The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-07-20


of the United States was absent, but
Generals Sherman and Sheridan, his
famed lieutenants, honored the occasion,
and the Vice President of the United
States ably presided in the absence of his
chief. A space about Independence
Hall was roped off and guarded by a
Gordon of police, and no one unprovided
with a pass was allowed within the
charmed circle. I will not inhict the
ceremonies on my readers. Suffice to
say there was poem by Bayard Taylor,
which would be delightful reading when
one has plenty of time, under the cool
shade of an outrageous tree, with a
cooling lemonade at your elbow, but a
sore trial of patriotism under broiling
sun, with the thermometer at 12O'.-
Then came an Grafton by the Hon. VIM.
M. Evarts, filling FIVE mortal columns OF
the Ledger. Even patriotism has a limit,
and I inwardly resolved that if l atten-
ded the next Centennial I would bring a
hammock and slight lunch, so that L
could get rest and refreshment between
the acts. The great Exhibition was COM
paratively deserted during the forenoon
of the fourth. The halls looked empty
and silent, which, of course, must have
been great disappointment to the Cen
tennial managers, who expected to take
in sixty or seventy thousand dollars, at
least, on; that day. Toward the afternoon
matters frightened a little, and people
began to come in who had been to the
celebration down town. At two o'clock
the Catholic T. A. B. made its appearance
at the gate, several thousand strong, to
assist in the dedication of the T. A. b.
fountain; and right at this point one of
the most stupid things was done that l
ever heard of on any public occasion.
As the procession entered, the police
seized all the doors facing Memorial
Hall, and with their bludgeons preyen-
ted anybody from going in or out tor
nearly an hour and half. They were
as much prisoners as if they had been in
the station-house, and it was not till the
last T. A. B. had passed that anybody
was allowed to 60 out.
By another stupid arrangement, the
fireworks at Fairmount Park were not
set off till long after dark, though it
must have been evident to the managers
that storm was impending, and they
were finally let off in a shower of rain,
when thousands were drenched who
might have enjoyed the fireworks, and
have been snugly in their homes, if they
had been set off at the proper time.
However, the day passed of, as whole,
successfully and pleasantly, with fewer
accidents than might have been reasona-
bly, expected. On the evening of the
fourth, Dom Pedro and the Empress
attended reception at the mansion of
Mr.. Drexel, the great banker, at which
were also present Sir Edward Thornton,
the British Ambassador, Generals Sher-
man, and Sheridan, Vice President Ferry,
Governor Hartranft and distinguished
representatives of the Foreign Commis-
sions. The Army of the Cumberland
has habits reunion this week, at which
touching resolutions were introduced to
the memory of the brave Custer, whose
untimely death is SO universally de-
plored.
1t is with a feeling of inexpressible
relief that I turn from the tumult of the
past week to find an hour of peace in
the noble Gallery of Arts. feel that
this is the opportunity of my life, and,
once past, it will not come back again
I pity the man or woman who can look
upon this wonderful collection and not
feel bettered by the contact. There are
many stolid and ignorant people who
come to this Exhibition, and l have yet
to see the first one from whom something
in the collection did not wiring cut an
unbidden cry of pleasure and surprise.
1 have higher opinion of my kind fo1
the last few weeks-they are better than
T gave them credit for. The collection
became too colossal for one building, and
second had to be put up, larger in area
than the first. This annex, as it is
called, is full of priceless gems of art
Near the south door is the statue of a
child listening to the ticking of watch,
a most delightful conception, beautifully
worked out; and not far from it, one of
those marvellous creations that wreath
the sculptor's brow with undying i'm
mortality. 1t is the Flight of Time, by
Barzaglia, of Milan. Time is flying
past; he clutches his hour-glass, and
will not be stopped; female has seized
him and endeayors to impede his fight,
but he speeds ruthlessly on; her fingers
are buried in his flesh; the rush of the
winds as he tears along, sweeps back her
garments, that seem to futter in the
wind. The plumage on the wings Of
time, and the drapery on the female
figure, are miracles of art only seen once
in life time.
Tell your readers not to forget the
splendid Italian mosaics-rich landscapes
of the ruins of Rome, equal in splendol
of color and tints to the finest pictures
in the collection. And beware of French
restaurants all within the grounds
charge the most extortionate prices. Sc
/ warn all people coming to the Exhibi
tion-if you see sign having anything