St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-07-24

and purchase. The amount yielded Is
five hundred acres, all in Il body, and
perfectly suited for the purpose foI
which these acres have been given.
Nothing more spacious, accessible, and
beautifully picturesque could he de
sired.
The ceremony of commencing the
buildings proper, was i'll style of Quaker
SIMPLICITY honor, the mayor, rails
ing the first shovelfull of earth, carts
and laborers standing around. The
nitiatory being taken, few resolute,
stirring words were spoken, and the
municipal cortegc passed on to perform
IL second interesting ceremony, that of
opening formally for public Use the
new and beautiful bridge over the
SchuylkilI, leading directly into the
western division of Fairmount Park,
where the centennial grounds are locat-
ed. The Girard Avenue bridge here
referred to, has been built as Il marked
appendage to the exposition. 1t leads
from a broad, business thoroughfare,
extending from the Delaware to the
Schuylkill. and from thence, conducting
to the grounds allotted to the commits
sion. The bridge SURPRISES anything of
the kind in the whole country, proba-
bly,, particularly in width and ornamen-
tation. Its features are all of the finest
cast with no false show. Iron is allowed
tn remain iron. and wood is wood. and
while the Grnamentation might be i'm
ngincd, aS being wrought for beauty
alone, still it is found to he but the
perfect emphasis of the lines of con-
Struction.
In detail this bridge is one thousand
feet in length. one hundred in width.
with abutmentS of massive granite. and
framework ofiron. Its grand roadways
and sidewalks are separated by rails of
galvanized iron. supported every SIN
feet 10y ornamental standards. As often
a> every forty-cight feet these standards
are prolonged into lamp posts and en-
circlcd with clustered lamps. dispersed
with the most perfect effect. The outer
haluStIade is made ny of successive
representations of birds. and foliage, set
i'll bronze panels like pictures in IL flame.
The varieties are ten i'll number, and
repeated no oftcner than once in sixty
feet. There is IL third of mile in
length of these bronzc>. and all are so
executed.
The corner stone laying of the munich
pal buildings for this city. WAS another
shining interest of the day. So clabor-
ate and extended are these designed to
he. that Il decade of Years will still he
required for entire completion. One
wing only. will he finished by the cen
tcnmial. Here, and throughout the
whole country. the centennial and its
exposition should call up the greatest
Interest. The preparation, :" rife at
he grounds. should bc cmuatcd through |
he 'rorkShops, on the farms. and in the |
offices, and studios embraced in the |
whole land that the progress of cen
fury he faithfully expressed that our
resources may appear. not in parade.
ful application.
OF Vermont, i'll particular. II may well
he said. if removed somewhat from the
seat of the Centennial Exposition. she
mas equal interest in the same. and to
Irr equal advantage may he secured.
Her resources and progress do not come
Indcr the head of limited. 1t may he
l>l>rd where can her varied and vast
wealth he 81 thoroughly and
IdNantagc"uSly presented to the whole
country and to the world. aS through |
he Centennial Exposition TM>c may .
'c presented III detail. her marbles. her
Upper. her iron. and her gold. Her
'attlc too. sheep. and bloodcd horses,
may well appear to greatest advantage.
But passing from natural resources and |
To invention and manutac-
urc>. and what state of broadcast aIea
md den>c>t population can in these
'urpaS> Vermont True. her limits are
contracted and her population amounts
" less than IL half the number of this
very city. but with all this SmallncSs of
'Atcnt and population. she can weigh |
II perfect scale the entire exposition
c:m"nt at the exposition, moreover.
AN show her woods in manufacture.
akim% every form of the useful. and |
Iuc of the beautiful.
In agriculture her grasses and cereals
will simply appear immense in conSid- |
ration of her mountainous feature and |
md the richness of her dairieS. with the
CONSTANT variety of garden and orchard |
ruitS, will all seem astonishing. partic-
IlaIly us brought into comparison with !
hose divisions of milder latitude and
anger extent. Then over all will fall
he charm of culture and refinement
when the works of her renowned poets
md artists are considered
Vermont i'll the fast approaching Cen
ennial Exposition. must not fail both
F." claim and support the elevated posi-
ion i'll the contcdcracy of states that
Ter history, industry and resources are
10 justly designed to command. l..
Saved by a Cow.