The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-11-09
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER
From our special correspondent.


PHILADELPHIA, Oct, 30.-Yester-
day was a merry day in this beauti-
full city ofbrotherly love. 1t seemed
as if "Old Probabilities" had arrang-
ed the weather specially for our
honored French guests in perambu-
lating the city. They took in every
thing and were received everywhere
in manner becoming the great
commonwealth ofthe Old Keystone
State. The programme was arrang-
ed for special field day by the re-
ception committee of the city coun-
ellis with the Mayor and General
Hartranft as right and left general
guides. Colonel A. Loudon Snow
den welcomed them at the United
States Mint and escorted them
through the massive building where
the dollars of our daddies" are
made. The rolling-room, where
gold eagles were being made was
first inspected, and the Frenchmen
watched with interest the operations
of the presses each one turning
out sixty stamped coins a minute.
The silver smelting-room, where
long bars of metal are rolled, and
the stamping-room, where all de-
nominations Of coins are rapidly
marked for currency, and Colonel
Snowden presented to each guest
medal of pure silver which had been
struck off in commemoration of
President Garfield's death. They
were also presented with a Bland
silver dollar a piece. The next
point of interest was the new City
Hall, and the brilliant uniforms of
the French officers and bright
badges of the others forming the par
ty attracted much attention as they
proceeded on foot to the colossal
white structure. This building is
simply immense. l have been in
Philadelphia several times before
but never till now could / appreci-
ate its grandeur and magnificent
buildings. / haveno doubt but that
the City Hall is the largest in the
country if not in the world. But
life is too short for me to examine
statistics on this subject so | will
briefly give the HERALD gossipers
few figures on the subject and
they can find out for themselves.
After leaving the new City Hall
the party adjourned across the
street to another unfinished build
ing, namely the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Depot in process of construc-
ton. Here delightful experience
awaited the descendants of Lafayette,
which was all the more pleasure bic
because not arranged on the pro-
gramme. Through the courtesy of
the officers of the Great Double
Track" route west Fritz. where is
my dead-head ticket on the b. q o.
train of two handsome cars was
boarded on the elevated road, and a
rapid journey to the company's de-
pot in West Philadelphia and return,
gave an adequate idea Of the mag
nificent benefit the elevated road
will prove to travellers. Once more
carriages were taken, quick drive
up Broad st. brought the distin-
guished sight-seers to the Baldwin
Locomotive Works. 1t was now
Just twelve o'clock, and the workmen
had stopped their labors for dinner,
but nevertheless pleasant lnspec-
ton Of the works was made. Twelve
open carriages once more dashed up
Broad st. and out Green St, and
in few minutes the wheels of the
vehicles were rolling smoothly
along the graveled roads of Fair
mount Park. Captain Chasteau, of
the Park Guards rode ahead of the
line on horseback, and all eyes were
turned following the brilliant party
as they bowled rapidly along the
road. Soon halt was called, for
the water works were reached, and
Chief Engineer McFadden stood on
the plateau bowling welcome to the
happy party. A hurried inspection
of the machinery, and en- route was
called. The French Officers bowed
to the Chief, Captain Chesteau dug
his spurs in his horses flanks, and
in little whirl of dust Ga slight re-
minder of Yorktown the guests
were carried away from the mighty
wheels that were driving the water
to the basin above their heads.
Along the Belmont drive and around
the Main Centennial Building, fall
ing to decay, the party were hurried
on. Horticultural Hall was reached,
and once more the carriage doors
were opened and the party alighted.
The beautiful ferns and plants way
ed their long branches in welcome,
and with the exception of the drill
later in the day at Girard College,
the sight of handsome plants afford
ed more satisfaction to the French
guests than any other portion of the
entertainment, However, there
was hardly time to stop long, even
amid this tropical scene, and the
party were hurried to their carriages
and driven to Belmont Mansion
Here fine lunch was prepared
After considerable loud talk, toast
and speech making between cock
tails sour and wine, with considerable
.!taffyn thrown in as dessert showing
"that the memories OF the alliances
of the two onations were firmly plant
in the breasts (stomachs) of both
countries" they were driven to Gil
rard College. As the carriages enter.
ed the gates the College band played
the Marseillaise, and the boys stood
drawn up alcng the portico at the
entrance in military form. The
Marquis de Rochambeau and hi:
wife and Nine. Loyseau, who had
been accompanied by Mrs. Geo. W
Childs through the city, during th'
morning were waiting at the Colleg'
to Join the rest of the party. MIR
Philips, president of the City Boart
of Trustees greeted. Hesaid that j
was with pleasure that they entered
a college founded by one of French
origin. and it was pleasant to b
greeted with the sound OF their be
loved language.