Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-08-17

L =
the Fair What house furnishing
costs an the Flovery Kingdom-
Other Notes about the SAow-TotaJ
attendance to July 18Th.
[From our Regular Correspondent
Philadelphhia, dug. IA 1876.
Taking up the review where [ left it
last week the comparison of China and
Japan by their respective displays is
still in order Another careful tour
through the two sections confirms my
first impressions in some respects and
modifies them somewhat in others.
must confess that the average curiosi-
ty-hunter would argue for great
similarity in the handiwork of these
people. The Chinese section runs par
allel with that Of Japan opening upon
the main avenue There is not suffi
cient room given for the extent of the
display, and the result is that the
space is generally intentionally
crowded, but the arrangement of the
section is effective and pleasing. The
characteristic gateway to the depart
ment gives good idea of the world of
wonders to be seen within, and ali the
fttings-up are to foreign eyes so odd
and fantastic as to attract almost as
much attention as the articles exhibit
ed. 1t is the style to denominate
these modes of building and decor
ations as 'tea caddy' fashions, but
looked ct impartially, these designs
are seer to have a kind of wild beauty.
The portals, cases, etc. appear heavy
cumbrIous, but the fact must not be
lost sight of that each of them gives in
itself a condensed idea Of the whole
science of architecture as the Chinese
understand it. There is d strange lack
Of versa ility about this people. They
have been doing the same thing in the
same way for ages and it never seems
to occur to them to vary from settled
usage. A temple is built IN a certain
way; case ten feet square is built in
the same way; and if one looks cum
brous while the other seems we'll pro-
portloned, the fault is in the need Of
having SO small structure. The Wis
ltor will observe various pictures in
the department, of Chinese edifces Of
varying size and elegance, and will no
tice both chat the one style of building
runs through all. and that when it can
be properly displayed it is not heavy,
but light and elegant.
Here, as in the japanese section,
prominent feature consists of those
wonderful and very elaborate screens,
some drawn and shaded in India ink.
but more of them embroidered. The
framing of these works by the Chinese
is superior to that of the japanese.
The frames are of open carved wood
work, beautifully executed and fern
ing splendid border all around the
picture. This wood carving is one of
the best things done by the Chinese.
A variety of woods are shown in the
section, but the only kind which en-
ters into the construction of goods de-
scribed in this letter is a magnificent
black close grained wood greatly re-
sembling ebony. This material takes
dull deep polish, and makes one of
the finest me diums of ornamentation
| have ever seen. In addition to the
framework of the screens, various
handsome peculiar articles of furni
ture are made Of it. 4 parlor set is
noticeable, including splendid sofa.
A favorite article with Chinese house
keepers appears to be a sort of buffet,
with doors on the lower portion and
open shelves above; it makes charm
ing piece Of furniture. There are ell
egant centre tables, card tables, etc. of
the same material. with tops of native
variegated marble, as we'll as of paint
ed china resembling mosaic work.
The vases and bronzes made by both
the Chinese and japanese are notice
able features. The extent to which
animal subjects are portrayed in all
their works is marvellous. Birds dra-
goens, fishes and reptiles are introduc-
ed everywhere, sometimes with a hu-