The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-27

and brass fittings.
Mr.. Ashton Starke, dealer In agricultural
implements, 1922 east Main street, headed
his long list Of machinery with beautiful
Old Hickory wagon, containing cutting
box, and drawn by Mr.. Ficklin's two msg-
nifcent Perchsron stations. Following
these were dump-wagon, farn-wagon
containing dog-chUrn I'm operation, wheel
cultiyator, thresher and separator, n hay
rake, and sulky turning-plow.
/ West 4 Branch exhibited handsome
and ingeniously arranged canopy, the
framework being composed of gas-pipe.
Their wagon was well filed with fine
display Of maohinists' supplies, &c.
The Wheeler i Wilson Sewing Machine
Company had two OF their wagons In line.
/ The Domestic Sewing-Machne COM
psny appeared i'm line with beautifully
decorated 1at 10 by Is feet, and stand
ing about II feet high, drawn by four
horses fully caparisoned. Each horse
was led by man in appropriate uniform.
All along the route the machines we're ope-
rated by four OF the company employees,
and formed very attractive feature OF the
parade.
Watkins, Cottrell & Co. had in line one
four-horse team, their wagon being laden
! W llU u unt Ntelial VI SuONtiS, IClts
scales, kettles, bells, &c.
The Singer Manufacturing Company
made q striking display with their large
and handsomely decorated pavilion, drawn
by six horses and containing nine machines,
three Of which were in operation.
This part OF the parade closed with one
OF Mr.. James Sweeney's beautiful postal
wagons.
THE FIREWORKS.
Preparations were commenced early yes
terday forenoon for the erection OF the
Scaffolds and stands from which TO display
the pyrotcchnical wonders and curiositiee
accumulated 10 honor the terminal ceremo-
niles OF the Centennial week. The spot
chosen for their exhibition was the plot Of
ground fronting the north OF the Capitol
building, extending between Tenth and
Eleventh streets, running south as far ~
the main avenue facing the grand stand re-
Gently erected, and including within lts
area the statue Of StOnewall Jackson.
This spot was selected as afiording the
best opportunities for view OF the specta-
Gle by the largest number Of people, the
opportunities afforded for sightseeing
from that particular locality being from
every point OF the compass.
PREPARATIONS.
A Gordon OF ropes was stretched around
the spot, when quantity Of lumber and
number OF boxes. accompanied by work.
men, appeared on the scene, and operations
were commenced under the general direc-
ton OF Councilman Andrew Pizzini, Jr.,
assisted by Mr. John Ditson and some
other experienced pyrotechinal operatives,
who had been brought from New York to
give effectiveness 10 the details Of execution
a. well as display.
Several hours were consumed I'm the pro-
per disposition Of matters for making Use
Of the fireworks. When completed, there
were seen q half-doZen erecti0ns OF con-
siderable altitude, with the various para
phernalia designed to give due effect to the
effort, flanked by an equal number OF
stands pointing skyward and lilled with
rockets, Roman candles, &c, OF various de-
grees OF capacity.
THE CROWD.
Not far of was TO be seen fifty one-poUnd
cases containing red, white, blue, and green
fire. ready TO be burnt when the auspicl0us
moment should arrive.
The hour set for the commencement OF
the show was O'Clock L. NJ, at which time
TO say that the Capitol Square and streets
fronting thereon were densely crowded
would but fantly describe their condition.
The points spoken OF were literally crammed
and packed with people, and loc0m0lion
anywhere I'm the several yicinities was dliii-
cult and next to impossible.
No such crowd was ever seen in Rich
mond. Residences were deserted by
nearly all well enough TO go out in the
night air. 1t seemed from the grand stand
that YOU could walk from the Governors
house TO the monument, or from the Capt.
tOl building to Capitol street Except In the
reserved space) on the heads Of the popu-
lace. Probably twenty or thnty thousand
people were within sight Of the fireworks.
GOOD THING.
The display Of fireworks in such beauty,
volume, and variety as was witnessed last
night was an experience seldom yotlch-
saied 10 any Of our citizens either here or
I'm more Dretentious cities. It's prismatic
splendor and corruscating effulgence, tenn
porariIy at least, rivalled the electric light,
and added new brilliancy 10 the twinkling
stars overhead. The inspiring music, the
glare of light more than meteoric in spltn ~
dor, the good order and equally good hui
NOR OF the spectators, all inclined TO add
endowment TO this scene from wonderland
brought down for the deIectation Of human
vision.
TIE BALLOONS.
Al the appointed hour Mr.. Pizzini and
Mr.. Ditson, with their aids, initiated the
exercises OF the evening" by setting on,
one after another, 4 number OF large BAL
looms, which ascended high into the hear-
ems and then sent forth in every direction
sprlys OF tire and cOlOrod metcOrs. This
was a very satisfactory exhibit, and others
that followed were equally 20.
Among tie stirring Incidents 81 the cye-
ning were fifty Blazing rockets in the air
M one time. This was followed 10y set
piece OF those selected. Several floral bomb
shells, which burst i'm mid-air and Dis
charged myriads Of tri-colored stars, SER
pents, and golden rain, were pleasing ieg-
turcs.
yEsCVICs.
Between each OF the "sct pieces" there
were flights OF rockets and exhibition bas
tcries, technically known 81 the eruption ~
/ Vesuyius, with the addition Of Roman caE-
dies.
The exhibition consumed an hour and
half, and was concluded with the gorgeous
colored picture known as the Virginia
coat-oi-aTnls, accompanied by iruptions Of
rockets from four "yolcanic" crstCrs.
TIE sET-PIgcEs.
The following were the "sct-pieecs -
/. e., those st,rted from scafolding:
Fl0wer-ya-e, opening with f0sefte q
various colors, changing 10 beautiful or
namental vase in ruby, emerald, and gold,
fanked by batteries throwing out con-
tinuous stream OF colored stars and me-
teOrs.
Large saw-scroll, golden rings, colored
centre lines.
One cross Legion OF Honor, commenced
with hexagon wheel; Chinese FIRE, sur