Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-08
NO. los.
For the Journal.
THE PERMANENT EXHIBITION, Oh The
GREAT CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION ION
DENSED.
AUGUSTA, Nav 7, 1877.

AUGUSTA, May 7, 1877.
The enterprising citizens Of Philadelphia in sp-
probation Of many instructive lessons furnished by
the great Object Schsol of the Centennial Interna-
tiona Exhibition, have purchased and appropriated
the Main Building for similar exhibition, which
will be permanent. This is to be opened with i'm
posing ceremonies on the 10Th inst, the first ami
versary Of the Centennial Exhibition Its display
will surpass in many respects that of 1876; the
experience in the selection and arrangement Of
exhibits which the first Exhibition afforded, like
lesson once learned. has become more thoroughly
comprehended in the review. The States and
nearly all the foreign nations participate in the
grand enterprise. Ever since the close of the
Centennial Exhibition the work of preparation
has been in progress. 10 the central transcpt, on
the north side of the building and directly in front
of the Roosevelt Grand Organ, manufactured by
Hillborn L. Roosevelt: N. Y, and now owHed by
the Exhibition Company, q vast. gradually as
cending gallery has been erected, extending to
the organ, sufficient to seat Q chorus Of $500
voices. Between this and the former music stand,
In the center of which now towers the original
model Of the colossal statue Of the Goddess of
America, which is to be erected in Boston CON-
for an assembly Of 5000 persons.
President Hayes is one of the many distinguished
personages to be present at the opening of the
new Exhibition, which will be an occasion of great
| interest, especially to those who appreciate fine
music, there being 4 chorus of 800 singers in an
tcipation, and orchestra OF 80 instruments be-
sides the grand organ, which is the largest was
exhibited at the Centennial, being 40 feet high, AZ
feet wide, and 20 feet deep, containing great or
gan. swell organ, solo organ and pedal organ. The
style of its construction is exceedingly cbaste and
elegant, presenting seven stately columns of met
al pipes in full relief light drsb in shade, harmo-
niousiy blending with the rich blue of the inter-
venng pipes that form the general surface front.
which is beautifully decorated with waved stripe
deep blue, maroon, and gold. the entire distance
across The case Is very ornamental, inlaid in pan
el'work Of three varieties Of black walnut and
| the columns supporting the groups of pipes
very richly carved. The central pipes are sur
| mounted by row of smaller pipes, gradually ris-
ing in height from the centre towards each side dec
GRATED similar to the organ front, above which is
| group of trumpets.
An arcade formed by a succession of beautiful
| arches, extends on either side from the central
towers to the gallery where the organ stands;
| within which arcades, the home life Of various
cou ntiies will be represented-ther system of ed
ucation, manner of living, costumes, etc.
The building itself is well oithy 4 visit to the
Centennial eiIy, not only on account Of its iumen-
siy and beauty of architecture, but its very orna-
| mental interior. The framework is handsomely
decorated Win HesCO palnu0g, tne OfnamentAtlOn
designed by Mr.. Henry Petit, of Philadelphia,
chief architect Of the building, who has displayed
much artistic talent in the selection aud blending
| Of colors.
| The most snowy of the fresco painting are the
| panels on the plates which support the columns;
the whole number of which are 672; these PAN
nels are scarlet ground with scroll work in colors
| of yellow, black, blue and white. Between every
| other column, each alternate panel has in
the center, ON black ground ornamentally enclosed
i fhe = nialT Int NJ
| Exhibition).
| The frescoing of the columns is a scarlet stripe
figured 10 the same shades as decorate the panels,
with border lines of yellow and black; each col
| umn has ss q capitol handsome ornament
Of light coored wood, and the dark heads of the
/ rivets in perpendicular rows along their margins
of olive green, which shade blending with the
yellow and black, at distance produces the effect
| of brouze, add very neat finish.
The numerous roof trusses rods, etc., are paint
ed light buff, . complimentary color to the cell
ing which is calcomined pale blue giving cold
| color very acceptable in the heat of the season
| and the greatest aerial effect to the pur-
spective and distance. These almost number
less roof supports appearing small viewed
| from below give lace like effect to the whole
| upper part of the building. The centre of the
fiat bars or trusses, is traced with line of ver-
Million little flourish at the ends. This color
ing apparently so trfling, diffuses blush, as it
were, over the entire surface, illustrating the truth
| of the sdsgc that ''trifes make perfection, but
| perfection is trihe." The circular paintings,
(transparancies,) which cap the long rows Of win
dows, also those of the towers, were executed
| by the great artistic Church and House Decora-
tors, Moran and Goff of New York, and represent
2U0 varieties of emblems pertaining to art science
and manufacture, illustrating everything shown
| in the building the total number OF the paintings
are about 5000. Upon the four sides of the CEN
tral Pavilion. are grand International trophies
entitled respectively, Europe" ASIA"
africa" America" These we've Designed by
the celebrated artist, Camille Piton of Pniladel-
phia. They are 4S feet in length and 40 feet in
| height. A group of six flags of the nations of
the country form the background, the hsgstsffs
| radisting from given point and the bunting
| gracefully festooned; the United States colors,
shown in the centre upon oriiamme capped
with wreath having motto beneath il with the
| sbbreviation, U. 5. and held in the talons of
| eagle. The central feature of the Trophy is an
| agricultural design, supporting pedestal on the
| front of which is 3 medallion enclosing the head
of the characteristic animal shown in high relief;
| the name of the country at the base and upon
each side is of the representative men, in sit
| ting posture, with name in large letters below.
| Standing upon the pedestal is female figure in
her national costume, presenting the Appropriate
plant.
Entering from Elm Avenue on the south side, q
beautiful vista opens TO the beholder. A magnifi
cent gothic fountain first appears, casting graceful
spray from upwards of seventy jets, surrounded
by equestrian statutes of generals in full uniform
| statutes of statesmen and other personages, col
lossal and life size, which one might fancy an
| sembly of people psusog to contemplate and en-
JOY the artistic shower in the rear either side, is
| grand display of beautiful paintings and smaller
statues. In the ceutre of the rsnsept, within the
space bounded by the four central towers which
| formed of wrought iron like the rest of the build
ing, and just beyond the art gallery, stands the
gigantic statue of the Goddess of Liberty, like
sentinel on duty; the rich trophies in the dome
above, and the dark handsome frame of the towers
having promenades at each story, enclosed by
namenal lattice railing, with cornice finished
in pendant scrolls of light colored wood 10 fne
contrast, and supporting rods beneath Of SINH
liar lstuce-work and the winding stairways cur
tanned with dark maroon tspesty, fringed snd fes-
tooned, leading upward higher and still higher, un-
I'll lost from view by the Intersection of the roofs,
lend additional beauty. Next beyond is the
auditorium over which are suspended the five su-
perb chandeliers OF blue and gold which formally
graced the interior of the Woman's Pavilion; the
orchestra, most distant, is ornsmentally built and
brilliantly frescoed, producing rich and pleasing
effect and above it looms the majestic organ.
One interesting feature of the programme Of the
opening entertainment will be dinner, conduct
/ - e l.. .k..l n