There had been exhibitions before in the world, but this should surpass them all.

It should contain specimens of what every country could produce in raw materials, in machinery and mechanical inventions, in manufactures, and in the applied and plastic arts.

It should not be merely useful and ornamental; it should teach a high moral lesson.

It should be an international monument to those supreme blessings of civilisation--peace, progress, and prosperity.

For some time past the Prince had been devoting much of his attention to the problems of commerce and industry.