COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 



the principal initial efforts for the exploration and colonization of the 

 new continent by Europeans. By bringing together, in a retrospective 

 exhibition, what remains to illustrate the arts and industries of Europe 

 at this time, it was the aim of the Spanish authorities, to quote their 

 own language, &quot;to teach the people of to-day what were the elements 

 of civilization with which, on the side of the arts, Europe was then 

 equipped for the task of educating a daughter, courageous and 

 untamed, but vigorous and beautiful, who had risen from the bosom of 

 the seas, and who, in the course of a very few centuries, was to be 

 transformed from a daughter into a sister a sister proud in aspira 

 tion and in power.&quot; 



This great and laudable design, it may be briefly stated here, was 

 well carried out, and the success of the enterprise fully justified the 

 hopes of the projectors. 



The exhibits of the Historic American Exposition were divided into 

 three great series. The first included American prehistoric remains, 

 the earliest indications of the existence of man in caves, neolithic 

 monuments, lacustrine dwellings, and the arms and utensils of this 

 primitive age. The second illustrated the characteristics of the Amer 

 ican aborigines just prior to the discovery. The third represented 

 the period of discovery, of conquest, and of European influence up 

 to the middle of the seventeenth century. 



There were other &quot; functions 7 in connection with the Columbian 

 anniversary, such as the meeting of the Congress of Americanists, 

 which was held at Huelva in commemoration of the four hundredth 

 anniversary of the departure of the caravels of Columbus from the 

 port of Palos; and, on the llth of October, there was unveiled near 

 the ancient monastery of La Kabida, in the presence of the Queen 

 and her court, and a vast assemblage, a monument erected to com 

 memorate the discovery of America; while congresses representing 

 various scientific and mercantile interests were held at various times 

 and places. 



The management of the commemorative celebration was, according 

 to the decree already referred to, entrusted to a royal commission, the 

 President of which was the Prime Minister of Spain, His Excellency 

 Don Antonio Canovas del Castillo. Subcommissions were organized 

 in each of the Spanish-American Republics, and special commissions 

 were appointed by the governors of the Spanish provinces and the 

 governor-general of the Antilles and the Philippine Islands. 



By the terms of the royal decree the Exposition was to have been 

 opened on the 12th of September, 1892, and closed on the 31st of 

 December following. But, from one cause and another, the rooms were 

 not thrown open to the public until the 30th of October. 



On the llth of November the Exposition was formally inaugurated 

 by Her Majesty the Queen Eegent, Maria Christina of Spain, assisted 

 by their Majesties the King and Queen of Portugal. 



