The opening of I. PRELIMINARY AND INTRODUCTION
NOTE.--This Division of the Guide-Book contains the Index to Principal Objects; and the Company’s Official Announcements; with the Refreshment Tariff; an Introduction to the General Guide-book; and an Account of the Building.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The arrangement of the present edition has been made with the view of simplifying, as much as possible, the reference to particular objects; as well as of enabling the visitor to regularly explore with advantage every portion of the Crystal Palace. The splendid Botanical Collection, now thoroughly acclimatised, and very complete, is described as fully as the nature of the book will permit.
PREFACE TO ORIGINAL EDITION.
The following pages are presented to the public as a brief but connected and carefully prepared account of the exterior and interior of the Crystal Palace. It is believed that no important or interesting object in connexion with the Exhibition is without its record in this little volume; although, in so vast a collection of works of architecture, sculpture, and industrial manufacture, it is clearly impossible to compress within the limits of a General Hand-book all the information which is necessary to satisfy the visitor desirous of precise and accurate knowledge of the numberless objects offered to his contemplation.