128 Transactions of the American Institute. 



Each year the Legislature of tlie State sends out nearly 10,000 

 copies of the Institute's Transactions, a volume of over 1,000 

 pages, a full and able record of the last discovery, the best summary, 

 the most practical current knowledge in applied science and in agri- 

 culture. This series of volumes is a library pi American science and 

 discovery, the record of what we have planned, what we have pro- 

 jected, and what accomplished. The American Institute is, on the 

 ^hole, the fullest illustration in what it has done and what it plans 

 of the development of the philosphy of uses, of those arts and meth- 

 ods by which man proposes to complete his mastery of the material 

 world. 



The fair opened promisingly last evening, although the weather 

 was decidedly unpropitious and the inscrutable dilatoriness of many 

 of the exhibitors had made it quite impossible to bring perfect order 

 out of the chaos. The scene was decidedly picturesque and interest- 

 ing, and the lofty arches of the rink glittered with hundreds of gas- 

 lights, the long rows of white-topped tables, curtained with colored 

 muslins, the scores of well-tilled cases scattered tlirough the room, the 

 hundreds of visitors strolling along the aisles and among the alcoves, 

 and the sweet strains of Thomas's orchestra, all combined to make 

 one forget that confusion still lingered in all the departments, that a 

 vigorous use of the broom would have improved many a corner, and 

 that niucli must be added and altered before the fair will reach its 

 best estate. The prismatic illumination in front of the rink was not 

 lighted, and it was late in the evening before a single one of the large 

 sun-light reflectors flung its powerful radiance on the scene. When 

 the three or four others are in place the light will be all that can be 

 desired." 



The Hon. Orestes Cleveland, chairman of the Board of Managers, 

 called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Greeley, the orator 

 of the evening. 



Speech of the IIox. Orestes Cleveland. 

 We i)rc})ose, now, to formally declare this exhibition open. You 

 will observe that many of the articles brought here for exhibition are 

 not yet prepared, but most of you are aware that in the opening occa- 

 sions of this kind natural delays occur, and no exhibitiom in any part of- 

 the world has ever been entirely complete upon the day of its open- 

 ing. But this Institute, after discussing the matter has decided to 

 open its exhibition promptly at the time advertised, ready or not 



