36 The Humming Bird. 



WORLD'S 



COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION. 



On the ist of May, President Cleveland inaugurated the 

 Chicago Exhibition and delivered a remarkable speech on 

 that occasion, chiefly in praise of Labour and Peace. 



It was a magnificant ceremony all through. Over three 

 hundred thousand spectators assisted at this solemn inaugura- 

 tion. An orchestra of 1,200 performers played National 

 tunes all the while. 



The Duke of Veragua, direct descendant of Christopher 

 Columbus, and his wife, assisted at the ceremony as special 

 guests of the American Government, and were much cheered. 



The Austrian, English, German, and French Exhibitions 

 were much admired by President Cleveland and suite. 



The German Exhibition which was nearly completed was 

 inaugurated by President Cleveland on that day. 



In general, the foreign exhibitions were more advanced 

 than the American sections, but it was hoped that all of them 

 would be completed during the month. 



Mrs. Palmer inaugurated the Ladies' Exhibition, and in 

 her speech she said that special thanks were due to Queen 

 Victoria, to the Empress of Russia, to the Queen of Italy, to 

 the Queen Regent of Spain, and to the Committee of the 

 Belgian ladies for the great help and interest taken by all of 

 them in that part of the Exhibition. 



The Duchess of Veragua replied in the name of the 

 Spanish ladies. Countess Piazza in the name of the Italian 

 ladies, and Princess Schakowsky in the name of the Russian 

 ladies. 



'^ The Ladies' Section," said Mrs. Palmer, " proves that 

 the talent is not the privilege of one sex alone." 



On the 15th, the Women's Congress was opened in the 

 of Hall Columbus, in the new Art Institute. Nearly seventy 

 organisations composed exclusively of women, and many 

 hundred societies and associations were represented, the 

 number of participants in the Congress being over 5,000. 



The Countess of Aberdeen, Miss Jane Cobden, and the 

 most prominent of Women's Rights representatives in 

 America occupied seats on the platform. 



