The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-09-18
Correspondence of the Virginian.
CINCINNATI EXPOSITION.
CINCINNATI. Sent.

CINCINNATI, Sept 18th, 1873
ralley Virgiaian. been seeking for the
last few days an opportunity to note you a few
lines about the great Exposition, but the excite
ment and warm weather seem to entirely unfit
one for any quiet duties To undertake a de-
scription or even remark of all the genius, art
and beauty displa we'd in the great Exposition
Hall, would require more space than 1 feel you
could well spare, so shall only speak especially
of few Of the most striking articles. The fine
Art Hall is considered much more tastefully ar
ranged this year than last. Its title is now alto
gether suggestive and descriptive of all fine arts
The Matchmaker Worship are two of the most
wonderful pictures which hang on either side Of
the door in the northern gallery, which bring to
us episodes out of another region. The curtains
which surround the solemn darkness where rest
the ssholy of holes, are woven with threads of
gorgeous hues of purple and crimson The dress
of the worshippers, who are PROSTATE upon the
ground. are brilliant with color but their faces
-presenta will tinous appearance. But these are
not seen, nor for that matter is the extraordina-
~ detail of the picture until carefully inspected.
for the general aspect something like that ot
an elaborate embroidery, confusing in its intri-
eacy Of btrary forms and dazzling with its in
tense brilliancy of color. These passages out of
romantic and strange life, are from the hands
of an artist of Spanish birth, who one day will
he as noted as Zamacroist or Gerome, in whose
footsteps he is following. They seem to be I'M
interesting to the general observer, but to the
Artist they must be very interesting examples of
the force and solidity which may be obtained by
the use of color. fnsf M
Over the doorway between the northern and
central gallery. there hangs picture represent
ing the burial of Christian Martyr, by Van
Rauth. which reminds one very much of theat-
rical scene. The next most striking picture upon
the walls is Ophelia, by BERTRAND. The Ophe
liza to which we are accustomed, is half clad,
crazy woman, on the banks of some stream, into
which she is about to cast herself. But with a
higher sense of dramatic art Bertrand has chos-
en- the moment when the gentle, trusting heart of
Ophelia, suffering the intense anguish of neglect
and doubt has given way to despair, and the
brain. has Just began to lose its better selfcon-
troll 8l
The great Power Hall containes 215 Power Ma
chimes, all in tull operation, turning out bungs,
bolts, screws, &C.. all propelled by three engi es.
In this hall is machine run by power, for chop
ping sausage meat. and from its rapid motion,
would advise all hogs. (and dogs too,) to strole
in another direction. srt
Adjoining this hall is one of the greatest Curl
osities in the building, it being the portion of a
large bronze cannon. cast in France 40 years
ago. Its length was 81 feet and weighed 1920
pounds. The two largest bells now on exhibition
we're made from portion of this cannon. Be-
side it lays ball weighing about 20 pounds
which was found in it.
On one side of the Flower Hall is a construction
Of roots and vines which presents mountain ap-
pearance, with two streams of water running
through them from near the top
There are thousands of things here which
might be interesting to mention, but as I know
you will not have room in your columns, will
close by saying the scenery along the G. 4 O.. K.
r. and the Exposition is well worth the time
and expense. W.