"irruption" is the word used - I thought "eruption" might have suited, but no. Evidently, these reports were filed daily, and the West Briton printed a compilation of them weekly. The reports definitely encouraged people to visit the Crystal Palace; it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have put on the W.B. website copies of the engravings printed in the paper showing an artist's concept of the Palace, filled with people enjoying the various displays; evidently, they under-estimated the crowds. Please have a look - it helps explain the fervor somewhat. Please, enjoy! Julia WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER 4 JULY 1851 ADVERTISEMENTS ST. STEPHENS IN BRANWELL To be LET by TENDER, for a term of seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years, TOLGARRICK GRIST MILLS and PREMISES There are two excellent Mills, with Flour and Smut machines complete, a good Dwelling house, and about twelve acres of rich Arable and Pasture land. The Mills have an abundant and constant supply of water, and are situated within six miles of St. Austell and St. Columb, and nine of Truro. For viewing the premises apply to the Tenant, and for all further particulars, to Mr. JOHN DYER, Flour Dealer, St. Austell, by whom tenders will be received until the 21st of July. June 25, 1851 ................ DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE THE GREAT EXHIBITION On Wednesday the number of visitors at the Crystal Palace did not exceed 58,000, being a falling off of nearly 10,000 from the admission on the previous day. The company was mainly of the middle and upper classes, although there were several strong detachments from schools and factories, who had been treated by their employers or patrons to a peep at the Exhibition. Miss Burdett Coutts arrived early with the pupils of the school which she munificently maintains, and subsequently there was an irruption of seven hundred of the Blue-coat boys, accompanied by the masters. A number of jolly tars were seen making short tacks in every direction, and eating ices and drinking ginger-beer in desperation, in the absence of more congenial refreshment. These were the crew of the "Victoria and Albert," her Majesty's steam yacht, and their smart trim and sailor-like appearance gave great vivacity to the picture of which they formed a part. The heat was oppressive throughout the day, and the various fountains were almost drained of their contents by the thirsty visitors. An accident occurred in the machine room, which threatened a fatal result, but happily that was averted. A great increase of vigilance was perceptible on the part of the police, in consequence of the apprehension on the previous day of a Frenchman calling himself Charles Fern, who was observed to pocket one of the mineral specimens, obviously mistaking it for silver. A "plain clothes" man was immediately sent after the mineralogist, who followed him for two hours, and apprehended him, when he had his pockets full, and was about to leave the building. He made no resistance, but said he would rather throw himself into the Thames than give his London address. Cash account: Season tickets, GBP 4.4s.; at the doors, GBP 2,691.14s.; total receipts, GBP 2,695.18s. Her Majesty arrived for her almost daily visit to the Crystal Palace, at a quarter past nine on Thursday morning. The royal party consisted of the Queen, Prince Albert, the King of the Belgians, the Princess Charlotte, attended by the usual suite. All cheering was suppressed from feelings of respect, but her Majesty's gracious acknowledgments of the loyalty of her reception were universally and deeply appreciated. The number of visitors was not much greater than on the previous day, and consequently there was free circulation throughout the building. Among the novelties, all of which, by the way, make their appearance in the foreign nave, are some sets of china of novel pattern from Dresden. They consist of tea services with elaborate patterns in high-relief, birds, flowers, some beautiful flower-baskets, &c., and have great originality to recommend them. There is also a handsome bureau in tortoiseshell, inlaid in brass, which shows great skill and delicacy of workmanship. There were a great many foreigners among the company, among whom were several German peasants. The resemblance of these elder Saxons to our own people was very striking, indeed so close was it, that until they spoke one would have guessed them for Kent or Sussex folk. A great number of these homely guests collected round the apiaries at the extreme end of the gallery, and took much interest in the movements of the inmates. The bees are now in full work, the young ones building the combs and the old ones storing the honey, for which detachments rush out into the park every five minutes. The whole operation may be seen through the glass case, and forms certainly not the least interesting of the innumerable wonders of the exhibition. The number of visitors during the day were 57,673. Cash account: Season tickets, GBP 5.5s.; at the door, GBP2,722.10s; total, GBP 2,727 15s. The most noticeable feature in Friday's proceedings was the extraordinary heat of the interior. At midday, the thermometer reached 95 degrees in the more exposed portions, and was quite 85 degrees in the places most sheltered from the sun. But, notwithstanding this Jamaica weather, the throng of fashionables showed a considerable increase on the numbers of the preceding Friday. There was very little promenading, and less inspection, the company being contented to seat themselves where they could, and to enjoy such ventilation as was afforded