Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-23
LOCAL NEWS.

OPENING OF THE GREAT FAIH At THE
PATENT OFFicK--This great patriotic fair
opened last evening under the most favorable
auspices, the largs hall being crowded almost
tc sufocaton throughout. AK o'clock Pres
ident Lincoln, accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln
and Mr.. Robert Lincoln, entered the hall By the
east door, escorted by the reception COMMITTEES,
consisting of DIR. Brodhead and Ed ward French,
Esq. They advanced through the hall to the
stage at the west end, upon arriving 1T which
the band of the I'd District regiment struck up
s'Hail to the Chief" The President and his
son were conducted TO seats upon the platform.
while Mrs. Lincoln occupied a position imme-
diately in front OF the stage, accompanied by
the soldierly-looking Gen. Oglesby.
The opening prayer was offered by Rev, DIR.
Sunderland; after which the Hon. L. Z. Chit
hnuen was introduced to the audience, and
delivered lengthy but eloquent address. Hon.
b. Is. French followed in the reading Of a fine
poem, which w as received with much an plause:
upon the conclusion of which loud calls were
m ade for President Line and in response he
stepped forward and said that he appeared
before the audience to apologize for not speak
ing, rather than to speak. He thought that the
committee had ptacticed a little fraud upon
him, fer they did not intimate, when they came
to see him in the morning, that they expected
him TO speak, and therefore he had come before
the audfenc e totally unprepared to say nything.
mat was taking one at great disadvantage,
after the eloquent speech OF Mr.: Chttenden and
the fine poem OF Mr.french. There was great
objection TO his saying anything for necessarily,
III consequence OF his position, every thing went
into print. Laughter and appiause.l If he
made any mistakes it might do both himself
and the nation harm. fAppiause.l 1t was diff
icuit always to say sensible things fLaugh-
teri He therefore hoped that the audience
would excuse him, after expressing his desire
that The charitable enterprise in which they
were engaged might be abundantly successful
lApplause.l
prominent citizens of Washington, araoug
" HON we noticed Mayor " aliach, Suaeriu.
tendent Webb of the police, and large repre-
sentation of the City Councils.
We gave general description of the hall yes
terday, and now notice some objects of interest
not then in shape Tor obser walton.
The first table on the left OF the entrance is
under charge of Mrs. Giilis, Mrs. Todd, Mrs.
Gen. Taylor and Mrs. Kenr edy. and contains
large number OF fancy articles, among them
9 beautiful album, containing pictures Of tae
Presidents of the United States and Of the gen.
erals OF the Union army, together with their
autographs
The second table contained also fancy ar
ticles, and was presided over by Mrs. Ken
nedy, assisted by Mrs. Linton, Miss Tread way,
MISS Todd and Miss Gillis.
Next to this came the wheel of fortune, which
Is attended by Mrs Capt Benedict, and where
visitors can sget their money back" by tara
of the wheel.
The confectionery and fancy article tables OF
Mrs. Mater, Miss +. Cobb, Miss = Ha wis and
nj ISIS Mollie Mater came next. This table, as
well 40 those preceding IL, were draped with
flags, and festoons and wreaths of evergreens
r
A fine piano, placed there by Mr. w. G. Met
ze.ott, occupied space next TO this taole, and
was much admired.
Next came the table attended by Miss Mary
Locke Miss Alice Tyssowsai. Miss L. Bacon,
Miss T.. Merrymsp, Miss nj. f. Tucker and
Miss H. NeiIl, which contained a variety of
pictures, photographs, albums, DC; and on ihs
sutstie and among the festoonS and wreaths,
by way of decoration, hung pictures OF Jack
sen, Webster, Washington and Clay.
Adjoining this was table containing MILL
) tary goods, which had been placed there by
las S. Topham & Co.. on Sc venth street. Mr..
Topham had presented set OF Equipments, and
besides gives so Fer cent of the proceeds Of
sales OF the o!her articles for the banefit OF tins
fair. s5ss5 sr,4ss5saz
Adjoining this in the table got mp by the
teachers and pupils Of the public schools,
" HIGH is 6ecid8dly one Of the most Interesting
departments OF the fair. In tho rear OF he
tables the American fisg is suspended. and
the tables are cancpieda by the same oosors.s
EestooEs and wreaths Of evergreens ase ar
ranged IN artistic order about the tables. and
tntersperfed are banners ana embiems, beariuG
such notices as bPublic Schools tha paia-
dunn OF our liberty "Let NOT the treasures
Of the mind be Icst,p just As the twis Is bent,
the tree is inclined" sour free Schools the
nureeTies Of . free people "a all honor 20 the
brave and gallant defenders Of onr ccuntry =,
- Education the safeguard o. the Reptile"
&c. dc Above the tables bang large globa,
and 3 bastet OF natural Aowets sappended.
makes the scene more aHracase. xhe ertscles