THE FRENCH EXHIBITION.

Grey River Argus, Volume IV, Issue 266, 26 September 1867, Page 3

THE FRENCH EXHIBITION.

The ceremony of the distribution of prizes on the Ist of July 'last is said to have been the greatest pageant ever witnessed in the city of Paris.. Seven, teen thousand persons, including the representatives of every nation on earthwere present. The arrangements were of the most brilliant description. The north side of the Emperor's throne was hung with crimson velvet. In front weie the members of the diplomatic corps dressed iv uniform. The galleries were filled with the fair sex, dressed in gfiy and most becoming colors. In the east end of the building was placed the orchestra, made up of twelve hundred musicians. The roof of the building was decorated with streamers showing every color of the rainbow, while the Willis 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 drided. The French Ministers of State were present in uniform, with the Senators and Deputies of the Legislative Chambers of the Empire. The Lord Mayor of London, with several Aldermen of that city, were also preseut, clothed in their robes of office. Napoleon's throne was guarded by a detachment of Cent Gardes. The streets were guarded by a strong body of police, and the National aud Imperial Guards. At two o'clock in the afternoon the approach of the Imperial cortege wiis announced. First came a carriage drawn by eight horses magnificently caparisoned, containing the Emperor, the Empress, the Prince Imperial, aud 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 three other carriages of almost equal splendour, the horses of which were led by servants clothed in the richest livery, containing a number of Turkish officials. Next came the ladies attached to the French Court, dressed in costumes of unequalled splendour. Next came the officers of the Emperor's household, dressed in full i;niform. Next came the Prince of Wales, the Princess lioyal of Prussia, Prince Humbert of Italy, the Princess Mathilde, the Princess Clotilde, the Duchess D'Oste, the brother of the Tycoon of Japau, Prince Von Teck, and the Duke of Cambridge. As the cortege entered ihe building the orchestra, with, a fu,]^ chorus, gave Kossini's Hymn to the Emperor, with ppwer 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 Turkey on his right hand, and the Emperor Eugenic on his left.