This century being buried in that popular mausoleum, the vast ocean of eternity, a universally expressed desire to celebrate the nation’s centennial birthday in a style befitting its present power and importance, gradually assumed the form of an International Exposition, to be held during six months of the year 1876. Philadelphia was selected as the site, partly on account of historical associations and the proprietorship of the cracked bell, but principally to gratify the inhabitants of the adjoining Dutch settlement, New York. [CONGRESSIONAL MODESTY.] Congress was naturally appealed to for countenance and assistance. Unfortunately, however, Congress, having bestowed all its material aid upon railroad and steamship subsidies, had nothing but its moral support to offer. Having a large stock of this commodity, it was tendered with the usual modesty and circumspection which marks the action of that body in national affairs. The President was authorized to invite the world to the Exposition--without expense to Congress. Philadelphia was granted permission to hold the Exposition--without expense to Congress; each State was allowed the privilege of appointing a commission--without expense to Congress; and, to be brief, the economic representatives of the people resolved that these United States might go in and have a good time generally--without expense to Congress. Jubilant with this encouragement, the State Commissioners organized an Executive Committee, which appointed a Board of Finance, and auxiliary committees upon everything and anything, including mining, manufactures, calisthenics, art, science, primogeniture, horticulture, pisciculture, agriculture, infanticulture, and hydrostatics. City committees were constituted. These were jobbed out to wards, and again sublet to precincts, through which domestic juntas were established in every household. Thus the voice of the people woke the echoes of the capitol, and reverberated to the furthermost corners of the universe. [GEE UP DOBBINS!] The Building Committee immediately contracted with Mr. Richard J. Dobbins (the inventor of Dobbins’ electric soap) for the construction of THE MAIN EXHIBITION HALL. He agreed to furnish the very first quality of soapstone for the masonry, and to use Castile only, for the girders. The following were the chief points of the contract:-- 1st. The building to form a parallelopipedon, in order to secure the choicest location to each exhibitor. 2d. To be thoroughly waterproof. Dr. McFadden of the _Aqua Fontana_ department, and several other eminent surgeons, to fill it up to the ceiling as a test previous to the opening. The contractors to take it back if the test proved unsatisfactory. 3d. The walls to be of gutta percha; to be distributed after the closing of the exhibition to the pupils of the public schools for chewing and erasing purposes.