Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-21
THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

PHILADELPHIA, OSt. 10.
To tie Editor ofthe journal:
As the end of the great exhibition draws near
the throngs in attendance increase. The daily av-
erage comes up nearly to hundred thousand.
Yet so vast is the space over which they are scat
tered and so numerous the buildings that, except
at few points, little inconvenience is experienced
For the most part the weather of the past ten
days has been empently favorable to the work
Of sight seeing. cold wave swept over this re-
gon on Saturday night. bringing few snow
flakes aud making the natives of Maine think
they would have to go home to get warm. But
Indian summer weather has returned and to-day
the multtudes that throng the exhibition are rev.
cling 10 a warm, bright sunshine. The general
features of this great affair must strike every Wis
tor with more wonder than any particular dis
play made. The people themselves constitute the
most admirable of all the exhibits. The appear
ance and behavior of these multitudes are such as
to make American proud of his nation. Dur
ing a visit now extending over about ten days. the
writer has seen among these great masses of hu-
mainly only one person intoxicated or disorderly
and that was a sailor from one of our naval YES
sells who was enjoying his holiday too hilariousy
Ciyility AMI politeness almost universally prevail.
Even under circumstances most unfavorable to
the exercise of these virtues, in the immense jams
that occur at depots and on public conyeyances'
every body seems good natured and respectful Of
others tights. The guardians of the public peace
seem to have little to do, except to show them
selves and to answer with unfailng patience the
inquiries of perplexed or curious visitors. Another
general feature that strikes the observer with
wonder is the perfect arrangement and manage
ment of the stupendous enterprise. 1t weares
ones brain even to think of the labor involved in
the plan of this exhibition, the vast number Of
details to be considered and the completely OF the
arrangements. Yet everything moves on with
the sieadiness and order of perfectly construct
ell machine. Every imaginable want is met, pro-
vision is made against every danger and the pub
lie convenience and safety assured so far as hu-
Ian foresight and care could assure them For
example, of the thousands of children who have
become separated from their guardians, not one
has failed to be restored to its friends before bed
time. The recent fosts have marred the beauty
of the grounds in front of Horticultural Hall, but
the view from the western balcony still remains
one of the most charming to be gained anywhere.
In the foreground are the exquisite lawns, diver
SIZED with beds of many colored foliage plants.
AT the end of the front vista the Turkish bazaar,
with its many gay banners, furnishes another
pleasing element of color. Passing along the
avenue near by, military company may appear,
accompanied by music; and without fail there will
be going on through the labyrinth of paths spread
out in view the ceaseless procession of sight
seeis The best of all places for gaining gen.
eral view of the park and its surroundings is the
observatory on Georges Hill. Here the observer,
having been lifted by an elevator to a height of
nearly 800 feet, has a wide and magnificent bic.
ture spread out before him. The exhibition
grounds at his feet look ike a swsrming ant hill
The charming Schuylkill aud the distant Della
ware, white with sails, are seen, and between them
the great city, with all its more prominent build
ings plainly dstinguishable. 1t is a living pic
ture, comprising hundreds of square miles of one
of the most interesting regions in the country.
After all that has been written upon the exhibit
ton, bow can one hope TO speak of anything not
already familiar by dozen descriptions to all
readers of the newspapers. And yet the attempt
Is not so hopeless it might seem, for the affair
is so vast that no one sees it all, ald each CORE
spondent may light on something that will be
fresh to some of his readers Has anyone spoken
through the Journal OF the contents of the sepa-
rate building erected by the Spanish government;
1t is characteristic Of the nation to which it be-
longs that the display here should mainly relate
to war. An educational exhibit has corner
Commerce is represented by display of woods
and few other like articles, but war holds the
most prominent place Here are the finest models
Of engineering works to be fourd in the exhibi-
ton. The largest of these is representation of
the country over which campaign Of the Span
iards against the Moors in Morocco was carried
on not many years ago The model may be %
feet long by - or 20 broad In it are represented
the Notifications and order Of troops in every bat
tie; every building, every hillock, stream and en-
G campment is delineated. 1t is marvellous work
+. Besides this there are models large scale of
bridges, aqueducts, forts and bors, all executed
W ith nicely that astonlshes. Spanish soldiers,
Ia the National uniform, walk TO and fro, watchful
: but courteous. Perhaps no spot on the ground so
: fully transports one to the country represented
q To. morrow is the Southern day, for which great
. preparations are making. Delaware, MARYLAND
and Virginia have a great celebration, of which
the most prominent features are tournament and
a grand display Of fireworks. Delta
~