Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-06-27
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Centennial Letter, No. L.
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL. !
PHILADELPHIA, June l0th, 1876. (

FIFTH AVENUE HoTEL.
PHILADELPHIA, June l0th, 1876. (
Mr.. Editor:-lt is utterly impossible TO
do the Centennial in the short time to
which visitors generally limit themselves.
One could spend three months here. and
then not see all there is of interest. No
one can form an adequate conception OF
the magnitude OF the exhibition from the
pictorial representations OF the buildings,
50 freely circulated.
We are with the Maine editorial party
Al the Elm Avenue Hotel. where we are
very agreeably entertained. and have the
advantage of being near the Centennial
| grounds. We arrived in Z. al noon and
in the afternoon we took the horse cars
and rode 10 the various places OF interest
! 10 be seen in the city
The first building which every stranger
will wish to see is independence Hall.
/ The exterior walls of which have been
touched up to resemble Us nearly as pos
sible their appearance one hundred years
| ago Here is where the Declaration OF
Independence was signed. Nearly all
the portraits in this building are of those
who figured in the Revolution.
Then there is Carpenters Hall, where
The first Congress met; the Blind asy lum.
the Deaf Il Dumb asylum. Masonic Tenn
pie. Girard College and u. 5. Mint, and
other places OF interest which would
require more time than we could devote
10 them. In the evening a ride round
Fairmount Park was very delightful.
/ We called on some oil the Mass. editors
" ho were at the Grand Exposition Hotel,
put up Tor this exhibition. and capable OF
accommodating 1000 guests.
The ride round Fairmout Park gave US
a 6ne view OF the exterior OF the Exhibi-
/ ton buildings, which are five in number
and occupy about 90 acres; 230 acres
are used for the whole exhibition. There
are great many other buildings which
might be denominsted public, such as
The U S. Government Building, Office of
Centennial Commission, Women's Pavi'-
ion, sc; aud about twenty states have
erected edi6ces OF great beauty, which
are used as Offices. parlors &c. About
$50 buildings in all are erected on the
grounds.
The first thing to be done on entering
the enclosure, is to take the steam cars,
in which for cts. you can ride round
among the principal structures, for 4
miles. that you may get some idea Of
theic situation. then form your plan for
the day, and don't undertake too much.
We spent two whole days in one build
ing, and did not begin to be satisfied, not
having seen more than half it contained.
The grounds between are laid out 10
gardens enclosed by iron wicSets and
ornamented with fountains OF every
description. huge vases, pillars and
memorial statues.
The Centennial Fountain is large
circular basin, 40 feet 10 diameter and
has in its center, mass OF rocK-work,
su-mounted By colossal statue OF Moses,
pointing upwards The French fountain
is very striking; and the Catholic Tenn
perance Fountain which is not yet
complete. is to be a grand affair,
Every day. both forenoon and alter
noon. this week. Gilmore's Band has
given free concerts, at the Music Pavilion,
which is in beautiful grove. We
understand ,ha, Gilmore was told his
music was of too high an order; and
when asked if he could not play some
thing that the common people could
appreciate. he replied mo- il they can't
come up to me. I'll not lower myself to
play ten-penny music TO them," in which
we think he was right.
Every noon the chime bells ring. We
heard them play America. Maryland.
Msrseille's Hymn and other national airs.
In the center of the main building is
huge elevator, in which for 10 cts, one
can be taken up 1O1 feet, where il he
chooses, be can walk over the top OF the
building which is one third OF mile
lono and about 500 1t. wide. ln this edi-
fee are many beautiful fountains.
rockeries. statues and designs OF great
interest. Rolling chairs are provided IN
which for 60 cts. an hour, one may De