Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-11-28
Gold in New York. 81 G9l.
Nuinbel' >.
Centennial Correspondence
CENTFNNIAL GROUNDS,
~, PHILADELPHIA.
October, 1876,

Our first entrance of the Main Build
ing was October goth. If we had been
in search of mankind VIC should have
exclaimed Eureka! 1t was the mouth
that made glad the hearts of Commits
sioners and Stockholders. Prior to
October the enterprise was not q sue
cess. But during its bright and brac-
ing weather the daily attendance av-
eruged over one hundred and two
thousand persons. OF course we went
in a. the western entrance. Before us
we saw twenty one acres of such won
ders Of skill and industry as the world
had never before produced, Here was
the brightest spot of the brightest age
Of man. The gay pleasure-seeker
laughed and pressed ahead, looking
for live thunderbolts and philosophers
stones. But the thoughtful and re-
flecting visitor, who had read of his
fOrefathers, back in the twilight Of
history and the dawn Of civilization,
looked patiently until prolonged and
concentrated thought made the head
to swim. Here was human develop
ment in all of its stages, from the war
club and stone axe up to the telegraph
and steam engine.
The crowd was appalling and one Of
the ladies in our company was remin-
ded that to carry parasol or leathern
bag, or shawl all day would be an inn
possibility. The everready policeman
was near and to our inquiry replied we
could leave it at the check room. But
we soon learned that the privilege was
one we must pay for. Each piece must
be checked separately at a cost of TWEEN
ty-five cents TO consolidate bundles
was not allowed. This was the only
extortion we met with inside the
grounds.
Our entrance was in the Empire Of
JAPAN,
and / was at once attracted by two i'm
mense vases. whose height exceeded
/ that of any Of the visitors saw pres
| ent, but quiet view so near the en-
trance at an early hour Of the day was
not practicable and we passed on to
the Department of
AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY,
whose Bohemian Glass ware seemed
to be perfection itself. Some of it was
ornamented with beautiful paintings
of the most delicate character A case
of smokers materials was generally
attractive. The display was very large
and the variety great. Mcerschaum
aud Amber were the material and the
pipes and the cigar-holders were cary
ed in the most fantastic and artistic
style. Bears, horses, dogs, birds, DC,
were carved in rich profusion. An
amber chandelier worth eight thou
sand dollars. was by no means large,
but its plainness indicated the costli-
ness of the material. Some of the
pipes represented Eears, transfxed
with spears, the latter making the
stem.
A skeleton and scythe, Mazeppa on
his fiery ride, woman with doves
alighting on her head, were specially
worthy of note. The Austrian Laces
were in fine display aud Of splendid
quality. In
GERMANY
1 saw IS-button kid gloves. They
were about 30 inches in length, and OF
course intended TO reach to the shoul
der Carpets, rugs and stationary
seemed conspicuous Ia the display A
lovely artificial bird, with natural
! feathers, and strangely natural ia ap-
pearauce was mounted on pyramid
of flowers, in a glass dome, and by
! some sort of concealed clock-WOrk,
sang most bewitchingly every half
minute or 80, II this bird could be