, 1878-07-18

'H. .||" I.. f..|'.. ..tN IN fN'N gent ~
m.u.'rEtru uf un'rI TEN. II seemed
o. frH-l '.o unr pulls" ut The nation
a,Tr b.s'lng. al. feeling, and sentiments
arre strained Geo u.r subject, aui like
tUr harmony ul grand music, it hai
lifted them ru r. higher sphere.
A. uHygt ,hr," o'clock in the dhv the
cannon. began u.,m.ul and the firing
Toe principal pant ui the ictc. that which
D.. dear iu The heart OF every Frruclmtn,
'.., place i1 the evening, when Paris
.rmui ,uc blaze of light. All Paris
40. lu 'Hr stree, uu talt uight-all the
csgcirgs,, iolEss, cooks. aud that class
nf people. who rarely move away tr0m
their p,ftroslc lcrc, were piodding their way
from one boulevard To- another, pas, the
place dr l'Oprra AMI up the Champs
Eiyscc,, in order to get sight Of the
grand ilIumiustions. Not only th, side
walks, but the whole of the strect, Was a
mass of human beings moving in oppn-
site directions, some leading children by
the hand, others carving them on their
shoulders, and all holding closely to each
other for fear ol being separated in the
dense crowd. The stream of lights above
and the tread Of the people rubbing
against each other, all talking in a sub
dued voice, produced IA strange and
startling effect, Many of the houses
looking ont on the bDulcyards and prin-
cipal streets were Illuminated with two
and three rows of gas burners placed
very close together. Upon Gambetta's
hotel in blazing letters could be read La
RepubIiQac FRANCHISE. Flags of all ma.
tions arranged in semi-circuar form
waved from the roof of the entrance into
the court, and it was pleasant to perceive
that the American flag which WAS placed
next to the French flag wound its folds
around it with true sisterly affection.
The most curious sight was the Place de
rOpcra, which was made as light as day
by the electric lights Every square
inch of ground was occupied by dense
mass of people which did not move but
remained stationary as though awcd by
the scene before them. A vast number
Of persons from the provinces had ar
rived that day and many of them were
no doubt seeing for the first time the
wonderful effect Of the electric lights.
The Opera House was magnifcently
Illuminated by rows of gas burners at
the top which encircled it like bands Of
fire, aud the bronze figure holding the
golden Tyre was lighted up by an cleo
trio burner which instantly changed po-
sition and gave to the marvellous statue
a new expression. The windows of the
foyer looking out on the street were
drapel in Grim son velvet trimmed with
gold and filled with handsomely dressed
spectators. The flight Of broad steps
leading up to the entrance of the house
was covered with people crowded to-
gether and standing erect bathed in this
marvellous light so that from the centre
of the square they suggested visions of
celestial choir, such rs pictured by the
inspired pencil of a Gustayc DOre. Few
conveyances of any kind were to be seen,
and those who were foolish enough to
venture out in carriage were like SO
many prisoners, for the crowd was so
dense the horses could not make the least
headway. A gentleman visiting Paris
decided on attending the opera OF
"LAfricaine," given at the Grand Opera
House, and although he started from his
hotel before halfpast seven o'clock, he
succeeded in reaching the Opera House
only at half-past ten.
The Champs Elysees was beautiful
sight, and the garden of the paIGis as it
is still called was place Of enchantment
with its Venetian lanterns and numerous
sky rockets. The fete was kept up until
two o'clock the following morning and
all cafes and restaurants by special order
were kept open until that hour. The
streets were all 50 illuminated and so
filled with people that Time himself be-
came somewhat bewildered, and when
twelve o'clock arrived, he thought he
had unconsciously jumped two hours.
The fete was grand success and when
the Parisians sought their pillows that
night it was with feelings of satisfaction
and cOutentment with both themselves
and the entire world.
This Exposition is pronounced to be
different from any of the preceding ones
which have taken place at Paris mas
much as it bears on its face the stamp Of
Republcanism, of earnestness and seri-
business. The spirit of progress seems to
have insinuated itself with the princi.
pies of liberty in the heart and mind Of
the French, and they have called to-
gether the different nations that they may
learn all that will improve their condition
and further advance them on the road to
perfection The French are poor colon
izsrs, unwilling travellers, and instead o,
like Peter the Great, goiog forth to
ga her the wisdom collected by other
nations, they act with characteristic in
doIence and bid the East and West,
North and South pour out their treas
ures before them that they may judge
and learn.
The anti-Repub'icans complain that
the Exposition is too sombre, too serious,
and that not enough time and attention
are given to amusements, but the E%-
position is an honest expression OF the
sentiments of the people who, Oh this oc-
casion, with full liberty, prove to the
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