Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-04-10
Opening of the Great Universal
Exposition.

Opening of the Great Universal
Exposition.
PARIS, April 1.-The great Paris
Universal Exposition was formally
opened this morning. The day was
observed as holiday by the entire
population of the city. The morning
dawned cIoudily, but the sky cleared
at an early hour, and by ten o'clock in
the forenoon the weather was most
beautiful, like that enjoyed on fine
day of May in New York The state
of the weather may be taken indeed as
typical of the exhibition building,
which is now in great confusion, but
when fully completed will be one of
the wonders of the world.
Viewed at % distance the building
resembles mammoth gasometer dress
ed wish flags, but when entered it is
found to be in every way convenient.
At eleven o'clock a. m, the doors
were opened, and by the time of the
Emperor's arrival there were FIVE thou
sand persons inside. Outside, along
the banks of the river Seine, and on all
the hills and roads for miles around
Paris, at least one hundred thousand
people had assem- bled There were
eight thousand policemen on duty, and
the order was excellent. Every car
riage in Paris seems to be employed in
journeys to and from the building.
The grounds Of and around the ex-
position building are in lamentable
state of confusion. Wagons and work
men were busy carting away the rub
bish when the Emperor arrived Heaps
OF dirt and straw and packing cases lay
around or were temporarily thrown
into the unfinished arbors and fancy
cottages. Inside the building was the
same scene, everywhere debris; not
one tenth of the goods opened or ar.
ranged, but the French department, of
course, in the best order; next to that
the Russian, and third the English all
the other departments not ready.
The American department is one Of
the most incomplete, and the commits
sioners, exhibitors, and Americans gen.
orally in the city are much dissatisfied
with ommissioner Beckwith, who ap-
pears totally inefficient. The only de-
partment in operation is the restau-
rants, but even here the Americans are
behindhand. The only goods which
have been damaged on the voyage are
American.
At one o'clock the invited guests as
sembled in the art gallery, where
America made fine show, many fine
pictures being exhibited and well hung,
but the English display was much
greater. When the guests gathered,
however, the superiority of the Amer
lean ladies was conceded. They were
the bellies of the day.
A brilliant company blazing with
| diamonds and ophirs filled the central
hall to welcome the Emperor and EN-
press, who came precisely at two o.
clock in the afternoon. The crowd
outside the building was good natured
| but not demonstrative toward them.
No cheers greeted the imperial party.
They drove up long avenue covered
with velvet canopy OF green and gold,
decorated with flags and lined with
soldiers. They alighted at a splendid
pavilion specially built for the Empe-
| ror.
The Emperor Immediately reappear-
ed, and gave his arm to the Empress,
and proceeded on foot to the main
door. During the imperial progress
full bands played the national airs
The cheering now grew louder, the
Americans and English present lead,
ing with hearty /" hurrahs," and JAP
anese, Turks, Italians, Prussians, Ger
mans, and French joining in the diff.
ferent styles peculiar to their several
countries.
The Emperor and Empress bowed
repeatedly to the crowd as they as.
cended the platform which runs around
the machine gallery. The Emperor
wore a plain evening dress, with a
scarf of tho Legion of Honor, and car.
ried heavy cane. He looked smiling,
but pale and fatigued The Empress
was robed in black silk, and looked in
fine health. The Prince Imperial and
Prince Napoleon were not present. Il he
Princess Clothilde wore brown vel
vet dress, powdered with gold.
A distinguished party Of senator's
and ministers formed an escort for the
imperial party.
Prince Louchtenburg represented
Russia.
The members of the diplomatic corps
accredited to the French court, cloth
: ed in uniform, had special seats re