DISTRIBUTION OP PRIZES AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1190, 6 September 1867, Page 4

DISTRIBUTION OP PRIZES AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

The grand ceremony of the distribution ofprizes came offin the building of the Great World's Exhibition the Ist July, and was a most imposing aflair. Seventeen thousand persons, including tlio Representatives of every Nation on Earth° were present. The arrangements were of the most brilliant description. Tlie North side ot the Emperor's throne was hung with crimson velvet. In front were the members of the diplomatic corps dressed in uniform. The tralleri™ were tilled with the fair sex, dressed in gay and most becoming colors. In the East end of the building was placed the orchestra, made tip of twelve hundred musicians. The roof of tha building was decorated with streamers showing every color of the rainbow, while the walls were decorated profusely with rare and beautiful natural flowers. The galleries were hung with flags showing the different nations that had contributed to the exhibition. In the centre of the building, placed on pedestals, were the best specimens of each, of the ten groups into which all articles in the Exhibition are divided. The French Ministers of State were present in uniform, with the Senators and Deputies of the Legislative Chambers of the Empire. Tho Lord Mayor of London, with several Aldermen of that city were also present, clothed in their robes of office. Napoleon's throne was guarded by a detachment of Cent Gardes. The streets were guarded by "strong bodies of police, and the National and Imperial Guards. At two o'clock in the afternoon, the ' approach of the Imperial Cortege was announced. First came a carraige drawn by eight horses magnificently caparisoned, containing tho Emperor, the Empress, the Prince Imperial, and the Prince Napoleon. Next came the Sultan of Turkey in a golden mounted carriage, drawn by eight horses, in golden mounted harness, and following him, were threo other carriages of almost equal splendor, the horses of which, were led by servants clotbed in the richest livery, containing a number of Turkish officials. Next came the Ladies attached to the French Court dressed in costumes of unequalled splendor. Nest came the officers of the Emperor's household dressed in full uniform. Next came the Prince of "Wales, the Princess Royal of Prussia, Prince Humbert of Italy, the Princess Mathilde, the Princess Clotilde, the Duchess D'Oste, the brother of the Tycoon of Japan, Prince Yon Teck, and the Duke of Cambridge. As the cortege entered the building, the orchestra with a full chorus, gave Kossini's Hymn to the Emperor with magnificent power and effect. After all had been seated, Napoleon took his seat upon the throne in the centre of the brilliant group around him, having the Sultan of Tnrkcy on his right hand, and the Empress Eugenie on his left. The Empress was dressed m a robe of while satin, trimmed: with silver, and wore a heavy diamond necklace. The Minister of State now proceeded to read to the Emperor, the report of the juries on the successful exhibitors, and the productions and objects exhibited by them. As he concluded reading, the Emperor rose from his throne and made the following speech:— " After an interval of twelve years, I come for the sooond time to distribute rewards to those who have most distinguished themselves in those works which enrich the nations, embellish life and soften the manners. The poet 3of antiquity sung the praises of the great games, in which the various nations assembled to contend with Grceco for prizes in the race and other sports. What would they say tothey present at the Olympic game of tha world, in which the nations of the earth contend by force of intellect alone, and seem to launch themselves , forth simultaneously on an indefinite career of progress towards an ideal, which! has been incessantly approached without ever being able to be attainei ' From all parts of the earth have come representa- ; tive3 of science, arts and industrr, who have hastened to Tie with each other— and wo may say that peoples and Hugs have both came to do honour to the efforts of labor, and crown them by their presence with ideas of conciliation and peace. Indeed, in these great assemblies, which appear to have no other object than ma- . terial interests, a moral sentiment always disengages itself from competition of intelligence, a sentiment of concord and civilization ; and the nations in thus drawing near, learn to know and esteem each other. Hotrods are extinguished, and the truth becomes evident that the prosperity of each country contributes to the prosperit3 r of all. The exhibition of 1867 mayjustly be termed universal, for it unites all I lie richeß of the globe. Side by side with the latest improvements in modern art appear the products of the remote ages, so that they repreeent at ona and tho eamo timo the genius of all ages and nations. It is uni. versal, for in addition to the marvels -which luxury brings for the few, it displayß also that demanded, by their necessities for the many. The interest of tho laboring classes never aroused more lively solicitude. Their moral and material wants, education, conditions of life at a cheap rato of livinj, by tho most productive combinations of association, have been tho object of patient inquiries and serions study. Thus all improvements march forward. If s.cienco by turning matter, to account, liberates labor, the cultivation of tho mind by subduing vices, prevails over the vulgar passions and liborates humanity. Let us congratulate ourselves, gentlemen, upon having received among us the majority of the Sovereigns and Princes of Europe, and bo many other distinguished visitors. Let us bo proud of having shown that as she is great, is prosperous and free. Ono must be destitute of all patriotic faith who doubts her greatness, and must close his eyes to tho evidenco who denies her prosperity. He must misunderstand our institutions —tolerant even to license—not to behold in them liberty. Foreigners have been able thoroughly to appreciate this. France, formerly disquieted and casting out her uneasiness beyond her frontiers, is laborious and calm. Always fertile in generous ideas, she is turning her genius te the most divorse marvels, never allowing herself to he enervated by material enjoyment. Attentive minds will have divined that, notwithstanding tho developement of its wealth, notwithstanding the enticements towards prosperity, tho fibre of the nation is always ready to vibrate as soon as a question of honor of the country arises ; but this noble susceptibility could not be a subjeet for alarm, for repose would let those who lived a short time among us, carry home just opinions of the country. I f°el persuaded that the sentiment of esteem and sympathy wo entertain towards foreign nations, and our sincere desire O ■ live at peace with them will bo reciprocated. I thank the imperial commissioners, members of the jury, and different _ committees for their intelligent zeal in the accomplishment of their tasks. I thank also by name tho Imperial who notwithstanding his tender age, I hrve been happy to associate with, mo in this great undertaking, of which he will over retain the remembrance. I hopo the Exhibition of 18G7 will mark a new era of harmony and progress, assured that Providence blesses the efforts of all who, like ns, deserve to do good. I belive in the definitive triumph of the great principles of morality and justice, which while satisfying ill legitimate desires, are aloue able to con solidato thrones, elevate nations, and ennoDie humanity." During the delivery ofthis speech the Emperor was frequently interrupted by clicers, and w en ho closed he was greeted by the audieii with most enthusiastic demonstrations applause,