THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



THE GREAT AMERICAN ENTERPRISE 

 A GRAND SUCCESS. 



Hints to Centennial Visitors. 

 The opening of the great Extiiliitiou on tlie 10th 

 infit., waB a grand &nec<'ss. Tlie elonds of the morn- 

 ing brokt^ away at nine, anU the sun shone out in 

 dazzling Bplendor. The eity was astir at an early 

 hour, and tlie streets leading to the park were soon 

 throngeil with every deseription of vehicle. The street 

 cars were jammed. A eonstant proeessicm of people 

 moved along the sidewalks. The trains on every road 

 hourly brought in their loads of expectant passengers. 

 Philadelphia wore 



A Holiday Appearance. 



As you gazed up and down the long streets, flags 

 streamed from almost every house, store and public 

 edifice. Chestnut street was magnilieent. For.several 

 squares in the vicinity of the Continental, that bright 

 thoroughfare was one mass of gaudy Ininting. Every- 

 where over the whole city, from thousands of (lag 

 etatVs waved the stars and stripes, and the colors of 

 every civilized nation on the globe. Before nine the 

 people began to pass through the Main Building into 

 the space between that and Memorial Hall, and in the 

 course of the next hour occupied nearly all that vast 

 area. 



The Scene 



at lOo'clock was one of unusual grandeur. Thereon 

 the immense platform on the south side of .Memorial 

 Hall sat the representative men of a great part of the 

 civilized world — the President of the I'nited States 

 and the Cabinet, members of Congress, (lovernors of 

 various States, ollicers of the army and navy in hand- 

 some uniform, foreign ambassadors in their rich dceo- 

 ratious, D(mi Pedro, of Brazil, and hundreds of per- 

 sons prominent in business, science or olliee. Away 

 across on another jilatforni just north of the Main 

 Building sat Theodore Thomas' splendid orchcstraof 

 150 pieces, and directly behind them a chorus of one 

 thousand voices. Between these two platlbrms, one 

 dense mass of human beings. Above, thesunof .\us- 

 terlitz. All around, the towering editiecs, gleaming 

 in glass, packed with the industry of the busy earth, 

 and waving a gaudy flag from every pinnacle in the 

 fresh breeze. It was an ennobling occasion, never to 

 be forgotten. As the distinguished guests passed to 

 their places, cheer after cheer arose from the multi- 

 tude. It is now after ten, and all is ready. 



Gen. Hawley 



waved his handkerchief as a signal, Theodore Thomas 

 took his baton, and the orchestra struck up "The 

 Washington March," followed by the national airs of 

 the principal countries of Europe and South America. 

 The arrival of General Grant elicited a cordial de- 

 monstration. After the last exultant strains of the 

 Grand March, written by Richard Wagner and per- 

 formed by Thomas' orchestra, died away. Bishop 

 Simpson arose and invoked the divine blessing on the 

 occasion and the exposition, gratefully acknowledging 

 God's favor to us in the past, and imploringthe guid- 

 ance of the Almighty in all time to come. The grand 

 chorus then sang 



The Centennial Hymn 



written by Jno. G. Whittier, and set to music by John 

 K. Payne, of Massachusetts. It has a sweetness and 

 simplicity that falls tenderlj' on the ear. Perfect 

 silence prevailed in the great concourse during its per- 

 formance. Mr. John Welsh, President of the Board 

 of Finance, now arose, and expressed his gratification 

 in being able after so many anxieties and dillicultics 

 to present on behalf of the Centennial Board of Finance 

 these buildings for the purposes to which they are to 

 be devoted. 



Mr. Dudley Buck, of Connecticut, then conducted 

 the singingof the Centennial Cantata, written by Sid- 

 ney Lanier, of Georgia. It is full of energy and ex- 

 pression, the music being finely adopted to the sense. 

 The solos were sung by Jlyrou W. Whitney, of Bos- 

 ton. His wonderful bass was the theme of general 

 admiration. Besides its great range, every note rang 

 in power over that extended space. He is equal in 

 volume to an ordinary chorus. 



