The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-05-11
westerly, May IL, 1854.
Editorial Correspondence.
Sem. PHESIN, WIIIIAMsRURoH. L. i,
Friday, May 5, 1884. -

Friday, May D, 1904. ~
DEAR EcHo Here We are, on our
way home again. Yesterday, we spent,
as we intimated in our last we should
do, nearly all day and evening, i'll the
Crystal Palace, viewing the works of
art and industry collected therein and
the interesting cremonics Of rc-opcning
the building to the public. So much
has already been said and written in
description Of the building that it is un-
necessary for us to attempt to say any
thing about that, further than that it
fully answers our cxpectations-formcd
from reading those descriptions. But
in regard to the contributions, we must
say that they fall infinitely short Of our
Experimentation from our cxpccta-
tions being too high, our inability to
appreciate, or the description being
much higher than the articles will war
warrant-which latter We think is the
case. And yet there are many-very
many-splendid productions of genius
and the arts-espccially among the
statuary-and paintings. In the me.
chanical department there is an extreme
poverty of display-probably it will be
enriched. But, on the whole, as a
means Of imparting knowledge of the
mechanical and fine arts, of the condi-
,- ton and prospects of the industries of
great part of the world, the Crystal
Palace is undoubtedly altogether beyond
any or all the other resources Of exhibi-
tions in this country. 1t is museum
oflabor and genius standing evidence
Of capabilities Of the laborious, progress
sive and humane man temple where
nations may meet in laudable rivalry
a common ground where all people may
merge their jealousies into gcnerosities
partial measure Of what we have done
and what remains for us to do as a ma
tion. We believe that much good may
result from the institution and we trust
we have good reason to hope that it will
not be allowed to fall into disrepute. 1t
is we'll worth day or two's time from
all who may visit n. Y, and we doubt not
it will be more so as time affords oppor-
tunity for the reception of contributions
At all events, we are assured that if the
thing can be made to succeed the pre-
sent administration is proper one for
the experiment.
The re-inauguration ceremonies, yes
terday,werc conducted with spirit and
enterprise which Barnum-" the Napo-
leon Of showmen'-so well knows how
to set in motion.
We arrived at the Palace about ten
o'clock and, though there were but COM
paratively few in, yet it was rapidly
filling, and by o'clock there was an
immense gathering--we should judge
some three or four thousand-we heard
it estimated as high as five. The
speakers stand was placed upon a raised
platform in the East nave, just under
the outer rim Of the dome, and imme.
diately in front Of the equestrian statue
of Washington. Immediately under
the center of the dome, and in front O
the stand, is large fountain, on thu
border Of which stands colossal figure
representing the genius of America
twelve feet in height, standing upon ;
rock--[made Of cork six feet high
In the right hand is spear piercing thc
rock, from which the water gushc
forth and in the left hand the fgur,
holds wreath of laurel over the water
The stand being placed Immediately il
the rear Of the figure, struck us as bein,
rather an unfortunate arrangement, a
it prevented many from getting goo,
view Of the speakers; but we were pc
culiarly fortunate, both in the afternoo
and evening, in securing place nea
the stand.
The ceremonies commenced q littl
before l o'clock, with music and singing
by the chorus and orchestra of the Har
monte society, amounting in all to abou
f.- l.ll -o-r....... IL a. II