Middletown transcript., 1876-07-08
written for the Middletown Transcript.
The Centennial Exhibition.
PHILADELPHIA, July l

lu6 O6ut6uuldl 0AAIuiuiOA'
PHILADELPHIA, July /.
i A CENTENNIAL "REMINISCENCES.
don't believe it was as hot as this a
century ago this time. In fact am
morally certain that it was not With
the Thermometer hanging round the
Centennial figure Thomas Jefferson
never could have stopped tanning HIM
self and drinking lemonade long enough
to evolve the Declaration from his in
ner consciousness nor could the devot-
ed band whose autographs appear in
that connection have worked themselves
up to the pitch Of reckless patriotism
necessary to make them run their necks
into King Georges moose by putting
their names to that incendiary docu-
ment, unless, indeed, they were SO hot
and miserable as to be perfectly willing
to die. While then we, their degener-
ate sons, are weeping at every pore"
we are somewhat inclined to envy our
venerable predecessors their meterolog-
ical condition until we reflect that they
at that time had never SO much as
thought Of a grand Exposition. and
then we at once realize that we have
got decidedly the best of it.
UNCLE SAM KICKING IN HIS OLD CRADLE.
What the severity Of the recent tenn
perature has done to pull down the
average attendance at the Fairmount
grounds has been just about met by the
large increase of visitors attracted by
the grand preparations which have been
made for the coming anniversary. The
hotels contain already about ten thou
sand guests, or 'over two-thirds Of their
total capacity. Everything points to
big time on Monday and Tuesday
Money seems to be no object in getting
ready everybody is going in for big
time and all will throw themselves into
it in feverish, energetic, hard working
and thus truly American manner. If
New York is covered with flags, Phila-
delphia is made oe them. The city
looks fair representative Of good John
Bunyan's VANITY Fair" From end
to end it is solid with bunting, every
thing to which piece Of cloth could in
any way be fastened. being covered
with Uncle Sans or somebody else's
colors; the same liberal variety being
observed here as in New York.
As this letter will probably not reach
vour readers until after the great festi-
val I will not occupy your space with
the published municipal and private
programmes Of the day. Their charac-
ter can as well be imagined as de-
scribed.
RUSSIA AND TUNIs.
At the Exhibition grounds the daily
proceedings 60 on as usual, the brist-
ling attractions of the place continuing
to bewitch and bewilder old and new
comers alike. Last week | spoke Of
some Of the beauties Of the Russian
metal work. Only a little less ad-
mirable is the display Of malachite and
lapis lazuli. Of which there is rich and
beautiful exhibit, including mantles,
tables. clocks, vases, caskets, and a
great variety of mantel ornaments. The
fabrics Of silver and gold thread, heavily
embroidered with green leaves and vines
in silk, surpass anything Of the kind
exhibited by the Oriental nations that
excel in this sort Of work With re-
gard to these latter articles, | DO not
praise them from merely male and
consequently unintelligent standpoint.
Standing near the cases containing them
think l heard trife more oh-ing and
ah-ing over them from the fair sex than
over anything else in the place. Backed
up by these expressions Of feminine ap-
probation, therefore, can boldly assert
the superiority Of the cloths in question.
CURIOUS ANTIQUITY
The Tunisian Section also contains
some beautiful work in heavy gold en-
broidery upon green and crimson vel
vet, in the forms Of saddle cloths. cush-
ions, table covers, slippers, ETC., filigree
jewelry. jewel-hilted daggers, inlaid
weapons, cloth of gold and silver, curl
ously carved and painted furniture, and
variety Of garments and utensils, all
glittering with barbaric profusion of
color and ornament Here, too, is
shown large piece of mosaic taken
from the floor Of the Temple of Diana
in the ruins Of Carthage. It represents
lion seizing his prey, and is for sale
for $5, 900. gold. Considering the an
tiquity Of this piece as well as its in
trinsic merit, the price is far from ex-
orbitant and considering the scarcity
Of such objects in our finest museums
this mosaic ought not to be allowed to
leave the country.
FLAGS, BELLS AND "AMERICA."
Three times each day-at sunrise,
noon and sunset-are the grounds en-
livened by the music of the chime Of
bells in the northeastern tower Of Ma
chinery Hall. Those are the regular
hours, but the bells are also heard at
other times according to the inclination
Of the ringer. These bells, thirteen in
number, one for each Of the original
states. weigh in the aggregate 21 900
pounds, their individual "heft" rang
ing from $50 to $500 pounds. On the
Fourth this noble chime with "Amer-
lea" on its iron tongues, will join the
great new Independence bell in those
triumphal paeans which will roll sky
ward from the whole United States -
None need to be urged to lend their
voices and "God Bless our Native
Land" from the mouths and hearts Of
our forty millions will surge up to
Heaven laden with deeper meaning and
truer fervor than ever before since the
glorious old anthem was written. So
mought it be- Next week shall write
from within the second century Of our
national existence. RADIx
The Boston Herald is an ardent