The Presentation 



of the exhibition by fien. Joseph R. Ilawley, Presi- 

 dent of the Commission, to the President of the 

 United States, was the next feature of the pro- 

 gramme. The following is Gen. Hawley's speech : 



Mr. President : Five years ago the" President of 

 the United States declared it fitting that " the com- 

 pletion of the first century of our national existence 

 should be commemorated by an exhibition of the 

 natural resources of the country and their develop- 

 ment, and of its progress in those arts which benefit 

 mankind," and ordered that an exhibition of Ameri- 

 can and foreign arts, products, and manufactures 

 should be held, under the auspices of the tioveriunent 

 of the United States, in the City of Philadelphia, in 

 the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six. To put 

 into ett'ect the several laws relating to the Exhibition, 

 the United States Centennial Commission was consti- 

 tuted, composed of two Commissioners from each 

 State and Territory, nominated by their respective 

 Governors, and appointed by the President. The 



Congress also created an auxiliary and associate 

 cor]v>ration, the Centennial Board of Financo^ whose 

 unexpectedly heavy burdens have lucn nobly borne. 

 A remarkable and prolonged disturbance of the 

 finances and induslries of the country hag greatly 

 magnified the task; hut wc hope for a favorable 

 judi:ment of the ilcgrec of success attained. July 1, 

 1S7I!, this grounil was iledleateil to Its present nsea. 

 Twenty-one months ago this .Memorial Ilall was 

 begun. All the other one hundred and eighty builil- 

 ings within the enclosure have been erected within 

 twelvemonths. .Ml the builillngs einliraeed in the 

 plans of the Commission Itself are finished. The de- 

 mands of applicants exceeded the space, and strenu- 

 ous and continuous cll'orls have been made to get 

 every exhibit ready in time. 



By general consent the Exhibition is api)rorplalelv 

 heici in the City of Brotherly love. Vmidir, almost 

 within your view, stanclM the venerated edifice wherein 

 occurred the event this work Is designed loeommcnio- 

 rate, and the hall in which the first Continciital Con- 

 gress assembled. Within the present limits of this 

 great park were the homes of eminent jjatriots of 

 that era, where Washington and his asso<'lales re- 

 ceived generous hospitality and able counsel. You 

 have observed the surpassing bi-auty of the situation 

 placed at our disposal. In hannony with all this Ill- 

 ness is the liberal support given the enterprise by the 

 State, the eity, and the people, ii]dlvi<lually. 



In thenanu'of the I'nltcd States, you extended a 

 respectful and cordial invitation to the governments 

 of other nations to be rci>resented and to participate 

 in this Exhibition. You know the very acceptable 

 terms in which they responded, from even the most 

 distant regions. Their commissioners arc here, and 

 you will soon see with what energy and brilliancy 

 they have cnterinl upon this friendly competition iii 

 the arts of peace. 



It has been the fervent hope of the Commission 

 that, during this festival year, the people from all 

 States and sections, of all creeds and churches, all 

 parlies and classes, burying all resentments, would 

 come up together to this birthplace of our liberties, 

 to study the evidence of our resources ; to measure 

 the progress of an hundred years; and to examine 

 to our profit the wimderful products of other lands ; 

 but especially to join hands in perfect fraternity and 

 promise the (iod of our fathers that the new century 

 shall surpass the old in the true glories of civilization. 

 And, furthermore, that from the association here of 

 welcome visitors from all nations, there may result 

 not alone great benefits to invention, manufactures, 

 agrieultiu'e, trade and commerce, but also stronger 

 international friendships and more lasting peace. 



Thus reporting to you Mr. President, under the 

 laws of the government and the usage of similar oc- 

 casions, in the name of the United States Centennial 

 Commission, I present to your view the International 

 Exhibition of ISTfi. 



