment arcade, the others under the eastern and western annexes.

The rapidity with which the works were executed is not the least of the wonders connected with this wonderful edifice. A commencement was not made until the middle of April 1860. To those who paid visits to the place after that date, the progress seemed marvellous. The first of the dome columns was put up on the 26th of August; and shortly after that time, the huge mass of brickwork forming the picture galleries had been completed. From 800 to 900 men were at first employed upon the works, but afterwards the force was increased to 2600 men. That so much should have been accomplished, and in so short a time, certainly exhibits the mechanical contrivances of the age in a striking light. The contractors were Mr. Kelk, and Messrs. Charles and Thomas Lucas, brothers, distinct firms, who became partners for these works. The contract was in this form: a sum of £200,000 is to be paid absolutely to the contractors for the