The Republican journal., 1876-04-20
Glimpes OF tho Centennial.
Correspondence of the Journal.

AS am much interested and astonished at
the extent, beauty, and number of the Centcn-
NAL buildings, l hope to give to my home
friends some idea of the wonders of the Old and
new world, now arriving by land and sea for
exhibition. I would advise all who can to
come here during the months devoted 10 our
first worlds fair, for here will be concentrated |
what wears of travel abroad would require 10
investigate.
Philadelphia itself is an immense city, and
constantly increasing. 1t covers more acres
and has more houses than any other important
city in the world. This centennial year all its
people are bound to make their homes attract
i've, without regard to expense. Never has an
immense undertaking been carried tn i,or-
feet conclusion Us these >trucipTc> ii lsrAuty.
and the more you The more yJH age itu-
pressed with the energy Displayed by the liz
rectors. 4 drive TO and through tairntount
Park is exceedingly interesting. 1t l. situated
on each side of the Schulli>ill river. and en-
braces 2.99l acres, from Georges Hill in the
centre of the park-a magnificent View Of The
river. crowned by several elegant bridges, and
the grounds in which all the buildings are seen.
the enclosure. Residences, many large hotels,
places Of business, with flags of all nations dis
played, beer gardens and places for refresh
ment, where all languages are advertised TO be
spoken, and displays OF articles to tempt the
eye and taste, and reduce the purse. And ii is
only one year since this was vacant field.
Two hundred and thirty-six acres are en-
closed with miles and miles of high fence, hay
ing thirteen gates, all very tasteful, and az
ranged witt tnrnstiIes that designate the num-
Der Of visitors entering through them. ,rytn-
ty five acres of buildings are under cover,
which, with the connecting avenues, will he a
tour Of thirty miles more, and require days
for any view Of the articles displayed. A mar
row guage railroad takes you TO the points OF
interest. and stops at the entrances of the build
ines. The Memorial Hall, Of granite and iron,
is truly worthy monument of this centennial
year 1t is to be permanent structure, and
| the display Of works Of art representing the
beautiful Of each country viii Ne most enter
tanning.
Much admiration is eXprr,se 1T the Norwe-
gian court, OF the fabrics Of the country and the
ingenuity displayed in ornamental articles. In
| pottery show wonderful specimens of art anu
| industry. A statue Of terra Gotta, representing
"America" is Il wonder TO the eye and for its
materials. Native artisans of forty nations are
| at work on the sectional structures of their re-
| speciye countries. Who will have the finest
| show ease: is the question. some are very
| beautiful; one from Boston has 4 model of
| Bunker Hill monument On top. The EGyp-
| tians are fitting up their department, and it
will hardly be- exrellcd by amy other at The
! fair.
| The Machinery Hall is l,402 feet long, and
| the scene here is bewderimg. Machines are
being rapidly put up, and constant loads Of inn
| mense size are being unloaded and unpacked
! with great energy. 1t seems almost incredible
| to see the progress made each day, and the vast
amount of foreign goods arriving is wonderful
| to behold.
| Agricultural and Horticultural Halls are both
immense buildings. Fruits, vegetables, ana
| animal productions, tropical trees, flowers &C.,
from all parts of the world are to be displayed
here. The conservatory is to be adorned by
| fountain executed at Rome, and will be illumi-
mated by $500 gas burners. For the reception
| and exhibition of live stock, twenty-five acres
are secured outside the park. The Woman's
| Pavilion covers an acre Of ground, and is de-
| voted to women'- work. The cost was $4,000,
| by voluntary contributions of the women of the
! United States. OF this | shall speak particle
| larry by and by.
| TWENTY-FIVE states have erected buildings for
! their own accommodation, az have eleven for
1 NH 4, ~,
models of the homes Of the sixteenth century.
| The German empire has 4 house containing in
| tercsting collections Of home manufacture. The
| SWedes have It school house, 4 simple building,
| but wrought with great thoroughncss, and as
an admirable piece Of ioiners work i study.
| The japanese are now erecting bazar OF white
| pine, using no nails but grooyed around at i'll
| teryals, and vanished with sheac 50 rs to re-
| senlbIe bamboo. The odd shape il quite mar
| Vicious, and crowds are standing by to see their
| peculiar implements used in the construction.
| They have an enormous show. and are unpack-
| ing with great perseverance, China has q large
| display, also New South " ales and the French
| and Danish nations. About 500 tons has Just
| arrived from Italy, among it some splendid
| specimens Of art and many statues. Elegant
statues. fountains and monuments have been
erected, some Of colossal size. Government
buildings, state buildings, restaurants of all ma
tons, soda water stands and in fact everything
that can conduce to the comfort Of visitors has
been arranged. But the crowd viii be i'm
mense. Even now $4,000 are ON the grounds,
and the day visited them it took four hour,
to go and see but a slight portion and ret9rn.
| Carriages, heavy car loais Of machinery, pedes
trians, and every possible variety of conveyance
was on the way 10 and from the great Centcn
Mai show A. n. VI.