3-008-712 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great International Exhibition: The procession in the Horticultural Society's Gardens, [Kensington, London], 1862. 'Owing to their taking advantage of a warning which had been given against crowding too much to one or two entrances, the crowd was well disposed, and there was neither crushing nor confusion at any point of admission. The principal approach in Cromwell-road presented a most animated scene, the outside gazers forming long and thick lines, and having before them a scene amusing for its bustle and for the curious variety of persons by whom it was made up. Independently of the ordinary components of an English crowd, which is generally motley enough, there were interspersed amongst them numerous handsome foreign uniforms, the wearers of which were military musicians, who had been sent over in the most handsome manner by several Continental Sovereigns to assist at the musical performances on this occasion...Proceeding round the north-eastern end of the Horticultural Gardens, the procession entered the Exhibition building at the north end of the eastern annexe'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.