Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-19
NUMBER AZ.

the chorus. already under way, was sud-
| denly stopped to allow an encore Of the solo
"a thing almost unprecedented, on an oe-
casion of the kind. At the end of the Can
tata. the thousand members of the chorus
rose by one impulse, and gave three cheers
either for Mr.. Thomas, Mr. Buck or Mr.
Whitney, perhaps for all three. 1t was g
thoroughly inspiring scene, and lent its fire
to the remaining proceedings.
Gen. Hawley spoke in chest-voiee, 50
robust and well managed that estimate he
was heard by probably s 1000 of the audience.
His address of presentation was received
with tremendous cheering. Then President
Grant arose and stepped to the front of the
platform. He has grown quite stout, of late,
but looks we'll, and his face improved Won
derfully as he smiled upon the crowd. There
was scattered, irregular FIRE of cheering
until Gen. Hawley gave the signal with
wave OF his arm, and the great multitude
shouted together. The President read his
reply from printed copy. in an ordinary
conversational tone. was within 90 feet
of him, and could not catch single word.
When he pronounced the Exhibition open
ed. the signal was given. A flag ran up the
staff on the main building. the chimes be-
gan, the cannon doomed from Georges
Hill, and the orchestra and chorus pealed
forth the majestic Hailelujah Chorus. The
strong harmonies of the last, however,
drowned all other sounds-if. indeed, any
one could think Of listening for them. Ii
was Just noon the sun was shining, the air
was iull of dtfused light. and all nature. in
breezes and foliage and play of colors. seem
ed to join in the jubilee.
THE PROCESSION.
With the cessation of the chorus. Mr.
GOshorn gave his arm to President Grant,
who Immediately gave his other arm to the
Empress of Brazil. The Emperor followed
with Mrs. Grant. There was, of course, no
announcement Of these chief personages
those that followed were summoned to Their
places. But the platform had become 81
crowded, and all the policemen so occupied
in desperately holding back the struggling
masses, that not even the diplomatic bodies
could get into their proper places. The pre-
scribed order of the procession was soon viO-
lated by eager American statesmen and
their impatient ladies.
On entering the main hail the distraction
constantly increased. There were ropes
drawn in some places in others the exhi-
bltors and their friends considerably kept
their stand; but at every step there were
aecessions from sOmetrhere, interruptions Of
the line of march, and finally a chaotic
mixture, in which only the Presidential
party was spared. The latter walked rapid
iy up the main aisle to the eastern end,
then returned to the southern side aisle,
taking a rapid glance at the American,
Dutch, Brazilian and English departments.
Externally. the American part was in tOler-
able order but there is still hideOCs waste
of dirt, boards, packing paper and straw,
extending the whole distance in Its rear.
In the western half, France, Germany Spain,
Egypt, Switzerland. Norway and Japan
were rapidly visited, and | believe all the
Commissioners were duly greeted in pass
ing. Before reaching the western entrance
there was no longer procession. Streams of
impatient outsiders forced their way through
the files of soldiers and poured into the Hall.
The invited guests were separated, mixed
and tangled on every side, and only stall
wart guard of soldiers kept little free
space for the President, Emperor and Cen
tennial Commission.
| may say, generally, that the Exhibition
IS much further advanced than was that at
Vienna on the opening day; that the show,
while not quite so brilliant, is fully as va
ried and interesting, and that the spectacu-
lar effect Is all that could be achieved in
such a space.
Inc way across the open space % N4culn-
cry Hall was kept clear by two files Of sol
diers, and when the party had entered the
latter hall, the remainder of the task was
accomplished without interruption. This
was the closing. and, in many respects, the
most interesting act of the opening cere-
monies. In the centre.of the great hall Mr..
Corliss, proud and satisfied, stood beside his
colossal engine. After rapid inspection
and the necessary instruction, President
Grant and Emperor Dom Pedro took hold
of the separste-objects Il never could un-
derstand machinery. and don't know
whether they were cranks, valves or
wheels), and the force of 1000 horses was
smoothly and silently exerted. North and
South America started the machinery Of the
world.
Here ended NY vision of the great spec
taelc.
At half-past four the withheld rain re-
turned but all was gloriously over. Those
who sped homeward in the storm had pic
ture OF entire brightness to cheer their me
mOrles.