The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-10-24
LOCAL MATTERS.

| 7hs Agricultural Far.-Yesterdav was a
| charming day, Notwithstanding the fogey
| morning with which II opened. After the sun
| e&nlblted his rosy face, the air was rendered
| clear and delightful, and everybody expe-
rlenced sensations OF pleasure in anticipation
| OF the auspicious commencement of the Fair
a. an early hour, throngs of ladies and gen.
| tlemen repaired TO the depot, on Broad street,
and took passage for the grounds, where a
scene of gaiety and animation was shortly
visible. Every train carried up large num-
Der OF persons, and private carriages from the
neigh hboring country were cons family arriving.
IL would be difficult in brief description, to
give an idea OF the scene that presented itself
| 10 the spectator. The best point of observa-
tion was the verandah of the new Exhibition
Hall, from which a fine view of the grounds
may be obtained. A more beautiful picture
cannot well be imagined. The arrangement
OF the grounds, the pretty groves, the neat
buildings and white tents with flags waving
alort, and more attractive still, the gaily
dressed ladies visible on all sides to say moth
ing Of vast number OF interesting objects
tastily dispersed around, constituted u scene
winch no one could fail To admire on such q
bright autumnal morning. Happy and con-
tented gentlemen were there with their wives
ana chliuren younger ones with their sweet
hearts pretty girls In tidy hats with plumes,
which Is the most becoming fashion ever
adopted and all seemed fully ben on having
good time and enjoying the holiday while it
lasted. The Armory Band enlivened the oc-
casion with good music, and everything was
as gay as the most devoted lover of pleasure
could have desired.
The exhibition is, in the opinion of many
persons, the best that was ever held here
There Is enough to engage the attention of the
visitor Tor week, and in point OF quality, we
do not see how il could be surpassed. AT IL
O'Clock yesterday the horses were led around
the track for the committees to judge of their
respective qualities. This was fine display
atsd one which gave infni e sd isfac ion TO the
admirers OF such noble aaimals. Prominent
among the thoroughbreds were Don Juan,
VlrglnIan, Engineer, OIelius, Deucalion, Tro-
jan, and Sultan. There were MANY other
noted animals, ard perhaps the most impos-
ing part OF this exhibition was the cayalcade
OF hoSSuth and some twenty three of his
beautiful colts. After full inspection of the
horses the horned cattle were led around the
track III stately procession, which constituted
an interesting feature of the days proceed
ings.
While the horses Were going round, splen-
dlu Dlack morse broke away from his groom
ana gailoped OF at a tremendous rate, but he
was secured without doing any injury.
There are two portable steam engines in op-
eration-one exhibited by j. Il. Anderson Il
Co, and the other by Philip Rahm. Their
power Is shown in the working of curious
machinery attached. In the mechanical de-
paftment there Is great variety, including
pioWs, reaperS, threSuers, an-miils, drills
horse-powers of several kinds, wagons, carts,
farm gates, etc, etc. Some very fine carriages
aud buggles are also exhibited. A lofty wind
mill, Il novelty TO many persons in these day S
OF steam, attracts much attention
Inere Is so much To be noticed that we can
not undertake a minute description of the
several departments. Wemay possibly, here
al er, make paruc ular mention OF some of the
most meTltUTIOus articles, but In the mean
time would advise all u 60 and see tor them
selves.
The array of beauty yesterday was sufficient
TO compensate any ore tor Il visit To the
grounds. We have no idea of the number OF
persons IN attendance, but IL was quite large.
To-day, II the weather proves favorable, there
Will be a vast crowd, the trains yesterday
afternoon came in heavily loaded with pas
sengers, and many more are expected.
Tue "outside shows" as they are generally
called, are now located inside the FAIR
Grounds and for extent, variety and noise
beat any thing we ever experienced. The big
snakes, lat women, giants, stone-eaters, sword
sWalioWers, and ali the catch penny concerns
that travel about the country, are on hand and
IN full blast. One OF The showmen had a TALL
from a tree yesterday, while up there fixing
OF his lungs afterwards was u proof of his
condition. Good order prevailed, and we only
heard OF one slight ''Scrimmage," which took
place outside.
To-day, at Ii o'clock, the horses entered for
trials OF speed are to be trotted slowly twice
around the track.
At o'clock, tue Knights Templar will be
received by the Chief Marshal.
The officers connected with the Fair have
thus far extended every desirable courtesy to
the presS-a fact winch We lake especial
pleasure in noticing.