Evening Express

The Opening Ceremony A FUNCTION OF UNPRECE- DENTED GRANDEUR. [BY "MORIEN."] On Saturday Cardiff fully justified the efforts of Mr. J. M. Maclean, M.P., to induce the Government of the Queen to recognise it as the Metropolis of Wales with a Lord Mayor at the head of its ancient corporation. The scene in the vast Exhibition buildings on Saturday afternoon suggested to the mind the words of the Prophet Isaiah respecting ancient Tyre when he said its merchants were princes. In every direction one beheld men of light and leading, who are in the front rank of the commerce of Wales, and whose high standing in the world of trade is known in all parts of the globe. They had. for the day, locked their ponderous iron safes and olosed their counting-houses and proceeded to assist, as the French would say, in the task of opening the Cardiff Exhibition. The official world of Glamorgan and Monmouth was re- markably well represented on the occasion. At the head of the official ecclesiastics was the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, looking hale and eminently fit. The local judges of the county- courts, stipendiary magistrates, coroners, and shoals of magistrates were there, the last- appointed ones wearing, one thought, a new expression of gravity on their countenances, due, no doubt, to the arduous studies in the mysteries of "Coke upon Littleton" and "Stone's Guide to Magistrates." One noticed the following members of Parliament present: —Mr. J. M. Maclean, Mr. Alfred Thomas, Mr. D. A. Thomas., Mr. Pritchard Morgan, and" Mabon." The mayors of the following towns were there, wearing their robes and chains of office: Cardiff, Swansea, Tenby, Carmarthen, Neath, Newport, Brecon, Hereford, Cowbridge, Kidwelly, Lampeter, and the Brecon deputy-mayor;. Each mayor was accompanied by the town- clerk of the corporation lie represented. Lord Windsor (the mayor of Cardiff), was accom- panied by Lady Windsor. Her ladyship's presence added much to the interest of the event of the day. Her ladyship is of the family of Paget, and an English writer de- clared that all the sons of that family are heroes and ail the daughters angels. It would be difficult for even a Welsh bard to go beyond that, and I will leave that expres- sion to say all I had intended to state re- specting her ladyship's presence on Saturday. Expressions of regret were often heard during the day that Lord Bute, Lady Bute, and their highly-interesting children were unable to be present on the deeply-interesting occasion. Had young Lord Dumfries been there it was felt the vast assembly might have been favoured with a Cymric speech by him, which most certainly would have inspired "Mabon" to thunder a series of "Clyweh. clywch, such as he occasionally indulges in within the walls of St. Stephen's, just to remind Father Thames fod yr hen Gymraeg etto yn fyw. One now and again heard it said, "Strange Sir Wi:liam T. Lewis, Bart., is not here." Then the smiling reply came, to the effect that Sir William was otherwise engaged in London. Mr. Robert Forrest, St. Fagan's. was present in scarlet uniform, and upon him devolved the arduous task of discharging the duties as chairman of the Exhibition Execu- tive Committee. It is hardly necessary to state those duties were discharged by him with tact, courtesy, and energy, qualities characteristic of the man. The opening ceremony was preceded by a luncheon at the Town-hall, presided over by his Worshipful the Mayor. Another luncheon took place within the precincts of the Exhibi- tion buildings. Both were largely attended, and the repast at each was of the richest character and of a nature worthy of the dignity of the Metropolis of Wales. The Exhibition buildings are in the Cathays Park, and the principal entrance is from Park- place, which is within a few minutes' walk I of the Taff Vale and Rhymney Railway Stations, and can be reached in a quarter of I an hour from the Great Western Railway Station. The day was beautifully fine with sunshine, and the vast attendance of tha fair sex present appeared in costumes suitable fair sex present appeared in costumes suitable to the merry month of May. The view m Par^-plaoe was exceedingly prettr. The street some hundreds of yards in length, described a lovely avenue of green foliage, the branches from trees on each side of the street nearly touching each other at the top. Then both side., of the road were lined with Venetian masts from which fluttered flags of all colour's. Then flags were strung from