Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-05-26
PHILADELPHIA LETTER,
Fro on Regular CORE sp N tent.
PARLIAMENTARY Nav On

I would advise all who expect to
visit the exposition not to stop at the
hotels in the city of Philadelphia
The average distance from the city
hotels and boarding houses to the
park is about four miles, and the ride
Is anything but comfortable and
picturesque. After having tried it for
week | determined to move nearer
the exhibition grounds. [ have spent
nearly two hours each day travelling to
and from the park, in crowded I'M
comfortable street cars, seldom able
to find seat, and when so fortunate,
holding it with vi lence to my con-
cience, for there infallibIy appears
some ancient Quaker lady to whom
thee will feel in duty bound aud gall
lantry bound to offer thy place.
There seems to be scare ~ any
young Quakeresses in Philadelphia.
I have met but one. This morning 1
went into store to buy a pair of socks
and a pretty blackeyed young girl
behind the counter said: twill thee
have them plain or striped ?" Now
my particular vanity is striped socks
but told her plain for I was anxious
to make good impression.
1t costs twelve cents to ride on the
street cars to and from the exposition,
one dollar in cab, the time made II
about the same but life is too short
for either, and I would a-vise those
who desire to make the most of the
show to take rooms as near the grounds
| IS possible.
Although it is now ten days since the
| opening. it is yet too early to sketch
the condition of the exhibition for
much yet remains to la done before
the plans and arrangements will be
completed.
Of the leading exhibitors in the
main building, France and Germany
seem to be the most dilatory. The
| American and English exhibits are
very complete. Their displays both
in selection and arrangement are
marvels of taste and beauty. The
display of the various Philadelphia
manufacturers are voluminous and
handsome.
| Sweden has a Superb showing OF
iron and furs, and the best specimens
of filigree ornaments in metal are to
be found in this department.. The
Italian collection is q distinguished
display of some fine mosaics and
carvings. Germany has been much
behindhand in arranging her exhibits;
her display of porcelain is good and
attracts much attention. Austria has
a rare display of Bohemian DDS The
Japanese collection is..large and varied,
and is distinguished especially for its
carving, lacquered ware and vases. The
Chinese exhibition is large and credit
able as are also those of Egypt, Erazi!
Holland, Denmark and Canada.
In Machinery Hall the exposure OF
attention is the Corless engine. TIC
To see this Titan with the strength OF
a volcano, the grace of q serpent ani
the docility of a donkey furnishing
the motor for printing the New York
Herald, stamping Centennial enve
lopes, weaving carpetg. ribbons, anc
! spooling silk thread, and hundred
other useful manufactures, from the
most pOnderous IL the most delicate
all here under enc roof, is III itself {
liberal education.
La Agricultural Hall. the display
consisting of cereals, woods: fruits, II
fact Of all the varied productions o.
the farm, forest and st eem, Is very in
teresting. If there is particular excel
Ience any where it is in she artistic dis
play of tobacco. The weed is repre-
scented III every state, color, manipu
!ation and previous cond tion. would
advise every man, and woman too, who
has abandoned its use not to look upo1
this tobacco.
The United States government
, bu,lIngs attract fair proportion O
visitors, but pant of the display [ can
not but consider extravagant and friv
olous: as, for instance, stuffed artiller,
men mounted on wooden horses, ant
other stuffed figures representing tn
changes In military costumes since tn,
revolution. The school historic
abound III pictures that illustrate thes
changes quite as well. These and SOM
other displays would seem to lndicat
, that the com missioners have been puZ
zled to find means for spending all TIL
money that has been appropriated.
The larger number of State build
ings, are not yet completed. 1t is diff
cult to See why they were begun. The,
illustrate nothing that is distinctive il
the architecture OF the respective
States because there Is nothing distinc
tive to illustrate, and they are at bes
but barren points of diversion from
that which is we'll worth sect e. Th
!, visitor with the impression that b
must see everything, will loiter in. thes
houses, when he won d just as wei
stay at his hotel for all the profit O
pleasure they afford.
The art hall contains by far the larg
est and most interesting display tina
has ever been seen in this hemisphere
or perhaps will be seen again. for
hundred years. would advise visi
tor having but one day for the exhibi
ton to give it entire to this gallery
Remembering my own early delight il
pictures, even in tue cOmmonest Woo
cuts, [ re greet every time see the pic
lures in this ball that every boy ant
girl in the country cannot have pro-
tracted access to them.
The woman's pavilion, designed tc
illustrate her productive ability, at
tracts much atts ntion, though there is
little in it besides the women them
selves, that is il itself attractive.
think it Is a mistake that they have
not few fine babies there. This % O.
duction has made woman illustrious il
two hemispheres. There is something
extremely pathetic in this disposition
or necessity, of women to ''fock off
into pavilion by herself; woman nc
more than man was made to be alone
q g