* At the Memorial Celebration of the Grand Army of the Republic last evening the Academy of Music was filled to overflowing, within a few minutes after the opening of the doors. Gen. Hancock was the first arrival of importance. The Governor's Island band accepted this as a signal for the overture. The Academy was tastefully decorated. The three balconies were covered, the first with blue cloth, the second with white and national bunting, studded with the insignia of the original thirteen States, and the family circle with red. Over the centre of the stage the national flag and device hung suspended, and was held In its place by flying streamers extending to the boxes. The latter were draped with flags, relieved by antique armor and weapons-- shields, casques and battle axes and crossed swords and pikes. At 8.05 the curtain slowly rose, and discovered to the view of the audience, a second audience reaching back to the farthest depths of the scenes. These were the fortunate holders of stage tickets, and comprised a great number of distinguished men. Among them were noticed Gen. Horace Porter, Gen. Lloyd Aspinwall, Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Gen. D. D. Wylie, Gen. Charles Roome, Gen. W. Palmer, Gen. John Cochrane, Gen. H. G. Tremaine, the Hon. Edward Pierrepont, Dep't. Commander James M. Fraser, the Hon. Carl Schurz, August Belmont, Henry Clews, Dr. Lewis A. Sayre, Charles Scribner, Jesse Seligman, William Dowa, Henry Bergh and George William Curtis. Gen. Bamum came upon the stage followed by President Arthur, Gen's. Grant and Hancock, Secretaries Folger and Brewster, ex-Senator Roscoe Conkling, Mayor Grace and the Rev. J. P. Newman. Gen. Hancock's brilliant uniform made him a very conspicuous figure, and he served as a foil to the plain evening dress of Gen. Grant, who was separated from him by the portly form of the President. Gen. James McQuade, the President of the day, rose and uncovering a flag which draped a sort of patriotic altar in front of him, announced that It was the genuine flag upon which was written the famous order, "If any man pull down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.' * This was the signal for round after round of applause, while Gen. McQuade waved this precious relic of the past. The time had now come for the introduction of the orator of the evening, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. Col. Ingersoll stepped across the stage to the reading desk, and was received with an ovation of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. After the enthusiasm had somewhat abated, a gentleman in one of the boxes shouted: "Three-cheers for Ingersoll." These were given with a will, the excitement quieted down and the orator spoke as follows '.--The New York Times. May 31st, 1883.