mast to mast, the entire length. The interior of the park is completely isolated from the town. It is as flat as a table, and is bordered with trees, now in full foliage. The entire space is generously placed at the service of the committee by the Marqness of Bute. and the authonties have manifested their apprecia- tion by, as it appeared, utilising every inch of it for the service of the Exhibition. In ancient days this park has often been the rendezvous of the native Princes of Morganwrr f G!am"-aQ' probably its even sur- ate is the result of the levelling work to uidpy it for the marshalling of Welsh squadrons thereon. On it. border next the Uavn are the rumS of the great monastic ms^tution called the Grey Friare, erected bv Tn°' Ki°S «• Tudor of Dtnevor. D„r:„g « leart centunes thus spot was the centre of the monastic religious We of this part of Gla. morgan. In Welsh the name of the street formerly called "Crockherbtown," but now Queen-street, was Heol Llys y Cawl, -or the street of the soup court of the monastery. The ancient churchyard connected with the Grey Friars is now covered with hothouses, the property of Lord Bute. and in which the most delightful itropicaJ fruits are grown, and over the graves of many a monk and many a holy nun roses and lilies bloom. So sacred did Prince Owen Glyndwr regard this very spot that when he crushed the Norman power in Glamorgan and gave the rest of Cardiff to the flames he spared this Grey Friars and the Order of Friars Grey. Over this park, age after age, the melodious tones of holy anthems were wafted on the night breezes. Here were heard the Gregorian hymn: — "Dies irse, dies ilia. Solvet sseclum iu favill-a. Teste David cum SibyIIa." One cannot very well understand what good the above words, fine, no doubt, as they are, were calculated to impart to the Welsh natives. Most of us prefer, I am sure, the W elsh hymns Mr. Tom Stephens and his choir is about to render nightly, if not daily, in the Exhibition building. I have supposed the above brief account of the ancient historical associations of the lield in which this great Exhibition is held) is opportune at the present, moment. It will serve also to remind English visitors of the continued existence here of what the song calls The Noble Race of Morgan." A few minutes before three o'clock in the afternoon the mayor's procession entered Park-place, after traversing St. Mary-street, Duke-street, and Queen-street, from the Town-hall. The streets were on both sides lined with well-dressed people. The carriages containing the mayor (Lord Windsor), accompanied by Lady Wind-, sor, the members of the corporation, and tlio PLAN SHOWING ROUTE FROM RAILWAY STATIONS TO I EXHIBITION. mayor? of other towns mentioned above, who were the guests of the corporation of Cardiff, were preceded by a fine body of mounted police, riding very fine chargers. Imme- (liately in front marched a brass band, play- ing appropriate music. At the principal cn- trance into the Exhibition buildings Mr. R. Forrest and the other members of the Exhibi- tion committee received the mayor, miyoiess, the members of the corporation, and their distinguished guests. The procession, having alighted from the carriages, now re-formed •and passed into the Roseberv-hall, which ;s a part of the Exhibition buildings. The scene inside this building was a very fine aud striking one. Every bit of space in the vast building was occupied, and the audience seemed to be entirely composed of the well-to- do class. One beheld faces there from all parts of Glamorgan and the county of Mowaouth. The procession filed on to the platform, in front of which was an advance space for the speakers and for the performance of the ceremony of the day. The mayor of Cardiff (Lord Windsor) tcok his allotted seat in the centre On his right sat Lady Windsor and I the mayor of Bristol, whom Lord Windsor pointedly alluded to as being present. On his lordship's left sat the Bishop of Llandaff, Lord Tredegar. and Mr. R. Forrest. Grouped on each plank, and in the rear of the platform, were the members of the corporation and the mayors of other towns, in scarlet, and wear- ing their gold chains of oincc?. The mayor of Cardiff also wore the official robe of black richly adorned with gold lace, and around his neck was the splendid mayoral gold chain of Cardiff. It is not generally known that these mayoral gold chains are late substitutes for the ancient gold torchau, or torques, of ancient Welsh, or rather Biiton, chieftains. It is on