Middletown transcript., 1876-09-09
Written for the Middletown Transcript
Centennial Notes NO. 6.
PORTUGAL.


Almost all the foreign countries
represented here have more or less Of
filigree work on exhibition, and Portu-
gal is not behind the rest in this line.
Some beautiful baskets and vases, jew
elry, and fans in solid gold and silver
fligree are displayed, and elicit bursts
Of admiration from lovers of this style
Of work. Some beautiful photographs
on ivory are to be seen here also; one
10 particular won our attention. it was
that Of Don Luiz LIST, King Of Portu-
gal. He is certainly a splendid looking
man, and has particularly winning
countenance This likeness is enclosed
in an ebony frame exquisitely carved.
Among the odd articles in this depart
ment is handmade shirt for boy, it
is of home made linen hemstitched, and
closely gathered at the shoulders and
wrists, over the gathers is beautifully
worked patterns in cotton embroidery,
as is also the shoulders, collar and
wristbands. 1t is made long and in
tended evidently to form the only gar
ment with the exception of a gaudy
bodice in green. yellow and braiding
Some few steel engravings are shown.
and also the plates from which they
we're struck. A splendid display Of
solid silver attracts general notice,
among which are two toilet sets, the
pitchers, basins, &C., beautifully chased;
also costly tea set Of the same precious
metal Inlaid work, among which IS =
handsome table is also shown A
monster prize medal in marble awarded
at the Vienna Exhibition is among the
art exhibits. A couple Of plaster casts
attract the admiration of the little folks,
one represents little boy riding tur-
tie. the other little fellow astride of a
dolphin. This conntry makes large
display Of earthenware, and elegant
cut glass Quite large quantity Of
images, or small statuary peculiar to
the country are exhibited, but the
monotony of the countenances. and the
subjects detracted considerably from the
interest in them. They represented
the fish. fruit. and vegetable vendors,
and also tramps Of Portugal, who did
not in any particular differ from our
own stock. What the material is, of
which they are composed we do not
know, and could not End out from the
young lady attendants, who were igno-
rant pert American girls, who knew
nothing Of their business. and we're
more intent in giggling and talking to
condolescent youth with embryo NOUS
taches than anything else. In this
connection let us observe (to our sor-
ROW. that as general thing. in the
Main Building. the foreign attendants
are more courteous, both ladies and
gentlemen, than are Americans occu-
pying similar positions. Almost all Of
the Of the foreign attendant take un-
usual pains to explain objects, and their
uses and price. The Americans, par
ticularly the ladies, seem to be objects
on exhibition more than anything else,
and need an interpreter to explain what
use they are, as much as some painted
idols in the Chinese Department. or
more SO, for they are neither useful nor
ornamental Among the delicate hand
work we're some pictures made of the
pith Of the fig tree. one Of an eagle,
others Of beautiful flowers. Portugal
makes a fine display Of drugs. and
herbs, but as these are not interesting
to the general reader, we will pass
them by. Some grand brocades. iD
gorgeous shades, are hung in long
lengths to show their beauty, silks and
velvets are also part of the exhibits !;
large quantities Of kid gloves in two.
three. six and seven buttons. are shown.
A large display Of photographs Of the
peasantry, municipal guards also peas
ants in holiday attire. Some beautiful
Portuguese faces are also shown from the
nobility. Some exquisite carvings in
chestnut wood for the trimming Of
doors in the Arabian style are exhibited.
Some tin wash-stands, with glasses at