The Celebration

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THE CELEBRATION.

The fountains in both districts are now nearly complete, and the surroundings and ornamentation will be ready by Wednesday, the day of the celebration. The fountain in Bedford avenue was visited by a large number of our citizens yesterday, and the beautiful workmanship of the centre-piece was much admired. A number of the idle boys were playing around the basin and climbing up the marble jet, and it was generally remarked that an officer should have been detailed to guard it until the railing around was complete. The connection with the water mains has not yet been made.

The fountain in the City Hall Park was tried on Saturday, and a jet of water thrown to the height of 65 feel through a one-eight inch pipe, and a much higher altitude can be obtained without difficulty. The basin is circular, 60 feet in diameter, and built with a concrete bottom and brick lining, properly cemented, making the structure completely water tight. The walls are of brick, and capped with blue stone. There is five feet of sodding on the out side, and a circular path of 10 feet width. A series of posts five feet apart, and secured to each other by a stout iron chain, surrounds the basin. The jet is regulated by a series of plates, by means of which any form that may be deemed desirable can be produced. The path leading from the fountain to the Hall steps is widened 25 feet. At the intersection of Court and Fulton street the entrance is widened forty feet, and provided with iron posts.

The work of erecting a triumphal arch on Bedford avenue near the fountain was commenced on Saturday. It is situated nearly opposite Christ Church.

The platform for the children of the Sunday Schools of this district, who are to sing as the procession is to halt while an address is made by a young lady, and a boquet presented to the Marshal of the Line and the Chief Engineer of the Works, is to be erected close by the door of the church. Farther down Lee avenue Mr. Johnson is erecting a raised platform for the children of the Lee avenue Sabbath School.

It is expected that the head of the procession will have got back to Bedford avenue, long before the end of the line has reached the fountain, so that spectators in that vicinity will enjoy the privilege of seeing the procession countermarching.

The appeal of the Celebration Committee for all citizens who can do so, to entertain some of the distinguished visitors who will crowd the city on this ooccasion, has been nobly responded to in both districts. A meeting of citizens was held on Saturday night, and a number proffered their homes for as many as they could comfortably accommodate. Those who could not furnish accommodation, offered money. It is still desirable that all who can imitate this hospitality should notify the committee at once.

On the day succeding the celebration, the Commissioners, and all the invited guests, will pay a visit to the reservoir and works in the open barouches.

The display of fire works in both districts will take place on Thursday evening, and five hundred dollars has been appropriated for this district.

The rumor of discontent among the firemen of this district is entirely without foundation; and even was it true that they contemplated leaving the line after parading this dist., it stands to reason such an insult to the Committee, and the city at large would not go unresented, and might result seriously to the disadvantage of the department at the coming meeting of the Joint Board.

At the meeting of the Committee of Arrangements, at Fireman's Hall, on Saturday evening, it was proposed to invite the Aldermen of the seven eastern district wards to review the Firemen from the balcony of the Hall, before they proceeded to join the main body. It was also proposed to have a torchlight procession, by the firemen of this district and their invited guests, on Thursday evening. The various companies will assemble this evening for the purpose of electing Assistant Engineers, and it would be advisable for them to take some action in the matter. Should the idea be carried out, a liberal supply of blue lights, to be paid for from the fireworks appropriation, may be relied on. The "boys" were busily engaged yesterday (they must be excused, this time, if it was Sunday) in polishing and cleaning up their machines, making everything shine again, and it will be no fault of theirs if their section of the line at least does not attract attention.

The decoration of the Zephyr steam fire engine is now completed, and the engine can be seen at the carriage works of Mr. Merritt, in South 7th street. The wood work encasing the boiler and cylinder has been painted a bright red, the iron bands securing it being brightly gilded. The Wheels and running gear a deep blue, with gilt finishing, and the tongue varnished. What with the bright colors and polished machinery, this engine looks really splendid. It is to be drawn by eight horses.

The large unoccupied space and high ground along Myrtle and Bedford avenues will afford excellent facilities for our citizens to view the procession, and doubtless numbers will avail themseleves thereof.

The length of the route chosen has been measured by a competent surveyor, under the direction of Ald. McNamee,¹ chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, and found to be just nine and three-quarter miles. The police have been directed to cause all obstructions in the streets through which the procession is to pass to be removed, and the streets cleaned.

Many of our citizens are making preparations to aid in the celebration, and it is to be hoped all will unite in endeavoring to make the day and the event one that may be remembered for a lifetime. Every street through which the procession passes should have its triumphal arch, and every house along the street be decorated in some fitting manner.

The military, Fire Companies, and citizens, can now be supplied with medal badges, to be worn in the procession, by applying to the manufaturers. Messrs. F. B. Smith and Hartman, No. 122 ½ Fulton street, New York, and of Jas. Morris, 144 Fulton street, this city.

Those desirous of parading with the firemen during the celebration, can procure fire shirts of good quality and at a reasonable rate at the mechanic's Shirt store, No. 369 Grand street, between Suffolk and Clinton streets, New York. Mr. J. H. Trapler, the proprietor is an old printer, and an upright, fairdealing man.

The Fire Department E. D. are to form on the north side of Lafayette avenue, right resting on Bedford avenue, left towards Broadway, at 10 o'clock precisely.

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