The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-12
The Centennial Exhibition.

mated that up to the time of closing
the exposition last evening over 250.OOO
people lad passed in at the gates. No
exact count can be made rs the register
ing arrangements were not complete and
thousands entered without registery. In
the city excitement and jolifcation
were kept up nearly all night, and Phil
adelphia wore such an aspect of liveli-
ness and gaiety MS has heretofore seemed
impossible.
The principal social feature OF the
event last evening was the reception at
the residence OF Mr.. George w. Childs.
The guests included the President and
Mrs. Grant, Cabinet members, several
Senators and Governors. Chief Justice
Waite, Generals Sherman, Sheri
dan and Hancock, four or five
Admirsis, Mayors of half a dozen
cities, and great number
of foreign dignltaries. Among these were
Dom Pedro, Emperor OF Brazil, with the
Empress; Sir Edward Thornton, British
Minister, and nearly all of the centennial
commissioners from foreign countries.
Various other brilliant receptions took
place during the evening. To-day, the
excitement and enthusiasm continues in
full force. The display of flags and
decorations of all the streets is boundless,
and the continuous throng of visitors is
passing into the Exposition. The open
ing Of the Exposition may be declared
great and unequivocal success.
81. M-This evening Sir Edward
Thornton will give reception to q dis
tinguished party at St. Georges Hall.
Two hundred guests are expected.
President Grant and the Washington
officials leave for the capital tomorrow
morning.
The Emperor and Empress of Brazil
are on visit to Wilmington to o-day, and
leave for Now York tomorrow.
The counting ofthe receipts and the
registers at the gates of the exhibition
is now going on, and although far from
complete already shows an attendance of
290,OOO on the grounds yesterday.
Grand Dinner.
PHILADELPHIA, May IL Sir Edward
Thornton, special commissioner from
Great Britain to the Centennial Exhibi-
tion, gave grand dinner TO night, at
st. Georges Hail. There were l69 in!
vitations. The room was tastefully dec
GRATED. At one end was full length
portrait of Queen Victoria, and on either
side the American and British flags
The orchestra at the opposite side of the
room was profusely decorated with flags
OF all nations, those Of England and
America being gracefully intertwiLed.
Among the most noted of the guests were
Dom Pedro, President Grant, Secretaries
Fish, Robson, Chandler and taft, Attor-
Plerrepont, Chief Justice
Waite, ex-Spesker Blaine, e. w. Childs,
Representatives Faulkner, Randall and
Kelly, Prof Bard, Senator Ferry,
General Hawley, President OF the Cen
tcnnial Commission; samuel Ward, OF
New York; Col. Thomas A. Scott, Hon,
Elijah Ward, of New York; ex.Gover-
nor Biglcr, ex-Mayor Fox.
The diplomatic corps was represented
BY those serving rs Commissioners
from their respective governments, and
the British Consul, Archibald. The
President ana n lew more Oh the PROM
inent guests. with Sir Edward and
Dom Pedro, were at the head OF
the principal table. The three tables ex.
tending the entire length OF the hall
were handsomely decorated with flowers.
After dinner was over Sir Edward al
luded to the President twice elected, ms
having presided over the cere.
mony of the inauguration yes.
terday, and spoke of England"
having contributed her mite to the exs
position. There was o. ly rivalry in the
arts of reace between tae two countries.
He wished the company to drink the
health of the President of the United
States. This was done and
the band played the "Star
Spangled Banner amid the applause of
the assembled guests.
The President then thanked Sir
Edward for the kind allusion to his
He knew of no better re-
ply than to ask them to drink the health
of Her Majesty the Queen. This was
done while the orchestra played the ma
tonal air of England.