record that three hundred Welsh I chiefs rode into the Battle of Cadtraeth, in the north of England, each having a. gold torque around his neck. All present now rose to their feet, and tnc National Anthem v.as ¡ rendered by the choir (led by Mr. Tom Stephens, Treorky) and the entire people. The volume of music was supremely fine, and it seemed to thrill Dr. Parry, who stood on the right wing of the platform. Then the Bishop of Llandaff said grace. This was followed by the address to the mayor of Cardiff, reported elsewhere, being read by Mr. Walter Cook, hon. secretary to the | Exhibition committee. Most present «tood an their feet when this was being done. The mayor (Lord Windsor) now advanced to the space in front of the platform, and as he did so he was received with general cheering.. His lordship held in his hand a few sheets cf notes to guide him in his address, but other- wise he spoke extemporaneously. He did so with gentle energy and in tones that every word he uttered could be heard in every part of the great building. It seemed as if the Cardiff mayoral office has been to Lord Windsor a school of eloquence, and that the Metropolis of Wales has given a fresh orator to the House of Lords. In his speech his lordship interpolated a pretty compliment to Mr. Edwin Seward, architect of the buildings. During the proceedings Mr. Seward presented to Lord Windsor a beautifully-made gold key, symbolical of the key of the Exhibition build- ings. Then followed the singing of the Doxology. Then the voice of the Bishop of Llandaff again rose in prayer for blessing on all. This was succeeded by the choir and band, rendering the "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel), again led by Mr. Tom Stephens. After this Mr. Thoma. Evans, of Cardiff, sang the solo of the "Old Land of My Fathers"—such is the correct translation of the title in the vernacular. The audience joined heartily in the Welsh chorus. In- deed, after so much in the English language, it positively seemed that in the fine verses and music of "Ieuan ab Iago," Pontypridd, the souls of the Welsh people found a relief in which they revelled. So charmed was a dis- tinguished London journalist at this vocal I outburst of Welsh music and words that he j asked me who was the composer, and on my ] telling him his name in English was Mr. j Evan James, weaver, Mill-street, Pontypridd, ( and in Welsh "Ieuan ab Iago," he seemed £ astonished. "When?"' he next asked. "About c 35 years ago." He replied, "What! no 4 I I more?" "No," I answered, and added. "He lived until quite recently, and I knew him well." Lord Windsor, mayor of Cardiff, now I in stentorian tones proclaimed the Exhibition open. The vast multitude now separated and proceeded to view the wonders of the buudinga and the marvels of the grounds. I visited the model colliery in the grounds. It has a. lamp-room, with genuine colliery Iampmen engaged in manipulating Clanny lamps. On presenting myself at the lamp- room window, and saying, with an air of authority, "Lamp, plea-sse!" the lampmnn r seemed to forget for a moment that he was simply there for show, and, apparet^lv regarding the writer as at least a deputy inspector of mines, or perhaps a "gaffer," hurriedly advanced and, saying "Yes, sir," actually handed me a clean Clanny. I would invite the attention of all to two wonderful exhibitions in the grounds, both of which I visited, viz., the panorama of the Battle of Waterloo and that of the "Fiying Lady." I can bear witness to the correctness of the battlefield, for I walked over it during a visit I paid to Brussels a few years ago. The charge of the Scotch Greys, seen on the left, is a Stirling scene, and ma.de one inclined to cry out the battle-cry of the gallant ragiment, namely, "Scotland for ever!" HISTOR Y OF THE VENTURE. ihe idea of holding an exhibition on a large scale originated with the free library committee of the Cardiff Corporation two years and a half ago. The corporation were fortunate in securing the patronage of the Queen; Lord Windsor accepted the post of president, and the committee consist of Messrs. R. Forrest (chairman), S. A. Brain (vice-chairman). D. T. Alexander, P. W. Carey, J.P., Lascelles Carr, «.P.» E W. M. Corbett, J. B. Ferrier, John Gunn, J. H. Hallett, E. Hancock, C. J. .1 arks on, F. H. Jolham, 1. T. Rees, T. H. Riches, W. Rilpy, H..T. Simpson, E. Thomas. 