San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-05-18
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
Brilliant Inauguration Of the Interna.
tional Exhibition Of 1878.

Brilliant Inauguration Of the Interna.
tional Exhibition Of 1878.
PARIS, May 1.-The ceremony of the
opening of the International Exhibition of
T 1878 took place to-day with great pomp and
success. The ceremony began at $3.50 In the
afternoon, ut which time 1t was showery, but
at s o'clock the sun was shining brightly
again. Tho crowd was immense and enthu.
siastic, in spite of the alterations of rain
throughout the proceedings. Cries were
everywhere heard OF "Viye 10 Republique,"
"vive la France" Among those present were
the Prince of Wales, Don Francois d. Assise,
father of the King of Spain; Due dc Aosta,
brother of the King OF Italy ana ex. King OF
Spain; Prince Frederick, Crown Prince of
Denmark; the Prince OF Orange, heir appar::
ent to the throne of the Netherlands; and
Prince Henry of Holland. Marshal MacMahon
arrived in the State carriage, escorted by his
military household, troops being drawn up
all along the route from the Elysee.
THE PROCESSION WAS THEN FORMED,
which marched from the Grand Arcade to q
platform overlooking the fountain, and COM
manding view of nearly all the buildings
and grounds. Here Trisserene de Bort, Min
lister of Commerce, welcomed the Marshal in
short speech, and the Marshal then de.
clared the Exhibition opened, One hundred
and one guns from the 1nvalides, Mont Va
lerien and Arista in Seine followed the an.
nouncement, and mt the same time Two mill
tary bands struck up, all the fountains play.
ed, and soldiers stationed by the flag stats
hoisted flags of all nations on the roofs OF the
two palaces and annexes. The Marshal then
cession reforming behind him, and after com.
pleting the round of the buildings crossed
over the river to the Champs dc Mars. Troops
were drawn up on and near the bridge. The
terrace of the Champs de Mars Palace was
occupied by Senators, Deputies, Council of
State, Magistrates, Academicians, Military
staff and French Commissioners.
THE SPECTACLE AT THE CEREMONY
was magnificent, and perfect order prevail.
ed. Elk Queen Isabella, of Spain, witnessed
the ceremonies from the gallery occupied by
Madame MacMahon. The scene after the Of
fetal declaration of opening was imposing
in the extreme. From the heights OF Troca.
dero the thousands ofguests assembled could
see crowds on the surrounding streets, the
banks of the Seine and at Passy, both on the
right and left. In front lay an immense area
crowded with exposition buildings gayly
decorated with flags OF different nations, a
grand cascade and rows of statues illustrat-
ing the countries participating. A long line
of brilliant equipages filed the road to the
Champs Elysees and the Tuileries, inter-
spersed with detachments ofmounted guards
of Paris, magnificent escorts OF visiting
princes and the military household OF Presi.
dent MacMahon. The dazzling facade OF the
palace on the Champs de Mars was richly
ornamented with national emblems, and in
of SPECTATORS were held in place by
lines of infantry. AS the Presidential
procession, including the princes, diplo-
ed the front of the Palace of the Champs de
Mars, the scene was extremely picturesque.
State bodies in grand uniforms, Court coun::
cilors and Magistrates in their robes, ana
different bodies of the Institute and Legion
of Honor stood in strong contrast with Sen
ators, deputies, clergy and minor officials, in
their civil costumes These, with the depu-
E..II fs.llt
with the Presidential cortege and moved
through the East Indian hall into the grand
central nave of the palace, passing in rapid
review the various foreign sections and eX-
who stood in front of their respective sec
tions The procession then passed into the
art galleries, thence into the French section,
which occupies one entire side OF the palace.
After the usual courtesies the President and
party left by Avenue Rapp gate and returned
to the Elysee.
THE SCENES AT NIGHT.
EARLY in the evening the avenues and boule-
wards were crowded with vehicles ana loot
passengers. Later, the streets were impass-
able in many places, in consequence OF tne
Examinations. Many buildings in every
quarter of the city were decorated with flags
of all nations. The American colors were
abundantly and conspicuOusly displayed.
The Boulevards DIES Italiens and DIES Capu-
cines were brilliantly Illuminated with gas
Jets, transparencies and Chinese lanterns.
For hours every inch of space in the main
thoroughfares and every side street was occu-
pied by surging masses shouting and singing.
The demonstrations frequently became semi
riotous. Visitors who went in carriages or
on foot to see the iluminations often found
themselves involved in the crush, ana were
compelled to seek refuge from the pressure
of the crowd in open doorways OF hotels,
restaurants and other public places. Men,
women and children of every class mingled
,,,1; 4 ,i,,pt nI n
casionally enlivened by a rush of companies
of half intoxicated youths and workmen,
bearing Chinese lanterns and singing the
Marseillaise. Towards midnight, when the
illumination should have been at its best,
many lights were eXtinguished and the
crowds began to dispense.