The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-02

PARIS, Monday, April 1.-The great Paris
Universal Exposition was formally opened this
morning. The day was observed as a holiday
by the entire population of the city. The morn
ing dawned cloudily, but the sky cleared at an
early hour, and by 10 o'clock in the forenoon
the weather was most beautiful like that en-
joYed on a 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 COM
pleted will be one of the wonders of the world.
Viewed at a distance the building resembles
mammoth gasometer dressed with flags, but
when entered it is found to be in every way
convenient.
AT IL o'clock A. n. the doors were opened
and by the time of the Enperors arrival there
were five thousand 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 Exposition
building are in lamentable state OF confusion.
Wagons and workmen were busy cartlng away
the rubbish when the Emperor arrived. Heaps
of dirt and straw and packing cases ley around
or were temporarily thrown into the unfinished
harbors and fancy cottages. Inside the build
ing was the same scene-everywhere debris; not
one-tenth of goods opened or arranged, but the
French department, of course, in the best order;
nextto that the Russian, and third the English;
all the other departments not ready.
The American department is one of the most
incomplete, and the Commissioners, exhibitors,
and Americans generally in the city are much
dissatisfied with Commissioner Beckwith, who
appears totally inefficient. The only depart
ment in operation is the restaurants, but even
here the Americans are behindhand. The only
goods which have been damaged on the voyage
are American.
At O'Clock the invited guests assembled 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 American ladies was con-
ceded. They were the bellies of the day.
A brilliant company blazing with diamonds
and orders filed the central hall to welcome
the Emperor and Empress, who came precisely
at o'clock in the afternoon. The crowd out
side the building was good natured but not de-
monstrative towards 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 alehted at a splendid pavilion
specially built for the Emperor.
The Emperor Immediately reappeared; and
gave his arm to the Empress, and proceeded on
foot to the main door. During the imperial
progress full bands played the national alrs
The cheering now grew louder, the Americans
and English present leading with hearty
''hurrahs," and Turks, Japanese, Italians, Prus-
sians Germans, and French joining in the diff
ferent styles peculiar to their several countries.
The Emperor and Empress bowed repeatedly
to the crowd as they ascended the platform
which runs around the machine gallery. The
Emperor wore plain evening dress, with q
scarf of the Legion of Honor, and carried a
heavy cane. He looked smiling, but pale and
fatigued. The Empress was robed in black silk
and looked in fine health. The Prince Impe.
rial and Prince Napoleon we're not present
The Princess Clothilde wore brown velvet
dress, powdered with gold.
distinguished party of Senators and Minis
'ers formed an escort for the Imperial party.
Prince Leuchtenburg represented Russia.
The members of the Diplomatic Corps &C
credited to the French Court clothed in uni
form, had special seats reserved for them a
the opening scene but they were completely
hidden from view.
Preceded by the Chamberlain, the party
passed round the entire gallery, nearly mil,
long. The different national commissions stood
on a platform over the sections allotted to theh
countries Turks, japanese, Russians, Moors
Tunisians, and Persians wore their full nationa
costumes.
The Emperor spoke few words to each com
mission, but at the American department HI
stopped with the Empress and bowed to the
crowd who were cheering heartily. Half al
hour was consumed in this tour. Then thu
cortege descended and passed through the ar
and few other galleries, and at 3 o'clock re
turned to the palace.