The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-13

A BRITISH DINNER TO DISTINGUISHED
AMERICANS = THORNTON AND GRANT
HOBNoBBING-BAYARD TAYLOR,s opIN-
ION OF THE sIIoW-BooTHs BooTH-THE
/ ENGLIsHMEN WITH THEIR BLANKETS
THE PRESIDENT "FATIGUED.-MoRE
| POETRY OF THE PERIoD-THE YANKEE
PICTURE OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYs-
BURG-vIRGINIA AS a DEAD-HEAD-Ex-
HIBITION OF BRAss-wHERE rs GENERAL.
| BoUMp
Sir Edward Thornton, special commits
sioner from Great Britain to the Centennial
Exhibition, gave grand dinner Thursday
night at St. Georges Hall, in Philadelphia.
| There were 1863 Invitations. The room was
tastefully decorated. AT one end was full
length portrait Of Queen Victoria; on
either side the American and British flags.
Among the most prominent OF the guests
were the Emperor Dom Pedro, President
Grant and Colonel Fred. ID. Grant Secre-
taries Fish, Robson, Chandler, and Taft;
Attorneys General Pierrepont, Chief-Justice
Waite, Colonel Thomas A. Scott, Hon.
Elijah Ward of New York, Ex-Governor
Bigler, and ex-Mayor Fox. The diplomatic
corps was represented by those serving as
commissioners from their respective Gov
ernments and British Consul Archibald.
The President and the more prominent
guests, with Sir Edward and Dom Pedro,
were at the head OF the principal table. The
three tables, extending the entire length OF
the hall, were handsomely decorated with
flowers.
After the dinner was over Sir Edward al
luded to the President twice elected, his
having presided over the ceremony OF in
auguration yesterday, and spoke Of Eng
land having contributed her mite to the eX-
position. There was only rivalry in the
arts OF peace between the two countries
never to be forgotten. He wished the COM
| pany to drink the health Of the President OF
the United States.
This was done, and the band played
"The Star Spangled Banner" amid the ap-
plause OF the assembled guests. The Pre-
sident then thanked Sir Edward for the kind
allusion to his countrymen. He knew OF no
better reply than to ask them all to drink to
the health of her Majesty the Queen. This
was done while the orchestra played the M
tional air Of England.
GLIMPSEs At THE GROUNDS.
In letter to the New York Tribune Mr..
Bayard Taylor says: g may say, generally,
that the exhibition is much further adj
/
opening day; that the show, while not quite
so brilliant, is fully rs varied and interest
ing, and that the spectacular effect is all that
could be achieved in such space"
Archbishop Wood, Of Philadelphia, has
issued a pastoral letter to the clergy and
laity directing religious celebration Of the
next 4th OF July in all the churches Of the
diocese, with mass OF thanksgiving and a
discourse appropriate to the occasion.
AS indicated three months ago in the Dis
patch, Mr.. +. G.. Booth, native Of Vir-
ginia, but now wealthy citizen OF Phila-
delphia, has erected ut his own expense q
neat little cottage on the exposition
grounds, where citizens OF the Old Do
minion will be welcomed, and which will
be used as their headquarters.
The New York Tribune says: Visitors to
Philadelphia report that our English cousins
are coming to the Exhibition with those
same bundles Of rugs and blankets that are
the distinctive marks OF an English traveller
in any cline. There is overabundant eau
ton about this. There are two places where
blankets are superfuous in warm weather.
Philadelphia is one of them.
A good deal OF merriment has been caused
at Washington, the correspondent Of the
Alexandria Gazette observes, by the an
opening of the Centennial General Grant
was so "fatigued that he could not hold q
reception. Some people can bottle up their
fatigue on such occasions.
A meeting in favor OF Sunday opening OF
the Centennial grounds will be held in
Philadelphia this Saturday evening, the
Rev. Dr. Furness presiding. Several emf
nent clergvmen have expressed their will
ingness to support the measure.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT CENTENNIAL POETRY.
THE SONG OF 1876.
Waken, voice of the Lands Devotion.
Spirit of Freedom, awaken all!
Ring, We shores, to the Song of Ocean,
| Rivers answer and mountains call!
| The Golden Day has come;
Let every tongue be dumb,
That sounded Its malice or nurlnured its fears;
She hath won her story;
| She wears her glory;
We crown her the Land OF Hundred Years!
Out of darkness and toll and danger,
| Into the light of Victorys day,
Help to the weak and home to fhe stranger,
now Europe's orphans rest
Upon her mother breast;
The voices of nations are heard In the cheers
That shall cast upon her
New love and honor,
And crown her the Queen of Hundred Years
North and South, we arc met as brothers!
East and West we are welded as one;
| Right of each shall secure our lnOtner'Si
| Child Of each Is her faithful SON
We give Thee heart and hand,
Our glorious native Land.
| For battle has tried thee anu tllne chdcars'
We will write thy story,
And keep thy glory.
AS pure as of old for Thousand Years
| [Bdyard Taylor.
INSULT TO "REBELS.
In relation to the exhibition OF Rother.
mers Battle OF Gettysburg in the Art Build.
ING the Norfolk Landmarks Of yesterday
says "In short, we are justified in pro.
nouncing this positive breach OF faith, and
we think the people of the South would
L.. LII, 70 Of