Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-10-31
CITY AND STATE NEWs.


the Society, in order to afford opportunity for the
arrangement Of the sevesa. premium committee. and
other preparations necessary to ba made in advance
Of the great rush and consequent confusion which
likely to attend an ipdiscrilnuate admission into
the Grounds. The wisdom Of this course Was fully
vindicated yesterday for the crowd within the Fair
Grounds great as to render it impossible to
transact any business.
From an early hour yesterday morning, thousands
were repairing to the Grounds the several streets
leading thither presenting uninterrupted line of
omnibuses, carriages, and all sorts Of available We
hcles, while the aide walks wsre literally tbronged
with pedestrians. On no previous occasion has our
city presented such scene of activity and fe The
modes Of conveyance though far more numerous
Than heretofore were yet insufficient for the demand.
Everything in the shape of vehicle was brought
into requston furniture wagons, street carts, in
fact every style Of temporary vehicle which was
capable of motion; aud, though making repeated
trips forward and back. many, Of necessity were com
PEELED to walk.
The scene at the Fair Grounds such as ia rarely
looked upon. With the advantage Of an elevated posi-
tion from which to view the moving masses on every
side would regard the spectacle even more interest
was The magnificent display ofststelyforlns and fair
grscatuL figures flor the l.ass formed large coptin.
gent the throngl reminded Us Of remark which
Gov. Wise made in his speech at Lynchburc during
| his memorable campsgn-lhat the world could not
present suUh combination from the same circum.
scribed limits NJ sssemblage iu the world, nciden
| rally gathered together, could compare with that
which WAS assembled yesterday at the Fair
Grounds. And amid the great confusion, unavoids
Die in so large an assembage could not help no
ticng the contract visible between this and similar
assemblages in European countries, in point OF deco
run and gallantry. We venture 10 say that not
single lady iuconvenieuced 20 any serious extent,
amid that immense throng yesterday, notwith.
standing in places II was with difficulty
that the athletic could force their way, dense
was the crowd, and so eager the desire to catch
glimpse at the several interesting objects TO be
on the ground. Not an accident occurred so far
ws could ascertain, and nothing to the pleasure
and interest Of the. occasion, save, in some in.
| stances, where parties had been vctimised by the
light. t.hngered gentry, whose operations, learn,
were carried on to greut extent during the day
These, however, exotics, all Northern irporta-
tons, and far could ascertain, they pretty
we'll known to the officers. who but waiting pro-
per clue to their guilt No plea eIists for their ap
prebensiou, in the abseuce Of some known offence,
but such arrangements are made will secure the
detection of the rufhans, il they persist in their na
| nous practices. We regret exceedingly that any
thing should have occurred to deract from the plea
sure which all had evidently experienced; and We
trust that others will be duly admonished by these
circumstances, of the impropriety Of taking large
sums Of money with them into crowd of that sort.
The great point Of attraction on the Fair Grounds
seemed to be the horse lot. The gate which opened
from the original lot, the place for general e1hibl
ton into the horse lot the scene Of greatest
confusion. Persons passing and repa,sng rendered
entrance either way scarcely possible. We never
realized fully the great advantage to ladies' OF sub
-tapal hoops under such circumstances. We had an
idea that they were rather a disadvantage in crowd
or passage, but such not the case at least
IN the former instance. To approach too closely to
lady fully equipped in this style OF Dress Is very
rious matter. We venture to say that single test
will be quite enough for any one and that be would
have no desire to obtrude his extremites secoud
time upon these little equipments. No one who has
not experienced the fact can Judge Of the nconve
nience and suffering which attend collision with
these steel hoops. They sting painfully. Once
through the gate, however, we're fully co;npensa
ted for these little disadvantages.
The display of horses exceeded anything of the
kind VIZ had ever looked upon. Every class Of thai
beautiful animal was there exhibited-from the feet
Get thorough bred the heavy draught each being il
fact perfect model Of his class. We observed among
the former the celebrated horse "Red Eye" wnec
by Mr.. Becher, who resides in Henrico, within mil,
or two OF this city. The celebrity OF this animal il
too generally known, to need any remark. He has
proved himself the feetest horse, probably in the
Union. His quality has been tested over and oyei
ssanst the best animals in the country; aud in almost
-very instance hs has had the victory. For som,
Years past he has been taken off the turf and IL
now kept az "service horse" We were informed
that he is now for sale, but what the prospect Of hs
being purchased, could not ascertain.
