The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-11
:. THE. Il & STATE FAIR. !.
Il Lively AND INSPIRITING g
SCET =.
The Crowd, the Grounds and the Build
ing-VVhnt was to be Seen-The Dis
play OF Live stock-The Races, &c.
iFRoM. OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
-CoIuNB1A. November

muCn Interest Tue pTepa1oIAoiS Soi"e W. 'N'
the grounds. At1l O'Clock the gates Were thrown
open, and after general rush for the ticket ONCE,
all by degrees entered, and scattered themselves
among the various attractive shows. the GROUNDS
are not as extensive as the Washington Race
Track, but toe Tn0fe surface Is covered with o
thick carpet Of long grassi which prevents the
dust from rising, and offers beautiful unduis'
ting meadow for the display Of cattle. The whole
is surrounded by o white board fence closely
guarded by policemen TO prevent the Intrusion
OF climbing and burrowing small boys. A neat
building at the gate serves Tor ticket office'
and gives convenient room to The committee on
entries,
Entering along with the crowd we were greet
ed with the vocferous- voices Of numerous ltine
rant showmen on the right OF the gate, promi-
nent among whom we recognized the. lamiiiar
tones inviting us TO enter and see the giant
Circassan, boa-constrictor, &c, &C., exhibited
bat q few days ago at the Institute Fair In
Charleston Turning deaf ear to these pressing
invitations, we approacheda beautiful little foun
tain in the centre ofa. small pool surrounded by
rocks, where several 1ne geese and o focI OF
ducks were disporting themselves. Among them
were several Rouen ducks OF superior size, aud
two little tanned summer ducks Respondent with
tieIr brilliant and varied piumage. $50 ~
The principal building Is composed OF three d.
visions, two parallel and the third connecting
.Sem together In the centre, forming the letter b.
Tue inside Is onelarge apartment on the ground
1oor, the centre being open up to the roof, and
the two wings having each second story. e1n
front OF the main entrance Is large ampitheatre
about one hundred yards In diameter, surroun ded
by a fence, and in the centre Of which is q two
story circular building, the lower story for the
iudges, and the upper for the band. On the op-
posite side of this amphtheatre are two stag.
inps rising tier above tier for six rows, to &C.
commodatef the spectators IN the exhibition Of
the horses. ,r.-- i..-e.sz
The Firemens Band Of Columbia were in atten-
aance, AID as we entered the building were exc
cutting a popular piece Of music with some skill
and much vigor. In front Of the main entrance
to the building Is a large spring or fountain, one
OF rSe most beautiful and picturesque sights in
the whole fair. In the midst Of large pool OF
water, brown rocks and pieces Of marble urns
have been piled up to the height OF several feet,
and. from the top gushes large stream OF water
falling In spray AMI trlckling down between the
rocks. AT The base Of the pile is charming grot-
to, and with 'ichens and water weeds over
shadowing It and growing in the creyices OF the
rocks, presents novel and pleasing appearance
which always delays the admlring visitor. / j."
Passing on to the right wing Of the building we
meet few showcases OF silver and hardware,
and near by the bulletin Of the superintendent,
Mr.eLee, with types and sprintiag press at hand
striking or cards and programmes for the day.
neat hose carriage Of the Independents, OF Co
lumbis, presented TO them BY the New York Fire
mems Association, Is on exhibition here, and Is q
beauty In it's way. There IS no need for us tolook
atthe cards attached to the magnificent blank
books and stationery thas we see next, to tell that
orr old Charleston friends, Messrs. Walker, Evans
Cogswell, have entered for competition at this
fair, too, and their energy and splendid speci-
mems are an honor TO Charleston. The rest OF the
wing ts devoted to domestic productions OF all de-
scriptions, such as yarns, homespuns, grains,
fruits, and lastly, wines The latter we tasted,
and put it down with anything else but smile.
Proceeding to the left wing, small pen OF rao-
bits were to be seen OF all sizes and nues, anu
seemed to be living very comfortably together un-
der the circumstances. "A large number OF stylish
buggies and handsome carriages now oostructed
eur way, and on getting into the open space we
found this part of the building devoted to cutlery
and agricultural implements OF various KINDS.
Prominent among the latter we saw some old &C.
ouaintances, and recognized ]. E. Adger Co.,
who have entered Into competition with select
stock OF articles.
We now ascended the stairs in the left wing
and coming into the room overhead, found some
handsome cases OF cutlery, lot OF domestic
earthenware, and examined again the splendid
sewing machines OF Singer and Florence A hne
display Of leather is In this room; again we recog
nized the superior specimens exhibited by John
waties, and tanned by the patent method OF Z:
F. Panknin, OF our city.
Along the gallery and around the open space IN
which the fountain is playing are hung quilts
of eyery hue and pattern, making brilliant show
and speaking volumes for the taste and industry
OF their fair artincers.
On our way to the room over the right wing,
we were stopped by dense crowd listening 70
the magnificent tones Of a splendid piano. from
To sMatnusix Company OF Connecticut, and two
Others OF equal beauty aud workmanship from
Stiefr. OF Baltimore, Nd. The walls here are hung
with paintings and drawings, OF styles and quail
" to suit every one, and native talent has been
axerted with some Of the happiest results. With
the exception Of several large bundles OF apple,
near and peach shoots, the rest OF the apartment
is devoted to fimale handiwork, and Is one OF the
most interesting, complete and c7edltaole depart
nents In the fsIr The embroidery, lace and other
fancy work are miracles Of elegance and neat
ness, and the housewives branch presents every
thing necessary to the most perfect arler, from
Vial OF pepper up to the most elaborate lce-caSe.
Ii the space along the side Of the connecting
building, formed by the juttingA out OF the two
wings. is O large piazza. overlooking the amphi-
theatre. AMI the move in this direction, together
with the lively notes Of tho band, told US that
some show was taking place. On coming into the
pIazxs, most people were looking at the horses,
but for the time we had eyes only for an animal
OF higher character, lovely in. feature, and far
more graceful, In form. The place was dllei al
most entirely with alies, and as they gazed, with
eager looks and nu'hed faces, at the exciting
scene beneath, we thought that Columbia misns
well be proud of her beautiful women.
Returning to earthly things. we saw the am
phitheatre, filed with about dozen horsemen,
all splenlidly mounted, dashlng swiftly around
and anon wheeling In intricate circles. and show.
ing OF their steeds end horseman'aip to the best
advantage. At intervals, throughout the day,
there were drawing exhibitions In single and
double harness, aod the time passed pleasantly