Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-06-01
Gatottin GMrioM
ALEX, p. BEATTY,
Editor and Proprietor.
THURSDAY, JUNE |, 1875.
CENTENNIAL JOTTINGS.

post Of honor under your Editorial
head, in place of your usual "leader.
l am sorry to crowd it out but as the
Exhibition is the latest novelty, yonr
readers may possibly be satisfied to
lose the "leader' in order to hear &C.
casionally about the worlds great
show. The weather may now be con-
sidered settled and l wish all your
readers could see the exhibition
grounds in their betwitching beauty.
A visit to the exhibition at
this time may be considered
the very acme Of enjoyment, for
nature and art are here united in
the highest perfection Of each, and
when you tire of the endless array Of
paintings, statuary and mechanism it
is an celebrating relief to leave the
buildings and take stroll about the
grounds, now so richly adorned with
flowers, plants, fountains, velvety
stretches of green set off with urns,
vases and rustic work. The grounds
are plentifully supplied with seats,
which are free to all, and refreshing
ice water may be had in abundance
without cost. Many families spend
the entire day at the exhibition, talk
ing their supplies with them. 1t is
charming to see little pic mic parties
in the thousand shady hooks which
can be found in the grounds enjoying
their luncheon. And while thus re-
treshing the inner cravings they have
the added delight Of listening to the
sweet strains of Gilmore's Cornet or
chestra. Never were such means Of
enjoyment, instruction and recreation
placed within the reach Of the very
poorest class as may be found in this
great exhibition.
The difficulty Of writing about it is
that you hardly know where to COM
mence or where to leave off. In writ
ing occasional letters to you | do not
propose to enter into close description
of what the exhibition presents
The attempt would be futile and your
readers would not be interested. |
propose only to touch briefly upon
points and incidents here and there
which have common interest. As
showing tie inner life Of the various
people of the world who are repre-
sented here, the exhibition seems to
me to have its highest interest. Our
foreign visitors themselves seem to
have anticipated this. AS an instance
Norway exhibits a number Of life-size
groups of her common people, not
only remarkable for the striking natu-
ralness with which the flesh is repre-
sented, but giving an accurate idea of
the native dresses and customs, such
as a wedding, death Of child and a
hunters family around a wounded
deer. These groups tell their own story
and bring the people Of these remote
countries right home to us. We think
ours is peculiarly the country OF free
schools. Yet Sweden has thought
she might add to our stock of ideas on
this point by erecting an exceedingly
neat cottage school house on the
grounds,all complete in what her peo-
pie believe the appliances of education.
Here is Japan, too, now so rapidly
rising into highest interest in the eyes
of civilized nations. In the large pa
vilion is exhibited by small but we'll
carved figures all the costumes
known in japanese life, and the
peculiar dress of all ranks, from
the great Mikado (king) down to
beggar. Priests, soldiers, merchants
and laborers, Of all classes have their
distinctive costumes, which no others
are permitted to wear. A few mo-
ments spent in examining this col
lection will teach the student more
than ne could learn from the most
elaborate descriptions. The Japanese
Court draws the crowd and the at
tendants are great favorites, ever
smiling, polite and courteous in show
ing their wares. l may speak more
at length in future letters of the Won
derful skill exhibited in the bronze
and ivory carvings Of the Japan
and Chinese departments.
The womens' pavilion is beauti-
full structure and all it's interior ar
rangements most admirable. Of