1 J. G. Todd, r.nd W. Cook (hon. secretary). Most of these gentlemen represent great in- terests in the town of Cardiff and the county of Glamorgan. It was necessary to raise a guarantee fund1 to guard the promoters against loss-, and a vigorous canvass resulted in pro- mises of support amounting to £ 22,000 being secured. The Marquess or Bute granted a site, r;?mely, a portion of his beautiful grounds known as the Cathays Park. Here have been I erected mafty imposing and in some respects handsome buildings, which, together with the cost of laying out the grounds, preparing for e Ailiuniaafjunn %nd other accessories, have rii\olved an expenditure of about r,30,000, vhile a further sum of over £ 20,000 is ex- iwcted to be laid out on numerous other attractions devised by a syndicate formed for that purpose. The building for the exhibition pre per has been erected after the designs of Mr. Edwin Seward, R.C.A, F.R.I.B.A., and has been well devised and equally well constructed for the purposes of the great scheme determined upon by the execu- tive. The style of the facade is Moorrslie, which has been skilfully modified for the tcm- poray purpose required. A large area, some 350ft. by 100ft., has been reserved in front, which allows easy access to the portals of the bu.i-ldiing, which is imposing in (effect and elegant in design, being a decorated horse- shoe archway of 40ft. in height, and of propor- tional width. Its stalactite-like projections and deep recesses give opportunity for a bril- liant scheme of colour, supported by rich shadows. The portal is flanked by two towers. crowned by Oriental domes, which are repeated at each end of the extensions of the frontage. Back of the entrance the roof rises to a central dome, the apex of which is little less than 100ft. from the floor. On entering, the visitor sees before him a vista of warm and bright colour, crowded with objects of interest. At his left is the entry to old Cardiff, at the right the fire-proof doors leading to the fine art gdlery. At the termination of the central allee an immense hall is placed crosswise to it and here are place dthe vast number of objects forming the engineering exhibition. From thus openings give upon tha ornament al grounds which surrounds the buildings. Among the many interesting features of the exhibition is a r eproduction of Old Cardiff, with a model of the Town-hall in the centre. Around are dis- posed models of a town gate, and of ancier t houses with their sixteenth and seventeenth century fronts. A background is formed by a scenic representation of the ancient castle, with the Curthose Tower and the church tower of St. John. There is also a fine n.odel of Shakspeare's house. Too much space would be occupied by a deiailed descrip. tion of the contents of the principal sections; consequently, only a egneral idea. of them can be given. The Fine art Section, under the charge of Mr. C. J. Jackson, L.S.A., and Mr. J. A. Sant, which covers a space of 9,600ft., will contain some of the most valuable paint- ingg lent by public bodies, noblemen, and gent, em en. Among those who have sent pic- tures are the Leeds Corporation, the Corpora- tion of Cardiff, Lord Windsor Lord Tredegar, Lord Aberdare, Mr. O. H. Jones, Mr. Insole, Mr. T. C. Clarke, Mr. Evans (London), the Chantrey Trust, Mr. C. J. Jackson, Mr S. Andrews, Mr. Freke and Mr. L. Alma I adema. Fine specimens of sculpture have been brought together by Mr. Gosoombe John, nearly all the foremost sculptors being repre- sented. Mr. J. Pvke Thompson and others have lent many choice works in water colours, and there are striking black and white drawings.' Then there are enamels and miniatures lent by Lord Tredegar, Lord Llangattock,\ and' Mr. J. L. W heatley, and choice engravings-duplicates from the print-room of the British Museum, which have been placed at the disposal of the exhibition committee by the trustees of that institution. In the Antiquities Seoton are marvellous, rare, queer, and quaint articles too numerous to mention. Thtre are exceptionally choice specimens in the Department of Cera- mics, which will afford lovers of this form of art great enjoyment. In the Machinery, Electrical, Local, and General Industries, tbe Gretat Western Railway Conrnanv exhibit the broad guage engine, Lord of the Isles," built for the International Exhibition of 1851, a model of a modern express engine, and sundry other objects connected with railway construction and work. The South-Western, the North-Eastern, Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Great Eastern, Midland, South-Eastern, Caledonian, North- Western, and the Taff Vale Railway Companies are