Litchfield enquirer., 1853-07-21
Tho Great Event.

sdhu people-amOnS them INC L GesIuonS
of the United States, and part Of his
Cabinet, Judges of the U. s. Supreme
Court, U. S. Senators, Governors, both
our own and from the British provinces,
officers of the U. s. Army and Navy on
home service. British officers, Foreign
Consuls, Mayors, &c, &c. The scene at
the opening is described as being most
brilliant, and fully meeting the expecta-
ton of the public. 1t is estimated that
over one hundred thousand strangers
visited the city on that day business
was suspended, and city and country
united in welcoming their President, and
rejoicing in tie contamination Of the most
glorious enterprise of the age. The dis
play at present is very incomplete-no'
more than one~half the articles designed
for exhibition are yet unpacked, and the
room reserved for them of course untitled.
The building itself is far from being fia-
ished, and those who intend visiting the
Palace but once should by all means
defer it for month or more.. The fol-
lowing account Of the opening ceremonies
is by one of the editors Ct the Springfield
Republican
ST, within the Crystal Palace. II is now
ii O'Clock, and the sound of hammers and
the buzz of preparation fill the air and re-
vertebrate through the long galleries. Gem
tlemen in epaulettes, gentlemen in musta-
ches,-all sorts Of gen,emen-wth gaiy
dressed ladies on their arms are pronena-
ding on every hand. |, is fairy scene
| light, airy, varied, brilliant. enctla ming
From the four galleries overlooking the cen.
| trail space upon the lower floor where sit.
look down mutiludes OF beautiful ewes !:
and on every side at hand and in the FAR
| reaching vistas-some work of art or of
useful industry meets the eve. Flags of all
nations depend from the galleries, iniermin.
ged with various insignia. Sta,uarv of
bronze and marbe-some bold and coIos>
sal-some moulded in the soCest forms of
beauty, some stately like palpable god
rise all around Here and there rise pala-
ces within the Palace-palaces of exquisite
art, containing within their walls gems Of
exquisite art. The bronze Amazon. so ta>
nous in the London exhibition, points her
spear at my back. The colossal equestrian
statue of Washington also dnes the dgni>
fed behind me. Far at my left see the
renowned group of Christ and the twelve
| Apostles-a solemn. sweet, and silent con.
clave.
But cannot parlicularize to>day. The
crowd around me increases. Seats are fill
ing up. The graceful s,airways that lead
to the galleries have been taken possession
of by those determined TO have a close OBJ
servation Of the ceremonies of inauoura-
ton. From the extremity of the Eastern
Nave peal forth the rich notes of an organ
in response to the touch of a masters Ina nd,
look upon the platform before me, and
| there see, for the first time, the noble form
OF Gen. Winfield Scott. | hear his name
buzzed all around me. His arm is Still in
a sling, showing that he has not yet recov>
cred from his late fall. He shakes by the
hand Gov. Fairbanks of Vermont, and va
rious digni:aries press around to greet him.
1t is IL O'Clock, and the procession which
is now escorting the President from Castle
Garden, has not yet arrived. The sound
of the hammer is still heard and here |
may say that the exhibition is not more
than half occupied, particularly in the out
side range Of The building. Various dign
laries are gathering upon the PLATFORM
Bishop Wainwright has appeared in his
robes, and company of gentlemen sur.
round him. He laughs like hearty old
man. He loves good dinner, venture
Gov. Cobb of Georgia, late Speaker of the
U. S. House, is pointed out 10 me on the
! platform.
1t is o'clock, and the procession has not
yet arrived. We are all impatient, and
hot. At this moment, a workman on the
dome has broken pane Of glass; and down
through the long distance lragnen, falls,
and strikes a, Gen. SCOTS side. II strikes
the floor, and God be thanked for it.
have pu, ON my hat. Gen. Scott rises, and
applause follows from the entire multitude.
| 1t is just 9 O'Clock, and the procession is
here. Here comes sprinkling of military
men-here some foreign cnnsuls-aIl eyes
turned towards the Sixth Avenue entrance
in expectation Of the arrival Of the Presir
dent. The. military has formed from the
platform TO the entrance, to keep passage
open. The throng is immense-every
square foot being occupied in every drec-
ton. The President comes! Cheers t.
cheers cheers! A magnificent band pours
forth Hail Columbia. Handkerchief wave
from the galleries. All is interest and ex-
element. What music Now it chang
es to Yankee Doodle and makes me cry.
| can't help it. ... -.,..
The music ceases, and Bishop Vain.
wright rises. and says "Let as pray" The
noise is husheG, and as the words Of prayer
go up, the multitude bow in silence. The
prayer is written and read from manu-
script. II is beautiful and appropriate.
| Standing reverently on the front Of the
platform see the English Commissioners
several Governors, and the Commissioners
from other Governments. ....
The prayer ceases, and the New York
Sacred Harmonic Society rise and sing the
following hymn TO the tune Of Old Hun
| drod n q 1 h1 40 novow ban ri ShrH