Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-26
CITY ITEMS

@A'N@hN
Fair Grounds, near this city, we're opened to the public,
yesterday, for the first time. The weather, in the fore
noon, was very ~Propitious for the inauguration" the
temperature being as pleasant as could have been wish.
ed, and the sky only obscured by aeecy clouds, which
scarce Intercepted the genial rays Of the sun. E,hilara-
ted by weather such a. this, and prompted by curiosity,
and the pursuit Of a days recreation. crowds of ladies'
aud gentlemen repaired to the new Fair Grounds-the
large majority Of them awaiting themselves OF the rapid
and pleasant conveyance afforded by the railroad com
pany. Though the old Hermitage Il about a mile furth-
er from the centre Of the city than the old grounds, the
means OF getting TO the show have been facilitated and
~eheapened by the superior mode Of conveyance. For
twenty cents a passenger will be carried Ia tho cars to
and from the Fair Grounds, and will not be covered with
dust during the trip. or delayed ut the gates by a block
ade OF vehicles. The ride alone Is an object. viewed asa
20 the exhibition.
On arriving at the Ground, by the railroad. the visitor
will observe north OF the track a collection Of sheds
booths and stands, from which apples, cakes, etc, are
dispersed to the hungry and sweei-toothed. Their. il
also a big shed labeled sour House." adjoining the fence
In which refreshing ~daughts are furnished when called
Tor. The Two Charles preside here. But these are
m're outside incidentals. having no connexion with the
Fair, and are merely mentioned as the usual concomi-
tants OF the exhibition The show tents, with their aa-
ming signs aud highly eolored pictures OF fat women and
other monstrosities, which formerly constituted a promi-
nent feature Of the outside adjuncts, have been pitched
on the inside of the enclosure.
On entering the enclosure, the yisitcr il mt 10 he
struck with the large extent OF the grounds-the area
being six times larger than that of the old grounds, be-
ionBng 10 the CITY. III us judgment IL not warped by
PrcJudices, or II his expectations are not too magnificent
he Will be gratifed by the general beauty of the grounds
and favorably impressed by the appearance of the build
ings, tents, and other appurtenances-the whole forming n
coup GiI worthy OF contemplation aud admiration. The
view "a rendered more interesting by the rapid transit of
vehicles and horsemen, and the movement in all direc-
lions of broadcloth and crinoline-the colors of the rain
bow which deck the fair mingling harmoniously with
the sable hue of their masculine attendants.
After satisfying the first impulses of curiosity, the visi.
ter will doubtless examine the cattle, which are the first
objects that present themselves to the eve. They are
exhibited in n series of stalls, arranged in the shape of n
double oval, with a walkway between the outer and inner
rows. The cattle are ris a ris, and observers can make
the circuit of the avenue, having a front view of the
cattle on either side. This arrangement is universally
approved. and is especially acceptable to the ladies. The
display OF cattle embraces several very large oxen from
Pulaski county. We were unable to get a iist. The en-
tries number about one hundred and fifty.
West OF the cattle department Is a very large collection
OF gallinaceous bipeds, with the usual variety Of geese.
ducks, rabbits, etc. No fault can be found with this part
of the exhibition, except that some OF the coops are unfit
for the purposes Of exhibition, the bars being too close
together. Walking south from the cattle stalls, the yi>i-
ter will come to an immense canvass pavilion, under
which rows of plank benches are arranged for the &C.
commodation Of all who may desire to rest or enjoy
the music of the Armory Band, stationed within the
tent. East of this tent, about two hundred yards,
are catch-penny shows of wax figures, snakes, etc
South and west of the main tent an extensive assert.
ment OF agricultural machines and implements is display
ed on the sward. The collection appears to comprehend
every article usually embraced in this department. Pur-
suing the same direction, about a hundred wards further
the visitor will come to the temporary building, in which
household manufactures and horticultural products are
exhibited. The ladies thronged this department yester.
day, for here were exhibited admirable specimens of
feminine handiwork and industry, an incomplete list OF
which with the contributors names we here annex:
Embroidery, Needle Work, etc.-Infants dress, Miss
G. Butler rag carpet, NJ. T.. Tunstall; knit couuterpane.
S. NJ. Moody; . vases grass. very preity,) Mrs. ]. H.
Burton I frame crochet, $. u. Rcnnie; crochet tidy,
Mrs. Nelson; 9 counterpanes, . pair stockings, Mrs. X.
Bowes; l pair do, Mrs. Undertake swAn-down bon.
net, Mrs. 5. T. Hulce embroidered suit, worsted basket,
and ottoman, Miss A. X. Hooker; embroidered skirt
Miss j. w. Bradley bed quilt, Miss NJ. a. Williams
embroidered shirt, Mrs. 5. Jones, Jr.; crochet basque.
Mrs. J. Lunden; worsted table cover, do; rag carpet and
quilt Mrs. w. q. Wade quilt, Mrs. X. :. Hines, Prince
Edward; cloak and quilt Mrs. L. Wilson, Augusta silk
fringe, Miss NJ. +. james 3 pieces knitting, Mrs. Z.
