Year: 1878




of supporting a new doorway which stretches from
bank to bank, resting apparently the true para
pet of the bridge beneath but really on dwarf iron
columns standing Sn the roadway. This superstruc-
ture is hideous but undeniably convenient, for it
doubles the width of the bridge by projecting and
oyerhanging grders, and brings 1t TO level with
either shore IL the hope that it is only temporary
and will vanish with the rest of the show, let it
pass without more criticism You will want sure
eye and steady foot to cross it to-day; not yard
of DIanking is yet laid on its narrow beams.


NO REAL EXHIBITION FOR SOME TIME.


The Exhibition may certainly open, no doubt
whatever be the state of the grounds should
say moreover that since the grand procession is to
pass from the TrOcad6ro gas0meter over the bridge
through the grounds it is precisely there that the
preparations will be-ostensibiy if not really-most
perfect. That the real exhibition, the display of
wares can be in order by that time do not believe
few adventurous souls have already completed
their cases and exposed their goods in them, but
they are as one to thousand. In every section and
In every part of every section the French most Of
ALL the hammer and saw and paint brush are mas
ters of the situation. A Dutchman OF two has got
put some blue china; half dozen Englshmen have
BET out their stock of surprising cTOckery once IN
Eve minutes as you stroll about you see show of
something beside naked partitions, covered part-
tions or empty cases, and you say to yourself, 1t
will be a miracle if a single section be ready"


Lam willing enough to believe in a miracle but
everybody else may not be so credulOus as am, so
[ asked one OF two experts in such matters what
they thought of the prospect. L asked French
architect, who responded by putting his forelnger
gently against the right side of his nose AND saying
he hoped So / asked another, who answered
bluntly, at is impossible" | asked Mr.. Picker
Ing who has as level head as the best of them,
and found Mr.. Pickering of opinion that II a man
wanted to see the Exhibition, the 1st OF June would
be good time to come. l read in a French paper
last night remark to the effect that it would have
been better if the date of opening had been fixed


month later But that is q miscOncephOn. If the
date of opening had been June /, the condition of
things on the 18th of May would have been very
nearly what the condition of things
is now on the 18th of April. The
Americans and perhaps the English, are
the only people who set much value on punctuality
The Philadelphia Exhibition opened ten days later
but in a very perfect state. The Vienna Exhibition
was more ragged than this will be, and don't
think the French themselves care much whether
they are ready or not The 1st of May to them
does not mean the 1st of May. In all their deal
ingS they maintain an organized unpunctuality
1t is habtual, wilful, invincible. When the Cham
Der of Deputies is sitting, the President regularly
adiourns it to 2 o'clock on the following day. 1t
never by any chance meets pretendS TO meet at q
1t is perfectly understood by everybody that
means 2:3O, and, as matter of fact the President
takes his seat little later than that, and rings his
bell for order at 2:45. This being the rule of the
rulers what can you expect of the ruled 7 C. W. s.