them. Her Majesty did not visit the Exhibition. The King of the Belgians arrived early, accompanied by the Duke of Brabant, and the Princess Charlotte. The Duchess of Kent was also a visitor, as were the ex-Queen of France, and the Duc de Nemours. There was, in addition, a larger muster of the higher classes generally; indeed, almost the whole company, who numbered beyond 29,000, were evidently members of the haut ton. The exact numbers admitted up to six o'clock were 29,033. Cash account: Season tickets, GBP 4 4s.; at the doors, GBP 2,969 6s; total receipts, GBP 2,973 10s. On Saturday, the attendance was rather short of preceding Saturdays, and the temperature was all the more pleasant in consequence. Her Majesty, prince Albert, and the King of the Belgians, with the usual suite, arrived shortly after nine o'clock, and the Duchess of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Nemours, at a later hour. The attendance up to four o'clock was exceedingly slender, not exceeding 6,000 or 7,000, quite a solitude in such a vast building. From that hour the ticket holders began to pour in, and even with such small numbers the want of ventilation was sadly felt, the temperature rising to 80 degrees in the main avenues, while it was 90 degrees in the galleries. The number of visitors throughout the day was 11,372. Cash account: season tickets, GBP 16 6s.; at the doors, GBP 1,590 16s. Total, GBP 1,607 12s. On entering the building on Monday, it was satisfactory to find that the daily complaints of the public and the press on the subject of ventilation had not been left wholly unattended to. The whole of the glass in the east and west galleries has been removed, and such light airs as generally blow in that direction have free ingress and egress. A similar change is contemplated with respect to the north and south transepts, and that once effected, the rest must be left to the pitying breezes. What has been done has made the place much cooler, and there is little doubt but that the completion of the alterations will make the temperature all that could be expected in the middle of one of the hottest summers we have had for some years. Among the crowds of country folk who availed themselves of cheap trains to obtain a peep at the wonders of the Crystal Palace was a detachment of 130 workmen from the extensive lime works near Rochester, all in holiday trim, and decorated with blue rosettes in their button-holes. These poor men were retiring after about two hours' bewildered gazing in every direction, when, being met by a person more intimate with the contents of the building, and asked what they had seen, it came out that they had really seen but few of the sights of the place. Some of them having wandered recklessly from the main body once or twice, had nearly lost their way, and this so alarmed the rest, that they prudently resolved to keep to the nave while they remained, and to get out of danger as soon as possible. However, being provided with a volunteer guide, a large number gladly returned to view the treasures of the precious metals gallery, and other objects of interest. Such incidents as these are by no means of unfrequent occurrence, and they show that in the case of large parties of unsophisticated country people a leader of some acquaintance with the place would be absolutely necessary to enable them even partially to enjoy their treat. The numbers who entered the building during the day amounted to 52,879. Cash account: Season tickets, 0; at the doors, GBP 2,469 16s; total receipts GBP 2,469 16s. The heavy rain that fell on Tuesday morning deprived the Crystal Palace of about three thousand of its visitors; but nevertheless the total at the end of the day considerably exceeded 50,000. The absence of her Majesty and her august guests at Osborne deprived it of the royal presence, and, as a consequence, of a great many of its more distinguished frequenters. But the masses mustered strong, principally from the provinces, and there was no lack of more fashionably attired visitors. By the police returns the numbers were 49,189, which the influx of the ticket holders for their usual lounge would raise to nearly 52,000. Cash account: season tickets, GBP 5 5s; at the doors, GBP 2,429 10s; total GBP 2,434 15s. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE PARISH OF ADVENT On Friday last, the 27th ult., Mr. SAMUEL SCOTT saved a rick of hay in first-rate condition. It was grown on a new inclosure made by him on the recently enfranchised duchy common of the manor of Helston in Trigg. The crop was very abundant and of excellent quality. The farm is distant about two miles from Roughtor. There is now growing on other new inclosures on the same common, potatoes, oats, and flax, not at all inferior to what may be seen growing on any of the old cultivated lands in the parish, or of any of the neighbouring parishes, either in appearance or prospect. So much for lands by some wiseacres said not to be worth cultivating. PENZANCE A correspondent at this place informs us that the crops of potatoes in the neighbourhood are again attacked by the disease, to a much greater extent, it is feared, than in former years. The "OREGON," ROULLE CARY, commander, left Penzance on Tuesday last, for New York, with about forty emigrants on board. BUDE HAVEN This fashionable little watering place is now very gay with visitors. On Wednesday last, Mr. WILLIAM MASKELL (the late Rev. W. Maskell and chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter) was expected to arrive at Sir T. D. ACLAND's cottage, which we understand he has taken for two months. SALTASH The steam floating