, 1876-05-27
THE CENTENNIAL.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday. May 10.

SLTo6tS VI 1uIIdu6tpuld W6F6 uil6u WIFI tue
stirring multitude, and the rush Of people by
every possible conveyance to the Exhibition
grounds was tremendous. AT the gates, be-
fore 9 O'Clock, there was much confusion from
over providing, but the whole arrangement was
very good, and the people got ingress without
any great detention. During the playing Of
" Hail Columbia" by the band, General
Sheridan arrived and was greatly applauded.
At this time there we're hundreds of distinguish
ed persons on the central platform, which
looked gay with the brilliant uniforms of the
diplomatic corps and with the gay dresses of the
ladies, which sparkled in the unclOuded sun.
The crowd continued to increase every mo-
ment and by 10 O'Clock, as far as the eye
could see from the platform, nothing could be
seen but the great surging stirring mass of
human faces.
Az 1915 a. m. the Emperor and Empress of
Brazil assembled the platform with their suite
amid a buzz of excitement, followed by loud
cheers. The Emperor came forward to the
front of the platform, and, taking off his hat,
bowed several times in acknowledgment Of the
cheers. The large photograph published
of him ia a good likeness. He was dressed
plainly in black, with lIght.oolored kid gloves
and the ordinary silk hat. He is fully six
feet In height his figure erect and we'll built !;
bis oountonanco mild but d%ignifed, his manner
apparently easy and courteous, as be received
those who were presented to him. He looks
about sixty years Of age, and wears q full white
beard. He has an English cast of cOuntenanoe
and might be taken anywhere for an English
gentleman Of position.
The Empress IS a short, stout, plain looking
woman of about fifty, with a pale or olive-tinted
Fa0l like OlDut VUOnnn Df tho G,nfb 4Vuf
though not at all handsome she has a gracious
and intelligent smile in conversation, which
makes her countenanoe pleasing. She wore
a light grey silk, and light-colored bonnet.
She was accompanied by two ladies of honor.
The Emperor's suite and Empress chamber
lain wore brilliant state uniforms.
Just as the national airs we're finished the
President of the United States arrived and
was loudly cheered. The procession to es-
oort the President consisted of about 5000
men mostly ofthe Pennsylvania militia organi-
cations. The President took a seat on the plat
form in 'front.' of Memorial Hall. The pro-
gramms was then gone through with. the main
feature of which was the Presidents address.
at the conclusion of which he declared the Ex-
hibition open. Then the flag on the staff was
run up as the opening signal, and all the other
flags In and around the grounds and on the
buildings we're raised. This was followed by
a grand carnival of sound, all the bands, Or
gans, musical instruments, bells and cannonS
breaking forth with a more or less harmonious
rejoicing. To this majestic refrain was added
Handles "Hallelujah !" chorus. with organ and
orchestral compartment. After prayer by Bish-
op Simpson. and the presentation of the
building to The United States Centennial Com
mission by Mr.. John Walsh, Chairman of the
Building Committee, the canta Of Lanier, be-
ginning "From this hundred terraced height
was sung by Mr.. w. w. Whitney, of Boston,
This was followed by the pesen tation of the
Exhibition to Presid ent Grant by General j.
R. Hawlsy, President ofthe Centennial COMMITS
sion.
The President rose to make his reply Of
acceptance. Another roar greeted his appear
ance, and there wac a forward movement OF
the multitude toward the stage, so far as
this was possible, to hear what ne had TO say.
He took off his hat, and the sun, it should be
said was scorching, calmly drew out several
pages foolscap loosely written and commenced
to read. This, at least, was surmlsed, but
only from his attitude, which was that of q
man calmly re%citing from a brief. There
was a slight but good humoured laugh when
observed what the President was doing
but when reaching the end Of the first he turned
over his second page with an air of utmost de-.
llber alton, the laugh became loud but more
good natur0d than hafoPa. and soma ohaariuo