Revenue, another beautiful animal Of the same
class, owned by John Minor Botts was also on the
ground. He is an exceedingly handsome horse, and
seemed to be much admired In paint Of h-etness h.
IS sad to be little inferior 10 "Red Eye" We did MOI
ascertain whether he for sale. There seres
Of other animals Of this class on the ground, but lest
celebrated. In appearamce-w however, is oftsr
ieceptive-they seemed in wise inferior to those
other heroes Of the "turf." In point OF beauty. and
models of perfect symmstry they were in TACT thel
equals
The celebrated trotting horse, "Kossuth," the pro
perty Of Mr.. Smith, Of Henrico, was also on the
yround as was the fast trotter "Black Hawk" better
known by the name Of "Ticonderoga," who was
brought here from Maryland. 1t was expected thai
a trottug match between the two would be gotter
up, but there was no prospect Of its taking plac.
when We left the Fair Grounds Among the draugh
horses exhibition, noticed four beautiful bay
attached 10 omnbus-the property of Mr.. Jno
P. Ballard, the snterprising proprietor Of the E1
change Hotel. We were informed that they wer,
awarded the frat prize among that class.
We noticed number of very fine horses with 'sul
kes," Of whose qualities We had no opportunity OF
udging the great number Of horses on exhibition
and the consequ contraction of space allotted fol
the exercises, rendering proper exhibition OF the
speed matter Of some difficulty.
AS general thing the present display OF horses o
every class is vastly superior to any heretofore made
and it is to be hoped that In view of the great acqu
ston which this part Of the exhibition has proved
the general display proper efforts will be made to
cure permanent interest in the lot now employed fo
this purpose. We learn that it is now held at An an
nual rent the City Council in their wisdom refusing
70 make an appropriation Of portion Of the amoun
necessary for it's purchase. They are great econo
miss but unfortunately for the interests OF the city
it is invariably exercised in the wrong way.
DOMESTIC AANUFACrCREs.
Notwithstanding the draw backs in rhis department
L. oot E,.- 81
are on exhibition nany beautiful specimens Of work
manship. Probably the most merltorious in thi
class is table cover, wrought by Miss Clopton
Of New Kent. 1t exhibits on lis surface beautiful
combination OF birds feathers Of the richest hue ar
ranged n the most tasteful manner, 10 compact cir
cIes The diversity of shade in the several combna
tons is neatly preserved, and the contrast in the in
tervening spaces, which are made up Of beautiiu
specimens OF embroidery, in perfect Keeping VIII
the ray and rich coors Of the feather circles. II
| well worthy Of a premium.
We also observed n handsome case OF regaia e1
hibited by Miss Mcdonald, Of this city, which wal
very credsb!e to her taste and skill.
There were also on exhibition series OF richly EN-
brodered counterpanes, shawis and iadies dresses
not to be surpassed anywhere.
| In the absence of Professor hcGule OF the Uni-
versity, who to deliver the opening address 81
the Fair Governor Wise in compliance with the ca.
of many members Of the Society, delivered brle
extempore address, in tho large tent set apart fol
that purpose. Though no doubt, unprePared. ne vel
mninianed his great reputation rs an orator. l, wa:
sn effort replete with valuable information on the
subject Of agriculture, and contained suggestion
which. no doubt, will be taken up, and acted upor
by the Society. He approved the establishment
ii An agricultural department at the University o
Virginia. as recommended in the report OF the Pres
dent of the Society. The crowd assembled to hear
him as immense, and the attention with which hs
was listened to showed concusivey the degree Of in
terest feI, in the subject upon which he treated. i
was mastery effort.
We shall continue to notice any objects Of specia
interest at the Fair, selecting from each class Whist
ever specimens we may deem most worthy of par
| ticular attention.
The farmers Assembly held meeting Tues
day morning at 10 o'clock, and called to order BY
Mr. Charles b. Williams, Secretary Of the State Az