New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-22
Especial Correspondence OF the Republican,
CENTENNIAL NOTES.
PHILADELPHIA, August l6,


CENTENNIAL NOTES.
PHILADELPHIA, August 16, 1876.
1t now seems that the commissioners are
determined to no longer allow people to re-
main under false impression in regard to
the reduction of the entrance tee, and have
fiatly ccntradicted the rumor that from
Saturday next, the two last Saturdays Of
each month, the entrance fee would De
twenty-five cents. They plainly state that
the reduction will only be made on Satur-
day le and Saturday 26 inetsnt. Of course
this is considered very slight concession
when the popular demand is SO great But
it is merely an experiment, and have no
doubt the result will be so satisfactory as
to justify them in establishing regular half
fare days. TIE commissioners have been
very harshly condemned for pursuing this
couTee, and if the exposition proves finan-
cial failure the blame will. Of course, be
laid st their doors. The present prospects
do not indicate very great financial sue
cess, and we certainly hope that their
narrow policy will be apparent to them
soon enough to prevent any disastrous
results.
Atlantic City has had the honor OF q visit
from the commissioners and other invited
guests, nearly 2o0 in all. They left here
Saturday afternoon, going by way Of the
Camden and Atlantic railroad. They
stopped at the United States Hotel, where
they were very handsomely entertained
and heartily welcomed, Hon. William D.
Kelley receiving them in neat little speech
on behalf Of the mayor and citizens Of At
lantio City. The evening was sgreeably
passed in dancing, moonlight strolls and
drives. The commissioners expressed them
selves as highly delighted with the superior
advantages that Atlantic City affords as
compared with many other seaside resorts
up the coast, the beach and bathing facii
ties being especially commended, while the
delightfully."- cool atmosphere exhilarated
them as old wine will do. 1t is thoroughly
appreciated when contrasted with the sui
triness Of Philadelphia. A portion of the
commissioners returned the following morn
ing, while the balance remained to spend
the day in sailing, fishing. etc.
A hardly more attractive place can be
found in the exhibition than where the
Chinese articles are shown; and the more
attention one gives to it, the more interest
ing the display becomes. These exhibits
are confined largely to ornamental articles,
and an examination of the delicstely carved
bronzes and wood will demonstrate that
tor exquisite handiwork ard skillful nanip-
ulation, they can not be excelled. The
great staple of the c0untry-tea-is, how.
ever, not exhibited at all, but for what rea-
son we can not explain, unless it is that
they feared We might profit by such dis
play, and destroy their virtual monopoly.
A most miserable collection of eo-called
musical Instruments about On par with
those from Japan, a1e shown. Both illus
trate to US their slow or entire lack of
progress in the aesthetics, and our supe-
rioritv to them in this, as in most other
manufactures that mark our great advance
ment.
The Japanese are evidently intent on
profits and they have been go literally pa
tronized as to excite their most sangnine
and we are sorry to see that
their success has also excited their cupidity,
they having raised the prices of all articles
for sale in the bazar. City dealers import
direct from Japan and sell at much more
rates, the same goods. The
most beautiful work is the ivory carving in
the Chinese department. Among the
designs is an elephants tusk, two and
half feet long, in q bed of ebony. The
carving represents rocky projection,
rising from bamboo plantation. Here and
there are to be seen Chinese laborers max
ing their way through the cane, which is
tall and yielding and easily pushed aside.
At the larger end of the tusk is an ivory
city on q mountain side. There are the
loss houses and palaces surrounded by
mulberry trees which are supposed to
shade the houses. Many celestials are
seen marching in the streets and others are
ont of their windows. Joss
men and number of women may be seen
Frustrated on their knees in the pagodas
which tower above everything else. This
wonderful piece of workmanship was
executed by one man after three
years. labor. yet its price in China is
1920. The Pennsylvania Museum of
Art has purchased it for that sum. A
very large display is made in the min
geological annex attached to the main
building, of articles of food and great
variety Of medicine; but the latter are al
most too disgustin : in their characteristics
10 mention. Among some of their more re.
liable remedies there appear hedgehog
skins, smoked lizards, animals and reptiles
If the most repulsive appearance. A large
variety of their medicines are made from
animal matter, one smell of which will
1aueeate the most heroic stomach.
ANXIOUS.