The Portland daily press., 1878-05-02
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
Grand Opening Ceremonies Yes.
terday.
Condition of the American Ex-
hibitss

PARIS, May 1.-The ceremony of opening
the international exhibition of 1878 took place
today with great success. At 9 O. clock in the
morning it was rainy, but at II. 30 the clouds
had broken and the sun shining brilliantly,
the weather being rather warm. The cere-
mOny of opening the exhibition begun at 2.30
in the afternoon, at which time it was showery,
but at 3 o'clock the sun was shining brilliant
ly. The crowd was imm ense and enthusiastic
10 spite of the alterations OF rain throughout
the proceedings. Cries everywhere were heard
of "Vioe Ia RepubHque' and 'Rice la FRANCE.
Among those present were the Prince of Wales.
Don Francois d'Assise, father of the King of
Spain, Due Daosta, brother of the King of
Italy, and the ex- King of Spain, Prince Fred
erick, Crown Prince of Denmark, Prince of
Orange, heir apparent to the throne of the
Netherlands, Prince Henry of Holland,
Marshal Mcmahon arrived in state carriage
escorted by his military household, troops bs-
ing drawn up all along the route from the
Elysee. A procession was then formed which
marched from the grand arcade to the platform
overlooking the fountain and commanding a
view of nearly all the buildings. Here M.
Debort, Minister Of Commerce, welcomed the
Marshal in short speech and the Marshal
then declared the exhibition opened. One
hundred and one rounds from the guns at the
Invalides on Mount Valeren and on the island
in the Seine followed the announcement. At
the same time two military bands struck up,
all the fountains played and the soldiers sta
toned by the flagstaffs hoisted the flags of all
nations on the roofs of ths two palaces and an
nexes. The Marshal then reascended to the
Trocadero palace, the procession reforming
behind him, and after completing the round of
the building crossed over the river to the
Champ de Mars The trooDs were drawn up
on or near the bridge. The terrace of the
Champ &c Mars palace was occupied by Sena-
tors, Deputies, the Council of State Magis-
trates, academicians, the military staff and
Eranch hu ba nop.
trail door the procession went through the grand
vestibule. 1t then passed through all the Sec
uons, the commissioners of each country greet
ing it at the door, and next inspected the mill.
tary school where all the exhibition workmen
were stationed, and lastly traversed the ma
chiDery annexes.
Escorts of honor were sent at o'clock to the
hotels of the President of the Senate and the
Chamber of Deputies, the Priuce of Wales. the
Crown Prince of Denmark, Prince Amadeus,
Prince Henry of Holland, Prince of Orange and
Don Francis DAssise to conduct them to the
exhibition building. On arriving at the Troca-
dero President MacMahon presented their
royal highnesses toall the ministers, the officials
connected with the exhibition and several other
distinguished pers0nages. The spectacle of the
ceremony was magnificent. Perfect order pre-
vailed. The scene after the official declaration
OF the opening was imposing In the extreme
from the heights of the Trocadero The thou.
sands of guests assembled could see crowds on
the surrounding streets, the banks of the Seine
and Passy, both on the right aud left In every
assignable space the thousands of spectators
were held in their place by lines of infantry.
The military display was less imposing than
originally intended. as the minister of agricul.
ture had decided on the advice of engineers
that the recently constructed avenues near the
exposition would suffer by the passage of cav,
airy and artillery. As the Presidential pro-
cession reached the front of the Palace OF
Champ de Mars the scene was extremely pic
turesques. The state bodies in grand uniform
the councillors and magistrates in their robes
and different bodies of the Institute and Legion
of Honor stood in strong contrast with the
senators, deputies, clergy aud minor
officials in theta civil costumes. These
with the deputation from the army iu
full uniform fell in with the Presidential
cortege. The procession passed through the
different departments exchanging salutes with
each of the commissions Workmen have
three days in preparation of the various sec.
tions. The English, American and Belgian
sections have been especially pushed and pre-
sent credltable appearance. The American
though unfinished compares favorably with the
others. The department of manufactures
showes the least progress. The agricultural
and alimentary departments will be better than
at any previous foreign exhibition. The
machinery department is very rich in labor
saving machinery of light class. Already
tuougn lnc0DpleLe IL compares 1av0raOlV with
the English, while occupying only one-sixth
the space allotted to the British exhibit. The
display Of machine tools is inferior to the
American exhibit at Philadelphia, but superior
to any other at this exhibition. The agricul
tural, sewing and weighing machines make a
fine display. The textiles are not yet arranged
but promise very well. The drugs, chemicals
publishers exhibits, chromos and cutlery are
superior to the competing exhibits in the other
sections The American art department is
nearly ready. 1t will be the best ever shown
abroad by America The hall is too small but
is beautifully arranged and contains one hun
dred paintings and few water colors.
PARIS, May 1. 1.-Midnight. EARLY in the eve.
ming the avenues and boulevards were crowded
with vehicles and foot passengers Later the
streets were impossible in many places in con-
sequence of the immense crowds assembled to
witness the illuminations. 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 were brilliantly illuminated with
gas jets, transparancies and Chinese lanterns.
Except on the boulevards the display was
spasmodic and occasional The presence of
the people and carriages on the boulev ards was
indescribable. For three hours every inch of
the space in the main thoroughfares and every
side street was occupied by surgng masses
shouting and singing. The demonstration fire.
quently became semi-riotoas.