also contributors to this department. A working coal mine and marine models are ex- ceedingly interesting. Rare books and manu- scripts and choice photographs are also to be met with. A working dairy will undoubtedly prove attractive to farmers. Music will be made a feature of the exhibition. The best military bands will play from time to time, and facilities are given in the Rosebery-hall, which will hold 10,000 people. The grounds are beautifully laid out; these are a canals and lake, on which water carnivals are to take place; amd thousands of coloured lamps, to- gether with powerful arc lights, have been pro- vided for the purposes of illumination. Park-, place, the main approach to the exhibition is quite a brilliant spectacle. Penetian masts have been erected from Queen-street to the main entrance. To tihem are attached shields and festoon of flags, and between them are suspended bunting and steramer3. A substantial carriage way has been constructed, and cement THE COAL MINE. pavements lead from the park gates to the entrance to the exhibition, and the contiguous ground has been planted with flowers. THE SECTIONS. The Mining Section. The mining section is under the chairman- ship of Mr. 1. Treharne Rees, who is sup- ported by an influential committee, composed of the leading colliery owners and mining engi- neers of the district, Mr. W. Gagcoyne Dalziel acting as honorary secretary of the committee. The principal feature, which is dealt with elsewhere, is, of course, the working colliery, which is likely to attract the accomplished collier, the roving "Shorn" Hoy," and the "Cardi Mawr," who has been immortalised in the Welsh comio song of Mr. John George, of Treorky. There is also a model gold mine, exhibited by the patentee, Mr. W. Keats, who also exhibited it at Chicago and in California. It is a realistic representation of gold mining operations in the Saratoga Mines, in the Rocky Mountains. Especially worthy of note is the exhibit of the Messrs. Powell-TilleTy Com- pany, who have succeeded in obtaining a block of five and a lialf tons of coal from the Black Vein at one of their collieries. It is probably the largest blook of coal that has yet been ex- hibited anywher. The Patent Nut and) Bolt Company exhibit a block of ccal 10ft. 3in. in length, and between 3ft. and 4ft. square. It weighs nearly four tons, and illustrates the extreme hardness of the character of the coal. The Dowlais Iron Company, the United National Colliery Company, Messrs. Dixon, the Tredegar Iron Company, Messrs. D. Davis and Sons, Ferndale, and North's Navigation Company are also exhibitors of representative specimens of coal. The machinery portion of the mining section comprises an immense variety of machinery 1'01111 appliances, pitprops, explosives, and manu- factored goods. Phans of the ducks and railway properties have been furnished by the companies them- selves, and portraits of the leading personalities in connection with those underta-kings are on view. There is also a general collection of drawings from various exhibitors, colliery owners, mining engineers, and others. Those who are interested in local geology will find a, section showing the stratification underlying the town of Cardiff to a depth of 1,140ft, as proved: by the borings at the Crown Preserved Coal Company's works. The Working Coal Mine. Much interest will centre in the working coal mine. On entering the mine visitors will find themselves a.t the bottom of an ordinary steam coal downcast shaft. Visitors who decide to explore the workings will be supplied with lamps, which will be duly examined at a lamp I station "underground." The second, or "rise, haulage road leads to the face of the workings, where two "headings" and a "staL-road" arc shown with a system of "co<«ring" and "gobs illustrated as in ordinary workings. The travel, ?itllen 0 ling road is of the ordinary dimensjions, and the trams, which have been lent by tne United National Collieries Company, have been brought from actual work in one of their collieries. The "timbering" throughout the entire mine is a special feature, the "collars" and "arms" being of exceptional size and strength. The work of erecting this timbering has been carried out by Mr. John Jenkins, a timberman at the Cvmmer Colliery, who has attained a high reputation in the Rhondda. Valley as a, timber- man. Coal, lent by such firms as the Messrs. Nixon, the Ocean Company, the United National, North's Navigation, the Dowlais, Tillery Company, and the Tredegar Iron