This was the most distinct address of the occasion, 

 and was loudly applauded. Amid pfolouged cheers, 

 President Grant 



now advanced to the front of the platform and read 

 his address : 



Mv CouNTRV.MEN : It has been the thought ap- 

 propriate, uj^on this Centennial occasion, to bring to- 

 gether in Philadelphia, ibr po|)ular Inspection, speci- 

 mens of our attainments in the industrial and fine arts, 

 and in literature, science and philosophy, as well as 

 in the great business of agriculture and of commerce. 



That we may the more thoroughly appreciate the 

 excellencies and deficiencies of our achievements, and 

 also give emphatic expression to our earnest desire to 

 cultivate the fiuendsliip of our fellow members of this 

 great family of nations, the enlightened agricultural, 

 commercial and manufacturing people ol^ the world 

 have been invited to send hither corresponding sjieci- 

 mens of their skill to exhibit on equal terms in friendly 

 competition with our own. To this invitation they 

 have generously responded ; for so doing we render 

 them our hearty thanks. 



The beauty and utility of the contributions will this 

 day be submitted to your inspection by the Managers 

 of this Exhibition. Vk'c are glad to kn<iw that a view 

 of the specimens of all nations will atlbrd you unal- 

 loyed pleasure, as well as yield to you a valuable 

 practical knowledge of so many of the remarkable re- 

 sults of the wonderful skill existing in enlightened 

 communities. 



One hundred years ago our country was new and 

 but partially settled. Our necessities have compelled 

 us to chiefly expend our means and time in felling 

 forests, subduing prairies, building dwellings, factor- 

 ies, ships, docks, warehouses, roads, canals, machin- 

 ery, etc., etc. Most of ourschools,i'hurchcs, libraries, 

 and asylums have been established within an hundred 

 years. Burthened by these great primal works of 

 necessity, which could not be delayed, wc yet have 

 done what this Exhibition will show in the direction 

 of rivaling older and more advanced nations in law, 

 medicine and theology ; in science, literature, philo- 

 sophy and the fine arts. Whilst proud of what we 

 have done, we regret that we have not done more. 

 Our achievements have been great enough, however, 

 to make It easy for our people to acknowledge superior 

 merit wherever found. 



And now, fellow-citizens, I hope a careful exami- 

 nation of what is about to be exhibited to you will Qot 



only Inspire you with a profound respect for the skill 

 ami taste of our frli'iids from oilier nations, but also 

 satlslV yon with the attainments made by our own peo- 

 ple during the past one hundred years. ' I Invoke your 

 generous co-o|M'nitlon with the wortbyeominls.-loncrB 

 to secure a brilliant success to this Inlernatlonal Ex- 

 hibition, and to makciheBlayof ourforeignvlsllon! 



to whom we cxicnd a hearty welcome— Iwlh profita- 

 ble and pleasant to them. 



I declare the Inlernatlonal Exhibition now open. 



At the coniluslon of the President's remarks the 

 flag was unfurlid fr<uii the ei iilral tower of the Main 

 BuildiiiL', the i-hoir took n|i tin' Hallelujah chorus 

 with orchestral anil organ iiccompanimenl, the dls- 

 tlngulsed guests passed fnini the |ihilforni Into the 

 Main Building, and the formal proeci-dliigs inaugu- 

 rating the Ex|.o«ltlon of IS7II were over, .\fler mov- 

 ing through the main edifice the pn)ees«lon advanced 

 to .Machinery Mall. Cnder the dlreetlon rif (iw. H. 

 Corliss, the I'rcsldent of the Cnlted Stall's and Dom 

 Pedro started the mammoth engine, selling In inotlou 

 eight niilcBof shafting and acres of nuicliinery. The 

 multltiiile now scattered over the grounds, vlslllne 

 the various buildings. 



