Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-09-24
For the Free Press.
FLORAL HALL AND THE FINE ARTS

Editors Of Free Press;
Palpable defects in the arrange
ment Of the late State Fair" call for special
mark. 1 refer principally to Floral Hall, its con-
struction &c, as being very unsuitable for the
purpose to which it applied, and proving
wholly inadequate for the protection of the proper
ty of Exhibitors from the inclemency Of the wealth
er. Had the severe rain of Thursday occurred
at night, many articles would have been utterly
ruined.
Now as the State Fair is located to be held on the
same grounds during the ensuing years, the Man
ayers of the buildings should have shawn greater
regard for the security of the property Of Exhib-
itors and also displayed little more libesality
and trihe of taste in their construction and nte
rior finish.
No excuse can be offered for the deficiency of
that part Of Floral Hall devoted to the Fine Arts
Needle Work. &c. In the face Of so beautiful
Town as Burlington, this a very country
affair" We live in a progressive age,"-when
Hemispheres are united by Electric Cable,
threading thousands Of miles through the ocean;
but judging from the very primitive arrangements
of Floral Hall, the quickening spark of Progress
has not electrified its designers.
Very true, that but little damage actually re-
suited which, it may be argued, the amount Of
premiums awarded may have covered But the
premiums never considered to be any thing
more than honorary; for it could not be supposed
that the sum of ten dollars would compensate me
for the anxiety, watching and "sopping up" with
IL napkin, the water that fell the top Of my
large picture-frame. Had the same quantity of
water fallen on the back Of the painting and not
been discovered, the painting would have been
spoit. The cost of my three frames sent to Floral
Hall, was IS dollars, independent of the paintings,
and they were totally at the mercy of the poor
shed above, through which the rain penetrated in
numerous places. l could not remove them-the
storm outside forbade it. Neither did "grin and
bear it,; but "sopped away" and "blest " the
" barbarians."
The exterior of the building is unimportant, but
the east side should be differently constructed.
The boards should be nailed upright and the joints
battened; sky-light should be inserted in the
centre of the roof and that side of the roof shingled
The centre space between the posts could then be
closed, and the wall intended for hanging works Of
Art or delicate fabrics, should be covered with
cheap paper. 4 lady handed me beautiful fan
wrought of delicate white feathers with bird in
the centre; hung it against the rough, splintery
boards. II was like placing the hand of sylpho on
the paw Of bear
The arrangement Of articles should be left to a
committee, with arbitrary power to hang them up,
and the articles should be demanded and sent in
at an earlier day. Under tho present system
the motley groupings they present cannot bs
avoided
Unless alterations are made at Floral Hall, to
give greater security to the property of Exhibitors
another season the Managers may expect positive
refusal on the part of this years exhibitors to con-
tribute any thing. Respectfully,
c. l.. HEYpE.