Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-18
fCorresponaence Of The Stsr.l

Observation-Disclosures PALAsr June 9th.
For one week we have daily visited this no
doubt the grsndest exhibition ever held by man,
butwe have seen only small portions of it. Nat
urally We have scrutinized the division where
our country Is represented, and compared 1t
with others, and am sorry to say, have come
to the conclusion that we are making q most
decidedly poor show with few but exceptions.
Whilst other nations have made their rooms
look cheerful and pleasant with decorations
and ornaments, the United States looks cold and
uninviting. Ugly empty spaces are to be seen
everywhere, much looks unfinished, and many
articles, not ornamental in themselves are
carelessly put up. Besides, with the exception
Of the specimens in the machine room, we do
not seem to have anything Of any special merit
upon exhibition. The consequence is that the
division is visited by few in comparison with
others.
The only things which seem to attract atten-
ton are the tables of the Pacific railroad com
pany, who exhibit grain and turnips Of enor-
nous size, as also nicely-stuffed antelope;
and Col. Corvin, who represents them, has
taken great pains in making his show promi-
neht. The organs and pianos also draw few,
but the main attractions are the Sherry cobbler
bars, where imbibing is done through a straw,
which seems to be great novelty here.
As regards the exhibition in the educational
department, think the city of Washington
makes the best exhibit next to Boston. There
are some few practical implements shown by
the United States in this line, yet on the whole
European countries seem to be considerably
ahead. L notice particularly Austria, Germa-
ny, Switzerland, FINLAND, Sweden, Portugal,
Denmark. All these countries excel the United
States in educational science in almost every
particular, and it is only in the primary school
system that We seem to have any claim TO SUI
riorty at ALL The horrible specimens sent by
some of our western cities are suggestive of
schools pstroniZed by Capt. Jack and his tribe.
Why the commissioners allowed them to be
shown at all do not understand.
In the machine room, however, the United
States excels all other countries, and one feels
proud to be called an American, and 1t is here
where Yankees meet. There are only about
one dozen machines of different kinds repre-
sented, but all of them are conceded TO be far
ahead in novelty, ingenuity, and usefulness
those OF any other nation. The machinery
space the l nited States occupies Is small not
more than one-fourth that of any other nation,
yet what there is of it tells fayorably. 1t is
crowded all day long by visitors, and particu-
larry the shoe machine seems to draw the atten-
ton of everybody that visits the building. If
We were fairly represented we could excel
III half the articles which we produce. The
best appearance, as far | can judge, is made by
france, then comes Austria, then Germany,
Russia, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Brazil,
Turkey, and Egypt. The worst exhibition is
made by Greece, where the decay Of the coun-
try is plainly visible. ...-y.
Of Washingtonians notice here Mr. Smalley,
n. Y. Tribune correspondent; Mr.. Fleschmann,
Mr.. Goddard, Mr.. Lines, and NJ. Williams
The city IL pretty full at present, and those
who come during July and August should Sc
cure rooms In advance. For a stranger every
thing fe very expensive, but after he once be-
comes acqu ainted he will be able to II We almost
streets Vienna outshines any other city in Eu-
rope. JOSEPHINE