1 82 Reminiscences of 



Minister of State, M. Rouher, who made a somewhat 

 lengthy address of welcome and illustration of the 

 exposition. The names of those receiving the first 

 gold medal and decorations were then called singly in 

 sequence, and as each name was given the fortunate 

 exhibitor advanced forth from the group to the plat- 

 form and ascended the few steps to the royal presence 

 and received either from the Emperor or the Empress 

 personally the award. 



Despite the august assemblage, all went on pleas- 

 antly without delays, and with entire absence of 

 formalities or embarrassment, as democratic as one 

 could desire. Many nods and words of recognition 

 were given by the Emperor and Empress as famil- 

 iar faces appeared, and much applause came from 

 the audience as well-known figures advanced to the 

 platform. 



It was slightly amusing at times to witness the 

 missing back step of some of our confreres in retreat- 

 ing from the royal presence, but every incident of this 

 kind was received in the utmost good-nature with 

 friendly smiles. 



The awards of silver medals only to the rich 

 regions of California and Nevada, which had pro- 

 duced hundreds of millions in value, while Colorado 

 had hardly commenced a production, was expressed 

 in much disappointment by the Pacific press. One 

 California paper designated Colorado as occupying 

 an unknown isolated peak of the Rocky Mountains, 

 but its boundaries are now established and well known, 

 and it is the banner State in the Union in its produc- 

 tion of the precious metals. 



The exhibits from the Pacific mining regions were 



