Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-07-11
To The Editor of the News;

4 " bftC A1NtfIOf W tffb LNCWpf
A ride of several hours brought us
from Washington to Philadelphia
On the train there was an agent of the
commission organized to provide
homes for persons visiting the Centen-
nial. We made arrangements with
him to come to the place we are
now stopping at, the Grand Exposition
Hotel, at the corner of Lancaster and
Grand Avenues, West Phil. 1t was
near l o'clock A M. of the 9th inst,
when we repaired to our rooms, and
the day being the Sabbath. the grounds
of the Exhibition were not open to
visitors. This is the regulation,
whether it be wise one or not, it has
been the subject of some discussion.
On Monday so soon as we could
conveniently, we made our way, with
the throng, to the Centennial grounds;
this is Fairmount Park, belonging to
the city, and is beautifully laid off,
with walks and carriage ways. Some
of the original forest is still standing
and there is a lake or two within the
enclosure. 1t is intended as u Llace of
resort for the dwellers in the city,
where they may have the opportunity
to breathe the fresh air and look upon
rural soenery-The buildings that
have been erected for the Exposition
are beautiful and impressing. The
| first that meets the eye near the main
entrance is the "main building" COW
ering 81 aGres, and which is Intended
| TO be o place of exhibit of all articles
of all nations, which are not classed
with some special department. The
| building is divided into aisles running
| the whole length thereof, and on
either side of these alsies, the several
| Nations exhibiting have erected their,
columns, ARCHES, or enclosures, or
pavilians, or whatever else each may
have selected for its purpose, Some
Of these are large and imposing, for
instance those of Spain and Egypt.
| The flag of each country surmounts
| whatever il has erected and over the
space occupied suspended conspicuous.
~ is the name of the Country. The
aisles across the building could not be
preserved with anything like the same
uniformity as the space occupied by
the different exhibitors Is very differ.
ent. On the immediate right of the
main entrance to the building are To-
Gated the departments of tho Argen
tine Republic, Peru, and the FreC
state of Orange, In the former you
will find specimens of their minerals
fancy work, seeds, trunks, saddles &c.
&C. in Peru silver ore, ancient vase;
pottery, mummies &c. The Free State
of Orange is on the West coast o.
Africa, and had spelimeps Of ostrich
Feathers and eggs, Land and Aquatic
birds of brilliant plumage, diamonds
&c. The second on the right of the
main entrance 10 Chill with a collec
tion of minerals, (surmOunted with
the CONDOR and fruits, wines &c. Then
| China With q 9tFlkiRg display or has
kets, tGble5, furniture, screens, vases
table and house ware, and pagodas
and temples, rich and grand, These
goods are elegant, rivaling II not sur
passing any produced by European oil
American Art. One bed stead, ! pat-
ea, ~ elgbagate' work. manship apd
carving, price St,s00 and a pair Of
vases represented 10 be 100 years old
inlaid with gold and silver, and the
art OF doing which Is said to be lost
I The price of the vases 1900.
IGBap 70 siHilar in laany Easpe9ts &
China aud much the same class anC
style OF goods. / think more compre.
hensive and general. notice screeT
for porehes or rooms of porcelain, In
laid of 7 folds or leaves, price 81 400
> Sweden makes q splendid exhibit O