bridge crossing the River Tamar was set to work on Wednesday forenoon about eleven o'clock in due form. The Mayor and Corporation of this ancient borough, together with the shareholders, walked down to the water-side in procession, and went over in her first trip. The shareholders and friends afterwards dined at the Green Dragon Hotel. In the afternoon a regatta was held in honour of the occasion. Saltash was never so full before. The bridge, which was built by Mr. MARE, of Plymouth, works exceedingly well. SERIOUS ASSAULT On Thursday evening the 26th ult., a barber named GOSLING, of Falmouth, while in a state of drunkenness, at the Wodehouse Arms, took up a poker and struck a violent blow at the female servant. He aimed at the servant's head, but a man broke the force of the blow, which however inflicted a scalp wound, and must have fractured the skull had not the violence of the blow been partially averted. The woman continued insensible and had fits for several hours, but she is now in a state of recovery. ACCIDENTS On Thursday last, a little boy about four years of age, son of MR. THOMAS BRYANT, met with a narrow escape. It appears that the child with another brother had rode in a cart which was carrying stone from a quarry about a quarter of a mile from the town of St. Austell. The driver put him to stand in the quarry while he loaded his cart. The child was amusing himself by attempting to climb up the sides, and a man from the top rolled down a stone not knowing that any one was there. The stone struck the child backwards and cut his nose open. When taken up all thought he was dead, but we are happy to add that he is now in a fair way of recovery. On Thursday the 27th ultimo, a mason of Falmouth, named GOWENLOCK, fell from a ladder owing to a stave giving way. He broke his collar-bone, but is in a fair way of recovery. On Wednesday last, a little girl, the daughter of the late Capt. JOHN TABB, of Lamerhooe Wheal Maria mine, whilst playing near the market gate, Callington, was knocked down by a wagon passing along the street, and bruised so severely that very small hope is entertained of her recovery. On Saturday last, a young man called HONEY, of Appledore, was drowned whilst bathing at Duckapool, near Bude Haven. The under current was running very strong, and he was fast carried off to sea, where he soon sunk to rise no more. In consequence of the rapidity of the current no assistance could be rendered, although he was seen carried off. The body has not been picked up. CORONER'S INQUESTS The following inquests have been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner: On Saturday last, at Boyer's Cellars, Falmouth, on the body of ELIZABETH NICHOLAS, widow, aged 67 years. Deceased has been insane at intervals for some years past and was generally in a low desponding way. About a year and a half ago she went to reside with her relatives Mr. and Mrs. OLIVE, at Boyer's Cellars, where she was taken every care of. But on Thursday last, about noon, she went out into an open shed immediately behind the house and cut her throat with a razor. A man called RICHARD PEARCE on passing the shed shortly afterwards, observed her there stretched on the ground and having called others to his assistance, she was found to be quite dead with the razor in her hand. Verdict, insanity. On Wednesday, at Quintrell Downs, in the parish of St. Columb Minor, on the body of WILLIAM MEAGER, aged 77 years. Deceased was an old government pensioner, and had walked from his home to Tresillian to the seat of Mr. R. G. BENNET, on Thursday morning, to have his pension paper signed certifying that he was alive. On his way back he was taken suddenly ill and in less than half an hour after his paper had been signed he was a corpse. Verdict, apoplexy. The following inquest was held before Mr. HAMLEY, on the 27th ult., at Mount Charles, in the parish of St. Austell, on the body of WALTER EDDY. He had been in the habit of attending fairs with swings for children, and having been to the Luxulyan games, was, on the 26th ult., returning to his home at Mount Charles, in a little one-horse cart. His machinery was in the cart, and he was riding on it. He was seen going on in that way, not far from Mount Charles; and shortly afterwards he was seen lying on the road insensible, his cart and machinery being upset. He was conveyed to his home, but never spoke afterwards. It was supposed that he had fallen asleep and that the horse had upset the cart against a heap of stones. Verdict, accidental death. The following inquest has been held before Mr. Gilbert HAMLEY, deputy coroner: On Friday last, at Bodmin, on the body of SAMUEL SMETHERAM, aged about twelve years, who had been for some time in the service of CAPTAIN THOMPSON, of Bodmin. He went out of the house on Friday morning and as he did not return when he was wanted to go for the milk, the servant went to look for him, and found him hanging to a beam in the stable, and quite dead. No reason could be given for the committal of the act. The jury returned an open verdict. DEVON GENEROUS CONDUCT - Mr. THOMAS GILL, of Plymouth, has liberally granted to the clerks in his service ten days holiday, accompanied with a handsome bonus, to enable them to view the wonders concentrated in the Great Exhibition. Several Assizes to follow ...... Julia Mosman, OPC for St.Austell,Charlestown, and Treverbyn Website at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell W. Briton newspaper transcripts at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad Please visit the OPC website at http://cornwall-opc.org I'm a volunteer for FreeCens - why don't you join, too?