1. Grand Overture, “The Great Republic,” founded on the National Air, “Hail Columbia,” and arranged for the occasion by the composer, George F. Bristow, of New York; rendered by the orchestra under the direction of Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore. 2. The President of the Commission, General Joseph R. Hawley, called the assembly to order and announced the acting Vice-President of the United States, Senator Thomas W. Ferry, as the presiding officer of the day in the absence of the President of the United States. 3. Prayer by the Rev. Dr. William B. Stevens, Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania. 4. Hymn, “Welcome to all Nations,” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, to the music of Keller’s “National Hymn.” 5. Reading of the Declaration of Independence from the original manuscript by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. 6. Greeting from Brazil; a Hymn for the First Centennial of American Independence, composed by A. C. Gomes, of Brazil, at the request of the Emperor Dom Pedro; rendered by the orchestra. 7. Reading of “National Ode,” by Bayard Taylor. 8. Grand Triumphal March, with chorus, “Our National Banner;” words by Dexter Smith, of Massachusetts, music by Sir Julius Benedict, of England. 9. Oration, by William M. Evarts, of New York. 10. Hallelujah Chorus, from Handel’s “Messiah.” 11. Doxology, “The Old Hundredth Psalm.” Space will not permit the printing here of the oration or other features of the programme, with the exception of the hymn, “Welcome to All Nations,” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, which was as follows: I. Bright on the banners of lily and rose, Lo, the last sun of the century sets! Wreathe the black cannon that scowled on our foes, All but her friendships the nation forgets! All but her friends and their welcome forgets! These are around her, but where are her foes? Lo, while the sun of the century sets, Peace with her garlands of lily and rose! II. Welcome! a shout like the war-trumpets swell, Wakes the wild echoes that slumber around! Welcome! it quivers from Liberty’s bell; Welcome! the walls of her temple resound! Hark! the gray walls of her temple resound! Fade the far voices o’er river and dell; Welcome! still whisper the echoes around; Welcome! still trembles on Liberty’s bell! III. Thrones of the continents! Isles of the sea! Yours are the garlands of peace we entwine! Welcome once more to the land of the free, Shadowed alike by the palm and the pine, Softly they murmur, the palm and the pine, “Hushed is our strife in the land of the free.” Over your children their branches entwine, Thrones of the continents! Isles of the sea! The distribution of awards to exhibitors occurred in the Judges’ Hall on Wednesday, September 27th, with an interesting programme of music and addresses.