Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-10-26
LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA
(From our Special Correspondent
Philadelnhia. Oct OIL Isl

close. Soon the city of
brotherly loVe VITA is broad
streets AMI long avenues, now
crowde1 with eager sight-seers gath
cred from every quarter oi the globe,
will resume its woased quiet but it
will Fl in futurs much larger place
in The minds of tho people, who 60
away not only impressed with the
hospitality and benefaence of its in
hauitants but at the enterprise and
energy that has characterized them,
j aud which has been instrumental in
a great measure ia achieving the sue
cess of the Centennial Exhibition
which will remain a lasting honor to
them and the country whose birth it
commentaries
The Introductory sentence may
seem to you rather broad assert
ion to start out with and you may
naturally exclaim What! greater
than that held ia 1862 at London,
the metropolis of the world, with its
illions of Inhabitants, as it were the
centre of the universe, from which
emanated the spirit OF progress and
advancement characteristic of the
American people, making them the
rival of the mother country ? Or
that held in Paria, the central sun OF
the world of art, culture ard refine
menf, or finally the last and most
complete Exposition at Vienna ? But
it is a fact coRceded by foreigners
and Americans alike that the COM
memoration of the one hundredth
birthday of the young Republic so
nobly undertaken and successfully
achieved may justly be considered the
event of the centnary, epltomlzlng
as IL does its wonderful progress,
illustrating its advancement, and set
ting forth the perfection OF its attain
ments in science, art and Industry.
Situated as it is in the largest and
one of the most beautiful parks of tba
world, where are tall stately forest
trees. the home of birds who MARBLE
sweet songs to the music of the
brooks beneath where broId lawns
and sloaping hil-sides with their vel
Vety carpet OF closely cut grass and
graceful and smooth pathways ever
afford a pleasant rest TO the eyes and
feet where lakes Glittor ia the sun
light ana beautiful fountains send
forth their sjlvery sprays only to be
scattered by the wind and reappear,
the effect heightened by the seven
coors of the rainbow in fact where
all nature seems in perfect harmony
with the works of man. Surely as
far as situation is concerned it would
be impossible to find its equal ; and
such is the arrangement of its build
ings and the beauty of their architec
ture, that where ever your eye Is
turned or your inclination leads you
will be found something pleasing as
we'll as instructive ami interesting.
OF course the words "Main Build
ing" "Machinery Hail." cart Gal
lery," ara as familiar as the name OF
our native town And we'll they
may be for in these buildings are
gathered the wealth aud wonder OF
the world in mining. manufacturing,
machinery, education, art, and
scieLce. The Main building is a
great object school where you may
study the manufactures and indus
tries of foreign countries and COM
pare them with eur own. Here side
by side is the exhibit of Italy, with
it's bronze figures, carved woodwork
and artistically arranged jewelry
and the display Of Norway with its
picturesque iron exhibits, fine array
OF frs aud gronIs Of figures discrlp-
tive of Norwegian life and character.
Take but step and you arc trans
ported from Russia, one OF the most
interesting sections, with its articles
of silverwaro, maIachite objects and
rich cloths, EN- broidered with silver
and gold, into the very heart of tho
Mikado's empire. This section is
the delight Of lovers of the curious,
but it is entirely impossible TO des-
cribo in words Jh3 n ,rqols Of skill
and ingenuity that meet one at every
step. The bronze vases with their
grotesque designs and comical i'm
ages betoken an amount OF mechanic.
oil skill and genius found amonDg no
other people One of these vases,
elaborateI7 carved aad Containing
raised figures representing historical
incidents is worth $4,000, which does
not seem 80 extravagant when we
consider it is estimated that it would
take one man $3.50 days to make it.
Alongside of this porcelain ware ours
and indeed that Of other countries
sinks into insignifcance, and IS far
surpassed 10 variety OF styles, beauty
of design and forms of ornaments
ton. The display of articles OF
lacquer ware borders on tho marvel
Gus. Although the display made by
tho Japanese is ons of the most cur.
ious and interesting as well as in
structiVo, tending to give US better
idea of the industries o. that curious
race of people across the water ana
deeper insight into their babjt4 and
mode Of life, as well as strange SUR
prise at their high degree OF e!7iliza-
ton. In strange contrast with
Japan is the exhibit of the Chinese,
which although curious lacks that
characteristic Of the japanese indico-
tive ofprogress and tho Advancement
Of civilization. In short tho CHINA
of to-day is thu China that existed
in the time Of Coniucius, evineing no
progress, no adoancemsht, bat cling
inc to the same customs ana tradlt-
ions handed down for centuries
But il 10 impossible u speak OF
the exhibits made by tbs various
countries, of the objects of interest
and attractive curiosIties every where
displayed. OF Tho lace from Belgium;
silk from Lyons; the watches from
Switzerland tho French hronzea !;
ENGLISH ceramics, Or even dwell on