Voolfolk l piece domestic cloth, Mrs. II. II. Peard
two OttomRns, Mrs. j. 7. Jennings; bead cushion, . velvet
embroideries and leathern frame, Miss j. +. Layne; quilt
and counterpane, Mrs. +. h. Brock = ottoman covers, =
chemises, etc, by do; . net shawls, Miss NJ Ryland; .
net shawls, Miss N Ryland; l do. Miss J Ryland; > pair
socks, Mrs + NJ Parrish; bed quilts. Mrs T. Grimes; col
lar and q mats. Miss NJ , Dangerield; collar, Miss s q
Richards; l pair knit stockings and ] knit rug, Miss NJ =
Richards; l emb'd chemise, Miss X \ Vandevcnter, =
pieces worsted work, Miss A w ~Branham; / counterpanc,
A ID Curtis; 2 worked dresses Mrs J 4 Sizer; l tidy, Mis-
NJ T. Roy; / basket, Miss Lucy Crouch; box soap, flannel
and carpet, Mrs G. Via; 3 pair stockings; Mrs q Taley,
piece black jeans, J w Lawson; set erotehet work, Mrs
Sally Clay; ? cases wax work, Miss J + Turpln; carpet
and rug, Mrs NJ McClintock; box soap, Mrs J NJ Sheppard;
rug, Mrs Ii Bagby; pair socks, aud collar, Mis- NJ A Ma
jor; frame leather work Mrs q + frary; ? boxes crotch.
ct Miss S A White; infants shirt, MIS- L Russell; / pair
slippers, j E Williams; emb'd collar, Mrs \ b Hutchin-
son; l worked skirt, Miss S \ Brock; / pair slippers,
Miss Skipworth; = tides, Miss Gouleib; rug, Mr. \ l.
Krebs; quilt and infants dress, NJ T. Parker; piece en-
broidery, fancy mat, etc, Mrs Z ii Sutton; lamp mat
Ida g Martin; rag carpet, Mary Collins, . pr slippers, S J
Spence; embroidery, Miss NJ F Wood; carpet Mrs J Z
Burton: three pieces crotchet, Miss Emma Moon; one
worked handkerchief, Miss 4 NJ Collins; one pair
thread socks. Mrs S ii Parkens; knit countcrpane.
Mrs NJ A Page; . pcs knitting, Miss Ida Gray; 2 skirts,
Mss A Mallowi shirt, Miss T. Duke; infants embroidd
dress, Miss J NJ Booker; emb'd quilt Miss NJ A Bohanan;
2sfarm blankets, Mrs & Burton; p. home made blankets,
Mrs S Harraway; l piece tatting, Miss Lizzy Boyd; nome
made silk stockings, etc, Miss CassIndu Willis; worsted
afghan, Mrs J Robertson; portrait, Mrs Pellet; . Gre
clan paintings and leather frame work, Miss Ella Dimmock.
Bread aud C~dkes-Batch rolls, Mrs II w Brocken.
broughi do. Mrs 4 Il Spence cake, Mrs A b Hutchin.
son loaf bread. Mrs n Mills sponge cake, Mrs WIN
Willis; bread and rolls, Miss Sarah ) Spence; Washing
ton cfe, Mrs w A Walters; two cakes, MrsJ c Burton;
Word.
Besides the articles mentioned, we also noticed, in this
department, a beautiful piano, Singers sewing machines,
magnificent floral ornaments, plants, appetzing speci.
mems of butter and preserves, samples OF manufactured
tobacco, etc. We must particularize to-day, a plaster
typographical model of the State OF Virginia, by Prof
Thos. ii. williamson, of the v. NJ. Institute, and four
oaken chairs, made by Mr.. Joel NJ. Clorc, az Madison
q. II. The vister will see much 10 admire in this de.
partmcnt, though IL Is obvious that the collection Of ar
casons.
A short distance cast of this building is a pleasant grove.
presenting "A somewhat romantic appearance. Circular
benches have been erected nj the base Of the trees and
- @"H'@h ~ way ~ IAAhNF
who instinctively resort to them to converse, rest, or eat
%luncheons. A few more seats in this locality would not
be amiSs.
Directly west of the cattle stalls, which we first men.
toned, Is a two story brick building, containing on the
hTst hoor the offices Of the chief marshal, chief of police,
etc. In the 2nd story, are two rooms appropriated to the
use OF the press. The Presidents dhcc IL ia another build.
ing close by. Immediately beyond the large building
are the tanks or reservoirs, from which water IL convey.
ed in pipes to the cattle, horses, etc. Near the tanks
two splendid steam engines are ezhibitcd-one from T.
Rahms Eagle Works, the other from the Tredegar Works.
They are kept in operation, aud attract a considerable
share Of attention.
The swine department lies west Of the tanks, and PEG.
pie who arc fond OF inspecting superior specimens Of the
porcine species, will find here a large assortment. inclu.
ding Mr. Peyton Johnston's celebrated Berkshires-
Next to and beyond the swine department, are the horse
stallsf extending almost as far rs the eve can reach. Nv.
cry stall i occupied, and a majority Of the animals are
FLOODED stock. This feature OF the exhibition Is success.
iul beyond the most sanguine expectations.
The sheep department lies directly north of the large
pavilion, and contains several fine specimens Of the Sax.
on aud Cotswold breed. The roofing Of the sheen stalls