Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-07-20
Letter from the Centennial.
1925 LANCASTER AVE-, PHIL.
JuIv II. 1876.


1925 LANCASTER AVE-, PHIL.
July Il, 1876.
During the past fortnight visitors to
the Centennial have found that the.
mighty and elegant structures of the
international City We're exceedingly
warm, while some of tho plateaus
glowed like great ovens, beneath the
blazing sun.
Most of the buildings, though of
Il higher temperature than desirable,
were cool and comfortable in conf
parison with the extreme heat
without; and in consequence large
number of those in attendance spend
the middle Of each day under cover.
Strange as it may seem. very few
visitors complain OF the heat. Fer
sonal discomfort and fatigue are
entirely forgotten while the mind 10
so actively engaged with the
myriads of attractions which claim
the attention In q tour through the
Exposition buildings. Forgetting
for q short time the delights Of gaz-
| ing on the display, we have lovely
resort, known as the LandSdown
Ravine, where at all times we may
enjoy an invigorating breeze COM
bined with the sweet music OF the
Washington Marine Band. AnOth-
or favorite resort Is tho cataract In
Machinery Hall.
We would not convey the idea
that because. of the intense heat
visitors are staying away from the
Exhibition. On the contrary the
attendance has been steadily increas-
| ing for three weeks. But as far as
real comfort and enjoyment are con-
| cerned we think those who came
prior 10 tho middle of June did well;
but those who wait till September
| will do better.
| OF the innumerable attractions
| which dazzle the visitor in the Main
Building there are probably none
| which possess more real interest TO
tho world at large and especially to
| Americans than the strange yet
beautiful display made by the Japa-
nose Empire. This department Is
filed with the most deliberately
carved, inlaid, aud embossed articles
| OF ornament and real utility. Every
/ pieco Of work exhibited here Is the
result Of long days and sometimes
years OF patient labor; and some Of
the most deliberately carved orna-
ments doubtless required the devo-
ton of a life time.
One very instructive section of the
Japanese Court Is a large pavilion
near the southern entrance, on the
inside of which are shown figures
clad in all the costumes known In
Japanese life; also all tho wild and
domestic animals of the islands. In
that country priests, soldiers, mer-
chants, and laborers of all classes,
have their distinctive Costumes
which no others are permitted TO
wear. In an adjoining section are
many old paintings on paper and
cloth. In most of them the land
scapes are painted, while the figures
are raised high from the surface.
This gives the figures very natural
appearance. To the north of this
department Is case of wood and
ivory carvings. In the center Is n
temple of wood, very delicately cut,
this is filled with bas reliefs of relig-
Gus scenes, and ornamented with
dragons. Several japanese boats
with the sailors carved in ivory are
to be seen here. Small skeletons,
skulls, and other odd things carved
i'm ivory are laid on the floors of the
cases. In one end Is magnificen
flower pot carved from the large
part of an elephants tlisk, richly
embossed with tinted figures. We
were Interested In the lacqured ware
which ia from one to six hundred
years old. The very oldest pieces
are really the most beautiful. In
one case is writing table seven
hundred years old. III Is much low
or than those In use at the present
time, and has very low stool ac-
companying it. There are lacqurod
pieces six hundred years old; also
work boxes, vases and bronzes OF the
same venerable age.
There are many cases containing
the most dazzling display of lacquer
Oh wood inlaid with gold, silver and
mother-of-pearl.
The bronzes in the exhibit are
very magnificent and very costly.
We noticed one elegant pair of bronze
vases marked twenty-five hundred
dollars. Labels on thousands of ar
ticles i'm this department show that
they are already sold, and notify the
visitor that duplicate orders will be
taken. Goods sold arc not allowed
to be removed until the close Of the
Exhibition.
Some distance from tho Main
Building is situated tho Japanese
Bazaar, which proves very attrac-
| tive to visitors DESTROYS OF carrying
home some curiosity from the Fair.
Some two weeks ago we noticed a
| good citizen from Knoxville invest
ing very literally In some Of the
use ul and ornamental things TO be
obtained here. The building is n
long low structure, with tiled roof,
| without doors or windows, and two
wings, that partly enclose a court In,
front. In the rear Ia little garden
curiously laid out and filled with
plants belonging to Japan. There
were very small dwarfed trees which
| we were informed they considered
very beautiful. We thought
they looked like stunted crab-apple
trees. There were i'm the garden
some small fountains different from
anything we have ever seen. The
whole appearance of the place IL in
deed very curious, and well repays
the visitor for time spent In exam
lining IL.
We intended I'm this iettar to give
| some account fthc attractions in tho
| Agricultural Hall, but must defer
even brief mention until another
| time. ADELAIDE MATTHEW'S.
nrAt rn DrCtu ATlanc