The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-01
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
PHILADELPHIA, March 80, 49,

| propose to say word or two about the
Centennial. | shall not undertake to give
the dimensions, shapes, positions, cost, &c.
of the different buildings. Yon probably
know all these things, and if not you can
learn them from a guide book, which you
can obtain from an hundred hands imme-
dately upon alighting at the grounds for
from ten cents to dollar a copy.
The approaches to the grounds are thick
ly fringed with frame buildings, ornamental
in style and trimmed off very lavishly,
but for all present cheap and rather dis
paraging appearance for the avenues of
entrance. | understand that steps have
been taken to prevent lar!hc work Of this
kind. These buildings are mostly used for
restaurants and cigar stoleS; and for signs
bear such personal appeals as the following:
"The Montgomery County House. " The
Chester County House." "The German
town House" This latter, situated OH
Belmont Avenue, has Il canvas painting
upon the front, representing the raid upon
the Chew Mansion, Germantown, in 1111.
| don't know who the artist is but he has
succeeded in cieverly confusing the locker
on as TO whether they are soldiers rushing
to the attack on the house. or imaginative
visitors running to the restaurant for cup
of coffee and IA roll. In either case it is an
eat sign. The grounds are fast being put
in order, walks being made, banks sodded
and flower beds gotten ready for planting.
In addition to the warning keep off the
grass" they might add for the present
THAT is to be-" Otherwise strangers to
oar soil might form an unfavorable opinion
of the height and color of our grass
In, hn "a n
oil characterization and fitting up of stalls
booths and pavilionS by the different coun-
tries is being rapidly completed. At pres
ent they are using this building for a
tom house, officers examining and passing
the goods here. Over the west entrance,
in raised gilt letters wreathed with green,
are the words: "Scence, Virtue, Liberty,
Independence, Industry" Immediately
above the word Liberty a wreath encir-
cies scroll bearing the words, sin God
We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum.''-
There will probably be guide stationed
here to inform strangers from Jersey or
other distant climes that " E Piuribus
Unum," placed directly beneath the other
motto, doesn't mean that we have a num-
l,er of Gods and can only trust one of
them.
MI w. II. Wilcox, of Philadelphia, is
signed to illustrate the origin of the United
States flag. He has deposited in this build
ing-as a portion of the trophy-a large,
oval painting by himself, which attracts Il
great deal Of attention. The picture repre-
SCENTS a watch fire by moonlight, two SEN
liIlels stationed a5 it. peerIng into the
eastern sky, with looks OF wonder and de-
light The sun is about rising and the
clouds before it are So pictured as 10 pre-
sent a surface of alternate stleaks OF red
and white. The upper left hand corner is
left vacant and through this is seen square
of blue sky intcrsptr>cd with twinking
stars. 1t is an admirable conception, beau
tifuny carried out. The Art Gallery is
now being plastered The bronze figures
of Pegasus, in front of the main entrance,
are massive ailairs--of really wondrOus
size Horticultural Hall is by far the pref
test building on the grounds. Its peculiar
style of architecture-Na ureSque- aud its
i,ieasing location rendering il an attractive
and admiratic cdiiice. The inside elabora-
ton is of the finest and most beautiful
kind. Blue, gold, white and green being
the principal Colors. 1t is nearly ready for
occupancy-in fact the forcing houses are
already partially filed with plants, trees,
&c, in the course of propagation. | no.
ticed several orange and lemon trees in
fruitage. The flooring of Agricultural
Hall is about down, the towers completed,
and the inside white washing nearing the
flush This has been the most unlucky of
the buildings; suffering two mishaps from
heavy winds. The first blow leveled the
framework, the second Only succeeded in
carrying away five of the towers. Machn-
cry Hall is completed so far as the immedi-
ate erection of the building is concerned.
approaches fer connecting the machinery
with the motive power. o.. the numerous
p -ivate buildings, the Japanese house pro
b ,bly creates the greatest interest. 1t is a
long two story structure, built mostly of
red cedar. The roof slopug both ways
from the centre, is of a peculiar curved
tile of black color, trimmed with broad
stripes of white, the whole presenting
wavy appearance. Il has been almost en-
tirgly constructed without nails: Il few
light sprigs being used in the paneling.
The carved work over the entrance. repre-
seuting birds, dragons, &c, is n marvel of
skill and beauty. The clothing of the
japanese wcrkmen is a sort of drilling of
dark blue color trimmed with white braid.
The coats are long and loose. gathered
light at the waist; the pantaloons lit very
tightly, giving the wearer sort Of top
heavy appearance One or two of them
have become sufficiently Americanized to
wear Yankee CATERS and cardigan jackets.
Every one knows their peculiar manipu-
lation Of tools, but probably the fact Of
their saying their prayers backwards is not
SO generally known. They are also back
ward in making acquaintance. The Eng
fish houses attract great deal of atten-
ton. They are principally made up of
chimneys, gables and windows. The roofs
are Of red tile. The window glass are
about three inches square, one window con-
tanning eishty-f"ur panes with one horizon
tai division. Near these brildings-there
are three Of them-stands , steam road
wagon, made by Aveling and Porter,
Rochester, England. 1t consists of an
engine and heavy wagon which can be
coupled at pleasure. The wheels are of
iron and very broad. i derrick is attached
to the front and is worked by the engine.
1t looks odd to see this affair come rolling
along u common road without the help of
horse power. The New Jersey house is
MT built of sand. 1t is a wooden struc-
ture, with many towers, the roof being of
reddish-hued tile. A narrow gauge rail-
way winds in and out to all the principal
buildings and forms ii trtsty guide at all
times aud in moist weathera dry pathway
One thing not noted in the guide book is
Max Puro'S waffle bakery. This is estab
lshed in covered wagon, and stands at
the Belmont Avenue entrance. One dozen
wailles are turned out every two minutes,
so the proprietor informs you, at the same
time assuring you 'that they are waffle
nice-in fact wheely indescribable.' Every
body appears glad that this bakery is here
1t is the one thing needed to perfect the
Exposition. BY dividing up Machinery
Hall and borrowing L circus tent, they
might have got along without the Main
Building; or by using the dome on Fuller
Warren * Co.'S stove building for Il fore,
ing house. and fitting up the inside of the
20 inch gun at the l. s. Government build
ing, they might have dispensed with Hotti-
cultural Hall; but it would have been sim
ply impossible to have conducted the Exhi-
bition in any thing like successful tnan-
ncr without this waffle bakery. really
doughn-t think they'd have tried it.
Yours Centennialy, TooTs.
THE NkpEETS