The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-24
INNOCENTS ABROAD.

1NNOCEN1S > ABFGOAD.
| EXPERIENCES OF A PARTY OF RICHMOND GEN
TLEMEN At THE centennial EXHIBITION
4 GLANCE AT SOME ARTICLES OF INTEREST
THE SPECIMENS OF TOBACC0-IIOW RICH
MoSD COMPARES WITH LoUISvILLE-P0ETI-
CAL. SENTIMENTAL, AND PRACTICAL REFLEC-
TIOSS.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch1
! AUGUST 81, 1876.
| The party Of '!four unsophisticated Rich
mond tourists" thought that it wouldn't
do to 60 around altogether; so it was deter
mined that we should, as in the case OF the
animals going into the ark, 60 in two by
two. The difference was that in the case Of
the animals referred to each gentleman had
lady with him; whereas (and / write it
with a faltering hand and an aching heart)
we had no such luxury. But catch my
self. Iretract that sigh for really Qet the
ladies skip this clause we were delighted
! that we had no tender damsels to care for.
Ladies are very fine artices-uselul things
to have in the house $50 are pins, bv-the-by)-
but I'd rather not be troubled with one ut
such 4 place as the Centennial. / shouldn' It
object to going on 4 bridal tour. There are
some pleasant little seats around the
! grounds, nice little corners in the State
buildings" \ young married couple, wish
! ing to rest every now and then, would find
| these benches very convenient Tor billing
and cooling purposes. OF this | have seen
practical illustrations. In my letter OF last
week I told you Of our visit to the gardens,
and gave You general outline OF our first
days work. A few details may not be
wholly unintcresting.
| \ person fond of machinery can be plea
sanity entertained in machinery hall for
hours ut time. The display is grand: and
| America offers most creditable front to the
| gaze OF the world. OF course there is a
great deal Of sameneSs in this rs in every
other department. Not having mechani-
| cal turn. / was at times quite tired Of look
ing at so much machinery. It is bewilder-
ing to see so much. In the manufacturing
department was much interested. Coates,
the famous spool-cotton man, has his repre-
sentatives in this building. There we see
the process OF making and winding the ar
ticle. Alongside of this machine-at least
not far Offs q machine for making braids
and tapes. The display Of fancy work in
| machinery is very fine. Some OF the plated
engines are beautiful indeed. These vary
in size-some being only few inches in
height, and others as large as an ordinary
engine. The miniature ships, anchored in
miniature harbor>, manned by miniature
scamcn. show conciusively that no minia-
ture mind designed them.
There are in many different parts Of the
exhibition fine displays of stones OF every
kind: but in the machinery hall there is Il
large Tuscan column formed Of ,thirty-eight
different kinds OF grindstone used in the
mechanic arts. This column stands thirty
| five feet without its shoes.
Another curiosity is tremendous boiler
so large that Il man six feet high can stan d
erect between its sides.
As we leave this building we hear the
voices Of the Virginia negroes rs they dis
course sweet music in BrownelPs parlor.
1t is very amusing to see the happy, con-
tented look OF Messrs. Archer and Brow
nell. While the restaurateurs alongside OF
them are losing money, they seem to be
making quantities Of it.
Over at the carriage-house we found much
to interest Us. Just as we entered the main
door fine team in harness stood before us.
The illusion was excellent. The horses are
life-like, and in the distance are frequently
mistaken for bona .fde horses-mark you,
not bony, but bona .1ide. One word in this
case makes considerable difference. I
wouldn't hurt the feelings Of tin horse.
In this department the different nations
Of the world are well represented. The
Russian carriages are very quaint and the
|
geous. The carriage in which Mahomet
went to heaven is gorgeous. A ride in that
would be the nearest thing to heaven on
earth, except (mark my words) that bridal
for bridle) tour spoken of while ago.
The Pullman Car Company have several
of their magnificent parlor-cars ON exhibit
ton. Elegant is hardly the word for these ;
they are magnificent. Just think OF my
bridal tour in one of these exquisite ears.
Oh. bliss! Perhaps I'll think OF some other
| Centennial beauties which will add pleasure
to that delightful trip.
The display of mummies in the main
building is very appetizing. 1t gives fel-
| low good, very ravenous, appetite TO
see these venerable gentlemen and ladies OF
olden times looking out from their glass
cases. OF course these Egyptians who ex-
hibit them have nothing to lose by it. None
of their countrymen have restaurant on
the grounds. "Poor mummies little did
We think, in the fair, sunny days OF your
earthly pilgrimage, that the hands OF some
OF your own posterity {? perhaps) Would
place you in full view OF the peerlng eyes
OF curious multitude. Oh, mumnies! =
but here the eloquence OF the sentimental
member Of our party gave out, and his grin
was as dry as that OF the dried gentlemen
De1OIc uiliss
The Chinese department is, OF course,
very gaudy; but person soon becomes
tired OF their fnery. There is SO much
sameness in it.
While walking through the main building
we saw a great many OF the handsome
wax figures OF which spoke before. AS ]
walked alone one morning around the
Italian department saw what / thought
was beautiful waxen girl. / admired this
wax figure, and thought it uncommon.
"Now,o thought I, "that posture is grace
full and yet uncommon. She is sitting down,
while most of these creatures are standing"
/ stopped to look; but, 10! what was my
astonishment when the figure turned her
eyes full upon me! / departed, did; and
since then / have not been so profuse even
In my solitary admiration.
In the Italian department the terra-cotta
work is right unique. Garibaldi stands out
in bold relief here as in every other part OF
Italy's exhibit.
Leaving this building, we took the cars
and went over to agricultural hall. The
first thing we looked for was Richmond's
tobacco department. But the goods OF the
snr I. 1nn~ -