Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-05
Correspondence of the New YORK Word


THE STORM IT 7HE CENTENNIAL.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. q The extraordinary
gale which this morning rose "roarng seward,
and blew with such unexampled fury over so long
a range of our Atlantic coast, subjected the great
buildings on the Centennial grounds to more
lively test probably than was dreamed Of by the
architects who constructed them All is well that
ends WE'LL however, and the results Of this ordeal
have given the managers Of the enterprise ifesG
confidence in the SIKH and Judgment with which
their work has thus far been done.
When we consider the vast area of light glass
and ronwork exposed to this furious storm-there
are twenty Of glitterng spider-we6 archltec-
ture in what is known as the "Man Bullding
alone-it may well excite both amazement and
admiration that so little damage was caused by 1t.
horticultural Hall which, with its crystal AID its
color seems rather huge flower Of the fancy
"ri.inx like an exhalation" from the earth than a
substantial product Of merely human labor and
ingenuity, bore the shock Of the tempest as un-
concernedy as the granite of the Memorial Build
ing. Yet from Horticultural Hall stretches west
ward long open vista intended to be carpeted in
June with such a wealth Of floral beauty as has
never before been seen in this country, and this
afforded the wind the fairest opportunity winch
the most unreasonable of the demons OF -tous
could have asked, for trying conclusions with the
fairy. like structure it assaed. The gale forced
it, way under the western end of the roof OF the
Machinery Building, which, standing IN line with
the Main Building, gives the Exhibition contln-
uous perspective OF $500 feet of exquisltey light
and airy architecture perspective OF when New
York readers may form more adequate idea IL
they will consider that ii represent. Ja>t about the
distance from Washington square on the Filth
| avenue, to the Fifth Avenue Hotel on Madison
square. But the portion of the root OF tue Ma
chperv Building thus disturbed was so small and
the workmanship of the building IS so solid IN
spite Of It's lghtness, that the mischief done IN the
morning WIS repaired before sundown.
| The United States Government building, which
is much smaller than either OF these, was partially
unroofed, but not SO seriously as to Affect the WORK
upon it. which is rapidly approaching competon !;
and six crockets on the Agricultural building,
which occupies peculiarly exposed situation,
were toppled over. Beyond this no damage worth
mentioning was done, and early in the afternoon
the workmen were going about their work, and
visitors of both sexes were promenadlUS, as they
daily do, on their tours of volunteer inspection.
The japanese, who have housed themselves IN
a kind of basket house, put together with ropes,
and who have become objects OF so much cuilos-
lty especially 10 the more curious sex, that lhey
have soemply hung up over their doors pair OF
masculine unmcntionabes warning to
spinsters not to abuse the Christian leap year and
disturb them with offers Of marriage, succeeded IN
keeping off the wind, if not the women. Then
curious habitaton swayed but stood firm, ike
well-bui!t wooden house in tropical earthquake.
A dscontented Western Democrat who was or
the grounds this afternoon ssrdonicaly observed,
when his attention was called TO the violence with
winch the gale had ragged, that 1.-THE Commission
ers had been trying for two years to RAISE the
wind, and tina! il was high time they should have
succeeded" thiEk it only just to observe that
this remark not made by Mr.. Sunset Cox.
CENTENNIAL.