The New York herald., 1875-02-23
THE CENTENNIAL ASSEMBLY.


A FESTIVAL OF BEAUTY, WEALTH, FASHION AND
INTELLECT LAST NIGHT IN PHILADELPHIA
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND HORTICULTURAL
HALL CROWDED WITH BRILLIANT COM
PANY-ALL THE NATIONS REPRESENTED.
PHILADELPHIA, Feo. % 1875.
II is generally conceded that the grandest
social festival that Philadelphia has ever Witnessed
was held IN the Academy OF Music ana
Horticultural Hall tonight. At an early
hour carriages began to arrive all OF them,
without exception. the equlpage OF the
best families. and At the hour nxed the
doors we're opened. and the spacious thoroughfare
OF Broad street was thronged from curb to curb.
The aflar had been heralded Tor many. days past
as the Centennial International ASSEMBLY. the
proceeds Of which were to be devoted to the
Finance Committee Of the American Centenn
Exposition. AS Indicated by the name the event
was international. the different nation
alittes resident In this city not only
uniting to participate, but the courtesy
was extended as we'll TO the foreign
ministers resident at Washington. Cards were
also sent TO the Pennsylvania Representa-
tives, the Governors and Centennial commits.
slons of all the States and members OF the
Centennial Board OF Finance, the Mayor and
presidents OF select and common councils, Judges
ladies OF the Centennial Commission throughout
the country. many Of whom were present aud took
prominent part in the festivities Of the
evening" The favor with which the idea was re-
ceived by the different natlonalities IN this and
neighborlng cities and the enthusiasm with which
1t has been Tor the past lew weeks developed are
really surprising, 80 that In the Academy and
Horticul ural Hall tonight the people caught
some slight idea OF the spirit with wnicn the ma.
lions will contend against and vie with each other
when the great Centennial ltselI Is reality.
THE REPRESENTATIVES, OF CIVILIZATION.
1t was the idea to present In a miniature form
an assemblage of the representatives OF the
realms Of civilization TO which Invitations have
already been sent to participate in Americas Elk.
position. Hence 1t was that under the two great
roofs tonight the spectator beheld the banner,
emDlems and insignia Of every race, and the CO.'S
tunes and characteristics OF almcst every cond.
tion of man.
THE HALL AND ACADEMY ONE BUILDING.
A grand bridge spanned the distance interven.
ing between the Academy ana the Horticultural
Hall, virtually rendering them one and the same
building; nothing could well exceed the great
beauty and picturesque splendor OF the latter.
THE GERMANS AND THE NATIONALIsTs.
The Jover OF the building from one end to the
other was occupied by Germans innumerable, In
and there. attended oy German girls in
pretty and attractive costumes; while
towering above the noral adorLments
was a colossal plaster cast OF Germany giving to
the winged messenger Mercury her gifts and
offerings to the Centenary. Leaving the J0yer,
passing into the hall proper and walking on from
the rignt, the visitor behed in turn Mexico, Scot
land, America, Denmark, Russia, Belgium, Poland
Italy, France Naples and Florence. Proceeding
thus far he peheld grand stage, brilliant with light
and redolent with perfume, across the front OF
which he read, 'France aud America, Sister Re.
publcs" Passing around the stage over the
crowded hail. and proceeding to the left, he saw In
one line, South America, England China, Japan,
Holland, Greece, Sweden and Norway, while be-.
tween right and lett walls, under the central roof
were Spain, Austria, Prussia and Switzerland. All
these natlonaities, dressed in their ,appl opri.
ate costumes, appeared In Horticultural Hall. The
picture was grand but the display in the foyer Of
the Academy OF Music was simply magnificent
Here were Bohemia, Persia, Turkey, India and
Egypt. The beautiful young ladies' who attended
the different tables, ornamented and adorn ID as
the tables were IN the most elaborate, expensive
AMI appropriate manner, we're arrayed IN rich
Oriental costumes so that the display was daz-
zling beyond all description.
THE OPENING MARCH.
me Granu MarCu OF t0e NatlOnS DeR8n 8t elgut
O'Clock. AT this hour the vast Academy was a lied
to overnowlng. The main floors, galleries and
Hobbies were crowded almost to sufrocatlon.a The
house could not contain the people who dem ded
admittance; indeed, those who came 10 enjoy
themselves found enjoyment impossible. At the
roll OF the drum and the sound OF the horn the
procession b2gan to move. The pageant was mag
ni1cent all the nations OF the world, represent
Dy young men aud young ladies, faultessly ar
raycd IN the garb OF the country or tribe they
portrayed, with banners, crests, ornaments ana
insignia, moving in a steady, unbr0ken line, back
ward and forward across the grand stand OF the
Academy, until the stage became a mass OF human
FORMS packed closely together, representing
every cline the sun has ever shone upon
representing the dress, the pecuiarities
and the glory oil each country. While
the people were gazing upon this superb
and beautiful pageant thew saw WALKING
arm In arm across the main floor OF the Academy
Mr.. GOshorn Director General Of the American
Centennial Exposition. and Baron Schwarz-Sen-
born, Director General or the late Exposition at
Vienna, accompanied by many prominent ladies
and gentlemen OF Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wash
ington and New York.
At halfpast niue the dancing began and con.
tnued until one O'Clock. So great has been the
success of the affair that 1t will be continued
during the next three days and nights.
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
Fab