The Crowd 



was enormous. Perhaps on no other occasion In the 

 history of this country have so many people Iwen 

 packed on one si>ot. 'riic receipts for admission arc 

 placed at $lllll,(KJO, which al flfly cenlsaplecc, makoa 

 a)ll,0(ll) persons. An extra 1I),IM)0 must be allowed 

 for guesis, exhibitors, re[H)rtcrs, and workmen. But 

 the enclosed grounds— 340 acres- are so am[i|e that 

 as soon as the conclusion of the opening ceremonies 

 allowed the disiiersion of the mnltltude, there was at 

 once a feeling of freedom in strolling anywhere. 



Everything jiassed olf smoothly. No disorder and 

 good humor ruled the occasion. There was a general 

 gratlllcation at the forward state of the exiHisltlon, 

 the immensity of the buildings, and the variety of 

 the disiilay. America has e.vcry reason to he proud 

 of this spleiidlil ent<>rprise. To the brave men who 

 have so galbinlly borne the burden of the undertak- 

 ing, too much praise cannot be awarded. A lovelier 

 scene for the purjiosc can hardly lie Imagined. The 

 bright Schuylkill and its little slcamlnjats, the old 

 trees now jiutting forth their leafy U-auty, llieshrubs, 

 grass-plots and flower-beds, the shaded dells and 

 their murmuring rivulets, the graceful structures of 

 every hue and design, the walks and drives with their 

 moving masses, the bridges spanning the river, the 

 eity with its spires and domes in the distance— all 

 produce a panorama of charming etiect. 



Hints to Visitors. 



The first rush isover, and the Exhibition will hence- 

 forth be a kind of permanent museum for tourists 

 through the summer. To those of our reader* who 

 have not been on the grounds, a few suggestions may 

 be of value. 



Be easy on the subject of good clothes. The floors 

 and walks are very dusty, and black goods esiieclaljy, 

 soon become heavily coated. There is an attempt at 

 sprinkling, but the heat and constant tramping, main- 

 tain a flne cloud in the air. Your common ap[iarcl 

 will do very well. Your mind will be at rest. Besides, 

 no one will notice what you have on. It is a Demo- 

 cratic place. Wear easy shoes If you would avoid 

 aching feet. 



Put up a lunch before starting. There are restau- 

 rants in the buildings and outside, but they are oacn 

 crowded ju.-^t at meal time, and you do not care to 

 wait. Then, too, the charge for a "small parly will 

 amount to a considerable sum. Wilhyourown.supply 

 you can And a shady spot and plav ple-nic whenever 

 the inner man makes the demand" Carry the lunch 

 in a iiaper, and you will avoid the encumbrauec of a 

 basket on return. 



It is useless to attempt to make a satisfactory tour 

 of the buildings in one day. You can run through 

 them all hurriedly, but cannot make a careful exam- 

 ination of one-hundredth of what is to l)e seen. Such 

 a world of objects opens in every dlreetlon that you 

 arc bewildered. To the onlinary visitor, the Niain 

 Building with Its curious things In the British, Ger- 

 man, Egyptian, and other lorelgn departments, the 

 Government Building with its Insects, minerals, In- 

 dian relics, cannon, ships, stamps, and the operations 

 of the army and navy, Ilortieullural Hall wlthllsar- 

 ray of tropical plants, and .Memorial Hall with It 

 wealth of statuary and paiuting, will be most attrac- 

 tive. 



The mammoth Corliss engine In Machinery Hall 

 is, of <'Ourse, one of the noblest objects on the S|)Ot, 

 swinging its giant beams like a thing of life. The 

 Pennsylvania building, thanks tothe unwearicil lal>or 

 of Wiekcrsham, has its pleasant rooms stored with a 

 rich array of our educational triumphs. But it Is 

 hard to write about the Centennial, without making 

 a catalogue, and we forbear. One day's visit will 

 show you the folly of trying to do so much in so 

 short a time, and you return resolved to start again 

 in a month. Perhaps several short visits, at any rate, 

 will be more refreshing than one continued through 

 several days. 



In every department the work of unpacking and 

 arranging is still going on. There are vacant places 

 everywhere yet to be filled ; so that it wUl be much 

 more satisfactory to visit the great show In the coarse 



