Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1878 — The International Exhibition at Paris. [ARTICLE]

The International Exhibition at Paris.

Pabis, May 1. The ceremony of the opening of the International Exhibition took place today with great pomp and success. The ceremony began at 2:30 in the afternoon, at which time it was showery, but at three o’clock the sun was shining brightly again. The crowd was immense and enthusiastic, in spite of alternations of rain throughout the proceedings. Cries were everywhere heard of " Vive la Republique,” “ Vive la France.” Marshal MacMahon arrived in the State carriage escorted by his military household, the troops being drawn up all along the route from the Elysee. A procession was then formed, which marched from the Grand Arcade to a platform overlooking the fountain and commanding a view of nearly all the buildings and grounds. Here Trisserene de Bort, Minister of Commerce, welcomed the Marshal in a short speech. The Marshal then declared the ExhibiOne hundred and one guns from the Invalides, Mont Valerien, and an island in the Seine followed the announcement. At the same time two military bands struck up, all the fountains played, and the soldiers stationed by the flagstaffs hoisted the flags of all Nations on the roofs of the two palaces and annexes. The Marshal then reascended 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 troops were drawn up on and near the bridge. The terrace of the Champ de Mars Palace was occupied by Senators, Deputies, Council of Slate, Magistrates, Academicians, military' staff and French Commissioners. Entering by the central door, the procession went through the grand vestibule, decorated with crown jewels, Sevres porcelain, Gobelin tapestry, and the Prince of Wales’ Indian collection. It then passed through all the sections, the Commissioners of each country greeting it at the door, and next inspected the military school, where all the exhibition workmen were stationed, and lastly traversed the machinery annexes. The spectacle at the ceremony was magnificent. Perfect order prevailed. Ex-Queen of Spain, witnessed the ceremony from the gallery occupied by Mme. MacMahon. The scene after the official declaration of the opening was imposing in the extreme. From the heights of the Trocadero the thousands of guests 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 the immense area crowded with the Exposition buildings gayly decorated with the'flags of different Nations, the grand cascade and rows of statues illustrating the countries participating. Long lines of equipages filled the road to the Champs Elysees and Tuilleries, interspersed with detachments of mounted guards of Paris, magnificent escorts of visiting Princes and the military household bi President MacMahon.

The dazzling facade of the palace on the Champ de Mars was richly ornamented with National emblems, and in every assignable space the thousands of spectators were held in place by lines of infantry. The workmen had made extraordinary efforts during the past three days in the preparation of the various sections. The English, American and Belgian had been especially pushed, and present a creditable appearance. The American, though unfinished, comBares favorably with the others. The department of Manufactures shows the least progress. The Agricultural and

Alimentary Departments will be better than at any previous foreign Exposition. The Machinery Department is very rich in labor-saving machinery of the light class already. Though incomplete, it compares favorably with the English, while occupying only onesixth of the space allotted the British exhibit. The display of machine tools is inferior to the American exhibit at Philadelphia, but superior to any other at this Exhibition. Agricultural, sewing and weighing machines make a tine display. The textiles are riot yet arranged, but promise very well. The drugs, chemicals, publishers* exhibits, chromos and cutlery are" superior “to " the competing exhibits in other sections. The American Art Department is pearly ready. It will be the best ever shown abroad by America. The hall is too small, but it is beautifully arranged, and contains 100 paintings and a few water-colors. American artists residing abroad represented here include Bacon, Bridgman, Dana. Dubois, Ward, Bunce, Maynard, Lippincott, and Mayall. Places of honor ace occupied by Bridgman and Dana. Koine is represented by Benson and Veddet, and Dusseldorf by Shode. Munich Is not represented. A