New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-10
THE EXHIBITION GROUNDS.

About 236 acres of the portion Of Paramount Park
living west of the Schuylkill River are occupied by
the Exhibition. The ground is admirably adapted
for the purposes of the fair, 1t is an elevated pa
teau with three spurs jutting out toward the river
separated from each other by deep, wooded ravines
through which flow small streams One of these IA
vines is called Lansdowne Valley and the other Bel
mont Valley. The former is SPAWNED by two bridges,
the latter by one The hight of the plateau above
the Schuylkill is 100 feet and from the brow of
either Of the spurs lovely view may be
enjoyed of the green valley below, the
winding river, and the wide eXpanse of
the city stretching out to the eastern
horizon One of the three spurs is occupied by the
Art Gallery, another by Horticultural Hall, and the
third By Agricultural Hall, while the broad plain
where they join contains the Main Building, Ma
chincry Hail. the u. s. Government Building, and
multitude Of smaller structures. The sides of the
raynes and the spaces between the principal edices
arealso thicly dotted with buildings. North of the
grounds rise the picturesque nights of Belmont,
crowned with the old Judge Peters mansion now
restauraut where 1t is said that every President
from Washington to Lincoln was entertained
Westward of this famous resort of Park
pleasure-GeekeTs are the great green walls
OF a reservoir, and still further west
the rounded slopes Of Georges HILL the best point
1Ol NiCWiug the o'tOihS
of river, park and city. On the south aud south
west the many-shaped buildings of new quarter of
West Philadelphia-huge barracks Of extemporized
hotels, long rows of glarng red houses, and multi
tubes OF shops and Saloons gay with fresh paint
and with flags of all nations, complete the
Surroundings. The grounds are trayersed by
five main avenues, the Avenue of the Republic
running close beside The Main and Machinery
Buildings BelmOnt-ave, extending from the chief
entrance to Belmont; FOuntain-ave., connecting
the great Temperance Fountain with horticultural
Hall AQicultural-ave., traycrsing the grounds
between Agricultural Hall and the Main Building;
and State-ave. skrting the base of Georges
Hill. On the latter most Of the State headquarters
front Here are besides many miles of walks not
dgnifcd by names. All the main and MINOR walks
are paved with asphalt pavement. North OF Ma
chinory HILL pretty little lake covering about
five acres Of ground, with slOping banks covered
with grass and sl.rubbery. The spacious grounds in
front Of Horticultural Hall are dotted with par
terres Of flowers and traversed by sunken gar
den leading up to the portals of the Hall.
This IS the only generous space left unincumbercd
with buildings. The grassy cxpanse Of flowers and
turf II bordered by fringe Of hLe trees, aud the
cool valleys Of Lansdowne and Belmont on either
hand furnish denser masses OF shade to relieve the
brightness Of the scene. The esplanade, adjoining
the main entrance to the grounds has also been
prettiiy ornamented with Towering shrubs and in
the centeris Barhold's largo bronze fountain, rep
Ieseniing Light and Water TIE twin goddcsses of
oiIieS' West Of the Machinery Hail stands the great
fountain Of the Catholic Total Abstinence Society,
"hch next 20 the Centennial fountain, is much the
most costly work Of the kind in America. The
center Inquire represents Moses shifting the rock, and
tne lou subordinate ones are statues Of Father
@a'he", Charles Carroll, Archbishop Carroll, and
Commodore barry.