The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-05-11

Nltloul inc SIOuIus, lllc most ample DlONlelOH
for eating and drinking.
To people IN Maine the rates of transporta-
ton are not of so much consequence as to the
more remote portions of the country. But there
is promised a reduction of fares in all directions.
If railroad fares are high, the seacoast has the
great thoroughfare of the ocean, over which
there are no tolls. The Centennial managers
are now in consultation with the superinterd-
ents of the great lines of travel, for the purpose
Of getting reduced fares, and will no doubt sue
ceed although the railroads contend for nearly
their own rates WIS
PHILADELPHIA, May 4th.
AS the day for the opening approaches, there
is more and more of hurry and confusion. The
Main Building is crowded with workmen, pack
ing boxes, goods aud litter. Many people shake
their heads over the prospect OF anything like
readiness by the 10th. But the work will be
pushed, day and night and Sunday. The Eng
ilsh exhibitors, both from the mother country
and the colonies, have their apartments COM
pleted and look with establishment at the tar
diness OF others, especially the Yankees. There
are hosts Of men, carts, and horses at work Oh
the paths and avenues, which Will be all covered
with tar and gravel composition. This work
is especially behindhand in the far-off Agrcul
taral Hall, the surroundings of which show the
clay of new roads and sad barrenness of turf.
What Maine contributions this building con-
tains have not been able to learn.
Horticultural Hall has an immense display of
rare plants, such as would delight the eyes of
ladies AZ T of t,rb ooJI-
red displays of flowers as border the approach
Is TO this building are rarely seen, where every
form Of beauty and attractiYeness of color con-
trast with the beautiful green of the turf. But
ii Is inside the building that Il rare display of
tropical richness greets the eyes. There are
huge ferns palms, lemon and orange trees in
full fruitage, and such treasures of the floral
world Us are rarely seen together Among
them are placed statues at intervals, and hap
Iened 10 be there While musicians, concealed
somewhere in the foliage, were practicing for
the approaching opening. The effect was very
line. This cannot fail TO be tavorite resort
ior visitors.
Memorial Hall, opposite, is Masonic build
NJ, adorned by colossal statues, and intended
10 be permanent reminder of the occasion.
1t has holne-lihe appearance to me, because
The granite of the solid base was furnished by
lion. John 4. Rowe, from the Frankfort quar-
res, and is beautiful sample of Maine granite.
This Hall viii contain permanently the records,
pictures. &c. intended to remind po7teriry Of
.Le great event u to-day,
To lovers Of art, ana those having apprecia-
ton Of the beautiful. The Art Building will have
great attractions. 1t j. huge in extent and the
rooms are full of endless surprises of beauty
and >plenior-the achievements of genius on
canvas, ana marble emboAiments of the sculp-
Tors dreams Of beauty and grace. Italy alone
sends 800 marble statues Nothing like it has
ever Deea seen in the western world. 1t was
Interesting to see the almost atltctionate care
with Which the Italian and French artists and
assistants handled and displayed their contri-
huu0n>-an enthusiasm of which the cold and
stolid Yankee knows but little-but who goes
into raptures over locomotives, steam plonghs,
the granite blocks, edge tools, an i such other
hard facts.
There Is one structure which presents Il very
warllke appearance, begirt with immense can
non. and the hagr turret of a monitor. This is
I
ment. where Brother Jonathan will exhibit his
proficiency in the arts of war and peace All
the departments will have their place, and the
West Point cadets will camp near by. The Med
zeal Department has building, and 81 hos ,,ital
lent pitched beside it, SO as to show not only
how we Kill men, but likewise how We cure
them. l noticed an old army wagon, which an
Inscription stated had gone with Sheridan's long
march over 1000 miles, and come out pretty
good wagon. The surroundings Of those build
in&S are neatcr than those of any others on the
ground.
An attractive structure will be the Catholic
Temperance Fountain, Of white marble. 1t will
be one hundred feet across the basin, some 40
feet high, and viii spout pure water from a
hundred places-so many assertions of the vir-
tues Of temperance. This beautiful structure,
which will cost S50, 900, is built by the contribu-
lions Of the temperance Catholics. The Sons OF
Temperance have 4 smaller fJunt ain in another
portion Of the ground.
Speaking of water reminds me OF navigation,
for which water has done 50 much and to say
that there are some curious boats on show here.
Some of these may be found among the Canaii-
an contributions. They have some canoes,
which At first examination thought to be gen.
uine work Of the Indians, so perfectly did they
retain the beauty of outline ami lightness Of the
birch canoe. Bat they were really made of thin
birch or ash boards, fastened by copper civets.
II was only another instance of pale-f;lce en-
croschment on the immemorial rights Of Lo, the
poor Indian. But as | surveyed the specimen
II occurred 10 me that | knew Il gentleman re-
siding near the Belfast po>t-office, who would
ENJOY testing it on Quantebacoos water, and
taking out four pound pickerel, while the
Commissary steadied the craft with his paddle.
The question OF opening or closing the grounds
on Sunday is causing considerable excitement
1t Is argued that, having invited the inhabitants
Of the world here, people of nil religions and
Peep e OF no religion, we should not try to make
them conform to our peculiar notions about the
christian Sabbath, but should open the gates on
the seventh day ofthe week, as Oh any other day
The devotonS of nobody will be thereby him
dered, it is claimed. Besides, there are hum
dreds of thousands of people 10 whom Sunday
j. holiday, who have no other, and must visit
the exhibition that day, or not visit it at all.
On one Sabbath recently 125 600 people came
simply TO see the grounds--the buildings being
closed. This is an important element, too, in
the calculation Of receipts-as 49, 900 a week is
no inconsiderable sum. When the matter was
brought before the Commissioners recently,
they voted to close the buildings, but to keep the
grounds open. Afterwards the vote was recon-
sidered, and one TO close both grounds and
buildings WAS passed. 1t is now believed that
the string has been drawn too close, and that it
must be relaxed. 1 predict that in six weeks
both grounds and buildings will be open on
Sunday
The weather to-day is quite pleasant, but for
few days past 1t has been cold enough for over
coats and fires have been in demand w. II. 8.
PHILADELPHIA, May 9Th
The Board Of Centennial Commissioners, at
their meeting yesterday, settled the question of
The sale of liquors on the grounds. The opin-