The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-08

ground, was discussed. Tue suoJect was nnaliy
LETT with the executive committee tc hold the
next fair in Charleston, or elsewhere if neces-
sary. B. W. T.
GETTING REIDY FOR THE FAIR.
Appearance OF the Grounds-Some Effects
OF Martial Law-The Charleston Ex.
hibitors-Feeding the Inner Man.
IFRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
COLUMBIA, November s.
After many weeks Of careful preparation by
the State Agricultural and Mechsl cal Socie-
ty, many days of anxious restlessness on the
part of officers, committeeman, exhibitors and
attendants, and the thousand and one last
touches by Colonel Aiken and his industrious
assistants, the annual fair OF the State of
South Carolina for the year of grace 1871 Is
now ready to begin, and at daylight to.mor-
row morning will be ushered into existence to
the music of such Of the brass bands now on
hand 10 contest for that Observation-Disclosures
prize as may be selected by the executive
ton. The weather promises to be everything
that could be desired; the grounds, and es-
pecially the little race track, are In apple-pie
order, the entries are varied and attractive,
and the city is full of strangers, many Of
these evidently Of that frugal and self-contain-
ed class of yeomanry who "come to town" but
once year, but all intent upon the delights
of fair week, and embued with solemn de-
termination to make the most Of the show
and their annual relaxation.
Strolllng this afternoon through the fair
grounds, which were In that condition OF bust
ling chaos that betokens the day before the
flair, began to suspect that at least IN the
Item of stock-Devons, Durhams;
compare but poorly with those OF previous
wears, mainly, and indeed wholly, on account
Of that ghastly Dance OF Death which our mod
ern Nero has begun In the upper counties.
Many of your readers will recollect the splen-
did cattle that those counties. especially Union,
were wont to send to Columbia every year,
but they will look In vain this year for them.
There Is, to be sure, good display of stock
sturdy oxen, tremendous bulls, sleek heifers
and fatted calves that are good enough for any
returning prodigals-but the cards on stall
after stall bear the names of Richland and
other COunCle6 nerc8DOulb, WltuOuI liaCo VI
Union, York or Spartanburg.
The mechanical department looks more
promising, and shows that the Inventive
American mind has by no means run to seed
or neglected the wants OF Southern agricul-
ture. Here are, for Instance, twenty one dif-
ferent cotton gins entered for competition,
and host OF ploughs, rakes, presses, now
ers, planters, threshers, shelters and cultiva-
tofs. In this line, Charleston Is creditably re.
presented by an excellent hand plough pet
tlprew,s patent) from P. P. Toale, and an as
sortment of field machines from G. Graveley.
These include Coleman's corn and hourlng
min, Brinley's universal plough, movable ring
stumppuiler that looks as though 1t might be
capable of some pretty heavy dentistry,
shat plough, Wright's cultlvator, with nova
BILE teeth 8 revolving harrow and Holbrooke
swivel plough. Here is also the Spfague
moving machine, looking as If It would have
q walk over against the old Buckeye which Is
It's only competitor, and an admirable assort-
ment of field machines from Lorick & Low
rance, John C. Dial and others of Columbia.
Inside Of the main building there is no lack
of objects of interest; and, indeed, the commit
teemen seem to have had no easy task IN ind
ing sufficient room for all the articles entered.
On the main floor are an assortment OF carri-
ages, specimens of brick, wood mouldings
and other building materials, the trout pond
and fountain, and, occupying and crowding
one end of the building, one Of the largest and
finest displays OF vegetables and garden truck
ever seen In any fair. Up stairs there is
another very attractive display which includes
lures, wax flowers, patch work, needle and
fancy work OF every Kind. Among the latter
are many beautiful contributions from Charles
IN bearing the names Of Misses Eta Kelly,
LENA Cordes, Emma Lucas, Clara Bruins ct al,
and 1t shall 60 hard If many 6ve-dollar bill,
and perhaps some higher prizes, do not find
their way to Charleston as the rewards Of these
fair contributors.
The fair brings in Its wake the usual number
of side shows, on and of the grounds. There
is very little tent with a very big woman on
exhibition inside; two-headed animals, that
show no more sense than others with nall OF
tCelr advantages; performing monkeys, hur.
.dr,Surdys, harpists, and dozen bands OF
itinerant and predatory minstrels. Then there
are the funny little refreshment stands, Tor
what would q fair be without its ginger-beer
and seed cakes, and group OF extemrorized
houses. with ambitious designations, where
more potent beverage Is dispensed, ana Wneie,
pigsfoot threaten to establish themselves,
Which brings me, with profound apology for
INV Hardness, to speak of the admirable res
tanrant and bazaar established by the Ladies'
Memorial Association, the proceeds OF which
are to be applied to protecting the graves ol
the Confederate QcdQ. Ouo SoiA0t VI WIG 9oe-
-ond floor of the main building has been devot'
ed to the use Of these ladies, stalls and tables
have been placed therein, and every arrange
ment made for keeping irst-class restaurant,
where tea, coffee, hot and cold lunches, &C., VIII
be promptly served at all hours. In conside-
ration OF the excellent facilities which these
ladies have provided, and the noble cause TO
which their time and labor Ia devoted, 1t Would
certainly seem that they should have monop-
oily Of the restaurant business, and eelieve
that that is at present the understanding.
notice, however, that the Arabs of the way
side shantiss, aforementioned, are making
such arrangements as will enable them to turn
their bar-rooms into eating-houses on the
shortest notice, In which case they could,
doubtless, run 9 "cheap and nasty" competl.
ton that would seriously reduce the receipts
of the Ladies' Memorial Association. Each
one of them, however. protests that he will
not begin the eating-house business ''unless
S(hose other fellows do" and 1t is to be hoped
that the proper committee will promptly 81,
down upon the first one that breaks through
this tacit understanding, and thus allow the
iadies fair fed and every encouragement ir
their generous efforts. B. W. T.