New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-11


to receive them. 1t was the first time he had met
the President. and was presented by Gen. Hawey.
After moments conversation the two central fig
ures the Emperor and the President, took the posi-
tons assigned them by Mr.. Corss, who explained
by motion of the hands and a word or two how the
great engines to be started by single turning
of slender steel arm like the brake of q
street railway car. This action would open
the throttle-valve, and then tho quiet
building would be instantly alive with all the
functions of every kind Of factory in full practice.
Gen. Hawley cautioned the two gentlemen. You'll
have to wait fow minutes until more of your
friends come up, While they were waiting curl
osity was shown the newspaper men under the lee
of the platform by one of the City Troop, Mr.. WIN.
Struthers, jr., to whom it had been handed. after
having been viewed by President Grant. 1t was an
deliberately bound book of 500 pages containing the
catalogues of tho British exhibits at this Exhibition
On the fy-leaf was the inscription, To Gen. u. s.
Grant. President of the United States of America.
Compliments of His Grace the Duke of Richmond
and Gordon, X. g., Lord President of Her Britannia
Majestys Privy Council, st. George House, EXPOSE
ton Grounds, May 10, 1876"
"Our friends" spoken of by Gen. Hawley turned
out to be Mrs. Fish the arm of the Brazilian Ad-
mral, the Spanish Minister and his lady, ChieGjus-
tice Waite, and indeed all the high and mighty
notables who had accompanied them from the Grand
Stand through the Main Building and across tho
spaces between the two structures, along the aisle
composed of double file Of soldiers which formed
the passage-way over Belmont-ave.; Gov. Hartranft
and his staff Gov Bedle of New-Jcrsey and his staff
Gov. Rice of Massachusetts, and his staff, Gen.
Gosf0rn, many of the officers of the Commission and
of the Board of Finance, and numerous others.
The platform having now become pretty full, and
natural positions having been assumed by all, Gen.
Grant and Dom Pedro stood ready with their hands
the two steel arms referred to. At LOO p H. the
last ac of the opening ceremonies of the Exposition
were performed. AT the wave of the hand from Mr.
Corliss, Dom Pedro gave a sharp turn of his wrist
and started his engine moment in advance Of Gen,
Grant; but the response of the machinery through
out the building was so almost simultaneous that
few could detect that the Brazilian stranger had
ou;strppcd his host. As tho countless wheels
turned the bands started their rounds, cogs
fitted into their places, pistons drove back and for
ward and up aud down, performing their infinitely
varied functions and all ut the single touch of these
men. The spectators could not fail to be reminded
of the famous kiss by the fairy prince to the cen
tury-asleep princess. in Tennysons " Day Dream:
A touch kiss, the charm snapt.
Tie palace banged and buzzed, and clackcd,
Aud al the long y, nj stream oi LIE
Dashed downward III u cataract.
The cheers that went mp were iohS anu nearly
and tho crowd the platform became even more
dense. 1t was soon evident to see that the party
were tired out with their days work. After any
number Of people had been presented to the Prcsi-
dent he suggested to Gen. Hawley t. step to tn
front and announce that the reception in the
judges Hall, which Lad been the programme,
would be omitted. This signal Tor
the breaking M of the party, the President
driving off Immediately TO Mr.. Childs's residence;
the Empress of Brazil on the arm Of the Brazilian
Minister, the Emperor escorting the Iaiters wife,
Sonora Mantlla, and most of the Official party
trudging over in the mud up Belmont-ave. past The
TRIBUNE Office to the Womans Pavilion. Here.
also, there were opening ceremonies in which the
Empress took q conspicuous part. Abont three
o'clock the party returned to their various quarters
and the grounds partially emptied themselves before
the dreIching rain came on.