Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-07-29
Arrival in New York; isit TO the Crystal Paacelts
Appearance--Foreign and Domestic Inventions, &c
Colossal Statues &c.

Arrival in New York-yistto to the Crystal Palaoe-Its
ppearance--Foregn and Domestic Inventions, &c.
Colossal Statues, sc.
New YORK, July Is. 1858.
DEAR Sir In great haste, drop you a
line from this metropolis of America.
arrived here on Friday eve last, and took
up my abode, pro tenn, at French's Hotel
n poor establishment, where a man gets but
little and pays high for that little.
On Saturday, | visited the Crystal Palace.
Not half the space is occupied with goods
in their places, though | failed to obtain
space for two or three small specimens of
our prairie productions and Iowa art. Tie
room is all engaged. Well, the visitors
will miss seeing something well worth an
examination.
| cannot now speak in detail O. any part
of the exhibition. One day there will but
teach you where to look the second. The
general impression made upon my mind is
very favorable, though there are glaring
and evident faults.
The building itself is a model of beauty
and strength. Light but strong, airy yet
substantial, the lofty dome with its ara
besque ornaments, the long wings and
graceful galleries all combine and harmonic
to produce apicture by itself magnificent
rival of an oriental palace. Yet much re-
mains to be done to the building. Carpen-
ters, GLACIERS, painters and gilders are every
where busy, while exhibitors are hurrying
to and fro, opening boxes, bales and mates,
arranging goods, pictures, and statuary.
All is mingled chaos yet, and order emerg-
ing therefrom. Not the least interesting
part OF the exhibition is this daily changing
of confusion to harmony.
Among the articles now on exhibition, the
American department. has a decided superb
ority in tie practical inventions and manu-
features. Our reapers and mowers, rakes,
hoes, forks, ploughs, &c., &c., make good
show. The chemists Of Philadelphia are
out strong in their department. The weav-
ers and manufacturers of New England will
not be easily excelled IN their show. New
York city has an excellent representation
OF all things. A collection of prepared
birds, | noticed, which was very fne.--
Conspicuous among these were the wild
turkey and prairie chicken, (grouse.)
France has specimens of her Stverus por-
ceia!n-were excelling in beauty all antic-
ipation. Her small statuelles, too, are very
beautiful: Specimens of tapestry, too, are
worthy of high regard.
England will be out in force. Some of
her specimens Of plate are highly valuable.
Germany and Italy, too, should not be
omitted. There are pictures of which
will speak at some future time, and here is
a regular Turk, in turaan and robe, bring
ing his wares, of which | must speak at an
other time.
colossal statue, in bronze, Of Wash
ington ON horseback, occupies the centre OF
the building. | am not a judge of such
things, but do not like it, and the colossa
statue of Webster is a positive deformity
The copy of ''Kiss Amazon attacked by q
tiger" is good, and Therwaldser's "Chris
and Apostles is beyond my praise. 1t i;
now the grand feature of the exhibition.
Tomorrow visit old friends and the ole
scenes of college days, and expect to spenc
Q few days in the festivities Of the annna