Connecticut western news., 1876-10-13
Sheffield Centennial Notes. -"Cente


 when ?" This is all that is talked about in town at the present time. The cry has been hard times, but somehow the people find the necessary specie to take them to the great exhibition at Philadelphia, and then quiet their conscience by saying that they will not have an opportunity to at- tend the next Centennial That was the way your correspondent satisfied his, and l consider it money well spent, too, and I advise everyone to avail themselves of this wonderful chance to see the world. Peo- ple's ideas of the Centennial vary One young woman in this town remarked not long since that she ''thought people were foolish to go to the Centennial and spend $2S when they can go to the Burlington fair for only 75 cents! and in her opinion they are something alike" This young woman must be some relation to ''Betsey Bobbet." but we call her Esther
 r It is impossible for one to get correct idea of the great exhibition from reading the papers or from descriptions. The vastness of the affair is beyond the imagination of common people, and can only be realized by sight. People say, ''Well, you have been to the Centennial, but don't suppose you can tell us what you have seen there. No one seems to be able to tell of the won derful sights" Why is it? Now, can talk hours in relating the wonders saw, but shall not presume to do this for the papers, for others see ss well as I, but to the readers of this who are anticipating a visit to Philadelphia will offer little sage advise gratis. A good way to travel from this way is direct to Bridgeport and from there by boat, arriving in New York in time for the early tram to Philadelphia. One can get good board in private families for $1. 50 per day, and the whole expense for three days stay need not exceed SIS. If your time is limited to four days, spend one day entire in the Main Building, two thirds of day inMachinery Hall, the remain ing third devote to the Woman's Pavilion. Give another whole day to the Art Gallery and Annex. and by so doing you will not see thrd part of its attractions. Spend the fourth day in Agricultural Hall and Horticultural Hall, and in viewing the grounds. By systematically dividing your time you will see far more than by running from one point to another and back.
 was much interested in the great ma chimes in operation, the weaving of car
 pets, cloth, silk and fancy ribbons; the
 making of pins and tacks at the rate of 400
 per minute; the making of watches by the
 Waltham Co.,, printing presses. paper mills
 sewing machines, candy making, etc., al
 moved by the great motor in the centre o1
 the hall known as the Corliss engine, whicl
 seems thing of life. One of the greates
 attractions in this hall is the immense wate
 tank IA feet long, GO feet wide and fee deep, at one end of which IS large water fall supplied from the tank by pumps, ant
 numerous hydraulic pumps and machine
 play along the sides of the tank, throwin
 the water to the roof of the building. Il
 the main building don't fail to see the fig ures representing the crucifxlon of Christ
 First we see him extended on the crcss . then he lies in the arms of disciple,
 dead Saviour, just as if taken from tn cross, the prints of the nails are in hi hands and feet, the blood flows from hi side, a look of agony is depicted on h face. So real is the representation that fe' , can behold it and restrain the tears. Ne1 CT did we more forciblY feel that Christ
 death was a reality and that he died for u ] This alone is worth the price of admission , Examine closely the display of hand-mac D tapestry. much of it from France. In tt - display of jewelry and silver, United Stat :, can well be proud of her own work, ft Tiffany, and the Gorham Co.,. Meriden Go '. etc., exhibit great wonders in the art. It f ly displays rare work in corals and mosai h which require more than passing glanc e China shows many curlosities in carving !, of wood and ivory of exquisite workma
 ship, but their designs are as queer as tt
 Celestials themselves. Their quaint O
 vases are a study, too. The Japanese co 'e lection is one of the great attractions d the Main Building; though there is sam in ness in their exhibits. There is great d d sire manifested on the part of many visito l. to procure the autographs of the Chine to and Japanese Commissioners. One you e, lady noted for her modesty approached ol ;h of the Japs and timidly requested that B. write his name in her note book. She su i'll posed that he would hardly understal ts her, but to her surprise he very politely ( h. fered her chair while he rapidly wrote 1;oI, vyir Id a crown to her husband" and signed of own queer name. We expect yet to s, this educated Japanese Tn Ashley Falls ly the lady lives not mile away. She ne he asked Chinaman for his signature, and d. wrote in his crow track characters vt d. translated reads Sung Sing Rang, NingE ot China.
 o- Elkinton & Bates, London, have a fl o- exhibit of, solid silver work, among whi HIS is the famous Helicon Vase valued at $3 eo 900. It is of most curious design, rep no sentlng the triumph of music and art. cn is all hammered out and was the work
 years. Milton's Shield is worth looking ng and the steel armor of the Greeks I we display of glass is wonderful, beyond Af- agination to conceive or pen to describe le' Queen Anne's bed room is an object on much interest, also the wonderful bed stt made by Pottier & Stymns of New Yo DOT which received the medal above all natio ess It ia made of amaranth and black, waln we the wood brought from Africa. It is ' ld- ued at $12,ooO. Would one be likely 1d- dream of hard times while sleeping or to couch like this? Many and beautiful re- the styles of artistic furniture on exh of tion. France excels in the beauty of of porcelain and china. An old tea sci