New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-10

and furthest from grace" Dut certainly this
portion is furthest from completeness. Un-
opened cases and huge piles of concealed
treasures give the impression that the ex-
hibiters know that they are at home and
can take things more leisurely than foreign
ers. Nearest the door are the show cases
of the great publishing houses, Harpers'.
Lippincott's, "The Bible Society,"" and the
Methodist Publishing Concern standing out
prominently. Passing down the central
Aisle we reach the centre Of the hall. Here
the United States and England, France and
Germany touch or look at each other. The
exhibit of porcelain and articles of rsrtu by
Germany promises to be notably fine and
has already created surprise. A striking
bust of Kaiser Wilhelm" points the moral
of peace and good will. The English
colonies have been markedly active in get
ting their goods into apple pie order. Here
are furs of every stripe from Canada, and
near them are the productions of Australia
and New South Wales. England, with her
back to the frozen north, is seen to
grasp in her sinewy hands the sunny South,
and every cline and every production
is here labeled "Englarl" or "Eoglish
colony" Like q cutie fish, her tentacles
bring food from every direction, and per-
haps also, like the same unamiable "critter,"
her msw is Unsuitable. Still if one were not
an American he might do worse than be q
'blssted Bri.isher." Leaving the first class
powers to fight ont the question OF. pre-emi-
nence in arts Of peace, as they have often
done in the art of war, We journey, like
civilization, westward. Here 10 China
neighbor to Egypt and Spain lying con-
tiguous to Japan. Hard by is Brazil and
near at hand are the shores of the Neither
lands. If one may judge from what is, of
what will be, there is nothing risked on as
serting that Brazil will probably surprise
visitors most. 1t has been limited that
"Dom Pedro" in his styly incognito way
has signed blank checks and the Brazilian
department. is got up regardless of expense.
Certainly it is q mass Of unsppr0ached
color glow. Every tint OF the rainbow and
the sheen and simmer of the plumage of
the rare birds Of Brazil are here reproduced
in the decorations of walls and floors. In
the ancient times geographers were
won't to put figures of wild beasts,
dangerous and fearsome, in the hearts
of continents where explorers had not gone.
That is, the unknown E either dreaded or
despised. A day of adjustment comes, and
the wild beast gives way to healthful
garden or populous city. This centennial
exhibition will be time and place for ad
justing and correcting. The lsss known
lands are full of surprise power. The an
tique civilizations of Egypt and China are
revived and modernized and full Of teach
ing. Brazil and the Netherlands, which lie
somewhat off the worlds main lines of
travel, are seen to be energetic and artistic
beyond the surnise Of the untraveled many.
indeed, the completeness, of th"ir depart
ments has to do With this impression. Per
haps when England and France and the
United States show the full splendor of
their recherche productions, Brazil will be
less attractive-Eut l speak of what is. No
doubt one week will make much change.
The art gallery or Memorial Hall is still in
the hands of the workmen, but the adjoin-
ing annex was open to visitors, who had Sc
cured much coveted cards Of admlssion.
Having the right of entire explored and
enjoyed this region Of art treasures. The
wealth of Europe is poured out at the feet
of American. The Queen of England and
Empress of India" sends rich contribu
ton from her own collection, and then
comes France and then Italy. l fingered 80
long among the riches of the Queen of Art
that the danger of safety was great. In
portrait and in landscape, in historic paint
ing and in sculpture Italy is still unique. l
presume your readers do nos want q cata-
logue. That is we'll, for l could not give it.
Some "guide," wise or otherwise, must do
that. lean only give impressions and re-
collections with some information, hope
for those who come after. One could liDger
long amid these marvels of art and 'long
results Of time" 1t ID difficult to distinguish
were every thing is praseworthy. One sea
piece by Somaratohi (how is that!) stands
out prominent as triumph of representing
the setting sun on q swollen sea. 1t is
technical and somewhat patchy when too
closely peered at, but fairly treated in good
light it is marvellous, and ia sure to please
the art loving people OF New Orleans
Most of the ststusry is still covered Work
men are plying chisel and hammer diligently
and every hour reveals fresh beauties. Isaw
Signora Adelaide Mariana's beautiful statue
Of Sappho, and thought Of Byron's-
"Ye isles Of Greece ye isles Of Greece.
Where burning sapphO wept anu sung
1t is tragedy in marble. The artist repre-
sents the great queen of song in that mo-
ment of despair, when she stands ON the
fatal rock fro % which she is soon to fling
herself. Her face is disturbed by unutters
able grief over the faithlessness Of her
lover. One hand 10 twined into the masses
Of thick hair hanging down each side OF her
face, while the other is pressed upon her
heart. Tho broken harp at her
fSet tells, % only symbols can, of fractured
hopes and shattered plans and prospects.