The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-10
The Centennial Exhibition.

The Centennial Exhibition at Philadel-
phia opens to- day in more forward state
than was the case with previous worlds
fairs at the time Of their official opening.
But the vast buildings present many gaps,
pnd ii will be a month or six weeks before
the show will be complete.
II grati1es the national pride TO know
that il is called the biggest OF all the Inter-
national Exhibitions. There is something
about huge size that appeals to the imagi-
nation of our people, and even the inhabi-
tants Of Oregon and Washington Territory
who cannot spare the cash to make the
Journey to Philadelphia to see for them
selves, will feel thrill OF patriotic Joy
over the announcement that our Exhibit
tion beats the world IN the number of acres
Its buildings cover. and the number OF
structures clustered about the great halls
of display. We are told that there are
seventy-nve acres Of buildings; a consid-
cradle part of these, however, contribut-
tng little or nothing except themselves to
the Exhibition.
Philadelphia Is thronged with people to
see tho opening, most of them probably
from the region contiguous TO the city |;
aud the hotel keepers and shop keepers
are in high glee. The stald. quiet, unpic-
turesque streets are busting with crowds,
and the Philadelphia experiences an I'M
wonted degree of excitement as he be-
thinks himself that the eyes of the world
are upon him. The thing can't happen
nsain for century, and Philadelphia has
got 1t. Instead of being merely an outly-
Ing collection Of people, Philadelphia is
now the focus Of interest, and. no longer q
way station to New York or Washington,
i has become. for the time being, itself q
place Of ultimate destination.
Undoubtedly the Exhibition will, when
IT is complete, be marvellous display OF
the products of the worlds industry and
taste. In some of its departments il will
Burpass all previous Exhibitions, and in
none Of them was the range of the display
greater. The japanese, Chinese, Egyp-
tian, English, and Trench shows promise to
be the most interesting, though the vast
Machinery Hall will present a Wilderness
of machines to interest and surprise all
those who find pleasure in examining
the mechanical achievements which have
followed upon the utilization Of steam as
motor. The trouble with these enormous
hccufDulhtlOnS OF works OF art, science,
and industry, natural products and ma
tional specialties, Is that they weary the
visitor with their extent. 1t is impossible
90 get much more than a wholesale idea of
the Exhibition. There is so great multi
tude Of details and so innumerable q va
rety OF objects to be seen, that the eye
becomes dazed. and few men are capable
of carrying away from the sight an order
ly and valuable conception of what they
have seen in such mass and multiplicity
II the ordinary visitor is able TO mark the
national differences as shown IN the dis
plays Of the different countries, that ia
about the best thing he can hope for It is
also useful result Of a walk through the
buildings.
The Commissioners of the Exhibition
have displayed great energy in bringing it
together and in providing accommodation
Tor it, and they and Philadelphia will, we
trust, be rewarded by q good measure of
success. We advise everybody who oon-
templates going TO see the show to delay
his visit for a month at least. Not until
then will it really be in full blast.