Com- pany will appear in the mine, while the :ai)s for making the roadways have been lent by the Blcanavon Company. Pumping operations will be shown by an electric pump, and nn electric coal cutter, which will be supported (if one may so express iti) by electric drills will be I of interest. One part of the mine will be e lighted1 by electricity, and altogether the ar- rangements are those of a model mine. The Metal Trades Section. Perhaps the most noticeable exhibit in tha metal trades section i.s that of the DowJaia, Iron Company—a magnificent steel plate 69ft. long 4ft. 2iin. wide, and twelve- twentieths of an inch in thickness, weighinll o tons 13 owt., ard specially manufactured af the Cardiff works of the Dowlais Company foi this Exhibition. Tliis plate is of consider- ably a greater length than any other plate ever manufactured here or elsewhere. Twenty firms have contributed various manufactures in the iron, steel, copper, and tin-plate in- dustries, and we do not think it would have been possible for those industries to be better represented than they are in this department. Of this sect-ion Mr. Edward Martin, of Dow- las, ia tha president, Mr. W. G. Dowden, of Blaenavon, the vice-president, and Mr. Gas- coyne Da.lziel and Mr. G. B. Hammond, joint secretaries. Agriculture and Horticulture. The committee have made arrangements on a liberal scale for exhibiting agricultural im- plements a.nd appliances, seeds, cereals, roots, butter, cheese, and dairy utensils and appliances. Viisitol's interested in agricul- ture will turn naturally- to the pretty and artistic thatched dairy, which has been erected ?,fc a considerable cost, and fit-Led up Messrs. James Winch and Son, of Leicester1. The fittings, we may say, were supplied by the Dairy Supply Company free of cost, and the floor was laid by a London firm. The oom- mittee are largely indebted to Mr. W. J. Grant for having placed at their disposal his scientific knowledge, by which they have been enabled to make the demonstrations in butter and cheese making a feature of the exhibition. Health Section. This section occupies about 9,000 superficial feet. It will be popular with the visiters, being- a great, attraction, and not an attraction only. The clement of practical utility is one that will be distinctly served by most of the exhibits crowded into tbg. space alloted. A model hospital lis fitted up with beds and all the usual- appliances, and the daily routine and; working- cf such an institution is shown to demonstra- tion. A scries* of lectures is also proposed in connection with the St John Ambulance Association, shewing how to render first aid efficiently, and both the hospital and the lectures will, certainly prove to be of (inestimable service in the future through the thousands who will see the one and listen to the other. One of the most interesting stands is that of the Cardiff Chemical Company, who illustrate analytically the properties and products of wood by what is called destructive distillation. The local -firms represented include Messrs. W. H. Alien and Co., Sessions (Limited), Coitfield and Sons. John W.illiams and Sons, (Queen-street), Perkins Brothers (St. Mary- street), Andersons (Queen-street), and Vaughaa (Qu.?en-street). Sports and Pastimes Section. A sports committee, of which Mr. H J., Simpson is chairman; Mr. Berkeley, vice- chairman, and 'Mr. C. S. Arthur, soecretary, lias got in hand the arrangements of a pro- gramme of sjports that will extend throughout the summer season. The cycle tcaek, that haa h",l'n laid down at an expense of over £ 2,000, and with the Eton arrangements of grandstands, dressing-rooms, &c., to not less than £ 3,000, is constructed 80 as to make five laps to the mile. At either end the banking of the track rises to the height of about 12fi., presneting an appcaraep that at first seems somewhat ap- pallinjr. The general arra.ngements and the ground are admirable. On one side is a well- built grand stand, 60 or 80 yards long, with seats i>ix or oight deep. Beneath this the space lias been utilised for a sericsof dressing-rooms, lavatories, &c. At either end seats are placed on a tribune separated from the track itself by a railing. There is apparently accommoda- tion for about 1,500 to 2.000 spectators, all of whom can well see every incident in the pro- ceedings. Throughout the seanom th^ pro- gramme, so far as ,th:g portion of the exhibi- tion is concerned, will be a most varied and xhaustive one. In addition to the series of SANTIAGO AND THE LAKE,