Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-26

ed Of a cascade Of Ere one bundled feet high, 3
perfect Niagara Of hame. There WAS represen-
taton on huge scale IN colored fires OF lnde-
Pendence Hall, another OF portraits oftwo OF three
prominent persouages, aud the whole ended with
the Simultaneous discharge of two thousand large
rockets which rose up from common centre like
the bursting cut Of a huge volcano. The foun'
tain was Illuminated by the electrical light in
Machinery Hall, which turned all the Jets Of wa
ter into 50 macy streams Of slyery light, while
the perfect reflection in the surrounding lake gave
he appearance Of two fountains, base to base. one
PLAYING upwsrd and the other downward. At last
hundred and fifty thousand people within and
without the grounds must have witnessed the dis
play.
The chief event Of Thursday was de- igucd
to be the tournament Great expectations had
been excited concerning it, but it must be said the
whole thing was a humbug. The sport consists
in riding at fun speed, beneath three successive
arches from which hang ivory rings two or three
inches IN dianeter, and lifting these rings with =
lance held in the riders hand. \ hundred thou
sand people were kept waiting in uncomfortable
positions for nearly two hours, and when the af
fair took place they cav Cor the one in thousand
who alone could see anything saw dozen men,
bedizeued in tinsel fnery like Blnum's perform
eis, ride through narrow lane ard take of the
aforesaid rings. Several of the riders appeared
So intoxicated a. TO be hardly able to keep in the
saddle 1t detrGcted also from satisfaction to
know that the representatives of several Of the
southern states were the rankest of Iebels. The
representative of little Delaware succeeded in TAX
ing oil the largest number OF rings and according
ly received the first prize.
In Agricultural Hall few days ago fine dis
play of apples was made by our Maine Pomolog
zeal Society. 1t was a satisfaction to see so many
fine varieties, aud doubtless they surprised many
who imagine that Maine is too near the North
pole to be able to furnish any thing in the way of
fru worthy of notice. At the other end OF the
same table was fruit from Oregon. Some Of lie
apples here were larger than ours, but whether
they have so fine flavor TO opportunity was
given to determine, and in the absence of certain
knowledge we may give ourselves the ben, fit Of
the doubt 1t i, fact generally allowed by those
competent to ldge, that the fruits of the Pacific
coast while often of monstrous size are not as
pleasing to the taste as those OF New England
will close. The success has been equal to the
largest hopes. The effect Of it upon the national
mind must be highly beneic ia in many directions.
This bringing together Of the people from all Sec
tons will help them to feel more strongly their
unity. Then, too what a quckening of intelii.
gence and enlargement Of ideas they must have
received from the display of art, science and in
genuity. \ visit here to many has been sort
OF University Education. The Exhibition has
been great school where millions of pupils have
made great accession to their knowledge.
Preparations are making for closing the Exh
bition with impressive ceremonies on the tenth of
November.
Let me not close without a word of praise for
Our Maine Commissioners, who are unweired in
their labors to promote the interest. Of our State
aud the comfort of visiting citizens. To the Hon.
Joshua Nye your correspondent is particularly
indebted. DELTA.